Page 44 of Ashes to Ashes

Together, they ascended the concrete staircase out front, their footsteps barely making any sound. The silence of the house weighed heavily on her, unnerving in its stillness. Ashe’s heart pounded in anticipation and trepidation, the memories of her past life threatening to overwhelm her. Not all memories here had been happy, but she’d been normal and thought human.

Ashe’s heart pounded, and her breathing quickened. She was back. Not just in her old home, but in her old life. She had thought she would never see it again. Her fingers clenched and unclenched as she followed Leviathan through the front door, her boots clicking against the marble floors. Her eyes darted around, taking in the same high ceilings, elegant chandeliers, and grandiose furniture that once filled her with awe. Now it filled her with a strange mixture of nostalgia and resentment.

She remembered days long gone when she’d run through these halls as a child, laughing with friends and dreaming of adifferent life than the one that awaited her. It made for an eerie juxtaposition against the fierce power of Leviathan’s presence. His every step echoing through the mansion like thunderous applause as they made their way deeper inside.

The foyer opened up into an expansive living room filled with expensive furniture and priceless artwork; oil paintings of royalty hung from walls adorned with gold leafing. But something was off about it all. . . too clean, too sterile compared to how she remembered it. A maid hurriedly went about dusting off furniture that didn’t need it.

It was like time had stood still since she left.

Ashe swallowed hard as Leviathan led her further into the house, calling out for anyone who might be around. Together, their footsteps echoed through grand halls filled with crystal chandeliers and marble floors shining like mirrors underfoot.

She paused at the doorway to her old room, hand trembling on the knob before pushing it open slowly. Stepping over the threshold felt like stepping into another world entirely. Memories flooded her senses, washing over her like a tidal wave of emotions. The canopy bed still stood there, its mahogany headboard gleaming under dusty sheets; books lined shelves filled with tomes she once devoured; even the dresser she shared with her sister remained untouched by time. Ashe took a few tentative steps forward, feeling as if walking on the hallowed ground now occupied by ghosts from another era.

“Come, let’s find that bitch that made you mine. I’m torn between letting you destroy her and thanking her for her greed and stupidity.”

Her heart skipped a beat at the bold declaration, catching her off guard. The last thing she should want was to be owned by this demon, yet a strange desire stirred within her. She felt drawn to him, inexplicably and irresistibly. A dangerous thrillcoursed through her veins as she contemplated the forbidden possibilities of giving in to his possession.

“I know that look,” his lips twisted into a wicked smile. “You think of my touch.”

She immediately blanked out her expression, not wanting the prince to have a hold over her. “You know nothing about me.”

“Oh no?” Leviathan’s hand clasped around her wrist, tugging her against him in a breath. “I know that you are the most beautiful creature—human and demon—I’ve ever seen. I know that I spent more time than I care to admit wrapped up in thoughts of bringing a smile to your lips that had nothing to do with pleasure and everything to do with hating the way you looked with Belial.” his lips trailed down the column of her neck. “I know that when this is done, I will spend all eternity ensuring you are the envy of all with the powers that come with it.”

Ashe’s breath caught in her throat as Leviathan’s lips trailed down her neck, his words sending shivers down her spine. She tried to ignore the warmth that spread through her body at the thought of being adored and desired by a demon prince, but it was becoming increasingly difficult.

“You hated Belial?” she asked, unable to hide the surprise in her voice. She’d assumed he enjoyed the high lord.

Leviathan pulled away slightly, his piercing blue eyes meeting hers with a wicked glint. “I wouldn’t say hate,” he said with a smirk. “But let’s just say there’s been some tension between us as he often felt he could drive more envy than I could.”

Ashe couldn’t help but feel intrigued by this revelation. She had always assumed that Belial was just another one of Leviathan’s minions, following his every command without question. But it seemed their relationship had been much more complicated than that.

“And what makes you think I would want to be yours?” Ashe asked, trying to keep her voice steady despite the turmoil inside of her.

“Because I can give you things that no human or even other demon could ever dream of,” Leviathan replied confidently. “Power beyond your wildest imagination, wealth beyond measure. . . and love.” He paused for a moment, his gaze softening. “I may not be able to offer you a happy ending like those fairy tales you humans love so much, but I can promise you passion and devotion until the end of time.”

Ashe found herself tempted by his words, wanting nothing more than to surrender herself completely to him and bask in the glory and pleasure he promised. But she also knew that giving into him meant betraying everything she stood for and becoming something she never wanted to be.

“I need time,” she finally said, pulling away from him gently.

“Of course,” Leviathan nodded understandingly. “Take all the time you need. But just know that I will be waiting.” His eyes shifted as a sound came from down the hall. “Come then, I think I’ve proven my point.”

Leviathan strode through the halls with a commanding presence, his body nearly touching the walls from his sheer size as he moved. Ashe followed, her red hair swaying behind her like a silken waterfall as she walked on the plush carpet. They navigated through the labyrinthine mansion, their footsteps echoing off the high ceilings and marble floors. The scent of lavender and rosemary filled the air, mingling with the musty smell of neglect. He stopped before a door adorned with gold leaves and raised a hand to knock before pushing it open without waiting for permission.

Inside was a library lined with leather-bound books that smelled of aged paper and whiskey. The room was dimly lit by stained glass windows casting eerie shadows across the shelvesand tables. A gust of wind blew in from an open window, causing pages to flip erratically in protest. Ashe’s eyes flickered over the titles she once read avidly, feeling an old longing stir within her chest.

“Ashe?” A familiar voice called out, breaking the silence.

Ashe turned to see her stepmother standing behind a mahogany desk near one wall. She was somehow older but still strikingly beautiful compared to others her age. Ashe’s heart pounded against her chest at the sight of her stepmother. At the woman who sold her into slavery for reasons Ashe still did not understand.

“You’ve returned,” she spat out bitterly, glaring at Leviathan by default. “How is that even possible?”

The demon prince narrowed his eyes at this response, taking quick strides toward her until they were face-to-face.

“Because the prince of the realm took an interest in her.”

Ashe couldn’t even enjoy the words as the malicious smile she knew far too well curved over her stepmother’s lips.

The sun streaming in through the window cast a golden hue on her face, emphasizing every line and wrinkle, but it did little to diminish her beauty. Her once-cherished stepmother seemed ageless despite the time that had passed. “I don’t understand,” she managed, voice shaking.

---