Page 152 of Hell Bound
I sat, the curse forcing me to do so. A quiet, obedient shadow for Sameera. Braith quailed in her shadow, grimacing beneath her veil.
“To become one of my ladies-in-waiting of the Tainted Court—”
Her voice faded into the background as that scent grew stronger.
There was a series of gasps and shouts near the door, followed by laughter.
Derisive, mocking laughter, and Sameera turned towards it, her nails digging into me.
Lilith stood at the head of the grand staircase.
The true queen.
Naked, filthy, and horrified.
Chapter37
Lilith
The walk down the elaborate staircase was made all the more embarrassing by my uncoordinated efforts to get to my feet.
Then everyone had a good look at my boobs bouncing breastily down the stairs, and I could do nothing to cool the heat in my cheeks.
I tried to make a plan as I descended, scoping the room for places I could hide away, any bit of privacy I could eke out.
By this time, I truly should have known better.
Two guards I didn’t know awaited me at the bottom of the stairs, each grabbing an elbow the second I stepped off the final one.
Snatching away would have caused more of a scene, so I simply let them lead me to whatever part of the room Asmodeus had picked out for my humiliation.
Hang on to whatever bit of dignity you have left, Lil. This won’t last forever.
But each step felt like I was pushing through molasses, so it actually might last for all of eternity at this rate.
I scanned the room for friendly faces, but the crowd was too thick to spot any of the wolves or Hana. So I returned my gaze straight ahead, concentrating on not letting the situation get to me.
And utterly failing.
It only got worse when I caught sight of where we were going.
The crowd had parted around a tall stone column that had been erected over the past few days. It was only about six feet high and sat upon a stone base that lifted it about a foot off the ground.
Now Ididtry to snatch my elbows free. The guards anticipated my reaction, though, and their holds had already tightened the second it came into view. A third guard, Walvor, stood there with a length of chain in his hands.
He wouldn’t meet my accusatory gaze, the prick.
How could they all just stand here and watch this? Watch Asmodeus chain his naked wife to a column for no crime other than standing up to his bullshit?
Hell is full of brutes and bitches.
Not a single word of protest was uttered as the two guards helped me up the single step and placed my back to the column. Walvor’s hands shook as he wound the chain around my wrists.
Good. I hoped they all felt sick to their fucking stomachs that they would remain silent and allow this.
When my hands were secure—and believe me, I tried to slip them free at the cost of several layers of skin—the three guards melted into the crowd.
There was a five foot space in any direction that none of the guests seemed inclined to cross, but slowly, the party resumed. Talking, toasting, tasting the hors d’oeuvres.
