Page 36 of The Dragon King's Curse
“Something like that.” I watched her intently as she carefully finger combed her hair to the best of her ability. Her brow creased as she frowned at a particularly tight knot in her tresses. After watching her struggle for several minutes, I asked, “Can I help with that?”
With an annoyed huff, she gave up. “What are you supposed to do?”
Because I knew she’d never let me close to her while naked, I slid my mostly dry pants back on before approaching her. Extending a finger, I lengthened a claw. “Trust me. I’ll be careful.”
Feryn’s gaze ran over my body, lingering on the black ink that covered half of me, stretching down from my neck over half my chest and back. Swirls of ink in various designs and symbols associated with my people. I pretended not to notice the way she stared.
Carefully taking her knotted hair in one hand, I used the tip of my claw to gently pick apart the knot. Being so close to her was like a drug of sorts. I breathed her in, finding comfort in her very essence.
No doubt I played a dangerous game with myself. I wasn’t the type to get attached. Women had never held my interest for more than a night. One encounter and then I moved on. Something told me that Feryn would be different. That one nightwith her would be the end of me because I would never be able to let her go.
“Your tattoos are interesting. Do they carry some meaning?” Her voice was soft as she spoke. She reached out as if to touch the ink on my chest, jerking her hand back before she made contact.
“With every battle a dragon survives, more ink is added to their skin. Some of these marks represent how many enemies I’ve killed. Others represent battles fought and won. This right here indicates which house I’m from. My family symbol.” I pointed out a spiraling design with a dragon wing in the center.
She nodded, gifting me with a smile when she noticed that I had managed to remove the knot from her hair. “Thank you. I can’t wait to have a proper bath and comb my hair thoroughly.”
“It won’t be much longer,” I promised her. “We’ll be out of here soon. How do you feel about the land here? Do you think it will respond to you?”
I was disappointed when she began to tie her thick hair back into a fresh braid. What I wouldn’t have given to sink my hands into those locks. To feel her hair cascade down upon me as she rode my cock.
Giving my head a shake, I forced myself to step away from her. This woman was no good for me.
“I’m not sure. I feel a little stronger now that I’ve rested. The beating from the river didn’t help, but my mind is clear. I’ll see what I can do.” Sitting down on the ground next to the fire, Feryn crossed her legs, raising both hands to the sky.
She closed her eyes, concentrating as she drew forth her magick. I stayed quiet, not wanting to break her focus. A gentle breeze picked up, tousling my hair. Leaves rustled in the trees overhead. The sound of birdsong grew louder.
I almost thought I was imagining things when a dirt path opened up between the trees. It wound away from the fire deep into the forest. Another fae trap?
Feryn opened her eyes, smiling when she saw the path. “I asked the forest to show us the way out. It was reluctant. Afraid. I promised that we meant it no harm, that we didn’t belong here. We need to leave. I think it’s helping us.”
“How do we know it’s not another trick? The forest hasn’t done much to help us so far.” I tugged my shirt back on, waving a hand to make the fire go out. Hopefully there were no fae guards anywhere close enough to have seen the smoke.
Leaping to her feet, Feryn started for the path. “It might be a trick, but I don’t think it is. Come on. We need to get going.”
CHAPTER TWENTY
NOXX
“Be careful,” I called as I rushed to catch up with Feryn. “We don’t know where this path is taking us. I don’t trust the forest not to fuck us over again.”
Feryn vibrated with the strength of her magick. It rolled off her in waves. Light and airy with a scent of flowers and fresh air after a rainfall. I was captivated by her.
“I think the river helped strengthen my connection to the forest. Water is a powerful conductor. Don’t be so negative, Noxx. We’re finally getting out of here.” Feryn almost skipped with each step. Her entire demeanor had changed.
The path took us deeper into the forest, making me wonder where we were really going to end up. I kept expecting the trees to reach for us or vines to snake down. None of that happened. Having no choice but to trust the elven princess, I followed along as she excitedly rushed forward.
We rounded a corner and were immediately faced with an old ruined temple. Fae symbols had been carved into the stone. Crumbling steps led up to a large stone door.
“What the fuck is this?” I asked, receiving a scolding glance from Feryn.
“A temple, obviously. I think we should go inside.”
“I think we should absolutely not go inside. Have you lost your mind, princess?”
She shrugged, leaving me behind as she climbed the steps. “Stay here then. The forest brought us here for a reason. We need to find out what’s inside.”
Since I couldn’t very well let her go in there without me, I rolled my eyes and followed. “Fine, but if you’re leading us right into another trap, I’m going to spank your bare ass until you beg for mercy.”
