The Emerald Virgin (Gem Apocalypse Book 1) Page 2

  Clara smiled reassuringly. "Don't worry about that, Aria. You need to focus on making Prince James happy, because if you don't, in a month's time you'll be one of the first to go."

  "Go? Go where?" Aria asked.

  "For heaven's sake! What do you think happens to the girls that leave the palace? King Gideon allows his sons to keep twelve women for the twelve months of the year. They may bring in new courtesans as they see fit, but the number is always twelve. So in order for you to join the royal harem, one must be sent away."

  Clara still hasn't answered her question. She'd only given Aria more to ponder about the palace. "Sent away where?" she asked, trying one final time to get the answer from Clara. Unsure which of these women she could trust, Aria eyed them all suspiciously. The women in blue gowns were all significantly younger than her. They were the most replaceable to the prince and far too common.

  "Women that don't fulfill the desires of the prince or fight away his temptations will be sold into slavery. Focus on making Prince James happy, and you have nothing to worry about."

  "Great," Aria muttered under her breath, and stepped further into the room. She felt as though she'd been tossed into a room with starving wolves ready to attack their prey. "Am I the only new girl?" Aria asked, hoping Prince James took another girl as well today.

  "He only gave up one spot this morning, which leaves room for you. Don't disappoint him for sending Mandy away, she was one of his favorites."

  Why would he send a favorite courtesan away? If he cared for the women, why send any away at all. Was King Gideon behind it?

  Clara stepped out the door before Aria could ask her another question.

  The oldest girl, perhaps Aria's age, stalked up to her and looked her over. Wearing an amber gown, it matched her golden irises. Why would Prince James choose Aria when he had her, bustier, taller, with gorgeous hair and thick eyelashes?

  "Adalyn," she said and held out her hand, introducing herself.

  "Aria." She forced a smile.

  "You definitely don't look eighteen," Adalyn said, glancing Aria up and down in the green gown.

  "I'm not." Aria shifted on her bare feet, unwilling to divulge her age. She didn't know if she could trust Adalyn.

  "I've seen a girl like you before, with brown eyes and two years past her date to attend court. Prince James swept in to protect her from death, but she wasn't cut out for it here."

  Did Adalyn lie to Aria or had she been intending to scare her? "What happened to her?"

  Aria hid the fear as it crept into the pit of her stomach.

  "Poor Aurora was spared here for a month before Prince James sold her into slavery. Decided if she wouldn't share his bed, he wouldn't share his wealth and fortunes with her. There's no room here for jealousy. There will always be twelve of us serving the prince."

  Aria nodded her head in understanding. "Of course. I've got no reason to be jealous." She didn't even want to be here, but Aria also didn't like the idea of being sold into slavery. There were much worse people out there that would like to get their hands on a girl of breeding age with green eyes. Aria knew her value on the open market. Another reason her mother hid the emerald child from the world.

  A girl with strawberry blonde hair and blue eyes approached. She barely looked a day over eighteen. "I'm Lucie," she said, introducing herself.

  Aria shook her hand, trying to be polite. "Aria."

  "It's nice to meet you. I was the new girl last month and let me say, it takes some getting used to having so much attention bestowed upon you. If you like it, you'll fit right in. Just whatever you do, don't disobey Prince James."

  "Why not?" Aside from the fact he sent his courtesans into slavery, was there anything worse to worry about?

  "He likes to take us over his knee and give us a good spanking until we submit."

  "Oh?" The mere thought sent a pulse like lightening down between her thighs. Aria shifted uncomfortably at the thought. The panties clung to her tightly, hugging every curve trapping the wetness against her pussy. She knew she should hate the idea of being spanked, however, his level of authority stirred her deep to the core.

  "And whatever you do, don't disobey King Gideon."

  "Of course." Aria hoped she didn't have too many dealings with the king. She knew he was Prince James's father, but he also saw her naked and pinned her against the wall. She would do everything in her power never to repeat that incident.

  The door groaned and Prince James walked into the room. His shoes clomped against the marble floor. "Lady Aria," he said, taking Aria's hand and kissing the back of it.

  A faint blush crept onto her cheeks, but she couldn't be happy to see him or elated to be here. "It is an honor to have you as one of my courtesans," James said.

  She pretended to be happy. Maybe if she forced away any doubt and suspicion she could find a way to get out of the royal harem and run. Though she didn't know where she'd go, anywhere else seemed safer.

  "Thank you for choosing me," Aria said.

  "Of course." James nodded and stared at her, unable to tear his gaze from her emerald eyes. "Tell me about your mother. What happened today that brought you to my court?"

  It was technically his father's court, but Aria didn't correct him. Why did he care what happened to her mother? Did he think she'd be so forgiving if he dried her tears and rocked her to sleep? She wasn't a baby.

  "Are you sure you want to know?" Aria asked. They couldn't go back. Once she divulged the details of the brutality, none could forget it. She mentioned it already once before he chose her to be one of his twelve courtesans. The specifics had been left out. It hadn't been the time or place. No one else would have cared. Why did he seem to take an interest in it now?

  The other women were sitting quietly, intent on listening to their conversation. They too were probably just as curious about what happened as James.

  His voice was even, firm. "I've asked, now tell me the truth."

  Aria shut her eyes, reliving the event once again.

  The cool breeze tickled her skin as she sat perched on the ledge of the window, staring out at the boy across the river. Mom sat at the table, busy sewing a new dress after the last one Aria had ruined in the river.

  After the war, the world started over, like a blank slate. A cease fire had been called only after the governments had fallen. It wasn't a war between two nations. It had been a war between all the countries. Even those neutral, had found themselves on the brink of destruction, all over one single trait: eye color.

  Blues were supposed to be the smartest people, most thought provoking with a curiosity for learning. Greens were hungry for power and money. They were the first to be eliminated. Brown eyes, what was once most common had been tied to the destruction of the planet. For those with brown eyes were inconsiderate, insensitive, and unable to accept change. Amber, a rare eye color was just as quickly eradicated with the basis of being impure and untrustworthy. For if someone had amber eyes they were thought to be a constant liar. Hazel eyes were a mixture of greed and insensitivity, they too were destroyed. All that were to remain were blues.

  It wasn't the first genocide to sweep through the world. It had been the most prominent, murdering billions of people, known years later as the Gem Apocalypse.

  Born near the end of the war, Aria grew up in the height of fear and oppression. Her family had found a small plot of land from the farthest city and settled on it, building a cottage for themselves.

  In the early days they were forced to scavenge for food. Her mother would watch over her and Aria's father would take to the streets, traveling days on foot.

  There were some vehicles that remained, the ones that used solar power. They were not so lucky to have access to one. Wind turbines produced electricity to the royal palace and guard towers, but where Aria lived, everything was primitive.

  They gathered firewood and burned it for light in the evening. In the summer months, the fires were outside offering a calming atmosphere before clim
bing into the cottage.

  Living on the outskirts of town kept them out of harm's way. The black market and trading centers were in the hub of what had once been a heavily populated city.

  They had the river to provide food. They filtered the water, which made it possible for the two of them to survive. Her father died near the war. His green eyes were what got him killed.

  After the war, King Gideon and his four sons pledged to protect the nation. With an army falling behind him and growing in power, The Kingdom of Brayleigh, named for ray of hope, was born. The castle, situated far north out of dangerous territory and surrounded by stone walls towered several stories.

  Aria didn't dare venture toward Brayleigh for fear if they discovered her truth, that she had green eyes, what it would mean. She never had to go far to ensure her survival. When things got tough, they'd venture across the river to their nearest neighbors. That's how she met Ethan, plunging knee-deep in the river and sneaking across to see what all the fuss was about with a boy just a few years older. To her surprise, he had brown eyes. They shared a secret. Though boys had less to concern themselves with, now that the war ended.

  Occasionally she would see him splashing in the river to get clean. Her curiosity got the best of her and she dared venture over to tackle him in the water just a day ago.

  Staring out the window at Ethan, she watched as he stayed busy in the fertile soil, planting seeds to grow for the summer crops. Lost in thought, her mother said something but her words were drowned out.

  In the distance a van raced for the small village. Were they searching all homes or just theirs?

  By the time she realized the danger, the van approached. She slammed the window shut and raced for her bedroom.

  The royal guards broke through the lock on the door. One guard kept a pistol on Sophia, the other searched the house finding the emerald girl hidden in the closet. Dragging Aria by the arm, the guard with the gun on Sophia shot her in the head. Her body collapsed to the floor in a heap. Aria screamed in horror and tried to fight back. What little strength she had within her, echoed inside the cabin. One guard lifted her over his shoulder as she tried to fight him off, kicking and screaming. The murdering bastards took her mother just as they'd taken her father, and now they had her.

  "Your guards murdered my mother, dragged and drugged me from my home. Anything else you wish to know?" Aria asked, short-tempered.

  James stepped close enough to feel his breath against her cheek. "I can see your reluctance to be here, but I assure you no harm will come to you, Aria."

  It was hard to believe him given the circumstances. Aria crossed her arms defensively. She didn't say a word. There was nothing to say that would please him and make her happy. She wouldn't lie or pretend to care about him when anger ebbed away at her and boiled in her blood. Not when he made Aria think of her mother and asked her about what happened, as if he pretended to care. Unlike the other women here looking for something, she just wanted her freedom returned. Pretending eluded her.

  "You will join me for dessert," he said and took her arm, leading her out of the room and away from the prying eyes of his other courtesans.

  Aria walked alongside of him, but she wasn't pleased with the situation. She tolerated it and him. He hadn't asked her to do anything inappropriate yet and she felt capable to handle dessert. Her stomach grumbled just thinking of food, so long as that was all to be expected of their encounter.

  James ignored the rumbling noises coming from her stomach. He took her arm as they walked. She didn't pull away. What good would it do? "I do hope you will like it here in Brayleigh. I know it isn't your home, but I do hope one day you might think of it like that."

  Did he quickly forget that his guards murdered her mother? She didn't have a choice. Aria couldn't leave, and she desperately wanted to. She didn't answer him. What could she say to please him and be honest?

  James led Aria outside through the back doors. Quick on her feet, the pavers were warm under her bare skin. Why did they not provide them with shoes? Were they afraid they would use them and run away?

  Aria stared at the ever-present wall knowing she could never escape. Had he led her outside to toy with her or remind her that she was his prisoner? "I thought you might like some sun," he said.

  "Seriously?"

  "Yes," James said. He frowned, not quite seeing what was wrong. Could he truly be so oblivious?

  The prince led Aria to a small table on the patio, made of metal with a glass top and seated no more than two. Why have something so mundane in a palace so grand? One might have expected a table the size of a king's mattress or perhaps larger. Of course it did look old and had to be a relic from an earlier era. There were very few new goods on the market.

  "Have a seat," he said and pulled out the chair for Aria to sit down.

  Aria obliged, she had no other choice. As she sat, her body relaxed. At least she had her clothes on, unlike an hour ago.

  "Sadie!" he said, calling to one of the servants. "Bring us some croissants and cookies. I'd like to impress my new friend."

  Sadie smiled. Aria couldn't tell if Sadie enjoyed serving James or felt it necessary, the smile looked real. She scurried inside and James dragged his chair closer, intending to sit beside Aria.

  He opened his mouth but Aria spoke faster, interrupting him.

  "Why me?" Aria asked. "Of all the young women you could have chosen from. Why me?" She may have been the oldest, but she doubted that had anything to do with his decision.

  "You were honest with me," James said. He leaned back in the chair, making himself comfortable. "Didn't you hear the responses the other women gave? They were telling me what they thought I wanted to hear. I like it when a woman's honest."

  Aria wanted to believe him, but her stomach ached telling her otherwise. "Well, you know I'm not happy to be here." She made it no secret that she resented every bit of the crown and royal crest.

  James sighed and leaned forward. He clasped his hands in his lap. "Don't you get it? My father would have had you executed had one of my brothers not chosen you as a courtesan. Vent your frustration with me all you want, but my father, the King of Brayleigh, won't be so lenient should he hear you speak ill of his kingdom. I'm trying to help you, Aria, but I can't unless you watch your mouth," he warned.

  Aria nodded, knowing he spoke the truth. "My apologies," she said, though she didn't mean a word of it. How could he expect her to?

  Sadie returned with a tray of desserts and placed it on the glass table. She retreated without a word or a glance at the prince. The tension had been undeniable. Had he slept with Sadie too?

  Once out of earshot, he leaned closer. "I understand your resentment and frustration, Aria. If I had it my way, things would be different, but I'm not next in line for the throne." James had been the third son in line to the throne. King Gideon had four boys of age to wed, and four more that were mere children. Aria suspected the king would conceive more children by the way he responded earlier this morning in the hall.

  "You don't have to be king to change the way things are run. How can you keep women here against their will and think it's okay?" Aria asked. Her eyes narrowed, challenging him.

  "Do you want to leave? Is that it? I'll let you go. March you right out the front door. You can return home to your cottage and loveless life."

  He knew nothing about her life or her. "Yes, I do." Aria stood. "Show me the door."

  James muttered under his breath. Apparently Aria didn't give him the reaction he'd been looking for. "Sit down." His eyes were cast down on the ground. He looked embarrassed. Did Aria just humiliate a prince?

  Aria did as instructed only because she knew he couldn't let her go. Even if he did help her escape, they'd probably drag her back a day or two later if she returned to the cottage. Aria would have to slip from the castle and leave the kingdom. How far could she get before finding more trouble? What had once been the United States was now Brayleigh. To venture from this kingdom, she'd hav
e to journey by boat across the ocean. Were there survivors among their allies and enemies? The war may have ended, but it didn't mean she'd be safe over there. Aria couldn't hide her emerald eyes. Not like back in the day when contacts could change the color and make you appear however you wished. That was before the attack and the first riots. She'd only heard of such things in old battered magazines lying around the cottage.

  "You are a handful. I should have known that's why Henry walked right on by without so much as a second glance. For a brother that likes gems, he must have known the trouble one would cause."

  Aria sneered at James. "Tell me you don't believe it." Emeralds, people with green eyes, are known to be power and money hungry. Does James think that about her? It's not true. No part of the belief system created to destroy the world in genocide was true. How could James think of her like that? She may not be easy or pleasant at times, but she wasn't what the enemy said.

  James shifted in his seat. "Of course not, but you are trouble. I can see it in you, the rebellious streak. My father will beat it out of you."

  "So what? I'm supposed to pretend it doesn't bother me that he ordered the execution of my mother and dragged me from my home, drugged me, stripped me naked, and stole my freedom? No part of what you and your father are doing is okay."

  James grimaced. "I am sorry about your mother. I can't change our world, but I can protect you here."

  Aria stood. The longer she spent time with James the faster he seemed to be growing on her nerves. "I don't need your protection." She thought August or Henry would have been a poor choice to be paired with as a courtesan, but James seemed to be the winner in pissing her off.

  "Where are you going?" James asked. He stood and followed after her as she headed inside.

  "Back to my room. Which is where?" Aria asked, feeling turned around. Aria hadn't learned the halls of the palace.

  James reached for her arm and she elbowed him away, forcefully. She didn't want him touching her, not without him asking permission.

  A maid carrying a basket of laundry looked stricken. "I have no choice," he hissed at Aria under his breath. Grabbing the nearest seat on a bench, he grabbed Aria by the waist and tossed her over his knee as he sat down.