“Jewels do not make me hard with their sharp tongue.”
“Pig,” she snapped, wishing her hands were free so she could slap him.
One side of his mouth lifted. He grunted, spinning away from her, continuing their trek through the woods.
The lush leaves sparkled with dew, twigs crunching under their feet. The sight would have been pretty if it wasn’t so foreboding.
A low nicker echoed from the bushes, making her gasp. She quickly swallowed the noise, not wanting to give him the satisfaction. Leaves rustled as a gorgeous black stallion stepped into the clearing, his coat gleaming.
Two hands bracketed her waist, nearly engulfing the span of her ribs. She thrashed, and he huffed a laugh, lifting her effortlessly onto the creature’s back. The hem of her dress rose dangerously high, exposing most of her pale skin as she rested her bound hands on the horse’s mane.
Grunting, the man mounted the stallion.
Muscled thighs pressed against hers. Hot breath blew against her throat as he slid a palm along her stomach, pulling her into his chest until they were flush. Heat unfurled beneath his touch, searing a trail upwards until it settled behind her sternum.
Feet knocked into the horse’s side, and it broke into a lazy gait, moving her further away from home and closer to whatever grim fate awaited her.
Usually, she found the sounds of birds comforting, but now they grated on her. The little noises threatened to split her barely contained control.
“Is it done?” she asked, needing a distraction.
They had left without seeing much. She worried her bargain had been for not. That another warrior would find her father, and anyone who didn’t run would be slaughtered.
Perhaps trusting a demon hadn’t been the smartest decision.
If she had offered nothing, at least both she and Papa would be with her mother and Edmund again.
“What?” he grumbled, his nails digging into her waist, the motion lingering somewhere between a warning and a promise.
“My village. Do your warriors still attack?”
Based on his adornments and how he spoke to the other man earlier, she assumed he was someone of status.
“I am many things, but a liar is not one of them. My warriors ceased and made their way to our ship for the journey home.”
Ship.
She’d never seen the ocean, let alone been on a boat. A knot of uncertainty settled in her chest.
Fingers brushed her wild mane to one side, and her stomach fluttered at the unexpected touch. Almost worshipful. The hand on her hip slid to her navel, his thumb absently rubbing circles there.
If it weren’t for the ropes binding her wrists, it’d be easy to forget her position and instead imagine they were two stubborn lovers.
Except they weren’t.
He was a monster. And she had foolishly made a deal with the devil.
They rode in silence. The sun dipped below the horizon, and silver starlight streaked across the sky.
It was as if her mother had painted it for her.
A well of emotions bubbled over, making her body tremble. Her companion tightened his hold, rubbing the gooseflesh away from her pebbled skin.
She hated that it comforted her. That she took solace in his touch. Had she been so starved for affection that she allowed herself to find it in someone so cruel?
Too tired to fight it, she relaxed. The gentle sway of the horse rocked her, his massive hand keeping her body steady.
No voices whispered. No chill shook her. No visions clouded her mind. No energy crackled in her limbs.
