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 didn’t know how to unlock my legs from where I stood, now without any company on my side of the Crimson throne room. 


My sister - Ivory Queen Tulip - broke into a run the closer she came. We tightly embraced the second she was close enough. 


“Are you hurt?” She suddenly pulled away, turning over my wrists, inspecting what she could of my arms, legs, face -


“I’m fine,” I answered, hearing how dazed I sounded. 


Her motions paused. Her head inclined so I knew she was looking at my left hand in hers.


At my engagement ring. I had remembered to hide my dagger, but I had forgotten to hide my ring.


I casually moved my hand away, not wanting to draw unwanted attention to it. Switching where the attention lie, I carefully touched the diamond encrusted mask that covered half her face. 


She turned her head away, out of my touch. Ashamed. She appeared smaller than she did a moment ago, subtly shrunken into herself. 


Chapter 55: By Bars of Fear