Page 27 of Queen of the Wicked
That meant Alessia had more free time than she knew what to do with. Izara would be gone for a few days, and as much as Alessia loved her tunics and pants, getting ready like this took time and gave her someone to talk to. She’d suck it up and wear a corset and dress tonight.
“I like your hair like this,” Isla admitted. She had secured Alessia’s thick black waves into a sleek bun at the nape of her neck. This hairstyle made her look…regal. Alessia liked it, too.
“A few sparkly pins would be pretty,” Alessia suggested.
“Now Iknowyou are just wasting time.” Isla laughed softly and rummaged through vanity drawers. “Are you that bored?”
“Yes,” she admitted. “Tell me about your life, Isla. Your life before this.”
Alessia watched as her body froze with the elaborate pins clenched in her palm. “You don’t have to tell me,” she reassured. “If it’s too much.”
With a shake of her head, Isla approached her again from behind, scanning her hairstyle to find the best placement for the pins. “I made a lot of poor choices,” she admitted. “Growing up, my family was not wealthy, and my brothers were keen on dealing and gambling. I moved out of the house at eighteen and started working the streets.” She secured the pins, her voice dropping an octave. “I would do anything to obtain money, and eventually, I became linked up with some wealthy guys, and I’d steal their luxuries to go shopping, or I’d buy myselfdrugs…” She tutted, disappointed by the reminder of her actions. “There is a lot I would change if I could go back.”
Alessia didn’t know what she expected Isla to say, but it certainly wasn’t that.She assumed everyone sent to Hell were murderers, rapists, thieves… Well, technically, she supposed Islawasa thief. But Alessia could tell she was a good person.
“I was shot and killed when one of my clients caught me stealing from him,” she admitted. “Then I was sent here.”
“And how did you get this gig? I mean, I saw all of the townspeople out there, who I’m assuming were also sent here for some of the same reasons. Does coming here mean you’re repenting? Serving Erebos for the rest of eternity? How were you selected?”
“If His Majesty deems it for me to serve him for eternity, then so be it,” she said. “It could have been a lot worse for me. I am glad he gave me this opportunity. Most don’t receive it. And all of the townspeople are grateful as well.”
“So Erebosisn’ta sadist?”
Isla laughed. “You are very funny, Alessia.”
It…wasn’t a joke, but okay.
“Enough with all of the questions. We must get you ready for dinner with His Majesty.”
“Won’t Eryx be there?”
A flush crept up her neck and onto her cheeks. “Yes, the general will be attending as well.”
“And is there a reason why you’re blushing?” Alessia never noticed it before, but Isla avoided Eryx everychance she got. She would leave Alessia at the door in whatever room he was in, refusing to walk inside. She had acrushon Eryx.
“You ask too many questions,” Isla replied. Her face was as red as the sky outside. She began to tie the corset, and Alessia winced when it was tighter than usual. She probably deserved it.
“Does he know?”
“Eryx is not attainable,” Isla whispered. “Such things are not allowed here. I am a servant, and he is free.”
“Free people aren’t allowed to date servants?” Alessia made a note to ask Erebos about this later.
“As long as I am sworn to Erebos, we have pledged to forgo all things considered tempting. It is part of our process.”
“Process forwhat?”
“Miss Alessia.” Isla sighed, exasperated. “It is not possible. That is all you need to know. Besides, I am far from the women Eryx normally pleasures himself with.”
Isla was a plump woman, but she was beautiful. Her face was delicately round with flushed cheeks, and her hair was long and blond, the untamed curls flowing freely down her back. Alessia found it hard to believe Eryx failed to see her beauty. If he took one look into her blue-green eyes and thought she was anythinglessthan stunning, Alessia might be concerned he was blind. Just because Isla carried extra weight didn’t make her less beautiful or worthy.
“I’ll drop it,” Alessia conceded, “but you areexquisite, Isla, and Eryx would be a foolnot to see it.”
Isla smiled. “Just for that, I will loosen your corset.”
In the dining hall,Alessia took her seat beside Erebos. She tried to ignore the heat of his gaze, but it was almost impossible. She hadn’t seen him the entire week aside from these nightly dinners, and Alessia wanted to tell herself she was perfectly fine with that, but…sitting next to him, she felt at peace. It was something she couldn’t explain. The worries about finding their way through the pits and taking control of her power just disappeared. In its place, she was left with this overwhelming feeling of contentment. It was a breath of fresh air.
“Alessia.” Erebos nodded in greeting with a dip of his chin. He wore a black turtleneck tonight that covered up his tattoos, and his hair was unruly, curling at the nape of his neck. Alessia had never wanted to run her fingers through it so badly.
