Page 129 of Hell Bound

If only we could break these chains and run further.

Chapter31

Lilith

It would seem that Asmodeus changed his mind about demons daring to stare at me.

Now he was actively encouraging it.

The dress he’d instructed Hana to dress me was unlike anything I’d ever seen. Woven into the midnight silk were flaming threads that appeared to be made of living fire. It was like what existed in the marble of my bedroom, but this was soft and flexible, cool to the touch.

There were gold accents added to it, chains that draped across my chest like a sash and down across the tops of my biceps.

My black hair was done up in an ornate twist, highlighting the red streaks to their best advantage. Blood-red lips and black-rimmed eyes completed the look, and I hated Asmodeus a little more because of how good I looked.

There was one notably absent accessory, however. Asmodeus wore an obsidian crown bedecked in large red gems, matching the crimson cloak he wore over his own ornate outfit.

My head, however, was bare.

It was a very loudly unspoken statement.

I may still be his wife, but I was no queen of the Infernal Court.

Fine by me.

If only it meant he would release me from this fucking torture palace of his, I was completely on board with him disowning me.

“Ghnithl, come meet my wife. I don’t believe you’ve made her acquaintance since she was on a foray in the human world.”

“A pleasure, Queen Lilith. Asmodeus told us you would be back, but I’d begun to doubt him after all that time. It’s wonderful to see that you’ve finally returned.”

Not my choice, but thanks, I guess.

But I wouldn’t say anything out-of-pocket tonight. Asmodeus was actually pretending to be a decent demon instead of the sociopathic abuser he was, so I’d take it.

“Thank you. It’s nice to meet you, too.”

“So tell me, how awful was it living among humans? I’ve always been told they were nothing but primitives, but I refuse to venture there myself.”

Ghnithl—stupid name, by the way—had a lot of fucking nerve. The stench coming off of him had me sincerely wondering if his version of being “evolved” didn’t include bathing. It was taking a concerted effort not to wave my hand in front of my face to waft the pervasive odor away.

“It’s very different from the Infernal Court, but just like anywhere, there are upsides.”

“I fail to see what they could possibly be! Animals, humans are.”

The amazing creations of humanity, like films, cars, and Taco Tuesday would be lost on this bottom feeder.

Rather than reply, I gave himthe smile. The one with lips pressed together and eyes squinched up real tight.

It seemed all restrictions had been lifted for the evening.

Not only was Asmodeus allowing me to talk to the guests, he had yet to kill anyone for replying, not to mention the actual introductions he had made.

The wolves had been allowed to attend the ball, bedecked in finery I hadn’t expected. They looked like ornate military uniforms, but there were subtle adjustments that made them more functional: built-in sheaths for weapons, spiked epaulets that would repel bites on their shoulders and necks.

Did Asmodeus expect that those precautions would be needed? I hadn’t gotten the vibe that this was the kind of event for violence. I spun my ring around my finger, but it wasn't soothing my nerves like it usually did.

As Asmodeus and his stinky guest resumed their conversation, I seized the chance that afforded me to slip away.

---