Page 112 of Hell-Bound

“Eat,” he demanded, pointing at her.

She would have protested, but her hunger won out against her pride and she began to break off pieces of cheese.

“Catch!” Azur hollered, tossing her a bottle of wine.

She caught it easily, trusting her natural dexterity, and pulled the cork off with her teeth. She took a large pull, relishing the bitter taste and anticipating the wonderful fog that would soon dampen her thoughts.

With her lips around the neck of the bottle, she passed Azur the violin, which she had kept close, to also store in the sack.

Azur walked out of the storage area, holding two large crates of liquor.

“You better not be suggesting we get drunk when my parents are in Mortal peril,” she said through a mouthful of cheese.

“Don’t beridiculous, darling. I would never serve you such inferior spirits. If we are going to lose our inhibitions together, it will be with the best wine in all The Planes.”

He flashed her a large smile. Ren’s stomach clenched when she realized that it looked exactly like Jester’s, minus the dimples.

He bounded up the stairs, and Ren heard a largecrashfrom above.

What the hells?

The crashes continued at random intervals, but Ren heard no shouts of fear or running feet. After several minutes, Azur descended the stairs to the kitchens, apparently having raided Xarek’s closest.

He was wearing a starched white shirt and leather pants. The shirt, still too small, had several buttons missing from the top, showcasing the alluring lines of his chest.

“Time to go, Elfy!” he said, scooping her up with more urgency than she was comfortable with.

“Wait! I didn’t finish my wine!” she shouted, leaning over.

“Are…you serious?” he asked as she wiggled her way out of his arms to drain her glass.

“Look, It’s been a long few days!” she said, licking herlips. “Okay, I’m ready to escape now.”

She grinned, her teeth stained purple.

“You’re devastatingly beautiful, you know that?” he said, raising a brow.

She swatted at him, and he took the opportunity to catch her hand, pulling her quickly to the kitchen exit. Once outside, he spread his wings wide.

“We have to fly. I don’t have enough power to portal.”

“You can’t portal? Then how am I going to save my parents!” she said, pulling away.

“Ren, I promised I would help you. Do you want to sign a contract? Because we can. Or you can justtrustme.”

He looked at her, eyes serious.

She swallowed and nodded, allowing him to pick her up and tuck her close to his chest.

He shot to the sky, and as they began to fly among the fading streaks of light, Ren saw the smoke billowing from the palace.

“You’re burning it down?”

He grunted, wind blowing his curly hair from his face.

Ren tried to crane her neck for a better look.

“What about the rest of the people inside? I’m sure there were guards, workers?”