Page 91 of Hell-Bound

While Ren wasn’t familiar with all the creatures on the Mortal plane, she knew that those pulling her carriage were not one of them. Something so startling could only exist in The Hells. They were hooven, beasts of burden, but their manes were long, and their lower jaws were much larger than their uppers. They had no snout but rather breathed through small tentacles near where their ears should be.

Aloooof,her brain yelled as she tried not to rear back as one huffed in her direction, its breath warm and smelling like sulfur.

Azur guided her into the carriage and placed his hand on her waist to lift her into the seats.

She settled herself in the cushioned seat across from the male who owned her soul. He sat casually, wings spread out, relaxed.

“I feel I should warn you about tonight,” he said as the beasts began to trot down the ashy street. “You will be entering the great hall with me as my consort. It will undoubtedly create quite the scandal since you are the first consort I have brought out in public.”

He paused, letting the words sink in.

“You mean that in the thousands of years you’ve been alive, you’ve never brought a female—”

“Or male,” he clarified.

“Or male—out?”

He shifted in his seat, wings flexing.

“No, my dear. I typically don’t have many emotional attachments. Indeed, I strike a much more imposing presence alone. However, considering the circumstances, it seemed like the best move, and I’m sure my subjects willdevourthe gossip. One must indulge his followers on occasion, wouldn’t you say?”

Ren didn’t like the idea of being the subject of so many Devils’ conversations. It felt like playing with fire.

Azur’s face was suddenly very serious.

“I cannot be sure what plans Xarek has, but be on yourguard. Do not wander far from me, darling.”

Ren felt the knot in her throat tighten. The thought of seeing Xarek both terrified and excited her.

“What if he tries to control me?” she asked.

“He can’t. To manifest a compulsion spell, the caster must touch their target. Your brand shows the court that you’re mine and prevents anyone from touching you without your consent.”

Ren wanted to shoot back that she wasn’tanyone’sbut realized it was probably fruitless.

As the carriage came to a stop, an Elven footman offered his hand. Several attendants were awaiting their arrival, and the party had already commenced if the noise coming from inside was any indication.

Several attendants circled the king, ensuring every piece of his ensemble was in place. A short, Lesser Devil handed Azur a box and scuttled off, leaving the two alone.

“This is for you,” he said, presenting the box. “It is a tradition in many of the courts. As I said, I’ve never had my own consort, so this tradition is quite new to me, but I thought it appropriate, nonetheless.”

He lifted the lid of the box to reveal a thin circlet.

Ren could barely control her excitement, and her hands began to sweat. The circlet matched perfectly with her vurmite necklace. Reds and oranges sparkled around the band as it twisted artfully in what resembled two small devilish horns.

“I took some liberties with the design. I hope you don’t mind,” he said with a faint smile. “May I?”

“It’s…perfect.” She whispered and inclined her head, feeling a rush of excitement. This felt right—Elf, Human, Half-Elf, whatever. With this crown, she felt perfectly devilishly herself.

He offered his arm. “Shall we?”

Her heart was already thundering in her chest, but she felt it skip a beat when she wove her arm through his and felthis taut muscles.

He led her closer to the door and nodded at two porters. Obediently, they opened the door, and the music changed abruptly from a jovial dance tune to one that evoked power and dominance.

“His Highness Lord of the Planes of Hell, God of Devils and Ruler of The Underworlds, Azur Vincent Pelegros.”

Ren felt like her legs were going to turn to liquid. Azur looked to his left and gave the smallest wink before tugging gently on her arm in encouragement. Ren kept her eyes forward, trying to concentrate on her slow stride. Her focus was short-lived—shattered when they entered the grand hall. The center aisle was lined with elegant carpets depicting fiendish creatures surrounded by smoke and hellfire. The room was dimly lit by immense pillar candles, casting shadows like beastly claws.