A Ruin of Roses (Deliciously Dark Fairytales 1)

“Normal everlass doesn’t do much about poison,” I said, biting my lip. “We might need to chance a little more of the crowded plant later. Maybe half a leaf or a quarter. I’ll see in a few hours. You’ll need to rest anyway.”

“I need to get back to the castle.” He made a move to get up.

I braced my palm between his shoulder blades, keeping him put. “Yeah, because it’s a fantastic idea to let the demons see you like this. You’d be easy to finish off, Nyfain. This kingdom can’t have that. You will rest for a day or two, and then we can see. How’s the pain?”

“I don’t need to be coddled, princess. I can take care of myself.”

I stepped back so he could see me from his prone position on the bed. I held up my hands. “Who are you talking to right now?” I looked around for show. “Are you under the impression someone in this room will believe your bullshit?”

His lips tweaked up in a small smile. “I guess just one person.”

“Who?”

His smile spread wider. Him.

“Thought so.” I smoothed his bandage back down and sat on the slice of bed near the edge. “I will try again, and let’s try to cooperate this time, shall we? I know your weakness.”

“Everyone knows my weakness—pushy, stubborn women.”

I flattened my lips in a “you’re lame” expression, even though he couldn’t see it. “Not quite.”

I put my finger to the top of one of his wing scars and lightly trailed down. He shivered, and goosebumps rolled over his flesh. He gripped the pillow in two fists and turned his face downward. A soft groan rumbled deep in his chest.

His muffled voice came from the pillow. “No, princess.”

I felt a wicked grin cross my face. “How’s the pain?” I asked, repositioning my finger at the top again and lightly pressing down.

The muscles along his back tightened. His bottom half moved, pushing his pelvis down into the mattress.

Was that simple touch enough to get him hard?

My core tightened. That thought right there was enough to make me wet.

I glanced back to make sure the door was closed. I knew I should back off. He needed to rest.

But the guy was sexy as hell, scars and all, and he’d been tormenting me for days. He deserved a little payback. The poison was under control for now, and the bandages would catch any blood that spilled if his gashes were irritated. Plus, he had all day to rest.

I couldn’t help it. He couldn’t help it, even with his bad attitude and surly demeanor. At least my animal would be proud, though I didn’t reach for her because I didn’t want her hijacking the scene.

I pushed the covers down, exposing that muscular butt.

“Do dragons have wings when they are in human form?” I stroked a little. He groaned, and I could tell it was half pleasure, half pain as his shoulders and butt flexed, thrusting into my sheets. “I’ve never read that.”

“No, they don’t,” he growled. “They have strips of scales, though, where wings might go. They were ripped out of my body when his wings were ripped off his back.”

I flattened my palm next to the scar, above the bandages. “And that strip of scales…”

“Is incredibly erotic and forbidden.”

“Why is it forbidden?” My voice was husky. I slid my hand up and grazed the top of the scar with my thumb.

He shivered again. “It’s reserved for mates.”

My lips curled a little higher. “What else is forbidden to princes that you have absolutely done?”

“No one has ever touched those scales.”

“Oops. That’s the second question you didn’t answer. On purpose? I think so.” I ran my thumb across it again. Then down, feather soft, barely touching.

“Oh goddess—Finley, please…you shouldn’t—”

He wasn’t fooling anyone.

A memory of his thumb tracing along my asshole made a few things click together very quickly.

“The demon king has the incubi and succubi in the castle—and villages—because a lot of that kinky sexual stuff was forbidden, right?”

I stroked up the scar. He breathed in deeply, his spine bowing and his pelvis pushing forward, grinding his hard cock into my bed.

“No anal, no orgies, no…flogging, certainly, right? No one tied up? I must admit, I have always been wary of being tied up—control issues—but when you had my hands pinned the other night, I was into it. I would let you tie me up, and blindfold me, and have me.” His hips jerked forward, clearly at the image. “What about the salons? Ever visited one of those? Did you try any of that before the curse? I don’t reckon the king could thoroughly regulate the whole kingdom, but he could certainly restrict the castle. Or at least try. Did the dutiful, honor-bound son follow the laws of the land?”

When he didn’t answer, I returned the favor from the other night and ran a finger up his crack. “My ex used to like a little ass tickle and sometimes a poke when he was getting a blowjob. Did you ever try it? There’s a very sensitive spot I know how to hit—”