Page 72 of The Cursed Kingdom

Mason snaps his mouth shut and turns toward Kie so quickly that I’m surprised he doesn’t give himself whiplash. His chest is heaving, and his muscles twitch like he’s refraining from shifting into his animal form. I wonder what’ll happen to his stitches if he does. They’ll probably rip open.

Without thinking, I drag my gaze down his torso. The wound is on full display, and it still looks like shit. I hope it fucking aches.

I’ve been making a pointed effort not to look any lower than his waist, not wanting to send the message that I’m interested. Still, it’s impossible to avoid. A trail of dark hair leads down his belly button, and I follow it.Do shifters have the same anatomy as human men?

This is inappropriate, I’m fully aware of that, and I force my face to remain neutral as I spare a quick glance.Yes, they do.Mason’s manhood is identical to that of a human’s, the color and shape similar to what I’ve seen before. It’s larger, even while soft, but I’m not surprised. Mason is enormous, and it only makes sense that his reproductivebitswould match.

Mason and Kie continue bickering, the two lost in their own world.

“Let me know when you’re finished staring at my cock,” Mason snaps, drawing my attention. “I want answers.”

I snap my gaze up, my face warm. Mason isn’t even looking at me, his glare still directed toward Kie, but I know he wasspeaking to me. I couldn’t have been looking for more than a second or two, and I don’t know how he noticed if he wasn’t even facing my direction.

Still, I’m horrified he knows what I was doing.

“Why are you asking about delysum?” Mason repeats his earlier question, over-enunciating every word as he turns back to me. When I don’t immediately answer, he continues. “Is that why you were in the forest? Were you looking for it?”

That’s a question I willnotbe answering.

Kie huffs. “We can do this later.”

Mason licks his lips, still glaring at me. The questions he’s asking are heading in a dangerous direction, one I’m not prepared for.

I should’ve never asked Kie about delysum—just like I should’ve never snuck into the forest when I knew there was a possibility they’d also be there. I’m regretting all my decisions as of late, but in my defense, it’s not like the options I’m given to choose from have been ideal.

Mason grabs his clothes and tugs them on. His face is screwed up in pain, but he refuses Kie’s offer for help.

I remain where I am, trying not to draw attention. I hope to turn invisible.

Once Mason is dressed, entirely covered from head to toe, he attempts to stand. I can’t fathom how he’s sitting up right now, let alone standing. If I were in his position, I’d be lying flat on my back wishing for death.

Still, Mason fights his way to his feet in slow, cautious movements.

Kie offers a hand, but it’s quickly smacked away.

“I’m fine!”

Kie frowns. “You’re not.”

He reaches for Mason again, smoothly avoiding the halfhearted punch the shifter throws in his direction. I’m notsurprised by Mason’s avoidance of help, and if I weren’t so afraid of death, I’d snicker.

Mason gets to his feet, but he doesn’t look stable. He sways slightly, and his skin grows pale. He lost a lot of blood, and I imagine his body’s having difficulty operating.

“Let me carry you,” Kie says.

Mason looks like he’s resisting the urge to bite the faerie’s head off. His eyes are narrowed, and, despite his injured state, he takes a threatening step forward. I’m beginning to wonder whom Mason will kill first: me or Kie.

“Mace…” Kie says, his voice low.

The pair exchange a long glance before Mason lets out a quiet sigh and dips his chin. Kie spins, giving Mason his back, and Mason stumbles forward a step before throwing both his arms around Kie’s neck.

It’s not precisely a carry, but I can tell by the way Mason’s leaning over Kie’s back that the faerie is supporting most of their weight.

I’d contemplate running away if it weren’t for Kie having just caught me attempting to do so, and I shrug my backpack on my shoulders before following the two into the woods. Another opportunity will come, and I’ll be ready when it does.

Chapter Twenty-Eight

MASON

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