Page 15 of Queen of the Wicked (Afterlife #1)

Alessia

A fter an entire week of training, Alessia hadn’t made any progress.

When she wasn’t in the ring training with Izara, she was inside her room practicing her breathing exercises, trying to find her power.

She could feel the rumble rolling in her gut, but she couldn’t grasp it.

She knew it was because she was afraid of it, and if what Izara said was true, Alessia would never be able to grasp her power if she maintained that mindset.

But how could she not be afraid of it? That power killed someone right at her feet. She didn’t want to grab hold of it. Being out of control again like that terrified her.

Releasing a sigh, she let Isla run the brush through her hair to get her ready for dinner. Izara had gone on a mission earlier today that she wouldn’t disclose the details of. She was good at avoiding the red aura, dodging questions while providing evasive answers.

That meant Alessia had more free time than she knew what to do with. Izara would be gone for a few days, and as much as Alessia loved her tunics and pants, getting ready like this took time and gave her someone to talk to. She’d suck it up and wear a corset and dress tonight.

“I like your hair like this,” Isla admitted. She had secured Alessia’s thick black waves into a sleek bun at the nape of her neck. This hairstyle made her look…regal. Alessia liked it, too.

“A few sparkly pins would be pretty,” Alessia suggested.

“Now I know you are just wasting time.” Isla laughed softly and rummaged through vanity drawers. “Are you that bored?”

“Yes,” she admitted. “Tell me about your life, Isla. Your life before this.”

Alessia watched as her body froze with the elaborate pins clenched in her palm. “You don’t have to tell me,” she reassured. “If it’s too much.”

With a shake of her head, Isla approached her again from behind, scanning her hairstyle to find the best placement for the pins.

“I made a lot of poor choices,” she admitted.

“Growing up, my family was not wealthy, and my brothers were keen on dealing and gambling. I moved out of the house at eighteen and started working the streets.” She secured the pins, her voice dropping an octave.

“I would do anything to obtain money, and eventually, I became linked up with some wealthy guys, and I’d steal their luxuries to go shopping, or I’d buy myself drugs…

” She tutted, disappointed by the reminder of her actions.

“There is a lot I would change if I could go back.”

Alessia didn’t know what she expected Isla to say, but it certainly wasn’t that . She assumed everyone sent to Hell were murderers, rapists, thieves… Well, technically, she supposed Isla was a thief. But Alessia could tell she was a good person.

“I was shot and killed when one of my clients caught me stealing from him,” she admitted. “Then I was sent here.”

“And how did you get this gig? I mean, I saw all of the townspeople out there, who I’m assuming were also sent here for some of the same reasons. Does coming here mean you’re repenting? Serving Erebos for the rest of eternity? How were you selected?”

“If His Majesty deems it for me to serve him for eternity, then so be it,” she said. “It could have been a lot worse for me. I am glad he gave me this opportunity. Most don’t receive it. And all of the townspeople are grateful as well.”

“So Erebos isn’t a sadist?”

Isla laughed. “You are very funny, Alessia.”

It…wasn’t a joke, but okay.

“Enough with all of the questions. We must get you ready for dinner with His Majesty.”

“Won’t Eryx be there?”

A flush crept up her neck and onto her cheeks. “Yes, the general will be attending as well.”

“And is there a reason why you’re blushing?” Alessia never noticed it before, but Isla avoided Eryx every chance she got. She would leave Alessia at the door in whatever room he was in, refusing to walk inside. She had a crush on Eryx.

“You ask too many questions,” Isla replied. Her face was as red as the sky outside. She began to tie the corset, and Alessia winced when it was tighter than usual. She probably deserved it.

“Does he know?”

“Eryx is not attainable,” Isla whispered. “Such things are not allowed here. I am a servant, and he is free.”

“Free people aren’t allowed to date servants?” Alessia made a note to ask Erebos about this later.

“As long as I am sworn to Erebos, we have pledged to forgo all things considered tempting. It is part of our process.”

“Process for what ?”

“Miss Alessia.” Isla sighed, exasperated. “It is not possible. That is all you need to know. Besides, I am far from the women Eryx normally pleasures himself with.”

Isla was a plump woman, but she was beautiful.

Her face was delicately round with flushed cheeks, and her hair was long and blond, the untamed curls flowing freely down her back.

Alessia found it hard to believe Eryx failed to see her beauty.

If he took one look into her blue-green eyes and thought she was anything less than stunning, Alessia might be concerned he was blind.

Just because Isla carried extra weight didn’t make her less beautiful or worthy.

“I’ll drop it,” Alessia conceded, “but you are exquisite , Isla, and Eryx would be a fool not to see it. ”

Isla smiled. “Just for that, I will loosen your corset.”

In the dining hall, Alessia took her seat beside Erebos.

She tried to ignore the heat of his gaze, but it was almost impossible.

She hadn’t seen him the entire week aside from these nightly dinners, and Alessia wanted to tell herself she was perfectly fine with that, but…

sitting next to him, she felt at peace. It was something she couldn’t explain.

The worries about finding their way through the pits and taking control of her power just disappeared.

In its place, she was left with this overwhelming feeling of contentment. It was a breath of fresh air.

“Alessia.” Erebos nodded in greeting with a dip of his chin. He wore a black turtleneck tonight that covered up his tattoos, and his hair was unruly, curling at the nape of his neck. Alessia had never wanted to run her fingers through it so badly.

I am pleased you like it, Erebos said smugly into her head. He covered his mouth with his hand to hide his grin.

Stay out of my head! she snapped.

It is challenging to do so when your thoughts are so intriguing. You were projecting again.

She clamped her mouth shut. Are you flirting with me?

Do you wish I were?

“Hey.” Eryx waved his hand. “I’m Eryx. Nice to meet you both.”

Alessia quirked a brow.

“Oh, I just didn’t know if you guys could see me with your silent conversation.” He patted his overcoat, feeling for his body. “Nope. I’m definitely here.”

Alessia rolled her eyes. “Hello, Eryx.” She piled roast beef and vegetables on her plate, recalling her and Isla's earlier conversation. It was time for her to do some investigating. “I had the greatest time with Isla today,” she said casually.

“Hmm?” Eryx replied. “That’s good.”

“She’s extremely witty, and also very smart. I’m growing to like her a lot, actually.”

Erebos continued to cover his mouth with his hand. Alessia knew he was in her mind and could read her thoughts, but he didn’t interrupt.

“Are you?” he asked.

Evasive, dodging asshole.

“Have you spoken to her at all?”

“In passing.”

“And do you think she’s witty?”

Eryx grunted, eyeing Erebos. “Are you going to stop this at all, or…”

“Oh, I think Alessia is doing quite well with her interrogation,” he replied, waving me on. “Continue.”

Before she could bombard him with more questions, the doors to the dining hall opened, and a guard strode forward into the room.

His dress shoes clacked against the marble, the ruby buttons of his uniform jacket shining in the chandelier's light. When he reached them, he leaned down to whisper into Erebos’s ear so quietly that not even Alessia’s newly advanced hearing could pick it up. Erebos only nodded. “Send her in. ”

When the guard took his leave, a young girl slightly younger than Alessia entered the room.

She was beautiful, with chestnut hair flowing to the middle of her waist, and long, slender legs draped in a form-fitting fine silk dress.

When she reached Erebos’s side, she curtsied deeply, her cleavage on full display for him.

Alessia didn’t like that one bit.

“Catalina,” Erebos greeted.

“Your Majesty,” she whispered seductively.

“What is the pressing issue you needed to interrupt my dinner for?”

Just at the name, that power inside Alessia began to stir.

She was the woman Erebos had slept with the other night, and Alessia had no right to feel such hatred toward her.

She didn’t know why she wanted to claw her face off when Erebos and her didn’t get along in the first place, but just the mere thought of Erebos’s hands on her, touching her, fucking her…

That power soared right to the base of her throat, begging to be unleashed.

Oh god, oh god, oh god.

Erebos stilled. “Catalina, you need to leave. Immediately.”

“Of course, Your Majesty, but I?—”

“Eryx. Take her. Now .”

Eryx, the big, sarcastic doof he usually was, rose from his chair with pure authority. The general had come out full force, and the relaxed and carefree Eryx was gone. He gripped Catalina’s arm without further prompting, but when his eyes strayed to Alessia’s…they widened.

She pleaded with that voice to leave her head—the one that took over whenever this power boiled and stirred.

Kill her.

Kill her.

Kill her.

It begged her. It itched and crawled to get out of her throat, to wrap its hands around Catalina’s delicate little throat and cut off any source of air supply. She could do it within thirty seconds. She knew, without a shadow of a doubt, she could kill that woman with a flick of her wrist.

His hands on her body wouldn’t leave her mind.

Erebos inside of her, kissing her…

Alessia shook with pure, lethal rage. The blood roared in her ears, drowning out any sound from Erebos. He tried to say something to her, but she couldn’t hear it. She didn’t want to listen to it.

And then Erebos grabbed her hand, and a swoosh of breath exhaled out of her. The breath carried her over to him, entirely outside of her body, and then she was penetrating his mind. His mental shields were down, and the images…

Alessia was sprawled out naked beneath him on a luxurious red comforter, and his head was between her thighs. He was feasting on her while his hands kneaded her bare breasts. Alessia threw her head back in pleasure, her fingers twisted in his hair.

Lust raced through her, burning into her veins and feeding that emptiness she felt she’d been looking for her entire life.

The image suddenly switched. Now Erebos had his hand wrapped around her throat, buried into her from behind.

His skin pounded against hers, and while these were just images, while she couldn’t feel him, this mental picture was enough.

It was like a cold bucket of ice water crashing against the fire in her throat.

All fucking yours, Erebos muttered into her ear as he took her deeply.

When that ice water settled… When all that remained of Alessia’s fire was steam, she shot back into her body with a loud gasp, a hand flying to her racing heart.

Erebos stared at her intently, his hand still covering her free one, not a trace of what he might be thinking. His mental shields were back up.

“I…” Alessia tried to think of something to say, but she couldn’t. “I am so sorry. I…I don’t know what came over me.” She couldn’t tell him she was jealous. It would sound absurd. They hardly knew each other. And now that they were alone in the dining hall, she felt ridiculous.

“No apologies necessary,” Erebos replied sharply, avoiding her gaze. “I shouldn’t have allowed her in. It was my mistake.”

“I don’t understand…” Alessia said. “It shouldn’t matter that she was in here. I don’t… I mean, we aren’t…”

“You don’t need to explain yourself.” He pushed his chair back, set his napkin on his plate, and gave her a tight smile. “If you’ll excuse me, I have business to attend to.”

Right. Erebos needed to catch up with Catalina and see what was so important. That fire tempted to spark again, but the memory of Erebos muttering yours as he drilled into her put that flame right out.

“Wait,” she said. Erebos froze halfway to the doors, facing away from her. “Those images… Were they yours ?”

His fists clenched and then unclenched at his sides. “I showed you what you needed to calm down,” he replied. “Have a good night, Alessia.”