Page 29 of Ashes to Ashes

Ashe’s mind was a whirlwind of emotions, a tumultuous mix of anticipation and confusion. Her heart raced as she tried to imagine herself standing before an entire congregation of demons, her nerves thrumming with both fear and excitementat the thought. Could she really make this work? The weight of promise sat heavy on her shoulders.

She had to.

“You will go to the castle grounds,” Lily continued, gently guiding Ashe to stand up and face her. “You must describe your necklace in exquisite detail, allowing him to see it through your eyes. The moment you do, he will claim you as his mate.” Her wings fluttered around her protectively, a soft hum resonating through the room as she spoke.

Ashe nodded slowly, her heart pounding in her chest like thunderous drums. She couldn’t believe it was this simple—a kiss from Leviathan could set her free. It was worth taking the risk. “What if I fail?” She asked, already knowing what the consequences would be.

“You won’t,” Lily assured her with a reassuring touch on her shoulder. “Leviathan was entranced with you if he followed you as far as he did.” She smiled gently before adding, “And if something should happen, I will be there.”

The simple promise sent a shiver down Ashe’s spine. Lily would protect her no matter what—even if it meant risking everything herself. The angel had been by her side since she arrived in this twisted world, offering comfort and guidance whenever possible. But why help Ashe and not anyone else? A question that lingered at the back of Ashe’s mind every time they met but one she never dared to ask, but now may be her last chance.

“Why help me?”

Lily sighed. It was the first time Ashe had truly seen the angel seem put off. “You do not belong here.”

“And others do? Others who are not full of sin I mean.”

“When a creature enters this land, in any realm, that does not belong, an angel gets thrust down with them,” Lily explained solemnly. “Many of my kind do not interfere. We accept our fatefor failing to protect our charge - never revealing ourselves.” She paused, her gaze distant and pained.

Ashe’s heart raced as she listened to Lily’s explanation. The angel’s voice rang with a sense of duty, of responsibility, and a hint of regret.

“Other times, we speak out.”

A knot formed in Ashe’s stomach at the thought that Lily may have been watching over her all this time without her knowledge. Had she witnessed all of Ashe’s struggles and hardships? Had she seen her cry out in desperation for help? And yet, she remained hidden.

“And me?” Ashe asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Lily’s expression softened as she looked at Ashe. “When I saw the demon prince with you, I knew I could get you your freedom,” she revealed. A hint of shame flickered across her face. “And me mine.” Her words hung heavy in the air, filled with both sorrow and determination.

Ashe’s heart was heavy as she watched Lily, the angel she had begun to look up to, confess her imperfections with a small, sad smile. It was like seeing a marble statue suddenly reveal its cracks and flaws. But Ashe also felt a sense of relief knowing that even angels fell short at times.

“I am not. I see my chance to be free of this realm, and I want it,” Lily’s voice trembled as she finally raised her eyes to meet Ashe’s gaze. The once bright blue irises were clouded with desperation and longing. “Will you help me gain freedom for us both? Together, we can break these chains that bind us.”

“I will.” The two words echoed through the room, each syllable laden with determination and unwavering resolve.

These were not mere words, but a promise, a pledge to see it through no matter what obstacles lay ahead. And in that moment, there was no doubt in Ashe’s mind that she would free them both.

CHAPTER 16

Leviathan’s impatience swelled with every passing moment. Demoness after demoness slithered forward, their serpent-like bodies coiling around themselves as they presented their worthless descriptions of the necklace tucked safely away in his pocket. Each one seemed to drag on, their voices grating like nails on a chalkboard as they detailed the intricacies of the object. Leviathan could feel his frustration building, like a boiling cauldron ready to spill over with each passing second.

Not a single description came even remotely close to the diamond-covered pendant in his grasp.

Sixteen demon women had failed to tell him the necklace’s primary color in the last five minutes. There weren’t even enough colors in the world to continue to fail at naming the glimmering silver.

“Is this all the Realm of Envy has to offer?” he thundered, his voice echoing off the cavernous ceiling. His sharp, chiseled features contorted in a sneer as the latest contender, a wanton succubus, bowed her head and scurried away, her tail between her legs.

Leviathan let his eyes scan the throng of assembled demonesses, each one dripping with unchecked lust, gluttony, slothful complacency, and many with the very envy he desired.

He’d been correct in one thing.

His offer had pulled envy from the entire land, bringing demons from every sinful realm to pretend it could be them. Truly, Levi relished the moment he caught a whiff.

Not one of them had any idea what it was like to crave something so intensely that it consumed every waking moment, gnawing at their very being.

“Worthless imbeciles,” he spat under his breath, the words laced with venom. His hand tightened around the armrest of his ebony throne, the only outward sign of his simmering frustration. He needed that collar back where it belonged and it did not seem that anyone was the one he sought.

Leviathan’s thoughts drifted back to the one demoness who had sparked a flame of desire in his heart so intense he’d spent the last few nights sating himself in his hand while pretending it was her. Her blonde hair cascading down over her silvery-scaled shoulders, like a waterfall of sunlight in the shadows as it did when fucked her.

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