A Ruin of Roses (Deliciously Dark Fairytales #1)(27)

“That just means you don’t conform to the way you’ve been told to live your life. That takes courage, milady. In these times, we need people with courage. There aren’t enough of them left.”

Humbled, I sat on the edge of the bed and looked out the windows at the breathtaking view. A warm glow infused my heart.

She got me. She wasn’t judging—she was supporting.

She suddenly straightened up and said, “Oh!”

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw her spin and curtsey. A blast of fresh fragrance assaulted my senses, pine and lilac with a hint of honeysuckle, so delicious I wanted to lick the air. It reminded me of balmy days in the sunshine as a child, memories full of happiness and laughter.

My mood soured.

“Master. Excuse me,” she gushed, and I rolled my eyes. “I was just finishing up, and then I was going to get her ready and take her for lunch and show her the grounds, like you requested.”

Nyfain filled the doorway. He wore a white T-shirt that stretched across the top of his torso and hung loose at his waist. A pair of faded gray jeans were plastered to his thick thighs. People in my village wore fabric trousers almost always, or leather if they could afford it or make it. I hadn’t seen jeans in…a very long time. The fabric was hard to make, labor-intensive, and required expensive machinery—or whatever was used in its place now. Before the curse, I remembered trading for it in the village. Clearly the castle had the means to make it, but not the ability or inclination to trade it to the villages. Given how worn his jeans were, though, clearly they weren’t making it too often.

“Prepare a picnic,” he said curtly. His deep, dark sandpaper voice flowed over me. My animal pumped fire into my blood, awakening my senses. She moved within me, begging to be unleashed.

I hadn’t realized she came with a leash. I wish I could find the fucking thing and tie it to a tree.

“Oh goddess,” Leala said, clutching at her chest and falling against the chest of drawers.

I looked over at her in surprise. A serene smile crossed her face, like she was hugging a long-lost friend. She clearly felt her animal around Nyfain as well, but she seemed to like hers. I was still incredibly wary about mine. I was okay with randomly stabbing dangerous men who lurked in the woods, but not as on board with her other wishes—like randomly dragging said dangerous men on top of me and going to Pound Town.

“Deliver it to the west garden field,” Nyfain said as though her reaction were normal. It probably was.

Garden field? Those were two words I hadn’t expected to be smooshed together.

“Of course, sir.” She attempted another curtsey, but it was awkward and one hand still clutched at her chest. “Excuse me, milady.” She hurried from the room.

A few beats of silence passed. I let them, looking out at the fantastic view. Not one cloud marred the crisp blue sky. From here, the Forbidden Wood didn’t look so dead and twisted. There was still life within it, struggling to hold on. The gaps were indeed other villages. I could see roofs, even from this distance. Right below my window, way down on the ground below, was a forgotten garden, overgrown and tangled with weeds.

He walked into the room and stood in the empty space beside the bed, in line with me. He looked out at the same view I was studying.

“The Royal Wood used to stretch on forever, it seemed like,” he said into the hush, and it occurred to me that he was talking about the Forbidden Wood. Obviously, that was the favored name on his side of the social divider. “It’s dying, like the rest of this kingdom.”

I nodded. That was certainly true.

After a moment, he gave me some side-eye. “Those garments don’t fit you.”

“Your observational skills are exceptional,” I replied dryly.

“They were made for a man.”

“Hence the extra space where a dick should go, I guess.”

“You’re too thin.”

“Not by choice. I’d eat more if there were more to eat. Would you like me to start pointing out your faults now? How much time do you have?”

His stare beat into the side of my head. After a moment, he said, “Come with me.”

His tone brooked no argument.

But I was out of fucks to give.

“Nah,” I said.

He stepped away, out of view. “Will you make me force you?” he asked from somewhere near the door. I didn’t turn to look.

“Didn’t you try that already? In the wood? But look, if you want another stab wound, I’m in.”

“Big words for a prisoner.”

“Says the guy who protects the land by abducting evil villagers trying to save their families from the curse.”

Silence greeted me. One moment turned into several. He waited so long that I wondered if he’d left.

Curiosity got the better of me. I glanced back.

Empty space.

He’d left! How did a guy that big move so quietly?

I sat there for a moment longer, wondering if I should take this as an opportunity to explore the area by myself. Except suddenly my body turned to fire. My skin felt like it was blistering, sizzling away from my bones. That presence inside thrashed and railed within me, trying to take over. The desperate urge to stand up and obey Nyfain was so strong that I could barely think. Suppressing it was taking all my will, and even that might not be enough.