Chapter 44

**Rooted in Desire**

Athena Pov.

The moment Azazel disappeared, leaving Lucifer and me alone, the air in the throne room seemed to thicken with unspoken tension. I could still hear Azazel's parting words echoing in my mind: *"When you feel a gust of wind, that means you'll teleport back to your realm. If you want to stay, imagine your feet have taken root."*

I wasn't sure if I was ready to teleport back to my realm, or if I ever wanted to leave at all. Not when Lucifer was standing just a few feet away from me, his eyes locked onto mine like I was the only thing in his world. The intensity of his gaze made my heart flutter, and my thoughts tangled up in a confusing mix of desire and nerves.