Amelia is stronger than she realizes. She has celestial blood in her, and she doesn't even know it.
That's how she's able to be the key. Glenda predicted long ago that a child would be born who would be half celestial and half human, and that that child would be the key to regaining my kingdom in the Celestial Realm. When that child—Amelia—was born, Glenda had a vision of her, and I rushed to her side.
I haven’t let her out of my sight for all of her eighteen years. I know her better than she knows herself, and I fell in love with her somewhere along the way.
She doesn't know who her parents are, and she certainly doesn't know that she's half celestial.
None of us know who her celestial father is. All I know is that her mother was very human. She died giving birth to her.
It's not uncommon for a celestial to take a human lover, but it is uncommon for a child to be born of their union. Usually, humans aren't strong enough to carry a celestial child to full term, and if they do, they die just as Amelia’s mother did.
I take heart in the fact that Amelia’s life will be free from sickness or disease. The celestial blood running through her makes it so she won't be susceptible to human ailments. However, unless she marries another celestial, she will indeed die a human death in her old age.
I don’t know how I’ll bear that when the time comes because there’s no way in hell I’m letting her marry anyone else—human or celestial. I don't think I can bear it. If my brother is still on a rampage by then, I very well might have to kill him so I can be with Amelia, and that is a crime in and of itself.
To kill another celestial, except in self-defense, would make it sure I would never be able to reascend to my rightful throne.
What’s more is I can’t chain Amelia to my hell of ruling the Nether World. It's no place for her shining light, her pure innocence, her goodness. The realm that I rule over is filled with depravity and selfishness.
Amelia belongs in the Celestial Realm. I can't give her that, but I can give her the next best thing. What she always wanted was a good human life. I made sure she has plenty of money to do anything she wishes, and as much as it pains me to think of her forgetting about me, I know it would be for the best.
But I'll never forget her.
But what I did forget to consider is that I have another brother who is even more ruthless than the one I currently have bound.
ChapterSeven
Amelia
Aweek goes by during which I alternate between moping and ranting around the apartment. I barely eat anything and stay in pajamas all day.
I've never had a boyfriend or been through a breakup, but if this is what it feels like every time, I never want to go through this again.
Something already tells me this is worse than a typical teenage breakup, though. Julian and I were different. I know that deep in my heart, yet I thought he was sincere with all the things he said to me, which is why it doesn't make sense that he abandoned me like this.
I finally decide that I have wallowed in self-pity long enough and make myself take a shower. I imagine all the hurt and pain and anger washing down the drain as I scrub myself more thoroughly than I ever have, as if I can scrub the memory of Julian's touch and kisses off my skin.
Although I don't feel any better when I get out of the shower, I try to lie to myself and tell myself I do. I throw on a stretchy pair of shorts and a tank top—the first real clothes I've worn since Julian dumped me without a word like so much trash.
I pour myself a glass of orange juice, figuring I need the Vitamin C to boost my energy. When I put the carton back in the fridge and turn around, I jump. I drop the glass of juice, and the glass shatters against the tile floor and splashes onto my feet, but I barely notice, so shocked am I at the man towering before me.
He looks exactly like a carbon copy of Julian, except his eyes are a vibrant green, and his hair is dark instead of blonde.
“Julian?” I ask cautiously, half hopefully, though I already sense deep inside that it's not him.
The man's lips twist into a dark grin that sets me on edge. Something about the look in his eyes is utterly dangerous, and I swallow nervously.
“Christopher,” he introduces himself. “Julian's brother.”
He arches an eyebrow at my blank face. “What, he didn't tell you about me?”
I can't speak, so I just shake my head.
“That’s no surprise. He always was a jealous prick.”
“Why are you here?” I finally find my voice to ask him.
His lips quirk up into a mocking grin, and he splays his arms open wide as he gestures to me. “My key, of course.”