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

Albus’s crinkled light grey eyes widened. For the first time in my life, I saw rage within. 


His thin lips lifted in a snarl. “You bi-“


I smacked him with his crown again, baiting him. Tulip wouldn’t fight him for swearing at me, but she might’ve done something if he physically tried to hurt me.


She widened her eye at me, the other hidden behind her exquisite creme satin mask bedazzled with tasteful diamonds - the mask which covered the abuse he had subjected her to. She still held his other hand in preparation to pull him up.


Drunk off of cold hard justice, I roared at him, “Where are your soldiers!? Where is your Court!? You have NO power here!”


He roughly twisted out of my hold and grabbed my wrist, face beginning to redden where his crown had connected.


I refused to be afraid of him. I was sure that irritated him further.


I dropped his crown, content to watch it fall into the shadowy depths of the stone and sand passage behind him.


Chapter 58: To Raze the Red