Page 146 of Trick

The ferret snatched the chain between his fangs and chomped. The strap broke, and the medallion dropped to the ground, where it clattered across the stones. Our sidekick scooped the token into his mouth and darted down the hall.

The guard hustled after him. “You pissy little varmint!”

He moved fast, but Tumble was faster. The creature rounded pillars, slinked between railings, and vanished into a network of corridors that would lead the guard to the nearest turret.

Briar had explained how the ferret had come with Jinny but stayed behind in the princess’s suite. Thereupon, I’d had an idea. Despite not knowing the layout, the agile little sidekick could make it through the niches of this castle without being seen, as he did in the forest. I’d left a crumb trail for him to follow, so he would deduce where to go and how to find Briar’s chambers later.

Knowing the creature’s stamina, the distraction would give us ten minutes. More if he succeeded in reaching the turret’s ledge and flinging the medallion over the side, where the object would sink into the dung-infested moat.

I led the way to the stairwell. Briar’s sure footfalls trailed after me, her shadow pursuing without hesitation. My lips slanted, despite everything that’s happened. Earlier, she had braved the dungeon alone, hellbent on giving my son food and her cloak for warmth. She’d comforted and gave him a sleeping draught, sparing him from enduring another conscious minute of that shit-pit. Blatantly, she disregarded what the court would do if they found out.

At the shaft’s entrance, I ceased too abruptly for the princess. She bumped into me, and I reached back, grasping Briar’s hip to steady her. Her forehead fell in between my shoulder blades, her panting breath seeping through my clothes.

In the half-light, we took a moment to endure one another.

If something happens to me …

If anything happens to you …

Crimson would pool across the floor. Hearts would be ripped from chests. My daggers would maim and nail bodies to the wall for target practice.

That was assuming I showed mercy.

No one would be safe from me if they touched her.

As for my son, retribution would know no ends. I’d maul and shave the flesh from every soul who got in my way. Carnage would litter the halls like roadkill. What’s more, this court would be reduced to rubble, torn from its foundation, and everyone who’d survived my wrath would be buried alive beneath it.

Briar’s exhales cooled my temperature, calming the grisly visions. One squeeze of her hip, and I let go.

The princess kept watch as I descended into the veritable asshole of the castle. Torches bled orange across the cobbled floor, talons of light scratching across the final steps.

I sauntered into the alcove. There, I greeted the second obstacle—a man-bear with a brawny thicket of beard sagging from his jaw. Whereas I stood tall and athletic, this behemoth could dwarf an oak tree.

Seeing me, the guard rose from his bench. Even whilst he frowned my way, his impressive body flexed, as if to make a good impression. I caught his flicker of interest, how his pupils fattened whilst trailing down my form.

“Good evening, soldier,” I purred.

The man licked his lips and genuflected. “What brings you here, Court Je—”

“I have a craving.”

“State your business, then.”

“My business is capitulation. My business is you.”

Dumbfounded, the guard batted his lashes. “Beggin’ your pardon?”

I smirked and prowled toward him, my gaze sliding over his sturdy frame with unbridled lust. “You know of my varied tastes. I’ve heard the guards talking about it. It must be a strain, wondering but not finding out, being stuck here by your lonesome, wanting for company. So much wanting.”

The man-bear gripped his poleax, but his twitching member had other ideas. Given an invitation, he would gladly pound himself up my ass if I let him.

I gave his erect appendage a blatant once-over and quirked a brow. “Forgive me for daring to speak it, but your cock is magnificent.”

“I would ask you to stay where you are,” he warned. “Fraternizing while on duty is—”

“The Spring way,” I provided, stalling inches from him. “Do you know how many times I’ve envisioned a strapping man taking me prisoner? I can’t help myself any longer.” My fingers spider-crawled up the cuirass plated over his chest. “Do I not appeal to you? Because you appeal to me, sweeting. You have no idea how a hairy man violates me in dreams.”

His eyes tripped to my mouth. “I have a job.”

---