Ruby backed into the wedge, her breasts pressing against the cold mountain rocks.

"Oof!" She struck her head on a sharp edge and blinked profusely, but she wasn't injured.

She couldn't see what was going on, but she heard the whooshing and swooshing and flapping of wings. Sometimes she heard a scream and that meant a dragon had been wounded and turned back into flesh form.

It seemed to take forever and all she did was pray to the gods she'd be able to escape.

After a few minutes, there was nothing but silence and she feared that she'd either be stuck there or taken by an enemy.

"Oh no.."

Her head was spinning from being kept in a tiny space for so long and her breathing became deep and drawn out.

"Ruby.."

She looked to her left and saw Dante standing there--his eyes still turned, his body looking bruised and battered, but he was intact.

He held out his hand and Ruby didn't hesitate to take it.

Pulling her out of the small space, Dante studied her and knew instantly that she'd been injured.

"Ruby..."

His snarl was the last thing Ruby remembered before she passed out in his arms.
"She'll be fine."

Ruby heard someone say as her eyes fluttered open.

Her body was warm and cozy and she appeared to be in a huge comfortable bed, but not her bed.

Looking around, she caught sight of Dante staring at her.

"Dante?"

"King.."

"Not yet."

"Ass," Dante snarled, "I saved you."

"From what?"

"Dragons and a concussion."

"How did I..?" Ruby sighed, "I didn't hit my head that hard."

"Well, appears as though you did," Dante said, walking towards the bed slowly, "We got you out of those clothes, too."

Ruby noticed she was in a nightgown now and not her dress.

"Did you see me?"

"I didn't get a chance to see you," Dante admitted, "They had you changed before I could sneak a peek."

"But you...do you really want me?"

"More than you know and I don't understand why."
"Maybe you're just hormonally challenged."

Ruby shuddered at the thought of this man inside of her. She'd heard the stories of women not being able to walk for days after.

She wondered if he was kind when intimate.

No, there was no way he was anything but a cad and now he'd be her king only because there was no way out of it.

"Stop it," Dante smirked, "Don't stress about what you know I'm capable of. Anyway, I need you by my side during the coronation so we're going to tidy you up a bit."

"Tidy?"

"Yes," Dante nodded, "Once you're well, I will see to it that you are made to look like royalty."

"Is this a joke?" Ruby wasn't sure if she wanted to know the answer to that.

"I don't joke about things like that, Ruby," Dante said, "Don't get used to my kindness, though. I can only be nice in tiny increments."

"I can tell."

"Pity you can't be my mate."

"Why is that a pity? I wouldn't wantto be."

"Rejection isn't your strong suit."

"What would it benefit me from beingyour mate? I would be miserable."

"I'll make you a deal," Dante smirked, "Be my personal courtesan and I will grant you anything you desire."

"You're making a mockery of me and my people. You know what I would ask you and that would make youlook weakk."

"You would wish for peace and prosperity for your community—as opposed to your own well-being?"

"I don't want anything else."

"We'll see what happens."