It All Ends with a Seed: Lucifer's Forbidden Fruit, #2

By Amie Taylor

It All Ends with a Seed" is the sequel to It All Started with an Apple" a magical, darkly delicious novel in which love, heartache, war, and the supernatural are interwoven. The story continues with Lucifer and Aelia (Eve's reincarnated soul), trying to overcome the unrelenting obstacles that keep tearing them apart.  Lucifer begins to worry about Aelia's safety in his realm when he learns his fellow fallen angels are plotting her demise. He pushes her away, leaving her lost and vulnerable until her pain consumes her entirely. 

 Lucifer's plan to protect Aelia only makes her fall deeper into damnation and torment.  When God steps in to claim Aelia's tethered soul for judgment, Lucifer manipulates all time and realms to keep her beside him. He strikes a deal with the King of Djinn (A mighty race that resided on earth before God brought the light).  Lucifer's rash decision causes a war in Heaven that may destroy the entire universe-extinguishing their love for ever.

 In this captivating story, we delve into the intricate emotions of both Aelia and Lucifer as they navigate their complicated-presumably doomed relationship. The plot takes place in a surreal world where the boundaries between dreams and reality become indistinguishable, leaving the characters struggling to stay united. As Aelia grapples with her conflicting emotions towards Lucifer pushing her away then pulling her back repeatably, she embarks on a journey of strength and conviction, and the story takes us on a tantalizing ride full of unexpected twists and turns.

The novel weaves a tale of timeless conflict between good, evil, love, passion, and death, drawing the reader into a world of mystery, suspense, and breathtaking wonder.

 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Amie Taylor
• Release date: Apr 9, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224989461

Book preview

Table of Contents

1 | Michael

2 | Lucifer

3 | Aelia

4 | Lucifer

5 | Michael

6 | Lucifer

7 | Michael

8 | Asmodeus

9 | God and Gabriel

10 | Lucifer and Gabriel

11 | Asmodeus

12 | Lucifer & Aelia

13 | Lucifer

14 | Aelia

15 | Michael

16 | Asmodeus and Leviathan

17 | Aelia and Leviathan

18 | Aelia and Samael

19 | Aelia

20 | Aelia

21 | Samael, Michael, Gabriel & Aelia

22 | Gabriel, Michael, Samael & God

23 | Samael & Aelia

1

Michael

Michael’s gaze falls upon Lucifer, who is kneeling in agony. He has no time to react, and heaven gives away beneath him. He free falls through time and space as memories-eons lost storm through his frenzied mind. One memory stands out amongst the others. 

Samael clasps Michael and Gabriel’s hands, their free ones resting upon their chests. "Brothers, Samael’s determined tone rings across the seas of heaven. 

Brothers! The three voices echo in unison.

Brothers for eternity. 

All those promises seem to have been made in vain, bringing upon Michael so many feelings he thinks he will go mad. Anger, so much anger, regret, and pain. Everything is so messed up and wrong, twisted. He wants to take away all the eons of battle and nothingness. The laws of God have done nothing but separate him from his brother for centuries. The fond memory of better days fades into nothingness as a thundering crack fills his ears, taking his senses. Pain...brutal-agonizing pain tares through every nerve ending in Michael’s body. Momentarily, his confusion slowly clears away. Blood, sweat, and mud drip from his matted hair as he tries desperately to focus on his surroundings. The excruciating sensations he is experiencing in the palms of his hands and knees from his fall are making his mind foggy. He is not completely sure how he fell or if he passed God’s judgment before being cast away. With what little strength Michael can muster up, he lifts his head slightly-just enough to get his blood-soaked hair out of his colorless face. His hands and arms tremble. He tries with all his might to lift his battered body from the unyielding hardness of the earth’s floor. Gravel and dirt mar the delicate flesh of his face and chest. The mixture of sweat and blood mingling with the grime makes it difficult for him to see clearly. Horrific pains shoot up his right rib cage as well as his left shoulder blade.

Pain, Michael thinks bitterly. Genuine pain was something he never thought he would ever feel as an angel. A low guttural cry escapes his cracked lips when he discovers his left wing is broken, lying limp, and twisted at his bruised rib cage. His palms are bloody raw, yet he raises them, trembling to lift the injured wing and reposition it beside the other at his back. The wing stubbornly refuses to set right in its twisted state. Again, agonizing sensation and genuine pain, so new to him it is nearly unbearable, stabs at him. He refuses to be weak and useless, and he pushes with all his might to get up from the ground.

Finally, in an upright position, Michael can untwist his wing from its gnarled state and force it to retract. A scream tears from his throat so fierce it leaves his throat raw.  Gritting his teeth, he reaches for his hair, pushing it back from his face to place it in a long, thick braid that knots at the end to keep it in place. Closing his eyes for a moment, he uses the memory of his last seconds in heaven to fuel his determination to stand.

Michael opens his eyes to a new horror and agony.

Gabriel. Michael and Lucifer screamed in unison as they beheld the headless body of their beloved younger angelic brother. Throwing their blades aside, they both fell before his lifeless corpse and wept. Michael laid his head against Gabriel’s headless torso, his copper-colored hair got soaked with his brother's life blood, but it mattered not to him. Heaven, God, the light, earth, and humankind, everything he ever fought for meant nothing to him now.  Gabriel was the purest of them all, and he never wanted war or hate between any realm. He was his only love besides God, Michael’s only true friend and family. Because of this war, this meaningless battle over a human soul, he was gone forever. A war that, in truth, was never theirs to fight. It was God's war, and he was nowhere to be found. Anger washes over Michael- understanding at last. He finally understood why Lucifer could no longer follow his leader and let God make his choices.

Blood-kissed tears stream down Michael’s ashen face as his emotions become a river of anguish and regret. Was this how Lucifer felt when he fell, he wonders aloud. Had Lucifer felt like an outsider looking in? Or was he too full of pride even then to feel the raw emotions that Michael was feeling? If only he thinks, if only he could have looked deeper at his brother back when he had fallen.  If he had seen through all that pride to the real Lucifer buried deep within, he could have possibly saved him, but he was too busy being God’s warrior to even bother to try. 

Michael stands on his unsteady legs. He slowly, thoroughly begins to assess his injuries. His skinned fingers trail down across his chest to find welts and scratches mostly and some dark bruising, but nothing serious. Satisfied, he moves on to his torso, where no damage is found. With a sigh, he moves on further in hopes of finding nothing. On his right side, he feels three deep oozing gashes just beneath his armpit. He goes even lower still, and he finds hard ridges pointing out, nearly popping from stretched flesh. Michael knows without a doubt that his ribs are for sure broken. Sucking in nervous breath, he runs his opposite hand down the other side to find not a scratch.  He lets out his breath once again, relief washing over him. His right side is untouched, other than his broken or twisted wing. All in all, the damage will heal on its own.  The issue is when and for how long. In heaven, a wound would heal in a matter of hours. Here on earth, it is uncertain. 

Heaven, Michael thinks angrily. He can hardly believe it all went so far that he had to fail to see it all. It took the death of Gabriel for him to see the truth of what angels really mean to God.  Like a curse, the more he feeds his anger, the deeper it takes root within him until it stains him like the blood and dirt stain his pale flesh. Why must he feel this way? Why could he not just make it go away? He wants to scream and shout at his father, yet he knows God will never hear him, not until all the anger and regret inside of him sleeps.

Michael sighed, thinking, Can he truly blame all this on his father? Had God not done the best he could for them? No! He thinks bitterly. No, their father had not because all he truly cared about was humankind. It seems Lucifer's wicked ways have rubbed off on him, for he has no intentions of returning to heaven or its unjust creator. The scar of losing Gabriel will always remain. He could not protect him, but he would protect Lucifer one way or the other. Michael knows God will never accept that. He would not listen or ever allow him to make this decision. It is far better to accept his father’s silence than his chastising lies. 

Michael now understands what his fallen brother felt. Finally, he knows what Lucifer has always known. There can never be freedom for his kind in Heaven. They were nothing more than God’s soldiers or messengers. His love for them could never be as pure and complete as it was for humankind. Never. Now that he is here on earth, Michael feels that he can finally face the truth. He is so far away from God’s influence that he can finally feel for himself and his wayward brother. The only brother he has left. 

Michael, the chorus of voices all around him brings Michael out of his thoughts.

As he had done earlier, Michael ignores his discomfort and anguish while forcing himself to stand completely upright. He turns to face the angels that must have fallen with him. His eyes grow wide as they all kneel before him, broken and scarred as he is. 

"I...Michael stammers his words, not sure where to begin.

I had no idea that every angel fell with me. I never meant to cause any of you to lose our father’s light.

Tears well in Michael’s troubled eyes. His usually proud head hangs low in shame. What a mess he has made; everything is changing so fast and drastically. He feels as if he is ruining everything. He finds his new guilt building so fast it makes his head throb. Why can he not just start all over and fix at least part of the damage his choices are causing? 

We made the decision of our own choice and free will, something we thought we never had but now realize was always ours. The angels answer in perfect unison. 

Michael again raises his head; his eyes meet the gazes of the other angels. He sees the truth of their words in their eyes. He is not to blame, after all. The angels have chosen on their own to fall for their own reasons and beliefs. He is proud yet uncertain that his fellow comrades will understand that he must seek out Lucifer. He must find out where his brother stands and what his fallen brother's next move will be. 

Michael, we all still wish to follow you. We all trust you, always have, and always will. Tell us what we do from here? The angels ask in awe and uncertainty. 

We survive, Michael’s voice cracks with barely restrained emotion. 

I will give my own existence to protect each one of you. There is one thing I must do first. It is something I will do for Gabriel. I cannot let his death be in vain. Michael declares anxiously. He waits a few moments, letting his words linger between them.

I have to seek out our brother...I must..., Michael’s voice trails off as he becomes uncertain what to say now to explain this desire to reconcile with Lucifer. His composure is starting to crumble. He feels like he is starting to suffocate as he anticipates their response to his confession.   Ramiel is the first to speak.

Michael, we all watched Lucifer change. We witness the darkness that crept into him and consumed him. At that time, we honestly believed him to be a threat because we were told by our father that it was so. Like you, we now know the truth as Lucifer knew it. We all know that humankind would be held most high in our father’s heart as we angels would fade into nothingness.  If you believe it to be safe, then we will willingly follow you to the very depths of Hades to seek our fallen comrade, Michael. 

Michael’s chest swells with pride, and he continues to watch Cassiel, Adriel, Jophiel, Nathaniel, Sariel, and all the others agree with Ramiel. He had never imagined in a million years that they would ever understand his need for closure, let alone want to join him in his quest. Their faith in him skins his senses, leaving his emotions raw. He knows he cannot justify sending them into hell, not knowing how Lucifer will receive them. He may want closure, but it does not mean that his brother feels the same.

Words cannot express my gratitude to you. I will not ask any of you to follow me in this quest. If you wish, we shall find a haven for you all before I seek out my brother. You all may remain there until my return, and I give you my oath that I will return, Michael swears with all his being. Looking into their adoring faces, he knows no matter what he says, they will go with him unless he refuses to allow it. He does not care what Lucifer does to him so long as they are all safe.

Let us find a safe place to stay, at least until we can heal. Perhaps then we will figure out what to do from there.

Just as Michael suspected, all the angels agreed. With a heavy heart and a troubled mind, he leads them deeper into the shadows to find solace.

2 

Lucifer

Lucifer’s wails of agony are nearly deafening to Aelia’s ears, but she continues to hold him in her trembling arms. She offers him what little comfort she can in his hour of need and weakness. His eyes are rimmed in red from the waterfall of tears that fall from them. She wants to end this torment for him, but she is not sure how. Her eyes dare to leave him a lingering moment and take in the scene before them. She continues to hold him as his sobs finally slow.

Masses of angels are screaming- falling suddenly, one by one, from heaven. Ash, soot, feathers, and blood decorate heaven as far as the eye can see. Fire and ice twine all around. It seems Gabriel’s death has affected all. Heaven is falling, leaving God on his own to battle Asmodeus. God. The very thought of him frightened Aelia to her very core. Her gaze falls back to her blood-soaked mate and only love.

Lucifer. We must get out of here. Can you shimmer us away anywhere but here, Aelia whispers softly against his pale-crimson-stained cheek. He simply nods his head, not even bothering to glance up at her.

Lucifer can barely feel Aelia’s touch. Her voice is but a strained whisper to him, yet he somehow understands that they must get away from heaven. He knows he must protect her. He closes his eyes, fighting away the sickening feeling inside of him. He focuses on shimmering them both to the safety of his realm.

Aelia blinks once, and when she finally reopens her eyes, they are back in Lucifer's mighty throne room. She patiently waits for him to say something. Do anything, but it is like he is not here at all. He is like a shell of his former self, broken and muted by the loss of his angelic brother. Reaching for his cold hand, she takes it firmly on her own. It is so cold, as if he is shutting down. A single tear slides down her flushed cheek. Aelia leads her broken prince to the large pool of water they once made love in for hours. She slowly-oh so gently washes away the ash and blood that stains his quivering flesh.

Aelia’s hands remain steady yet gentle and comforting. Lucifer does not make a sound or move when she washes over his entire body. His eyes stare blankly off in the distance as if he is frozen in time. The only hint that he is there is the slow-cool breath that is coming from his partially parted lips.

Mere moments later...Bathed, cleansed of his brother’s blood, Lucifer remains painfully silent. Aelia watches him, wondering where he is, and he seems so lost, far away from here...and her. She desperately wants to bring him back to her, but how?

Lucifer... she whispers in an unsure tone; her hand caresses the cold flesh of his alabaster face. He flinches as if a snake has bitten him. For a moment, she cannot help but wonder if he blames her for Gabriel’s untimely demise. She tries to turn away, but the cast-iron grip of his large hand grasps her wrist. His agonized eyes meet hers at last, and her breath stills. Aelia fearfully awaits his words.

Aelia...please...stay, Lucifer’s voice cracked, and so did her willpower to stay strong for him. She slowly looks into his eyes, knowing that losing Gabriel has cost him something she may never fully understand. What he says confirms these thoughts and sends her entire world tumbling down around her like shattered glass.

I always interfere, Lucifer says, his face hard- pained.

I have a habit of intruding on your life, meddling in decisions that should be yours to make...pushing a fate that- he pauses, jaw clenches as his gaze remains steady, though his lip quivers in a way that reveals agony and fear.

That was never truly meant to be yours. 

"What are