✨ Devils Want Her Too ✨

Chapter 5: Devil Number Three

Liora's POV

I was not okay.

I'd just found out I was the child of an angel and a devil king, and apparently, my soul was glowing like a radioactive star with a "please claim me" sticker slapped on it.

I was exhausted, overwhelmed, and a tiny bit terrified.

So obviously, the universe decided now was the perfect time to drop another devil into my lap.

Literally.

I was sprawled on a chaise in the garden courtyard, trying to breathe under a sky that looked like it had been painted with fire and silk. The air smelled like honey and ash. Strange flowers shimmered nearby, pulsing faintly like they were breathing.

I was finally starting to feel calm.

So of course, a shirtless man fell out of the sky and landed directly in my lap.

I screamed.

He grunted, blinking up at me with the most obnoxiously pretty sea-blue eyes I'd ever seen.

"Did it hurt?" he asked, grinning.

"What?" I gawked.

He smirked. "When I fell for you."

"Oh my gods," I groaned, shoving at his shoulders. "Get off of me, you lunatic!"

He rolled with unnatural grace, flipping off me and landing in a crouch beside the chaise. He stood slowly—tall, muscular, and radiating trouble like it was a cologne he bathed in.

His short, messy red hair gleamed like embers, and glowing blue tattoos curled down his right arm and disappeared beneath the waistband of his pants. His skin was sun-kissed, his grin was infuriating, and the two small horns curving out from his hairline did absolutely nothing to make him less attractive.

And, of course, he wasn't wearing a shirt.

Of course he wasn't.

"Who—what—why?" I stammered.

He gave me a mock bow. "Ravion Vellek, at your service, little star."

"I didn't ask for service," I snapped.

He wiggled his brows. "Pity."

He flopped onto the chaise beside me, spreading his arms dramatically. His tail swished lazily behind him.

"Lovely night, isn't it?" he asked.

"I was relaxing," I hissed.

"You were brooding," he corrected. "Big difference. I'm here to fix that."

I stared at him. "Did Aurelian send you?"

He scoffed. "Aurelian couldn't send me to fetch tea without me making a mess of it. I go where I please."

"Oh good. A chaos devil."

He grinned. "You say that like it's a bad thing."

I tried to scoot away, but he leaned closer, eyes flashing with heat and something darker. "You smell like angel and fire. Do you have any idea how tempting that is?"

I swallowed hard. "Back off."

"I haven't even gotten close yet."

His smile was wicked.

And my heart was doing things I really didn't appreciate.

He reached out slowly, giving me plenty of time to slap his hand away—but I didn't.

His fingers brushed the pendant Thalor had given me, and his smile faded a fraction.

"Huh," he said softly. "He marked you."

"Marked—what?"

"That sigil around your neck. That's Thalor's personal anchor. The cold bastard's never marked anyone before."

He leaned back again, arms behind his head.

"That's hot."

I narrowed my eyes. "You're insane."

He smirked. "You're glowing."

My blush could've powered a small kingdom.

He stayed with me for hours, refusing to leave no matter how many times I glared, threatened, or tried to ignore him.

He picked flowers that changed colors when touched. He conjured tiny flame sprites and made them dance in my palm. He told me outrageous stories of drunken daemons, cursed fruit pies, and the time he accidentally seduced a thunder god's horse. (Don't ask.)

He was ridiculous.

And funny.

And... something else.

Every time I looked away, I caught him looking at me. Not like I was a toy—but like I was a storm he couldn't stop chasing.

As the sky turned from flame to violet, he finally stretched and stood, his muscles rippling in a way that was completely unfair.

"Well, little star," he said, grinning, "it's been a pleasure corrupting your peace."

I rolled my eyes. "You're a menace."

"You're welcome."

He leaned down, and my breath caught—fully expecting another kiss from hell like Aurelian had given me.

But instead, Ravion reached past me, plucking a glowing fruit from a low-hanging tree.

He bit into it, juice sliding down his fingers, and winked.

"Next time, I'll aim for the lips."

He vanished in a puff of rose-scented smoke.

I sat there for a full minute in stunned silence before I muttered, "I hate him."

But even I didn't believe it.

Later that night, I was in the bath.

Aurelian had insisted I relax—"relax" apparently meaning soaking in a marble tub filled with glowing water and oils that made my skin smell like midnight and honey.

I sank deeper, trying to banish thoughts of Ravion's grin.

It didn't work.

The door creaked open.

"I said not now—" I started, only to shriek when Ravion strolled in, completely unapologetic and still shirtless.

"What part of privacy do you not understand?" I screeched, ducking under the water.

He blinked innocently. "What? I brought snacks."

He held up a tray of glowing fruit and spiced cakes.

"You brought yourself!" I shouted.

He placed the tray beside the tub, crouching beside me with that maddening smile.

"You're lucky I'm cute," he whispered.

"Get. Out."

He reached over, plucking a piece of fruit from the tray, and leaned in far too close.

"You're not glowing anymore," he said quietly.

"What?"

"You were earlier. In the garden. When you laughed."

I blinked up at him.

He smirked again, softer this time. "Guess I'll just have to make you laugh more often."

And then, with a snap of his fingers, he vanished again—leaving only the scent of spice, a full tray of snacks, and a heart that wouldn't stop racing.