Page 125 of Crown of the Courtesan

“When I’m finished.” Rett’s eyes greedily lap up my appearance. His gaze lingers on my breasts, belly, and the space between my thighs, all of which are clearly outlined under the nearly sheer fabric. He groans so profoundly that it turns into a growl.

My fingers fumble for the fastening at the top of his pants, but I can’t figure out the buttons. Everything grows confusing with lust. My vision falters, and blackened shadows creep around my eyesight before returning to normal.

I freeze as he bends a finger and unfastens his pants, unleashing his oversized cock, dripping a pearly white substance. I gasp in shock.

“Tell me you’ll marry me, and it’ll be yours forever.”

My mouth goes dry, and I pause.

Rett’s face inches closer and closer. “You won’t struggle when you’re with me. I’ll take care of your needs—all of them.” I’m not sure if the dusk of the newly fallen night is lowering my inhibitions, but everything he’s saying sounds too good to be true. His silver—no, orange—eyes glimmer with heat.

His mouth crashes down on mine, tasting and biting my lower lip until I cry out. I moan as the pain subsides. “Weren’t we about to swim?” I ask, pulling away.

“Oh, we will, but I have to test a certain wetness first,” he says before kissing down my collarbone and pushing me down on the bedroll. His palm finds the back of my neck, holding me tightly under the control of his grip. He looms over me, ready to devour.

But then he waits. I know what he wants, but I can’t give it to him.

“Tell me you’ll marry me,” he insists.

I’m unable to form words as the tip of his cock nuzzles into the soft curls of my sex. Weakly, I wonder if it’ll even fit. He pulls back and then pushes until he meets my tender flesh, seeking the entrance, but stopping. His breath lingers on my body. “Say yes, and you’ll have everything.”

The air alters with a rippling wave, and Ashland is above me, saying these things. I squeeze my eyes shut, sure I’m going mad, but I nod my head, the chaos of overwhelming emotions claiming me, not letting me go.

Running his hand through my hair, Rett whispers, “You are just as good as I imagined. When we arrive in the Beast Realm, I—” His fingers get caught in my circlet before he lets out a resounding scream.

Something yanks him from me.

My eyes fly open.

A slimy green vine drags him toward the pool of water. Shock and horror fill Rett’s contorted face as he goes over the embankment and slips in with a splash and gurgle. I watch from my knees in a frozen stupor before snapping out of it. Grass and sticks poke my body under my shift as I crawl to the edge, but I find nothing but a calm surface.

Something.

Something took him.

Too terrified to follow him into the water, I try to form a different plan. But what do I do?

I need magic.

However, if I’m to use it, I must control it.

The seconds tick by.

Fifty-Four

It’s dark now—the water unnaturally still.

Don’t panic.

Don’t panic.

The only thing I know is that I need to get rid of the water to see what I’m dealing with. I kneel on the soil bordering the pool’s edge and close my eyes. With all my might, I sharpen the energy within me. I’ve brought it out before. I can do it again. I refuse to think about what might happen if I fail.

Fire lunges from my palms, scorching the grass before it smolders.

I search my well of power, deeper and deeper. I don’t even know if this will work, but I have to try. Ever since I created my first flame… I’ve had my suspicions, but now it’s my only chance.

Fear creeps up my neck, squeezing tight. If I don’t do this. If I can’t control my mind, Rett will be gone forever—he’ll die down there…