The evening air was cool and gentle against my skin, carrying the distant sound of birds chirping and distant conversations. I was currently walking around an almost deserted park, and I was certain Alfred was probably somewhere wondering where the hell I went.
To be fair, I just needed a moment to myself--one breath away from the overwhelming reality that in a few short weeks, I would be crowned the Fae Queen. Me. A girl who, up until recently, thought her biggest problem was wondering how to outsmart Bill when it came to the tip jar.
Now, working at the bar and hoping my manuscript got accepted by a big publishing house was only a distant dream. All I could ever think of was the power waiting for me when I finally assumed my place as the queen, just like my great uncle had intended.
I walked down a narrow path deeper into the park, and the path I walked on was lined with gorgeous flowers that seemed to look even brighter as the sun slowly set. I brushed my fingers against their petals, feeling a strange pull in my chest as if the land itself was whispering my name.
Maybe it was.
It wasn't surprising anymore because the power inside me had been growing stronger every day since I realized what I was. It has been stretching and clawing, wanting to spring out of me and become its full and powerful self. And the longer I go without satisfying my desires, the more restless I feel.
The singular thought of it was scary, but I had a nagging feeling that I was ready to accept what was to come. I was chosen for this, and I slowly started to believe that maybe I was the right choice.
Suddenly, my ears perked up at the soft rustling of dry leaves coming from behind me. I wasn't alone. My body tensed up for a second before I reminded myself--I'm not human anymore. I belonged here. These feelings were normal, and I needed to learn to accept it as a part of myself. Besides, I'd met all sorts of creatures these past few weeks: vampires, werewolves, witches, and even ghouls. Most of them have been eager to please me, to touch me, to taste me. And I wanted more.
The more pleasing I got, the more insatiable I became.
I thought it was a sign of something bad, but Alfred had assured me that I needed that hunger to rule the kingdom well. And without it, he would have been doubtful if I really belonged here.
Finally, whoever it was that was stalking me finally walked into the light, and I didn't feel afraid. Instead, I felt a sharp pang of hunger within me. I wanted him so bad, it hurt.
The man standing in front of me was tall and with silver hair that was tousled and fell over his broad shoulders. His eyes were a bright shade of violet, glowing faintly as they raked over my body, taking me in.
Another Fae.
We could identify ourselves from a mile away. It was almost like magnetism. And this man standing in front of me was gorgeous, in the way that only a Fae can be--dangerous and otherworldly.
"You've been following me," I blurted the words before I could even stop myself.
He gave me a smirk which made me instantly wet, and I tried everything I could not to rub my thighs together like the slut I was.
"You shouldn't be out here alone," he murmured, his voice smooth as silk. "It's dangerous."
I crossed my arms over my chest defensively. "I can take care of myself. I'm a big girl," I countered.
The smirk that had filled his face only got bigger now, and I couldn't decide if I hated it or loved it.
"Oh, I'm sure you can." He took a slow step forward, then another. I stood my ground, wanting to look as intimidating as possible even though I was shaking on the inside.
The space between us kept shrinking as he came closer and closer, and I couldn't step back for the life of me. His presence wrapped around me like a spell, thick and suffocating.
"Tell me," he continued, his fingers brushing a loose strand of my red hair behind my ear. His touch sent a shiver down my spine. "Does it excite you? The thought of ruling?"
I swallowed hard, my own body betraying me. His scent filled my nostrils, and he was the only thing I could think of at that moment. To hell with the crown and ruling; I just wanted him to do whatever he wanted to me.
My pulse pounded in my ears. "I don't know."
His lips curved into something wicked. "Liar."
"I'm not lying," I shot back. I genuinely didn't know because there was no way I could focus with him this close to me.
"What else are you excited for?"
I was about to respond, but before I could say anything, his hand was already on my waist, pulling me flush against him. I gasped, my body melting against his effortlessly. My heart pounded in anticipation as his other hand tilted my chin up. The heat of his body pressed into mine, and my breath came in shallow gasps. I should push him away, should put an end to whatever this was before it consumed me whole.
But I didn't. I couldn't. Not when he was looking at me like prey he was ready to conquer. My pulse pounded in my ears, drowning out reason. He was so close. Too close.
"Power is my aphrodisiac," he whispered. "And you, my Queen, are radiating with it."
His lips grazed my jaw, his breath hot against my skin. His teasing touch ignited something primal in me, and before I could second-guess myself, I pressed my body against his, arching into him.
"How do you know I'm your queen?" I asked when I finally found my voice.
"I can smell power all over you," he responded. A small silence passed between us before he spoke up again. "If you want me to stop, just say the word." His leg slid between my thighs, pressing on my clit and making me bite back a moan.
I parted my lips, ready to tell him to go to hell, but the words tangled on my tongue when his thumb traced slow, agonizing circles over my skin.
"You are queen. You can tell me to stop. But I'm sure you don't want to because you are enjoying this."
His fingers slid up the inside of my thigh, slow and calculated. The way he touched me--so possessive and assured--made my stomach tighten with need. My nails dug into my palms. I hated him. I wanted him. God, I hated that I wanted him.
"You're an asshole," I bit out.
His only response was a dark chuckle and the slow, torturous drag of his fingers against the thin silk of my underwear. I wanted him so bad it hurts. A sharp inhale hitched in my throat when he pushed the fabric aside and pressed his thumb against my clit.
My fingers flew to his shoulders, gripping tight as my body jerked against his touch. My head fell back as he pressed me against a tree, but I couldn't close my eyes. I didn't want him to see how easily he unraveled me.
His voice dipped into a taunt. "I'm an asshole, yet you're dripping all over my hand. What does that say about you?"
I clenched my teeth, refusing to give him the satisfaction of an answer, but when he slid a finger inside me, stretching, stroking, filling, my resistance faltered. A low moan left my lips, and I bit down on my bottom lips hard enough to keep anything else from slipping out. He had a smirk on his face because he knew what he did to me, and I hated that.
"You like this, don't you?" he asked me. "You like a stranger's finger fucking you. You barely even know my name."
