Page 17 of Ashes to Ashes

Belial.

He wondered if Belial would bring her as his prized possession. A shiver rushed through him at the idea of her being here in his palace.

Leviathan left the comfort of the study, his wings crashing against a servant as he moved through the hall. He hadn’t felt the connection but did hear the smallthumpagainst the leathery surface of his wings. His mind was too focused, too fixated on Ashe here, a human where only demons belonged.

Humans were not meant to be in Terra Daemoniums, yet many often were—brought by demons for their own ends.

Leviathan’s thoughts raced as he made his way toward the grand hall where the feast would take place. He would visualize the space to take his mind off the human.

There was no space for the toxic emotion of envy to take root in Leviathan’s mind. His entire being was consumed with the single-minded focus of capturing the envy of others, not indulging in the fleeting notion that a mere mortal could satisfy his insatiable desires. He could feel the urge swirling within him, like a raging sea ready to consume anything in its path. But he knew better than to give into it, to lose himself in the dangerous game of coveting what others had. For Leviathan, envy was a weapon to be wielded, not a weakness to be succumbed to.

CHAPTER 9

Ashe’s footsteps echoed off the narrow walls of the corridor as she quickened her pace. Her heart pounded against her ribcage, and she struggled to catch her breath. Sweat beaded inside her clenched fists as she navigated through the maze-like hallways, searching for an escape, this time from the inhabitants.

She had managed to fend off three lecherous demons that morning, their grotesque forms and putrid stench making her stomach churn. Their yellowed claws reached for her as they vied for a chance to claim her as their own, their hungry gazes filled with lust and malice. They held no semblance of a human visage and would surely haunt her dreams far more than any of Belial’s cruel beatings ever could.

Fearing for her life, she’d made a run for it, abandoning the task of peeling potatoes, which had been far kinder than she’d anticipated after Belial’s attack the day before.

Wrapped in tattered rags, she tried in vain to shrink into the shadows, praying that her plain ring would continue to work its magic, masking her extraordinary features from prying eyes. She would forever be grateful to Lily, but she had to wonder if thiswas not the proper course of action. Could the angel not have given her the gift of beauty upon reaching the prince?

Ashe pressed her back against the cold, rough stone wall, desperately trying to slow her rapid breathing. Every inhale burned in her chest, aching for oxygen. She knew she wouldn’t be able to defend herself if someone were to attack her in this state. Her body was weak and trembling, but she fought to control her panic and steady her breaths. The air around her seemed thick with tension as if every sound could betray her presence. Her mind raced with thoughts of escape and survival, but she forced herself to stay still and quiet against the wall. She couldn’t let fear consume her - not yet. She needed to get through the days and ensure the next time Leviathan came, she seduced him the way he’d nearly done to her.

A rush of blood filled her head, drowning out any other sound, until she realized she heard the ominous echo of footsteps approaching. A chill spread through her body, sending shivers down her spine and causing her breath to catch in her throat, completely undoing her attempt to breathe easier. It was as if the very air around her had turned to ice, a frozen stillness enveloping her in fear. Her blood ran ice-cold as she recognized the heavy footsteps. Only one person in the castle walked with such a stride.

Belial.

She did not turn, did not need to know without a doubt that Belial strode toward her.

“You will face me,” he barked, forgoing his pet name for her almost as if he did not know who hid in the hallway.

Ashe tried to conceal the worry she knew showed on her face as she turned to Belial. His jet-black hair was slicked back from his chiseled features, and bits of flesh and splashes of blood clung to his dark beard. His cold, calculating green eyes displayed a hunger that made her skin crawl.

The stench of violence and death clung to him, mingling with the metallic scent of fresh blood. His physical presence seemed to press in on her as he loomed over her, towering over her tiny frame like a dark shadow.

His voice rumbled low in his throat, sending shivers down her spine despite the heat that radiated off his body. “You are exquisite tonight, my pet,” he purred.

Ashe swallowed back the bile rising in her throat at his words but knew better than to show any signs of fear or revulsion—it only amused him further. He’d never commented on her appearance before.

Remaining still as a statue under his gaze, she prayed she could hold on to her blank look. Her chest rose and fell rapidly as she struggled for breath, each ragged intake filled with anticipation and dread at what was about to happen next based on how the other demons behaved.

The air around them crackled with tension, charged by their mutual hatred and disdain for one another.

His blackened fingernails tapped restlessly against the handle of the blade he held, a sickening sound filling the air as he licked his lips.

“You’re even more beautiful than the last time I saw you, I wonder if you are even still you.” his voice dripped with sadistic pleasure.

Ashe’s heart raced as she met his gaze, his red gaze reflecting the torchlight that flickered above them. The fire cast dancing shadows across his demonic form. Horns protruded from his head, wings sprouting from his back like twisted darkness itself. Belial was so like the demon prince, yet every part of him repulsed Ashe.

A single clawed finger reached out towards her cheek, and Ashe flinched away before realizing it. Something about him made it impossible not to react defensively.

His hand stopped midair before dropping back down to his side in frustration. “You know you can’t escape me,” he snarled through clenched teeth, taking another step closer. And even if you could find a way. . . there’s no one here who’d take care of you.”

His words were like poison, seeping into her mind as he circled around until they stood face-to-face once more. His breath was hot against her neck, sending a chill through - not from arousal but from dread and revulsion mixed together into an unholy cocktail.

If he touches you, let him. The disgusting thought came from a need to survive. She would live with the consequences so long as she lived to secure a kiss from Leviathan.

Belial’s hands moved to her face, and he roughly turned her head towards him. His kiss landed on her neck. He didn’t stop there, biting down hard enough to make her gasp in pain as his sharp teeth that may as well have been fangs pierced her skin.

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