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

Without Rowan’s reassuring presence, the Night felt stronger, even through the shelter of the bus. It wasn’t as bad as it was surrounding Amethyst Reigholt, but the headache of non-thoughts felt stronger. I kept checking the compass to ensure I hadn’t somehow changed direction.


“Driving straaaight,” I said, singing to myself but without any real effort. "Sitting in a skoolie and driving straaaight. Still headed south ‘cause I’m driving straaaight.” 


Remembering that the headache meant I was deep enough in the Land of Night for the radio to work, I turned it on and grabbed the device from its holder.


“Rowan?” I called. “Can you hear me?”


We hadn’t changed the channel at all to speak to his different colony leaders, so I knew this wasn't the issue. I was doing it wrong somehow. Rowan made it look easy, but I had gotten it right once. How did I get it to work with Tulip?


Chapter 48: But Life is Cruel