Page 5

I tugged Fallon to my chest, pulling her from the monster’s path and ruining the thing’s lunch. If anyone was going to feast on the princess, it would be me.

I’d been minding my own business, working my way through the maze and avoiding any of the shit that was doing its best to scare me.

The place was like some haunted ride at a carnival, except instead of being at risk of pissing your pants and getting your shit stolen while distracted by your fear, there were actual threats.

Not that I was scared of any of that crap.

I was the guy terrorising people and stealing their shit.

Nevertheless, this maze was crawling with all kinds of fucked-up things.

Case in point, the monster pursuing Fallon.

I heard hurried footsteps heading my way and hid in the hedge.

When the person turned into the dead end, I saw it was the princess.

I’d moved on instinct to protect her and now here we were, tucked into an alcove hidden by overgrown vines in a dead-end of the maze.

A statue of a medieval knight stood between us and the monster who’d appeared.

I kept my hand over her mouth as we watched the creature round the corner hedge and step into the opening.

Huge eyes protruded from a spotted round head, its tentacle-like limbs stroking the world around it as it searched.

It reminded me of snakes writhing in a pit.

All the while the most disgusting wet noises filled the air as it searched in vain.

I’d seen some shit, but the sight and sounds combined made even me wanna fucking gag.

Thankfully, there was the little distraction currently nestled up against me that helped me keep it together.

Fallon’s back pressed to my chest as she watched the creature, her body fitting perfectly against mine as my arm circled her waist and we crept back around the statue. I directed us, with her focus never straying from the monster sniffing the dead-end in search of its lost meal.

It was a special kind of torture having her close to me like this. The woman had changed so much in my life within such a short time. Because of her, everything had turned on its head.

She wasn’t to blame for any of the crazy shit that was going on at the academy, yet she was to blame for my shift in moral stance and behaviour.

Fallon pushed my buttons and forced me to face shit I’d usually brush to the side or twist until it suited my worldview.

I think she was making me better. I wouldn’t say it aloud, though, and I sure as fuck would never say that a certain merman, blockhead, and nudist had also been involved in this unexpected shift in character.

It was never the plan to enter even the first trial.

I was supposed to get in and get out with Cormac’s weapon, whatever the fuck it was, yet here I remained.

It was trial three and I had zero interest in following Cormac’s orders.

I was going to get that weapon for my own use, then I’d get my hands on the crown, too.

No one could tell me to do shit after that.

The world would be mine to do with as I saw fit.

I’d finally be free, with everyone else at the mercy of my whims—including the princess.

She’d look so fucking good leashed for me.

I became aware of my hand still over Fallon’s mouth, those lush lips pressed to my palm.

I slid my bionic hand along her waistband, grazing the skin back and forth because, yes, I was a cheeky bastard and there was no point denying it.

My lips tugged up at one side as her ass pushed back into me.

I released her mouth from the grip of my other hand, wrapping my fingers around her neck and feeling her accelerated heart rate.

My bionic hand slipped further south, and she swallowed hard against my touch.

She didn’t shove me away, so I leaned forward, pressing my lips just below her ear and making her shiver. The monster groaned in front of us, its giant green eyes darting around in one last search before a far-off scream caught its attention and it retraced the way it had come.

Or should I say, slithered.

Fallon jumped out of my hold as soon as the coast was clear and spun around with a wry smile on her face. “Opportunistic asshole.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment,” I replied with a smirk, leaning against the knight statue.

Her face softened as her eyes dragged over me. “You’re okay.”

“Is that genuine concern I hear, Princess?”

“Don’t let it go to your head,” she teased, turning away from me and walking in the only direction we could, which happened to be the way the monster had gone. Her hands fidgeted at her sides, the only sign of her discomfort as I followed. “Did you… did you catch him?”

“The hooded attacker?”

“Yeah.”

“The fucking mist got us first,” I replied, irritated by the turn of events which meant the fucker had avoided capture. We’d been so close.

“That’d be right,” she said. “Nothing is ever easy.”

“We’ll get him,” I told her. “I promise.”

We paused at an intersection in the hedge, noting the slime on the ground. “Thanks for going after him.”

“Don’t mention it,” I replied, rubbing the side of my head. “Really. Is your sister…?”

Fallon shook her head. “She didn’t make it.”

“Ahh. I’m sorry for your… loss.”

She nodded, her lips a thin line. “Where do you think we are?” she asked, abruptly changing the subject as she rolled her shoulders and glanced around before taking the slime-free path to the left.

“In a maze.”

“No shit,” she scoffed, making another turn. “Any ideas of where said maze is? Or what it leads to?”

I was glad the conversation shifted away from feelings.

I was no good at the emotional shit and I’d probably fuck up if I tried.

Fallon seemed to know where she was going, and I was in no position to argue.

I liked a good puzzle or code to crack, but anything to do with direction was not a good time.

I relied on technology or landmarks to gauge my whereabouts.

This place was nothing but hedges, and I wasn’t exactly an adept tracker.

I stuffed my hands in the pockets of my black ripped jeans and shrugged.

Unlike the other trials, we’d been left in the clothes we wore when we fell unconscious, not a jumpsuit in sight.

“Does it matter? We could be in the middle of Damascon Hollow for all we know. The magic of this place could be hiding anything.”

“Speaking of magic, do you have yours?” she asked, looking up at me with her bright copper eyes.

I shook my head. “You?”

“Nope, and I don’t have my wings either,” she replied with a frown. Her lips pouted distractingly. “At least we’re no longer alone, so that’s a positive...”

The princess kept talking, but I found myself struggling to concentrate. Those damn lips. I couldn’t help but remember where they had been and how they had moved against my dick and—

“Ace?” she snapped with her hands on her hips.

“Yeah?”

“Are you listening to me?”

“Sure,” I replied, running a hand through my dark hair.

I was lost and at her mercy. A place I wasn’t keen on being.

I liked being in control and Fallon having any power over me only made me want to pin her down and show her who was really in charge.

I chuckled to myself, knowing full well that she wouldn’t complain if I did.

The princess enjoyed being dominated, and I fucking loved having my way with her.

“What did I say then?” she asked with a smirk. She knew damn well I hadn’t been listening.

“That my dick is huge. Best you’ve ever had.”

She rolled her eyes, her smirk shifting into a broad smile. So fucking beautiful. “I was actually thanking you.”

“You’re fucking welcome.” I winked. “When we get back to the academy I’ll give you another ride.”

“Ace! Stop talking about your dick. I mean it.” She sighed, then turned her back to me, striding away. My eyes went straight to her ass.

Concentrate, you fucking idiot.

There was no point denying that Fallon was distractingly hot, but I was no lovesick puppy. Something about Fallon was messing with my head, and I needed to snap out of it asap.

Jogging to Fallon’s side, I placed my hand on the small of her back.

“Look, I’m not a feelings sort of guy, you know?

” I began. “I keep that shit locked down. What I am good at is fighting. And I’ve decided to stop fighting for myself and fight for you instead.

Whatever my future holds, you’re in it.” That was as close to a declaration of emotion as she was likely to get from me.

“Okay,” she said with a nod, not looking my way.

I pulled her to a stop, gripping her shoulders with both hands and looking her in the eyes. “That’s it? Nothing else to say to that?”

“Nope.” She popped the ‘p’ with all the attitude in the world.

“You’re a brat.”

She grinned at me wickedly. “Yahuh.” The princess closed the distance between us, her hand moving to grip my neck and dragging me towards her. “Now, shut up and kiss me.”

My hands braced against her waist, keeping her at bay as I stared into her lust-filled eyes and grinned. “Not so fast.”

“You’re joking right?” She tried to step back, her cheeks flushed, as I held her still.

It looked like my princess forgot who was in charge. I tugged her closer until her front was pressed into me. I kept my mouth from hers as I leaned close to whisper in her ear. “I call the shots.”

I released her, spinning her around and slapping her on the ass. Fallon swore as she jolted forward, then rounded on me, fury burning in her gaze.

“Asshole!”

She lunged, slapping me on the face, and I barked a laugh as I caught her wrist before she could do it again.

“Keep this up and you’ll get exactly what you wanted,” I told her, tightening my hold. “If you’re going to misbehave, then you’ll have to be punished.”

“Fuck you,” she hissed, her words breathy.

I winked at her. “Later.”