A Throne of Ruin (Deliciously Dark Fairytales #2)(41)

Nyfain chuckled. “Incredible.”

“What?”

He shook his head. “The rate at which you problem-solve. This is perfect, and it’ll be much easier to carry. Thank you. The villages will thank you.”

“Yeah, and they’ll also witness firsthand what it’s supposed to look and smell like. That should make it easier for them to re-create it.”

“I am constantly wowed by your giving heart. Most people would become wealthy by selling or trading this elixir. There is no reason that your family should struggle.”

I put lids on the canisters and piled them up for him to take when he could. “People don’t have much in my village. It isn’t fair to profit from people who don’t have the money to pay when there are lives on the line. Living shouldn’t come with a price tag.”

“A sentiment not many people share.”

“That’s their problem, not mine.”

He stepped away and waited for me to follow.

I hesitated, uncomfortable with leaving a job unfinished. “I didn’t get a chance to do the demon draught.” I glanced at the dwindling day, the light leaching from the doorway. “I’ll get to it tomorrow, I guess.”

“You don’t have to do everything in a day, like I said. Relax for a moment. Maybe try to enjoy yourself. There is a lot to learn at the castle. I hear watercolor painting is fun.”

I laughed, thinking of Hadriel’s story about painting a bunch of dicks for that class.

“Maybe I’ll go and mess with Hadriel’s puzzle setup,” I said. One of the rooms was full of half-completed puzzles—every surface covered in loose pieces—and Hadriel was apparently their star.

“There’s dancing, too.” Nyfain’s tone turned somber. Quiet. “I used to love to dance. I haven’t done it in so long.”

We crossed the grounds toward the back door. “I can dance, a little. Hannon taught me. He was impatient, though, and also my brother. It was weird. Maybe I’ll try that just to see what it’s like with a proper partner.”

“I need your choice of book, too. I’ve read the last one twice.”

“Yes, but I hear there’s a tight-ass guarding the library, and I have to be shown the proper way to check out a book.”

He flashed me a mouth-watering grin as he pulled the door open for me. “True. I’ll show you the ropes tomorrow, I promise. You can use the library at your leisure.” His gaze turned serious, and I stalled in the doorway. “All I have is yours, Finley. You have but to ask.”

“Well…” I put out my hands and looked down at my attire. “It looks like I’m already taking the shirt off your back, so what are a few books…”

He laughed and slid his hand across the small of my back. It was time to pretend we were a “happy” couple—one kidnapped and held captive, the other a horrible beast who wanted to use her at his will.

Desire whispered across my flesh. Nyfain moaned softly.

“What did you just think about?” he asked as we walked into the castle and down the quiet hall.

“You using me sexually,” I whispered, pushing in a little closer to him. His side rubbed mine. My nipples tightened.

“Would you like that?”

“Yes,” I breathed.

A pungent whiff drifted across my senses. A demon.

Nyfain veered, pulling me with him. He spun me around and changed his hold, wrapping his fingers around my throat. He slammed my back against the wall and leaned over me, his body inches from mine.

“Try to look scared,” he murmured, his gaze roaming my face.

I did try. I really did. But my core tightened up, and my new panties (again taken from Leala) were quickly doused with wetness. My pussy ached from what we’d done last night, and yet it craved more. I was desperate to be filled by him again. To be bent over and taken from behind. To feed him my pussy and arch with the pleasure.

He squeezed my throat before bending down and running his lips over mine.

“What does it mean when a male grabs a female by the throat like this?” I whispered against his grazing kiss.

“It is either a challenge or foreplay, depending on the woman. If foreplay, the female is inviting the male to exert his dominance. Only if and when he overcomes her will she submit, and then they fuck explosively. If a challenge, the male will try to physically dominate, possibly kill, and the woman must overpower him first. Typically a male’s power is in his strength, and a female’s power is in her magical will, a will that can be manifested physically if she is powerful enough. When they mate, the strength blends with the will, and they create an unstoppable team. In theory.”

“So with you, I would command you to step away.”

“No. With me, you’d likely command me to fuck you. With others, you wouldn’t get the chance to kill them or use your will because I would have already ripped them away from you and twisted their heads off.”

“Right. And so what are we doing now?”

“Waiting to see if that demon is going to come this way.”

“And if it does?”

“I haven’t gotten that far yet. Probably grope you. How’s your pussy?”

“Really, really sore. Please don’t touch it. Unless you want to touch it, in which case, please put your cock in it. I’m sure the soreness will go away…”