Page 21 of Hell Bound
Lilith
If I thought being naked in front of Hana had been uncomfortable, it had nothing on standing at the top of the wide staircase wearing what Asmodeus called “clothes.”
Scraps.
These were literal scraps of black fabric held together by a hope and a prayer that I wouldn’t be completely exposed to the room of demons in front of me. It would only take one wrong move…
And there was no doubt this time that they were demons.
Morningstar and Asmodeus looked human enough, and then his buddies seemed to all be some kind of Hell wolves. The demons mingling in the hall below me were… different.
There was shock somewhere inside me, but my main reaction was interest. I should probably be screaming in terror.
Instead I stood staring down into the room with burning curiosity. It was almost enough to make me forget my current state of mostly undress.
Almost.
“Ah, my exquisite queen has decided to grace us with her presence.” Asmodeus’s voice rang out loud enough to get the attention of everyone in attendance.
Decidedwas an overstatement, since I’d had no choice.
When I’d tried to argue about the attire my handmaids had chosen, Hana made it abundantly clear that I had no choice in the matter.
If I didn’t wear it, there’d be hell to pay, and I wouldn’t be the only one to pay that debt.
Tavila sneered once Hana had draped the fabric over me, and when I spun to face the mirror, I understood why.
I looked… what was a step above attractive? Enticing?
No,entrancing. If I didn’t know that I was the person reflected in the mirror, I’d have been unable to tear my eyes away.
The scraps of silk and chiffon were artfully draped, covering the most important bits, but still giving off the feel that I was completely exposed for anyone’s perusal.
My long hair was somehow darker than the black it had been in the human world, and now it was adorned with vibrant streaks of red that hadn’t been there before. I wasn’t sure what to make of that, but it looked damn good.
Combine that with my harlot-red lips and smokey eye makeup, and I was the picture of seduction.
I hated it.
I might look fantastic, but Asmodeus had only ordered it to show me off as a possession.
I didn’t belong to him. Never had, never would.
Still, until I could figure out a way to break free of his palace, I’d have to play the game.
Now, at the head of the long staircase with every eye—and on several people, there were more than two per head—trained on me, I made a vow.
I’ll get out of here, or I’ll die trying.
Almost as if he’d heard my internal musings and was accepting the challenge, Asmodeus lifted a brow and smirked cruelly.
“Come, wife. Join me.”
Every fiber of my being screamed at me to refuse. I had no idea what would happen to me if I defied his command, especially in front of his guests, but I was just about willing to risk it.
Instead, I descended into the crowd with slow steps, pretending I wore the crown Asmodeus claimed should be mine. I kept my gaze straight ahead, refusing to meet anyone’s gaze.
Well, anyone except the demon who’d somehow wormed his way under my skin even as he dragged me here.
