A Ruin of Roses (Deliciously Dark Fairytales 1)

Not to mention that he had imprisoned me here. He’d lied to me on multiple occasions. He’d brought me here and forced me into danger. Me and no one else. He could’ve met me in the wood like the others. There was no reason for him to drag me into this. Now he was messing with my head and my future. With my life.

I was a fool for letting him get under my skin. For allowing myself to forget how I’d ended up here.

He wanted me to stay away from him. So I would. I had a home, and the demons there didn’t give two shits about me. He could meet me in the Forbidden Wood like he did his other informants, get the recipe for the elixir, and go about his life. The demons didn’t want me. They wanted him.

The man could save himself. I had other shit to do.

With the last shred of sense I had, I ducked under his arms and darted toward the door. I hoped this area of the castle wasn’t a maze, and I could find my way in case he chased me.

13

“Butterfucking bellends!” Hadriel exclaimed when he finally met me in the tower. Leala had been here when I got back, folding some panties and stowing them in the wardrobe. That had been awkward, watching her fold lacy undergarments. I’d quickly run her off and forced her to leave the key behind.

“Did you run and tell him that I was in that room?” I demanded, looking through the wardrobe for the clothes I’d worn here. There was no way I was staying in his clothes. I’d leave how I’d arrived, except this time it would be of my own free will.

“No! I only tried to find him when you wouldn’t answer me anymore. I feared you’d fallen into…whatever the fuck was in there to kill you. By then, he’d already found you. Are you fucking insane, going into the queen’s chambers?”

“Yes. I’m fucking insane for a lot of things. Like staying in this horrible castle for as long as I have. Like developing a soft spot for him. Like not staying stronger and keeping my head around him.”

“What are you…”

I found the outfit I’d arrived in and changed quickly, then grabbed my knife and the little knapsack I’d found and stuffed with candles and a stick that would hopefully burn. At least I’d had the foresight early to create a panic bag for when I needed to run and check on my family. That was before the trip to the everlass field. Before getting to know him better.

Goddess help me, I was so incredibly stupid.

I lunged for the door.

“Where are you… Oh goddess, you evil vixen, what is happening now?”

I pulled the door shut and locked it. I felt a little bad, but I couldn’t risk him running and telling Nyfain where I’d gone. In an hour or so, Nyfain would come to get me to tend to the everlass. At that time, he could free Hadriel and I’d be long gone.

“What are you doing?” Hadriel called through the door. “Fine, take the garden! Clearly the master didn’t kill you when he found you earlier, so maybe he doesn’t care. I’ll even…”

His voice faded away as I hurried down the steps. At the next landing, I saw a woman with an apron and rosy cheeks. She gave me a pleasant smile. I waved like an idiot and kept going. At the first floor, all was quiet. People were probably fiddling with their hobbies or getting ready for whatever party would be happening that night. The staff in this place was sparse at best. That was clearly what happened after years of the demons offing anyone who gave a shit.

Anger curled through me, but I ignored it and let myself out the front door. This wasn’t my problem, what was happening here. Nyfain was the prince; he could sort it out. My task lay in healing, not wrestling demons.

Without delay, I ran down the steps and across the front lawn, long since turned to dirt and weeds. As soon as I reached the Forbidden Wood, I let my animal rush to the surface.

What did you do? she demanded as I threaded my way through the trees.

What I had to. Did you know he was a prince?

He’s an alpha.

Yeah. An alpha prince. He’s a fucking prince!

Slow your tits. You’re going to have a coronary.

I stopped for a moment and closed my eyes. Even in the jaws of a beast and scared out of my mind, I’d paid attention to the path Nyfain took that first night. I’d learned a bit more from our mad dash to save Hadriel. For me, it was enough to go by. I’d always been able to find my way in this place.