Page 7 of Hell Bound

His hold never loosened, but it didn’t take long for me to be thankful for it. Sounds abounded in the shadows of the forest now that the creatures of the dark had become accustomed to our presence.

Howls and snarls were terrifying enough, but the deep roar that followed them threatened to stop my heart.

I moved closer to the commander. His size was intimidating, and I prayed whatever predators were out there in the darkness felt the same.

Exhaustion overtook my need for vigilance after walking for what felt like hours. My lids drooped and were on the verge of closing completely until I caught sight of lights in the near distance.

Moments later, we broke through the tree line and I understood just how thick and light-absorbing the forest had been.

Before me rose what could only be called a palace. Obsidian spires rose in the rich crimson sky, surrounded by high walls, thick, thorny shrubbery, and a lake.

A lake that looked like it was filled with blood. Red waves lapped the shore beneath the same-colored sky.

Foreboding filled my chest with every step we took. Everything about the palace screamed there’d be no escaping once I was trapped within its walls.

The commander’s grip tightened on my arm, and I realized I had been unconsciously trying to pull away.

“Do not speak. It will make things easier for you if you hold your tongue.”

He clearly didn’t know anything about me besides my name. Holding my tongue was not in my nature, no matter where he’d brought me or what was in store beyond the giant door that loomed ever closer.

It swung open silently, looking far too heavy to move so smoothly. It may look palatial, but this was clearly a fortress. No one got in.

Or out.

A figure strolled closer from inside the spacious hall, and I tensed. Even the silhouette of the imposing stranger sent dread through my veins, and my heart started to pound harder.

“Don’t let him break you.” The words were so quiet, I wasn’t sure I hadn’t imagined them until the commander’s hand squeezed my arm briefly before letting go.

Break me? Why would he—

“Well done, Morningstar.” The voice that came from the figure was laced with menace and satisfaction.

I couldn’t make out his features because of the bright light that gleamed behind him, creating a halo that burned around a broad-shouldered man. His gaze was nearly a physical touch, and it seared my flesh like a brand.

RUN!

The word blasted through my mind like a bomb, and I tensed my muscles to do just that. Unfortunately for me, his next words stopped me cold.

“Welcome home, wife. The mortal world is no place for a queen of Hell.”

Chapter2

Lucifer

“Did you say wife? Hang on…Queen?” she asked in disbelief, completely disregarding the one specific instruction I’d given her: don’t talk back to the king.

I shouldn’t have been surprised given how outspoken she’d been. The Lilith I knew had known better, though, and I’d assumed she’d remember once she saw him.

Her murderer.

She behaved so differently in this human body, full of a fight I’d never seen from her before. Her body may be identical to the one I’d watch the king flay alive twenty years ago, but the demoness inside was a stranger.

I took in the form I’d only had the pleasure of enjoying once before she’d been ripped away from me.

Lilith’s long hair hung to the small of her back in dark waves, and her eyes were the same warm brown they’d been in the past.

In this incarnation, there was so much more than that too familiar fear in them.

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