Page 44 of Cruelest Kiss and Fairest Blood
I snap back into the present moment. Lenore’s chest rises and falls more fully. My own breath begins to match the pace.
Her head falls to the side, eyes opening for a moment to lock onto my hiding spot. The outside of my pants is far too thick a barrier. Rubbing myself across the fabric, I fight to relieve some tension.
Lenore’s writhing continues. She lifts her free hand, crooking two fingers in a “come hither” motion. I appear to her again and stride forward, only to halt. I assured Mytha that my trips up here would be brief. The damage done by the last cursed soul to escape is still fresh in my mind. Losing myself in Lenore tonight would be a mistake. Once I get ahold of her, I’m not stopping.Those hours of pleasure would keep me from my kingdom and duties. I can’t afford another mishap.
Her eyes narrow as I take a step back. Another step drops me into shadow completely.
Lenore’s hand ceases its instrumentation of her body. She sits up, folding her arms. I love it when she pouts. Those long obsidian locks fall over her shoulder as she looks toward her bedroom door and then back to me. Rising from the windowsill, she storms out of sight.
Disappointment throbs through me. The glowing flicker of her fireplace is my only insight into where she’s gone. Her shadow emerges as she makes her way to the window once more.That’s it. Be a good girl and finish what you started. I reach my hand beneath the hem of my trousers.
A second shadow manifests.No fucking way.
When she stumbles into view again, it’s in the lip-locked embrace of Prince Cassius.
Blue fire ignites in my veins, and before I can rethink it, I’ve shadowed into her room. My dark tendrils snap out, wrapping around the prince’s throat, ripping him and his greedy hands away frommyLenore. He slams into the wall. The crack he makes signals something has broken. Was that a bone? Or the wall itself? It doesn’t matter. He slumps to the floor in a heap, the impact having rendered him unconscious.
Lenore is peering up at me, her guilty eyes dripping with lust.
“What a naughty little raven you’ve been.”
Chapter 17
Lenore
The dungeons aren’t the only way to keep a prisoner secured within a castle. I am just that. A prisoner in my own home.
The King of Honenbrie is dead. Murdered. Paranoia has run rampant through these grey-stoned walls since the death of the king. I’ve been under such close watch that I barely get a moment to relieve myself without a guard staring me down. At this point I’m shocked they haven’t offered to hold my dress while I pee.
I drop back on the bed, an exasperated sigh filling the green and gold damask room. The sun will begin setting soon. Another day spent locked away. A slight tapping against the glass draws my eye to the window. One of my birds is there, a goldfinch named Arrow. The poor little thing broke his neck flying into one of the greenhouse windows. I was taking tea inside when ithappened and rushed out to resurrect him. He’s come to visit me in the gardens nearly every day since.
I miss the gardens, the outdoors. My current guard detail watches me like a hawk. Their hovering doesn’t allow for any frolicking through the meadows or quiet chatting with my animals. Arrow must have missed me. He’s a smart little bird to seek me out here.
Rolling off the bed, I hurry to the window. He releases an excited chirp when I open it wide enough to allow him in. A slew of other birds I hadn’t noticed enters my room. The flock of feathered friends is a bit overwhelming at first. Birds of all sizes dart around, seeking their own private perches.
“You’re welcome to visit for as long as you like, but any messes on the floor and you’ll be in big trouble.”
The clumsiest of my flying friends, Acorn, an undersized spotted woodpecker, latches on to one of the bedposts. He cocks his head side to side, revealing the bright red feathers on his crown.
“And no pecking the furniture!” I quickly add.
I’ve always enjoyed the company of animals over humans. There’s something about animals. When you speak to them, you feel heard and understood.
“Ye didn’t!” Melly shrieks. “How many times?”
My horrified handmaiden is still standing in the open doorway. “Close that, quickly. They’re my guests. It’smyroom.”
“Animals don’t belong in a royal room.”
“I don’t belong here. I’m suffocating!” Burying my face in my hands, I allow myself a moment of despair.
“I know this ’as been ’ard.” Melly’s tone is pitying. She moves closer, eyes darting around. She isn’t a fan of birds.
“No. You don’t. We live in the same house but our lives couldn’t be more different.”
“Aye. That’s true.” Her sigh triggers a swarm of guilt in my gut.
“I’m sorry. I’m not meant to be cooped up.” My fingers stroke the soft head of a small red and brown wren that’s landed on my shoulder.
