The Emerald Virgin (Gem Apocalypse Book 1) by Ravyn Rayne Read Free Book Online Page A

weight. Aria would have fallen if James hadn't grabbed her waist. He pushed her into the dark vehicle. The tears refused to slow or weaken.
    "Shut up!" James yelled and slammed the door shut behind them. "Matthew, our driver could just as easily have killed you for disobeying me. Behave before he considers what to do with his next bullet."
    Sniffling, Aria shut her mouth and stared out the window on the ride back to the palace. At this rate, Aria would never escape.
     
     
     
     

Chapter Three
     
    As they approached the castle, James grabbed her ankle and slapped on the electronic cuff. Aria was his prisoner.
    The driver exited the vehicle and came around to open James's door. The prince stepped out first. Aria hesitated, afraid of what her disobedience would bring. Her cheeks were red, her eyes burned with tears, and the sunlight she found unbearable. It in no way matched her mood. The world should have been gray and the sky filled with an abundance of clouds, because the driver murdered her best and only friend, Ethan.
    "Out!" James commanded.
    Aria had no choice but to slide across the leather interior and she stepped out of the vehicle.
    "Give me the shoes," he said.
    Aria didn't expect another day out of the palace ever again. She would be lucky if they let her leave the royal harem, the enclave of rooms for the courtesans.
    Aria slipped off the sandals and handed both shoes to James. He ripped them from her grasp and pointed for the door. "Inside. Now!" His tone that had once held affection and kindness had vanished. She had angered and disappointed him.
    He pushed her inside the palace and she heard the clank of the shoes being tossed in the foyer as he pressed forward. "To your room!" His grip on her arm tightened and Aria was sure he'd leave an impression. Though she wondered if his intent was for all the courtesans to know he was pissed at her, or for Aria just to remember what she'd done. She didn't need a reminder. Aria would never need a reminder.
    "You could have stopped him from killing Ethan." Aria's eyes watered at the mere mention of her friend's name. The murder would haunt her daydreams and plague her with nightmares.
    "I stopped him from taking your life," James said. "It's more than any other royal in this kingdom would have done. You deceived me."
    It hadn't been meant as a betrayal. Aria had only wanted to leave, return to her humble lifestyle, and live in peace. James was no idiot. He must have known she'd have attempted an escape. Though she couldn't ask him now about it. His temper would get them nowhere.
    Aria had nothing to say to James. The walk was long and filled with a heated silence. As they approached the door, he turned the handle, and pushed her inside her room.
    Aria stumbled forward, her hands reached out in front of her to catch herself from falling and losing her balance.
    From behind, she heard the click and the distinctive sound of a key sliding into the lock.
    Was he done with Aria? What now? She knew she had disappointed James, but he was probably the least of her worries at court. Now that he was angry, would he let Prince August have his turn with her?
    Aria's legs gave way, and she crumbled to the floor in a heap. Tears fell fast and quick as she pulled her legs up to her chest. The mirror showed her such a distasteful reflection of her filthy dress, only intensifying the tears.
    The door between her room and the sitting room for the courtesans opened.
    "What's wrong, Aria?" Clara asked.
    Aria couldn't stop crying and though she tried to wipe the tears, they didn't slow.
    Clara helped Aria stand. It was impossible to miss the disappointment in her voice. "What did you do?" She guided Aria to the edge of the bed to sit down. "I'll find you another gown. That's the one thing we can fix."
    Aria wanted to thank Clara for her help and generosity. She'd been so kind since Aria had met her, but the words didn't come. Aria wiped the tears but they just continued to fall.
    Clara