Page 104 of Hell Bound

There was something about the way the pinched-mouth succubus looked around that made me think she was up to no good—a fact confirmed by the way she scurried down the hall away from me and into the stairwell, taking the route to the servant’s quarters.

I took a deep breath. Some of Lilith’s scent had gotten caught up in Tavila’s wake, the handmaid’s lemon-and-orange scent souring the scent of apple blossoms.

I followed that repulsive smell down the stairs, keeping to the shadows.

She disappeared into her own room, and I waited in a dark alcove for nearly five minutes before I heard the door slam and her footsteps disappear down the hall.

The servants were not permitted to lock their doors, so it was simple to just walk in and pull the door shut behind me.

Tavila’s room was small, but luxuriously appointed compared to the rest of the servants.

Everything in it was a cast-off gift from Asmodeus: the threadbare rug woven of tarphin fur, silk curtains, even a bed piled with velvet pillows. Several of her filmy dresses spilled out of an open dresser drawer.

I sniffed the air again, wanting to gag on her cloying stench as I hunted for the smell I searched for beneath it.

Apple blossoms… emanating from under the bed.

I got down on my knees, shoving aside the comforter that reeked of Odragir, and dug around before pulling a small box away from the far wall.

Lilith’s scent was thick on it. Tavila had hidden it well into the corner, which made sense, as it was full of the queen’s belongings.

A gauzy, spangled dress that was so thin it could be crumpled into a ball the size of my fist. A gilded pot of red lip paint. A single golden earring, shaped into a sword with rubies set in the hilt.

Most of it was jewelry, makeup, and clothes Asmodeus had provided for Lilith, baubles to make her look the part when he decided to show her off. One thing stood out as I rummaged through the box.

My chest tightened as I drew it out and looked closer.

A thin, hammered gold ring with a heart set in the band. It was plain but well-loved… and I’d seen it on Lilith’s hand every day since I’d dragged her back to Hell.

She’d also worn it every day before she went to the mortal world.

I’d given Lily the simple band the night I told her I loved her.

I wanted to lavish her with jewels and finery that she deserved, but I couldn’t give her those things until I stole her away to the Fallen Court with me.

Not to mention that Asmodeus would have noticed anything more extravagant.

When Deasley went searching for her in the mortal realm, I sent the ring with him. It was a small comfort to know that she would have that little piece of me.

Seeing it on her finger would always bring me a small measure of peace.

And Asmodeus’s bitch had dared to steal it.

She’d pay for that.

I ran a finger over the gold and tucked it into my pocket before replacing the rest and shoving it back under Tavila’s bed. Lilith wouldn’t care about any of the other items the maid had stolen from her, so I saw no point in taking them back with me.

With the symbol of my love for her in my pocket, I finally went to see her.

* * *

This time,I went the way of the balcony, checking for any visitors to her room before tapping on the glass and opening the door.

It didn’t matter how much I spoke of freedom. For the sake of my wolves, I had to be careful… and now, with one close call today, I needed to watch myself.

“Lucifer.” Lilith’s hair was damp. She’d been curled up on her bed, a prisoner with nowhere else to go. “What are you doing here?”

She almost hissed the words at me, her eyes going to the door and wide with anxiety.

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