Page 14 of The Shadow Prince's Ruin
“I’m not sure I follow. Do you noteatcondiments on other food items? That is… an object.”
It’s like being splashed by icy water. “Do you know what this is?” I ask, showing him the rubber as hope dies inside my chest, because. What. The. Fuck?
This can’t be part of his role play. That would be too weird. I think.
He’s growing exasperated and despite me kneeling between his open legs, he crosses his arms. “I cannot knoweverything!”
Shit.
Shit. Shit. Shit. Shit.
“Are you… over eighteen?” I ask, trying to remain calm, because this is too fucking weird. I like them cute, but I’m not in the market for sheltered kids! If he says he’s five hundred or something like that, I’m out, because that’s exactly what a teen with an overactive imagination and fake elf ears would say.
Sylvan huffs. “I am twenty-five. Doyouknow how to harvest coralberries? Or when to milk a seagoat? We all have matters we’re ignorant about.”
I roll my eyes and slide from between his legs, because this is damn ridiculous. “Can we pause it with the role play for now? Real talk, okay? Do you know what sex is? Do you know what I wanted to do?”
He turns to look at the moon as if it’s very interesting to him, and pulls down his shirt. “Of course I know what sex is… but I may not know all the details, so no, I’m not sure what that thing in your hand is. I’ve not yet had the pleasure to…” he drifts off.
He’s a virgin.
Honestly? I’m not that surprised, considering he’s just tried to distract me by mentioning ‘seagoats’.
I drop the condom to the floor and exhale, glaring at him. “Do you know what anal sex is? Were you sheltered, or something? How do you not know what a condom is? When I showed it to you back at the restaurant, what did you think I was suggesting, if not fucking?”
Sylvan’s lips tremble, he scowls, but he still won’t meet my gaze. “I don’t know! Eating something. I thought it was a condiment. They come in those tiny packets, do they not? Iknowwhat anal sex is, and I understood that’s what offering my body means. It’s something… I would like to explore in the future, but we haven’t bonded yet, and we won't be able to for as long as this thing remains around my neck.” He pulls on the silver collar abruptly.
Is this his roundabout way of saying he’s not ready for anal?
I count to five and grab his hand. “It’s not a condiment. It’s a latex… sheath you pull on your dick to prevent pregnancy and STDs. I don’t have any—they had me tested—but when people don’t know, they can use condoms. Is this you telling me you never had sex with anyone and missed all and any sex ed?”
His hand is clammy when he squeezes mine. “I’ve just… not had the opportunity.” His pointy ears twitch again and again, like nervous puppies.
I exhale and peek in his eyes as hope awakens inside me again. Maybe the whole elven prince shtick is just his way of dealing with shyness? He seems sane enough otherwise. “But you… you want to have sex with me, right?”
He nods in an instant, and I appreciate the enthusiasm. “I want to wait with giving my body to you fully until our bond is made, but we can—I wouldliketo do other things until then.”
If he’s a virgin and not all that well-educated about sex, he’s probably just scared. I can work with that.
“Next time, you need to tell it to me straight. Simple man, remember?” I ask, pointing at myself as I lean close enough to kiss his shoulder, uncovered where his thin nightshirt has slid off.
When he gives me a shy smile, it’s like moonlight shining down on me. He is justthatcharming. So maybe I won’t get to fuck him deep and hard right now. That’s okay, I can live with that. And maybe I was supposed to enjoy his sexy peach tonight and move on, but I can stick around. He wants to go to Boston after all. If that grimsmith is a creep who put that weird collar on Sylvan as part of some BDSM game, I could help him deal with the bastard.
“It’s true. You deserve that. You deserve to know what will happen if you allow the bond.” He slides closer and slips his dainty hand to my cheek. I can’t help it. Whatever the bond is for him, I want it. I’ve always been a sucker for cute twinks, and he’s everything I could want, from his lovely feet to his hypnotic eyes like two blue crystals with whole galaxies in them.
“Are you like… very into marriage?” I try guessing as I slide my knee between his legs and move my hand under the thin nightshirt, exploring the smooth, nearly-hairless skin.
Now that I know I won't be fucking his ass tonight, my disappointment eases and I turn my mind to the other things we can do until then.
He smiles, and it fills me with unexpected relief. Only now I realize how much seeing him upset bothered me. “That’s not how I would call it. I want you to become my Dark Companion. And I’m happy to exchange my body for it. Your shadow is like nothing I’ve ever seen, and when I get the collar off and my powers are back, I will use a strand of my hair’s shadow and tie it to your darkness. That will be our promise.”
Is it kinda woo-woo? Yes. But does it make me feel all gooey inside to be chosen by this absolute stunner? Also yes.
And, besides, I’ve seen and heard stranger things than this. If a huge percent of the population can go around claiming the Earth is flat, what’s so weird about Sylvan easing his anxieties by reimagining himself as an elven prince? He must have been through a lot, poor guy.
I stroke his damp hair and wrap one hair around my finger. “Yeah? You need a strand of you inside me?” I ask, and when he nods, I pull on the hair without thinking, then roll it between my fingers, and stuff it in my mouth. When his eyes go wide, I smile and swallow, washing it down with some water from a cup on the nightstand. “There. My promise.”
Of what? I’m not sure yet. That I’ll take him to Boston? That I’ll beat the shit out of the bastard who collared him? That I’ll marry him in an ancient forest? That I’ll fuck his brains out when he’s ready? Works for me.
