Page 26 of Courting Envy
Naga. That word was familiar, and I wished I had a cell phone so that I could look it up, because I had a feeling that we had stories about these creatures on earth as well.
There was so much to learn, so many questions floating around in my head. But today had been long and hard and fatigue was crashing in on me now. My vision blurred a little at the edges and I couldn’t stifle my yawn.
"Reon?"
"Yes?"
"Will you sleep with me tonight? Just, curl up beside me, put your arm around my waist. I don't need more than that, I just need..."
"Comfort," Reon finished my sentence.
"Yes." I let out a sigh. "I need comfort, and I don't trust anyone but you to give it to me right now." I looked up into his warm brown eyes and knew that he understood. "Unless you have somewhere else you need to be, of course. I don't want to-"
"No. I'm here for you." He leaned down and kissed me on the cheek, and for a moment I wished I could have more. But I would take whatever he was happy to give, and I'd ask for nothing more.
"I'm going to get changed," I said. "This might be pretty, but it's not the most comfortable get up."
Reon chuckled and uncoiled the last of his tail from around me, allowing me to step away.
"Thank you," I said.
"It's my pleasure." He ducked his head at me, and then watched as I headed towards the bedchamber.
Chapter fifteen
Rava
Iwoketothewarmth of Reon's body, his arm still locked around me, his tail coiling over my legs. He was so warm, and his scales were soft and supple, nothing like I had originally imagined them. He'd held me all night, and for the first time since I'd arrived in Hell, I felt like I was actually going to be okay.
"What the fuck is this?"
Lucien.
Fuck.
I sat up, dragging the blanket higher. I was clothed, and it was useless protection against the Prince of Envy, but it was a natural instinct.
"This isn't what it looks like," I said with a yawn. "Calm down." I was trying so hard not to look scared in front of Lucien, but he was fucking intimidating like this. Wings flaring behind him, the gold on his skin glowing bright, his green eyes burning.
"Calm down? My queen is in bed with another man, when she won't even share my bed." He ground the words out between barred teeth.
"That's all we're doing." I flung the blankets off then, feeling defiant. "I'm clothed, and he's..." My words dropped off and my shoulders sank. I didn't know if Reon was 'out' to Lucien, or if that was a thing he was hiding. Hell was all about debauchery, wasn't it? Would he seem less strong if he didn't want to have sex. He’d said it was fine.
Reon uncoiled his tail from me and slipped from the bed. His face was pale, the scales along his arms seeming to stand out from his skin in stark relief. "I would never take what is not mine, my lord," he said. "I am a Naga who does not crave pleasures of the flesh."
"Oh," Lucien said, his voice quiet, the rage gone from him now. "I understand."
"And if he did, then that would be between he and I. Nothing to do with you." I slammed my feet onto the ground and reached for my robe, drawing it tightly around my body before tying it closed. "In case you've forgotten, you don't own me." I took a breath to center myself and then turned to Reon. "Thank you for comforting me last night. I appreciate it more than you know. I think Lucien and I need to have a chat now though, so you're welcome to leave."
Reon's gaze flicked between Lucien and I, and I could tell that his allegiance had changed. I was his queen, and the queen reigned now. "Are you sure?"
"I'll be fine." I flashed him a grin and nodded towards the door. "Go on."
He dipped his head and slithered from the room. Lucien didn't so much as glance at him, his gaze fixed firmly on me. I walked up to him and placed a hand on his chest, hoping that some physical connection would help to break the last of his rage.
"I need coffee, and food,” I said softly, hoping that the urge to provide for loved ones was as strong here. “Could you arrange that? And then we can talk." I moved past him, heading from the bed chamber and into the living area. Somehow, there was already coffee and food on the table between the couches, as if he'd organised it before, hoping for an intimate breakfast – before he walked into my bedroom and found me in bed with another man.
Oops.
