The Darkest Joy Read online

  "Oh my God, never have I been loved like this!” His words came out on a breath that hissed out between his teeth.

  Bliss took her time pleasing him until he could no longer bear the sweet sensations running through his body and causing his skin to feel as if it were on fire. He pulled away from her when he could not stand it any longer, and she stood in front of him while he sank into the soft cushions of her sofa. She let her sheer red panties fall to the floor. She loved how his hot gaze followed the line of her body, took in every curve and dip of her womanly figure. She slid her hands up his chest, to his shoulders, and she climbed over him to straddle his lap, her smooth chocolate thighs trapping his between them. Bliss grasped his cock in her small hands and guided him to the entrance of her pussy. As she took him in, inch by torturous inch, a low moan escaped them both. It was as if their bodies were made for each other.

  "You feel like hot velvet wrapped around me,” Caim said softly. His jade gaze captured hers.

  Bliss began to move slowly and watched his eyes darken in pleasure and his fingers tighten their grip on the smooth skin of her hips. She lifted his hands to her breast in a silent plea with him to play. He obliged, caressing the pert, voluptuous globes and licking her nipples as she set the pace of their lovemaking.

  Her head fell back in pleasure of both sensations assaulting her senses at once. She bucked against him and took him deeper inside herself. “Oh, Caim, I want more. Let me take more."

  "Ride me hard, Bliss. Take it all,” he said between clenched teeth.

  He grabbed her hips and pulled her against him hard, and Bliss cried out in pleasure. Their pace picked up, and soon, their moans and cries of ecstasy filled the air.

  Her body's juice flowed down his cock, and they moved. “Oh, oh I can't stop! I'm going to come!"

  "That's what I want, my love. Fall with me.” He took her nipples in his mouth again and sucked deeply.

  The sensations drove Bliss to her orgasm on a shaky cry of pleasure. With her release, Caim let himself go, pounding inside her until he groaned against her breasts and fell over the edge. Bliss didn't know how long they sat there in a sensual haze. She occasionally shook when mini aftershocks flowed through her body. Every time her body spasmed, Caim moaned as if in agony.

  "I have never felt like this before, never like this,” he whispered as he nuzzled her breasts.

  "If you were an angel and then a fallen angel, does that mean you never...?” Bliss let the question hang in the air.

  "You are the first I have ever lain with, Bliss, and my last because there will be no others after you. You have my love always."

  Caim confirmed her suspicions. His words caused her to flush with pleasure. “Only you have ever made me feel like this, Caim."

  "I like that I can do that to you,” he said, kissing her shoulder.

  "You think you can move to the bedroom?” Bliss said, teasing him.

  In response, he got up as if she weighed nothing at all and followed the path to her bedroom. “I think I can manage."

  Bliss laughed softly and kissed the curve of his neck as they walked. For now, they would pretend the hard road they had to a face together was not there.

  * * * *

  Belial strode though the lower corridors of torment looking for his master to relay everything he found out. Did Caim think that it would be that easy to escape hell even though his thousand years was up? Samael was in the bowels of the torture chambers watching Qemuel work. It was like a hobby to him, seeing the misery and anguish they faced. Samael took one look at Belial and instantly knew something was going on.

  "What brings you slumming, Belial? You don't usually show your pretty face this far down in the chambers,” Samael said calmly. Behind him, the screams of one of Qemuel's victims echoed from the wall.

  "Sir, I bring you news of Caim. I think he has found what he needs to end his sentence in hell."

  Those words got Samael's attention. “What do you mean he found what he needs?"

  "There is a woman, Bliss, that he has been seeing. They have formed a bond, and now he is planning to use the clause to become human instead of full demon."

  Samael caught Belial around the neck. His big hands squeezed as he lifted him off his feet. His voice was deadly when he spoke. “You were supposed to raise his anger, Belial, get him to lose control and embrace his dark side."

  "Sire, you know I have been diligently using the mutual dislike we have for each other to destroy Caim's soul. But even after a thousand years, he retains that spark which now burns brighter because of this love he has formed."

  "His sentence is up tomorrow. Until then he is ours. Summon him,” Samael ordered.

  "Do you have a plan, sir?” Belial asked.

  "If he is here, he cannot leave. It is just that simple. Qemuel's wall will break him, and when he is at his weakest, I'll show him you killing this woman called Bliss. If that doesn't destroy that final spark of goodness in him, then nothing will.” Samael smiled, showing the gleaming, razor-sharp rows of his teeth. “He retains that love that angels have for their Father in the place we dare not speak of. What kind of father lets the love of his son die, hmm? Summon him now."

  Belial's smile matched the one on Samael's face, and he nodded. He would get his final laugh after all. He walked away quickly to do his master's bidding.

  * * * *

  Caim and Bliss loved each other throughout the night, and every time he touched her, he felt as if it was the first time. His heart was ready to explode with the knowledge that he had her love and soon he would be able to be with her for the rest of his human life. Human. The word made him smile, and hope filled him. During the thousand years, he had begun to love the feeling of hope that he would ever find the one who could save him from his damnation. He had fully intended to fall and die as a mortal, even if he had not found love at the end of his retribution. It was better than becoming one of the things that roamed, held without remorse or culpability for the destruction they caused. They lived for the evil that besmirched the world, and he would rather die than become that being. Instead, now he had something to live for. He had the joy that brought him from the darkness. He had his Bliss. It was his last thought before he fell asleep with a smile on his face.

  He woke later that night hard and wanting her once more. He looked over at her sleeping on her stomach. His eyes traveled along every curve of her body under the blanket, and soon his hands traced the path his eyes had taken. He traced his hand along the curve of her bottom and between her legs that were slightly parted in sleep. She wiggled and murmured something before letting out a soft snore. Caim grinned at the simple human quality. He wondered if he would snore when he became human. But soon his focus was back on what he was doing. He slipped his finger inside her. She was tight and hot. She pushed back against his finger with a soft moan, and his digit went deeper. He used his thumb to press against her clit.

  Bliss moaned and stirred. Caim kissed her ear and whispered, “No, stay there, my love. Just feel."

  He was rock hard to the point of aching, and every time he dipped his fingers inside her, she moaned. He wanted to bury himself in her until they could not tell where she stopped and he began. Soon she was shaking, and he could feel her come as she released all over his hand. It was all he could take. Caim spread her legs a little farther apart and was deep inside her in an instant. His chest was against her back, and he wrapped his arms around her and cupped her breasts even though she was pressed against the bed.

  Bliss writhed beneath him and cried, “Oh God, yes!"

  Caim bit her neck while he moved inside her. His hands squeezed and massaged her smooth breasts. Her taste, her skin, her smell, the scent of her sex was all around them, driving him crazy, making him wild for her. He felt like a starving man gorging himself. He loved her, and that seemed to heighten his senses. Each time his cock rubbed against the smooth, wet velvety walls of her pussy, he felt as if he was sliding into a piece of heaven. She quaked and shuddered
as she cried out over and over. He felt her come once and then twice before he let out a moan of pleasure and followed her with his own orgasm. He collapsed against her back but moved quickly so as not to smother her for too long. Bliss moved into the curve of his arms and pressed kisses against his chest.

  The insistent ringing in his head told him he was being summoned. Dread filled his heart as it became more and more persistent. He could feel it in his heart that they knew, but he could not ignore the call and not go. They would pull him back the hard way, and Bliss might get hurt in the mêlée.

  "I have to go, my love. I am being summoned,” he said against her hair. He felt her instantly stiffen in his arms.

  "No, baby! You know Belial must have told them about me. They must know what you are trying to do!” Bliss sat up in the bed. Her eyes were wide with fear. “They'll hurt you. He said so, for an eternity!"

  "I have to go. They will come for me if I do not, and I do not want you harmed. I'll find a way to be free, and I will be back!” Caim pulled her in his arms roughly and inhaled her scent. “I promise, nothing can keep me from you now, not even all the demons in hell."

  "Take me with you,” she begged close to his chest. Tears choked her voice. “I'll protect you."

  Caim chuckled softly. “I have no doubt you would fight by my side, my love. Nothing alive can dwell in hell or descend into it. It would kill you instantly."

  Bliss sat up again. Tears began to trail down her cheeks. “When will you come back?"

  "Meet me under the Merry clock tower, where the mayor spoke from for the summer fair. That is the highest point in Merry, and I will fall from there. Until then, go to the chapel in the hospital and stay there. They cannot cross onto that hallowed ground."

  He kissed her then. He took in her taste and made sure that everything she was, was imprinted on to his soul. He lifted his head and looked into her eyes that were filled with love and fear. He stood, and with only a thought, his clothes were back in place. “Don't forget, midnight tonight, the clock tower. I love you, Bliss. You saved me with your love."

  "I love you too,” she promised.

  Caim caressed her cheek once more before he phased out from her bedroom and back to the realm where demons ruled. The last thing he heard was her voice echoing through the fold in time. She yelled at his disappearing figure, “I'll catch you, Caim! I promise I'll catch you!” Even if he didn't make it out, his last thought would be that he found a love that wanted to give him redemption.

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  Chapter Seven

  Belial's face held all the evil merriment that one demon could muster into its features. Caim knew that this was all because of what he told Samael. The demon that stood next to his protégé had fire in his eyes and the flames of hell breathing from his nose.

  "I see you ran home and snitched like the bitch you are,” Caim said with nonchalance that belied the turmoil inside him.

  "There is no loyalty in hell, Caim, only stepping on each other's skulls to get higher on the ladder.” Belial smiled as he spoke.

  "Does this get you out of the secretarial pool, Belial?” Caim asked.

  "It gets me higher on the food chain than you, even when you turn demon."

  "Know this, Belial. If that happens, I will spend my time making your life a living hell. My vengeance will not be quenched,” Caim countered. He felt pleased when he saw the flicker of doubt that filtered though Belial's face.

  "Stop this fucking chitchat!” Samael snarled. He set his eyes on Caim's face. “Did you think it would be so easy to escape this realm?"

  "I thought I was going to just walk out, Samael. My time is up,” Caim responded placidly.

  "Impudent whelp! A thousand years is a mere flash in the span of my immortality. You think I would just let you walk away? I don't give up demons to become humans,” Samael roared.

  "That was the nature of my sentence, a chance of redemption. The clause was there."

  "Do you think we follow the contracts of that world? Your maker knew that there would be no chance of you ever leaving here. That is why he sent you.” Samael smiled an evil smile. “He knew that we would never keep our side of the deal. Come on now, he is the all-knowing."

  "Like you said, he is my maker. He also knows of my strength. He knew I would find my path to deliverance,” Caim said softly.

  "The human girl, the one called Bliss. I should send Belial now to break her scrawny neck,” Samael replied.

  Those words sent fear and anger shooting through Caim's heart. The thought of Bliss being touched and harmed by Belial was almost too much to bear. He had to quench the anger in his heart before it gave a foothold to the demonic essence around him and allowed it to take hold.

  "If Belial can stand walking on hallowed ground, so be it. She is safe where even I cannot go.” Caim smiled coldly at the two demons in front of him.

  Samael nodded. “Very wise to send her to sanctified ground. Take him."

  Caim didn't have a chance to turn to see who Samael was talking to. He felt the agony of the whip against his back that tore though his flesh and sent him to his knees. Qemuel! Another lash sent him to the floor, and the cry of anguish was torn from his lips. Again and again, the lash from the whip dipped in sulfur and hellfire ripped at his flesh and sent its unworldly venom into his veins. He lay weak against the hot rocks that made up the floor. He felt the shackles, forged from hellfire, unbreakable even by demons, being put on his hands and legs. He was caught. Qemuel dragged him to his feet. He could hear the sickening laughter coming from Belial's lips at his capture.

  Samael took his hair in his grasp, tugged Caim's head up to face him, and said softly, “You countered my plan of making you watch as Belial killed her. But I have come up with a new, better plan for you. Qemuel's whip will change you to your new form. No more of the fallen one, but pure demon. What will be your first taste of deviance of your new life? It will be the blood of your Bliss when you kill her yourself."

  "No!” Caim heard the pure anguish and heart-wrenching pain that came from his screams echoing down the hall as he was dragged away, the very same way that the souls he took to hell were.

  * * * *

  "Bliss, why are you in here?” Amber's soft voice came from the doors of the chapel.

  Bliss turned to see the tiny figure of her friend. She wiped the tears from her eyes and tried to give a smile. “I'm fine, sweetie. What are you doing working today?"

  "Oh, I had to cover a shift. You know someone always gets sick around here.” Amber gave a tinkling laugh, but made no move to enter the room. “Come on out. We'll walk to the cafeteria, and I'll buy you a hot cup of coffee."

  Amber knows I don't drink coffee. Doubt and suspicion began to form in Bliss's mind. “Thanks for the offer, but I just want to sit here for a while. I have a lot on my mind, and I'm looking for some divine clarity. How about you come and sit with me for a while? I can sure use my best friend."

  Amber cleared her throat uncomfortably. “No, I-I don't think so."

  "Why not? You love this place. You said you can always think here.” Bliss stood and walked a few steps away from the threshold of the chapel to the hall.

  "Not today, I feel fine today.” She held out her hand to Bliss in invitation. “Come on, sweetie, let me comfort you. I know Caim's leaving must be hard."

  "How did you know Caim left? I didn't tell you. Unless you aren't Amber at all. Do you think I am that naïve, Belial?” Bliss asked contemptuously.

  The body and looks of Amber never changed, but a smile of pure, unadulterated evil formed on the face of the demon posing as her friend. “You are not naïve at all, Bliss. But Caim was. He thought he could leave hell, and now he's there, chained to Qemuel's wall, being tortured because of you."

  Bliss couldn't stifle the gasp of horror that escaped from her mouth. “You can't! He said you can't change the rules!"

  "Oh, we didn't change the rules. We are just holding him for a while until his time passes
by. Then he will be like me in every way. Maybe he might be willing to share you."

  "Never!” Bliss said emphatically. A shudder of revulsion ran through her body.

  "I give you one more chance to save him. Sign my contract. I'll even throw in an added bonus and extension of years. Your soul won't be collected until you are old and gray."

  Bliss shook her head vigorously. “I won't ever do it! Caim has my love, and he will find a way. I know he will. I will be there to catch him when he falls, and by God, if you try to stop him or me, I'll kill you myself!"

  Belial's nasty laugh made her want to cover her ears. “He will be a demon, Bliss, and he will kill you. I want to be there to watch as he rips your head from your body."

  With that, Belial, still in the image of Amber, gave a jaunty wave and disappeared from her sight. On shaky feet, Bliss turned and went back to sit on the pews in the small hospital chapel. She looked at the small stained glass window and sent a plea to heaven.

  "He is still yours, you know. Even in that pit you sentenced him to, he was still yours. He kept that spark of his soul alive, even though he spent a thousand years in that place. Please help him. Give him a chance to be human. They are not playing by the rules. Do we have to?"

  Bliss posed the question even though she expected no answer. She just hoped someone up there was listening to her because right now, they were all Caim had. Her love would be there to catch him when he fell, but she couldn't save him from hell.

  * * * *

  The walls were like scalding water against the skin on Caim's back. In only a few hours, he had been tortured like no other in the bowels of the unearthly realms of hell. Beaten with Qemuel's whip until the skin on his back was shredded. Forced to watch all the debauchery and deviant behavior one could do. They had tried to make him eat the flesh of innocent humans and drink their blood to quench his thirst, a thirst that came to anyone tortured by Qemuel. He liked to watch them beg for a drink to ease the ache from swollen tongues and cracked lips. But Caim refused, and for that, the demon known for his ways in a torture chamber made him suffer. In a place where the only rule was to play in the den of iniquity, there were things that men dared not think of that were performed here, all in the name of the dark prince who ruled it with an iron fist.