Rise of the Cinder Fae (Dark Hearts Fairytale Retellings, #1)

by Whitney Dean

And I have decided I do not care for magic. I will never touch it again.

“It stopped being home the moment the light left your eyes.”

oof, snapping my fingers fr fr

I will always be nothing more than an outsider looking in.

“At least you’ll get a decent fuck out of her.”

EXCUSEZ MOI

“This is twice you’ve walked away from me,” he snaps, his tone laden with irritation. “I’m shocked you can count.”

“It’ll feel really fucking good, Elora. Let me help you feel good.” Well, that does something to me.

I notice her spine exposed by the parted fabric of her dress. And I imagine what it would look like arched off the bed. Or a table. Or the fucking floor; I wouldn’t be picky.

I don’t plan on letting anyone skimp on treating her with the respect she deserves.

Reaching under the table, he hooks a finger around the back of my chair and drags me closer.

hot

“Enjoy hunting,” I say, grinning at the feral tethering in his eyes from holding himself back. “I can attest to the thrill of being chased and bound by you.”

“Having someone to love means having more to lose.”

“Memories do not live in things.”

“My condolences, Agnes, but I will be unable to attend your wedding. I will be too busy pleasuring my wife.”

STONE COLD FINNIAN

I brush my fingers down her jaw. She stirs but doesn’t wake. I want to leave her here to doze peacefully while I read a book in the pavilion behind her, but our guests would not find her sleeping in the gardens as charming as I do. There is something about her I do not wish to like, yet I’m drawn to the soft allure of how she looks amongst the gentle pastels of our castle garden. Cupping her cheek, I drag my thumb over the delicate skin beneath her eye. “Elora,” I whisper, “Open your eyes.”

“There are better ways to get my attention.” Liquid heat floods me from all the ways I would love to test that. “Tell me how, Elora.” Play with me, I plead silently.

“Do you want anyone else to touch me?” She tenses. That reaction makes me grin, but I must hear her say it aloud. “It wouldn’t be fair,” she whispers. I shake my head. “I don’t give a fuck about what’s fair, Elora. Tell me the truth.”

“Class differences are archaic and unfortunate, but without them, no one would have anything to wish for. It’s natural for humans to need the belief that something better exists because it makes the realization sweeter when it dawns on us that our life isn’t about what we have, but the satisfaction we find within.”

You decide how people treat you. If you take this from them now, you set a standard for the rest.”

“I like the way you make me earn your forgiveness.” “So do I.” “Stay upset with me.” “You make it easy.”

“My respect,” she explains, “He will never have the respect a father should. And one day, most likely when he takes his final breath, I hope he rests eternally with that realization. He didn’t die with everything he wanted.”

“I suppose when a woman doesn’t reek of desperation, a man realizes she won’t be an easy lay. You don’t have that problem, so I understand how confusing it is for you when I don’t beg for attention.”

“Fuck,” I whisper, doubling over into a crouch, unable to look anywhere but at her. Irina lowers to rub my back. “What is it?” I rake my fingers through my hair. Euphoria seizes me. Floods me. “I fucking love her.” I shake my head and run a hand down my face. “I love her. Hades, Irina. I fucking fell in love with her.”

“What are you so afraid of, darling?” “You,” she whispers.

I will provide her first climax. I will own her in every single way.

OOGA OOGA *beats chest*

Spending so much time not allowing myself to fantasize about her was worth it for this moment—my imagination wouldn’t have been able to paint a picture this breathtaking.

“Finnian, that’s not going to fit.” I move her against me with a grin. “I’ll fucking make it fit.”

I hold her with the terrifying realization that I will stop at nothing to keep her safe—that the loyalty beat into me for this kingdom, for my father, was all for nothing. I belong to Elora now.

“I weep for you, sweet girl, because you have been led to believe that you do not matter in this world and that the beat of your heart does not matter as much as ours.”

Every moment before this one ceases to exist. I’ve waited forever for her, yet didn’t even realize I was looking.

Simple and gold, but it means she’s mine, and she smiles at it like it’s everything.

I will always be his, no matter how this life ends. Even if my body ceases to breathe, my soul will linger here.

“Easy, Elora. If anything is going to choke you, it’ll be me.”

I’m learning that a darker part of me does exist—one that would do anything to ensure she remains mine. Not only do I have her heart, but her body. And I would rather die from protecting her than live while imagining someone else taking what belongs to me.

“They can’t hear anything.” He wraps a hand around my throat, drags me closer, and growls, “Then I want you to fucking scream.”

“Fuck, you’re so good for letting me hurt you, darling.”

“I will fuck you into submission, little doe. Don’t tempt me.”

She’s living too much life too soon.

My enemy by birth—my heart by fate.

I have to plan for leaving this place better than what I was born into.

It might not be the life I want, but it’s still my life. I want to see this through.”

“You were going to call me a fucking toad again, weren’t you?” “I wasn’t not going to call you a toad.” He opens his arms wide. “But if the fucking shoe fits….”

you are my dream realized.”

For one night, we weren’t the enemies we were raised to be. We rose above the hatred instilled within us. For tonight, it was me and her—Ellie and Finn. And in the very last moment, with her resting on my chest, I looked up at the sky at a star shooting past, but I realized I had nothing to wish for when my dream was in my arms.

“Sleep more, my love. I didn’t mean to wake you.” His lazy half-grin brings a broad smile to my face. “Why would I close my eyes when I can stare at the sun instead?” I click my tongue. “I’ve heard the sun blinds.” He drags me closer. “Then visions of you will be the last I see, little doe. That will be well worth it.”

“Love shares a border with hatred.” He rolls to his back and brings me with him, gripping me tightly. “You can imagine how confused that leaves me each day.”

I do, however, somewhat like your company, even if only to fuck.” “Gods, you say the sweetest things.”

“Finnian, someone could come in⁠—” He slips his hands beneath my gown. “Let them.” Grazes my thighs. “I can fuck my wife wherever I please.”

The way you love me will never be too much. I will always be your anchor when you feel yourself sinking. I will always be the breath you need to take.”

fuckkkk I’m mad I didn’t write this line

I rise up on my knees to catch my reflection in the window, gasping at the raw, swollen red mark on my throat. “Finnian!” I shout, covering it with my palm. “I can’t go anywhere looking like this!” He pulls me down again, his rotten, lousy grin returning. “Oh, you will. You’re a princess now, Elora. You have to make appearances in town. And I believe you have plenty of dresses to show everyone what I gave you.”

He holds me like he could lose me any second, sparing no inches between our bodies, melding us together as one—as if we never should’ve been split.