Page 78 of Queen of the Wicked
Erebos nodded with a smile, and as the couple headed for the floor, he found himself lingering in the shadows like a wallflower. The burning, aching feeling in his chest only intensified the longer he watched two people fall in love.
It was in the way Eryx’s hand drifted lower on her back. How Isla eventually allowed herself to relax in his arms until their bodies were flush against one another. The general was the happiest the lord had ever seen him, and for a heartbeat, he wished they could trade places, if only it were Alessia in his arms instead.
They had made progress; there wasn’t a doubt in his mind about that, but Alessia still didn’t view him as her life partner, and rightfully so. Relationships on Earth moved much slower than those of fated mates, sometimes takingyearsbefore they were married. It wasn’t uncommon for her to want to take things slow, but the longer he waited without sealing the bond, the more painful it became.
Alessia deserved to discover this information herself. He refused to put another added weight onto her when the Makers had already thrown a boulder in her path, no matter how frustrating it was for him to keep his desires to himself.
Every time she touched him, his restraint was held by a thread, fraying the longer he prolonged coming right out and telling her. She brought temptation a whole newdefinition—one he didn’t think even the demons in this realm could comprehend.
“Why do you look like a sad puppy?” Izara asked from beside him. He hadn’t heard her arrive. Then again, she wouldn’t be his soul seeker if stealth weren’t one of her best attributes.
Despite the dress code, even at a ball, she chose to remain in a tunic and trousers. Erebos couldn’t bring himself to reprimand her for it, not when she was leaving to go to the soul yard in the morning and had a long journey ahead.
“I could say the same to you,” he noted. “You have been quiet since our return from the pits.”
“I am always quiet.”
“I suppose, but neverthisquiet.” He glanced around the room of the joyous celebrations, feeling like an outsider in his own realm. “You do not wish to celebrate?”
“What is there to celebrate?” she shot back. Then, as if rethinking her words, she shook her head while scuffing her boot against the marble floor. “Forgive me. This is a blessed occasion that should be?—”
“What happened?” he asked. “Has training Alessia been too much? Are you overwhelmed?”
“No, it is not that. We agreed to resume training next week, now that she has come to terms with everything, but the downtime has allowed me to reflect on our visit with the Seeker.”
“And?” Erebos leaned against the wall, staring at the tiny but vicious woman.
“He didn’t say anything to me,” she whispered. Thelord could tell she hated allowing herself to be vulnerable when she cursed before blinking her eyes at the ceiling to hold her tears at bay. “Why didn’t he say anything? He could see futures for all of you except me.”
“That is true,” the lord replied, “but you also did not ask any questions.”
“Neither did Eryx,” she said. “Maybe I am just meant for nothing, Erebos. Perhaps my future is living in this realm forever, and I will never remember my past. Perhaps all of this work is pointless.” Her hazel eyes pooled with another wave of tears, but she somehow kept them inside. “I am tired of trying to remember.”
There wasn’t much advice Erebos could offer when he found himself in her state of mind more than he’d ever admit. It was traumatizing being unable to remember where he came from. They were told the longer they existed, the more their memories would fade, buteverything?His family? His childhood? They had disappeared as if they never happened, and the only person who understood that pain was Izara.
“I am tired too,” he admitted. “We have been searching for an answer for many years, but Alessia is here now. She is the harbinger the Makers have sent, and I have to have hope that the answers to our past lie within her. She will restore the balance, and by doing so, she will right the wrongs dealt to us.”
“Perhaps,” she replied. A shrill laugh filtered over from the dancefloor, causing Izara to sigh. “If it is all right with you, I want to turn in. I have a long journey ahead of me tomorrow.”
“Of course.” The lord tipped his head in farewell, andas Izara disappeared, he allowed himself to sink further into the shadows, daydreaming of emerald eyes and the brightest smile in the realms.
“Thank you all for joining me,”Erebos said into the microphone. A stage was placed before the dancefloor, where the lord stood front and center to kick off the ceremony. Hundreds lined the crowded room, some watching from the balconies on the second story and most lingering on the floor. “Tonight we celebrate a monumental occasion to recognize those who have chosen to repent for their sins in the hopes of starting a clean slate.” He flicked his gaze around the room, noting every demon he had the honor of reconfiguring into someone they were proud of.
“Most of you are aware of the recent shortages in the soul yard, so unfortunately, there is only one demon this year who I feel has shown exemplary progress since she arrived in Hell.” He sought out Isla amongst the sea of people, standing hand in hand with Eryx. “This person has motivated me with her optimism and resilience, as she has patiently strived for her chance at redemption for two decades. She is a constant light rarely seen in this realm, which I will deeply miss should she choose to be reincarnated and leave us tonight.” Hot tears streamed down Isla’s face when he added, “But there is no one more worthy of this decision than her. It is my honor to present you with your freedom, Isla Valor. Please join me.”
The entire room exploded in applause, nothing but shouts of encouragement as Isla navigated her way through the crowd. She was a greatly respected demon amongst the realm, one others looked up to, and if she chose to return to Earth, there would be plenty of disappointed faces tonight.
Isla approached Erebos on shaky limbs, grinning from ear to ear that seemed to cast a golden aura around her. “Thank you, Your Majesty,” she whispered, accompanied by a trembling lip. “I cannot express how much this means to me.”
“You have proven yourself,” he assured. “As I’ve said, there is no one more deserving of this opportunity than you. I am immensely proud to have watched your progress unfold.” Pulling a pin from his pocket, she released a wet laugh when he fastened it to her dress. It was a golden flame that happened to match the shade of her dress—a symbol of the triumph and work she had put herself through to get to this moment.
“Now, the final question is…” He lowered the microphone to rest between them. “Do you wish to remain here in Hell, or would you like the chance to be reincarnated on Earth?”
Isla looked out at the crowd, at a beaming Eryx and a woman who robbed Erebos of all the breath in his lungs.
Alessia stood beside the general, tears of happiness trickling down her cheeks for the handmaid she had grown so close to, but Erebos couldn’t keep his gaze off of her angelic features, which were only highlighted by a dusting of blush and coal around her eyes.
The woman was a masterpiece, cultivated of everydesire and allurement he could imagine, and it only got worse when his attention settled on her dress.
