Page 20 of Ashes to Ashes

What if my life had been like this?

She’d always known her father had money before her stepmother ferreted it all away, and being surrounded by such splendor wasn’t enough for her to envy those who had it; she wanted to take back what had been stolen from her.

Belial was dead and gone, but there had to be another Crossroads Demon she could find and make a deal with, ensuring her father never met her stepmother. This entire painful ordeal could be avoided by making sure they never crashed into that woman’s carriage.

Ashe excused herself from the red demoness and walked through the crowded ballroom, her eyes scanning the room for any familiar faces. But the only face she truly wanted to see was the prince’s. Now more than ever, she needed to secure her kissand leave this realm before the armor she wore in the guise of a demon somehow came undone.

CHAPTER 11

It would all pan out tonight. Leviathan chuffed at the delicious waves of envy washing over him despite him not yet reaching the ballroom.

Every precise detail, every spec of magic, nothing had been spared. And while the king may not have accepted his invitation, Leviathan did not need King Lucifer to ensure he reigned supreme in his realm.

And you don’t need a certain redheaded human.

Leviathan stopped in his tracks, his mind suddenly consumed by thoughts of Ashe. Even with all the preparations for the ball swirling around him, she was still on his mind every waking moment since he last saw her.

He couldn’t help but wonder if she thought of him as well—or if she even remembered their brief encounter with the torture she no doubt underwent. But one thing was for certain, he couldn’t shake the feeling that she had somehow left a lasting impression on him. A human with the power to draw a demon’s thoughts was not uncommon, but a prince was above such temptations.

Ashe was a fleeting obsession left to drive him mad with envy of his own.

He shook the image of her fiery red hair off - tonight was about envy of him and his realm. He would see to it that he never thought of her again.

As he entered the ballroom, all eyes turned to him. The women gazed at him with envy, whispering behind their fans while the men shifted uncomfortably in their tailored suits. The orchestra played a lively waltz, but the sound was muffled by the buzz of conversation. Suddenly, a loud bang echoed through the room as the heavy doors slammed shut behind him, causing a hush to fall over the crowd.

“And so, you are here,” he lifted his arms in a grand gesture as a devious smile slipped over his lips. All eyes on him were everything he needed to feed on their envy. Like a vulture, he fed off their emotions, reveling in the power it gave him.

“Enjoy this night! Tomorrow, Terra Daemoniums will be abuzz discussing this. Discussing all of you and my rule. So, indulge, enjoy—and remember who created this night!”

Resplendent cries of delight pierced the air, and Leviathan closed his eyes for a moment, allowing the sound to wash over him. It was like a wave crashing against the shore, forceful and overwhelming. His ears filled with the echoes of the cry, drowning out all other sounds. He could almost feel the vibrations of the cry reverberating through his body. As it faded away, he opened his eyes again, feeling both relieved and haunted by the powerful emotion that had just passed through him.

The room returned to its reverie, which meant it was his turn to walk amongst them and revel in their praise.

Leviathan’s eyes darted through the crowd of demons and dream creatures, his mind on conquest and victory. He inhaled deeply, his nose filling with the scent of burning desire and lust in the air—a heady concoction that made his heart race. The music grew louder as he stepped into the grand ballroom,its notes weaving an enchanting spell around him. His black wings brushed against the silken walls, leaving trails of soot in their wake. The candles flickered like wildfire as he walked past, casting shadows that danced on the marble floors.

His sharp gaze roamed across the room, picking out each subject with expert precision. He stopped short at the sight of a woman standing near the punch bowl, her silver scales glistening in the soft light of a nearby candelabra.

Her long, pale, almost white hair was braided into an intricate style that cascaded down her back like a waterfall, each tendril begging to be touched and tasted. His eyes traced her luscious curves that were more compelling on this demon than on any demon he’d ever seen, giving her a sinful allure. She turned towards him, revealing stunning emerald eyes that seemed to pierce straight through him.

It was if she was created just for him, made from the very essence of temptation and envy itself.

The music swelled, growing louder still, and Leviathan found himself drawn to her like a moth to flame. She moved with such passion that it made his blood boil. Her hips swayed suggestively, her body language one of pure sensuality. Every step she took sent ripples through the crowd, causing whispers to echo through the room. He could almost taste their envy on his tongue - it was bitter and bitterly sweet all at once.

His gaze locked onto hers as she glided closer, and for a moment, time seemed to stand still. Their eyes met, and for the briefest of moments, they shared an understanding—one that both terrified and exhilarated him. There was something about this woman that went beyond what he could comprehend; she held power over him in ways he couldn’t begin to understand.

His feet swept him across the ballroom closer to her, even as his every thought focused on her.

“You,” he murmured, extending his hand towards her. “Dance with me.”

She looked up at him warily, no doubt taking in his majestic form with wary eyes. His wings unfurled slightly behind him, casting dark shadows on the walls as he moved closer to her. A single finger beckoned her closer, this mystery demoness. She nodded once in submission before moving to him.

Leviathan stayed waiting, something in him remembering who he truly was and that she would come to him.

Her scent was sweet but not overpowering. It lingered on his tongue like honey on freshly baked bread, making him crave her even more desperately than before. It was forbidden for a demon prince to covet something they couldn’t have—yet there she was, standing tall and proud amidst an array of beautiful creatures who would do anything for his attention. . . and she had all of it.

His heart raced at the sight of her. She was utter perfection personified. . . and he had to have her on his arm tonight if he wanted any hope of being spoken about in whispers for weeks after this event.

She stopped before him, even more stunning up close, but she did not curtsey. Any other time, he would have been infuriated. With this demon, Leviathan assumed she was ignorant of who he was as he’d never seen her before.

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