Morning sunlight poured through the tall windows of Keres’s estate, painting long golden rectangles across the polished marble floors. The villa was already awake. Staff moved quietly through the halls preparing breakfast, luggage had been gathered near the entrance, and somewhere outside gulls cried over the Aegean as Yunho stood on the front terrace beside their suitcases, one hand tucked into the pocket of his black board shorts while the other rested lazily atop the handle of the larger case. The Mediterranean breeze tugged at the sleeves of his dark gray henley as he looked toward the winding road that would eventually take them to the ferry for Kefalonia. Footsteps echoed across the stone behind him. “I was wondering when I’d catch you alone.” Yunho didn’t have to turn. “Keres.” She joined him at the edge of the terrace, dressed in flowing ivory linen, dark sunglasses perched atop her head. She looked out toward the glittering sea before speaking again. “She’s lovely.”
“I know.” Keres smiled faintly. “You’ve become rather attached.” He didn’t deny it. “I have.” Silence settled between them before Keres tilted her head slightly. “Does she know?” Yunho’s brows furrowed. “Know what?” Keres finally looked at him. “That you and I were still sleeping together before you met her.” The words landed with surprising softness. Not cruel. Not jealous. Just simply factual. Yunho let out a quiet breath through his nose. “No. She knows we were together once a long time ago that’s it.”
“And are you planning to tell her?” He thought for a moment. “If she asks…” His gaze drifted toward the front doors of the estate. “I’ll answer.” Keres studied him. “You’re different.”
“I’ve been told.”
“No.” A small smile touched her lips. “I don’t mean happier.” She folded her arms. “I mean… careful.” Yunho chuckled. “I have something worth being careful with now.” Keres followed his line of sight toward the villa. “I never thought I’d hear Lucifer’s son say something like that.”
“Neither did I.” Before either could continue, the front doors opened as Y/N stepped into the sunshine adjusting the strap of the small woven bag resting against her hip. The cream colored outfit she’d chosen looked made for the Greek islands. The textured wrap skirt fluttered gently in the breeze while the matching asymmetrical top left one shoulder bare. Dark sunglasses rested atop her head, and comfortable sandals clicked softly against the stone as she descended the steps and smiled immediately when she saw Yunho. “There you…” She stopped as voice came from the opposite corridor. “Princess.” She turned as Darrius emerged from one of the side hallways fastening the cuff of a charcoal jacket. His movements were as relaxed as ever. Almost. The injury from the previous evening had nearly vanished. Only a thin reddish mark remained around one eye, the last evidence of Yunho’s temper. It was already fading with every passing hour. Demonic healing. He caught her noticing it and smiled. “You should’ve seen the other guy.” Y/N couldn’t help the tiny laugh that escaped. “I have.” She nodded toward the lingering mark. “I think he won.” Darrius barked out a genuine laugh. “I suppose that’s fair.” His gaze flicked briefly toward the terrace where Yunho had already gone completely still then back to her. “I wanted to apologize.” That… she hadn’t expected. “For what?”
“For making your first dinner among Hell’s nobility… eventful.” There was an odd sincerity beneath his usual swagger. “I enjoy provoking your husband.” He shrugged. “That’s between him and me.” His expression softened just enough to be believable. “You, however, had nothing to do with it.” Y/N studied him carefully, not fully believing him. “Apology accepted.” A slow grin spread across Darrius’s face. “I can see why he married you.” Before he could say another word, a familiar voice cut cleanly through the morning air. “Darrius.” Yunho hadn’t raised his voice. He hadn’t needed to. Every trace of warmth disappeared from Darrius’s amused expression as he looked toward the terrace. Yunho stood exactly where he’d been moments before. Hands relaxed. Expression calm. But his eyes never left the older demon as Darrius lifted both hands in exaggerated surrender. “We’re having a perfectly civilized conversation.” Yunho glared at him. “Then let’s keep it that way.” Y/N glanced between them before walking the remaining distance to Yunho’s side, slipping her hand into his and his fingers closed around hers. Only then did the tension in his shoulders begin to ease. Keres watched the exchange from a few steps away and smiled to herself. Not with envy but understanding. Whatever had existed between her and Yunho belonged to another century. This…. the quiet way he reached for Y/N’s hand without looking. The instinctive way she took it. That belonged to someone else now.
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The ferry cut steadily through the impossibly blue Ionian Sea, its wake trailing behind like a ribbon of white silk. The farther they traveled from Athens, the quieter everything seemed to become. The bustle of the port had long since disappeared, replaced by the rhythmic crash of waves against the hull and the occasional cry of gulls circling overhead. Sunlight danced across the water in thousands of glittering fragments, bright enough that Y/N had to squint despite the sunglasses perched on her nose. She rested both forearms against the polished rail, letting the sea breeze tug loose strands of her hair across her face. The air smelled faintly of salt and sunscreen instead of brimstone and smoke, and every deep breath felt like it reached places inside her she hadn’t realized had been tense as Yunho emerged from the ferry’s café balancing two plastic cups filled with iced drinks. He paused for a second before walking over, unable to stop watching her. The sunlight suited her in a way Hell never could. It softened her features, warmed her skin, and turned the loose cream colored outfit she’d chosen into something that looked like it belonged on every postcard Greece had ever printed. He smiled to himself. “I was gone less than three minutes.” She looked over her shoulder. “I noticed.”
“You didn’t come looking for me.”
“I figured you weren’t collecting souls from the snack bar.” A laugh escaped him as he handed her one of the drinks. “Iced peach tea. Except this one is spiked.” She took a sip, humming happily. It was what she let him buy her the first night they met at the club. “You remembered.”
“I remember most things about you.” She gave him a suspicious look over the rim of the cup. “That was smooth.”
“I know.”
“You practiced that.”
“I absolutely didn’t.”
“You did.”
“I’ve had four hundred years to become charming remember.” She laughed, nudging his shoulder before turning back toward the water. And for a while they simply stood together in comfortable silence. The sea stretched endlessly ahead of them, impossibly blue, broken only by tiny sailboats drifting in the distance. Mountains slowly began taking shape on the horizon, their green slopes rising out of the water as if the island itself were waking from the sea as Y/N leaned against the railing again. “It’s weird.”
“Hm?”
“I always thought vacations were something other people got.” Yunho looked at her and shrugged lightly. “My grandmother and I used to watch travel documentaries after dinner.” A smile tugged at her lips. “She’d point at places she’d visited before I was born.” Her gaze stayed fixed on the approaching island. “Greece was always her favorite though. She’d talk about the water for hours.” She laughed quietly. “I’d tease her that water was water.”
“And now?” Y/N looked down at the shimmering sea surrounding them. “I owe her an apology.” Yunho smiled, moving to stand behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist, gripping his drink in one hand still as he kissed her shoulder. “I think she’d accept it.” She rested her head lightly back against his chest. “I wish she could’ve seen this.”
“I know.”
“I wish…” She stopped herself before smiling instead. “Actually, she’d probably think marrying the Devil’s son was the most interesting thing I’d ever done.”
“I imagine she’d have questions.”
“So many questions.” Yunho laughed, the sound blending with the wind as they watched Kefalonia grow larger with every passing minute. White buildings began to appear along the shoreline, tucked between green hillsides, and little fishing boats bobbed lazily in the harbor. Y/N’s smile grew until she couldn’t contain it anymore. “That’s it.” Yunho followed her gaze. “I can’t believe we’re actually here.”
“You haven’t even stepped onto it yet.”
“I know.” She looked back up at him, excitement bright enough to rival the sun itself. “Do you think it’s really going to look like all the pictures I’ve seen?” He looked from her to the emerald cliffs waiting in the distance. “I have a feeling,” he said with a small smile, “it’s going to be even better.” As if on cue, the ferry’s horn echoed across the water, long and deep as the harbor of Kefalonia opened before them, the island welcoming them beneath an endless blue sky. The drive to the villa wound through towering cypress trees before finally slowing as ornate wrought iron gates swung open on silent hinges. Beyond them, a long stone drive curved between ancient olive trees whose silver green leaves shimmered in the afternoon breeze. Lavender and rosemary bordered the path, filling the warm air with a fragrance so fresh it drifted through the open windows of the SUV. Ahead, the sea flashed between the trees in brilliant shades of sapphire, growing larger with every turn until the landscape suddenly opened and Y/N forgot how to breathe. The villa sat perched high above the Ionian sea as though it had grown from the cliffs themselves. Cream colored stone glowed beneath the afternoon sun, ivy climbing lazily over its walls while flowering bougainvillea spilled from balconies draped in white linen curtains. Floor to ceiling windows reflected the endless stretch of blue water beyond, and an infinity pool disappeared seamlessly into the horizon, making it impossible to tell where the pool ended and the sea began. Stone terraces stepped down toward a secluded crescent of white sand below, hidden beneath the cliffs and accessible only by a winding staircase carved into the rock.
The SUV rolled to a stop beneath the shaded entrance and Y/N simply stared through the windshield, her mouth slowly falling open. “No.” Yunho smiled without looking at her. “What?”
“This…” She pointed helplessly toward the villa. “This isn’t a villa.”
“No?”
“This is where billionaires go to pretend they’re humble.” A laugh escaped him as he got out the car, walking around to her side and opening the door for her. “I suppose definitions vary.” She looked back toward the house, then toward the ocean glittering beyond it. “You mean to tell me…” She gestured wildly at everything. “this is where we’re staying?”
“For the next several days.” Without the slightest warning, she let out an excited squeal that echoed across the quiet driveway and before Yunho could even react, she launched herself at him. He barely had time to laugh before she collided with him, instinct taking over as his arms wrapped securely around her waist catching her effortlessly, lifting her completely off the ground as she wrapped both legs around his waist. “You’ve got to be kidding me!” she laughed, cupping his face with both hands. “I take it you approve?” Instead of answering, she kissed him. It wasn’t slow or shy. It was bright, spontaneous and full of the kind of happiness that couldn’t be contained. Yunho smiled against her lips before kissing her back, one hand settling securely against the middle of her back while the other supported her beneath her thigh. When they finally pulled apart, she rested her forehead against his, still grinning so hard her cheeks hurt. “I love it.”
“I can see that.” He laughed, holding her just a little tighter as she laughed, shaking her head and his eyes searched hers. “I’ve never…” She looked back toward the villa, almost disbelieving it was real. “I’ve never seen somewhere this beautiful.” He followed her gaze. “It gets better.” She looked at him like he had completely lost his mind. “It gets better?” He nodded toward the sea. “You haven’t seen the view from the bedroom yet.” She narrowed her eyes playfully before stealing a quick kiss. “I’ve decided something.”
“And what’s that?”
“I’m never leaving.” Yunho chuckled, still holding her as though she weighed nothing. “I was hoping you’d say that.” A polite cough sounded somewhere behind them making them turn their heads in unison to find two impeccably dressed attendants standing beside the SUV, both pretending very hard not to smile as they waited beside the luggage. Y/N buried her face against Yunho’s shoulder with a groan. “We’ve had an audience this entire time, haven’t we?”
“They’ve been remarkably professional about it,” Yunho said, his grin growing wider as she laughed into his shoulder before finally lifting her head again. “Fine,” she declared. “Show me this ridiculously beautiful villa before I decide to climb onto the roof just to see the view.” Without setting her down, Yunho adjusted his hold and started walking toward the front entrance.
“Yunho.”
“Hm?”
“You know I can walk.”
“I know.”
“So why are you carrying me?” He looked down at her with a smile that was entirely too pleased with itself. “Because my wife jumped into my arms.”
“And?”
“I’m enjoying the consequences.” Yunho didn’t loosen his hold once. One arm remained securely beneath Y/N’s legs while the other supported her back, carrying her up the wide stone steps as though she’d become part of him somewhere between Hell and Greece. She laughed quietly, one arm looped around his neck, giving up on pretending she wanted to be put down as the front doors swung open with a flick of Yunho’s and cool air drifted out to meet them, scented faintly with lemon blossoms and polished cedar. The villa’s interior was just as breathtaking as its exterior. Sunlight poured through towering windows that overlooked the sea, illuminating creamy limestone floors and exposed wooden beams that stretched overhead. White linen curtains billowed gently with every breeze coming in from the open terrace doors, while soft neutral furnishings, woven rugs, and shelves lined with books gave the expansive rooms an effortless warmth that made the house feel lived in rather than merely luxurious. Y/N turned her head from one side to the other, trying to take everything in at once. “This is insane.”
“It’s comfortable,” Yunho replied with a teasing smile and she looked at him as though he said something completely outrageous. “Comfortable?”
“Yes.”
She gestured around the soaring room. “Your definition of comfortable is deeply concerning.” The attendants followed them inside with their luggage. “Your Highness,” one of them said politely, “where would you like the cases?” Yunho barely looked away from Y/N. “Just leave them by the front door. We’ll sort them out later.”
“Of course.”
The attendants bowed and quietly set the luggage neatly against the wall before slipping back outside, closing the doors behind them with barely a sound letting silence settle over the villa with only the distant rhythm of waves meeting the cliffs below remaining as Y/N smiled as she looked around again. “I don’t even know where to explore first.”
“The bedroom,” Yunho answered without hesitation and she laughed. “Biased.”
“Entirely.” He adjusted her slightly in his arms before heading toward the sweeping staircase. “You are seriously still carrying me.”
“I am.”
“My legs work.”
“I’ve noticed.”
“So…”
“They’re getting a break.”
She rolled her eyes, though the smile never left her face. “You’re impossible.”
“So you’ve said.” They climbed to the second floor, sunlight spilling across the landing from another wall of windows. Yunho turned down a quiet hallway before stopping outside a pair of tall wooden doors and nudged one open with his shoulder. The bedroom beyond was expansive without feeling ostentatious. White linen curtains framed open French doors leading onto a private balcony overlooking the Ionian sea. A fireplace sat opposite a large bed dressed in crisp white sheets, while the sound of the waves drifted inside with the breeze. Y/N stared for a long moment. “Okay….” She looked back at him with an almost disbelieving smile. “You were right.”
“I usually am.”
“Don’t let it go to your head.”
“It already has.” He carried her a few more steps into the room before leaning close enough that only she could hear. “I was thinking,” he murmured with an unmistakably playful grin, “that we ought to properly christen the honeymoon suite.” Heat immediately rose to her cheeks and she laughed, giving his shoulder a light swat. “You’ve been here less than five minutes.”
“I’ve been remarkably patient.”
“Patient?”
“Exceptionally.”
She shook her head, smiling despite herself. “I think Greece is having a terrible influence on you.”
“I was going to blame my wife.” She met his eyes, unable to stop smiling as he dropped his glamour and let his horns on display. “I walked right into that one.”
“You did.” For a quiet moment, neither of them spoke as the breeze stirred the curtains, sunlight shimmering across the sea beyond the balcony, and the villa settled around them with a peaceful stillness neither had experienced in what felt like forever. Yunho looked from the view back to her. And he felt it then. A feeling that for the first time in his life…. scared the shit out of him…… he suddenly couldn’t imagine eternity without her. That realization hit hard as he kissed her with a slow, deliberate hunger that hid the storm raging inside his chest, swallowing down his feelings and letting it fuel the way his lips moved over hers instead.
He guided her backward without breaking the kiss, lowering her onto the mattress with careful control, his larger frame hovering above her as their tongues slid together and Y/N’s hands found the hem of his shirt, yanking it upward. He let her strip it off, the fabric whispering across his skin before she tossed it aside and slid off the bed onto her knees, fingers hooking into his shorts and tugging them down along with his underwear letting his dick sprang free, heavy and already half hard. She looked up at him with a smirk that made his pulse jump. “I just realized…” she murmured, wrapping her fingers around his shaft and giving it a slow stroke, “I’ve only tasted you once.” The memory of their first night flashed behind his eyes and Yunho’s lips curved into a grin as he caught her chin between his thumb and forefinger, tilting her face exactly the way he had that night. “Open,” he said, voice low and she parted her lips as he leaned down and let a thick string of spit fall onto her tongue. She held it there for a moment, eyes locked on his, before closing her mouth and swallowing. Then she leaned in and dragged her tongue from the base of his dick all the way to the tip, slow and deliberate, savoring every inch as her hand stayed wrapped around the base and she opened wider and took the tip into her mouth, sucking gently at first, tongue swirling around it.
Yunho’s hand slid into her hair, not pushing, just resting there. “That’s it… fuck, just like that. Look at you taking me so well already.” She took more of him, inch by inch, until her nose brushed his pelvis and her throat fluttered around him. He groaned, hips twitching but staying still, letting her set the rhythm as she bobbed steadily, saliva dripping down his length, the wet sounds filling the quiet bedroom. Every time she pulled back to breathe, she licked along the underside before sinking down again, deeper each time. “Such a good girl,” he praised, voice rough. “Your throat feels fucking perfect around my dick. Keep going…. don’t stop.” She hummed around him, the vibration making his thighs tense as he let her stay in control, watching her work him with single minded focus until the pleasure built too high. His fingers tightened in her hair and he pulled her up, capturing her mouth again in a messy kiss as he kicked his shorts and underwear the rest of the way off along with his shoes, then reached for her clothes. Piece by piece he stripped her, lips following the newly exposed skin, kissing down her neck, across her collarbones, over the swell of her breasts, sinking lower, pressing open mouthed kisses to her stomach, her hips, the soft skin of her inner thighs. “Fuck…” he breathed against her, “I don’t think I’m ever going to get enough of you.”
Y/N’s fingers threaded through his hair, gripping one of his horns making him moan and his dick to twitch. “Again and again and again, huh?” she echoed him, voice teasing but warm and he answered by sliding two fingers through her folds, finding her already soaking wet. He pushed them inside her pussy in one smooth motion, curling them against her front wall while his other hand lifted toward her mouth. “Suck,” he ordered and she took his middle finger between her lips, sucking it wetly. When it was dripping, he pulled it free and reached behind her, pressing it against her tight rim. He worked it inside her ass slowly while his other two fingers kept thrusting into her pussy. The dual stretch made her moan and rock against his hand as he fucked both holes with steady rhythm, watching her face as pleasure built.
Her walls fluttered around his fingers as she came with a sharp cry, pussy clenching hard, ass squeezing his finger. Yunho didn’t stop though until the tremors eased, then withdrew his hand and licked his fingers that were buried in her pussy clean. Before he could move, Y/N surged forward, catching him off guard. She shoved his chest and he went down onto the bed and she climbed up after him, crawling over his body with a smirk, then turned and wiggled her ass right in front of his face. “You want it?” she teased, looking back over her shoulder and a low growl rumbled from Yunho’s chest as he grabbed her hips and yanked her back. “You sure?”
“Make me scream,” she grinned and his hand cracked across one ass cheek making her gasp, then she bent forward, arching her back and presenting herself to him. Yunho gripped her hips, lined up, and sank into her pussy first, taking his time, rolling his hips in deep, measured thrusts that coated his dick in her arousal. She grew wetter with every stroke, slick sounds filling the room. When she was dripping and moaning, he pulled out and brought his soaked dick to her ass, pressing the tip against her rim, pushing in slowly, giving her time to adjust to the thicker stretch. Y/N gasped his name as he bottomed out, her body trembling. Yunho stayed still, leaning down to kiss along her spine, one hand reaching beneath her to rub slow circles over her clit while the other teased her pussy with two fingers again. And only when she relaxed did he start moving, long, deliberate thrusts that let her feel every inch. He built the pace gradually, hips snapping harder as her moans grew louder and she sobbed his name, pushing back to meet him. “Fuck me,” she begged. “Please…. baby… just fuck me.”
Something in him snapped at the way she begged and called him baby. Yunho’s grip tightened and he started pounding into her ass, the bed creaking under the force. She cried out, fingers clawing at the sheets, begging him not to stop as he pulled her upright against his chest, one hand wrapping around her throat while the other guided her own fingers down to her pussy. “Put them in,” he growled against her ear. “Clench around them.” She slid two fingers inside herself, sobbing as her walls squeezed and Yunho kept fucking her ass in hard, relentless strokes while his fingers rubbed tight circles over her clit. “Mine,” he snarled.
“Yours,” she gasped.
“My pussy.”
“Your pussy.”
“My ass.”
“Your ass.”
The words fed the fire between them as her body shook harder with every thrust. And when she finally broke, she screamed his name, squirting around her own fingers, ass clenching rhythmically around his him. Yunho held her upright, fucking her through it until his own release hit and he buried himself deep, filling her ass and groaning against her neck. They collapsed onto the bed together, breathing hard, bodies slick with sweat. Yunho stayed inside her for a long moment, pressing soft kisses to her shoulder before slowly pulling out, gathering her close, one arm draping over her waist, the unspoken realization of what she meant to him now still burning quietly in his chest as he held her through the aftershocks.
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Pandemonium had never been quiet. The palace breathed with constant motion, servants crossing endless corridors, nobles arriving without invitation, ancient demons arguing over matters that had somehow remained unresolved for millennia. Yet somehow, over all of it, Lucifer’s voice still managed to dominate. “I said bigger.” Several servants froze as Seonghwa pinched the bridge of his nose without looking up from the parchment spread across the council table. “Your Majesty…” Lucifer stood before an enormous tapestry depicting Hell’s founding, gesturing animatedly as though the entire celebration already existed in his head. “I want every noble house invited.” Seonghwa sighed. “Every noble house?”
“Yes.” Lucifer replied like it was obvious. “The last time every noble house attended the same event…” he interrupted Seonghwa mid complaint. “Three duels.” Seonghwa corrected him. “Seven.” Lucifer waved a dismissive hand. “Minor details.” Seonghwa gave him a deadpan look. “They burned down the east ballroom.” Lucifer shrugged as if it were no big deal. “We rebuilt it.”
“They poisoned each other’s wine.”
“They survived.”
“Barely.” Lucifer finally looked at him. “And?” Seonghwa stared back. “You’re impossible.” Lucifer smiled smugly. “I rule Hell. I’ve earned it.” A reluctant laugh escaped Seonghwa despite himself. “So what exactly are we celebrating?” Lucifer looked almost offended by the question. “My daughter in law.” Seonghwa dipped his quill into ink. “You do realize most of the aristocracy still hasn’t accepted the marriage.”
“Then they’ll attend.”
“And if they refuse?”
“They won’t.”
“Because?” Lucifer smiled in that uniquely terrifying way only the Devil could. “Because I’m inviting them.” Seonghwa made another note. “So…” Lucifer clasped his hands behind his back, beginning to pace. “I want music.”
“Noted.”
“A feast.”
“Obviously.”
“I want every hall decorated.”
“I’ll inform the staff.”
“And gifts.”
Seonghwa paused. “Gifts?”
“For Y/N.”
“You’ve already given them a villa for their honeymoon.” Lucifer looked genuinely puzzled. “So?” Before Seonghwa could answer, the massive chamber doors swung open with enough force to echo through the throne room. Neither of them looked surprised as an older demon strode inside without waiting to be announced. Tall, broad shouldered, silver threaded through long black hair that hung past his shoulders, Eres carried himself with the effortless authority of someone who had ruled his own territories long before most kingdoms on Earth had existed. Curving obsidian horns framed a face carved with centuries of experience rather than age, and the crimson embroidery stitched into his dark robes marked him as one of Hell’s oldest noble houses. His expression, however….. was anything but composed. “My king.” Lucifer’s smile disappeared. “Eres.” Seonghwa quietly set his quill down. This wasn’t going to be a pleasant visit. Eres stopped several paces before the throne, his green eyes fixed entirely on Lucifer. “I’ve just returned from the eastern territories.”
“I gathered.”
“I was informed…” His jaw tightened. “that Prince Yunho has been bound.” Lucifer had to refrain from being a smartass. “He has.”
“To a human.”
“He has.” Silence settled over the room until finally, Eres laughed but it held no humor whatsoever. “Tell me they’re mistaken.”
“They aren’t.”
“You allowed this?”
“I did more than allow it.” Lucifer folded his hands calmly behind his back. “I blessed the marriage.” The words landed like a blade as Eres stared at him. Then disbelief gave way to anger. “For decades…” His voice remained controlled, though only barely. “For decades we discussed an alliance.” Lucifer remained perfectly still. “We did.”
“My daughter has spent years preparing.”
“I know.”
“We agreed the Prince would one day marry Estrie.”
“We discussed the possibility.”
Eres took another step forward. “It was more than a possibility.”
“No.” Lucifer’s voice stayed level. “It wasn’t.”
“It was understood.”
“It was assumed.” The distinction was razor thin and devastating. Eres’ eyes flashed. “My house has remained loyal to yours for over twelve hundred years.”
“I haven’t forgotten.”
“My armies answered every summons.”
“They did.”
“My family has stood beside yours through every rebellion.”
“And I’ve appreciated it.”
Eres spread his hands. “And this…” His voice cracked with restrained fury. “is how that loyalty is repaid?” Lucifer’s expression softened only slightly. “No.”
“It feels remarkably similar.”
“The marriage was never promised.”
“You never denied it.”
“I also never accepted it.” The room fell silent again and Seonghwa quietly looked toward the floor. He’d been present for many of those discussions over the years. Lucifer was right. He had never once promised Yunho to Estrie. Hell’s nobility had simply convinced themselves it would happen. Eres exhaled slowly through his nose. “My daughter loves him.” Lucifer had to refrain from rolling his eyes. “As do many.”
“She has for nearly seventy years.”
“I’ve noticed.”
“And now she learns…” His laugh returned, brittle and hollow. “from gossip.” A flicker of actual amusement crossed Lucifer’s face. “I intended to speak with you personally.”
“When?”
“When Yunho returned.”
“After introducing his human wife to the court?” Eres practically spat the word human out in disgust. Lucifer didn’t answer though. “I see.” Eres nodded and turned as though to leave before stopping. And without looking back, he spoke quietly. “Tell me one thing.” Lucifer waited. “Is she truly worth dismantling centuries of alliances?” The Devil looked toward the towering windows overlooking Pandemonium and when he answered, his voice carried none of the authority of a king. Only the certainty of a father. “My son smiled.” Eres frowned as Lucifer looked back at him. “For the first time since he lost his mother…” A faint mournful smile touched his lips. “my son smiled because he was happy.” The throne room became impossibly still but Lucifer’s gaze never wavered. “No alliance is worth taking that away from him.” Eres held his stare for another long moment before inclining his head just enough to acknowledge the answer. Whether he accepted it was another matter entirely. Without another word, Eres turned and walked out of the throne room, the enormous doors closing behind him with a thunderous boom that echoed through Pandemonium. Only after the silence returned did Seonghwa glance sideways at Lucifer. “So…” Lucifer sighed. “So.” Seonghwa stared at him. “I suppose I should make the guest list a little… flexible.” Lucifer rubbed a hand across his face. “No.” Seonghwa blinked, confused. “No?” The Devil’s eyes gleamed with quiet resolve. “Invite House Eres.” Seonghwa stared at him. “To the welcome celebration?”
“Especially them.” A slow, knowing smile spread across Seonghwa’s face. “You want the entire nobility to meet her.” Lucifer returned a menacing smile of his own. “If they’re going to question the Princess of Hell…” His voice lowered with unmistakable confidence. “I’d much rather they do it to her face for my son to see.”
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The drive to Melissani Cave wound through winding mountain roads lined with olive groves and towering cypress trees, the late morning sun spilling across the landscape in sheets of gold. Every few minutes the sea appeared between the hills, impossibly blue before disappearing behind another curve. Y/N had spent most of the drive with the window down, one arm resting against the door as the warm Mediterranean air played with her hair. “I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of looking at this.”
“You’ve said that six times.”
“I’ve meant it all six.” Yunho smiled to himself as the rental car Jeep rolled into the small parking area overlooking the famous cave. The moment the engine shut off, Y/N was already reaching for the door. “Hurry.” Yunho raised an eyebrow. “We’re on vacation.”
“I know.”
“So why are we in a rush?”
“Because…” She pointed dramatically toward the trees. “there’s an underground lake over there remember.” He laughed. “I don’t think it’s going anywhere.”
“You don’t know that.”
“I’m fairly confident.” She was already halfway out of the car before he finished speaking. A few minutes later they followed the shaded stone path leading toward the entrance. Y/N had worn the swimsuit Yunho insisted on her buying in Athens. A black bikini peeked through the sheer black mesh cover up that flowed around her legs with every step, the fabric catching the breeze while sunlight filtered through it. Oversized sunglasses rested atop her head now instead of over her eyes, and simple black sandals clicked softly against the stone walkway. Yunho had been staring for nearly five minutes. Not discreetly. Not even pretending. And of course caught him. “What?”
“What?”
“You’ve looked at me exactly twelve times since we got out of the car.”
“I don’t think that’s accurate.”
“I’ve been counting.”
He considered that. “Thirteen?” She snorted as he looked her up and down once more, completely shameless. “I can’t help it. My wife is beautiful.”
“I appreciate the compliment.”
“It wasn’t a compliment.” He grinned, playfully spanking her ass. “It was an observation.” A laugh escaped her before she could stop it and they continued down the path, more tourists came into view, families, couples, photographers, all making their way toward the cave entrance. Y/N leaned closer to Yunho, letting him wrap an arm around her. “I have a question.”
“Hm?”
“Do demons… get sunburned?”
Yunho looked genuinely thoughtful. “No.”
“Lucky.”
“We do overheat, though.”
She looked at him skeptically. “Really?”
“No.”
She smacked his arm. “You lying asshole.”
“I couldn’t resist.” He laughed as the path narrowed before opening onto a natural limestone sinkhole and Y/N stopped so abruptly that Yunho nearly walked into her. “Whoa.” The cave seemed to open beneath the earth itself. Sunlight poured through the collapsed ceiling high above, striking the water below like a spotlight. The lake glowed. Not blue. Not turquoise. But something between sapphire and liquid glass. The light shifted constantly beneath the surface, rippling over ancient limestone walls that curved into darkness beyond where the sun could reach. Small wooden rowboats drifted silently across the water, each carrying only a handful of people while local guides steered them through the cavern with long wooden poles. Y/N simply stared. “I…” She couldn’t find the words as Yunho watched her instead of the cave. “I’ve never seen water…” She laughed softly, almost to herself. “…I didn’t know water could look like that.” The sunlight caught in her eyes as she stepped closer to the railing. “It almost doesn’t look real.”
“It is.”
“I know.” She smiled without taking her eyes off the shimmering lake. “That’s the crazy part.” A boatman called out from below, waving toward the next group waiting to board. Yunho extended his hand. “Ready?” Y/N looked from the cave…. to him… then slipped her fingers into his. “I have a feeling,” she said, smiling brightly, “this is going to be one of those memories I’m still talking about when I’m almost too old to remember.” Yunho’s thumb brushed gently across the back of her hand, her missing the look on his face at the mention of her getting old. Her immortality lingering in the back of his thoughts as if mocking him for being too much of a coward to kill her. “I hope so.”Hand in hand, they descended the worn stone steps toward the waiting boat, disappearing into the brilliant blue heart of the cave. The little wooden boat drifted away from the dock with barely a ripple, its elderly guide using a long polished pole to push them silently across the glowing lake. The deeper they ventured beneath the limestone ceiling, the quieter the outside world became. Conversations softened into whispers as everyone instinctively looked upward. Sunlight poured through the opening high above, scattering across the water until it looked less like a lake and more like liquid sapphire. Y/N sat near the front beside Yunho, one hand trailing lazily just above the water’s surface without quite touching it. She couldn’t stop looking around. Every few seconds another shaft of sunlight found a different angle, painting the cave walls in shifting shades of blue and silver. “This feels fake,” she murmured and Yunho smiled, his shoulder brushing her. “You’re saying that a lot today.”
“Because everything keeps looking like someone edited reality.”
“I’ll admit…” He looked around himself. “Earth has its moments.” She nudged him lightly. “I knew you’d finally admit we’re prettier than Hell.”
“I’m not admitting anything.”
“You just did.”
“I said Earth has moments.” She grinned triumphantly anyway and several seats behind them, an older couple chuckled. The woman had silver hair tucked beneath a wide straw hat while her husband sat beside her with one arm comfortably around her shoulders. Deep laugh lines framed both of their faces, the kind earned over decades rather than years. “You two are adorable,” the woman said warmly making Y/N glance back smiling. “Thank you.”
“Vacation?” Y/N looked at Yunho before answering. “Honeymoon, actually.” The woman’s expression brightened immediately. “Oh! Congratulations!” Her husband reached over to squeeze her hand. “Best kind of trip.” The woman looked between them again before her brow furrowed slightly. “Although…” Y/N tilted her head. “What?”
“I hope you don’t mind me asking.” She smiled apologetically. “Where are your rings?” For the first time since the binding… Y/N blinked as her left hand instinctively lifted. Bare and empty. She looked toward Yunho’s. Also bare. The realization hit both of them at exactly the same time as she had the horn shaped mark around her wrist. He had the feather shaped mark winding around his own. They’d been so consumed by surviving earthquakes, Hell, demon politics, weddings officiated by Reapers, and honeymoon sex that neither of them had once stopped to think about wedding rings. Y/N laughed awkwardly. “That’s actually a really good question.” The older woman smiled knowingly. “Oh, sweetheart, don’t worry. My husband lost his first ring three weeks after we got married.”
“I dropped it into the Adriatic,” the man admitted sheepishly.
“You threw up over the side of a ferry.”
“I was seasick.”
“You insisted you weren’t.”
“I was wrong.”
Y/N laughed. “We…” She glanced sideways at Yunho. “had a very unconventional wedding.”
“I’ll say,” Yunho muttered under his breath and she bumped his knee with hers before looking back at the couple. “We just… haven’t gotten around to rings yet.” The older woman nodded thoughtfully. “That happens more often than people think.” Her husband smiled fondly at her. “We actually came to Greece for our honeymoon too.” Y/N’s eyes lit up. “Really?”
“Forty years ago,” the woman said, squeezing her husband’s hand again. “This cave was one of our first stops.”
“We promised each other we’d come back someday.”
“It only took us four decades.”
Her husband laughed. “Life gets busy.”
“It does.” Y/N looked between them, watching the quiet ease with which they sat together. They weren’t constantly talking. They didn’t need to be. Every now and then one would simply glance at the other, smile, and look back toward the shimmering water as though forty years had taught them an entire language without words. “They’re relationship goals,” Y/N whispered quietly to Yunho. He looked at the couple. Then at her. “I can see that.” The older woman overheard just enough to laugh. “My dear…” she said, smiling at Y/N. “The secret isn’t finding someone exciting.”
“No?”
“It’s finding someone you still choose when life stops being exciting.” Her husband nodded. “Eventually the butterflies settle down.”
“And then?” The older woman smiled up at her husband. “If you’re lucky…” Her fingers intertwined with his. “you realize you married your best friend.” Silence settled over the little boat again and Y/N found herself staring thoughtfully at the rippling water. Beside her, Yunho quietly reached over and laced his fingers through hers and she squeezed back without thinking. The older couple smiled to themselves as the boat drifted beneath another shaft of brilliant sunlight and the woman looked toward Yunho with a teasing smile. “And young man…”
“Yes?”
“When you finally buy her a ring…” She winked. “make sure it’s one she’ll never want to take off.” Yunho’s gaze shifted from the woman to Y/N’s empty left hand… then to the horn shaped mark circling her wrist and a quiet smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. “I think,” he said softly, more to himself than anyone else, “I already know exactly what it should look like.” Y/N looked up at him curiously. “You do?” He only smiled, glancing at the water around them. “I have an idea.”
═════════ ═════════ ═════════
The little beachfront restaurant sat tucked between swaying palms and the shoreline, strings of warm golden lights hanging overhead like scattered stars while the last rays of the sun melted into the Ionian sea. Waves rolled lazily onto the sand only a few yards away, their quiet rhythm blending with soft Greek music drifting from somewhere farther down the beach. It was the kind of evening that felt too beautiful to belong to real life as Y/N stepped onto the wooden deck ahead of Yunho, smoothing the soft white romper she’d chosen for dinner. The lightweight fabric danced around her legs every time the sea breeze rolled through, the lace up sandals winding elegantly around her calves. The hostess greeted them warmly before leading them toward a table set almost directly on the sand. Candles flickered inside small glass lanterns, their flames dancing every time the breeze swept through. The horizon burned orange. Then pink. Then deep violet. Y/N sighed as she sat down. “I’m serious…. I don’t think I’m ever leaving.” Yunho pulled out her chair before taking the seat across from her. “I could arrange that.”
“I’m serious.”
“I know.”
She looked out toward the sea again. “I could stay here forever.” The word caught him. Forever. His smile remained exactly where it was but something behind his eyes shifted. The waiter arrived, taking their orders before disappearing just as quietly, leaving them alone with the sound of the ocean. Y/N rested her chin in her hand, watching the last edge of the sun disappear beneath the water. She didn’t notice Yunho watching her. He wasn’t seeing the beach anymore. He was seeing… years. Decades. The first silver strand in her hair. The tiny lines beside her smile. Hands that would someday wrinkle. A back that might ache. Eyes that would eventually struggle to read. She’d joked about talking about Greece when she was almost too old to remember. At the time, he’d managed to hide what that sentence had done to him. Now… watching the sunset paint her face… he couldn’t stop imagining it. She was twenty four. So heartbreakingly young as she laughed at something happening farther down the beach where a little girl chased gulls through the surf. The sound pulled another thought through him. One day… she wouldn’t look like this anymore. Unless… his father’s words slipped back into his mind with merciless clarity. Kill her while she’s still young… his jaw tightened. No. He couldn’t. He already knew he couldn’t. Which meant… she would grow old. While he remained exactly the same.
“Yunho?” He didn’t answer. “Baby?” The nickname finally reached him. He blinked, focusing his gaze on her. Y/N was leaning forward now, concern replacing her smile. “You’ve been staring at me for like…” She glanced at the sky as if calculating. “ten minutes.”
“I have?”
“You didn’t even blink.” He tried to smile but didn’t quite reach his eyes. She reached across the table, gently taking his hand. “What’s wrong?” His thumb brushed absentmindedly across her knuckles but nothing came out. Because where would he even begin? By the way, you’re going to die someday unless… No. My father wants me to kill you before that happens. Absolutely not. There’s a way for you to live forever, but… He couldn’t. Not here. Not while she still looked so happy. The candlelight flickered between them as Y/N squeezed his hand again. “You’ve got that look.”
“What look?”
“The one where you’re thinking so hard you’ve forgotten I’m sitting in front of you.” A quiet breath escaped him and are waited patiently. Until finally…… very quietly… Yunho let it out. “There’s something I haven’t told you.” Her smile faded just enough for concern to take its place. “What is it?” He looked into her eyes. Then down at their joined hands. Then back at her. “I just…” His voice caught before he tried again. “I don’t know how to tell you.” The waves continued to roll onto the shore. The music carried softly through the evening air. And for the first time since arriving in Greece… the perfect honeymoon felt very far away as the words sat between them for so long that the sounds of the restaurant slowly filled the silence. Glasses clinked. Someone laughed somewhere farther down the beach. A server walked past carrying a tray of grilled fish, the scent of lemon and herbs briefly cutting through the salty evening air. Yunho barely noticed any of it. His entire world had narrowed to the woman sitting across from him. He took a slow breath. “When a mortal soul becomes bound to an immortal one…” His fingers remained loosely intertwined with hers atop the table. “…the binding itself doesn’t change the mortal.” Y/N listened without interrupting. “You stay human.” She nodded. “I noticed.”
“You still age. You can still get sick. And…” His voice became quieter. “you’ll eventually die.” The words felt wrong leaving his mouth. “I won’t.” Y/N furrowed her brows. “Won’t what?”
“I won’t die.” He shook his head. “But…. I don’t want to lose you.” Her confusion deepened. “There is…” He searched for words that somehow didn’t exist. “Another part of the binding. If…” His jaw tightened. “…if the immortal bound to the mortal is the one who kills them…”
“What?”
“Their soul returns.” He forced himself to continue. “They wake again. Immortal.” The breeze stirred the candle between them as Y/N simply looked at him. Trying to understand. “So…” Her voice had become almost a whisper. “If…” She couldn’t even finish the sentence so he did it for her. “If I kill you…” His throat tightened around the words. “you would come back.” She looked horrified. “Immortal.” Yunho squeezed her hand. “But I’m not going to.” She finally looked back at him. “What?”
“I’m not.”
“Yunho…”
“I can’t.” His voice cracked. “I thought…” He laughed once, bitterly. “I thought maybe I could.” She watched him carefully. “My father believes I should while you still have your youth. He thinks…” Yunho looked out toward the darkening sea. “…it would spare you.” He couldn’t bring himself to explain the rest. That she’d never wrinkle. Never weaken. Never grow frail. Never leave him. He swallowed hard. “I can’t. Y/N I can’t kill you.” She opened her mouth but he kept talking anyway. “I keep trying to convince myself it’s logical.” He laughed quietly. “It isn’t.”
“It is.”
“It isn’t.” His eyes finally met hers again. “Because I…” The words caught. He’d faced armies. Kings. Archangels. Ancient demons. But none of them had ever made him hesitate like this. “I…” He rubbed a hand across his face. “I think… I’m pretty sure…” He laughed nervously at himself. “I’ve fallen in love with you.” The world seemed to stop. Even the waves sounded farther away and just Y/N simply stared as The Prince of Hell looked almost embarrassed. “I wasn’t planning on saying that tonight.” Or for a while. Because it was insane. They’d known each other a week.
“No?”
“I was hoping to have… significantly more dignity.” Despite everything… a tiny smile tugged at the corner of Y/N’s mouth. “You’ve picked a very romantic setting.” She teased. “I suppose I have.” Before either of them could say anything else, their waiter appeared with an apologetic smile. “Forgive the interruption.” Menus were gently set before them. “Are we ready to order?” Yunho looked at Y/N and she nodded. “I think so.” Several minutes later, after deciding on fresh seafood and roasted vegetables, the waiter disappeared once more, leaving them alone beneath the string lights. Neither spoke for a while. Yunho wondered if he’d ruined the evening. Or the honeymoon. Or everything. If she hates him? Then… Y/N quietly broke the silence. “So…” He looked up. “If you don’t…” She searched carefully for the words. “kill me…” He hated hearing her say it. “I’ll grow old normally?”
“Yes.”
She looked down at their joined hands. Then back at him. “Then do it.” His entire body froze. “What?” She held up a finger. “I mean…” A nervous laugh escaped her. “…not right now.” He continued staring. “I don’t want to die tomorrow.”
“Y/N…”
“But…” She looked out toward the moonlit sea for a long moment before returning her gaze to him. “I also don’t want to leave you.” Those six words stole every thought from his mind as she smiled sadly. “You’ve lived four hundred years. I’ve lived twenty four. If we really are…” She squeezed his hand gently. “bound forever…” Her voice softened. “Then I don’t want forever to end because I got old.” Emotion flashed across Yunho’s face so quickly she almost missed it. “I know that’s probably a terrifying thing to hear. But…” She smiled a little. “I’m also pretty sure I’m falling in love with you too.” Yunho stared at her, his immortal heart feeling as if it would blow into a million pieces inside his chest. “You…” She laughed softly. “I wasn’t planning on saying it tonight either.” For a long moment, neither of them spoke as the candle flickered between their hands. Then, finally, Yunho shook his head with an almost disbelieving smile. “You realize…”
“What?”
“this might be the strangest love confession in history.” Y/N laughed through the tears gathering in her eyes. “It definitely is.” He lifted her hand and pressed a gentle kiss across her knuckles. “We don’t have to decide tonight. We have time.” And Yunho allowed himself to believe it. Not because the decision had become easier. But because, whatever they chose, they would face it together.
═════════ ═════════ ═════════
Morning arrived slowly over Kefalonia. Golden sunlight spilled through the open balcony doors, carrying the scent of saltwater and blooming jasmine into the bedroom. White curtains swayed lazily in the breeze, and somewhere below, waves rolled rhythmically against the cliffs. Yunho opened his eyes first and for a long moment he didn’t move. Y/N was still asleep beside him, naked as he was, tangled in the white sheets, one arm stretched across the space where he’d been lying moments before. Her hair fanned across the pillow, the peaceful expression on her face completely at odds with everything they’d survived to reach this quiet little corner of Greece. He smiled despite himself. A week ago she’d been a stranger. Now… now couldn’t imagine waking up without seeing her there. Careful not to disturb her, Yunho slipped quietly out of bed, grabbing one of the lightweight white robes hanging near the bathroom, tying it loosely around his waist before glancing back one last time. She was still sleeping. “Good,” he murmured to himself. Maybe he could surprise her with breakfast.
The villa was almost unnaturally quiet as he padded downstairs, rubbing a hand through his silver hair. He hadn’t even made it halfway across the kitchen before the unmistakable sound of someone opening the refrigerator reached him and his entire body went rigid. Someone was in the kitchen. Every instinct sharpened at once as the refrigerator door swung shut. “Morning.” Yunho nearly jumped out of his skin. “What the fuck, Wooyoung?” Wooyoung stood there holding an orange juice carton like he’d lived in the villa his entire life. “What?” he replied innocently. “Good morning to you too.” Yunho blinked twice before glaring at the lust demon. “How did you get in here?”
“I opened the door.”
“I locked the door.”
“I’m a demon.”
“That’s not the point.” Wooyoung took a casual sip of juice. “I disagree.” Yunho stared at him in complete disbelief before noticing movement near the island countertop. Someone else was standing there. Dark hair. White linen shirt. Looking thoroughly uncomfortable. “San?” The archangel lifted one hand in an awkward little wave. “Hello.” Yunho slowly closed his eyes. “No.” Wooyoung looked confused. “No?”
“No.”
“What do you mean no?”
“I mean…” Yunho pointed between the two of them. “absolutely not.” Wooyoung frowned. “You haven’t even heard why we’re here.”
“I don’t need to.”
“You really do.”
“I really don’t.”
Wooyoung sighed dramatically. “I need somewhere to hide.”
“Hide from who?”
Wooyoung hesitated. “Several people.”
“How several?”
San answered quietly. “Enough that we thought it was better not to count.” Yunho pinched the bridge of his nose. “Please tell me you didn’t bring your problems to my honeymoon.”
“We didn’t bring them. They followed us.” Yunho looked from Wooyoung…. to San then back to Wooyoung. Then realization dawned and his eyes widened. “You two are hiding together.” Wooyoung smiled proudly. “We’re dating.”
“I gathered.”
“And we’re adorable.”
“Debatable.”
San coughed into his fist, unsuccessfully hiding a smile as Yunho pointed toward the front door. “No.” Wooyoung blinked. “No?”
“You and your fucking archangel boyfriend are not ruining my honeymoon.”
“We’re not ruining anything!”
“You appeared in my kitchen before breakfast!”
“We were very quiet about it.”
“You were stealing my orange juice!”
“I was borrowing it.”
“There is no universe where that’s borrowing.” Wooyoung opened his mouth to argue before the unmistakable sound of bare feet padding across the hardwood stairs echoed through the villa. Yunho’s eyes widened. “Oh, no…” Y/N wandered into the kitchen with sleepy eyes, one hand rubbing at them as she yawned. The white sheet she’d hastily wrapped around herself after realizing Yunho had disappeared was tucked securely beneath one arm, leaving one shoulder bare. She hadn’t even fully opened her eyes yet. “Baby…” she mumbled. “You left me…” Then she looked up and entire body froze. For a solid three seconds, nobody spoke. “Why is Wooyoung here?” Wooyoung slowly raised one hand. “Morning?” Y/N’s eyes narrowed as she looked at Wooyoung then to San who she had no idea was. Then at Yunho standing there in nothing but a robe. Then right back to Wooyoung. “Am I still asleep?”
“No,” Yunho answered unfortunately.
“I was hoping I was.”
Wooyoung offered her an awkward smile. “In my defense…”
“You have a defense?”
“I didn’t know you’d be downstairs this early.” Y/N looked down at the sheet wrapped around herself before letting out a tiny squeak. “Oh my God.” It wasn’t as bad as Seonghwa walking in on them in the shower but she was still naked under that sheet. Without another word, she spun around so fast the sheet nearly came loose, caught it at the last second, and bolted straight back toward the staircase. “I’ll… I’ll be back!” Her voice echoed from halfway upstairs. “With clothes!” The bedroom door slammed shut behind her. Wooyoung looked after her before slowly turning back to Yunho. “She looks thoroughly fucked out so I’m assuming the honeymoon has gone splendidly so far.” Yunho stared at him with the flattest expression imaginable. “I am going to throw you into Purgatory myself.” San quietly took another sip of coffee he’d apparently already made for himself. “I did suggest knocking.”
“You did,” Wooyoung admitted.
“I distinctly remember saying, Perhaps we shouldn’t surprise the newlyweds.”
“You did say that.”
“And yet…” Wooyoung shrugged. “I thought it’d be funny.” Yunho let out a long sigh, dropping his forehead briefly into one hand. “I cannot believe this is my honeymoon.” A few minutes later, the bedroom door opened again and Y/N descended the stairs much more cautiously this time, now dressed in a pair of denim shorts and one of Yunho’s oversized black Henleys that nearly reached the middle of her thighs. She stopped beside Yunho, lightly bumping his arm. “You could’ve warned me.”
“I just found them. There wasn’t exactly time for a detailed explanation.” She huffed a laugh despite herself before looking back at Wooyoung. “So…. What are you doing here?” Wooyoung smiled brightly at her. “Well…. the big guy upstairs kind of found out one of his favorite archangels have been topping me and he might be a tad bit mad.” San closed his eyes. “I told you that wasn’t how you should phrase it.”
“It was the quickest explanation.”
“It was certainly… an explanation.”
Y/N looked from Wooyoung to San, then slowly toward Yunho. “Did I hear that correctly?” Yunho sighed. “Unfortunately.” Wooyoung leaned casually against the kitchen island. “So now Heaven is looking for him.” San raised a finger. “Technically, they’re looking for both of us.”
“True.”
Y/N frowned. “Because you’re… together?” San nodded. “It isn’t exactly encouraged.” Wooyoung snorted. “Encouraged is one way to put it.” San rubbed the back of his neck, looking genuinely apologetic. “We really are sorry.” Y/N looked at him. He was the complete opposite of Wooyoung. Calm where Wooyoung was chaos. Polite where Wooyoung was… well, Wooyoung. “So…” she said carefully, “how long are you planning on hiding here?” Wooyoung looked at San and neither answered making Yunho glare at them. “Absolutely not.”
“What?”
“That silence tells me you don’t have a plan.”
“We’re figuring it out.”
Y/N laughed again before walking over to the coffee machine. “Okay,” she said, reaching for a mug. “Before anybody starts another argument…” She glanced over her shoulder. “does anyone else want coffee?”
“I would love some more,” San answered politely as Wooyoung raised his hand. “I’ll take some.” Yunho stared at him. “You have some nerve asking my wife to make you coffee after breaking into our villa.” Wooyoung looked at Y/N. “See! I told you he’s possessive.” Y/N smiled over the rim of the coffee tin. “I’ve noticed.” Yunho looked at her in mock betrayal. “You were supposed to be on my side.”
“I am.”
“Then why are you smiling?”
“Because…” She laughed softly as she measured out the coffee grounds. “I kind of think this is the most normal morning we’ve had all week.” The kitchen fell quiet for a moment. She wasn’t wrong. No earthquakes. No demon politics. No assassination threats. Yunho looked around the room, then back at Y/N and a reluctant smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. “I suppose it is.”
═════════ ═════════ ═════════
Late afternoon sunshine bathed the harbor in warm gold by the time the four of them finally left the villa. Y/N stepped out onto the stone walkway first, a pair of sunglasses perched atop her head as the sea breeze immediately caught the flowing hem of her black dress. The long sleeves hugged her arms while the cutouts at her waist revealed just enough skin to keep it playful, the asymmetrical skirt drifting behind her with every step. It was the kind of outfit that looked effortlessly elegant against the whitewashed buildings of Kefalonia, especially with the sparkling blue water stretching endlessly beyond them. Yunho followed a second later, locking the villa behind him. His silver hair caught the sunlight as he adjusted the sleeves of the red and black flannel hanging open over a fitted black tank top. Black cargo shorts sat comfortably on his hips, sunglasses hooked through the neckline of his shirt. It was the closest thing the Prince of Hell owned to vacation clothes. He looked up and stopped. “Seriously?” Y/N turned in a slow circle, letting the breeze lift the skirt slightly before planting a hand on her hip. “What?”
“You couldn’t have warned me.”
“About?”
“That.”
She looked down at herself with exaggerated innocence as he laughed under his breath. “I was hoping we’d actually make it through today’s sightseeing.”
“We are.”
“No, we’re not.”
“Why not?”
“Because I’m going to spend the entire day making sure every man around the island remembers how to keep his eyes to himself.”
Y/N grinned. “There he is.” Her grin slowly turned into a smirk.
“Who?”
“My possessive husband.”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“Mhm.” She reached up, tugging lightly on one of the strings near the neckline of her dress and Yunho’s eyes immediately followed the movement. “Don’t.” A mischievous smile spread across her face. “I didn’t even do anything.”
“You were thinking about it.”
“I was.”
“I knew it.”
She laughed, slipping her hand into his before he could continue pouting. “I dressed up for you. Because I love the way you look at me.” That stole every remaining complaint from him and his ears turned the faintest shade of pink. “You can’t just say things like that.”
“I just did.” Before Yunho could recover enough to answer, the front gate creaked open behind them. “Oh good!” Wooyoung announced brightly. “You’re finally ready.” Yunho’s shoulders sagged. “No.” San offered an apologetic smile as he stepped through the gate behind him, dressed simply in a loose cream button up with the sleeves rolled to his forearms and light linen trousers. “We brought pastries.” Wooyoung triumphantly held up a paper bag. “And coffee.”
“I don’t care.”
“They’re still warm.”
“I still don’t care.”
Wooyoung looked genuinely offended at Yunho. “You don’t care about pastries?”
“I care that you’re here.”
“We’re sightseeing together.”
“No, we’re sightseeing.” Yunho pointed between himself and Y/N. Then pointed toward Wooyoung and San. “You two are following us.”
“It’s the same island.”
“Go see a different part of it.”
Wooyoung draped an arm around San’s shoulders. “But we like this part.” San quietly lifted the paper bag. “There are pistachio croissants.” Y/N’s head turned so quickly Yunho almost laughed. “Pistachio?” The archangel nodded. “The bakery owner insisted we try them.” Y/N looked at Yunho. Then at the bag. Then back at her husband. “Can they come?” Yunho stared at her in disbelief. “You’ve betrayed me…”
“They have pastries.”
“You were on my side five seconds ago.”
“I still am.”
“You switched teams for baked goods.”
“I switched teams for pistachio baked goods.”
Wooyoung pumped a victorious fist into the air. “Yes!” Yunho pinched the bridge of his nose. “I cannot believe I just lost my wife to a croissant.”
“You didn’t lose her,” Wooyoung said, already pulling one from the bag. “You merely underestimated the power of European pastries.” San accepted his own pastry before offering one to Y/N with a warm smile and she took it happily. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
Y/N smiled at San before she looked up at Yunho, slipping her hand back into his. “Come on, Prince of Hell.” She tugged him gently toward the winding streets overlooking the harbor. “I want to see the island.” Still muttering under his breath about uninvited guests and stolen honeymoons, Yunho let himself be pulled along anyway, his fingers tightening around hers as the four of them disappeared into the maze of sunlit streets above the sparkling Ionian sea. The streets of Argostoli were alive with the lazy rhythm of a Greek afternoon. Balconies overflowed with bright bougainvillea, cats lounged in patches of warm sunlight without a care in the world, and every few storefronts another café spilled laughter onto the cobblestone streets. The scent of fresh bread, citrus, and the sea drifted together on the breeze as tourists wandered between little family owned shops selling handmade ceramics, olive oils, local wines, and shelves full of tiny souvenirs. Y/N was absolutely in heaven. “Ooh.” She disappeared into yet another little shop before Yunho had even finished the last bite of his croissant. He stopped outside the doorway. “Again?” She looked over her shoulder. “They have magnets.”
San accepted the paper shopping bag Y/N had already filled with postcards and little bottles of locally made olive oil. “I can carry these.”
“Thank you.”
Yunho reached for the bag. “I’ll carry them.” San immediately let go. “Of course.” Y/N smiled to herself. There it was again. She wandered deeper into the shop, picking up a tiny hand painted ceramic pomegranate before holding it toward the sunlight. “It’s cute.”
“It’s fragile.”
“I know.”
“It’ll break in the suitcase.”
“I know.”
“You’re buying it anyway.”
“I am.”
Yunho sighed dramatically before taking it from her with surprising care and wrapping it back in the tissue paper exactly as the shop owner had packed it. She watched him for a second. Then another. Until finally… a smile slowly spread across her face. “You know… you’re kind of like a puppy.” Yunho looked up. “Excuse me?” She nodded confidently. “You follow me everywhere.”
“I do not.”
“You absolutely do.”
“I’m making sure you don’t accidentally buy the entire island.”
“Mhm.”
“You have no sense of restraint. And honestly I blame myself.”
She folded her arms. “And yet…” He raised an eyebrow. “you’ve been carrying every single bag I’ve bought.”
“That’s called being helpful.”
“No.” She stepped closer, grinning. “That’s called puppy behavior.” Wooyoung laughed so hard he nearly dropped his coffee ad Y/N slipped her hand into Yunho’s again. “You know…” she said more quietly this time, “I kind of like having my own very tall puppy.”
“I am not a puppy.”
“No?”
“No.”
“You just happen to follow me into every shop.”
“I’m supervising.”
“Mhm.”
“So you don’t spend three thousand euros on decorative spoons.”
“I wasn’t going to.”
“You were thinking about it.”
“I was considering them.”
“I knew it.”
She laughed, leaning briefly against his arm before they wandered back outside into the warm afternoon sun. They spent another hour weaving through narrow streets lined with colorful storefronts until Y/N suddenly stopped in front of a small artisan shop tucked between a bakery and a florist. Wind chimes danced gently outside the entrance. Inside, shelves overflowed with handcrafted wooden music boxes, carved figurines, embroidered tablecloths, and delicate stained glass ornaments that caught the sunlight like little jewels. Yunho slowed beside her and his smile faded into something quieter as his eyes lingered on a small carved wooden jewelry box decorated with pressed flowers beneath polished glass. “My mom would’ve loved this place.” The words slipped out before he could stop them. Y/N turned toward him. Watching as he seemed to lose him for a moment in memories. “You’ve… never really talked about her.” He didn’t answer. For several long seconds he simply stared through the shop window. Even Wooyoung fell silent and San quietly drifted toward the opposite side of the street, giving them space without saying a word. Y/N didn’t push. She simply waited until Yunho exhaled slowly. “My father met her in Korea.” His voice had become softer than she’d ever heard it. “The early 1600s. She was a witch.” He smiled faintly. “She’d already been practicing for decades.” He looked toward the mountains rising beyond the town. “She fascinated him.”
“I can imagine.”
“He wasn’t supposed to stay.”
“But he did.”
“He stayed for almost thirty years.”
Y/N’s eyebrows lifted.
“Thirty?”
“He kept finding excuses.” A tiny smile tugged at the corner of Yunho’s mouth. “He’d claimed he was studying humans.” Y/N laughed quietly. “He was studying one human.”
“Exactly.” Yunho looked back toward the little jewelry box. “They fell in love.”
“And she knew… who he was?”
“From the first day.”
“How?”
“She told me the first thing she did when he appeared in her cottage…” His smile became almost nostalgic. “was throw salt at him.” Y/N stared at him, a small snort leaving her. “What?”
“It didn’t work.”
She laughed. “I assume not.”
“She told him afterward she knew he wasn’t a ghost.”
“What did she think he was?”
“A very handsome problem.”
Y/N grinned. “You and your father seemed to have that in common.” Yunho chuckled softly, his smile slowly disappearing again. “When she was around forty… my father brought her and me to Hell.” Y/N looked at him in surprise. “She lived there?”
“For years.” He nodded. “She had her own gardens. My father rebuilt an entire courtyard because she said Hell needed flowers.” Y/N couldn’t help smiling at the image. “I can actually picture Lucifer doing that.”
“He complained the entire time.”
“But he still did it.”
“He always did.” The warmth left Yunho’s expression. “But…” His voice became almost a whisper. “They weren’t bound.” Y/N’s smile faded. “So…”
“So she stayed human.” Yunho swallowed the lump in his throat at those last memories of his mother. “She kept getting older.” The sounds of the busy street seemed to fade around them as he looked out toward the sea. “My father could’ve interfered. But she wouldn’t let him. She said death had already chosen its path.” His fingers tightened almost unconsciously around Y/N’s hand. “By the time she became sick… she was tired. She told him she’d had a beautiful life.” His voice grew rough. “She didn’t want the man she loved spending eternity wondering whether she’d only stayed because he refused to let her go.” Y/N felt her chest tighten. “What did he do?”
“He respected her choice.” Yunho stared silently toward the glittering Ionian Sea. “I’ve never seen my father beg anyone before.” He gave a quiet, humorless laugh. Yunho had been too young to understand it then. Looking back now, he realized that wasn’t the King of Hell kneeling beside his mother’s bed. It was simply a husband who couldn’t imagine a world without his wife. “But he begged her.” His eyes never left the horizon. “And she still smiled at him… held his face… and told him that loving someone doesn’t mean stealing every goodbye.” For a long moment, neither of them moved. Y/N simply reached for his hand with both of hers. And this time… it wasn’t because he was following her. It was because she realized exactly where his fear came from. It had never been about immortality alone. He had watched the most powerful being he’d ever known discover that even love couldn’t always win against time.
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Night settled over the villa with the slow, easy rhythm that seemed unique to the Greek islands. The balcony doors had been left cracked open, allowing the cool evening breeze to drift through the bedroom, carrying the distant sounds of waves rolling against the cliffs below. Moonlight spilled across the hardwood floors in pale silver ribbons as steam still lingered in the adjoining bathroom. The shower shut off and a moment later Yunho stepped out, a white towel slung low around his waist as he rubbed another through his damp hair. Water still traced lazy paths down his shoulders while he wandered barefoot into the bedroom. Y/N was curled comfortably against the headboard, a book she’d picked up earlier that afternoon resting in her lap as she glanced up. “Feeling better?”
“Hm.” Yunho stopped as a muffled thump echoed from somewhere farther down the hallway. Then another thump. Then what sounded suspiciously like someone moaning before being hastily shushed. He slowly closed his eyes. “I should just let God kill them.” Y/N looked up from her book. “What?” Another muffled moan drifted through the villa and her eyebrows lifted. “Oh.” Yunho pinched the bridge of his nose. “I gave them one guest room. I specifically gave them the guest room on the opposite side of the villa.” Another unmistakable moan louder this time. “And somehow,” he muttered, “they’re still the loudest people on the island.” Y/N bit the inside of her cheek, trying very hard not to laugh. “They’re really…”
“Unfortunately.”
She pulled the blanket a little higher as amusement spread across her face. “I forgot…” Yunho looked over with one brow raised. “Isn’t he like your…” She gestured vaguely. “grandfather or something?” He furrowed his brows. “Who?”
“God.”
Yunho shrugged as though she had asked whether he’d ever tried olives. “Technically.”
“Technically?”
“I’ve never met him. My dad hates him. He hates my dad. Hates me. And everyone hates him.” That answer caught her off guard. “Really?” Yunho shook his head, sitting on the edge of the bed. “Just because humans worship him…. doesn’t make him good.” Y/N was quiet for a while. The only sounds in the room were the waves beyond the balcony and the occasional muffled noise from somewhere down the hallway that Yunho was making a very deliberate effort to ignore. She closed her book and rested it on the nightstand. “Yeah.” Yunho looked over. “They usually are.” His brow furrowed slightly. “What do you mean?” She drew one knee toward her chest, absentmindedly tracing the edge of the blanket with her fingertips. “My ex…” The words came slowly. “I…” She let out a small breath. “I broke up with him about a year before my grandma passed. He was…” She gave a humorless little laugh. “Perfect.”
“Perfect?”
“To everyone else.” She looked toward the moonlit balcony. “He volunteered. He remembered birthdays. He brought flowers to my grandma every Sunday.” She smiled sadly. “People loved him.” Yunho watched her expression change. It wasn’t anger. It was disappointment. Like she still mourned the version of him she’d thought existed. And he didn’t like it. Knew he wouldn’t like what she was about to say. “Then…” she said quietly. “he wasn’t.” Silence settled over the room and Yunho’s gaze never left her but his jaw clenched, his claws elongating without thinking. “What happened?” She swallowed. “He got comfortable.” The words barely rose above a whisper. “It started with little things.” She shrugged faintly. “Telling me what I should wear. What friends I shouldn’t spend time with. Criticizing everything I did.” She looked down at her hands. “And every time I’d say something…” Her smile disappeared. “he’d apologize. And then he’d do it again.” Yunho’s eyes went black as she continued. “I kept telling myself he’d go back to being the person I met. But he didn’t.”
Yunho had to control himself. Choose his words wisely. Because if she said what he thought she was going to…. if this story went where he knew it was going…. “Did he hurt you?” The question was so quiet it almost disappeared into the breeze. Y/N looked at him and for a long moment she didn’t answer. “It’s why I left him.” Something shifted in Yunho. His entire posture changed. The softness he’d been carrying all evening was completely gone now beneath something much colder. His eyes remained on hers, but there was now a dangerous stillness behind the black depths. When he finally spoke, his voice was calm. Almost too calm. “Do you want me to kill him?”
“What?”
“If that’s what you want…” He didn’t look like he was joking. “I can.” She stared at him. “Yunho…”
“He’ll never touch you again.”
“He hasn’t.”
“He never will.” His expression never changed. “I’ll make certain of it.” She reached over and gently took his hand. “No. I already got away.” His jaw remained set as she shook her head. “I don’t need revenge.”
“He hurt you.”
“He did.”
“And he gets to keep living like nothing happened.”
Y/N gave his hand a gentle squeeze. She forgot momentarily that this was the son of Satan she was talking to. “Maybe.” She offered him a small, tired smile. But if I asked you to kill every person who ever hurt me…” Her thumb brushed across his knuckles. “I’d lose the man I’m falling in love with.” That finally made him look at her. Really look at her. “And I don’t want that.” His shoulders loosened if only slightly as he turned his hand over and intertwined their fingers. “I still don’t like him.” She laughed softly. “I don’t either. And hey, if I ever see him again….” She leaned over, kissing him, lips lingering against his own. “you can kick his ass.” A soft laugh escaped Yunho as he leaned in again, kissing her once more. It was slower this time, unhurried, the kind of kiss that didn’t need to prove anything. His hand came up to cradle the side of her face, his thumb brushing gently across her cheek as though reassuring himself she was really there. When they finally pulled apart, their foreheads rested together as the moonlight spilled across the room, painting silver across the blankets while the sea whispered beyond the balcony. Yunho looked into her eyes for a long moment. “I would never do that.” Y/N searched his face, not sure what he meant. “What?”
“Hurt you. Like that.” His voice was barely above a whisper as she watched him carefully. “But I will never become that.” His hand slipped into hers again. “I know…” He gave a small, almost self conscious smile. “I know that’s not something I can just promise and expect you to believe.” He looked down at their intertwined fingers. “Anyone can make promises.” His thumb brushed slowly across the back of her hand. “But…” When he looked back up, there wasn’t a trace of uncertainty left in his eyes that had slowly turned back to their normal brown along with his claws retreating. “I have eternity to prove it to you.” The words settled over the room like the gentle sound of the waves outside. “I’ll spend every day showing you.” Y/N felt her throat tighten. “You don’t have to convince me.”
“I want to. I need to.” For himself and for her. She reached up, brushing a damp strand of silver hair away from his forehead. “I already believe you.” The corner of Yunho’s mouth lifted into a small smile. “I still intend to prove you right.” She smiled back before leaning forward to kiss him again. “You really are impossible.”
“So I’ve been told.”
Y/N reached for him without hesitation, fingers curling into the damp fabric of his towel as she tugged him forward and Yunho came willingly, lowering himself until their mouths met again in a slow, deeper kiss that tasted like midnight and salt air. His lips trailed lower, brushing the column of her throat, then dragging his tongue deliberately across the faint mark he’d left there back at Keres’ villa. The wet heat of it making her shiver and in a voice she had never heard from him before, low, cracked open, almost fragile, he whispered against her skin, “Let me make love to you.”
She watched him, breath caught, as he sat back just enough to peel the oversized henley up and over her head. The shirt landed somewhere on the floor and Yunho’s gaze dropped to her breasts and leaned in again, pressing open mouthed kisses across the swell of one, then the other, tongue circling a nipple slowly before he sucked it between his lips, drawing a soft sound from her throat. The towel around his waist had already begun to tent, the thick outline of his dick pressed visibly against the cotton as he took his time, alternating between gentle sucks and the flat drag of his tongue. He kissed lower, down the center of her stomach, the muscles there twitching under his mouth as his horns unglamored as he moved, dark and ridged, curving back from his temples. The sight of them made something tighten low in Y/N belly as Yunho settled between her spread thighs, pressing kisses to the soft skin there before hooking his fingers into her panties and sliding them down.
He kissed her pussy first, then lower, lips parting to drag his tongue through her folds in one long, unhurried stroke making Y/N gasp, hips twitching as Yunho’s hands slid under her thighs, holding her open as he licked again, slower this time, savoring. He sealed his mouth over her clit and sucked, tongue flicking in tight circles until her back arched and her hands found his horns without thinking, fingers wrapping around them. The moment she gripped them, Yunho moaned into her pussy, the vibration traveling straight through her as he doubled down, sucking harder, tongue working relentlessly while she held onto his horns like handles. He kept her pinned with one broad forearm across her lower belly, refusing to let her squirm away as he focused on her clit. The pressure building fast and sharp until Y/N’s thighs trembled around his head. “Yunho… baby…” she sobbed, voice breaking as her orgasm hit hard. Her whole body seizing, thighs clamping around his head as she came against his mouth. But Yunho didn’t pull back, he licked her through every pulse, tongue broad and gentle now, cleaning every drop until she was shaking and oversensitive. Only then did he kiss his way back up her body, lips shiny as sat back on his knees between her legs, the towel finally discarded as he yanked it off. His dick stood heavy and flushed, the tip glistening as he wrapped one hand around the base and dragged the length slowly through her slick folds, rubbing the underside against her swollen clit without pushing inside.
Y/N watched as he kept a steady rhythm until the teasing became too much and she reached down, fingers circling his wrist. “Please… I need you inside me.” Yunho’s eyes flicked up to hers, dark and soft at the same time, she didn’t have to beg again, he’d give her whatever she wanted. He tapped his his dick against her clit once more before lining himself up and sinking in slowly, inch by inch, watching her face the entire time. Once he was fully buried inside her, he lifted one of her legs, hooking it over his shoulder so he could hold it there while her other leg wrapped around his waist and he stayed upright on his knees, rolling his hips in long, measured strokes that let her feel every inch. His gaze stayed fixed on where they joined. Her arousal coated him, creamy and glistening each time he withdrew and the sight made his jaw tighten.
He leaned his forehead against the leg he held, breathing through his nose as he watched his dick disappear inside her again and again. After several minutes of that slow pace he lowered her leg, wrapping both of hers around his waist, leaning over her as his thrusts deepened, still controlled but gaining speed. Y/N’s arms came up around his shoulders, hands finding his horns once more and the moment she gripped them he groaned, hips stuttering. “Fuck, just like that,” he breathed against her ear. “Hold onto me. You feel so good…. so tight and wet and perfect. Taking me so well. Mine…” She moaned, clenching around him. “Yunho… you’re so deep. Don’t stop.” She pulled herself up a little by the grip she had on his horns, forehead against his own. “Please….. I need it…..” He kissed her, swallowing the words, then buried his face in her neck again as his pace quickened. The wet sound of skin meeting skin filled the room as her thighs started to shake again. “I’m….. fuck, I’m coming,” she gasped, voice high and broken as the first gush of her release hit him and he moaned loudly into her throat, hips never faltering. She squirted around him, soaking the sheets beneath them while she sobbed his name over and over.
Yunho kept thrusting through it, drawing every last tremor from her until she was limp and whimpering and only then did his own control slip. His thrusts grew erratic, desperate as he moved to press his forehead back against hers, eyes squeezed shut. “Gonna fill you up,” he panted. “Again….. and again….” His dick twitched inside her. “And again……. fuck…. love you…..” it slipped out as he came with a broken whimper, dick pulsing deep inside her. His hips jerked with each spurt until he had nothing left, body trembling above her. And he stayed buried to the hilt, breathing hard, pressing soft kisses to her jaw and temple while they both came down. And for a long moment neither of them moved. Yunho’s body stay joined with hers until eventually he eased out carefully, watching the mix of their releases slip from her and then kissed her again, slower this time, almost reverent. “Stay right there,” he murmured. “I’ll get something to clean you up… then we can do that all over again if you want.”
Y/N smiled, dazed and sated, fingers still loosely curled around one of his horns. “I want.” Yunho’s answering grin was soft and wicked all at once as he leaned down to kiss her once more before slipping off the bed, already planning how he would take his time with her again. That little “love you” slip up lingering around them, Yunho realizing he didn’t even notice he’d said it until it was already out in the open, but there was no fighting it. No denying it. Because he did. He does. And damn anyone who tried taking her from him.
kinda glad I'm not able to go to the ateez fanmeeting because so far every single video I've seen of seonghwa has been devastating. the others too but I've especially noticed seonghwa absolutely killing it expressively, vocally, physically.
kinda glad I'm not able to go to the ateez fanmeeting because so far every single video I've seen of seonghwa has been devastating. the others too but I've especially noticed seonghwa absolutely killing it expressively, vocally, physically.
