Page 92 of Hell-Bound

Azur grazed his thumb lightly over Ren’s hand as they crossed under a massive chandelier. Ren could have wept with delight at the adornments of vurmite, which cascaded to the floor in delicate threads of crystal like dripping blood.

Yet, as impressive as the palace was, it was the music that she felt down to her bones. She knew it was for him, the king, but she felt then, on his arm, that the rumbling drums and deep notes were also praisingherstrength.

She kept her head high as she saw Devils all dressed in exquisite finery gasp, some clutching the partners tightly, as they watched their king escort a Mortal to his throne. Arriving, he let go of her arm and ascended the last steps. An attendant seemed to have been informed that Ren was inexperienced and subtly signaled for her to stand to the left.

Azur stood before his throne. It was imposing and monstrous, carved with screaming beings from Hellish, Mortal, and Fae planes. Yet the most monstrous creation on the pedestal was Azur. His red eyes scanned his subjects, stopping on a few who then bent their heads low to show subservience. His body began to pulse with power as black fumes emanated.His wings spread wide, making his form even more imposing. Ren was sure there could be nothing that matched this being’s power with his magnificent presence reflected in the awe that he inspired in every face.

As the song ended, final notes echoed throughout the chamber, each and every knee bent to their king. He waited, greedily sucking up every second of the nobility supplicant before him. The last face he met was Ren’s before he winked at her playfully and sat. The music immediately started again, and the Devils returned to their revelry.

Ren wasn’t entirely sure what her role would be now, so she just stood next to Azur, hands crossed demurely in front of her, and watched the Devils dance around the ballroom. The trend seemed to be that the female High Devils kept their wings tucked away for greater freedom of movement while their male counterparts displayed theirs proudly. The dances accommodated these differences as the females didn’t often circle the males but rather whirled in front of them. Yet, Ren preferred those who seemed to defy this conventional tradition and varied their steps to showcase both dancers’ proud display of wings.

If it hadn’t been for a swirl of smoke that began to blur her vision, she wouldn’t have realized the change in Azur. She saw his vice-like grip on his throne, and the tips of his fingers turned black as claws began to appear.

His glare was fixated on the revelry, and Xarek Wyvryn who was standing in front of his throne.

Ren held her breath, unsure if the two would attempt to rip each other’s throats out right on the ballroom floor. Azur held up a clawed hand and instantly halted the music. Every creature stopped and turned their attention towards the throne.

The two males stared each other down.

A few tense moments passed before Xarek offered a revertant bow, his wings spread wide, touching the floor.

“My king. What an honor it is to be here tonight tocelebrate the presentation of your consort. May I say how truly lovely she is.”

He looked to Ren, offering a charming smile.

Ren clenched her jaw but kept her face passive.

“Lord Wyvryn,” Azur’s voice boomed, “just the male I wished to see. Lady Eldanuer is quite fond of music. She is quite a talented musician, in fact. She has shared with me that you are a decent violinist. Is it true?”

Ren watched as Xarek’s entire body stiffened. It was a gross minimization of Xarek’s talent to call his playingdecent.It was certainly one of the most inspiring performances Ren had heard, and her heart recognized music above all else. But the game was being played, and Xarek had no choice but to comply.

“Perhaps you would play a song in her honor, Lord Wyvryn?”

Xarek’s smile did not falter.

“I’d be honored, my king,” he said, waving to a Human servant who passed him his stunning violin.

He positioned the instrument under his striking jaw and lifted the bow to hover over the delicate strings.

His eyes swung to Ren’s.

“In fact, I wrote a song for you, Renata Eldanuer.”

His pale eyes met Ren’s, and she felt the world melt away as he stroked the bow down the strings, beginning.

The first notes were elegant and melodic, almost sad, with the long and slow pulls. Ren watched as his strong hands caressed the different rivets and glided down the neck of the violin. Azur had kissed her neck, but this male understood the ways to use his fingers on an instrument which was alluring in a wholly different way. To glide and brush across with care and subtlety created the most intimate experience of all. Music. She felt her throat tighten as his song moved from a slow pace to one that built—a crescendo that grew each note as the subtle plucking of strings caused the sounds to crash together in waves of harmonic resonance.

It made Ren want to fall to her knees.

Ren’s heart stopped.

She tried to cry out but found that she couldn’t breathe, couldn’t move. Her eyes were locked on Xarek, and she noticed that he was smiling wickedly as the tempo of his song sped up.

Ren willed her body to act, her heart to begin ticking again, but it didn’t. She was paralyzed and felt her mind begin to cloud over.

She could hear the distant voice of someone—Renata?—pleading with her to run. To cover her ears. But that was such a ridiculous idea, wasn’t it? The music was so nice—so flawless in its presentation.

“Hello, Renata,” she heard a voice say in her head. “I’ve been waiting so long to talk to you. How about we have some fun, yes?”

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