I circled him slowly, tracing my fingertips along his back, ribs, and stomach. His hair stood and I saw other clear signs of arousal, but I knew I could do better. I wanted him to beg - for what, I didn't yet know. He would tell me, and I would use it against him.

"Scarlet," he whispered, voice heavy with need.

I kissed his cheek.

My purpose was to serve the Ivory Kingdom. Be their sacrificial princess; enter the Other world; seduce our enemy, Rowan the Crimson King. I did all of these things. Now he would take me to the Crimson Gates and unwittingly break the banishment curse on my kingdom. My kingdom would invade his overnight. But he wasn't the monster I was told he would be. He was precious, playful, and all things good. I didn't want to betray him, but I didn't know what else to do.

18+ for sexual content
TW: mild violence; substance-induced psychosis; recovery from cult/mental abuse.

Of What is Red is created by Diana Regolizio, an eGlobal Creative Publishing signed author.

Of What is Red

I pictured the clearest version of her I could glean from the memory in Rowan’s head back when we had smoked with Reigina Mathilde. “Crimson Queen?” I spoke into the radio. “I’m sorry I don’t know your actual name.”


“Is young Lily Whitrose speaking to me in my thoughts?” Even through the static, her voice was clear and soothing - perfectly balanced between ‘cartoon princess’ and 'fairy godmother.’


My hair stood. I knew I couldn’t be talking to the dead, because if I could do that I would’ve been able to talk to my mom.


I had many questions, but the first I asked was, “You know my name?”


“Oh, this is all very strange and suddenly very normal,” she mused. “We’re back at the Ivory Kingdom.”


My mouth fell open. “You ‘and’ the…Mr. Rowan’s dad?” I didn’t know what to call him in the instance of there being two Crimson Kings, but saying this aloud felt juvenile and I immediately wished to undo it.


Chapter 49: The War Will Start