Page 31 of Courting Envy
She was right. I had my instructions. I didn't need to like them, but I would do exactly as she’d asked, and hope like Satan that this didn’t backfire.
Her face softened, and I could only imagine that some of my concern crossed my face as she reached a hand out and placed it on mine; which had turned pale as it gripped the railing. "I know what I'm asking, and I know Lucien won't like it, but that demon has an eye on the throne and I have a feeling he'll open up to me about what he wants if I can meet with him."
I kept my lips shut, not trusting myself to speak without saying something stupid. I simply nodded and left the room.
Chapter eighteen
Rava
I'ddressedmoredemurelyto meet with Ragnar today. In broad daylight, and without my prince to protect me, I didn't want to send him the wrong message. He may well get the wrong message anyway, because I did kind of want to string him along, but I hoped that the black pants and fitted green jacket with minimal cleavage at least gave the impression of a queen who wanted to learn the ways of her circle.
Reon had barely said a word since I'd sent him to arrange the meeting. Now he was moving ahead of me, leading the way through the castle to the grounds to a garden near the armory.
I didn't like the tension between us, but I also didn't know how to change it. Normally, I’d go to my lovers, touch them, hold them, kiss them, reconnect in that way. That physical connection was my go-to method, but I didn’t know if he wanted that. Wasn’t sure whether it would make things worse.
My heart ached a little, and I wished I’d known more asexual people when I was alive so that I had a better understanding. But then, all folks were different with their likes and dislikes, and the only way to really learn was to speak to him about it. Something that I promised myself I would do. The way his snake body had curled around me in the night was so comforting and honestly, if that was all he ever wanted to offer, I’d still be happy. He’d been okay with my touch then, had offered his embrace freely.
But did he still want that from me?
"We're here," he said, his voice intruding into my thoughts. "I won't leave you alone with him, but I'll drop back a little in case you want to have a private conversation with him."
I stepped beside him and slipped my fingers into his, assured when he gave them a squeeze. "I don't want to be private with him, but it might help me get some inside information. Which is the whole point of this. I promise."
"I trust you, my queen. I just don't trust him." He clenched his jaw and I longed to kiss his cheek.
"Reon?"
"Yes, Rava?"
My heart swelled to hear him use my name outside of my chambers.
"I know you don't want... But, is it okay to kiss your cheek?" I let my vulnerability show on my face, hoped he could see that if he wanted to say no then I’d respect that.
He blushed and nodded, so I leaned in and planted a soft kiss right at the joint of his jaw. I felt him relax under my lips, as if he'd needed that assurance from me just as much as I had from him.
"It will be okay," I said to him, and then moved ahead, through the arch and into an emerald jungle that was meant to be one of the castle gardens.
"I'm over here, my queen," Ragnar called.
I kept walking, following his voice to the left where I found him standing by a pond. His appearance was almost comical, too much like the traditional Satan from the media to be scary. I knew I had to treat him with caution though; he might not be terrifying, but I didn't know what his intentions were towards me, or Lucien.
Though I had a feeling that where my prince was concerned, Ragnar would throw him into some deeper pit of Hell if he could.
I lifted a hand to wave to him in acknowledgement, then approached along a path of stone slabs. The pond was more like a lake, though the water was clearer than I expected. Lilies and other water plants dotted the surface, moss covered the stones nearby, and within the depths I could see long, serpentine bodies moving through the water.
I recoiled slightly, but then stifled that response and leaned in, peering at them. This was my circle, my home now, and I needed to adjust.
"Water serpents," Ragnar explained. "Some of them will let you feed them by hand, but most would rather ignore us and feast on the living insects and fish in the pond.”
"Would they bite me?" I asked, genuinely curious.
"Only if they felt threatened. I imagine even these creatures would be entranced by your beauty though." The line was so cheesy, but I managed to avoid laughing at it.
"Thank you for your kind words,” I said with a tight smile. “I imagine I'm a little less enchanting than a regular demon though."
"Oh, no, it only lends to your appeal. The mingling of blood, the way your human features are present, even though the demon is slowly taking control."
I didn't like that description, as if every new scale on my body meant that I was losing another part of myself. So, I smiled politely, but didn't respond.
