Page 73 of Hell-Bound

Azur hadn’t tried to call upon her again that night, which suited her just fine. She knew she had the upper hand and assumed the Devil was just licking the wounds he’d sustained to his insurmountable ego.

She lay in the plush bed, soaking up every ounce of comfort, knowing she’d soon return to a lumpy bed at the tower, when she heard a knock.

“Come in!” she grumbled, assuming it was Jester.

Instead, a pink Devil with matching pink hair walked in. Zelaia. She was carrying a tray of breakfast food and locked eyes on Ren, giving a knowing grin.

Well played, Azur.

She strolled over and placed the tray on her bed.

“You must be veeeery important for Lord Azur to let you sleep in here.” She looked Ren up and down.

Suddenly feeling both frustrated and insecure, Ren tried to flatten her bed-head and pull the sheets up to cover her half-naked body.

Zelaia touched her tail and wound it through her hand, reminiscent of how Azur had clasped onto her as they moved in unison.

“You’re not really Azur’s type,” she said, tilting her head as if confused. “He typically likes his lovers bigger-breasted or perhaps a male with long hair, but I guess everyone gets adventurous sometimes.”

“Did youneedsomething?” Ren snapped. “I assume you’re here to wait on me. I’m sure Azur wouldn’t want to know how subpar a job you’ve been doing.”

Zelaia ran her tongue across her sharp fangs.

“Oh, little girl. I am not here on Azur’s orders. I was just curious.”

She turned with the elegance only achievable by a Devil and sauntered out.

Ren clenched her teeth but tried to keep her feelings in check. She didn’t want to give him the satisfaction of knowing she was envious.

She kicked off the sheets and searched for her tunic and trousers, stubbornly refusing to wear the new ones Azur provided. But to her dismay, Zelaia had brought them newly laundered. She pulled them on, grumbling angrily to herself.

She settled next to the tray and popped a few pieces of fruit in her mouth, surveying the rest. There was a small bottle on the spread with red liquid and a note.

“Of all the things you finished last night, it turns out your wine wasn’t one of them. Make sure to drink it where I can hear that lovely moan again.”

All in his familiar handwriting.

She wanted to throw the damned thing across the room but knew he’d notice this wrathful action. Besides, the beautiful carpet didn’t deserve such an offense.

“Wake up caaaaaaall!!” she heard Jester yell before her door banged open and a presumably invisible Jester barged in.

She saw the sheets shift on her bed, and when he finally became visible, he was a mere inch from her face.

“Acccck!” she yelped, almost tipping off the bed.

“Reeeeen. You have a secret, don’t you?” he said in a hushed voice, dark eyes mischievous.

Her pale cheeks turned red, and her eyes widened, horror-struck.

He smiled wickedly.

“Oh, settle down! I know you weren’t with Azur lastnight. He was positively grouchy this morning! He’s never that way when he’s had a tussle in the sheets. Unless! Unless you were very,verybad.” He tilted his head, feigning curiosity and pity. “Oh, my lovely Ren! Were you very, very bad?”

She shoved his shoulder. “No! I left his pompous ass before dinner was even over.”

He surveyed her for a moment.

“Yes…I think I believe you. You’re also way too moody to have been with sexy Devil-daddy.”

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