Page 57 of Queen of the Wicked
He forgot about that.
Attempting to hide his smile, he swiped a hand over his mouth and studied the route they had all agreed on. Alessia had been clueless for the most part about the best suggestions to take, but she was happy to be included, and Erebos found that pleasing her was far easier than disappointing her.
It was why he ensured she was comfortable the moment they arrived at his study. Because of the mating bond, he could feel her anxiety even though she was adamant about being fine, so he started the fire that seemed to calm her down during her last spiral and pulled the wingbacked chair to the desk for her to sit in. Then, he provided her with a heavy blanket as an attempt to calm her shaking limbs, and the entire time, Alessia allowed him to dote on her without so much as a complaint.
“So, we are leaving tomorrow?” Eryx asked, sparing him the embarrassment.
“It would appear so. Izara is confident Alessia will be able to use the smoke against the creatures should we encounter them.” Despite Erebos feigning confidence, hewasreluctant to go into the pits. All he’d heard since taking over Hell was horror stories about what lurked in the shadows at the bottom of the realm. He wasn’t exactly thrilled to be getting a front row seat to the show.
With a dip of his chin, Eryx began collecting the various papers scattered about when Alessia asked, “Could I give Isla some books to read that include sex?”
Erebos slowly lifted his gaze to hers at the exact moment the stack of papers Eryx held went flying. “What?”
She sat up straighter, her lips twitching when Eryx bent to retrieve the parchment. “Isla and I were having a conversation a few weeks ago, and I told her about this series,Bridgerton,that I think she would love. It’s a series on Earth. She was adamant about being unable to read about such things, but I was wondering if you would make an exception for her.”
When demons were indicted to Hell and offered a second chance at redemption, they vowed to leave behind all aspects of life that could be considered temptation, which would include books describing it. Isla had worked for Erebos for almost a decade now, never straying from the orders she was given. He supposed if anyone deserved it, it would be her, but if he made one exception forherand word got out, he would beexpected to be lenient for all the demons fighting for redemption.
“Isla was correct,” he said. “Temptation is forbidden for those who are not free.”
“But she deserves it!’ Alessia pleaded, and then she hit him with puppy dog eyes that nearly sent him to his knees. “I’ve never had a true friend before, and it would be nice to bond over something with someone I’m becoming close with for the first time in my life. You know Isla. She wouldn’t tell a soul if you were somehow able to sneak those books into her room.”
New turn on unlocked: Alessia begging.
Expelling a heavy sigh, Erebos leaned back in his chair. “I will think about it.”
Alessia clapped her hands together, seeming satisfied as she jumped from her seat. He was happy to see that her nerves had diminished over the past hour, and they were hardly noticeable now. “That’s better than nothing. Thank you, Erebos. I’ll see you both tomorrow.”
The lord nodded. “Do you want me to escort you?”
Faltering in the doorway, Alessia contemplated it before shaking her head. “I think I’ll be okay. I’m better now.”
“Good. I am glad to hear it.”
When she disappeared from view, Erebos found his eyes trained on the doorway, as if willing her to come back. He despised how uncomfortable he felt when she wasn’t near, the loneliness she reprieved him of seeping back in all too quickly.
Eryx finished collecting the papers, tucking them in the crook of his elbow. He wore a shit-eating grin whenhe asked, “I’m in charge of getting the books for Isla, aren’t I?” The general had predicted the bond would have it come to this—to the lord giving her anything she wanted. He hadn’t wanted to believe it then, but Eryx had been right.
Erebos hung his head in his hands and accepted defeat. “Be sure she receives them before we leave tomorrow morning.”
Chapter 25
Alessia
Standing outside the elevator that would deliver them to the entrance of the pits, Alessia tried her best not to let her nerves show. She wouldn’t be the weak link of the group when Izara seemed bored, leaning against the stone wall with a foot propped against it like this was just another day for her, and maybe it was. Who knew what she saw on her travels to the soul yard? Alessia hoped she’d share just a drop of her courage to get her through the next few days.
With Isla instructed to prepare her for the mission, she braided Alessia’s hair this morning to pull it away from her face, laying out a white, long-sleeved blouse and loose pants for her to change into. Then she spent most of her morning fussing over her backpack, ensuring it had everything she would need for the next few days. Weapons, food, a canteen of water, and a spare change of clothes were only a fraction of what Isla managed to stuff in the pack, and Alessia shifted uncomfortably on her feet from the weight of it.
“Do you have everything you need?” Isla asked. She stood before her, hands clasped below her stomach as she waited expectantly. Clad in a black dress that hugged her curvy figure just right, she looked stunning. The darkness brought out the blue in her eyes, and her pale skin seemed to glow beneath the sconces above them.
“Isla, if I don’t have what I need, there’s a problem.” Alessia grunted, shifting the pack to her other shoulder. “Pretty sure I’ll be good for the next month.”
“Oh, please. The pits will not take a month to travel through.” She bit her lip, contemplating it. “At least, I don’t believe so.”
“Would you stop worrying? You should celebrate my departure since it’ll give you some rest time you wholeheartedly deserve.”
A flush crept up her neck and spread to her cheeks. “Yes, I suppose I’ll have to indulge in the books that were delivered to my room this morning, courtesy of His Majesty.”
Alessia’s face brightened, her heart clenching at the realization that Erebosdidlisten to her. “I was hoping he would deliver them. When I return, you can sing my praises after that series changes your life.”
