Page 28 of A Court of Hearts and Hunger
“I could still do so many things—”
“But you won’t. Most of your kind never do. Only a few live up to their potential or accomplish any of their dreams. Most have the capacity to conceive a goal, but not the will or the resources to carry it out.”
“I suppose only the wealthy get to live their dreams,” I murmur. “Like Master Drosselmeyer.”
“Ah, him.” A shadow falls over the Rabbit’s expression. “He steals Fae as I steal humans. To study them, in his clumsy way, yes—but mostly to kill or capture them, out of simple hatred for my kind. He stole my brother, long ago. I heard a rumor that he had released some of his captives recently, but none of the missing returned to this kingdom.”
“Master Drosselmeyer hunts Fae?” My eyes widen.
“You did not know?”
“I knew he had strange things in his workshop, but I had no idea…” My words trail off as the Rabbit takes his watch out of his vest pocket.
“I’m running late,” he says abruptly, pulling his glove back on. “Let’s finish this, and then I will take you to your cell.”
Picking up a few of the tools from the table, he collects a scraping of my skin and squeezes a few drops of blood from my finger. Then he snips a lock of my hair before having me spit into a vial.
“I’ll test the magical potency of these samples within the next couple of days.” He hesitates. “Before we end this session, I would like to examine your genitals.”
I know he’s not asking for permission, but it feels like he is. Swallowing hard, I nod.
“Spread your legs for me,” he says, low.
He’s going to see how wet I am.
Cringing, I part my thighs. He places both thumbs on the lips of my sex and pries them apart, bending to examine the area between them.
“The genitalia are key components in some very powerful spells,” he mutters. “And yours are perfect.” He takes one of my labia between his thumb and forefinger. “I know just the spell I want to perform with these.”
“You’re sick,” I whisper.
“Not sick. Just practical.” He runs a finger along my soaked slit, and my body responds with a tight thrill. “Your reaction to me is normal, you know. I’ve seen it in a few other human subjects. Though none of the women were ever quite this wet. You’re practically dripping onto the table.”
Flushing, I turn my head aside.
“Does your arousal distress you?” he asks.
“Yes.”
“Because of my appearance?”
“No!” I stare at him. “Because you’re going to cut me up and kill me!”
“Ah, that.” A faint grin hovers on his lips. “You may get dressed now. Unfortunately I must be at Court tonight and tomorrow, or I’d begin our sessions this very evening. As it is, I shall have to leave you in the care of the Cat for a while. He’ll bring you food and drink. Do not fuck him.”
He says the last sentence sternly, as if I’m a wayward child being warned away from a cookie jar.
“Why would I want to fuck him?”
“I have no idea why anyone does. He’s an annoying, temperamental little shit. But he can be very persuasive. And don’t give him the book—he wouldn’t know what to do with it.”
“I don’t plan to give anyone the book,” I reply, picking up my clothes.
The Rabbit’s eyes narrow. “You know I will take it anyway, after you’re dead.”
“But then you’ll have to wait a year to use it. That’s what you told your friend.”
He grimaces.
