Page 75 of Fae Trials

He peered down at me with his hands on his waist. “What’s a nice faerie like you doing tied up?”

“Wood sprites,” I muttered.

“Bloody assholes, those rotten little creatures.” He bent his forelegs to the ground and stared into my eyes. “I suppose you want rescuing, then?”

My throat went dry. What would he ask for in return? “It would be much appreciated.”

His gaze lingered on my breasts. “Your shirt is see-through.”

“That’s because I’m wet.” I arched my back, letting my blazer fall around my shoulders.

“Really?” He licked his lips and swept his eyes down to the skirt hiking up around my hips.

My breath stilled. What the hell was I doing, teasing a known pervert while I was still tied up and unable to wriggle free? “I’m also one of the princes’ fated mates.”

“Oh.” Hoisting himself up, he stepped back and glanced over his shoulder into the beckoning woods, looking like he was late for a pressing appointment.

“But I’d be happy to give you a quick flash if you release me.” The words tumbled from my lips.

Coltrane narrowed his eyes, his features twisted with calculation. “A grope, and you watch me rut.”

“I’m in a hurry.”

“It won’t take long,” he said with a purr.

“Or I’ll just lie here and wait for His Royal Highness to ask why nobody came to my rescue,” I snapped. “Then I’ll tell him about the centaur who tried to extort sexual favors. What did you say your name was? Col-something?”

His eyes bulged, and he lowered himself onto his knees. “C-Coleman, and I was only joking.”

“I see.”

“Yeah.” His hands made busy work, plucking at the weeds encasing my limbs and hair, all the while muttering under his breath about some people not understanding bawdy centaur humor.

I glanced up at the sky, where only the barest trace of sunlight poked out from behind the mountains. Through the pouring rain, four specks flew in from the south. They might have been just birds, but enough time had passed for the Fated to make their return from the Calf of Fae.

“There we are.” Coltrane pulled himself upright. “All free.”

“Take me to the Royal Fae Academy,” I asked.

He held out his hand. “Six beads. You pretty ones are all the same, wanting something for nothing.”

My brows drew together. Did he remember my human self?. “Has someone scammed you recently?”

“Every bloody day!” he snarled.

My shoulders drooped. If he was trading rides for tug-a-lug, it was no wonder girls ran off without paying. I unbuttoned my shirt.

Coltrane’s face went slack. “What are you doing?”

“No money beads.” I continued sliding the buttons out of their little holes down to my sternum. “Will you accept a quick flash?”

“A slow one would be better.”

I pulled open my shirt, letting the rain pour down on my bare breasts, and counted to ten. Sometimes, this barter economy got on my frigging nerves. If I lived in the outside world, I’d have one of those credit cards that paid for everything.

Coltrane’s pupils, which were usually horizontal, widened into huge, black circles, leaving only a ring of brown. His broad, horsehair-covered chest heaved with rapid breaths, and his tongue darted out to lick his lips.

His hand twitched toward my breast. “Can I suck your nips?”