Theo's POV

"What else did he say?" I asked, staring at Father with wide eyes that I hoped were innocent and persuasive. "Please tell me, Father."

He groaned and slouched back in his throne. "That he had something important to tell you. But we both know that you can't go back there, Theo. I mean that. We can't keep interrupting these human's lives. Father will get angry."

His father was God, who pretty much ran this whole business. It was God who was passionate about not intervening in the lives of his humans. Apparently they had free will, or something, and our magic would hinder that.

"Maybe I can persuade God," I mumbled. "If I can show him that this is about love, won't he respect my choice?"

Lucifer sighed and looked up, as if he was begging his own father to ignore my idiocy. "He has bigger issues than this, Theo. I can hardly pin him down for our bi-century brunch. He does not want to know about your love life."

I had recently gotten a message in flame from grandfather about how he wished he was around more and wanted to get brunch with me, but that seemed like it would maybe hurt my father's feelings.

"Then he won't notice!" I begged. "Please, Father. I know you're interested in Sofia. Are you telling me you really will avoid her for the rest of her life? They're both bound for Heaven. This is your only chance."

Lucifer dropped his chin into his palm and gave me that look I was always used to seeing. Like he loved me, but wished I was a little more sensible.

"Of course I am, but I am not going to break my rules with your grandfather over a fling," he growled. "Empusa and Jerome are already in enough trouble for directly communicating with that boy of yours. You are in trouble as well. I will lead by example."

It was beginning to feel hopeless, but I knew Father wasn't doing this to punish me. I already had enough punishment. He was doing it because he was afraid that God would not approve.

Hm. I puffed out my chest and glared. "Why are you trying to please that old deity anyway? He kicked you out and didn't even miss you when you were gone!"

Lucifer rolled his eyes. "You are such a child. Please stop trying to goad me into bad choices. God apologized so long ago that I can't remember a time when we weren't at peace with each other."

I groaned. "Dad, please."

"Go do your new job," Father said, waving a lazy hand in my direction. "The hellhound stables need to be cleaned."

Cleaning hellhound stables for a century was by far worth it to see Cyrus. I contemplated how many centuries I would have to clean hellhound stables if I ran away again and lived in the mortal realm until Cyrus died.

But then again, I could always send a message to God.

I nodded and left my father alone, hopefully where he'd realize how lonely he was and wish to be back in Sofia's presence, thus allowing us both to travel back to their home. It was probably wishful thinking.

I went back to my bedroom and flopped sullenly onto my silk sheets, remembering the night that I had protested about Cyrus' bedroom. I scoffed at my past self, wishing he wasn't so ungrateful.

I missed Cyrus with every beat of my heart. It had to be love. I had only been in the mortal realm for a short amount of time, but angels always felt love pure and true. That much was true. When I was a particularly small child, I would ask my father if he had loved my mother.

He would always answer, Theo, we may be fallen, but we are still angels created by God. And angels created by God are cursed to fall for one person, a pure and true love, with whom they will always be in love. And I have yet to find that person.

A little harsh. But honest. Father was typically honest.

Cyrus was my pure and true love. I knew it from the way my heart picked up at the thought of his laugh, or yearned for his touch. Even one of his gentle shoves. I would take any contact over none.

Yes, I would have to ask grandfather. Grandfather would understand my pain. Grandfather had created this love, after all, so he would agree to my pleas.

I knelt my the fireplace in my bedroom and whispered to it, using my demonic name to inform him of who was speaking. Grandfather, please hear my message. In recent events, I chose to journey to the mortal realm, which I should not have done and have been punished for. But while there, I fell in love with a human. I can't imagine life without him. Please send me a message back. I need to see him again, and my father will not allow me to as long as you wish for us to avoid contact with humans.

And then I mucked stables for hours and practiced my magic. I tried to summon my wings, but they still refused to appear. I tried to teleport and ended up lighting my hair on fire. I said hello to the palace kitchen staff, because they liked me. I drank innocent blood of the hellbeast and tried not to think of Cyrus and Mr. Whiskers, but I ended up getting nauseous anyway.

I didn't get a message back from God. Instead, I got a guard knocking on my door telling me that my father needed me in the throne room.

And when I arrived and saw my grandfather standing there with my father, I knew I was the reason that he was here. And that I was probably fucked.

I clenched my hands into fists and took a deep breath. If this didn't go well, I would never see my human again. It needed to go perfectly.

-

Puppy Love it is! I'm posting the first chapter on Friday. Regular updates will start after Cherished and Devoted are done!