Page 148 of Hell Bound

Besides, the residents of the castle had already seen me brought far lower than simply naked.

Almost there, I told myself after ten minutes of walking. We’d reached a section of the palace that I was much more familiar with, returning my bearings.

But when I tried to hook a right, Tavila was there to intercept me.

“This way, my Queen.” The smug menace on her face set off warning bells in my mind, but what could I do? Punch her in the throat and then go to my room, anyway?

Yes. Yes, I could.

However, my disobedience would likely get Gilémé punished, too, and after the way she’d just stood up for me? No fucking way would I set her up like that.

I continued straight, dread growing in the pit of my stomach as the destination of our walk became clear. That suspicion was confirmed when they came to a stop at the door of the grand ballroom.

They pulled open the two doors that would lead to the grand staircase, then stepped aside.

Rooted to the spot, I stared inside. Already there were a few people on the upper level who’d looked at me, eyes wide.

Now I’d have to face an entire room full of diplomats and leaders from all over the realm completely naked.

I took a single step back, but immediately met resistance.

Tavila was behind me, both hands on my shoulder blades.

“Enjoy the ball, Your Majesty.”

With a hard shove, I went sprawling into the ballroom.

Chapter36

Lucifer

The maids prepared Sameera silently, every movement tinged with fear.

One of them already had a dark red stripe across her cheek, the remnants of a slap delivered with clawed hands.

It was no wonder they cringed at Sameera’s touch.

I watched from the floor, my knees glued there by the command she’d given. My skin itched from the crust of dried blood that coated me from throat to toe, but even if I could move, I hardly had the energy to do anything about it.

Even my anger had burned down after three days in Sameera’s company.

Not because I didn’t hate her.

No, it was because I felt weary to the very marrow of my bones. Powerlessness had etched itself inside me, crushing out the tiny seeds of hope I’d harbored.

Even my wolf had curled up inside me, silent and still.

Sitting here, watching Sameera be readied like she was the queen herself, I wondered if Iwasthe fool truly believing in the possibility of an escape.

For daring to believe there could be a way to destroy Asmodeus.

Twenty years of torture and sacrifice, all to end up on a leash, with Lilith back in Hell and trapped in the dungeon.

It was time to accept that love never conquered all. That was a naïve dream, a child’s fairy tale.

There was only hope, endlessly crushed underfoot and left to rot.

I took a breath, and the deep wounds scored down my stomach ached. One split and a sluggish trickle of blood spilled out, dripping to the floor.

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