At RAD the next day, I found that I wasn't the only one thinking about how close the end of the program was. Both Simeon and Luke seemed abuzz about it, as well as Solomon. We all met together during our free period, discussing the upcoming date.

"Had it really been a whole year already?" Simeon mused. "How time flies... It's hard not to be sad when I think that we've only got a few more days here."

"S-sad?" Luke repeated, sounding like he was trying and failing to keep his emotions in check. "I'm not sad… the whole idea of angels and humans hanging around in the Devildom was strange to begin with… so we shouldn't be here, and neither should Belle. W-we should be happy to… to be going home..."

"There, there, Luke," Simeon said softly, rubbing his young companion's back. "It's okay to cry if you're feeling sad."

"I-I'm not going to cry! So stop petting me!"

"There's no shame in crying," I assured him. "I've lost count of how many times I've cried since I was told the news. Just admit you're sad."

"N-no!" Luke's voice was beginning to crack, more than usual. "Seriously, I'm not sad! Really!"

Leaving Luke to be consoled by Simeon, I turned to Solomon, who seemed rather nonplussed about the entire thing.

"So, we're going back to the human world for the first time in a year..." he said, smiling a bit before turning to me. "I imagine you'll be happy to see your family again."

"I am, yeah," I nodded. "Still, saying goodbye to everyone here, the brothers, you guys… it hurts..."

"Is that so?" Solomon mused.

"I just… I don't want to leave. Not yet..."

"What?" Luke questioned, his own misery forgotten for a moment. "Why not? You get to go back to the human world, back to your family, and you're telling me that you're not happy about that?"

"Luke, sometimes things are complicated for adults," Simeon informed him.

"Hey!" Luke snapped, stamping his foot as he blushed furiously. "Don't talk like I'm a child!"

"Luke..." I sighed, shaking my head in mild amusement. "You are a child."

As Luke threw a small temper tantrum about being referred to as a child, Solomon leaned back in his chair in contemplation.

"To be completely honest, I was worried in the beginning," he admitted.

"Yes, I know what you mean," Simeon nodded. "I thought that one of the lower-level demons might decide to have me for lunch."

"You were afraid?" I questioned. "You're an angel. I'm pretty sure any demon who tried to eat you would be smited on the spot."

"You're darn right they would have been!" Luke declared. "No way was I going to let that happen! Not in a million years!"

"Well, the fact is that none of us were eaten, so all's well that ends well, right?" Simeon quipped.

We all shared a laugh at that, or at least, the three elders did. Luke was still kicking up a fuss as usual, but we all just ignored it.

"I'd really like to be able to meet you again," Solomon told us, "even after going back to the human world."

"Yes, we really should see each other again," Simeon agreed. "Next time, we can do it up in the Celestial Realm."

"What?!" Luke exclaimed, looking at me in terror. "Are you talking about after Belle DIES?!"

"I highly doubt that," I assured him. "My guess, he's considering a visit somewhat like this, though I think something a bit less long term."

"Exactly," Simeon replied with a nod. "If you like the Devildom, I'm certain you'll enjoy the Celestial Realm."

I gave a noncommittal shrug, not really giving an answer. Simeon and Luke were nice, even if the latter could be a bit of a brat, but considering all the bad blood between the brothers and the Celestial Realm, I couldn't really see myself visiting. My ties to Lilith certainly didn't help, though I had no plans of letting Heaven EVER learn about that. Plus, with six demonic pacts under my belt, I doubted that I'd be welcome anyhow.

With not much else to say, and my time to spend with the brothers growing shorter, I bid farewell to my fellow exchange students, then slipped out of the room.

…

That evening, I was just in my room, messing around on my D.D.D. when I heard shuffling going on outside. Figuring it was one of the brothers potentially vying for my attention, I stowed the D.D.D. and went to see who it was. As I stuck my head out my door, I found Beel looking around, growing more and more concerned as he did.

"What do I do now?" he muttered to himself. "This is bad… What am I gonna do? How could this happen?" His stomach growled loudly. "I'm hungry..."

"Hi hungry," I quipped, drawing his attention. "I'm Belle."

"Oh, Belle," he greeted, breaking into a smile. "I didn't realize you were home."

"Yeah, I was just chilling in my room. So what's up? Seems you're looking for something."

"Someone," he corrected, his smile fading as he sighed miserably. "I can't find Belphie."

"He's not in his room?"

"I already checked there, but he wasn't around." He hugged his arm, looking nervous. "What do I do? I've finally got him back in my life, and now I can't find him. Maybe he was so upset about you going back to the human world that he ran off..."

I let out a tiny laugh, mostly trying to hide the pang of sadness that hit me at his words, and gently rubbed his shoulder.

"Easy there, Beel. I doubt he ran off. He's probably still in the House of Lamentation. We just need to go looking for him."

Beel sighed in relief, turning to me and nodding.

"Thanks Belle. I really appreciate your help." He rubbed his hands together, trying to think. "So, where should we look first...?"

"Maybe the entrance hall?" I suggested. "Maybe he's just getting back from RAD."

"It's as good a place to start as any," Beel replied. "Let's go."

…

My hunch was wrong, and Belphie wasn't in the entrance hall. We checked in every nook and cranny, making sure Belphie wasn't asleep somewhere out of sight, but found no sign of the youngest brother. From there, we searched all of his usual spots, like the Planetarium, the common room, and the Library. Still, there was no sign of him. After doubling back to recheck the bedroom, both Beel and I leaned against the wall, trying to figure out what to do.

"Huh, Déjà vu," I remarked, getting a confused look. "Remember when Luke stayed with us and we hid him in your room?"

"Oh yeah," Beel recalled, cracking a smile. "When I stuffed him in Belphie's wardrobe and he disappeared on us, we ended up scouring the entire house for him."

"Brings back the memories, doesn't it?" Beel mused, chuckling lightly. "Maybe we should check the underground tomb for good measure?"

"Nah, I doubt Belphie would go down there," I insisted, shaking my head. "It's not exactly the best place to nap."

"Then where should we look next?"

I thought on that for a moment, then I remembered an incident that occured not long after Diavolo's birthday party. Lucifer had assigned a whole bunch of work to Belphie so he could get caught up on his studies, and I'd offered to help. We'd been studying for a few hours, but all of the brothers kept interrupting for various reasons. After a while, Belphie had snapped and grabbed me, dragging me up to the attic for some peace and quiet.

"What about the attic?" I suggested.

Beel winced at my suggestion.

"Are you sure he'd be up there?"

"Positive. He's not a prisoner anymore, and Lucifer swore never to lock him in again. Heck, there's not even a door anymore. Honestly, I think Belphie goes up there occasionally because he knows it's the least likely place anyone will look for him."

Beel thought that over, then nodded.

"Well, we've looked everywhere else. Let's give it a shot."

…

It was strange climbing up the steps to the attic after so long. Part of me still expected to find that seamless, wrought iron gate sealing the door shut. However, the entrance was wide open, giving full access to the large room. Curled up on the wicker bed was our missing seventh brother, fast asleep with his cow-print pillow under his head.

"See, what did I tell you?" I remarked, smiling widely. "Peace and quiet in the last place anyone would look for him."

"Belphie!" Beel let out in relief. "So he didn't run off… what a relief. Thank goodness he's actually here."

He walked over to the bed, giving his brother a gentle, yet firm shake to wake him up. I joined him, gently running my fingers through his hair.

"Hey Belphie," I called. "Belphie, wake up."

Belphie didn't even stir, though he did lean into my hand unconsciously. Beel sighed, ceasing his shaking.

"It's no use. He's fast asleep." He sat down on the edge of the bed, and I did the same. "I'm guessing that nothing we do is going to work. I go through this every morning, trying over and over to wake him up with no luck."

"Well, he is the Avatar of Sloth," I reminded him. "Sleeping is kind of part of the description, just like eternal hunger is yours."

"I guess. Still, it's hard to put this into words, but… when I see the look on his face when he's asleep like this, it makes me feel better. Like things are going to be okay." Beel reached out, gently brushing some of Belphie's unruly bangs out of his face. "We were apart for so long, so it really hits me that he's back when I see him asleep like that. He can stay here and sleep if he wants. As long as he doesn't go anywhere, that's all that matters."

He then turned to me, a warm smile on his face. He reached out and gently touched my cheek. I leaned into his warm hand as his thumb gently caressed my face.

"It's thanks to you that our family is back together again. Thank you, Belle. You have no idea how important you are to me."

"You're important to me too, Beel," I replied, placing my own hand over his. "You've been protecting me and keeping me safe for so long, and you're always there when I need a hug, or just someone to hold me. I'm so glad I got to meet you. All of you."

I then turned myself on the bed, crawling until I was right next to him. I then snuggled close to him, burying my face in his jacket. Without prompting, he wrapped his arms around me in a warm, comfortable hug.

"Holding you like this," Beel said softly, gently kissing the top of my head. "It feels so right. I don't get to do it all that often since you're always with at least one or two of my brothers. I feel like it wouldn't be right of me to steal you away from them and hog all of your attention."

"Well just this once, be a little selfish," I told him. "Right now, I'm all yours."

That's when we heard rustling behind us. We turned, still holding one another, to see Belphie was sitting up on the bed.

"Hey..." he let out groggily. "What's the big idea doing that in front of me, huh? Seriously..."

"You're awake," Beel realized, gently letting me go so he could give his brother his undivided attention.

"Well, yeah," Belphie replied, pulling his pillow into his lap as he rubbed his eyes. "I skipped school, and I've been sleeping here ever since this morning. So yeah, I'd say it's about time I woke up."

"Considering everything that happened up here, I'm surprised you can sleep so peacefully," I remarked.

"Actually, it's not so bad anymore," Belphie admitted. "I can sleep without anyone showing up to bother me. The lack of doors does help though."

"Well, you could have at least told Beel," I admonished. "He was worried sick."

"Hm? What do you mean?"

"I thought that you'd run off..." Beel admitted, looking down at his hands. "That you were gone again..."

Belphie laughed, leaning against his twin.

"You worry too much, Beel. I'm not about to go running off anywhere. Relax."

Beel looked at his brother for a long time, then let out a very long, drawn out breath. At the end of it, he visibly relaxed before smiling at Belphie.

"Okay," he says after a minute.

Suddenly, a massive roar filled the attic. Both Belphie and I jumped at the noise as Beel covered his stomach, turning red.

"Jesus!" I exclaimed, coming out of my somewhat exaggerated flinch. "Is that your stomach, or a pissed off Cerberus?!"

"Yeah, for a moment there, I thought we were about to have a very angry visitor," Bephie added, loosening his grip on his pillow.

"Now that I'm not worried anymore, I suddenly feel hungry..." Beel explained, another loud roar issuing forth from his stomach.

"Oh," Belphie let out, calming down and adjusting himself. "If that's the case, run and grab some food to bring back here… and bring enough for Belle and me as well, okay?"

Beel nodded, getting to his feet.

"Will do," he promised. "Be back in a bit."

He slipped out of the room, his footsteps retreating down the stone steps. Once he was gone, Belphie scooched across the bed until he was sitting right next to me. He crossed his legs, pillow still in his lap as he leaned on it. I turned to face him, pulling one leg under me as the other dangled off the side of the bed.

"Now that I've got you alone, I'll come out and ask this," Belphie decided. "Belle, do you have feelings for Beel? Do you like him?"

"He's like a brother to me," I answered. "You all are. In a way, you kind of are my family, and I love just how close I am with all of you. Though if I had to pick favorites out of all of you, it would be you and Beel."

"That's good to hear," Belphie told me. "I like you alot. I really like you. So listen, why don't you, me, and Beel all live here together? All three of us, living happily ever after… what do you say? Would you give it a try?"

He leaned towards me, and I pulled him closer. He instantly toppled into my lap, his head resting on my thighs. I ran my fingers through his hair again as he left out a soft, pleased sound.

"I could see myself living happily ever after with you two," I admitted. "And I wish more than anything that I could… but we both know I can't."

Belphie curled up tighter in my lap.

"Are you going to leave me with only this one final memory of you stuck in my head?" he questioned, to which I truly didn't have an answer. "If so, then I want to do the same to you. I want to leave you with a memory so vivid and lasting that no matter where you may go or how much time passes, I'll always be stuck right there in your head."

He pushed himself up from my lap, facing me before pulling me close. I returned the hug instantly, burying my face in the crook of his neck.

"I want to know you more intimately than anyone else ever has," Belphie went on. "So if you're determined to go back to the human world no matter what, then… I'll go visit you there… in the human world."

"I'd love that," I told him. "I'd absolutely love that."

"I'm back!" Beel called, coming back up the stairs.

Belphie and I reluctantly let go, just in time to watch a massive pile of snacks and beverages walk into the attic. It was so massive that all we could see of Beel was his feet. As the massive pile was dropped onto the rug, Mammon came up to the door, beaming brightly as he waved.

"Look who's here!" he cheered. "It's me, Mammon!"

"Hey!" Levi called as he also came into the room, holding a bag with his handheld consoles, as well as an akuzon box under his arm. "My new game finally came in! C'mon, we're gonna play and play and play until morning! It's gonna be crazy!"

"What the..." Belphie growled, pinching the bridge of his nose before turning to Beel. "What are they doing here?"

"I didn't invite them," Beel swore. "They followed me here."

"Don't forget Satan and me!" Asmo cheered as he skipped into the room, pulling Satan behind him by the arm. "We're here too!"

"Asmo insisted I come because there was a party going on up here," Satan explained as he gently dislodged his arm from his brother's grasp.

"Oh come on," Belphie groaned. "That's not tr-"

"WOO!" Mammon exclaimed, throwing his arms up in the air. "We're gonna stay up all night goin' crazy and makin' noise!"

"YEAH!" Levi exclaimed, also throwing his arms in the air.

"So much for the attic sandwich dream," I whispered to Belphie, patting his back as he buried his face in his pillow.

…

The impromptu party turned out to be rather run. We demolished Beel's snack pile, which also contained my secret snack box for some reason. Considering this was my last night in the Devildom, I let it slide and just enjoyed the food. Levi's game turned out to be incredibly fun, even if Mammon continued to fail spectacularly at every turn.

"Wh… Mammon!" Levi exclaimed before letting out a long, drawn out groan. "You suck so bad! How could you die there?!"

"Don't ask me!" Mammon snapped, jamming the buttons as hard as he could. "How do you freaking jump in this game?!"

"The A button! It's always the A button! Everyone knows that!"

"Everyone except Mammon, that is," I quipped.

"Rrr, shuddup!" Mammon growled. "Who asked you?!"

Off to the side, Satan and Asmo were sitting on some large cushions, both nursing cans of soda. Beel was with them, an entire two liter in his lap. Walking away from the game for a bit, I slid closer so I could make out their conversation.

"...so basically, the materials in the Library of Ashurbanipal were originally broken down into six categories," Satan said, sounding like he did when I asked him to tutor me in Advanced Curses. "Those categories were History, Law, Science, Divination, Religion, and Epics and Myths."

"Six categories?" Asmo questioned, taking a swig of his soda. "Didn't they have anything on the art of loving? Which category would the Kama Sutra fall into?"

"If there was no food or drink category, then this library was really lacking if you ask me," Beel spoke up, throwing a mini brownie in his mouth and swallowing it whole.

I sighed and shook my head, slowly rising to my feet. I groaned, stretching my body to work out the kinks. Belphie, who had been curled up on the bed the entire time, saw me get up and lifted his head.

"Belle?" he called out. "Where are you going?"

"Just going to go stretch my legs," I answered. "I've been sitting for too long."

"Alright," Belphie replied, curling back up on the bed. "Just make sure to come right back, okay?"

"Will do," I promised, waving as I walked out of the room.

…

Leaving the attic, the noise of the party died down to a blissful quiet. I let out a long breath, smiling at the peace that settled at that. I didn't really have a destination in mind, so I decided to just wander around the House until I was ready to face the party again. However, as I did that, the faint sound of music reached my ears. It sounded very fantasy-based, and seemed to be coming from the first floor. My innate curiosity getting the better of me, I followed the sound.

This led me down into the library, where I found something rather odd. One of the bookshelves was not flat against the wall like it was supposed to be. Instead, it was pushed to the side like a door, revealing a brick wall and a set of stairs. It took me five seconds to realize this was Lucifer's secret study, the one Satan and Belphie had roped me into trying to break into.

The music was coming from inside the room, and considering six of the seven brothers were in the attic, I knew there was only one person that could be listening to it. Taking the open door as an invitation to enter, I slipped inside. Following the stairs, I came to find myself in a dark, but somehow still cozy study.

There were large, bay windows that looked out at the House of Lamentation garden. Right in front of this window was an ornate desk with a plush, red chair, and some scattered papers pinned under an ink well and quill. There were matching balconies on either side of the room, leading to shelves of books, manuscripts, and records. The shelves on the main floor held various bottles of what appeared to be high vintage alcohol, no doubt the Demonus Satan and Belphie had hoped to ruin.

There was a fire crackling in the fireplace on the left, casting a warm glow on a large rug where two leather chairs were set up. Lucifer was sitting in one of them, a small glass of Demonus sitting on a table in front of him. There was a second glass in front of the other chair, which was currently empty and didn't appear to be touched. The music was coming from a record player resting on the fireplace mantle.

Not wanting to be rude, I knocked lightly on the wood paneling on the walls. Lucifer smiled at the gesture, turning to me as he swirled the contents of his glass.

"Come on in Belle," he called, gesturing to the empty seat next to him. "Make yourself comfortable."

I came and sat down next to him as he picked up the bottle of Demonus he was nursing, pouring some into the second glass. He then handed it to me, still smiling.

"It sounds like quite the party up in the attic," he noted.

"And you seem surprisingly nonchalant about it," I remarked, sipping at my drink.

"Of course I am," Lucifer replied as if that should have been obvious. "Thanks to their little get together, everyone else is busy up there, and I can stay down here and enjoy my music in peace."

I leaned back in my chair, listening to the music for a moment.

"What are you listening to?" I questioned. "It sounds beautiful, yet somber and haunting at the same time."

"A rather poetic description," Lucifer mused. "It's the cursed vinyl edition of the Tale of the Seven Lords soundtrack. The one you managed to borrow from Levi for me."

"Huh," I let out. "Y'know, it's been so long, I'd all but forgotten about that. Although, didn't you tell me that people have died listening to this thing? Should I be worried?"

Lucifer chuckled at that, taking another swig from his glass.

"While you may have forgotten the record, you didn't forget the story. But fear not, while the humans involved in its creation died mysteriously, it was nothing more than coincidence." He poured himself some more demonus. "And even if this soundtrack really were cursed, look who you've got by your side right now. You're sitting here, chatting with one of the most powerful demons in the Devildom. So you don't have anything to worry about, now do you?"

I laughed lightly at that, taking another sip myself.

"I guess not," I admitted, smiling warmly.

We just sat there for a moment, enjoying the soft music and our drinks. It was a nice change of pace from the chaos in the attic, and I was certainly in no hurry. Lucifer's eyes glanced over at his desk, a wistful smile on his face.

"It was in this very room that I selected you for our exchange program," he said, drawing my attention. "When I first welcomed you here, I was only doing it for Diavolo. I figured that if you managed to survive a year here without any incidents, that was really all I could ask for."

I let out a very undignified snort, laughing so hard I had to set down my glass for fear of dropping.

"Boy did I shoot that in the foot!" I cackled, unable to contain myself.

"Indeed you did," Lucifer agreed, his tone playfully teasing. "I'd hoped the worst I would have to do was keep some lower-level demons from eating you. I'd thought you'd be too scared to do much of anything that could lead to trouble."

"And yet, you got the stubborn spitfire with enough curiosity to kill an entire litter of cats and a penchant for not turning away when she really should," I finished.

"Oh yes," Lucifer agreed wholeheartedly. "You're such a magnet for trouble, it almost defies belief. I was so exhausted by all the problems and messes you were causing that there were many times I thought that I'd made a mistake by choosing you."

"Yeah, sorry about that," I apologized. "I'd say I didn't mean it, but that would be a lie."

"Either way, it's far too late to be trying to butter me up with apologies," Lucifer informed me, watching me from over the rim of his glass as he drank more demonus. "Besides, like you told me a while back, Lilith wanted you to be chosen. You were meant to come here, and I am glad I listened to her and selected you. And if nothing else, you've been quite entertaining over the past year. I daresay, you're most likely the most entertaining being I've ever met in my entire life."

I looked at Lucifer, thinking back to how things between us had changed. There had been so much animosity between us in the beginning. To him, I had been little more than a chore, another order to fulfill at the behest of his lord. Then, I had become a threat, disobeying him at every turn and gathering the pacts with his brothers. Then, we finally got to know one another, and he began to soften around me, and I got to see the real Lucifer, the one who would throw away his pride for his family. The one who would risk the very thing he was meant to represent, his pride, just to protect the ones he loved.

"So then, Belle," Lucifer said, pulling me back into the here and now. "Have you done all that you set out to do here in the Devildom? No unfinished business? No loose ends?"

I took a moment to legitimately think on the question. In truth, I didn't feel like I had anything really pressing on my mind, aside from a major case of "I don't want to go!", but that wasn't something that I could really do anything about. I played with my bracelet as I thought, twirling the charms in my fingers. As I felt the six different charms, a thought came to me.

"Well, there is one thing," I admitted, garnering Lucifer's attention. "But it doesn't matter. It'll never come to pass."

"This coming from the human who tamed the Avatar of Wrath and convinced the Avatar of Sloth to give up his millenia long hatred of humanity," Lucifer countered, setting his glass down as he rested his chin on laced fingers. "Come now, tell me what it is."

"I'm serious," I replied, shaking my head. "It's a losing battle, and I'm not even gonna try."

"You act as if that hasn't stopped you before," Lucifer argued. "Now come on, tell me. You've tempted me so far, and you know how demons are with temptation."

I sighed, realizing there was no way he was gonna let me get away with keeping my mouth shut. I held up my arm with the pact bracelet, letting it shine in the light of the fireplace.

"I never made a pact with you," I answered.

Lucifer blinked, eyes darting from the bracelet to my face.

"A pact, you say..."

"Well, I made a pact with everyone else. But without one with you… this bracelet just feels… incomplete." I lowered my arm, just closing my eyes. "But like I said, it's never going to happen."

"Don't be so sure," Lucifer replied, a note to his voice that I couldn't quite place. "The question is, is this truly what you want. Do you really want to make a pact with me?"

I heard movement so I opened my eyes, watching as Lucifer stood up, adjusting the jacket draped over his shoulders. I swallowed hard, feeling a sense of nervousness run down my spine.

"I don't know how my brothers felt about making a pact with you, but I am more than a name to be crossed off your list. I can't have you lumping me together with everyone else. That won't do."

Before I could say anything in my defense, Lucifer's wings sprang forth from his back. I yelped, nearly falling out of my chair before he caught me by my arm, pushing me right back into it. He was towering over me in his full, demonic glory as he stared me down, his eyes boring holes into my very soul.

Despite his clear attempts to intimidate me, I stood my ground. I met his gaze, unafraid and unflinching. This seemed to surprise Lucifer, his grip on my arms loosening as his eyebrows rose in shock.

"You're not going to run? You've certainly got guts, don't you."

"You and I both know that running is pointless," I pointed out. "You'll just wave a hand and the door will slam shut. Besides, I have no reason to run."

"And there's that fearless, reckless attitude that I've always found so irritating. But as irritating as it is, it's even more endearing." Lucifer then straightened up, releasing me altogether now that he knew I wasn't going to make a run for it. "Now listen, and listen well. I will not be your possession. I won't belong to you. You will belong to me."

He knelt down so we were eye level, though his height meant I still had to look up at him.

"I failed to protect Lilith all those millenia ago, but now, I have a second chance… in the form of you. I will succeed where I failed before, and protect those I care about." He reached out and took my hand in his. "And that includes you, Belle. You are mine, mine to protect, mine to cherish, mine." He placed a small kiss on the back of my hand, his eyes glimmering with desire and temptation. "So, what will it be? Will you make a pact with me, Belle?"

I didn't even hesitate.

"Absolutely."

Lucifer smiled right back, his grip tightening on my hand.

"I am Lucifer, Avatar of Pride," he recited, never once taking his eyes off me. "I pledge myself to you, Isabella Collins, that we may be bound by an unbreakable pact. This I swear to you on both my name and the very blood that runs through my veins."

The ever familiar light of magic swirled around both of our wrist, taking on a blue tinge that I wasn't expecting. Around Lucifer's wrist, a metallic blue band appeared, a strange contrast to the black, gold, and red I was used to seeing him in. On my bracelet, a blue charm settled onto the golden band. It looked somewhat like a fleur de lis, but a bit boxier and with a star in the center of the middle "feather". Two stars hovered on each side of the bottom part of the charm, a dot in the center of them.

"Blue," I commented, fingering the charm. "Not at all what I was expecting."

Lucifer glanced at his own bracelet, smirking in a triumphant way as he reached down, pulling me from the chair. He wrapped his arms around me, even his wings curling possessively around me.

"As of this moment, Belle, you are mine," he declared. "And I assume that with this, your loose ends are all taken care of?"

"Yes," I nodded, returning the hug without any hesitation. "Thank you, Lucifer."

I wasn't surprised when he scooped me up in his arms, carrying me bridal style. I settled into his grip, resting my head on his shoulder.

"You're going to spend your last night in the Devildom with me," he decided. "You were right back then. I do want to spend time with you, and now, I intend to make the most of the time we have left."

"Well, I am yours now, aren't I?" I replied, making no effort to struggle. "Whatever you wish to do, I'll gladly partake."

Lucifer's smile was warm as he gently kissed my forehead.

"Excellent," he said as he carried me out of the study.

As he took me to what I could only assume was his room, I looked down at my now complete bracelet. Seeing it, the ache from having to leave tomorrow didn't hurt as much. I now had something to forever connect me to all of them, and no matter where I went, we would always be together...