Page 26 of Love and Death
“My name is Florence, my lord. I am a servant to Lord Eros, and I’ll gladly be of service to the mortal girl, if you will accept my help.”
“A succubus with a name, and not of the king’s court at that? Interesting.” I cock my head to one side, eyeing her warily. “And why should I accept your help?”
“I know the girl,” she answers. “It was I who tended to her needs while she was a guest here.”
“What she says is true,” Lilia affirms. “Plus, there is the added benefit of her being a succubus.”
“How is that a benefit?”
“Because I mean nothing to the gods of this realm. I was created to live and die in obscurity, and as such, I have learned to move unheard and unseen through the very halls that I serve … as forgive me, my lord, I believe I have just proven.”
7
HAZEL
Asoft groan escapes me as I’m shaken from the merciful embrace of sleep. The pain and heartache, dulled only moments ago, come surging back with a vengeance, once again threatening to overwhelm me.
An involuntary shiver rushes through me, the cold washroom floor biting into the bonier planes of my naked body where I still lie curled up against it. I wince at the thought, screwing my eyes shut tighter against the world.
For a split second, I’d hoped it had all been a nightmare. But with sleep quickly fading from my waking mind, I cannot deny the hellish reality of it all.
“Hazel?”
I start at the sound of my name, soft as the voice is, having already forgotten that I’d been woken up. My eyes fly open, and I’m shocked to find a familiar face staring down at me.
“Florence, is it really you?” I ask, hardly daring to believe my own eyes.
“Yes, but what are you doing on the floor? It is nearly mid-afternoon.”
I choose to ignore her question in favor of my own instead.
“What are you doing here?”
“I’ve been sent to help you,” she answers with a kind smile.
My heart skips a beat in my chest at this.
“Eros,” I gasp, a small groan escaping me as I force myself halfway up off the floor. “Did Eros send you?”
Her smile falters.
“No, I’m afraid not.”
“If not Eros, then who?”
“Cerberus.”
I stare at her, my mouth slightly agape at this. “I don’t understand. How is that possible? I’m sorry, but how would he even know to send you?”
“He wanted to send Lilia to tend to you, but when she could not, I asked that he send me instead.”
“Lilia? Wait, where did you say Cerberus found you?”
“I never said he found me,” she answers with a little grin before clarifying, “It wasIwho found him, and in Eros’ palace of all places.”
“Then how do you know about Lilia?”
“She was there, too.”
