The Emerald Virgin (Gem Apocalypse Book 1) by Ravyn Rayne

Author:Ravyn Rayne [Rayne, Ravyn]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Blushing Books
Published: 2015-06-19T04:00:00+00:00

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James avoided the sitting room for the next two days. When he wanted to visit with Adalyn or another of his courtesans, he asked Clara to retrieve the girl of his choosing from the royal harem.

In two days it felt as though he'd asked all the girls but Aria to visit with him at some point. Whether for breakfast, afternoon tea, an evening stroll, or a companion in the bedroom, he avoided her.

How long would she last as a courtesan if James wouldn't be caught in the same room as the emerald? She tried to mask her unhappiness and ease any concerns with the girls. The last thing she wanted was for the rumors to start. The dresses Clara brought Aria all flowed down to her feet, covering the bracelet. Careful to keep it hidden, Aria wanted no one to know of her indiscretion. The device silent, so long as she remained in the palace.

Did James not see she had nowhere else to go? Besides, it's not as though she could open a window and sneak out. The royal harem was on the fourth floor and confined them to the sitting room, a dining hall, and their respective bedroom. The only way out was for someone to let them leave the floor, which required a key.

The handle squeaked and Aria knew someone was shoving a key into the lock from the hallway. King Gideon opened the door and glanced the courtesans over. "Aria Stone, you're coming with me."

Aria didn't have a choice. Fighting would only make her punishment more difficult. She stood and with grace, followed the king out into the hall. He slammed the door shut behind them. He stood incredibly close and Aria took a step back only to feel him linger closer within her presence. He gave her a creepy vibe.

"Seems James is bored of you already. Always thought emeralds held power and liked to have fun in the sack. I guess he's tired of how you taste."

Aria bit her tongue and kept herself from speaking out of turn. It didn't take an emerald to have power. He was a blue-eyed tyrant hell bent on destroying what was left of the nation. If it were up to Aria and she had any semblance of power, she would destroy King Gideon and his monarchy. Unfortunately, she wielded no power, and though her eyes betrayed her as an emerald, she was nothing more than a slave to the court.

"What do you want with me?" Aria was afraid of the answer.

"You haven't even been around a week and you've disappointed the court. I know what happened when James was kind enough to take you the market. You betrayed his trust and mine. There's no place in court for a spoiled girl like you, Aria."

Aria followed King Gideon down the stairwell. The bracelet on her ankle didn't make a sound. He led Aria to the front entrance, the same way James had taken her to the market. She felt an over encompassing sense of déjà vu.

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