Lucifer

"You are, Lord."

"Then, Lucifer, please do not spurn me or hate me. Instead, help me find someone to see over this kingdom with me. And perhaps... enjoy his company."

"Father, I already have just such a one. But I do not know that she will have you. I will go and seek her out of my kingdom and return with but a word or person."

"Lucifer, I will leave it in your hands. Do not mock me or find opportunity to amuse your idealistic tempers. I am forgiving, but my wrath is final. Now go with no further haste."

Lucifer bowed and was gone.

"Peter, what bothers you?"

"My Lord, I did not mean to intrude. I was standing, contemplating, when I saw Lucifer race past me and decided that I should confer with you immediately. I am troubled in what I must say, yet to say it feels to me a lift of a thousand kingdoms from my chest. Father, my King, allow me to leave and live in the realm of Lucifer, where I may spend my time as a mortal, to live as men do."

"Peter, this is odd and strange in you. You know that no disciple of mine may leave for too long, lest there be anarchy in Heaven. This is why I exiled Lucifer, exacting punishment rather than favor."

"Then exile me Lord, for I can no longer be in your favor. The faith is lost on me. I crave more than holy divination. Fool as I am, it is so. Lucifer had nothing in this, for I believe he knew my own thoughts already."

"Go, Peter, with Lucifer, as he leaves even now. Take with you my anger at your decision and your lack of faith in me. Tell Gabrielle of your departure so that he may sound the trumpet of doom as your wings molt and your body falls unto the Earth."

As Peter left, God muttered to himself, "Goodbye, dear Peter."

It was only a day before Lucifer had returned. God had sensed his return into His Kingdom and waited a moment patiently before sending two angels out to retrieve him.

Lucifer was busy, however, talking to Joseph and Luke, Daniel and Michael, and others, for he was certain that he could go on little longer in tolerating the views of God’s house.

An angel announced Lucifer into God’s chamber, whereupon the devil strode in respectively and stood in judgment of God.

"Well, Satan?"

"I have found what you seek and now you'll have a peek!"

God Himself gasped as Eve stepped out from behind Lucifer.

"Eve! I had no idea..." gasped the Lord.

"No," said Lucifer, "she is below your concerns, so you did not sense her. But is she not perfect? For truly, I consider her my mother because she has birthed a kingdom and people whose mind and spirit I dearly love. And yet she is a mortal who worships you and it is she that commands what you desire. She is also not considered mortal among your disciples, surely, for she is greeted with love and reverence almost equal to your own- such as a mother should have."

"It was her task to create a monument in your likeness. Well, I believe you found some kind of love in that accomplishment. Truly, I find the work enthralling, but my mind tells me she is no fare of love, but a target of my worship. I cannot have her anyway- I am not worthy of her.