The Book of G

by Lily Archer

Or is it his cock? You jealous your tiny prick can’t compete?”

well shit LOL

The sun glances out from behind the clouds here and there, lighting the strands until they look almost golden. It’s … beautiful. Not that I think men are beautiful, generally speaking. But no one could deny that Charles has nice hair. Nothing untoward in that.

“It’s a mask.” He smiles up at me. “Covers up the ugly side.” When his gaze rakes over the non-ruined half of my face, his blue eyes widen a little. “Handsome, right?” I ask. “No, I was just wishing she’d made a mask to cover your entire face, including a gag for your mouth.” “Fucking rude.” He grins and adjusts its placement. “Now you can just tie it. This way the townspeople won’t run screaming.”

am i crazy or is this kinda gay lmao

“You can let go now,” Charles says. “Oh.” I didn’t realize I’d still been holding him tight to me. “I was just—” “Sure.” He dismounts and rolls his eyes at me. “Just so you know, I’m not interested.” “What?” I scoff. “I’m the one who’s not interested.”

mhmm lol

Panic and worry—both unexpected—rise inside me.

My mouth falls open, my breath stilling in my chest. “Are those … Why does Charles have tits?”

damn. guess i was wrong about it being a little gay lmao defintely wasn’t expecting that

Charles’s ass rounds out her pants nicely. How had I never noticed that before?

ffs dude

“May the light of your king lead you to the safest roads and greenest vales.”

“Huh? What was that?” “Doesn’t matter. Let’s go.” “What king? Who’s she talking about?” “Drop it, G.” Charles says, her words tight. “More secrets.” I sit back and cross my arms over my chest. “Typical. Fine.” I stare daggers at her beautiful hair.

this feels like foreshadowing

has the most perfect set of tits I’ve ever seen. Her hips are rounded, and so is her ass. And her waist is warm and soft.

ugh. why is he suddenly acting like a pig? ew.

“Does it really matter that much to you that I’m not a man?” I sputter. “Of course it does!” “Why? I can fight. I can ride. I can read your map.” “Yes, but women are … they’re not supposed to—” “Be very careful with what comes out of your mouth next unless you want both sides of your face torn off.”

i love her

Damn, that sounds good. I can provide. She relies on me. I could beat my chest and whoop right now if it wouldn’t hurt so damn bad.

¬_¬

“I know you’re awake.” She pulls her hand back. “How do you know?” I whisper. She snorts a laugh, then sits up. “Maybe from the erection that’s trying to impale me.”

LOL

“Go on.” I sit beside the fire again, the flames feeling wonderful against my bare skin. Steam is already rising from the wet clothes. “I’m by far the worst what?” “There are a million different words that would fit perfectly in that sentence,” she simpers. “Rude.” But my lips still twitch a slight smile at her insult.

i seriously can't get enough of their banter

“That’s it.” I lead Belinda, hoping she won’t give out right here. I need her to get to Finnraven Hill. “Good girl.” “Don’t patronize her,” Charlie says through chattering teeth. “Okay, bad girl. You’re doing terrible.” I shake my head. “That’s not what I meant!” Charlie snaps.

Suspicion tries to creep into my mind.

same lol

The smirk turns into a grin. I want to kiss her on the forehead, to just brush my lips against her skin as a reassurance to both of us that this is real, that we’re safe and warm. I know I shouldn’t. But slowly, I move closer to her and do just that, pressing my lips against her soft skin. Her breath hitches. I draw back and close my eyes, wondering if she’s about to slap me across the face or knee me in the crotch. When she does neither, it warms me even more than the food and the fire.

this would be cute if he wasn’t acting like such a creep beforehand

The widow’s touch makes my skin crawl, and I realize I don’t want her hands on me. If anyone is going to touch me like that, I want it to be … It has to be Charlie.

I’m so close now I can see the glistening tips of her ears, and I have the impulse to run my tongue along them.

and i oop-

i love the art in this book

“Well, the ah, you see, ah, the men’s pool is … ” His voice trails off as if he can’t find whatever words he was about to say. “I’ll just leave you boys to it.” He turns and disappears into the mist, and then I hear him splash into the lower pool.

why was he in the women's area anyway?

“But you shouldn’t have risked it. Why would you do that? We could’ve just left.” I adjust my leg, wincing as I move. “It made you cry.” She turns her head sharply. “What?” “I wanted to kill it, so I did.” “Because it made me cry?” The word flabbergasted has never really occurred to me as one I could use, but as I look at her now, I know it must be the one that fits. I shrug.

why does this shit have me blushing lmao

He takes a piss, and I catch a glimpse of his monstrous cock. Not that I was looking—I fucking wasn’t—but that thing is hard to miss.

lol WTF

I’m not particularly fond of shadowy woods, but if this is what it takes to keep Charlie by my side, I’ll brave it a hundred times over.

T^T <3

Charlie has been by your side these many days and nights. Never left you. Comforted you while you cried out in your sleep. I’ve never seen such devotion. Almost made me jealous.”

my HEART T^T i love her

“You’re awake.” She smiles so big that my eyes tear up.

:’)))

She laughs, the sound soothing my aches even more than the water.

i’m not okay

I do a half ass job of rubbing it on my chest. Charlie falls into my trap, snatching the cloth from me and giving me a vigorous rub down, front and back.

“I’m going to eat all your croissants while you’re snoring, just so you know.” Her voice is a million miles away, but it’s warm and it’s hers, so I wrap it around me as I go.

I’d hate to have to kill you after all we’ve been through together, but I would. For her, I’d do it and not blink an eye.”

“I love you. Don’t you know that? I don’t think I’ve ever loved anything other than myself. I don’t remember how I used to be, but somehow, I know that’s true. At least it was, until you. I feel like maybe I’d been empty, like whatever life I had before was only a buildup to this. To you and me. I can’t explain it, but I know this is real, this is where I’m meant to be, because it’s where you are. I’d follow you anywhere, Charlie. I’d do anything to keep you safe, to make you happy.”

“Nope. I’m getting that phylactery. It’s the only way to get back what I’ve lost.” It’s the only way you could ever love me, I think silently.

why do i feel like he’s gonna regret this decision?

Her walls are back up. Even after last night, she’s still shutting me out of some parts of herself. I can’t help but believe it’s because of what I am. The same way she could never love me in this state—it affects everything. She can’t open up with me. Not until I’ve regained everything I lost.

not everything is about you bro. maybe she just doesn’t want to remember her past.

The rest of the shards around my heart fall, piercing the still-beating organ and bleeding me as I step back into the shadows where I belong.

:(

She moans, her hands no longer pushing me away as I whisper my lips across her ear. “But I didn’t, because I wanted you to be happy.” Goosebumps erupt along her skin. “I’d never be happy with him.” “Why is that? He not wicked enough for you?” “No.” She shoves me again, fire in her eyes when I meet her gaze. “Because I’m in love with you.”

“You love me?” “I do.” She kisses me again. “I’ve tried not to.” “Why would you do something silly like that?”

Sharing pain doesn’t make it hurt less, but it soothes the frayed ties between two souls.

“Let me guess. I could rip apart a dozen orphans with my bare hands, and you wouldn’t think any less of me. Something like that?” I smirk. “You could drink their blood, too. I wouldn’t care. I’d still love you, even if I might sleep with one eye open after that.” “What if I made a herd of goats attack a blind beggar?” I shrug. “At least he wouldn’t see them coming.” She snickers. “Awful.”

“I’m not a fan of this riding separate thing,” I complain for the third time. “You already miss me?” She looks over her shoulder. “I miss grinding my cock against you and pretending it’s just the motion of the horse.” “Oh, you thought you fooled me with that?” She laughs. “You’re hilarious.”

yikes

She reaches across and grabs my hand, squeezing it in hers. That’s enough to melt me. I think she knows it. I’m weak for her.

“Tell me more about your animal magic.” I gasp. “Wait! Have you been using it on me?” She laughs, the sound full and loud. The fireflies seem to gather closer to hear it.

“Oh, damn.” Charlie stares at me. “What is it?” “Huh?” “Your face just went all gloom and doom.” I really need to work on a poker face, but with Charlie I can’t seem to hide anything. She always knows somehow.

“No. It wasn’t just the perfect tits. I liked you, even before you were you. I can’t explain it, but I feel like I’ve never truly cared for anyone the way I do for you. Like that part of me was covered in dust and forgotten. I don’t know who I used to be, but I’m pretty sure I was a lonely, miserable asshole.” “And now you’re just an asshole?” She smirks. “Worse. I’m an asshole in love.” She shakes her head. “And I’m in love with an asshole.” “A perfect pair, Princess.” “Ugh, don’t call me that.” “But you’re a princess. Oh, your royal majestyness.”

I look at myself, at my smooth skin. I’d shaved earlier, doing my best to get rid of the 5 o’clock shadow that appears every day around nine in the morning. Reaching up, I run my fingers along my cheeks, feeling both sides of my face as the oddest sensation tingles down my spine. My face is … handsome. High cheekbones, strong chin, a fine, straight nose. My hair is cut short on the sides, longer on top, and falling across the side of my forehead in a dark wave. There’s nothing amiss.

i don't trust ANY of this.

The nobles around us lift their heads, a hiss oozing from them as Charlie snaps her teeth.

i fucking KNEW it

“It’s dead. You killed it.” She wraps her arms around my neck again. “You stupid, oafish, doltish, idiot!” “Charlie, now’s not the time for foreplay.” I kiss the top of her head. “Why would you do that? Why would you …” She pulls back, her eyes swimming with tears. “Why?” I press my forehead to hers. “You know why.” She sniffles. “Don’t ever do anything like that again. If I hadn’t had the vitae eluvia—” “Oh, that’s what that was.” I wipe my mouth again. “Tastes like ass.” She laughs and sits back. “It saved your life.” “You saved my life.” I grip the nape of her neck and pull her back to me. “From the moment I met you.” I kiss her hard and she answers, her breath mixing with mine as we share parts of our souls.

i love them T^T

“You said ‘If you would recover what you’ve lost’—this is what I’ve lost! Her! I’ve lost her. Give her back to me!” “You would give up your past? Your face?” “I would give up everything if it meant she would live.” I step even closer, her light hurting my eyes. “Please, take anything from me you wish, just bring her back.”

T^T

“The lady in the water took your bargain. Apparently, the hag was right. There was some wiggle room in the terms. She needed some of your blood to seal the deal—well, your blood and your agreement to let it go, to sacrifice it.” “Sacrifice what?” I ask. “The life you thought you needed. The one we’ve been chasing.” She looks away. “I understand if you’re upset about—” “No.” My voice comes out strong and loud. “I’ll never regret doing anything that keeps you with me, that keeps you alive. You’re my life. You. I can’t lose you, Charlie. I can’t.” My voice breaks and I kiss her, our tears mingling as I carry her to the bedroll and lay her down.

Who I was doesn’t matter. It’s who I am now that defines my life, my legacy.

I thought the quest was meant to give my life back. Instead, it gave my life meaning. It gave me the one person who sees all of me and loves all of me, no matter what I lack. For that, I’ll be forever grateful to whatever circumstance put me in that river. It led me to my destiny. It led me to her.