How I Married KING Of HELL

Chains of Loyalty

Chapter 8

Emily sat on the edge of her bed, her body still trembling from the encounter with the souls of the damned. Their hollow eyes haunted her thoughts, and the weight of what she had done—what she now controlled—pressed down on her like a suffocating cloak. The power she had unlocked was unlike anything she had ever imagined, and though Lucien seemed pleased, the cold fear still gripped her heart.

There was a knock at the door, breaking through her spiraling thoughts. It opened, and the woman with the golden eyes—her shadow, her guide through Hell—stepped inside. The woman's gaze was unreadable as she walked silently to the center of the room.

"You called them, didn't you?" the woman asked, her voice a soft murmur.

Emily met her gaze, nodding slowly. "Lucien made me. He said I had to."

The woman's lips pressed into a thin line. "Lucien pushes you toward power. But be careful. The deeper you go, the more you risk losing yourself."

Emily's stomach twisted. She had already felt the pull of the darkness, the strange allure of commanding the souls of the damned. But she didn't want to lose herself to it, to become just another pawn in Lucien's twisted game. "I don't want to become like him," Emily whispered. "I don't want this power to consume me."

The woman moved closer, her voice low and urgent. "That's why you must be careful. The power Lucien offers is seductive, but it comes with a price. He will never stop pushing you, Emily. He wants to mold you into something you were never meant to be."

Emily felt a chill run down her spine. "Then what am I supposed to do? I can't defy him."

The woman's golden eyes flickered, and for the first time, Emily saw a hint of something like compassion in them. "You're stronger than you think. But you must find allies. There are those in Hell who do not want Lucien to remain king. You may not be able to defy him alone, but together... things could change."

Emily's heart raced. The woman had hinted at rebellion before, but now she was speaking plainly, offering a way out—a way to fight back. But the thought of going against Lucien was terrifying. He wasn't just powerful; he was relentless. And if he ever suspected her disloyalty...

"How do I even know I can trust you?" Emily asked, her voice laced with doubt.

The woman's expression softened slightly, her voice barely above a whisper. "Because I was once like you. I thought I could survive by doing as Lucien commanded, but I was wrong. I've lived through the consequences of his rule, and I don't want to see the same happen to you."

Emily's heart clenched. The woman had always been cold and distant, but now, she saw something more—something like regret. Was this woman, too, trapped in Lucien's grasp, trying to find a way out? The thought sent a wave of sympathy through Emily.

"I don't know if I can," Emily said, her voice trembling. "I'm still learning how to control all of this. And Lucien... he watches me constantly."

The woman's gaze hardened with determination. "You don't have to do it alone. There are others—beings older than Lucien, who were cast aside when he took the throne. If you can find them, they will stand with you."

Emily swallowed hard. The idea of seeking out these ancient beings was terrifying, but it was also the only hope she had of breaking free from Lucien's control. But how would she even find them? And how could she trust them?

"I'll help you," the woman said, as if reading her thoughts. "But you must be discreet. Lucien can't suspect anything. He believes you are loyal to him. You must keep it that way."

Emily nodded, her heart pounding. She didn't know if she could pull this off—didn't know if she was strong enough to deceive Lucien, to find allies, to fight back against the King of Hell. But she had to try. If she didn't, she would be lost, swallowed by the darkness that was already creeping into her soul.

"I'll do it," Emily said, her voice steady despite the fear gnawing at her. "But where do I start?"

The woman's golden eyes glinted in the dim light of the room. "There is a place deep within Hell's wilderness, far from the flames and the cities. It's called the Abyss of Shadows, where the old ones were cast. That's where you'll find them."

Emily's pulse quickened. The Abyss of Shadows. It sounded like a place of nightmares, but if it held the key to challenging Lucien, she would have to face it.

"When do I go?" she asked.

The woman stepped back, her expression cautious. "Not yet. You must wait for the right moment, when Lucien is distracted. He will not let you leave the palace so easily."

Emily nodded, the weight of the task settling heavily on her shoulders. This wasn't going to be easy, and every step would be dangerous. But she had made her choice. She wouldn't let Lucien consume her, wouldn't let herself be shaped into the dark queen he wanted her to become.

The woman turned toward the door, pausing before she left. "Remember, Emily—trust no one except those who share your cause. Hell is full of spies, and Lucien's reach is long."

Emily watched as the door closed behind the woman, her mind racing. The Abyss of Shadows, ancient beings, rebellion... it was all too much to take in. But deep down, a spark of hope flickered. For the first time since arriving in Hell, she wasn't completely powerless. She had a choice, a path forward, and though it was fraught with danger, it was the only way to reclaim herself.

But as she lay back on her bed, staring up at the dark stone ceiling, she couldn't shake the feeling that Lucien already suspected something. His eyes had been different lately—sharper, more calculating. And if he found out what she was planning...

Emily's stomach churned. She had to be careful. One wrong move, and everything would fall apart. And in Hell, there was no forgiveness for betrayal.