Page 15 of Courting Envy
“Lucien,” I replied, straightening my shoulders and lifting my chin.
“It is time to return to the castle. We will dine a little later, but there will be snacks for you in your room. You must be famished.” He seemed so caring, like he actually gave a shit about my welfare.
My stomach growled in response, betraying me. It had been the last thing on my mind since waking in this place, but he was right.
“Will it just be the two of us?” I asked, remembering what Reon had said about keeping me safe, hidden.
“For tonight, yes. But then we will need to hold some kind of gathering in your honor soon enough. Once you’re settled.” He eyed me, as though the veil wasn’t there at all, and then I felt a tug at my chest, that warmth from the gem, felt my feet begin to move towards him.
It wasn’t like I could step back, that would send me over the edge of this land, and I wasn’t sure if I’d survive. Had no idea what my strengths were now, whether immortality came with this whole Queen of Envy thing.
I stopped moving a mere foot from him, resisting his will. He closed the distance though and I stood frozen as he leaned in and whispered in my ear.
“I won’t force you to do anything you don’t want to, my queen.” His breath against my neck brought back flashes from our night together and my body betrayed my desire, heat flushing across my cheeks. “But I can smell what you want, Rava. Always.” He inhaled my scent and let out a soft groan.
Gods, but it had been good. So damn good.
I grabbed the fabric of my dress so that I wouldn’t reach out and grip him instead. And then I remembered where I was and stepped around him, moving towards Reon. I put a hand on his arm, making sure to stroke it ever so slightly before gripping it.
“If you could please show me to my rooms,” I said. “I would appreciate that so much.” I smiled up at him, enjoyed the confusion on his face as he tried to understand what was happening. Casting a glance back at Lucien, I could see that the prince had stiffened, jealousy coloring his features as he watched me touch someone else. I’d have kissed Reon’s cheek if it could be played as appropriate, but now wasn’t the time.
Not that I would mind kissing Reon. There was something about him; quiet and assured. Caught in Lucien’s web as well.
I didn’t bother saying farewell to Lucien, because knowing him, it wouldn’t be too long before I saw him again.
Reon led me back through the streets to the castle, and all the while I thought about how Lucien had been able to compel me through the gem in my chest. The one he’d put there with a spike to the heart and the power of his blood.
Chapter nine
Rava
Itfeltlikewewalked for an age by the time we got back to the castle grounds. It was formidable to approach from this angle, all high towers and hanging vines. Stained glass dotted many of the balconies up high where they would catch the most light.
A wide set of steps led to a huge entrance, and I couldn’t fathom a creature that would need a door that big enough to enter through. Hopefully it was only meant to impress; and impress, it did.
Reon led me up and inside. I could see snakes everywhere: carved into the wood, sculpted in metal and ceramic, and tiled into the floor. They formed chair legs and banisters, some subtle, and some more obvious in their shape.
I guessed Lucien really liked snakes…
So, perhaps he wouldn’t mind the way that my own skin was scaled now.
Stop it, Rava.I shouldn’t be thinking of that. Should not want him to want me. He’d betrayed my trust in the worst possible way and it didn’t matter how drawn to him I was.
We passed many others on the way through the main areas of the castle. Servants bustling here and there, tails and horns and tusks, fur and scale and wing. My brain boggled by the range of creatures who lived and worked here.
The only consistent thing were the half-snake men who could be found standing guard at regular intervals. They dipped their heads to Reon as he passed, no doubt giving him the honor that came with his rank.
He took me up a flight of stairs and then we passed through a set of doors which was guarded on both sides with twice the snake-men as any other door.
“Where are we going?” I asked as one of them closed the door behind us.
“Living quarters, my queen,” Reon replied quietly, still unwilling to use my name all the time. Perhaps when we were in the privacy of my chambers, that would change.
This area was somehow less ornate than I’d have thought. There were fewer decorations on the walls or placed on display in the hallway.
From what I’d seen of him, Lucien seemed like the kind of person – demon – who would want to splash knowledge of his wealth and importance literally everywhere, even in those places that mostly servants and those who lived here would dwell, so it was surprising to me, the sparseness in this area, glamorous, yes, but nothing over the top.
Tasteful even, dark red runners on white marble floor, slight veins of gold still ran through everything, but I’d expected nothing less by this time.
