Page 32 of Courting Envy
"We all know that you're coming into your power too. The way you made the light change?” He raised his eyebrows and shook his head, clearly impressed. “That was incredible. You, my queen, are going to be the most powerful being in this place in no time at all."
I sighed, trying not to let it show that the words bothered me. As much as I was doing my best to get my head around the fact that this was my new life, I was still having a hard time letting go of my past. The future I’d imagined for myself.
My sister.
"You look sad, my queen. Is something bothering you?" Ragnar’s tone was so gentle, as was the hand he placed on arm.
I glanced over my shoulder to see how far behind Reon was. Could he still hear us? It felt daft to admit my feelings to a virtual stranger, but then, they were all strangers here.
"I just miss my old life, my sister mostly. I hate thinking that she's on her own up there, that something might happen to her and I can't help her."
Ragnar frowned. "I can imagine that must be hard. My family is here and I'd do anything to protect them."
"Then you understand," I said, turning to face him. "You get it."
"I do." Now it was him who glanced to where Reon stood guard. Ragnar leaned in closer, his breath shifting tendrils of my hair. "You can get back to Earth, through the portal. It will take you to the depths, and it's not far from there."
I frowned, confused about why Ragnar was so willing to offer me this information. Hurt that Lucien hadn't.
"Really?" I whispered back, stepping in a little closer.
"That is the way we go." He nodded and then his demeanor changed again, shifting back to the General of the army. "Shall we go and see the armory now?"
I shook my head, unable to get my mind off the information that he’d just told me. My heart raced, and I needed to go, now, before anyone could stop me. "Not today, Ragnar. I'm sorry, I just need to... My head. It's all of a sudden started hurting. I think that the demonic changes are taking a toll." I raised a hand to my temple and rubbed it, though I wasn't sure he would be convinced by my terrible acting. Surely, he’d see right through it and know exactly what I intended to do.
But would he pass that information to Lucien?
Ragnar bowed his head to me. "I'll take my leave then, and you take care."
Were those words a warning? Or simply a wish that I would feel better soon?
"Thank you. And later, I will take you up on your offer of a tour, if you're still up for it."
"Naturally, my queen. And," he paused. "I hope you get some news about your sister soon."
Chapter nineteen
Rava
Icouldn'tgetbackto my rooms fast enough; I walked ahead, trying so hard not to look like I was in a rush but wishing the distance between the garden and my rooms would disappear. I still had no idea how I was going to slip away from my guards – Reon, in particular – and make my way to the portal. There was no way in, well, here, that he was going to approve of this particular mission.
But I knew I had to go. Ragnar had told me how to get back, and I was damn well going to give it my best shot. I’d never been down from the city into the rest of the circle; wasn’t really ready to witness the torture of human souls. I could only hope that the path to the portal didn’t take me directly through them.
Or perhaps with my magic, I could make my own path.
Lucien's words played in my head, was he lying that the curse had to be broken first? Or was he just trying to keep me here?
Right now, it didn't matter who was lying and who was telling the truth. All that mattered was Marie. I could feel that she was in pain. I'd always been able to tell when something was going wrong, and the way that she’d disappeared after my last show with only a vague text message had left me concerned. I'd had no time to call and ask her what was going on because Darren had rushed me to get ready and meet the patrons.
It was my biggest regret from that night.
Aside from managing to go home with a prince of hell...
Still, I couldn't seem to hold rage against Lucien over that either. The connection between us had been electrifying from the moment our gaze had met, undeniable. There had never been any doubt that I'd let him take me home, let him do whatever he wanted to me. It just hadn't occurred to me thatthiswas what he might want.
"Reon?" I asked, slowing my pace so that he would be forced alongside me, rather than behind.
"Rava."
