The Unknown // Colby Brock

~~ Chapter Twenty-Eight ~~

"I think it's a burden on heaven and unnecessary... but I clearly can't ignore my wife for much longer. She told me time and time again that hell is important and that's not just because of you, Colby. She believes in needing to balance out the good and the bad." God, as much as he hated it, finally admitted defeat in that moment. He walked to the middle of the room and held out a hand prepared for a handshake. All Colby had to do was shake it. "Hell will still exist, and you will remain king. Just like it's been for centuries. But I have one request that's as old as time by this point. Find. A. Queen."

Colby's eyes automatically flicked to Arianna, who smiled at him and let go of his hand to push him towards the god. She knew her future place in hell and she felt ready for it. More ready than anything she'd ever been ready for.

The devil and God met with a strong handshake that meant peace between them. Peace between heaven and hell. Peace between the angels and the demons.

"I have a feeling my last point was... unnecessary," God said quietly, intended only for Colby. He looked to the woman/demon watching them almost proudly then back to his stepson. "I never saw it before. I never saw the connection you two had. I guess my skills aren't as good as they used to be."

"Maybe they aren't, but I think she did hate me for a while."

"Right, you gave her up to me. Are you certain she'll want to be your queen after that?"

Colby paused to look at Arianna, too. She had stopped paying attention already to start bullying the angel guards into letting go of Tara, who had been itching to get to Jake since Katrina's bubble had come down. Watching her snap and cross her arms was more than amusing.

"I want her to be. If not now, then in time," he finally answered as he turned back to God. "But I think your angels are making her angry." He referred to the blackening of his girlfriend's eyes when the angel refused her request for the millionth time.

"Right." God snapped from his conversation and walked to his throne, attracting the attention of the entire room. "Release the demons. We have no reason to control them any longer."

The angels, though hesitant, let go of the demons they were holding onto. Most turned and snapped or flipped them off before walking up to their king.

"We'll discuss further another day, Colby."

The devil just nodded, taking Arianna's hand to stop her from glaring at the angel guards for much longer. She almost whined out loud but stopped herself before the sound could escape her throat.

He pulled her into his side and leaned down to whisper in her ear. "There's lots I need to teach you. You should be able to flash back to hell."

She raised her eyebrow suspiciously but he gently nodded at her.

"Close your eyes if you need to. Just think of where you wanna go."

She frowned but did it anyway, concentrating on the image of Colby's room down in hell.

Next thing she knew, everything was red. She opened her eyes in panic only to find herself standing in the room of the devil himself, just like she'd imagined. And Colby had come with her.

"That's... unbelievably helpful," she mumbled as she looked around. She didn't get much chance, though, because Colby wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her back against his chest, resting his face in her neck. She relaxed into him like there was nothing she'd rather do... because there wasn't. All she wanted was him.

Just as she was about to turn to him, though, the door flung open and Jake pranced in as goofy as ever. He paid no attention to his king, who had stood up straight when he'd jumped.

"Kitten!" he exclaimed excitedly, stealing Arianna from Colby's grip. He spun her around and grinned as he placed her down on the ground again. "Who just earned the title of demon? You did! I'm proud of you." He ruffled her hair, much to her dismay.

"Jake... if you don't leave right now, I'm going to test my new demon powers on you."

Jake's eyes widened as he took one big step back. Arianna motioned for him to keep going but he hesitated. Her eyebrows rose, arms crossing over her chest.

"Fine," Jake finally grumbled, turning and heading for the door. He slammed it behind himself, making the entire house shake. Arianna just shook her head and turned back to Colby to find him casually sitting against his headboard, eyes focused on his office door.

She walked into the way as she lifted a leg over him to sit on his lap. His hands moved almost immediately to her hips.

"You know... I'm kinda tired," she said slowly, tracing her finger over the skin of his arm. He watched her carefully as she leaned all the way forwards. "Shall we sleep?"

"Really? This early?"

"Mhm." She tilted her head, glancing down at his lips.

He shifted her from straddling his legs to straddling his waist before moving a hand behind his head.

"Enjoying your view?" she asked teasingly with an unrealistically huge smile on her face.

"Always." He paused to tuck her hair behind her ear. "I love you, Ari."

She couldn't help but smile more. "I love you too."