Bat Out of Hell (Promised to the Demons #2) - Lidiya Foxglove Page 0,37

even know? I did have a little affection for Piers because of Bernard. But there was no way that I saw Piers as a prince and Variel as a monster. "I don't know how this happened!"

"I'm afraid the queen is right," Cyrus said. "I advise you to just trust the process. Piers turned into a handsome human who will attract affection and respect even before he earns it. Variel has turned into a beast of destruction who will strike fear into the heart of everyone he meets. Which is the worst curse?"

“Variel!" Daisy said. “Variel definitely got the worst curse.”

"But I wanted to be a monster," Piers said. "Maybe not an avornax that lives under a cabinet, but a proper monster. Just something that could survive all alone and never bother another person ever again. I don't want any attention. And certainly not like this!"

"There you have it," Cyrus said.

"I guess you could look at it that way," Bevan said. "But...I can't help but wonder if Jenny just...well. It's obvious that you don't really see Piers, you see Bernard, and maybe you want to see Bernard as something more than he is."

"Everyone just stop! I don't want to be analyzed. I don't understand it and I just was hoping I could get some closure with the idea of Bernard. This was so humiliating. I just want to go to bed.”

"I'll put you to bed," Bevan said. "And maybe help you forget all about this."

I felt a little better getting away from the crowds and feeling Bevan's hand take mine. I thought he might be angry or jealous that Piers had turned handsome, but if anything, he seemed amused.

Well, I was still feeling awfully embarrassed about it. I had no idea why my subconscious would punish Piers with good looks. I never thought I liked him that much! But I’m not really being truthful with myself…am I? Even if my association with Bernard is the only reason, I can’t seem to help being drawn to him.

"Oh--let's stop and congratulate Jameson before we go to bed." I suddenly remembered.

"He really was good," Bevan said. "He probably went backstage. I haven't seen Gillian either. I wonder if they even know what happened."

It was very dimly lit in the hall backstage where a few small rooms held costumes and changing areas. As our footsteps creaked on the wood, we heard some intimate noises that abruptly stopped with Jameson saying, "Someone's coming."

Bevan peeked in the door. "Sorry to interrupt. You probably should lock the door if you're going to celebrate like that."

Gillian was buttoning her blouse. Jameson strolled out from behind a folding screen, looking plenty proud of his disheveled costume and smeared stage makeup. "Well, you know how it is. The mood overtakes one."

"I would lock the door," Bevan said. "Regardless of mood."

"The master doesn't like locked doors," Gillian said.

"We just wanted to congratulate you," Bevan said, offering Jameson a handshake. "The audience was riveted by you. I could feel it as soon as you came on stage."

"Didn't believe I had it in me, did you?" Jameson said, stopping at the mirror to preen.

Somehow he seemed more like a male harpy now than he did with the actual body of one.

"I can't believe Variel hasn't come by yet to tell me how horrible I was and what a stupid play and how he's seen better and so on..." Jameson sounded ever so slightly hurt.

"I know!" Gillian said. "Do you suppose maybe he didn't hate it enough to bother?"

"He's seemed pretty down lately," Jameson said.

"You two have issues," Bevan said. "But, as for Variel..."

"Hello?" The old woman from the flower shop suddenly appeared in the door so abruptly that Gillian jumped. "Delivery for Jameson Vulturesson?"

"For me? Gillian...where did you get the coin for an arrangement like that?"

"I didn't send them!" Gillian breathed, as Jameson took the huge bouquet from the old woman.

"No card, dearie,” the old woman said. "Enjoy."

"Ah, I see..." Jameson smiled knowingly.

I felt a very unpleasant twinge of guilt shoot through me. "Did Variel send those flowers?" I asked the old woman.

"Sworn to secrecy, I am!” she said. "Ye have a good eve, now. Look me up when ye and your fine, tall fellow get married, eh?”

"I--I saw Variel leaving her shop the other day," I said. "I thought he was just poking around town."

Jameson took one of the flowers and tucked it behind Gillian's ear. "Well, it doesn't surprise me. Our lord can be very kind to us now and then, but