Page 102 of Witch Queens: Tales from Oz

“You are most kind,” Gregory extended his hand and a surprised Steele shook it willingly.

Gregory pulled back immediately as if he had been burned.

And to my surprise, Steele looked embarrassed.

“I had no idea that your kind came as far north as this,” Gregory said cryptically. “I assume that you are alone?”

Steele eyed the prince warily, “Yes.”

“Was your father a...”

“No,” Steele cut Gregory off.

“I see,” Gregory nodded. “I assume that we will have no trouble while staying at your inn?”

Steele gritted his teeth, “I am an honorable man, Your Highness. I promise you that all shall be well during your visit. I personally guarantee it.”

He showed us into a room in the attic, which had to be the darkest, draftiest, and dankest place in all of Oz.

Steele promised to have some supper brought up to us and then departed.

I went to sit on the narrow bed which groaned in protest, “This is lovely.”

Gregory’s lips twitched, “Only the best for you, my dear.”

“Like you give a rat’s ass about where I sleep tonight.”

The spiteful words were out of my mouth before I could stop them.

He looked up at me in surprise, “You said ass!”

“That is the only thing you got from that statement?” I asked incredulously.

He shrugged, “You have been moody all day. I am choosing to ignore the rest.”

“Moody?” my voice was rising, “You think I have been moody?”

“Who fucking woke up with a humongous icicle shoved up their ass? You haven’t said jack shit to me all day. And you want to call me moody?”

A pillow flew at his head.

“What the hell, Lin?” his tone was incredulous.

“How could you be so cold to me?” I demanded, “After what we shared last night? I felt dirty and used this morning. If you don’t want me anymore, you need to keep your bloody hands to yourself!”

Gregory was on me in an instant, the bed moaning from his added weight. He had me trapped beneath him.

“I woke up needing you so fucking bad that I dared not touch you, you little spitfire. I was trying to respect you. And then you lit out of there like a bat out of hell. Not want you? What rubbish!”

Then he smashed his hot mouth against mine. Forcing my tongue to glide against his and I immediately went to battle. The kiss was fierce, neither one of us wanting to give up dominance.

Gregory wasn’t holding back, and I loved it.

My lips felt deliciously bruised as his mouth moved to kiss my cheeks, forehead, and eyelids.

“There is never a moment when I don’t want you, Lin. Don’t ever doubt that!”

His lips crashed down onto mine again, sweeping me away into a place that I never wanted to leave.

---