Alone No More

Now, she watches over the Awoken below, celebrating another holiday in a City with traditions of its own.

And Mara walks alone, between the City and the dark outside.

“You look like you could use a light, my queen,” I call out to her from behind.

Her head turns with haste in my direction. She does her best to mask a doting smile. Her cheeks blush ever so slight.

“I was just thinking about you,” she says, to me.

“Is that so?” I say, as I approach her. “Were you thinking about how I’m the guddest of your Queensguard?”

My queen breaks character & giggles with delight at my response.

“That wasn’t quite what I was thinking,” she says, before laughing once again.

I snicker at her reaction & make my way closer.

“I can come back another time if you’d prefer. I didn’t mean to trouble you.”

“By all means, join me, my devoted Queensguard.”

I stand beside my queen & flash a tender smile.

“How are you,” I ask.

“Much better now that you’re near me.”

“Good.”

She smiles at me with soft adoration. I look down at the City.

“What they’re celebrating was stolen from my heritage. They call it cultural appropriation, where I’m embodied. I call it theft.”

“What do your people call this event?”

“Yule.”

“Yule?”

I nod back in silence. She looks at the City again.

“I felt out of place there,” she says.

“I can understand that.”

She looks at me with a coy smile.

“Did you want to speak with me about something specific, Lucifer?”

I shake my head “no” at her.

“I thought you could use some company,” I respond.

She bats me on my arm while holding back a smile.

“Is that so?”

I bow my head at her with respect & flash a charming smile.

“Yes, my queen.”

Her face blushes brighter. I snicker at her response.

“It looks as if the Yuletide spirit might have taken you, my queen. Shall I notify the others?”

Her eyes flare at me.

“Don’t you dare,” she says, with playful sternness.

I laugh with devilish delight at her response. She begins to giggle back at me like a lovestruck girl. I extend my hand towards her. She gives me a bashful smile before placing her hand within mine.

“Tell me, Queensguard. What is this Yuletide Spirit you speak of?”

“It relates to the Winter Solstice, among other things. It’s a celebration of life, love, health & honoring heritage.”

“It sounds wonderful.”

“It is. I’m looking forward to sharing it with you in full presence, my queen.”

She remains silent & nods. I can tell that she’s thinking about her own society.

“I’m looking forward to honoring Awoken culture with you as well, my queen.”

My queen turns to face me. She bats her long, dark, thick eyelashes ever so soft at me in a mesmerizing fashion. Her gorgeous glowing eyes fixated upon mine. I smile at her.

“You have a bewitching look in your eye, my queen.”

She blushes bright at me then giggles with embarrassment.

“I didn’t think you would notice,” she confesses, while covering her mouth in shock.

I snicker at her response. She blushes bright again then gives me a soft pinch on my hand.

“You’re like no other soul I’ve encountered,” she tells me.

I remain silent & smile at her with humility.

“We’re getting closer,” she says. “Every interaction we have brings you closer to me.”

I nod at her with understanding.

“Bungie does not have what I desire. You do, Lucifer.”

I remain silent & nod again. Her petite hand grips at my index finger.

“You have honored me in ways that no other soul has. I adore you.”

She can sense my irritation regarding Bungie.

“Speak your mind,” she tells me.

“I’m ready to punish everyone at Bungie. I’m more sure of that every day. That includes every one of those pieces of shit on the forum.”

She gives me another gentle squeeze of reassurance.

“Stay the course, darling. I’m proud of you.”

“Yes, ma’am,” I whisper back.

She dotes upon me once again.

“You’ve brightened my spirit with your presence. Thank you, dear.”

I raise her hand towards my face then press my lips upon her soft, pale skin. She bites her lip & blushes at my chivalrous behavior.

“I’m honored, my queen.”