The Enchanted Rose
1292 Words
I laughed at the shocked look Flynn had on his face from my joke. After the initial shock, he seemed to relax into a smirk.
“Another village ahead,” Flynn’s voice cut through the tension we had somehow created.
“Maybe someone has seen him,” I murmured.
“One way to find out.”
We had walked all night through the forest and now the sun was rising over the village.
“By the way, I have been meaning to ask. Why do you not burn in the sun?”
I looked at my skin. “I was told we were cursed to endure the sunlight.”
“Cursed?”
I nodded. “I still get sleepy during the day, so it’s not like I can just keep going for days on end.”
“How is the sunlight a curse?”
“Because what good story about a vampire has them live in the sunlight?”
He shrugged. “Never thought about it.”
“People now poke fun, saying we sparkle, and we are stalkers, and are all pale skinned.”
He looked me up and down. “You look pretty tan to me.”
I chuckled. “Thanks, it’s the sun.”
“That one guy, the one you’re supposed to marry, he was pretty dark.”
“That is his line,” I said.
“Are there vampires who can’t see the sunlight?”
I nodded. “My mother, and anyone older than her.”
“Why is that?”
I gave a shrug, “I’m honestly not sure. But most of the younger generation is able to endure the sun. It can make us sick, but we endure it.”
“I see.” He nodded in understanding. “Do we need to get you a room for the morning?”
I held back a yawn, “I think I am fine. We only have so many days until I’m the next ruler.”
His eyes trailed over my body. “You’re going to sleep.”
I shook my head. “No, I’m good.”
He rolled his eyes. “You’re stubborn princess.”
In one swoop, he scooped me up in his arms. “There is an inn nearby.”
“How do you know?”
He didn’t say anything as he walked with me in tow. I wrapped my arms around his neck.
“Aren’t I heavy?”
He gave me a strange look, frowning. “No. What a dumb thing to say.”
“It’s not—” I started to shout then softened my voice. “It’s not dumb.”
Finally we reached an inn called, “The Enchanting Rose.”
A bouncing succubus with extra large breasts greeted us. “Hello!” she smiled.
“Lovely,” I muttered under my breath.
Flynn gave my body a slight squeeze.
“Hello.” He smiled. “My companion is unable to move on her own, please find me a room please.”
“Oh!” she exclaimed, looking me up and down. “That is serious. Just so you know, this is a love hotel, so we charge for the hour.”
He gave her a crocked smile. “You don’t have a rate for those who want to spend the whole night here?”
The succubus blushed. “Oh we do, but normally people don’t ask for it.”
“You were the closest,” he looked her up and down, “to us. I am afraid I don’t think I’ll be able to keep holding her much longer.”
The girl giggled. “I would say not.” She looked me up and down in a judging way. As if she was saying I was fat, not that he was weak.
“So can we have the room for an afternoon at least?”
The girl nodded. “I’ll give it to you for a lower price.” She winked. “And if you get tired of babysitting, don’t hesitate to come see me.”
He gave her a wink back, urging me to take the key from her. I grabbed the key, nauseous from the flirting that was oozing from the two of them.
“It’s the third on your left. All the rooms are soundproof.” She added.
“Thank you Emmy.” He called out as he went up the stairs.
When we reached the room, the door closed, and he placed me on the bed, I was still glaring at him.
“Thank you Emmy.” I mocked.
His charming smile was gone and replaced with a smirk. “Jealous?”
“As if.” I looked off to the side. “I thought you didn’t like charm-speak.”
“I am not fond of it, but I didn’t use it on her. Succubus wouldn’t have responded that way. I used good old fashion flirting.”
“You’re a cad,” I threw a pillow at him.
He caught it easily, tossing it behind me. “A cad? What are you, two-hundred years old?”
“I’m old enough.”
“Oh yeah?” He slowly stalked closer. “Old enough to know you’re in a sound-proof room with a man?”
“More like a wolf.” I said quickly.
Flynn paused for a moment. “A wolf huh?” He grew closer to me. I leaned back a little. Forgetting that I really wasn’t unable to get up.
“Y-Yes…” I said in a small voice.
“I thought I was a cad.” He was now a breath away from my face, whispering.
“You can be both.” I was trying to focus on anything but his lips.
“Can I?” He c****d his head a little, leaning over me a bit.
“Yes…” I said almost inaudible.
His touch was gentle yet firm, his fingers gripping my chin as he held me in place. My heart fluttered in my chest as I felt his warm breath on my lips, sending tingles down my spine. Every nerve in my body seemed to be on fire as he delicately brushed his lips against mine, barely making contact. It was a dance of anticipation, each moment building up to an explosion of desire. I could feel the heat emanating from him. His touch was electric, igniting a fire within me that I may never want to extinguish.
Finally, after a moment which felt like forever.
“Go to bed princess.” He smirked, standing up straight.
I sat there, stunned, unable to even blink in disbelief. It took a few moments for my brain to process the shock before I could utter a single word: “What?”
He chuckled as he made his way to the door. “Get some sleep, I’ll watch the door.” And he left.
Sitting on the edge of the bed, I was left in a daze by the almost-kiss that never came to pass. I strained to hear if he had left, but then remembered the room was soundproof. A mixture of confusion and frustration filled me as I wondered why he had teased me like that. It appeared that he was satisfied with keeping me wanting for more.
I sighed heavily and lay back on the bed, staring up at the ceiling. The room felt suffocating, the walls pressing in on me as if they were aware of my disappointment. I closed my eyes and tried to calm my racing thoughts. Perhaps it was for the best. After all, a relationship with Flynn would only complicate matters further.
I must have dozed off because before I knew it, I was sound asleep.
- Writer
