Only her Angel

Back in Hell~

Esther stood in the center of the room once more. Her bare feet pressed against the cool, smooth floor as she slowly turned, the sheer curtain brushing against her arm like a whisper. Her eyes settled on Luxion, who was sitting in the armchair, one arm rested on the armrest, the other hand gently covering his face, fingers veiling part of his expression. His eyes were closed, lashes casting long shadows across his pale skin.

Esther's breath caught. She blinked at him. Even like this, he looked majestic. "So handsome," she murmured under her breath.

Esther stepped forward, her voice barely above a whisper. "Angel?"

Luxion's eyes opened slowly, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Wifey," he said with a soft chuckle, "what are you doing here? I was preparing to visit SilverCrest myself."

Esther took a hesitant step forward, her fingers curling around the ends of her gown. Her voice, though soft, carried the weight of resolve.

"Since we're married… I want to give our relationship a try," she said, eyes flickering toward the man seated in shadows. "I mean, everything still feels overwhelming. I never imagined myself married to someone so powerful—so divine. But now that we are here, together… I want to make you happy too. And so I decided that I will come everynight to spend time with you."

For a moment, silence stretched between them like a held breath.

Then Luxion chuckled, the sound low and deep, echoing against room. He extended a hand toward her, palm open in invitation.

Without a word, Esther stepped forward and placed her hand in his. Her smaller fingers were swallowed by his pale, graceful ones. Her eyes lifted, seeking his.

Luxion leaned forward slowly, as if he were afraid she might disappear should he move too quickly. He pressed a kiss to the back of her palm—gentle, reverent, almost aching.

"I missed you, sweetheart," he murmured, his lips lingering on her skin. "I came back just to feel your presence again. Your scent still lingers in this room. I know I'm moving too fast. But I don't know why… I feel so much for you. Maybe because I've waited too long..waited to be loved."

Esther blinked, a pout forming on her lips as she gently tugged her hand back. "Angel, I only left for a few hours. Not a few years."

He laughed with genuine fondness.

"Hours feel like years without you, wifey."

The corners of his lips curled into a rare smile, warm and unguarded.

Esther quietly walked to the bed and sat down, her fingers clutching the edge of the soft blanket. Her eyes wandered to the window, where the horizon split in two—one half bathed in cold moonlight, the other touched by the gentle glow of a distant sun. Her voice, barely more than a whisper, trembled into the silence.

"Angel... when I opened my eyes in that room, I panicked," she said slowly, her gaze still distant. "Everything came rushing back: the memories, the pain... And I missed this place. I missed here. I don't know why... maybe because everyone here treated me kindly, spoke to me softly... like I mattered."

Without a word, Luxion walked to her side. He sank to his knees before her, the shadows of the room brushing over his tall form like a veil. Gently, he held her hands, lifting them to his lips and pressing a kiss upon them. His voice was calm, deep, and steady.

"What happened there, my love? Was it painful... suffocating, being in their presence again?"

Esther's lips parted, but the words stuck in her throat. A single sniffle escaped before the dam broke. Tears spilled freely from her eyes, soaking her lashes as she clutched his hands desperately. Her body trembled with the force of her sobs. Luxion rose and sat beside her, pulling her into his embrace. He wrapped his arms around her gently, one hand moving in slow circles across her back. He whispered into her hair, his voice as soft as velvet, "It's alright, dear one… cry if you must. I'm here. I'm not going anywhere."

"I'm sorry, Angel... I'm being foolish," she choked out between sobs. Her voice cracked, raw with the ache buried deep in her chest. "They killed me... and yet... I still hoped they'd love me. I still hurt. When I saw them, I wanted to scream—ask them why. Why did they hate me so much? Why couldn't they just love me? I'm their child too… Even if I'm slow… can't they love me for just being me?" Her tears fell harder, soaking the front of his robe, her fists clutching his sleeves like a drowning child reaching for shore.

Luxion's embrace only tightened. His voice, though quiet, rang with steel.

"My dear wife," he said firmly, "those people do not deserve your pain. They are blind and unworthy of your love. You… you are stronger than them all. You didn't lose your calm. You held your ground with grace."

"Angel..." Esther's voice trembled, as though each word carved itself out of the tight knot in her chest. "I... I drowned my younger sister today. I hurt her." Her fingers clenched unconsciously in her lap, her voice breaking like glass. "A part of me still cares. It aches to see them suffering... But another part... it's hollow. As if something inside me is dead. When I drowned her, I felt nothing—like she was just a stranger. But afterward... when I saw her lying in bed, burning with fever, I..." Her voice cracked, tears brimming. "My heart clenched. What have I done? How could I harm my sister?"

She gripped her head with both hands, pressing hard as if to stop the storm inside. "But even now... even now, I can't unsee that moment—her face, twisted in a smile as she stabbed me. I—I—!" Her breath hitched. "These thoughts... Argh... Stop... Stop... I—!"

"Esther," Luxion's voice was steady and grounding. He cupped her cheeks, his thumbs brushing away the tears. "Look at me. Focus on me."

Trembling, she raised her watery eyes to meet his. He leaned forward and placed a gentle kiss on her forehead, letting his warmth calm the turbulence in her soul.

"I know," he whispered, his gaze never leaving hers, "It's hard. You loved them with everything you had. You did everything just to be seen, to be accepted. To be loved. But Esther, my dear... you must understand, this love you yearned for—it was cruel. It was twisted. Love should not hurt. Family should not abandon. Sierra… she is the only one who truly loved you. She failed to stop them, yes but her love was real. The rest... they are unworthy of your pain."

Esther gave a slight nod, her face still shadowed by grief. "Mhm…"

Luxion continued, his voice low and knowing, "I understand the conflict in your heart. You still feel something for them, and yet… you don't. You want revenge, and that is fair. But I must tell you. Don't let revenge consume you entirely. If you do, it will devour you from within. I've watched kind souls rot into darkness... I won't let you become one of them."

Her eyes fluttered shut as she leaned into his presence, her voice barely a whisper, "Thank you, Angel... I feel lighter now. I didn't want to cry alone in my room. It hurts less when I'm with you. Can we... stay like this? Sorry... it just reminds me of my elder sister. She used to hold me when I cried."

Luxion said nothing, only tightened his embrace.

A while later, Esther drifted into a quiet slumber in his arms, her tear-stained lashes trembling softly in sleep. A faint smile tugged at his lips as he looked down at his little wife: fragile, broken, but still so achingly beautiful.

The Next Morning~

Esther stirred awake, her lashes fluttering gently. She was back in her room. A soft fragrance lingered in the air—rose. Beside her pillow, a single crimson rose lay, its petals dewy with care. Tucked beneath it was a folded note in familiar handwriting.

________________________________________

Dear Esther, my adorable wife,

I cannot describe the joy I felt holding you, even if only for a few minutes. You looked breathtaking in your sleep… so peaceful, so mine.

Sadly, I had to send you back all too soon.

Still, good morning, my sunshine. The rose is for you—I hope its scent made you smile. Also, your room is far too plain and dark. These foolish mortals… never mind. I know you'll handle it.

See you tonight. I already miss you.

Yours always,

Your amazing husband, Angel

_________________________________________

Esther couldn't help but giggle as she read the note. Her fingers brushed the rose, and she lifted it to her nose, inhaling its sweet scent. Her cheeks warmed.

"Angel is so sweet… so cute."

But only with her.

He was her angel, yes but to others, he was the King of Hell. The ruler of the damned, feared and revered. Only she had seen the softness beneath the flame.