A Ruin of Roses (Deliciously Dark Fairytales #1)(66)

“Are there any more creatures to worry about?” I asked as he started to jog.

“No. The wood is mostly clear. I would’ve reached you sooner, but creatures kept crossing my path, as though they were purposely preventing me from getting to you.”

“Are there always this many?”

“There is a portal from the demon kingdom to ours, powered by the curse’s magic. On the first day after a full moon, when my power dips, they let in more creatures than normal. He is trying to kill me, of course. The consolation prize is my disfigurement. I collect scars as children collect stones. But finally…he might have managed it.”

“He didn’t manage anything. I can fix you. Did you know that in many kingdoms, children collect shells because they aren’t landlocked by wood like we are? Wouldn’t that be nice?”

“Instead of collecting nature’s bounty, they collect the houses of dead sea creatures?”

I blinked a few times. “Those houses are really pretty, though. And the sea creatures aren’t using them anymore, so…”

“Your distraction techniques need work.”

“So, if you’re not distracted, I might as well ask…how badly does it hurt?”

“Like a motherfucker, actually. But not as badly as it would hurt if it had been you.”

I was suddenly choked up, not knowing what to say. Not knowing why he would say that. Not knowing if it was true.

He stalled by the edge of the wood. “I need some power.”

“Sure, yeah, let me just…ask Saltier Finley…”

Need more power.

So it wasn’t technically a question.

“Do you still suppress her?” he asked as a wave of power washed through me and into him, carrying a bit of me and my animal with it. I sighed at the sensation of the stronger connection between us. A dangerous feeling to enjoy. Did I never learn my lesson?

“No, but…she handles the power supply because she seems to understand the mechanics of it, and I do not.”

He stepped through the barrier, and I felt him tense again. “It’s easier to cross with you.”

He continued at a quick pace, walking between the wood and the houses backing up to it. I noticed he took a roundabout path, clearly being careful not to pass the area where demons habitually strolled or lounged or got/gave blowjobs. The houses we passed belonged to humans who didn’t mess with demons on the regular, and most had dark windows. This path spoke of familiarity and practice.

“You were lying again,” I said as he wound closer, “about coming to check on me instead of waiting for me to go into the wood.”

“Omitting more than lying, but yes. Since you turned eighteen, I have visited from time to time, more often in the last few years.”

“How could I not know? How come I’ve never heard about a strange man stalking this village?”

“Because it was dark, and demons come and go. What would they care about another face they don’t know? I was careful not to be seen, though.”

“Why did you come?”

“Curiosity. I wondered about the everlass and then the conundrum of your village’s declining death rate, but I wasn’t smart enough to make the connection. It seemed impossible that someone could devise an elixir to help. I wondered if maybe your numbers had dwindled to a red line.”

“But if you’ve been around, how come my animal just recently pushed forward?”

“Shifters hit their max power at twenty-five. You are…twenty-three, correct? You’re still building.”

“How old are you?”

He finally reached my lane, sticking to the shadows as he worked his way up. “Time froze for me at twenty-five. All experiences but voyeurism and nightly ground-bound battles stopped. I’ve had no experiences of note, nothing new to learn, and no new society to invigorate me or help me mature. I’m a budding shifter adult trapped like a fly in honey.”

Something stirred inside of me, and I said, “I feel old and young at the same time. My childhood turned quickly to panic, disease, and strife. Danger forced me to mature too quickly. I feel like I’ve lived two lifetimes in just sixteen years.”

“It’s strange, the way it happened. Time stopping in the castle while it marches on in the villages.”

He stopped at the door to my family home, setting me down gently. His balance tipped, and he stumbled into the doorframe. He braced his hand against the wood and straightened up.

“I don’t think you’ll see me again, Finley,” he said, his eyes taking in my face. “You’re an incredible woman. You have a bright future. This curse prepared you for a life of survival.” He paused, swallowed, and then added, “The demon king loves beauty. He collects it, like trophies. With people, he likes them to loiter around his court and carry golden trays of food and wine for his guests. Make a deal and get your family out of here. Just hide that fierce determination. Hide your power and ability to lead. Hide everything that makes you great. It’s within your power.”

“Stop talking crazy.” I rapped on the door before grabbing his big shoulder and turning him. He leaned his forearm against the frame this time, bowing.

“Normally I wouldn’t let you see my back,” he murmured, slurring a bit.

“How long do I have?” There wasn’t enough light for me to see the wound clearly.