THE DEMON LORD'S ACCIDENTAL TENTH WIFE

"My Lord, I wish to return to my kingdom to pay a visit to my mother," Lady Selena said, bowing her head.

Lucifer leaned back on his throne, watching her with mild amusement. Of all his wives, she was the most ruthless, the most cunning. And the most dangerous.

"Very well, my Queen. I will allow it. Take as many guards and gold as you wish." He waved a lazy hand, dismissing the request without much thought.

Lady Selena lifted her head, her gaze locking onto his. For a brief moment, the entire hall seemed to freeze. Her lips curled into a smirk, but her eyes held something sharper—calculating, unreadable.

"I have another request, my Lord," she said smoothly. "Let that… that thing called Evelyn come with me."

The room fell into a thick silence.

Lucifer's expression didn't change, but the air grew heavier, darker. His fingers tapped against the armrest of his throne, slow and deliberate.

"Woman," his voice was dangerously low, "she is no longer yours. She is mine."

Selena's smirk widened, as if she had expected that answer. "I am aware, my Lord. But—" she tilted her head, her tone laced with mock innocence— "I recall you once said I could do with her as I pleased. Or… are you going soft over a mere human?"

It was as if she was trying to bind him to his own words—as if a king could be trapped by mere promises. A king never goes back on his word, right? Then he shouldn't.

"No, Selena." His voice was final, cutting through her like a blade. "She's no longer yours. She belongs to me now, and she will serve me."

He rose from his seat, rubbing his fingers together. Sparks flickered between them—fire waiting to be unleashed. Then, he met her gaze, his eyes glinting with something unreadable.

"You know, Selena," he mused, "among all my wives, I must admit—I admire your wickedness. Ambitious. Cunning. But foolish, in the end." He tilted his head, studying her. "Were you trying to twist my words against me? How desperate. Tell me, why does a simple mistake wound you so deeply? Does she… threaten your pride?"

Selena dropped to her knees, voice trembling. "My Lord! No—I only wish to do what any wife would when her husband is entangled with an impure creature."

His laughter was low, dangerous. "Husband?" He stepped closer, towering over her. "I am not your husband, Selena." He leaned down, his voice a whisper of fire. "I AM YOUR GOD. You worship me. So tell me… why does it matter who I keep in my presence?"

Selena straightened, forcing a smile she didn't feel. "My Lord, I only meant—"

Lucifer's gaze darkened. "You meant to challenge me."

His fingers twitched, and fire sparked between them, a warning—brief but searing. "No, Selena. She is no longer yours. She is mine. And she will stay where I want her."

Selena's jaw clenched, but she dropped to her knees, voice trembling. "I would never question you, my Lord. I am only doing what any devoted wife—"

Lucifer chuckled, low and cold. "Wife?" He tilted his head, eyes glinting. "You are mistaken. You are not my wife. You are my worshiper. Do not confuse the two."

Selena swallowed hard.

He stepped closer, towering over her. "Tell me, Selena, does she unsettle you so much? A mere mistake, as you call her?" His smirk widened. "Or does the thought of being replaced terrify you?"

"My Lord, I only—"

"I did not ask for excuses." His voice dropped, sharp as a blade. "You wanted to return to your kingdom? Go. But do not think to take what belongs to me."

Selena bowed lower, her nails pressing into the cold floor. "Yes, my Lord."

Lucifer exhaled, already bored. "Leave."

She rose shakily, turning for the door. But before she could step out, his voice cut through the silence.

"And Selena," he said lazily, flicking his wrist, sending another spark of fire into the air. "Next time you try to twist my words—pray that I am feeling merciful."

"Enough of this nonsense," he muttered, flexing his fingers, the lingering sparks of his power flickering before vanishing. "I need a massage."

The general, standing at a distance, inclined his head. "Shall I summon the palace attendants, my Lord?"

Lucifer waved a hand dismissively. "No. Send Evelyn."

The general hesitated for a fraction of a second before bowing. "As you command."

Moments later, Evelyn was ushered into the dimly lit chamber where Lucifer now reclined on a grand, cushioned divan. The scent of burning incense curled through the air, mixing with the faint traces of wine. Other maids had already begun their duties—one carefully peeling grapes, another pouring dark red wine into a jeweled goblet.

Evelyn stood still, unsure of how to approach. She had dressed queens before, but touching him— this king, this god—was something else entirely.

Lucifer's golden eyes slid to her. "What are you waiting for?" His voice was smooth, commanding, leaving no room for hesitation.

She swallowed and stepped forward, kneeling behind him. Slowly, she pressed her fingers against the broad expanse of his shoulders, feeling the impossible heat radiating from his skin.

Her hands moved over his shoulders, hesitant at first, but his deep hum of approval made her fingers bolder. His skin was unnaturally warm beneath her touch, the heat seeping into her palms.

A blindfolded maid, dressed in nothing but a sheer white cloth, crawled closer. She placed soft kisses along his leg, her lips trailing up his calf, lingering at his knee. Evelyn's hands faltered for a moment.

Lucifer noticed.

"Does this disturb you?" His voice was smooth, almost teasing, but there was a challenge hidden beneath it.

Evelyn swallowed. "No, my lord."

He smirked. "Then keep going."

The other maids fed him grapes, their hands brushing his lips, while two more swayed to the slow rhythm of the lyres playing in the background. But Evelyn was the only one touching him like this—kneading his muscles, feeling the weight of his body under her hands.

Then, without warning, he caught her wrist. Pulled her closer.

The air between them thinned.

"You're distracted," he murmured. "Or is it something else?"

Her breath hitched, her heart pounding. His grip was firm, commanding, daring her to answer.

The blindfolded maid kissed up his thigh. Evelyn's gaze dropped before she forced herself to look back into his burning eyes.

"Continue," he ordered, voice lower now.

She did. But this time, she couldn't ignore the way his body reacted to her touch—or the way hers responded in turn.

Lucifer snapped his fingers, and the maids disappeared.

Evelyn's breath hitched. Her eyes widened, her lips parting slightly.

Lucifer's golden eyes burned into hers, his grip firm yet unhurried as he pressed her palm against his bare chest. The heat of his skin seeped into her fingers, sending a shiver down her spine.

"You seem so innocent," he murmured, voice smooth as silk, yet laced with something darker. His fingers curled around her wrist, holding her there. "It makes me want to break you."

Evelyn's breath hitched. "My Lord…" Her voice came out softer than she intended.

In one swift motion, he pulled her onto his lap. She gasped, her knees sinking into the cushion, her body suddenly caged by his presence. His grip on her waist tightened, pressing her down against him. She wasn't sure if it was the heat from his skin or something else entirely, but her body felt like it was burning.

Lucifer leaned in, his lips hovering over the curve of her shoulder, his breath teasing against her skin. Then—his tongue flicked over it, slow and deliberate. The sensation sent a jolt through her, and she tensed, her fingers instinctively digging into his chest.

"You're trembling," he murmured against her skin, his voice deep, amused. His hand slid lower, settling over her hip, pressing her firmly against him. "Tell me… is it fear?" His lips brushed against the shell of her ear. "Or something else?"

Evelyn's throat went dry. She tried to answer, but nothing came out. Her pulse pounded in her ears, her heart slamming against her ribs.

Lucifer smirked. "No answer?" His fingers traced down her spine, painfully slow, before gripping her waist again.

Then—he flipped her over.

A gasp left her lips as her back hit the cushions, her body beneath his now. The air thickened, her breath uneven. He loomed above her, golden eyes sharp, dangerous. One hand pressed against her thigh, the other splaying over her stomach, holding her in place.

His lips ghosted over her skin, barely touching.

Evelyn squeezed her eyes shut, trying to control the storm raging inside her.

But then—his tongue traced the same path again.

Her body betrayed her.

Lucifer chuckled darkly. "Ah… so it's not fear, after all."