Page 69 of When Roses Burn

My head spun as I cried out in anguish. I’d heard what the Needing could do to someone, but I’d told myself I could withstand it. I’d prepared to do everything differently than all the other casters… but I wasn’t prepared. I wasn’t prepared at all.

I had to ease myself, but I couldn’t… I wouldn’t.

I wouldn’t become a slave to this. I wouldn’t give in to these urges; I could get through this.

As the thought crossed my mind, a fresh wave of overwhelming lust gripped me.

Or maybe I’ll die.

That might be preferable.

CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR

Knox

My teeth ground together as I stalked up the stairs to the third floor. She’d refused to come down. No one disobeyed me… especially not her.

She didn’t get to decide what she wanted to do in my home.

I was halfway up the stairs when her scent hit me. It was so powerful it staggered me back a step, and I nearly lost my balance. My hand shot out to grip the railing before I plunged back to the second floor.

Last night, I smelled her arousal, but not like this. Tonight, it was nearly overwhelming and, like last night, I had no idea what brought it on.

I’d discovered her watching my friends last night, but I’d left them in the dining hall, and they couldn’t have made it outside already.

And then the reason for the intensity of her arousal hit me… her Needing.

I’d known it was coming and prepared a space in the training room for her, but I hadn’t expected it right now. Bertie had just been in her room, and I was sure she would have mentioned if she’d seen Briar in Needing.

I’d believed I was ready for what her Needing would do to me, but for a second, I couldn’t breathe as my body, mind, and heart all warred with each other. Blood flooded my shaft; not only did I want her, but so did the beast. Before I realized I’d moved, I’d ascended to the third floor.

When reality crashed over me, I restrained myself from going any further. Taking a few deep breaths, I fisted my hands. I hadn’t realized my claws had extended until they dug into my palms and blood welled.

While she didn’t smell like the other casters who entered the harem, the overwhelming aroma of her lust threw me back into that repulsive place. I loathed those monsters and would destroy every caster in the kingdoms… including her.

The beast clamored to go to her and ease her, but I wanted to turn away and let her rot.

She’s my only chance of discovering the truth.

And that was what stopped me from turning away. I wasn’t sure I could trust myself, or the beast around her, but I needed to know how to break the curse. Briar was my only chance of saving my kingdom.

The curse. I have to remember the curse when it comes to her.

I trudged up the steps to the tower and removed the key from above the door. I braced myself for what was on the other side as I slid the key into the lock and opened the door.

It swung inward to reveal an empty room with a neatly made bed, open drapes, and a single book on the table beside the chair. A small whimper came from behind the closed bathroom door.

The air reeked of strawberries and eucalyptus as I crossed the room, opened the door, and froze. Briar knelt on the floor with her arms above her head and her forehead on the tile.

I’d fully expected to find her masturbating or fucking whatever she could find until she could get a cock. Her nails had snapped off from where she’d left deep gouges in the tile. Blood oozed from her fingertips, and the jagged pieces of her broken nails lay scattered across the floor.

“Go away,” she moaned.

“That’s not going to happen. I have plans for you.”

Briar whimpered again as I crossed to her and plucked her off the floor. The sound she emitted was one I’d often issued in my head while in the harem; it was so full of suffering that my heart constricted. I hesitated before throwing her over my shoulder and leaving the room.

I ignored the enticing curve of her ass so close to my face as I kept my arms locked around her legs and carried her through the room and out the door. This close, her scent was overwhelming, and walking became increasingly difficult as my erection pressed against my pants.