Asmodeus leaned his head against the wall. When Luke left, he was surprised at how he felt. Had he really admitted to wanting to bond with the human? He had pretended like the pain had subsided this morning, but really it hadn’t. It had settled deep in his mending bones. Having Luke next to him had helped keep it at bay. His niece’s burst of power had actually impressed him. He knew she would grow into the power she was born with, but Luke brought it out hard and fast.
It was true that he wanted his brother’s throne, but he wouldn’t sacrifice Luke to do it. He couldn’t. The way the priest looked up at him… Asmodeus couldn’t deny his growing attraction to him. Not that he had ever doubted he was attracted to the priest. He had laid eyes on the man long before Shynra had. When he came to her cottage and saw her mark on Luke’s back? He had about flown into a rage right there. He had planned on inserting himself into the Priest’s life slowly, but Shynra had flown in like a tornado and swept him away.