Read Online Vala Eminence by J. F. Jenkins - Free Book Online

done. He wanted to be worthy of her.
    She sighed, heavily, and he wondered if he'd upset her. “I guess it's better this way since I'm not feeling all too well, anyway.”
    â€œHuh?”
    â€œNothing, I'm pretty tired now, so I'll say goodnight now and I'll see you tomorrow?”
    He nodded. “Count on it.”
    â€œOkay, goodnight Denver.”
    â€œSleep well, Princess.” He watched as her breathing deepened, and listened to her heart rate slow. Her skin became cold, like ice. Carefully, he got up off the couch to find some blankets to wrap her in. There were two more fleece blankets lying about and he used those to tuck her in.
    Halyn's room door cracked open. “Is it safe?” She frowned when her gaze locked on Cheyenne. “What happened? What did you do? Is she dead?”
    Rolling his eyes, Denver put his shoes back on. “Why would I kill her? Seriously, Hay tone down the imagination. I'm not nearly as bad as you pretend I am. Flattered you think me capable of so much, but you're only going to be disappointed.”
    â€œWhat's wrong with her?” she asked, stepping closer to her roommate.
    â€œShe's asleep. It's what people do when they need to rest and rebuild their brain. I think it does something to help you process your memories too. Amazing stuff, sleep.”
    â€œBut she looks so… pale?”
    Because I think her spirit has gone to the underworld. “ Probably because she's not feeling too hot, remember? If you're worried, call the campus doctors, but I'm sure they'll just tell you to let her sleep for a while.”
    Halyn's frown deepened, and for the first time — ever — she didn't look at him with some kind of disdain. “I'll think about it.”
    He waved, shrugging, and walked out the door.

Chapter Four

    As soon as Denver was back inside of his dorm room, he focused all of his energy on transporting himself into the underworld. The instant he felt the warm, dry heat of his true home, he had a surge in his power. Most people were terrified of the place, but to him it was a playground of magic.
    Denver walked along the side of the black castle of Hades. He touched the brick, which was surprisingly cool against his fingertips. He loved being there — it was home. Soon, I can come and go here without worrying about who will find me.
    He came upon a door leading inside. When he tested the knob, it didn't turn. “It's locked?” That's a first. Who could Lucien want to keep out? Besides me, of course, but if that were the case then he needs to do some more research. This is my castle, so it obeys my will. Smirking, he flicked his wrist and listened to the satisfying click of the lock turning.
    â€œMuch better,” he said and opened the door. He could have phased right through the walls of the castle if he had wanted to, but he didn't feel like going through all of the trouble. Not only did he have to move through the walls but, he had to become one with the castle. And of course being invisible when he left was also important in case someone he didn't want to see him was walking about.
    As much as he wanted to dawdle and wander aimlessly, to admire the strength and beauty of his territory, he had come to the underworld on a mission — to find Cheyenne. He'd been avoiding her for too long on his trips down here, and with good reason. There was no way of telling how much she remembered about the numerous journeys she took. After all of the conversations they'd had together, the impression he got was that the place was like a distant memory, vague and she was never certain if anything that happened down here was real.
    Denver was waiting for the day when she told him that she had finally succumbed to Lucien's charms — waiting, and dreading it. Unless Denver became stronger, the consummation of her marriage to Lucien would be inevitable. Not only would Denver lose Cheyenne forever but, the whole world would turn upside