A Throne of Ruin (Deliciously Dark Fairytales #2)(43)

“You are handling it a lot better than I did when everything started to devolve. A lot better. That is one pairing I have never wished to try, though it’s interesting to watch.”

“You’ve watched?”

We got to the tower, and he opened the door before following me in and closing the door behind us. He leaned against it, watching me as I stopped and turned, suddenly bombarded by his delicious smell. Balmy and light with a hint of extra spice, heavier than normal. Heady, almost.

“Yes,” he said softly. “Some things in this castle are…interesting.”

I remembered the admission he’d made in my bedroom when he was basically forced to hump my bed in uncontrolled desire.

“You’ve wanted to try some things,” I murmured. His bulge was pronounced, and I knew he was rock hard.

He didn’t answer, his eyes liquid gold.

“The demons have smelled you on me. In me,” I said softly, stepping a little closer. Wariness clouded his eyes. Lust flooded the link. “Eventually that smell will wear away. If you’re being so obviously sexual with me in their presence, they’re going to wonder why you’ve stopped banging me.”

“The thought had occurred to me,” he whispered.

“While I could always jack you off and let you come on my pussy, that wouldn’t be nearly as fun as you coming inside of me.”

His Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed. “Food for thought,” he said in a strained voice, and then left, closing the door behind him.

I let out a breath and leaned against the bedpost. That guy was a hard nut to crack.

I had bigger things to consider, though, like my curiosity about the crazy things that went on in this castle and what, exactly, Nyfain was interested in trying.





Ten





The next couple weeks passed in a blur. I was supposed to get access to the library, Hadriel kept prodding me to get me into the seamstresses to try things on, and I wanted to find the dancing instructor to see if I remembered any moves. But reports from the villages had come in by way of Nyfain, and they were crying out for more nulling elixir.

The elixir had worked, as I’d known it would, but their everlass plants hadn’t been maintained and their ability to make more elixir was apparently nonexistent. They weren’t getting it done. We would need to pick up the slack until Nyfain and I could help them with their plants and I could physically show them how to make the elixir, all without the demons being the wiser.

The draught to cut out the reaction to the demons’ magic was also in high demand, both within the castle and in the villages. It gave people the clarity they’d been missing, and it made a casual stroll after dark less treacherous. And then there was my coffee substitute. I just didn’t have enough hours in the day to make it a priority, and thankfully Hadriel was fine being a stingy bastard, so I just made enough for those closest to me. It wasn’t a healing elixir, after all, so I could stomach not sharing.

From what I could see out my window, the garden was coming along nicely. They were still ripping out things that didn’t belong. I hadn’t been able to get in there and work in person, though. I hadn’t had the time. Hopefully soon.

Each day passed in a rush of everlass leaves and other ingredients. There just wasn’t enough daylight to learn a new hobby or put in a proper inspection of the library. Nyfain made sure books were delivered to me, and I was satisfied to relax in my room after the tough day to eat, bathe, read, and sleep.

Poor Nyfain had been doing double duty. Maybe even triple duty. He would work with me during the day before heading out to the wood at night.

He was soon making the elixir like a champ. Mixing the draught like he’d been doing it all his life. He also hunted for meat to deliver to my family in stealth since I couldn’t. The exhaustion was starting to show on him. Dark circles had developed under his eyes, and his shoulders drooped.

Finally, one day, I snapped.

“Get out.” I pointed at the illuminated door in the work shed. The midmorning sun shone strong and warm, hinting at spring right around the corner.

Nyfain stopped in the doorway. “What?”

“Get out. You’re exhausted, Nyfain. Go to sleep.”

He shook his head and started forward again. “Three people were expected to die this last week in one of the villages. Because of your elixir, they are hanging on. This is important, what we’re doing.”

“I know. But they need you in that wood. I can handle this. You handle that.”

He stalled at the end of the table. “I can do both, Finley. Finally I feel like I’m doing some real good. I see hope flashing in people’s eyes. Just wait until you make the other elixir for them.”

“I get that, Nyfain. I do. But a body needs sleep. Go to bed. I’ll see you in the afternoon.”

His jaw set stubbornly. “I’m good.”

I straightened up and squared off with him. “Go to bed,” I growled. Power whipped through the shed. My animal turned over within me and stirred.

His muscles flared. He swayed a little, his eyes hard. I pulled more power, my animal pumping it out for me.

“Now,” I said in a firm voice.

He took a step back that he clearly didn’t want to, judging by the jerkiness of his movements. Humor filled the bond.