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

Rowan sped us through the winding maze of thick trees leading out of Amethyst Reigholt. Reigina Mathilde wouldn’t offer us an army, but sent us on our way with this world’s equivalent of thoughts and prayers. As annoyed as I was, I still freshly remembered her feelings around joining the fight last time. 


At least she started work on a new banishment curse. Which would be ready in four years.


The Ivory Kingdom wouldn't have reached the Crimson Kingdom gates yet, if the curse worked the way Reigina Mathilde suspected it did. The Ivory Court and its citizens would appear back at their kingdom ruins. They would have to figure out how to travel the Land of Night. 


“Can I tell you something terrifying?” Rowan asked, sounding terrified himself.


“Tell me anything,” I said, sitting between his legs as he drove - preparing for the mental onslaught of Night. 


“I don’t know how to handle war. I’m not a fighter. I ‘can’ fight, but I don’t think that way, I’m a peacemaker.”


Chapter 46: We'll Spread the Word