It All Started with an Apple. Subtitled: Lucifer's forbidden fruit

Chapter 21 Aelia, Lucifer, and Charsoc

 Aelia watches Lucifer as he stares out towards the fiery flames of his home. He is obviously lost in thought, even though she knows she can reach into his mind and read these thoughts she dares not. She already knows enough of his terrifying plans for earth and mankind. Afterall she is a mortal woman, sadly, desperately, even hopelessly in love with this fallen angel, the beast, king of Hell. A creature out to destroy her world and every human being except for herself. She should loathe Lucifer, not love, trust and lust for him. Aelia knows it is shameful that her entire existence now seemed to be for him and his touch. Her love for Lucifer was and would always be poison. His blood ran hot inside her veins, making his touch and taste her sweet but slow suicide.

Lucifer knows Aelia is watching him. He can feel the turmoil churning within her as he himself felt conflicted of late with his own turmoil welling within. He knows he could scream a thousand years and never relinquish it. In all the eons he planned and plotted for the complete annihilation of the race of man he never felt anything but determination and rage. Aelia causes him to feel so very much more, it scares him to feel an emotion so foreign to him. Guilt.

"Your majesty I apologize for interrupting or intruding but..." the sound of Lucifer's most trusted guard and confidents voice brings him from his troubled thoughts. He turns and smiles at Charsoc.

"Continue." Lucifer replies.

"It appears Gabriel and Micheal have come unannounced and uninvited, both were armed. They have been apprehended and unharmed until you give the orders for them to be punished or delt with in any manner you wish." Charsoc announces proudly.

"Thank you Charsoc, I shall..."

"Lucifer you cannot do them harm, they are your brothers. I beg you please!" Aelia gasps without thinking how angry he will be with her for the interruption, especially in front of his personal guard. The potent look of annoyance in his eye's pales in comparison to the raw hate and rage she sees in Charsoc as he scorns her, obviously disapproving of her and her opinions.

"Old friend, leave me and my bride in silence. Bring me my brothers as they are, untouched. Bring them to me within the hour." Lucifer demands. Charsoc does as he is told without another word or glance but the demeanor in which he loudly exits the room, makes it no secret he is not happy that Lucifer orders were not to harm the angels before bringing them to him. His behavior is forgotten by Aelia when Lucifer speaks to her.

"Aelia, you must never interrupt me again nor tell me what I can or cannot do to a servant of Heaven. I am not some dim-witted human man in awe and submission to you. I am as much your ruler as I am your mate and husband. I am supreme God and king here in my realm, I n every aspect. It is both disloyal and disrespectful of you!" he roars causing the foundation to tremble and crack around them. His emerald eyes flash gold to red in his barely controlled anger and disappointment in her.

"I have never been good at being a mousy-quietly submissive woman, Lucifer. Perhaps my lord and master you have chosen the wrong mate and bride," Aelia mumbles without thinking once more.

Lucifer crosses the distance between himself and Aelia so fast she barely has time to breathe between words. His left-hand snakes out seizing her throat in a cast iron grip that isn't causing pain or discomfort really. It is just a reminder that she is at his utter mercy and no real match for his power and strength. His sensual mouth curls back in his blinding rage, canines bared to her wide eyes yet another show of his self-control snapping. Aelia wants to say something to calm him, but she is paralyzed in fear and despair as their eyes meet in a silent yet deafening war of wills.

"Why fight me woman? Aelia, I own your body, mind, heart, blood and flesh. You know you can never truly win in the end so why continue to fight? You must learn to do as you are told and trust it is for the best. I shall not hesitate to punish you if I must, but I do beg you not to provoke me further to do so." Lucifer hisses.