Rosalina
HOLY FUCK, HE’S GORGEOUS.
He’s so tall his entire torso is out of the water, and I can clearly see every inch of his muscular
chest. He’s totally ripped, and not in the way Lucas was, with his specialized muscles from hours at
the gym. This fae’s muscles are broad and toned, created from actually moving, and—if the small
scars and nicks that line his body are any indication—from fighting.
This water is so freaking clear I could probably see lower if I wanted to. Maybe a small, very
small, part of me is curious. But I am no Peeping Tom, so I force my eyes up. Only, ogling his eight-
pack abs and perfect pecs doesn’t seem less creepy at the moment.
“Enjoying the view?” He grins, all white teeth and crooked smile. “I don’t blame you.”
Only my nose is above the waterline as I dunk in the pool. I need to get out of here. Except there
are zero clothes waiting for me until Astrid returns, and even if there were, I can’t leave these hot
springs without giving him a complete eyeful. My only option is to wait him out.
Of course, he doesn’t just have an amazing body. Golden blond hair grazes his shoulders, with
small braids threading pieces away from his face. He’s got dark brows, and it looks like his nose may
have been broken a few times—which is strange because if he’s fae, shouldn’t he heal quickly? Or is
that my imagination talking? His nose doesn’t distract from how handsome he is, though. Like his
crooked smile, everything about him is captivating to behold.
My core tightens and I flush as, with growing horror, I realize he’s studying me the way I’m
studying him. I clutch my basket close to my chest and back away, hoping the ripples in the water will
Rosalina
He’s so tall his entire torso is out of the water, and I can clearly see every inch of his muscular
chest. He’s totally ripped, and not in the way Lucas was, with his specialized muscles from hours at
the gym. This fae’s muscles are broad and toned, created from actually moving, and—if the small
This water is so freaking clear I could probably see lower if I wanted to. Maybe a small, very
small, part of me is curious. But I am no Peeping Tom, so I force my eyes up. Only, ogling his eight-
Only my nose is above the waterline as I dunk in the pool. I need to get out of here. Except there
are zero clothes waiting for me until Astrid returns, and even if there were, I can’t leave these hot
Of course, he doesn’t just have an amazing body. Golden blond hair grazes his shoulders, with
small braids threading pieces away from his face. He’s got dark brows, and it looks like his nose may
have been broken a few times—which is strange because if he’s fae, shouldn’t he heal quickly? Or is
that my imagination talking? His nose doesn’t distract from how handsome he is, though. Like his
My core tightens and I flush as, with growing horror, I realize he’s studying me the way I’m
studying him. I clutch my basket close to my chest and back away, hoping the ripples in the water will
stop him from getting too good a look at me, suddenly self-conscious of the soft swell of my stomach
and my rubbing thighs. A memory of Lucas slapping my legs to see how they jiggled flashes in my
mind.
“What are you doing here?” I ask, sticking my head out of the water enough to sputter the question.
“Bathing,” the fae says, finally lowering that distracting muscular chest into the water. “And
inspecting Kel’s new pet.”
Hot rage simmers inside me and I’m surprised the water doesn’t boil. “I’m no one’s pet.”
He raises a dark brow. “We’ll see about that.”
I swallow and fight to gain control over myself. The need to be angry surges, but his eyes are like a
drug. He smiles at me, and it seems so genuine. I stare back at him, breathing hard, waiting for
something to happen. My body shivers and the muscles between my legs tighten. I want to touch him
more than anything else, and yet I can’t move.
Get control of yourself, girl. I wade further away. “Who are you?”
“Who am I?” Another smirk. Is everything a joke to him? “The name’s Dayton.”
“Dayton,” I repeat. I say it so casually, not realizing how it would sound in my mouth. Like
sunshine and fire.
He blinks at me. His eyes are blue. Not like Keldarion’s, with his ice chip eyes. No, Dayton’s are
like a sea before a storm...
Then I realize while I’ve been staring at his stupid eyes, he’s moved closer to me, and I’m naked
and he is most certainly naked as well.
I give another peep of fear and walk backwards until I hit a rock wall. Thankfully, that stops his
advance.
“And I suppose you work here too?” I ask, if only to distract myself.
His brows shoot up and he laughs, a deep throaty sound that is so joyous it involuntarily brings out
a smile of my own.
“Love,” Dayton says, “you really don’t know me at all. I would rather sift my cock through hot
coals than work.”
A playfulness claws its way out of me, and I smile back. “Well, you’re going to have to stop being
so lazy. Marigold says she’s putting everyone to work now I’m here.”
“Now that’s unfair,” he says. “You can’t bring Marigold into this. If you’ve met her, then you know
how positively terrifying she can be.”
“You’re teasing me.”
stop him from getting too good a look at me, suddenly self-conscious of the soft swell of my stomach
and my rubbing thighs. A memory of Lucas slapping my legs to see how they jiggled flashes in my
“Bathing,” the fae says, finally lowering that distracting muscular chest into the water. “And
I swallow and fight to gain control over myself. The need to be angry surges, but his eyes are like a
drug. He smiles at me, and it seems so genuine. I stare back at him, breathing hard, waiting for
something to happen. My body shivers and the muscles between my legs tighten. I want to touch him
“Dayton,” I repeat. I say it so casually, not realizing how it would sound in my mouth. Like
He blinks at me. His eyes are blue. Not like Keldarion’s, with his ice chip eyes. No, Dayton’s are
Then I realize while I’ve been staring at his stupid eyes, he’s moved closer to me, and I’m naked
I give another peep of fear and walk backwards until I hit a rock wall. Thankfully, that stops his
His brows shoot up and he laughs, a deep throaty sound that is so joyous it involuntarily brings out
“Love,” Dayton says, “you really don’t know me at all. I would rather sift my cock through hot
A playfulness claws its way out of me, and I smile back. “Well, you’re going to have to stop being
“Now that’s unfair,” he says. “You can’t bring Marigold into this. If you’ve met her, then you know
“Only a little.” He gives a white-toothed grin. “What’s your name, love?”
“Rosalina.” I paddle around carefully as I try to gauge this fae. His kindness seems different from
Astrid’s and Marigold’s. I don’t miss the flirtatious tone, and how his eyes haven’t left me since he
stepped into the pool.
Rationally, I know I should be afraid. I’m literally naked and ten feet away from a male who could
overpower me in a second. But nothing in my gut is screaming fear. In fact, it’s quite the opposite, like
everything in me wants to move closer to him.
Maybe it’s some fae trick, but if I’m ever to escape this enchanted castle, I need to be brave. I can’t
make it out of here on my own. I need information, and maybe even allies.
I push across the basket filled with bubble bath, shampoo, and other bottles. “If you’re going to
bathe, here.” My cheeks flush as I quickly avert my eyes, hoping he can’t tell how exposed and
vulnerable I feel. I cross my arms defensively over my chest beneath the water, though he’s probably
too far away to see anything.
“Why, thank you.” He takes out the bar of soap.
“So,” I say, “what can you tell me of the master of this castle?”
“The master? Huh...” Dayton looks to the rock ceiling as he slides the bar of soap over his body.
This might have been a terrible idea because I’ve totally forgotten what question I’ve asked as the
soap suds slide across his broad shoulders. “The icy prick? More power than brains. Someone you
really don’t want to piss off. But you already knew that, figuring you spent the first night in the
dungeon.”
“Jeez, word spreads fast around here.”
“What can we say? You’re the new shiny object that everyone wants to get a glimpse of.”
The mysteries keep piling up, but it seems everyone who works in this castle doesn’t get out much.
Dayton turns slightly; there’s a scar down his spine. A giant one. Three jagged lines ripple down
the perfect bronzed skin of his back.
“What happened—” The words are a breath on my lips before I can think better of it.
He quickly turns, flashing another smile as he slides the soap across his muscular chest, then his
hand disappears beneath the water. “Can’t forget the most important part.” His gaze locks with mine
as his arm moves up and down.
I’m pretty sure I’d be dripping if I wasn’t already in this pool. I lower and blow bubbles in the
water, thinking of the first night the master locked me in the dungeon. It wasn’t Dayton and the other
servants’ fault, but I can’t fool myself into thinking they’re my friends.
“Rosalina.” I paddle around carefully as I try to gauge this fae. His kindness seems different from
Astrid’s and Marigold’s. I don’t miss the flirtatious tone, and how his eyes haven’t left me since he
Rationally, I know I should be afraid. I’m literally naked and ten feet away from a male who could
overpower me in a second. But nothing in my gut is screaming fear. In fact, it’s quite the opposite, like
Maybe it’s some fae trick, but if I’m ever to escape this enchanted castle, I need to be brave. I can’t
I push across the basket filled with bubble bath, shampoo, and other bottles. “If you’re going to
bathe, here.” My cheeks flush as I quickly avert my eyes, hoping he can’t tell how exposed and
vulnerable I feel. I cross my arms defensively over my chest beneath the water, though he’s probably
“The master? Huh...” Dayton looks to the rock ceiling as he slides the bar of soap over his body.
This might have been a terrible idea because I’ve totally forgotten what question I’ve asked as the
soap suds slide across his broad shoulders. “The icy prick? More power than brains. Someone you
don’t want to piss off. But you already knew that, figuring you spent the first night in the
Dayton turns slightly; there’s a scar down his spine. A giant one. Three jagged lines ripple down
He quickly turns, flashing another smile as he slides the soap across his muscular chest, then his
hand disappears beneath the water. “Can’t forget the most important part.” His gaze locks with mine
I’m pretty sure I’d be dripping if I wasn’t already in this pool. I lower and blow bubbles in the
water, thinking of the first night the master locked me in the dungeon. It wasn’t Dayton and the other
Another memory flashes into my mind: the young fae man with the chain around his neck, his golden
eyes, the way his hair fell across his brow. I rise my head out of the water a little to stare at the fae
across from me. Mercifully, he’s thrown the soap back into the basket, though I’m not sure what he’s
doing now is much better. His torso stretches, muscles elongating as he massages the shampoo gel
into his long hair. Something catches my eye. A seashell necklace bobs over his chest, interlaced with
pearls and a jagged piece of red sea glass in the middle. It’s beautiful.
“Can I ask you something?”
“Anything, love.”
“When I first came here, I saw a young man in the dungeon. I was wondering if you knew why he
was there.”
Dayton ducks under the water, washing the shampoo from his hair. When he rises, dark blond
tendrils fall across his face. “A man in the dungeon? Hmm.” The water cuts between us as he moves
closer. This time I have nowhere to go.
“Yes. He didn’t seem dangerous. What was he there for?”
“Well, I have a question for you,” Dayton murmurs, and now he’s so close I can see all the shades
of blue in his eyes, the rippling turquoise and deep sapphire of an ocean. “Was he handsome?”
It’s such a ridiculous question. A question that has nothing to do with anything. I should shove him
away for asking it. But the face of the man in the dungeon appears before me as if in a waking dream.
The depths of his golden eyes, the tremble of his full lips. I can’t help but tell the truth. “Yes.”
Dayton’s brows shoot up, and he laughs again. This time, the sound trembles all the way to my
core, and I clamp my legs shut.
The fae moves closer to me and the slick rocks press against my spine. He reaches out to grab a
wet strand of my hair. “What do you want with him?”
“To free him,” I say, then amend, “At least to a room, like me. It doesn’t seem fair he’s in the
dungeon.”
“Why?” Dayton is so close, his warm breath caresses my ear. “Do you want his gratitude? Hope
he’ll reward you?”
No, of course not. My answer is simple. We’re both prisoners, and somehow, I can feel he’s as
undeserving of that chain as I am. But Dayton’s words are a fire within me, and I can’t help but be
consumed by them. I feel my nipples pebble beneath my fingers, and I drop my hands to fists at my
side to quell this ache inside my body.
Another memory flashes into my mind: the young fae man with the chain around his neck, his golden
eyes, the way his hair fell across his brow. I rise my head out of the water a little to stare at the fae
across from me. Mercifully, he’s thrown the soap back into the basket, though I’m not sure what he’s
doing now is much better. His torso stretches, muscles elongating as he massages the shampoo gel
into his long hair. Something catches my eye. A seashell necklace bobs over his chest, interlaced with
“When I first came here, I saw a young man in the dungeon. I was wondering if you knew why he
Dayton ducks under the water, washing the shampoo from his hair. When he rises, dark blond
tendrils fall across his face. “A man in the dungeon? Hmm.” The water cuts between us as he moves
“Well, I have a question for you,” Dayton murmurs, and now he’s so close I can see all the shades
It’s such a ridiculous question. A question that has nothing to do with anything. I should shove him
away for asking it. But the face of the man in the dungeon appears before me as if in a waking dream.
Dayton’s brows shoot up, and he laughs again. This time, the sound trembles all the way to my
The fae moves closer to me and the slick rocks press against my spine. He reaches out to grab a
“To free him,” I say, then amend, “At least to a room, like me. It doesn’t seem fair he’s in the
“Why?” Dayton is so close, his warm breath caresses my ear. “Do you want his gratitude? Hope
No, of course not. My answer is simple. We’re both prisoners, and somehow, I can feel he’s as
undeserving of that chain as I am. But Dayton’s words are a fire within me, and I can’t help but be
consumed by them. I feel my nipples pebble beneath my fingers, and I drop my hands to fists at my
Dayton’s blue eyes burn down at me. His large, callused hand snatches my jaw and forces me to
look up at him. “You know, the master isn’t the only one to rule this castle. It’s also governed by three
other princes.”
“Three other princes.” My voice is nothing but a breath. The connection of his hand on my skin is a
current of energy, and I need more of it. My body trembles, and I fight the urge to reach out and touch
him.
“Indeed. I’m sure you can figure out who.”
I blink, finding words like sifting through sand. Four wings, four realms. “A prince for each of the
four seasons.”
“Good girl.” His thumb skims over my bottom lip. “You might have better luck begging one of them
for mercy than our cold master. Do you know how to beg, Rosalina?”
All the breath in me comes out in a single gasp and I am nothing but molten rock, simmering in this
water.
“My Prince!” A high, shocked voice echoes across the room. Astrid stands on the shoreline, a
bundle of clothes in her arms.
Dayton drops his hand from my jaw.
With the loss of the connection, my sanity comes back. How in the blazons had I lost it? And with
the return of my mind, the words finally register.
My Prince.
My fucking Prince.
This hot spring fae is a freaking prince. I want to die. Here I’ve been trying to cajole information
out of him like he was one of the servants. I suppose I should be thankful he didn’t lock me back in the
dungeon.
“Apologies, m’lord,” Astrid stammers. “I didn’t think you’d be here.”
“It’s alright, Astrid,” Dayton says, making his way to the shore. “I wanted to meet our new guest.”
And that’s when, with growing horror, I realize Dayton is getting out of the water. I should look
away.
But I don’t.
And holy fucking shit. His ass looks sculpted by the gods, and I barely get the glimpse of something
very long and very erect between his legs before he wraps a white towel low on his hips.
“Rosie,” he smirks, totally catching my creepy gaze, “why not try charming the Summer Prince for
what you want? I’ve heard he’s the most handsome. And best in bed.”
Dayton’s blue eyes burn down at me. His large, callused hand snatches my jaw and forces me to
look up at him. “You know, the master isn’t the only one to rule this castle. It’s also governed by three
“Three other princes.” My voice is nothing but a breath. The connection of his hand on my skin is a
current of energy, and I need more of it. My body trembles, and I fight the urge to reach out and touch
I blink, finding words like sifting through sand. Four wings, four realms. “A prince for each of the
“Good girl.” His thumb skims over my bottom lip. “You might have better luck begging one of them
All the breath in me comes out in a single gasp and I am nothing but molten rock, simmering in this
“My Prince!” A high, shocked voice echoes across the room. Astrid stands on the shoreline, a
With the loss of the connection, my sanity comes back. How in the blazons had I lost it? And with
This hot spring fae is a freaking prince. I want to die. Here I’ve been trying to cajole information
out of him like he was one of the servants. I suppose I should be thankful he didn’t lock me back in the
And that’s when, with growing horror, I realize Dayton is getting out of the water. I should look
And holy fucking shit. His ass looks sculpted by the gods, and I barely get the glimpse of something
“Rosie,” he smirks, totally catching my creepy gaze, “why not try charming the Summer Prince for
Dayton’s stupid, perfect laughter echoes in the chamber as he leaves.