c.o.’s monthly updates—march 2026
Hello! I’m a little bit late, but now that our internet is back and I have the time to spare, I can get this out for you all.
The main update is this: I’ve set some concrete deadlines for everything up to release day. I’ve reached the point where I need to Lock In, and deadlines will help with that, especially with how quickly time seems to pass anymore.
June 1st: the day I plan on sending it to my alpha reader.
July 1st: the day I plan on sending it to my beta readers.
August 15th: Cover reveal day.
(This is currently a big MAYBE—I’m not entirely sure if I’ll be able to do this, but it’s probably a good idea and would be nice) September 1st: Putting out a form for ARC applications.
September 29th: Release day!
So there’s gonna be a lot of work the next few months! I’m excited, though; I can’t wait to see what all of this leads to. I hope it’s worth it.
🙥✦🙧
As Michael slowed some steps from Lucifer’s door, he saw two angels in front of it—Purson and Asmodeus, speaking in hushed voices.
“I do not know, Asmodeus,” Purson was saying as the other wrung his hands. “I can only hope it does not go on for much longer. Whatever this is—nothing like this has ever happened before.”
Michael must have made some kind of sound, because both suddenly looked to him. Purson’s jaw was tight with weariness, but outrage unfurled on Asmodeus’ face as he stormed over to Michael, jabbing a finger at his chest.
“You! How dare you come here! When this is your fault—”
“My fault?” Unable to hold back a bewildered laugh, Michael stepped back, looking over Asmodeus’ head at an exasperated Purson. “How could this possibly be—”
“He only started acting different because of you!” Asmodeus’ voice was creeping louder; passing angels were beginning to stare from the corners of their eyes as they hurried past. “I should have never brought you to the palace that day. If he’d never met you—”
“Asmodeus," Purson cut in sternly, making the bickering pair flinch. “Please quiet yourself.” To Michael, then: “I can let you see him, if you would like. I cannot promise that he will be particularly responsive, but…”
As Asmodeus twisted his hands into his robe, a wealth of emotion simmering just under his skin as he clearly struggled to bite back protests, Michael pointedly stepped past him and cleared his throat. “I want to see him.”
Purson nodded and opened the door to Lucifer’s bedroom. Following after him—Michael saw the prince of Heaven laying quiet in his bed, braids fanning out around his head like a halo. For a moment, Michael thought he was asleep, but coming closer, he saw that Lucifer’s eyes were half-lidded, staring dull and dead at the canopy above.
Lifting a shaking hand, Michael swallowed past a lump in his throat, brushing his palm over Lucifer’s cheek as he heard Purson step out quietly behind him. “Gabriel told me what happened. Did you really…?”
{…} Tears welled in Michael’s eyes, and he gritted his teeth as they began to dribble down to land on the bedsheets. “God, Lucifer, why? Was it something I did?”
Movement; he saw Lucifer raise a trembling arm, reach for him. As he stared, Lucifer’s hand came to loosely grip his shoulder, then trail down his arm to take his wrist and tug lightly. Then golden eyes, only half-seeing, meeting his.
Sniffling, Michael let himself be tugged down, squeezing his eyes shut as he felt Lucifer’s lips brush over his cheeks feather-light, in an attempt to console. But it wasn’t enough; falling to his knees like he meant to pray, Michael gripped Lucifer’s hand between his own and brought it to his forehead, crying softly.
