Page 22 of Courting Envy
"What is your name?" I asked, hoping to make amends. I didn't want to have to walk on tiptoes with her, and if I was truly stuck here...
"Mairead." She kept her head ducked, which I was pleased about because then she couldn't see the look of shock on my face.
That name was so similar to Marie. My sister. My chest ached with missing her and I knew that I needed to find a way to contact her. Somehow. I couldn't bear the thought of her thinking I was gone forever or that I'd been killed in a senseless crime.
"That's a beautiful name," I said, trying to keep my voice even. "I'm sorry if I'm making this hard on you, but I'm not used to all of this and it's going to take some getting used to." I swallowed the lump in my throat, and my pride as well. "You can help to dress me."
"Thank you, my lady." She looked at me then, eyes brimming with unshed tears. "I will only do what you ask. Always."
"Good. I guess we should get this on then." I indicated to the dress.
Mairead lifted it, and I noticed then that there was a lot less to it than I'd initially thought. The gold was like mesh in many areas, I dropped the towel and raised my arms, letting her shimmy the fabric down my body; I guessed I wasn't wearing any underwear for this one, and I wasn't sure how I felt about that. Exposed, in so many ways.
The fabric seemed to hold my figure nicely, with more solid areas to cup my breasts and hide my butt and pubic area. It was low cut though, so the others were definitely going to get a good view. I moved towards a large mirror on the wall to inspect the way I looked and was surprised by what I saw.
I was entirely different, and yet very much the same. The horns seemed to have stopped growing now, nothing too excessive, almost like I had two unicorn horns, smooth, with a subtle curve towards the middle of my head. I kind of liked them. The dark scales on my skin shimmered in the light and contrasted so well with the gold of the dress.
"Your shoes, my lady."
I turned to Mairead and the shoes she was holding out. They weren't the heels I was expecting, but rather, golden boots with lace panels on each side.
Well, it worked for me. I didn't particularly want to be tottering around Hell in shoes I couldn't run in.
"Thank you for this," I said as I sat at the vanity to slip them on my feet.
Mairead came up behind me and started to brush out my hair. Wordlessly, she got to work, styling it into waves before twisting it up in a loose bun with a few tendrils loose. It was soft, feminine, and looked great with the dress. I kind of wished I'd had her when I was alive, because I found it much too hard to style my hair, and she'd made it look easy.
"Lovely. Our prince will be very pleased, I'm sure," she said.
I twisted my lips as I looked at myself. I didn't want to look good for him, I wanted to look good so that I could feel good. In control. Like I had some kind of power in this situation. But I was smart enough not to go voicing that to the staff, who would no doubt gossip. I had to wait until I knew more, so that I could play this game the right way. Get what I wanted.
Which was...
What were the options?
Be Lucien's trophy wife. Find some way to break free and make it back to earth, though I was demonic looking now and I didn't think there was any way to hide these horns.
Die?
Neither of those were ideal, so I had to bide my time. Play it smart, not let my stupid lust get in the way of things, and wait until the right opportunity arose.
I would get the information I needed soon enough, and then I could make a plan.
Chapter thirteen
Lucien
Mylegjiggledunderthe table and I pressed a hand against it to stop the movement. My body felt disconnected, like each part was a separate person, and none of them were communicating. What was Rava doing to me?
And where the Hell is she?
She should have been here by now, sitting by my side before the others had arrived, but there was no sign of her yet. I'd known Ragnar wouldn't have been able to keep his damn mouth shut, so it was no surprise to me that others had come along for the meal. Any reason to get into the castle, to see the beauty that they craved more than anything. Ragnar had his two offsiders, Bearand and Trint. Kyveli was here, the mistress of whispers, as we called her. I could never tell where her alliance lay, but the fact that she was here suggested it wasn't with me. Strom and Vitner, who had both been fairly loyal over the ages, though if they were talking with Ragnar, perhaps they were sick of their lot in this place. I was grateful that Slade was to my left; at least I knew he was loyal.
Some days, I yearned to be free of it all. Envy was a leech; one I couldn't seem to get away from. But if I could use Rava to finally break the curse then I could take the throne of Hell and rule over all the circles.
Like father wanted.
But did I?
