My mind raced as I tried to think of any excuse to not sleep on this bed, knowing he would be on it with me. I couldn’t have him so close.
He had already gotten so close.
But there was nothing, nothing I could think of.
The soft glow of candlelight painted the room in a warm, golden hue as I lay on the bed, my heart pounding in my chest. Pan's presence filled the room with an electric tension, a tangible desire that hung heavy in the air.
As he began to undress, I nearly choked on my own breath. I watched him with fascination and trepidation. His movements were fluid and graceful, his attire slipping away to reveal the chiseled contours of his body. The sight was mesmerizing, and I found myself unable to tear my gaze away.
I should.
I shouldn’t look –
I shouldn’t feel this heaviness in my lower stomach, the way even the thin nightgown seared my skin. It was too hot, I was too smothered, and my heart was too strong as it increased its pace against my chest.
However, when the moment came for him to remove his pants, a blush crept up my cheeks, and I quickly averted my eyes. Embarrassment washed over me, my heart racing even faster.
He chuckled. “Ah, so, my theory about you is correct.” I heard the ruffle of clothing, and suddenly felt a dip in the bed, forcing me to roll onto my back so I could look up at Pan.
I sucked in a deep breath, watching him hover over me. His broad shoulders flexed as he placed one hand over me, hand coming to rest near my head, boxing me in. Once again, I was trapped, this time, beneath a powerful body that radiated dangerous heat my body seemed to crave.
“You’re an innocent,” he said, his eyes flicking up and down my body. “Untouched.”
“I…” I swallowed. Part of me didn’t want to admit my inexperience. Would he…would he take me by force?
“You need not concern yourself, mortal,” he said, his eyes dropping to my lips. “I have no desire for you, as I’ve plainly stated. Although, judging by the scent coming from your legs, your desire for me is palpable.” His lips curved up.
Without warning, I reached out to slap him. He caught my wrist instantly, leaning down so our faces were almost touching.
“You dare raise your hand to me again?” he asked, though his voice wasn’t as harsh as I expected it to be. “I can smell you, mortal. It overwhelms me even now. If you’re angry, be angry with your body. I have done nothing to you.”
“You’ve reduced me to being a pet,” I snapped.
“And in exchange, you will receive information on your brothers,” he said. His unrelenting grip on my wrist tightened.
“Oh, yeah?” I asked through gritted teeth. “When? I’ve done everything you’ve asked for and you haven’t given me anything.”
“What would you like?” Pan asked, his green eyes burning into mine. “Would you like assistance in assaguing your desire for me? Would you like pleasure?”
My mouth went dry. “I thought…you didn’t…” I couldn’t even finish my sentence.
The room was bathed in the soft, flickering light of candles. The air was thick with an unspoken tension, a palpable desire that hung heavy between us.
“Perhaps…perhaps there are certain extreme times that call for exceptions…” He let his voice trail off as he moved even closer.
Pan's lips brushed against the sensitive skin of my neck, and I gasped at the sensation, my heart racing even faster. His kiss was gentle and teasing, a slow exploration of the delicate curve where my neck met my shoulder. I shivered beneath his touch, unable to deny the electric current that coursed through me.
But as quickly as the kiss had begun, it ended. Pan pulled back abruptly, his eyes wide with surprise and confusion. His fingers brushed against his lips, as if to confirm the reality of what had just transpired.
"I... I don't normally..." he began, his voice trailing off as he struggled to find the right words. His gaze remained locked on me, desire and uncertainty haunting his eyes.
I watched him, my own confusion mirrored in his expression. But sweet relief washed over me. Because I knew if he hadn’t pulled away, I knew I would…
I didn’t want to think of it. Shame washed over me and I had to look away just as Pan pulled back. He practically stumbled off the bed, pulled on his tunic from before, and left. His movements were hurried and abrupt, as if he needed to distance himself from the unexpected intimacy that had unfolded between us. The air in the room seemed to shift, the tension that had once hung between us replaced by a sense of uncertainty.
I had to get out of here.
I had to…
I didn’t know.
But this was a waste of time, a failure. I was the wrong person for this.
Stupid.
I was so stupid.
The room was filled with the remnants of our charged encounter. I lay on the bed, my heart still pounding, but a different emotion now surged within me—overwhelming guilt.
What had transpired between Pan and me, the intimate moments we had shared, felt like a transgression, a betrayal of the very reason I had come here. I had a mission—a mission to uncover the truth about my missing brothers and, perhaps, avenge their disappearance. But I had lost sight of my purpose.
As I lay there, the weight of my guilt pressing down on me, I realized that I needed to extricate myself from this world of enchantment and intrigue as quickly as possible. The boundaries between captor and captive had blurred, and the lines between desire and danger had become perilously thin.
I couldn't afford to be entangled in the complexities of the Fae court, not when the fate of my brothers hung in the balance. With a heavy heart, I made a decision, one that was filled with a sense of urgency and determination.
I had to leave, to escape the seductive grasp of the Fae Prince and the web of secrets and desires that surrounded him. The guilt that weighed on me served as a stark reminder of the stakes of my mission, and I couldn't allow myself to be swayed by the enchantment of this world any longer.
With resolute resolve, I began to plan my departure, knowing that the journey ahead would be fraught with challenges and dangers of its own. But I couldn't let that deter me. I had a purpose—to find my brothers and uncover the truth—and I would stop at nothing to see it through.
I slipped out of the bed, careful not to make a noise. I had no idea where Pan was and I didn’t want to attract unwanted attention to myself if I could help it. The room was bathed in shadows, the flickering candlelight casting eerie dances upon the walls. I didn’t even stop and change. There was no time.
There was a chance I would get caught. I had no idea what kind of consequence there was for escape, but I didn’t care.
Too much had happened, too much that couldn’t be undone.
Leaving was the only solution, even if it wasn’t going to be easy.
I had to try.
As I made my way through the silent corridors, my footsteps echoing softly, I knew I had let everyone down.
Myself, more than anyone.
But I couldn’t do this. It was foolish for me to think I could.
There was a reason my parents moved on with their lives. They didn’t believe they’d find my brothers, and when I left, they let me go. Because I wasn’t worth fighting for. I wasn’t valuable to them. And I was sure Pan would be upset that I slipped away, but he didn’t want me. He’d probably chalk it up to me being scared or vulnerable. He wouldn’t come after me, not when he had Fae beauties to pick from. And I was sure he could find someone else to help him gather information.
The castle's grand corridors were shrouded in shadows as I crept silently down the staircase, my hands coated in perspiration. The urgency of my escape weighed on me, and every creak of the ancient floorboards seemed to echo like a drumbeat in the stillness of the night.
Just as I reached the bottom of the staircase, I froze. A soft, melodic voice drifted through the darkness, and I saw a figure step out from the shadows. She had just come from the kitchen, licking her fingers. It was Evangeline, her delicate features illuminated by the faint moonlight streaming in through a nearby window.
"Wendy?" she whispered, her voice filled with surprise as she took me in. "What are you doing here?"
I hesitated for a moment, unsure of whether to trust her. But desperation and the need for allies in this unfamiliar world won out, and out of everyone, she seemed the safest. "Evangeline," I said in a hushed tone, "I have to leave. I can't stay here any longer."
"Wendy," she began in a hushed voice, "are you certain about this? Leaving the Fae court is not a decision to be taken lightly."
I met her gaze. "Oh, come on, Evangeline," I replied, my voice filled with annoyance that I had been holding back the entire day. "I can't stay here. I’m not even a contestant anymore. I’m a pet. And I don’t…” I clenched my teeth. “This isn’t what I signed up for.”
Evangeline's delicate features betrayed a hint of sadness. "But what if you're wrong?" she asked softly. "What if you're leaving behind a chance at a life of magic, of endless enchantment? You could do great things, especially if you stay.” She hesitated. “Yes, there’s a good chance you won’t win –”
“I don’t care about winning,” I said.
“But think of what you could do for your town,” she said. “The people are rooting for you. You are one of them, after all.”
"I appreciate your advice, Evangeline," I said, my voice filled with gratitude, "but my place is with my family.” I almost said Robin’s name. Almost. I couldn’t believe I had let myself get tempted by Pan, of all people, when I was in love with Robin.
Evangeline sighed, her shoulders slumping in resignation. "Very well," she conceded. "I understand your reasons, even if I wish it were different. However, I do understand, what with Seraphina’s death still haunting these walls. There’s a chance you’d be next, especially with your status as a mortal. Perhaps that’s why Pan chose you as his pet. The protection it offered.”
I didn’t want to think about Pan. In fact, I was tempted to rip off the choker still clinging to my neck, but I couldn’t bring myself to do it and I didn’t want to think about why.
I let out a breath I didn't realize I had been holding. "Can you help me?" I asked, my voice tinged with hope. “I can’t keep standing around, talking. I need to leave before we’re caught.”
Evangeline didn't hesitate. She moved closer to me, her graceful movements like a dance in the moonlight. "Of course," she replied. "I'll help you sneak out."
As Evangeline and I crept through the dimly lit corridors of the castle, every shadow seemed to come alive with the possibility of discovery. Our footsteps were hushed, but the weight of our mission hung heavily in the air.
We had almost reached the castle's rear exit when a sudden noise, the clank of armor against stone, echoed down the hallway. My heart leaped into my throat, and I grabbed Evangeline's arm, pulling her into a concealed alcove just in the nick of time.
Two Fae guards, their armor gleaming in the faint torchlight, passed by, their voices low in conversation. I held my breath, my heart pounding so loudly I was sure they could hear it. Inches from us, their footsteps echoed like thunder, and I was certain they would spot us.
But luck was on our side that night. The guards continued on their way, oblivious to our presence. It was a close call, and I could feel the sweat beading on my forehead.
As the echoes of the guards' footsteps faded into the distance, I let out a shaky breath, my grip on Evangeline's arm loosening. She met my gaze, her own eyes wide with fear and relief.
"We have to be more careful," she whispered, her voice trembling. "The castle is filled with eyes and ears, and they're always watching."
I nodded in agreement. Our escape was fraught with danger and uncertainty, and every moment outside the castle walls would be a test of our wits and resourcefulness.
With renewed caution, we continued our journey toward the castle's rear exit, our senses alert to any signs of danger. The world outside beckoned, and with it, the promise of freedom, of seeing Robin again, of finally ridding myself of Pan and the effect he had already had on my senses.
The night air was cool and refreshing as Evangeline and I finally stepped out of the castle, our escape from the world of the Fae court now a reality. The moonlight bathed the palace grounds in an eerie, silvery glow, casting long shadows that danced at our feet.
Evangeline turned to me, her expression a mixture of relief and determination. "Wendy," she said, her voice barely above a whisper, "there's a path through the Blood Forest that should lead you back to town without encountering the patrolling guards. It's treacherous, but it's your best chance."
I nodded, gratitude welling up within me for this unexpected ally. "Thank you, Evangeline," I whispered. "I wouldn't have made it this far without your help."
She offered a small, reassuring smile. "Remember, Wendy, the Blood Forest is not to be underestimated,” she said. “It's a place of ancient magic and danger. Stay on the path, and do not linger. The forest is known for its tricks and illusions."
I swallowed hard, the weight of her words settling in my chest. The Blood Forest was notorious among the townsfolk, a place where stories of enchantment and terror intertwined. But I had no choice.
Evangeline reached out and gently touched my arm. "May the stars guide your way, Wendy,” she murmured. “And may you find the answers you seek."
With a final nod, I turned and stepped onto the path that would lead me into the heart of the Blood Forest, away from the Fae court and Pan for good.