26. Nox

26

Nox

O ne second, I'd been staring down the business end of mine and Micah's death.

The next, I was staring at someone's broad back. A vaguely familiar back.

Dimitri.

Not just him, either. All around the clearing, various demons and humans were landing. Dagon immediately rounded up the humans and cast a shield over them. Three of them I recognised as the ones I'd helped escape Hell: Oscar, Bailey, and of course, Lucky. There was a fourth I didn't know, but from the possessive way he was tracking the Grim Reaper, I was guessing he was Ferry's mate.

The demons weren't the only supes who'd joined us. A slightly crazed looking mage leaned up against the giant red-headed demon I knew to be Mori.

The mage raised his hand and the regents in the clearing froze. The penny dropped. He wasn't just any mage, but a water mage, capable of draining the blood from any being, or freezing them still while someone else did.

That seemed to be the plan as Cal, Harlow, and Ferry went behind each of the regents. Before me, I could feel Dimitri's powers rising. He'd killed Lyle, but not yet executed him.

Judging by the power he was currently drawing up, that was about to happen.

"Wait," Micah and I yelled in unison. Everyone froze, their attention turning to us.

"Don't hurt them," Micah barked, pointing at the regents.

Harlow huffed. "That's no fun."

Micah appealed to Dimitri. "They're innocent, Dimitri. They didn't ask to get caught in the middle of this."

Dimitri nodded, making the other demons lower their daggers. The mage hadn't released them though, not doing so until Mori, another son of Lucifer and presumably the mage's mate, elbowed him in the ribs.

"Harlow's right, this isn't fun," the mage muttered.

"So bloodthirsty, River," Mori teased. "Don't worry, I'm sure someone who needs torturing will show up soon."

River fluttered his eyelashes at his mate. "You say the sweetest things."

The regents sagged forwards as River released his hold, clutching their chests as their blood resumed its normal flow.

Damon looked like he was about to start an argument with the mage, but I didn't have time to open my mouth before someone was slamming into me.

No, not someone. Micah. My little angel.

"I thought you were going to die," he gasped into my ear. He was holding me so tightly that a couple of my ribs cracked. I winced but didn't stop him; they'd heal in seconds. "Fuck, Nox. Don't scare me like that. "

"I'm sorry," I said huskily, burying my face in his neck. "I thought it was the right moment."

Micah made a noise that was half laugh and half sob. "No, that was the worst possible moment, but it's okay. I still love you."

I lifted my head and leaned back so I could see his face. "Good. I love you too, little angel."

Someone cleared their throat. I glanced over Micah's shoulder to see Dimitri watching us, his lips quirked in bemusement. "I get why we aren't executing the regents, but is there a particular reason for keeping Lyle alive?"

Dagon appeared at his shoulder, sneering down at the unconscious angel. "Eurgh, Lyle is the fucking worst. If anyone needs executing, it's him."

"No," I said softly, my arm going around Micah's shoulders as I twisted to face them. "This situation is fucked up enough as it is. If another arch is executed, fuck knows what the higher-ups will do."

"Nox is right," Micah said heavily. "We're in enough shit as it is. As much as I hate to say it, we need to leave him alive."

"For now," I added.

Dimitri gave a clipped nod. "Okay. Whatever you guys want works."

"What are you going to do now?" The question came from Cal, the eldest of Lucifer's sons.

Arthur stepped forward. "They need to come with us to answer for their actions."

I had to give Arthur credit—if I'd had the four sons of Lucifer, a deadly mage, and the former Grim Reaper glaring at me, I might've backed down. The regent didn't though, just raised his chin slightly higher and gave them all a look that invited them to fuck around and find out.

"Are you willing to start a battle with Hell over them?" Dagon's question sounded almost bored, but the threat was obvious in his stance. "Nox is under our protection."

Arthur's gaze flicked to Micah, something like pity there. "If you don't accompany us willingly, our next order is to arrest Ezekiel and Benji."

Micah stiffened. "What? Why?"

Damon was the one who answered him. "We haven't been told."

"But they haven't got anything to do with this."

Micah's fear was almost choking the bond. The lack of it on his face had goosebumps rising on my skin. Just how often had Micah had to mask his true feelings in the past?

Arthur brushed his hair from his sympathetic eyes. "I'm not sure that's going to matter. I suspect it won't just be us they'll be sending, either. All the regents have been called in from the borders. We didn't know why earlier, but now…"

His voice trailed off. Beside me, Micah's guard started to slip. It was barely noticeable, just a slight tremor working through him, but it hit me with the force of an earthquake.

"No, that can't happen," he said.

My grip on Micah tightened. The selection of Benji and Ezekiel couldn't be a coincidence. Before today, they'd been the only Seraphim who knew for certain that we were mates. It revealed the true scale of what we were facing. This wasn't about Emilio's death, but the fact that we were mates. That, and they weren't certain of Micah's loyalty.

I thought I understood why, too. Micah was a fearsome soldier, one they'd trained to the highest standards. His power and control were unrivalled. They weren't prepared to let him exist unless they knew he was loyal to them.

And only them .

If his mate had been any other supe or human, it likely wouldn't have been an issue. But a demon?

It was tantamount to treason. My actions were likely just the catalyst for something that was going to be set in motion regardless.

Micah looked at me, the grief in the bond echoed in his eyes. We'd both reached the same realisation. Neither of us were prepared to let any of the Seraphim pay for our actions. They might not be my brethren, but they were Micah's.

Allowing them to be hurt was the same as Micah being hurt. I couldn't let it happen.

Neither could he.

"We'll come willingly," Micah said. "There's no need to drag anyone else into this."

No one in the clearing suggested otherwise. From the grim set of their expressions, they all understood. Loyalty couldn't be demanded, it was earned.

And the Seraphim had earned Micah's a long time ago.

"We'll do what we can," Amelia said quietly. "This isn't right. Regardless of what Nox has done, a mating bond is supposed to be sacred."

Ferry snorted, drawing the curly haired human tighter to him. "Believe me, that's never been true."

"What do we do now?" Harlow asked. "Do we fight to free them?"

"No," Micah said quickly as I shook my head. "Doing that will put the Seraphim at risk."

"That's all very well," Harlow said, "but, being brutally honest here, I don't really give a shit. My concern is for our mates. If we don't continue to protect you, won't the deal be enacted again?"

Micah bristled, but I got where Harlow was coming from. And, as much as I didn't really give a fuck about what happened to them, I knew Micah didn't agree. "The deal won't be enacted because I don't want your protection. Besides, this is inevitable. There's nowhere we can hide that Heaven won't find us."

"Sadly, I think that's true," Cal said. "But what will happen to you two? We can't just let you go if it means you'll be executed."

What would happen would be our eternal deaths. If we admitted that now, would the demons insist on fighting still? Would our love be the downfall of others?

Listen, if it had just been me, I'd have told them to go for it. I wouldn't really give a fuck who fought and died if it meant saving Micah. But it wasn't just me, not anymore. Micah's happiness mattered more than mine.

He wouldn't be happy if they died for us. Especially Dimitri and his mates.

Realistically, we knew that was how it would end. A bunch of demons, no matter how powerful, couldn't stand against the full might of Heaven. If they fought for us, it wouldn't make any difference to the death sentence that was likely to fall on Micah and me. All that would happen is they'd add their names to the list too.

And those of their mates.

Plus there was the fact of who these demons were. Lucifer was hardly on good terms with his sons, but if any of them were executed by Heaven?

Armageddon would be sure to follow.

The grim set of Micah's lips suggested he'd had the same realisation. He gave me a small nod, agreeing with the conclusion I'd reached.

To lie .

"We'll be fine. Worst-case scenario is that Micah falls and has to walk away from the Seraphim."

Dimitri stiffened, his eyes going to my mate. "But…they're your family. You can't walk away from them for your mate."

"Why not? You did."

Micah had said it as gently as possible, wanting to make a point but not upset Dimitri. From how the former angel flinched, he'd missed his mark.

"Dima." Dagon touched his mate's shoulder. "We've got to let them do their thing. If they say this is what they want to do, then we need to let them do it."

Dimitri looked between me and Micah, and I knew an argument was going to follow.

Arthur, one of the regents, moved close, bringing his lips to Micah's ear. He spoke quietly enough for only Micah and me to hear. "If anyone else comes with us, they'll bring the entire Seraphim in for questioning. That was the final order."

Micah covered his mouth as he hissed his response back. "Lie for us then."

Arthur nodded, stepping back and smiling at Dimitri. "Micah and Nox will be perfectly safe. This hearing is merely a formality."

Dimitri narrowed his eyes. "Why do you assume I'll believe you?"

"Because it's the truth," Arthur said, lying through his teeth. "I swear on our honour that no harm will come to them."

There was a tense moment while we waited to see if Dimitri would buy it. He looked torn still, but eventually gave us a clipped nod. "Fine. But reach out if you need us."

With that, he grabbed Lucky and shot into the air, Dagon on his heels. We were silent as the other demons and their mates took to the skies.

"Thank you," Micah said to Arthur. "We owe you a great debt."

"Don't mention it," Arthur said. "I only wish what I'd said was true. I mean that."

"Thank you." Micah smiled at him. "We appreciate it."

Damon and Arthur extended a hand to each of us. Amelia stood behind them, her lips pressed together.

We were out of time.

My eyes met Micah's and I tried to convey all the thoughts that went alongside the emotions I knew he was experiencing via the bond. I love you. I regret nothing. I'd pay this price time and time again just for a few minutes in your embrace.

The pulse of love that echoed back told me he understood. Even without my words, he knew.

Bright light filled my vision, and we were gone.

T ravelling by lightning is not as glamorous or fun as one might think. It's noisy and akin to being trapped in a washing machine spin cycle.

When the light finally cleared, we were stood in a stone corridor before tall oak doors. Amelia nodded at us to stay put while the three of them entered the room.

I braced myself against the wall, trying to stop my stomach rolling. "Satan, how do you stand it?"

"You get used to it." Micah chuckled, stroking my back comfortingly .

I leaned into his touch. Every time he put his hands on me, he seemed to unlock a new sensation. First hatred tinged with lust, then love, and now comfort, something I wasn't sure I'd experienced in…

Well, ever.

When the room finally stopped spinning, I focused on my mate. "I'm not giving you up without a fight. Hope you're ready for it."

"Same goes." Micah kissed the base of my neck, his lips curving against my skin.

For all his smiles and gentle touches, Micah was close to the edge. Not like Lyle had been—I hadn't even realised that was a line angels were able to cross—but his sanity was balancing precariously. It wouldn't take much to push him over the edge. Either his unit or me being hurt would unseat him entirely.

I'd just have to make sure I caught him when it did. When, not if. I wasn't a moron, despite what Micah might have thought. The journey we were about to take was clearly signposted, with no exits in sight.

Unless there was some sort of miracle—highly unlikely given we'd sent the demons away and Micah didn't want the Seraphim involved—we were well and truly fucked.

The minutes ticked by in silence, the heavy doors masking any sound of what might be happening within. We weren't alone, but for all the attention the two regents guarding the courtroom were giving us, we might as well have been.

"So…" I drawled, taking an exaggerated look at our subdued surroundings. "This is Heaven? Can't say I'm impressed."

Micah shook his head, a shadow passing over his eyes. "No, this isn't Heaven. We're in purgatory. It's basically the bureaucratic centre of Heaven. That and the home of the criminal justice system."

I ran my finger down his back, seeking out the raised skin. "Somewhere you're very familiar with then?"

"Yes."

Micah's voice was toneless, but not the bond. I kissed his temple, attempting to reassure him. I was here now. I wasn't going to let them hurt him. Not again. They either kept him alive, uninjured, or executed us. Purgatory might have meant in between, but there wouldn't be an in between for us. They had to choose one path or the other.

And if they didn't…well. I wouldn't have an issue forcing their hand.

Pushing that to the back of mind, I glanced once more at the bare walls. "You'd think they'd decorate it a bit. Hell has all these portraits over their walls showing what tortures you can expect. I always thought it was a bit macabre, but I think having nothing is worse. Really allows your imagination to go wild."

A small snorting noise came from one of the guards. Micah glared fiercely at him. He flushed, fixing his eyes on a spot on the wall opposite.

I smirked. Micah might have struggled with being a leader, but there was no denying that was what he was. Even though he was the one on trial here, he was still taking charge of those he outranked.

I hadn't seen him in his element since that day with the crane, and I'd been too focused on saving lives to pay attention to how he carried himself around his subordinates then. Something about it really got my motors going. If we got out of this, I might beg and plead with him to let me sit in the corner during one of his meetings. I didn't need to be at the table with them all, just close enough to observe my mate. To see that little frown between his brows appear. To see him confidently negotiate around the dominating personalities that made up the Seraphim. To see him thriving in the environment he was most comfortable in.

Then, when it was all over and we were all alone, I wanted to fuck him over the table. To remind him that, while he was in control of everyone else, he wasn't in control of me. To take that pressure away from him for a few moments. To offer him the escape he so desperately craved.

Micah's lips twitched, his eyes dipping south before flying back up. "Really? Now? We're practically on death row here."

"It's not my fault," I grumbled, echoing his words from earlier back at him. "You're so hot when you're being all… competent ."

Micah smirked. "Huh, well that's going to work marvellously for us in future. I happen to be competent in several areas."

I pulled him to me with a small growl, ignoring the small gasp of surprise from one of the regents. "Little angel, me being attracted to you isn't something you're going to have to worry about. You breathe and I'm turned on."

"Such a sinner," Micah teased, leaning into my chest. "Let's hope we get to see if that's true."

I kissed his temple. "Don't give up on us, Micah."

"I won't."

His whisper might've made me doubt him, but there was no doubt in the bond. Just a steady determination.

All of our teasing was long gone now, neither of us able to ignore why we were there any longer. We spent those final few moments holding each other in silence, absorbing each other's oxygen like it might sustain us for a little while longer.

When the doors burst open, we parted reluctantly, moving to stand side by side. There'd be no more pretending or denying each other. We were a united front. Micah took my hand and squeezed. I flashed him a grin, trying to reassure him.

It was hopeless, especially with the bond, but I'd never stop trying to make Micah happy. Even in the face of losing our immortality, I'd still do whatever it took to see his smile.

A red-faced Damon exited, a grim looking Arthur at his side. Through the open doors, we heard Amelia. She was shouting.

"How can you justify this? No, I'm not fucking leaving. Punish me all you want but…"

We didn't hear the rest of her sentence, the doors slamming shut once more. Micah's face paled. "What is she do?—?"

"What she thinks is right." Damon cut him off with an apologetic look. "Don't worry about that, Amelia knows what she's doing."

"You don't understand." Micah stepped forwards urgently. "We have to stop her. They'll hurt her."

Arthur winced as Damon answered. "We know."

Micah's nostrils flared. "No, you don't understand. They won't let this rest?—"

"No, Micah," Damon said patiently, as he once again interrupted him. "You don't understand. We know. We all know what punishments can be dealt out, Amelia especially. We've all been in that cell with Emilio." His gaze slid to me. "You're not the only one who rejoiced the day he was executed. "

Micah and I exchanged a shocked look. What the fuck was happening up here?

"Come on." Arthur jerked his head to the side. "They've decided to postpone your… meeting until further notice."

Micah and I rolled our eyes simultaneously. Delaying was a classic torture tactic. Nothing increased fear like not knowing when the axe would fall. "Where are we supposed to go in the meantime?"

I was the one who'd asked the question, but Arthur looked at Micah as he answered. "The cells. I'm sorry."

My eyes narrowed as I caught the pity in his voice. "Which cells?"

Damon sighed. "They don't care which cell you're put in, but we've had specific orders for Micah."

"It's okay," Micah said softly. From the sweat slicking his palm, I'd say it was very much not okay. "Really, I'll be fine."

"I'm sorry," Arthur whispered. "We tried to convince them to choose a different one. Any other one."

Micah tried to smile, tried to reassure them that it was okay. It hit me then, the obvious thing I was missing.

They were imprisoning Micah in the cell where Emilio used to torture him.