Page 60 of Hell Bound

So long as I didn’t get caught.

I didn’t even want to know what would happen if I did.

Unsure of where exactly I was going to go in this gilded prison, I let my instincts guide me. If I heard someone talking, I went the other way. Too much light in one direction? That meant people, flip a U-ie.

I took in the extravagant decor as I wandered the halls. It was just shy of being garish, and I wondered if that was Asmodeus’s doing, or if someone had reined in his ostentatious display of wealth.

Unfortunately, my musings made me oblivious to the sound of someone approaching.

“My Queen, you shouldn’t be here.”

I jumped out of my skin as a guard appeared beside me like damn ninja.

“What? Oh, I, uh… I was just taking a walk. It’s fine.” He had to listen to me, right? I was still in charge of him, even if Asmodeus treated me like shit in front of everyone.

“Apologies, but you aren’t permitted to be here. I’ll have to inform the king of your–”

“You don’t have to do that!” Shit, this asshole was going to get me grounded like a damn wayward teenager. “I told you, it’s fine. I just wanted to see more of the palace. Being cooped up all alone in my room is boring,” I told him, my tone convincing as I could make it.

He frowned, but he didn’t immediately insist I return.

“Don’t you hate being alone?” Something stirred in me as I thought of how big and depressing my bed was, and how I wanted nothing more than for Lucifer to share it with me. Which he’d almost done only a short while ago. Instead I was left with an aching desire that I couldn’t sate.

“S-sometimes. I don’t know, I–” The guard looked confused, so I kept going.

“You should find someone to share your time with… to share your bed. No one ever has to know I left my room.” I didn’t know why I said that, but it seemed right… and something seemed to hum within me, reaching out to him.

His mouth hung open and his eyes were burning with a new intensity that hadn’t been there when he found me.

Movement below drew my attention, and when I glanced down, an erection tented his uniform.

Oh, shit, not me! Someone else!

I was about to lift my hands to hold him back, but he was backing away before I could move.

“Of course, my Queen. As you command.” And then he whirled and sprinted away.

I was once again alone in the hallway, but now I was thoroughly confused.

That shouldn’t have worked. I knew not everyone at court was a fan of Asmodeus, but surely the guard feared his reprisal enough that he wouldn’t go looking for a bang buddy just because I suggested it.

I needed to either go back to the room, or find somewhere else to duck into before I came across anyone else.

It was the music that finally led me to where I needed to be.

Dance music that was definitely from the human world thumped from down a hallway. I recognized it as a hit song from a few decades ago, and I smiled so big it hurt my aching cheeks.

Once again, Deasley’s appreciation for human culture had saved the day.

I followed the sounds of the Cha-Cha Slide until I was in front of the source. Still nervous I might be in the wrong place, I gently tapped on the door and prepared to run.

It swung open and was greeted by a giant grin.

“Hey, Lil! Welcome to my clubhouse, come on in! I keep trying to teach these fools how to cha-cha real smooth, but they’re not getting it. You’ve gotta school them!”

“Um, no, that’s okay, I just—”

“Lil Martinez! Are you gonna stand there and pretend that you couldn’t do this dance in your sleep? Come on! They don’t listen to me because they’re jealous of my moves, but they have to listen to you. Show them what’s up!”

---