The tendrils of her magic seep through my wound. They sink into my blood and purge the rot. Her wings beat wildly, and I count the glowing pink freckles decorating her cheeks. Her power is as gentle as her touch.
How can someone so soft and delicate radiate such strength? I lean into her body and allow myself to be completely consumed.
Her loveliness is greater up close.
Plump white birds land on her shoulders as her healing magic spreads throughout the meadow. A lone doe appears at our side, stepping around the dead viper to nuzzle into Arden's thigh. The Fairy Queen's consecration never wanes, but I see the pleasure these small creatures bring her.
She overflows with affection for her subjects. Arden is love and life. Having spent my days around stinking, greedy men, it’s decadent to be close to someone who radiates pure goodness.
Makes the insatiable man inmerise to the occasion.
Desire stirs inside me, more powerful than a tidal wave. It would be no great feat to give in and drown in her sweetness—in the peace she offers. The dream is fleeting. I have come too far to forgo the one thing I've been searching for all my life.
The only thing I've ever wanted is freedom from my curse. I can't allow a distraction—even one as beautiful as Arden—to weaken my resolve.
Black goo pools from my injury. Arden glows like the sun as her magic encircles the wriggling rot. It evaporates with asickening shriek. Putrid vapors perfume as her magic purges the venom.
Once my wound is clear, her magic seals over the openings.
"It'll scar," she whispers.
My lips curl at the apologetic look on her face.
"I'll wear them with pride. A badge of honor from protecting my Queen."
Arden says nothing, trying and failing to hide her smile.
She likes me. Enjoys my teasing even if she’s not ready to admit it yet.
Removing her hands, I feel the loss of contact like a physical blow. I want to drag her back towards me. To demand that a new piece of our bargain is that she must touch me whenever we are together.
My thoughts are foolish.
It's as if I've never bedded a woman in my life. When I’m near Arden, I feel as though I haven't. At least not in a way that matters.
My desire for her is far more potent than when I was a young sailor, unaccustomed to the pleasures of the flesh. I have had my share of torrid, drawn-out affairs and heady, one-night encounters with one or several willing partners.
This is different from the fleeting desire I've felt for a woman after too many months at sea. The need to have Arden burrows under my skin and sinks into my blood. I feel her in my heart.
I taste her soul on my tongue.
My fever from the wound is gone, replaced by the heat from Arden's lingering touch. She is slowly becoming my madness. A troublesome discovery as I'll need to keep my wits if the two of us wish to survive the hell she's sent us into.
Our foes are about to get worse than one viper. So much for thinking the biggest hurdle I'd have to undertake for the fairies is reaching items on a high branch.
Though there is still a chance she'll want to see me naked.
Gods, please, just once would be enough. Maybe twice. Three times, if I'm really lucky.
Four, if I'm a good boy?—
"Take care, Finn," Arden warns, silencing my heady thoughts. "As the Void spreads, the more my power wanes."
Placing my palm on my heart, I bow low at the waist. She meets my teasing smile with a glint in her eyes that makes me long to seehernaked.
I need to bathe in a cold river. Quickly. The stirring in my cock agrees. The last thing I need is my old friend rising to the occasion.
Queen Arden most assuredly wouldn't like that.
