Read The Emerald Virgin (Gem Apocalypse Book 1) for Free Online Page B

Nothing overly appealing to take home.
    On the opposite side of the tent, a bin sat nestled filled with questionable relics. Aria lifted one up and stared at the item with curiosity. "Is it a missile?" she asked, showing it to James. "Do you think kids played with these when they sent a man to the moon?" The toy she held was pale blue, thick, and it's length about eight inches. The material squished slightly in her grasp, like jelly. A vein ran from the center down to the tip.
    James's eyes widen and he rushed to Aria's side, removing the missile from her grasp. He looked horrified. What had she done wrong? Wasn't this how they played the game? "Oh my... you don't know?"
    "Know what? Was it used to blow people up?" Aria asked, embarrassed. Had she just used an item wrongly and was it created for evil and to destroy people?
    The laughter bubbled from James's stomach and slipped past his lips. He bent forward, trying to stop himself from making such a scene. At least Aria hoped he wasn't intending to humiliate her.
    "What is it? What's funny?" she asked. His face red and she knew it had nothing to do with the heat causing the blush on his face. "James?"
    "It's a dildo, Aria."
    "A what?" she asked. That word sounded familiar in a weird way, like she may have read about such a thing once in a book.
    James took a step closer to her and brushed her dark brunette locks away from her ear. "It's used to satisfy a woman, like a cock."
    Her eyes widened in embarrassment and she dropped the dildo back into the bin and covered her face mortified.
    James laughed and dragged her out of the tent and into the summer air. The wind whipped against her cheeks, and the blush only spread further. She dropped her hands to her sides. Aria would be laughing if she hadn't humiliated herself. "How did you know that?" Afraid to know the answer, she shook her head. "Never mind." What he did with his other ladies, she didn't need the details or the description.
    "You are the most fun I've ever had with that game," James said.
    She liked that he could confess how he felt. Aria chewed her bottom lip raw.
    "What's on your mind?" James asked.
    "I'm beginning to like you. Just a little," she said, clarifying her feelings. She began to feel as though she could trust him and the awkwardness she'd once felt had begun to vanish.
    James smiled and wrapped an arm around her waist. "I'll take a little."
    Late morning faded into afternoon. James bought them breakfast at the market, a late breakfast at that, but Aria didn't mind. When she finished eating, she cleared her throat.
    "Is there a bathroom around here?" Her head darted around, searching for any type of restroom accommodations.
    "It's not as clean as the palace, but there's running water," he said, leading her toward the facilities. "I'll be over there." James pointed at a nearby stand. "Come get me when you're done."
    "Okay."
    Aria headed for the bathroom and stepped inside. She didn't really need to use it. Aria had been trying to grasp her one chance at freedom, now or never. She slipped out from the bathroom and ran headfirst into Ethan, slamming her face into his chest. Rubbing at her forehead, Aria took a step back. "I'm sorry," she said, quick to apologize, not recognizing him until she pulled back and met his stare.
    "What are you doing here?" he asked, looking Aria over and grabbed her arm. She had no brand, no mark. His eyes took in the sight of her gown. "The palace guards took you away. I don't understand, Aria."
    "Prince James chose me as his courtesan."
    Ethan grabbed her arm and pulled her behind the bathroom toward the metal chained fence. The chain-link fence had been broken in multiple places. It did little good to provide any level of protection except to deter thieves. The market cost nothing to enter, why else bother with the expense of a fence? "I can protect you, but we need to go, now."
    Aria slipped under the fence and darted through the parking lot sprinkled with vehicles. The rich