Page 40 of Boyfriend From Hell
“Nothing, I like you. I like having you here, at my side.”
I shrugged, feeling the heat rising to my cheeks. I cringed internally, did I just say that? What a damned cheese ball.
She laughed and leaned into me, her smile was warm and nothing short of lovely.
“Who knew devils could be so sweet,” she teased, as she squeezed my arm. “Imightlike you too.”
She rolled her eyes and I breathed a sigh of relief; I didn’t need to check her mind to know she meant what she said. I could feel her warmth and affection sing through the bond. It made my heart happy, knowing I could bring her even a morsel of joy, this is all I had wanted for us––for her.
“Hmm, enough to dwell in the fiery pits of Hell with me for all of eternity?” I asked theatrically, as we passed a group of Underworlders who gave me an odd look—quickly snuffing it out as my eyes met theirs.
They knew better than to judge me, or anything I was doing. I could make their lives quite literal Hell, if I so pleased. Though, I did like Hell being more of a place of comfort for my people.
In all fairness, I hardly ever went out in public like this. I always spent my time in my home, and on occasion surfaced up top when I needed a break from here—the gaping stares were warranted—but didn’t make me any less self-conscious, and mildlyannoyed me.
Boutiques lined the center of the market square, no different from a typical outdoor mall. I was stunned. I hadn’t known what to expect when he said we’d go shopping—call me whatever you’d like, but I fully expected something out of a horror movie. Yet everything here, so far, had been almost normal. It all resembled home, with the exception of the occasional demon strolling past us and giving a nod to Raios.
The demons here looked like regular people, save for the occasional tail or tattered wing, and oddly enough they seemed pretty kind.
From what I gathered, Hell seemed to be split into seven sectors—following the seven deadly sins or something like that, I wasn’t sure. I never paid much mind to anything in the realm of religion before, so I had taken to absorbing each bit of information, one morsel at a time.
All of the sectors seemed to surround a single hub, which also coincidentally was where Raios’ home was. I had expected, upon exiting his place, I’d discover we’d been in a castle of sorts—or a really nice cave. I definitely didn’t expect to find that it was a really nice, well-kept estate. Pride was his family’s sector, yet we were currently in the Greed district.
My mind kept slipping back to the things he had said before in his room about the deal and the bond—owning each other—as we strolled down the peculiar commercial strip of shops. I didn’t dislike the thought at all, not when I really sat with my emotions. Even back at my apartment, something about him just felt right. I liked the way he talked to me and how, when he looked at me, he did so as if I were the most prized possession in his life. Sure, I still felt like something was missing inside me—maybe it was the bond burned into my chest talking—but I felt more myself here than I think that I ever had back home.
“Don’t worry about paying for anything, everyone knows we’re together.” Raios slung his arm across my shoulder as we walked into one of the shops. “Being the Prince of Hell has its perks.”
“Ah, Prince! Excellent to see you,” an elderly man with weathered gray skin said, smiling warmly at Raios. “What can I do for you today?”
Raios gestured to me. “Whatever she wants, put it under my name.”
I glanced at the man and gave him an awkward smile and he smiled warmly in return.
“Of course, Prince. Whatever you wish.”
Raios turned to me. “So, what would you like to look for first? Lingerie perhaps?” His smile was so captivating it made my breath stutter.
I rolled my eyes. “Sure,Prince.Maybe the old man can help me dress and all.”
He huffed a laugh and pulled me in close to his side. It felt intimate and roused the lazy butterflies that had laid dormant in my stomach.
“Over my dead body,” he chuckled, kissing the top of my head.
With Raios’ arms stacked high with various items, I felt satisfied with my haul. I couldn’t believe I was really here to stay. Deal or not, I mean, Hell sounded awful and the thought ofchoosingto live in Hell sounded insane. But all things considered it really wasn’t bad at all––nothing like I had always imagined. Things could only go up from here (literally).
We ended our adventure in Gluttony district, where we were seated on the rooftop of some lavish restaurant where, to no one's surprise, Raios had his own table with the best view.
The server placed our food in front of us, two normal—not Hell-ish looking—burgers. Mine, without ketchup, of course, and Raios’ surprisingly with no condiments at all. Who would have thought the next ruler of Hell hated pickles?
I grinned at him over my burger.
“What?” He eyed me suspiciously.
“Nothing,” I smiled and bit into my food, which just so happened to be the best thing I had ever eaten.
Raios picked off a corner of his bun and popped it into hismouth.
“You know I can just read your mind to find the answer—”
