Page 42 of Queen of the Wicked (Afterlife #1)
“It is different,” Elyana admitted. There was a haunted quality in her blue eyes that matched the bags beneath them. “I am still trying to adjust, but Erebos said I am free to stay here as long as I’d like.”
“He did?” She didn’t know why this was so shocking, considering Erebos had proven time and time again that he was more than capable of being nice, but she’d also learned that his courtesy was not given to many people, either.
“Yes. Erebos claimed he owed me a favor, although I insisted that wasn’t necessary.”
“A favor for what?”
Her mother smiled sadly and patted her knee.
“That is a story best saved for the lord to tell. For now, tell me about your time here. I see this realm is still running under the rules King Amos established.” She glanced around the garden, courtesy of Izara’s glamour, which was another indication of how much Erebos trusted the newcomer if he allowed her to see it.
“Yeah, the king you were the general for?” Alessia cocked a brow at the flicker of shame that flitted across her mother’s face. She tried to make her voice less accusatory, but she couldn’t help it. It hurt that she had kept that big of a secret from her. “I’ve learned a lot during my time here.”
“And I am sorry for that,” Elyana whispered. “Your mom and I told you there were things you weren’t allowed to know. That was one of them.”
“But I can now,” she replied. “I can know everything.”
“Yes. That is true.” Elyana cleared her throat, shifting uncomfortably on the bench. “What would you like to know? I will be an open book for you. ”
When she opened her mouth to ask several burning questions, gravel crunched beside them before Erebos stepped into view.
He looked exceptionally good in a long-sleeved shirt that clung to the muscles she had felt with her powers just last week.
The memory made her body prickle with desire, urging her to do it again when she quickly remembered that she still hadn’t learned mental shields.
Thankfully, he remained true to his word and respected her privacy, but he didn’t need to brush against Alessia’s mind to know she was thinking of undressing him, judging by the way his lips did that twitching thing they did whenever he tried to hide his amusement.
“I see you have found your surprise,” he said. His onyx eyes filled with warmth, a shade above black that could almost be considered hazel. “It is good to see you again, Elyana.”
“Your Majesty.” Rising from the bench, she bowed at the waist. “Thank you for accommodating me and going to such lengths to reunite us. I will forever be in your debt.”
Erebos shook his head as if her offer were ridiculous. “That is unnecessary,” he replied. “Consider us even now.”
When her mother flashed him a warm smile, Alessia felt fresh, unshed tears line her eyes all over again at how much she missed it—how she thought she’d never see it again. “As you wish. Is there something you need from me?”
“I was hoping you would like to join me for lunch.” At Alessia’s expectant gaze, he added, “Both of you.”
She didn’t know why his offer to host them both for lunch had her swooning when it was a simple gesture, but it felt much more intimate since it was her mother whom the lord was so kind to.
Since their kiss, their connection seemed to strengthen with each passing day.
It was like she counted down the seconds now until they could be alone again, and?—
“Shall we?” he asked. “Or if you’d prefer to have an afternoon alone with each other, we can always reschedule for tomorrow.”
“Now is fine,” Alessia blurted. Although she had appreciated his distance over the past week, allowing her to process what the Seeker had said, she missed being around him.
When he was near, her body buzzed excitedly, and she couldn’t stop herself from slipping her arm through his.
It caught him off guard, his mouth opening and closing as he tried to think of something to say.
In seconds, the familiar scent of cherries wafted between them.
She couldn't tell whether it was of her own volition or his, but she didn’t care anymore.
The smell made her feel lightheaded and giddy, a cage of butterflies set free in her stomach when he smiled down at her.
It was addictive, this feeling she got around him.
A stray curl fell into his eyes, so Alessia brushed it back into place.
“That is very kind of you to offer,” Elyana said. When Alessia could finally drag her attention away from the lord, she found her mother fighting back a grin with slightly raised eyebrows. “The scent?—”
“Has not been discussed yet,” Erebos finished for her.
A silent conversation seemed to pass between them before Elyana eventually gave him a curt nod of understanding.
It only had Alessia sighing in frustration when so much was still being hidden from her.
Erebos claimed she wasn’t ready to know the truth, but when would she be?
Would she ever be capable of handling the secrets of the realm?
Erebos led them not toward the castle but to a picnic sprawled out on the lush green grass beside the corn field.
“I thought it would be best to give you a taste of home,” he explained.
Elyana remained a respectful distance behind them, seeming to take in every detail of the glamour Izara had created.
“Thank you for this, Erebos,” Alessia breathed. “I can’t express my gratitude enough.”
“You already have,” he replied. “Seeing your reaction makes all the effort it took to find your mother worth it.” He flicked her nose, just as he had done in the pits. “Your smile is breathtaking.”
That only caused her to smile harder, ducking her head to avoid his blatant admiration.
With her mother behind them, she didn’t know what she was allowed to speak on, so instead, she brushed against his mind, which opened for her without complaint.
We have a lot to discuss, she said. About what happened in the pits.
What part, Alessia?
Her cheeks were on fire, but she wasn’t about to act embarrassed about what happened.
Besides, teasing the Lord of Hell a little would be fun.
See how much she could rile him up. The part where I straddled you, she whispered into his mind with a sultry, feminine drawl.
When you sucked my nipples and I was seconds away from reaching into your pants to ? —
Careful, Little Mortal, he warned with a tone that sent a lightning strike between her thighs. I am not opposed to canceling this picnic so we can find something far more entertaining to do with our time.
You wouldn’t do that. Not when you’re trying to make a good impression on my mother.
I am the Lord of Hell, Alessia. You will find that I don’t feel the need to impress anyone, especially when your mind is running rampant with dirty thoughts.
You underestimate how high your pleasure falls on my list of priorities, especially in that dress.
His gaze dipped to the way the bodice hugged her chest, and since she was already in his mind, she could see the images of her bare breasts filter through his thoughts.
It was downright sinful, and temptation had never been so unfair.
When they reached the picnic and Alessia saw a vase of corathins neatly in the basket, she gave up all hope of keeping things between them strictly cordial. The truth was, she was falling for the Lord of Hell, and she was tired of fighting it.
Am I allowed to touch you in front of others in this realm, or is that considered an act of temptation? she asked. I don’t want to go against the rules.
I make the rules in this realm, Alessia. You never have to ask to touch me.
With his approval in mind, Alessia sat beside Erebos on the checkered blanket. While her mother told him stories from her childhood, the lord was fascinated the entire time, seemingly hanging onto each word Elyana spoke as if drinking in every detail of Alessia he could that made her who she was.
So, Alessia didn’t overthink it when she interlaced their fingers, didn’t overthink it when Erebos inhaled sharply from the contact, didn’t overthink it when he rubbed his thumb across her hand the longer they sat, their chemistry so natural it felt too good to be true.
Revealing stories of her past and speaking about her mom for the first time in weeks without crying, there wasn’t the pressure of the harbinger weighing her down, and the weight of being the Lord of Hell didn’t seem to exist for him either.
Those burning questions still needed to be asked, and an alliance still needed to be formed, but today, beneath the glow of the red sun, they were happy.
And that, she decided, was all that mattered.