Lucifer of the Dunes

And my dice aren't weighted.

“Father.”
“Lucifer.”
“Baba Yaga, Ceyx.”

Voices fill the open air of the Dunes. The notes lilt through the spring air as a body of onyx faces one of slate and another of pale chocolate. Eyes of red, a set of gold, and another of deep brown all flick around as three horses stand on the surf of Salem. The tree creatures eyes each other, but soon enough more words are said that leave one of the three shell shocked. It wasn't something the one ever figured they'd learn, but at times life handed you a platter with ingredients that shouldn't go together.

“I've handed over the Forest.”
“It's safer for me here with you.”
“I know I fought you before and won for him, but now it's time to change plans and release any hold.”

Standing there unsure, the onyx stallion named Lucifer looked over to his first born. The stallion was just slightly older than Tefnut. He was smaller just like her, but pieces of his Rieva line the younger man's face and it makes Lucifer’s heart squeeze. He doesn't understand how to handle any of this, but all he can do it let out a deep breath before looking at his sister. He wanted to understand, but he wasn't given the option until she took pitty on him and explained.

“Ceyx will return to you, but on one condition.”
“I will be Co-Lead, just like Tefnut had been.”
“We won't allow you to treat him less just because he ran.”

As the words filled the black beast, all he could do was nod. “I'd never treat him less. I've wanted my son to return for years.” Lucifer felt his throat tighten as rare tears tried to fall from his face, but he never once let them fall as he slowly reached forward. The moment Ceyx let the touch land, Lucifer’s whole body shuddered before he leaned into his son and just absorbed the last piece of Rieva he had. “You're my first Ceyx. I know I messed up years ago, but please give this a chance.” Lucifer wasn't sure why this was how he reacted, but he allowed it.

With the embrace, Lucifer wasn't expecting his son to reciprocate. So, when the son of Rieva gave him a returning touch, Lucifer's body shook as his eyes closed. Hurrying his dark head into his shorter son's mane, Lucifer sucked in a breath that tasted Luthien and faintly of Rieva. His son was something special that Lucifer never expected to get back. He knew why, but it was spoken finally when Baba Yaga turned back to the surf.

“Keep up the work on becoming a better stallion for your herd Lucifer. I know Rieva’s gone, but more than just her deserve what you've shown the Dunes.”

Confused, Lucifer lifted his head from his son's shoulder and looked at his sister. His long tail twitched before he tilted his head. Everything showed plain as day on his face. Turning back to Ceyx, he eyed his son who just softly smiled. “I came to speak with you. As I arrived, you were fighting Nyimara.” Jerking back, the demon trembled as he remembered past this bitter sweet reuniting that his shoulder was dislocated and in pain off and on. “You won Lucifer. That's why you get Ceyx now.” Swinging his head around, Lucifer looked at Baba Yaga who just gave a faint smile. “I'll return in the Fall to finish business Lucifer. I'll check in Ceyx then too before I decide if the mainland is deserving of me while I figure out my path.”

With those words, Baba Yaga slipped back into the ocean and swam away. Lucifer was shocked to say the least, but he just let it fall away as he went back to embracing his son. The moment was peaceful and as the duo embraced, Lucifer felt another chain break away from his damaged heart and fill it with peace. Rieva might be gone, but he finally got the piece of her he barely managed to keep eyes on back in his lands and with him.

Stallion ─ 18.0 hands ─ Black ─ Demon King of The Dunes