Page 98 of The Dawn of the Cursed Queen

A group of female celestials piled out of the building, giggling about something. They held their books close, their long, flowy garbs dancing around their feet. They stopped and stared in my direction, their eyes widening in shock. I should have changed out of my armor before coming to see her, but I knew she would dart away the second she could.

“Is this why you snuck away the second we landed?”

Now it made sense why the females had stopped and why they were headed in our direction. Samkiel placed his arm on my shoulder, but I shrugged it off.

He took a step forward, taking up my peripheral. His damned silver armor was a beacon, and it was currently grabbing the attention of anything with a pulse in a mile radius.

“You followed me?” I glared at him.

He shrugged. “I was curious why you wanted to leave the briefing so soon, and now I see it’s to gawk at the junior celestials. Or maybe just a certain one in particular?”

I didn’t get a chance to answer because the female I was looking for finally exited the large study room. Her long, dark hair was tied back in a mass of twisted braids held together by a small ribbon at the bottom. She wore the same flowy white gowns as the others, but on her, she put every goddess I’d ever met to shame.

She smiled at the instructor walking beside her, speaking animatedly about runes. When she looked up and saw me, her smile turned into a sneer.

“Oh, I don’t think she likes you,” Samkiel said right as the group of celestials stopped before us.

It was all the distraction I needed. They swarmed, talking and flirting with Samkiel long enough to let me slide away. I darted past a few huddled groups, following Neverra as she practically sprinted away. She was fast. I was faster.

I stopped in front of her, cutting her off from the massive stone stairs that lead out of the auditorium and to the garden terrace floor below.

“Why are you avoiding me?” The words spilled from my lips.

She huffed and gripped her books tighter. “Why are you following me?”

“Why aren’t you talking to me anymore?”

“Are we going to play a questions game, or can I leave?”

She moved to step around me, and I blocked her again. “Logan.”

“Oh, so you do remember my name.”

That got another frustrated huff out of her. “What do you want me to say?”

“Anything, really. I thought we had fun at the gathering. Then you acted weird, and now you are avoiding me.”

“Because I know who you are.”

My head jerked back in shock as someone asked to step around us. I moved a fraction of an inch, letting them pass, but not her. “Who I am?”

“Yes, you’re Samkiel’s kingsguard, and we have heard all about you and him.” She tried to step around me again but stopped and let out a deep sigh when I countered.

“That seems almost insulting,” Samkiel said from behind her. “Do you always speak of your future king in such a tone?”

Oh gods, Cameron was right about the ego. We’d never survive.

She half turned, keeping her gaze lowered. “My apologies, my future liege. If you’d be so kind as to have your kingsguard move, I really do need to be on my way.”

“No.” He shook his head, and I nearly lost mine. Neverra’s gaze widened slightly, realizing she may have just insulted the Prince of Rashearim.

“I truly did not mean any ill intention, my future liege. It’s just that—”

“If you wish to make up for your grievances, there will be a ball in three moons. Accompany my kingsguard, and all will be forgiven.”

Her jaw went tight, but she merely forced a smile. “Yes, my prince. If that’s what you wish.”

Samkiel’s smile was downright venomous. “It is.”

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