Page 35 of The Dragon King's Curse
I landed hard on my back, coughing out some water. Rolling over, I found Feryn sprawled several feet away. We were both soaked and beaten by the river, but we were still alive.
Feryn sat up, her chest heaving as she stared at the river. “It wouldn’t let us cross. The way out has to be on the other side of the river. How are we supposed to get out of here if it won’t let us cross?”
Her voice broke as she battled tears of frustration. I understood. I felt the same way.
“What if I tried to fly across?” I wondered aloud. “Do you think it would stop me?”
She nodded, her expression crestfallen and beaten. “I think it would.”
“I need to try anyway. Do you want me to carry you across with me?” Shoving to my feet, I shook the water from my hair. Every muscle in my body ached. No battle compared to that of the fae river.
Drawing her knees up, Feryn propped her arms on top of them, staring out at the river that had bested us both. “It doesn’t matter. We’re not getting out of here.”
I frowned, not liking this change in her attitude. “Cut that shit out right now, princess. We’re not giving up after coming this far.”
Ignoring her protests, I scooped her up in my arms. Flapping my wings a few times to dry them, I took to the air. Feryn gave a little squeak as we rose up, leaving the ground behind. Staying well above the river’s surface, I flew across to the other side.
For a moment, it seemed like we would make it. When we were close to the other shoreline, a massive gust of wind forcedus back the way we’d come. I was forced to land on the shore where the river had thrown us.
“I knew it wouldn’t work. We’ll never get out of here if we don’t find a way across the river. The fae will find us. They’ll drag us back to the castle, and I’ll be forced to marry that evil prick.” Feryn raged around, kicking the head off a nearby mushroom.
I remained calm, waiting for her to get it out of her system. Even though I felt discouraged myself, we couldn’t both fall apart. One of us had to keep it together. I wouldn’t accept defeat. Not now.
“Are you finished?” I asked when she ceased her angry tirade.
Feryn whirled on me, an angry glare on her pretty face. “I haven’t decided yet. What’s it to you?”
“By all means continue. I’ll be over here drying my clothing.” I ventured into the trees, just far enough to find a fallen log. Dragging the dry wood back to the shoreline, I prepared a makeshift fire pit, easily igniting it with my magick.
Once the fire was roaring, I stripped off my clothing and laid it out near the fire so it could dry. I stood there bare ass naked in front of Feryn. If this didn’t break through her bad mood, nothing would.
“What the hell are you doing?” Shock filled her voice.
“What does it look like I’m doing? I’m drying my clothing. Would you care to join me? I can’t imagine those wet clothes feel very good.” Catching her eye, I shot her a flirtatious smirk.
Her gaze dropped down to my cock and immediately came back to my face. Her cheeks were colored pink. I fucking loved that.
“You’d like that, wouldn’t you?” Crossing her arms over her chest, Feryn affected a haughty expression.
“Absolutely I would. Don’t pretend you don’t love what you see. You’re blushing like crazy.” I took a few steps toward her, chuckling when she drew her sword.
“Don’t come any closer. I’ll lop that thing right off.” The blush coloring Feryn’s cheeks crept down her neck. She was doing everything in her power not to keep sneaking a peek.
Since I didn’t want to encourage her to take a swing at me, I stayed put, spreading my hands wide, giving her a good look at me. “We both know you don’t really want to do that. How would I possibly make you scream my name if you—”
“Don’t say another word,” she hissed, cutting me off. “That will never happen. I can barely stand the sight of you when you’re fully dressed. You and I will never happen. It can’t. You know that, so stop with this game.”
She was a fighter all right. Doing everything possible to deny the attraction between us. She was right though. She and I could never happen. Not really.
“There’s no rule that says two people can’t take comfort in one another during a hard time,” I said. “What’s wrong with enjoying each other while we can? When we get out of here, we’ll probably never see each other again anyway.”
Was it just me or did her face fall? I had to be imagining things. Feryn didn’t give a shit if she never saw me again. No doubt that’s exactly what she wanted. Now that I knew she would never be able to break my curse anyway, I should want the same thing. Being with her was a constant reminder of everything I had lost.
“I’m not one to engage in such behavior with just anyone. You’re not really my type anyway.” Sliding her sword back into the scabbard, Feryn approached the fire, making sure to keep several feet between us. She stood close enough to the flames for the heat to dry her clothes.
I picked up my pants, waving them next to the fire so they would dry faster. “What is your type then? Let me guess. You like a weak man. One who lets you boss him around while you threaten him with a blade.”
Feryn untied her braid, carefully working her fingers through her long silver blonde locks. “And I suppose you enjoy women that will let you walk all over them and give you anything you want because you’re the almighty Dragon King.”
