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

A small group of Crimson Knights escorted me inside the kingdom, flanked by Ivory soldiers.


The spectacle of the city made my throat tight and my eyes water. It worked in my favor to be emotional now, but it wasn’t because I was scared - as I should have appeared, having been “held captive by the enemy." 


I was supposed to have come here under better circumstances. Rowan was supposed to be the one to show me inside. 


The structures and layout were the best of both steampunk and vampire gothic aesthetics. Wrench might have been the town of most innovation, but those inventions were brought here, and magnified for a city that stretched further than I could guess, both vertically and laterally. 


Obsidian paths led up stairs and ramps, and the city appeared layered with breathtaking stone bridges and ledges, all overcome with red rose vines. 


“It’s beautiful,” I whispered, knowing Jasper would hear it beside me.


Chapter 54: By Iron Shock