Her body felt heavier after that, as though she had finally given in to comfort.
There came a point in our journey when I turned from the fox’s path toward the Kingdom of Larkspur, where Cardic, my second brother, ruled.
He was exactly as his name suggested—a dick.
“Prince! That is not our way,” the fox said.
“It is our way now,” I said. “We will rest for the night.”
At least Samara would rest. I did not trust my brother enough to sleep in his territory.
“Are you certain, Prince?” asked the fox. “This will be unpleasant for you.”
I was very aware, but as I held Samara in my arms, the desire to give her comfort exceeded mine. “I am certain.”
Though with each step, the dread of our arrival grew and grew.
Ahead, I could see glimmering lights in the trees. They were the warmly lit windows and flickering lanterns of the fae who resided in Larkspur, the kingdom in the trees. A bridge marked the start of Cardic’s realm, and I walked it as it twisted through the branches. It was a slow climb to his palace, past homes belonging to many kinds of fae—dryads but also wood elves, green men and goblins.
Something zipped past me, striking my face.
I knew what it was the moment I heard the distinct whir of their wings.
“Fucking pixies,” I growled.
Cardic used their mischief and turned them into weapons. They attacked anything that came near him, even invited guests. He found it humorous, and the pixies enjoyed pleasing him, likely because they were in love with him.
I wondered what would happen if they discovered he was incapable of love.
Another pixie raced by. This time, I could feel her claws cut my face.
I ground my teeth as anger bloomed in my chest. I wanted to snatch them from the air and crush them into a nasty pulp, but as it turned out, I didn’t have to, because as soon as another flew by, Fox jumped, capturing the pixie in his mouth.
He swallowed it whole.
That was the end of their attack.
Finally, Cardic’s palace came into view. I was only relieved because my phantom limb had started to burn.Despite having no fingers at all, I could feel the fire in each digit. I grit my teeth against the pain, as I usually did, and I started up the many steps leading to its entrance. His home was crafted and carved into a great, ancient oak that seemed to reach to the stars, vanishing into the darkness above. Over time, the sturdy branches had grown thicker and fuller, further encapsulating the stone facade of his castle. It had many open windows and great balconies, overrun with trailing vines and dangling moss, though to my great delight, I spotted a familiar vine with tear-shaped leaves. It was poison ivy.
I willed it to grow wilder, to creep into my brother’s castle.
I hoped he would handle it and then pleasure himself.
It filled me with glee to think about the pain such a rash would cause him even as I approached the open, arched doorway of his castle for refuge. My legs and lungs burned, and I was hot and breathless, two things I despised unless I was having sex, something I had not done in a very long time, not since I had looked upon Samara. It was another side to the curse. I could be nothing but loyal to her. The very thought of fucking anyone else was…unimaginable. After tonight, I doubted we shared the same feeling. I wondered if she dreamed of the goblin king.
I held her tighter at the thought, my gaze falling to the comb he had given her. I wanted to pluck it from her hair and throw it into the dark abyss below my brother’s kingdom.
“Do not do it, Prince,” said the fox.
“How do you know what I am thinking?” I snapped.
“Because you growl more than me when you are angry,” he replied.
I set my teeth, hoping to keep myself silent. Soon, we came to the final few steps, but before I could reach the top, something flew over my head.
I ducked and looked over my shoulder to see a dagger land and skid down the steps.
It seemed my brother had already been made aware of my arrival.
