KIMBERLY LEMMING

A Bump In Boohail

Copyright © 2022 by Kimberly Lemming

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning, or otherwise without written permission from the publisher. It is illegal to copy this book, post it to a website, or distribute it by any other means without permission.

This novel is entirely a work of fiction. The names, characters and incidents portrayed in it are the work of the author's imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or localities is entirely coincidental.

Kimberly Lemming asserts the moral right to be identified as the author of this work.

First edition

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Contents

1. Acknowledgement

2. Content Warnings

3. Chapter 1

4. Chapter 2

5. Chapter 3

6. About the Author

7. Also by Kimberly Lemming

Acknowledgement

Thank you Rebel Carter for encouraging my shenanigans.

Content Warnings

PLEASE BE AWARE: This book contains light BDSM and sexually explicit content that could trigger certain audiences.

Chapter 1

“Cinnamon, go talk to your husband or I’ll hit you with another pumpkin spice pancake.” Brie warned me as she held one at the ready. Yet again I regretted putting her in charge of food she could easily throw - not that I had much choice.

My best friend’s cooking skills were abysmal, and she refused to make anything with over four simple steps. When the Samhain festival committee put me in charge of one of the three dessert teams, they requested (demanded) that I add Brie to my team to avoid any other mishaps.

A few years prior, she got assigned to the team in charge of the main dish. To this day I don’t understand how she managed to burn down her kitchen making roast chicken. After the fire was put out, the festival committee decided it was safer to assign her to less…flammable recipes.

“She’s got a point, Cin.” Felix said. He set another pan of treats down on the counter, next to the army of other perfect-looking almond tarts. Unlike his wife, Felix had proven himself fully capable of handling himself in the kitchen and had quickly been promoted from pancakes to more advanced baked goods.

The residents of Boohail were slowly warming up to its new demon residents, but it was more of a slow and steady race. I wasn’t too surprised when I found out the committee had neglected to assign any of them roles for the festival’s celebration. Nor did any of the other group leaders ask for their help. Still, it was an awful lot of hands going to waste.

Samhain was the biggest festival of the year. It was the time that the veil between our world and the otherworld thinned, meaning any manner of spirits could come through and wreak havoc. Offerings were put well outside of Boohail’s gates to distract any wandering soul from entering.

In order to chase off the ones who did, a massive bonfire was held in the center of the village. Everyone dressed up as monsters to scare off any evil spirits from staying. As well as scaring the pants off each other for the heck of it. Mead and food flowed free and everyone shouted and danced their hearts out to scare off as many spirits as they could. Honestly, it was a blast - it was just a lot of work to prepare for.

Usually, anyone caught with idle hands in the days leading up to it were swiftly kidnapped, then thrown in to help out with whatever prep team that was short-staffed. I volunteered to cook every year just to avoid being saddled with decoration duty. Every year they gave that task to my brother Chili, and he was a little…militant in his efforts to make the night as scary as possible. By that I mean he’d make it his sole purpose in life to scare the shit out of me. Sometimes literally.

Prick.

On the bright side, it meant I had free rein to snatch up more hands. My friends on the Banshee were all using the ship’s kitchens to make a variety of sweets. Even if Brie burned down my kitchen, there would still be plenty of desserts for the bonfire. With Balabash and Ambrose on pick up duty, my little desert team was going to blow the other two teams out of the water. More importantly, it was going to make my cousin Kitty’s team look like a bunch of assholes.

I scooped another helping of bourbon caramel pecans into a jar. You only had so much time before they cooled down, and I wanted them to settle in the jar just right. I noticed that Brie stared at me as she flipped pancakes. I sighed and said “I’m busy.”

“You’re stalling. It’s the day of the festival and you still haven’t talked to him about going.” Brie said. She wiped at the sweat on her brow and fanned herself. The three of us had been cooking for a while, and my small kitchen was heating up something fierce. “You two aren’t fighting, are you?”

“No,” I protested. “He’s just been busy digging his hole or whatever. He said when it’s done he’ll show me, so I’m just being patient. Besides, these treats ain’t going to make themselves.” Well, I was trying to be patient. The truth was, I’d barely seen Fallon for the past few weeks.

It was odd. Normally I couldn’t keep him off me, but one day he just shifted into a dragon and started digging a hole in the back corner of my farm. By the end of the day it was so large that his dragon form completely disappeared under it. After a few days he even started sleeping in there. Anytime I asked him what he was doing, he’d just grin and tell me to be patient.

I am not a patient woman. On day three, my limit was reached, and I tried to sneak in for a peak. Unfortunately for me, Fallon suspected as much and blocked the entrance with a bunch of boulders.

Stranger still, I figured Samhain would be a holiday Fallon would easily pounce on. It was basically the perfect excuse to scare me with more of his ghost stories. Even since his little ‘hungry man’ stint in the woods, one of his favorite pastimes became seeing how high he could make me jump.

Brie rolled her eyes. “Give me the spoon then. I can scoop and you can go talk to Fallon.”

I shifted my pan further away from her, shielding it with my body. “We tried putting you on pecans, remember? You can’t be trusted.”

“What if I promise not to eat anymore?” She asked.

I glanced at Felix, who shook his head. “No way.” I answered.

“Cinnamon.” Brie paused from her pancakes. I didn’t need to look over to see the disappointed hand on her hip. It was implied by the fact that she was still using my full name.

“Brie.”

“Go. Ask. Him.”

“Well, I’d love to,” I began, sealing my jar tight. I placed my finished jar with the others and filled up a new one. “But I can’t. He’s blocked off the entrance. I can’t get to him even if I tried.”

“Has he still not told you what he’s doing?” Felix asked.

“Nope. Until those boulders move I’m shit out of luck.”

“Wow, that sucks,” Brie sighed. “If only you knew a big handsome werewolf that could lift a boulder or two away for you.”

“Guys, it’s fine. I’m sure whatever he’s doing is important. I can wait.” Maybe it was for the best. A part of me was scared to find out what exactly he was doing. Or why he would be so hot and cold. When Fallon gave me his mating bite, we entered a honeymoon phase where we couldn’t get enough of each other. After we finished off Myva, we spent a month on our island going at it like rabbits. It made sense that things would cool off once the honeymoon magic faded. I just didn’t think it would be this much.

He’s not…he’s not bored with me, is he?

“I can’t.” Brie said, slapping her spatula on the counter. “Babe, ditch the apron.”

“Now we’re talking.” Felix said with a grin. He dusted his hands on his apron then tossed the garment over a chair. “Let’s pack up these last few treats then go find your missing man.”

“Wait, we still have more treats to make.” I gestured to the counter full of crushed pecans and pie filling.

The couple shared a look, then Felix advanced on me. He easily forced the spoon and jar out of my hands.

Brie crossed her arms. “Cin, I love you, but we’re done. You’ve already made enough treats to feed the village for ten festivals. You are stalling. We’re going to find Fallon.”

“This is mutiny.” I grumbled.

My protests and grumbles were met with deaf ears as we made our way to the far edge of my farm. Felix took a moment to duck behind my chicken coop to change into his werewolf form. It took him a few tries, but he managed to move a couple boulders out of the way. It was just enough for me to fit through easily.

The path opened up to reveal a wide staircase large enough to let a dragon through. I traveled down them to find huge black doors at the bottom of the landing. Gold dragons made up the handles while golden smoke lines rose from the bottom of the door.

Dramatic, isn’t he?

I grabbed hold of one of the dragon handles and took a deep breath. “Well, here goes nothing.” I paused and turned back to my friends when I noticed they didn’t come down with me. “Aren’t you two coming?”

Brie shrugged and patted her husband on the shoulder. “Sorry Cin, but we’ve decided to spend the night reviving one of the older traditions of Samhain.”

I tilted my head. “Which tradition?”

Brie grinned. The type of grin that sends chills down your spine and makes children cling to their ma’s skirts. “Human sacrifice.”

With that, Felix moved the boulder back into place, leaving me trapped.

Chapter 2

“I’m gonna kill them.” I growled. Behind me, the black doors loomed like the obvious trap they were. Betrayed by my own best friends. Betrayed by my own husband, who was so clearly somewhere beyond those ominous doors waiting to scare the crap out of me. Sometimes I really hated Samhain.

Still, if his absence was all a part of some elaborate plan for a jump scare, then that meant the fear of abandonment was just my insecurities talking again. The thought put my mind at ease. Just a little.

A rush of wind made the hair on the back of my neck stand up. I glanced behind me to see that it’d come from a crack in the doorway. The doorway that absolutely was not cracked open before I turned around.

I took a deep breath and tried to calm my rising heartbeat. “It’s obviously just a ploy to scare you, Cinnamon. There are no ghosts in your backyard.” My fists clenched at my sides. “You are literally just standing in a hole in your backyard that your stupid husband dug and you were dumb enough to climb into.”

Cold air rushed from inside the doorway. The hinges creaked as the door opened further on its own. A part of me wanted to sit and pout until Fallon gave up on his quest and came out to find me - or until Brie and Felix took pity on me and removed the boulders once more. “Fuck it.” I said as I pushed my way through the doors.

“Fallon?” I called, stepping into the entryway. Dark green tinted stone walls lined the interior. They arched high into the ceiling and came together to form sinister-looking crow statues. The entryway bled into two hallways, with the center housing a staircase leading even further down. Gargoyles sat perched on stone pillars in front of the two corridors at my sides. Their menacing faces glared daggers at the entryway, as if warning any intruder to fuck right off. It was on par for Fallon.

From what I could tell, his little ‘hole’ extended well past what I could see from above. “How did you even do this?” I asked, half expecting him to jump out of some secret passage. At least then the torment of the wait would be over.

I willed my shaking legs to step further inside, then paused to consider my options. Traveling further below into whatever mayhem Fallon had in store didn’t seem all that appealing. But maybe one hallway led to a back door I could use.

Course decided, I backed away from the staircase and turned toward the hallway to my left. My hands shook. A cold sweat beaded my brow, and I quickly whipped it away. The two gargoyles guarding the entrance looked more than a little disquieting. Yet they were just statues. There was no reason to be scared.

“Cinnamon,” my voice steeled. Forcing my body to straighten with false confidence. “They are just statues.” Yet, with Fallon’s magic, nothing could be trusted. I still had nightmares from the time he used his shadow magic to make my pegasus’s shadow stretch into that of a giant spider.

While I was riding her.

The heart attack he nearly gave me was almost worth the makeup sex. Almost.

Puffing out my chest, I pointed an accusatory finger at them. “If either of you so much as blink, I’m coming back here with a hammer and smashing you into dust!” For good measure, I whipped around and glared daggers at the two behind me. “That goes for the lot of you.” I warned.

The Gargoyles remained still.

“Ok.” I said, letting out a breath. “We’re all in agreement then.” Slowly, I moved past them and down the hall. When my heartbeat finally calmed, the sound of scraping stone caught my ears. Dread pooled in my gut. I bit my lip, trying to keep my intestines from evacuating every shred of food in my body for a faster flight response.

I will not shit myself this year. I won’t do it.

Stone scraped against stone. I turned, and the Gargoyles had moved from their sitting position to freeze halfway down their stone pillars. Tears blinded my vision. My voice trembled as I half-heartedly shook my fist in their direction. “We had an agreement.”

In a flash, the stone eyes of the statues glowed bright red. An awful hiss came from their maws as they shot forward. Screaming, I scrambled away from them and ran down the hall as fast I could. The long rug bunched up against my feet, causing me to stumble forward. I reached out to grab at a marble bust of a dragon and threw it as hard as I could behind me. There was a loud crash and the shatter of marble as it hit the ground. Not looking back, I pitched myself forward and turned down another corridor before I flung open the door to the first room and ducked inside.

I flattened myself against the door, screaming in terror when fists pounded the other side. “Ok you win!” I screamed. “I’m fucking terrified so stop it already!”

The banging stopped. Silence fell over the room. Well, aside from my frantic panting. “Fallon?” I half-whispered, half-shouted into the dark of the room. Torches flickered to life, revealing statues of different beasts lining the walls. Suits of armor of various styles stood polished and prideful next to life-sized replicas of demons.

“Damnit Love, why is your taste in decor so fucking ominous?” This was clearly what happens when young girls never go through that bad boy phase. Not once had I looked at the town rebel, or any sun-kissed, muscle-bound troublemaker and thought, ‘oh yeah, that’s what I want: A bad decision.’

Maybe if I’d given a regular bad boy a chance, I wouldn’t have fallen so hard in love with the first villain that came my way. Now here I was, married to a goddamn goth dragon that got off on scaring the bejesus out of his wife.

Now that I think about it, he better not have messed with the soil directly under the cinnamon trees. Fuck, how long is this cave?

Growls rumbled from the door I leaned against.

“Absolutely not.” I said, backing away from the door. Refusing to come back the way I came, I ventured further into the great room. To my relief, there was another door and the end of the long room, and I headed straight for it. I did my best not to look at any more statues.

‘Click clack clack,’

“Fuck you, I’m not looking.” I hissed, squeezing my eyes tight. I heard another click clack, then a groan as something fell to the floor behind me. For a reason I could only assume was deep-seeded masochism, I turned to have a look.

The dim torch light flickered against crescent-shaped horns. Its head comprised a giant crow skull. A wooly black cloak hid its body from my view. The creature stood so tall it had to bend forward as to not just scrape its horns on the high ceiling. Yet its torso looked…wrong. Like its spine was crushed in a zigzag. Its head tilted, and it snapped its beak together forming another click clack.

Fear seeped into my bones like swamp water until my body felt heavy and numb. The monster let out the shrill cry of a bird and shambled forward.

With the speed and quickness only a woman within a hair’s breadth of pissing herself could possess, I fled. The piercing squeal of claws on stone came from behind me. I felt my legs burn and my chest ache, but I continued running. Blindly scrambling through many corridors and rooms till the shambling footsteps disappeared behind me. I didn’t stop until I found a staircase leading upward. When a pair of cellar doors appeared at the top of the steps, I damn near broke out into tears of joy.

Quickly I burst through them, choking on my relief when the cool night air of the bayou greeted me on the other side. I slammed the door shut behind me, then broke a low-hanging branch off a nearby tree and placed it in between the door handles. When my paranoia didn’t ease, I found an even bigger, studier looking stick and shoved that in between the handlebars as well.

“You know what? Not good enough.” I said, slipping my blouse over my head. I tied it as tight as possible around the handles then slumped over the doors. The wood was cold against my bar skin, so I pulled my breast band up a little higher to shield more of me from the chill.

Pale streaks of moonlight slipped through the canopy and cast a glittering shine on the water. I inhaled the soothing, spicy aroma of magnolia leaves. From the riverbank, crickets chirped, while waterthrush birds sang their jumbled, hurried grievances at each other. Tension eased its way out of my limbs as I relaxed further against the slanted doors. A light mist blanketed the surrounding woods, but I didn’t mind. The distant glow of my home’s lights were visible even in the thick fog.

Prey knew when they were being watched. It was the telltale tingle in the primal part of your brain desperate to keep you alive. Sometimes it could happen when you caught the flash of a shadow moving, or maybe in the ominous snap of a twig.

I felt it when the woods fell silent.

I cocked my head to the side. There, barely visible through the heavy fog, was the gleaming yellow eyes of a dragon. His black scales disappeared into the shadows, showing only a dark void in the forest and the light from his slitted gaze. Without a sound, the colossal head receded into the fog.

“Fallon, I swear to every god we haven’t killed yet: if you don’t stop fucking with me, I will turn this whole forest brown.”

Laughter spilled from the trees as my husband emerged from the brush. He’d shifted from his dragon form and stalked closer to pull me upright and enveloped me in his arms. His long dark hair spilled over his broad shoulders and tickled at my side. The faint smell of black currant and violet coming off him was so unmistakably Fallon that it soothed my fried senses - although it was entirely his fault my senses were fried in the first place.

“What’s wrong, Rabbit? You’re shaking like a leaf.” he asked, kissing my temple.

I pushed him away and crossed my arms. “Don’t you ‘Rabbit’ me. Even for you this was too far. I was so scared my soul damn near left my body.”

A sly grin pulled at his lips, revealing his inhumanly sharp canines. My back hit the doors as he guided me back down and pressed himself against me. Fallon took hold of my wrist and feathered kisses along the delicate skin, sending a thrill up my spine. “Should I give your soul a reason to come back? Be a good girl and turn around. I’ll give you a few.”

I pulled my wrist away, ignoring the rush of fireflies that came with his touch. “I’m serious.”

His brow quirked. “You think I’m not?” he asked. At my hard stare, my demon sighed and rested his head against my shoulder. “I’m sorry, Love. If I’d known you’d chase me all the way out here, I would have transformed sooner.”

“What is going on in that head of yours?” I asked.

“Right now?” Hands slid down my bare sides. One ventured further down to slip a finger past the waistband of my skirt. “I’m thinking a sweet little rabbit got lost in the woods. Far away from prying eyes…where any wandering dragon could hunt her down and have his wicked way with her.”

He slid a hand up the back of my head and gripped a fistful of my hair. “Oh, look. Now the poor thing’s been caught.” He pulled my head back, exposing my throat to his eager tongue.

Gods, it was really hard to stay mad with his lips on my neck. He knew it too. The cocky bastard.

“You are the worst sometimes, you know that?” The whisper came out with a startling lack of conviction. If there was a competition to remain sane with a demon hell-bent on bending you over, I’d lose in the first round.

Fallon let out a deep chuckle. “You love it.” He captured my lips in a searing kiss. My lips parted, immediately yielding to his tongue’s greedy demand for access. Fallon’s kiss held the fierce need of a man starved, and my body sang at the attention. “Fuck I missed you.” He growled, nipping at my lip.

Those four little words turned the last of my conviction into goo. The rush of his touches, the need in his voice, the possessive grip he kept on my hip. All I could do was cling to him and beg for more. “You’re the one that keeps disappearing, you know.”

I tugged at his shirt, trying to rip the offensive garment off him. He groaned before lifting himself away briefly and threw the damn thing into the bushes where it belonged. “I know.” His hands were frantic as he fumbled with the buttons on my skirt. “I’m done now, so let me make up for my absence.”

My breath came out in ragged pants as my clothes joined his shirt in their new home in the bushes. Fallon’s obsidian eyes faded into feral yellow as he stared down at my naked frame. A slow satisfied grin tugged at the corner of his mouth. It wasn’t until I heard the click that I even registered the bracelet he put around my ankle.

I lifted my leg higher to inspect it. A small rabbit charm lined with diamonds glittered in the pale moonlight. The band was an elegant string of rose gold that hugged loosely against my ankle. “Oh, it’s so cute!”

“Good.” Fallon ran his fingers along my thighs, teasing them further apart. “I kept going back and forth between that and a necklace - yet whenever I thought about anything else wrapped around your throat, my hands grew terribly jealous.”

Fuck.

“If you don’t get inside me, I will never forgive you.”

“Oh.” Fallon drawled, kissing a slow trail up my thigh. “Well, we can’t have that.”

My inner thighs quivered as his tongue traced along my pussy. It was like he knew exactly what I needed. My nipples hardened under his touch and my lower half clenched at the soft strokes along my clit. I shuddered, arching my hips against his face. “Please.”

“Mmm. Is this what you want?” He sucked my clit into his hot mouth. I cried out, shuddering as his tongue swirled around my swollen nub, flicking rapidly against it.

The sharp pleasure made me squirm. “Yes!”

He chuckled before pushing two fingers deep into my slick folds. I gave a throaty moan as he thrust them in and out. His thumb brushed my swollen button as he stroked my sweet spot with firm, tortuous pressure. It was too much. Too good. My body shook uncontrollably with pleasure, thrashing in his arms.

Fallon pulled away gently, watching me as he sat up. I could feel my building orgasm pulse through every fiber of my being. My entire body felt on fire as he slid his fingers into my wet folds again. I couldn’t move, all I could do was watch him as he teased my opening with slow torturous thrusts. He pushed two fingers deep inside me, curling them slowly while keeping his thumb on my clit.

My head fell forward, and I moaned, closing my eyes and pressing my lips together. I could barely think anymore; the only thing I wanted was to come. To be filled by him, to skip his sadistic torment and feel his cock plunging inside of me. “Don’t tease me, damnit.”

“I can’t help it,” Fallon whispered, leaning over me. His fingers curled and worked the sensitive spot inside of me, bringing me closer and closer to the edge. “You’re beautiful like this. So fucking beautiful.”

“F-fuck… Fallon,” I panted, squeezing tighter around his fingers.

“There’s my good girl. Come for me. Let me watch you break.” His voice was almost a growl.

I shuddered, unable to take any more. I felt myself teetering towards the edge and suddenly I didn’t care about his penchant for scaring me. If this was the reward I got at the end, bring it on. My hips bucked, and I cried out, my walls clenching around his digits as I came.

“Yes.” Fallon whispered, pulling his fingers free.

He crawled up my body, kissing me sweetly as his cock nudged against my entrance. I felt the slick warmth of his tip spreading my wetness around, teasing me with promises.

“Fuck…” I groaned, moaning when he pushed further inside.

His thick length stretched me open, filling me completely. I whimpered as he moved slow, his shaft pulsing as he stroked deeper.

“Harder, Fallon.” I begged, gripping onto his shoulders. His soft black hair spilled around my head like a curtain. Guiding my vision to remain solely on him.

“As you wish.” Fallon purred, pushing harder and faster inside me. His hips flexed, each thrust impaling me further. My walls clutched at him, desperate to hold him close.

He shuddered. Black mist spilled around us, choking out the forest and night stars until we were all that was left. “I love how tight you are…how much you take me.” He took my wrists and pinned them above my head, trapping me underneath him. “You’re mine, little Rabbit. Mine.” Fallon’s voice was rough and low, but I could hear the love in it. “Say it.”

I whimpered, biting my lip and closing my eyes. “Yours.”

“Mine.” Fallon repeated, punctuating the word by slamming into me. My body arched again, my head falling forward. I cried out, feeling his fingers tighten around my wrists.

“Fuck yes, that’s it. Show me how much you want this.”

A sharp cry escaped my lips when he grabbed one of my breasts roughly and squeezed. I looked down, seeing the glint of the diamond bracelet in the dim light.

“Look at me.” Fallon ordered.

I raised my eyes to meet him. Our gazes locked, and I saw nothing but heat there. Nothing but pure animal lust. I twisted a hand free, reached up, and took my demon by the horn. I pulled him down, kissing him with everything I had. Fuck, I needed this. Needed him.

“Fallon! Please! Oh god…” I gasped as I felt him swell inside me. He slammed into me, driving me to the very edge. I cried out, gasping as another orgasm washed over me.

“Gods, every time I see you like this, I can’t get enough. Come for me again, Cinnamon. I know you can.”

I sobbed as he kissed me, biting my lip and sucking on it. My body felt wrung out and well-used after back-to-back orgasms. Yet some deep primal part of me always leapt to obey his commands.

“Fuck me! Don’t stop, please!” I cried out, wrapping my legs tightly around his waist and squeezing him.

Fallon grunted, withdrawing from me slightly. “Take my cock. Take what’s yours, little rabbit.”

I whimpered softly as he shoved himself back inside. He was so fucking commanding. The authority in his tone made my toes curl. I moaned at the rough way he filled me, my mind going blank as my body greedily took everything he was willing to give.

“Fuck!” Fallon leaned into me, kissing my shoulder.

His hand released my wrists to wrap around my neck. Tightening his grip until I gasped. His movements slowed as he took in the sight of his fingers wrapped around my throat. “Yeah. This is the only necklace you’ll ever need.”

“Oh gods!” I screamed, shuddering as he rolled his hips to grind at my hilt.

“That’s my girl. Take it. Take all of me.”

Tears clouded my vision as I gripped his wrist. The heady feeling of being pinned down by a beast of a man was intoxicating. I moaned loudly, feeling every inch of his length inside of me. Everything. Every single hard, silky inch.

“You’re so fucking beautiful, Rabbit. Look at how much you need me…how much you want this.”

I nodded frantically, gasping as he bit down on my neck. His cock throbbed inside of me, the base of his shaft buried deep within my pussy. I could feel myself tumbling over the edge again, my body trembling as my release took over.

A groan vibrated his chest, the hot rush of his seed filling my insides. The way his hips jerked and his breath caught made me weak in the knees. I collapsed against the door, panting as I clung to him. The cool night air washed over my sweaty skin as we laid there, trying to remember how to breathe.

“Fuck. I love you, Rabbit. I love you so much.” Fallon whispered, kissing my cheek gently. Domineering hands bled way to soft caresses. He settled himself at my side and pulled me close. Then ran his fingers over my curls the way he always did when he felt needy for affection.

I smiled, a warm glow spreading through my body. “I love you too, Fallon.”

Chapter 3

As much as I would have loved to spend the night snuggled up and well fucked, my back was hurting. Cellar doors weren’t exactly made for naps. I pushed at his shoulder and Fallon lifted himself off me.

“Are you finally going to tell me what you’ve been up to?” I asked, stretching my sore limbs.

“Hmm. I could.” he said, unabashedly rubbing my ass. “Or we could take this inside.”

I swatted his hand away and fumbled around the bushes for my clothes. “By inside, do you mean our house, or the weird dungeon you built without my knowledge?”

“You’re getting tied to a headboard either way, so take your pic-” his words were cut off when I threw his pants at his head.

“Fallon,” I warned.

He sighed and plucked the pants from his head and tugged them on. “Please don’t be upset, Cin. I just wanted to surprise you when I had the hoard all set up.”

“You have a hoard?”

“Love, I’m a dragon. Of course I have a hoard.” After making his case, he took my hand and led me farther into the forest. The grassy area was stuffed to the gills with gold. Fine silks and jewels could be seen peeking out from behind half-opened wooden crates. Tipped-over treasure chests left gold coins on the mossy ground. Finally, a mound of armed statues was left at the edge of the area.

“Snapping gators!”

“Dante was kind enough to lend me his Hearthstones. I used them to repeatedly teleport between here and my castle in Volsog. I just didn’t realize how much stuff I had until I had to move it.”

As I took it all in, I could only stand there with my mouth agape. I reached out a hand and tentatively picked up a ruby the size of my palm, just to be sure it was genuine. The weight of it, cool and heavy in my hand, caused me to shake my head in disbelief.

“Does this mean I’m forgiven?” he asked, grinning.

I rubbed a hand down my tired face. “Did you have this when we first met?”

“Yes.”

“And you knew immediately that I was your fated mate?”

His dark brows furrowed, confused at my line of questioning. “Well, after you broke my curse I did.”

Memories of our less-than-peaceful meet-cute sprang to mind. “So, instead of telling me you were my fated mate and were rich beyond my wildest dreams, you got my help by threatening me and my loved ones?”

He shifted uncomfortably at my side. “You didn’t seem like the type to risk life and limb over gold.”

I stared at him for a long, hard moment, then turned to leave. “I can’t with you right now.”

In retrospect, he was probably right. Gold didn’t do a gal much good if she was dead. The old me probably would have nodded politely at his offer, then asked him to leave. Still… “We need to have a long, hard talk about your communication skills.”

Fallon had the decency to look properly chastised as he fell in step at my side. “Is there anything I can do to make it up to you?”

“Yeah, call off your gargoyles and that bird thing. If anything else jumps out at me tonight I’ll keel over from a heart attack. As a matter of fact, I want a break from all scary shenanigans for at least a month.”

His eyes narrowed. “What gargoyles?”

I rolled my eyes. “Fine, statue imps or whatever. You’ve had your fun for the night, so call them off.”

“Cinnamon,” Fallon’s tone took on a hard edge. “I do not know what you’re talking about.”

That made me pause.

I turned back to him, trying to see if this was another one of his tricks. When his face remained free of any hints, I quickly relayed the events to him.

Fallon pinched at the bridge of his nose in frustration. “You thought I enchanted statues to chase you around and dressed up as a nightmarish bird creature?”

“Well, yeah.”

“Rabbit, I don’t know if you’ve forgotten this, but I still want you to love me at the end of the day.”

Dread creeped along my spine. “You’re always telling me scary stories and spooking me.”

“I tell you scary stories because you cling to me after. Never mind that. Are you hurt?” He grabbed me by the back of the skirt and pulled me to him. His hands hurriedly skimmed over my body, checking for any wounds he may have somehow missed in our frantic lovemaking.

I shivered. “If you weren’t the one scaring me, then…” My words trailed off as I looked to the cellar doors.

Creaking footsteps came from the staircase. “Nope, not sticking around for that.” I said, quickly sprinting away. Well, I tried to. More like I took two steps and Fallon snagged me by the back of the shirt and dragged me to him. He put a hand over my mouth and moved us behind a tree.

“Stay silent,” He whispered in my ear.

Murmured voices accompanied the approaching footsteps. “Do you think she went this way?”

“She couldn’t have gotten far.” Another voice answered. I peaked past our hiding spot to see the bird creature emerge from the cellar. Its gangly body shuffled its way up the steps and looked around. “Do you see her?”

The bird monster scanned the area, then looked down at its crotch. “No. But I see her house in the distance, she must have run home. GAH!” The bird shrieked before its torso completely fell off. A pair of regular human sized feet flailed in a sea of black fabric.

Its bottom half tore at itself before a head of silver hair sprang free. “Gods it’s hot in there.” Dante whined, flicking off a string of feathers that snagged on his horn.

“You didn’t have to throw me off!”

Dante rolled his eyes and plucked the coat from his struggling accomplice. When the bird mask fell away, I saw red.

OF COURSE IT’S FUCKING CHILI!

Fallon’s hand muffled my shout. My hands tightened around his arm, wishing it was my brother’s neck. Every year that asshole made Samhain a living hell for me. Now he even got Dante to help him. When did those two even become friends? Oh, this could not stand!

“Stay calm.” Fallon whispered.

“For what?” I hissed into his palm. We should knock those pricks into next week! I thrashed against his hold, ready to break free and give my brother the wallop he deserved.

His voice was barely a whisper among the trees. “Vengeance, my dear.”

Oh! Mollified, I leaned against him and ceased my struggling. Excitement raced through me, just thinking about whatever dastardly plan was cooking up in my demon’s head.

Chili’s laughter echoed through the clearing. “Did you see how fast she ran? I thought she was going to crash through the wall trying to get away.”

The storm dragon’s normally serious features suddenly cracked into a smile. “I almost blew our cover trying not to laugh when she threatened to bash my kobolds.”

A curse upon both their houses.

Chili dusted himself off and gathered his half of the bird costume in his hands. “Hey, do you wanna take this thing to the festival and scare the dog shit out of the villagers?”

“More than anything.” Dante replied.

The two conspirators gathered up the rest of their costume and left the clearing. When their laughter was far enough away, Fallon released me.

“Oh, I can’t believe those two!” I shouted, stomping my foot. “They are not just gonna scare me half to death and get away with it.”

Fallon nodded in agreement. “I know. That’s my job.”

“Yea- wait what?”

Fallon watched the retreating figures with keen interest. His haunting yellow eyes flooded with a gleam I could only describe as sinister intent. “We’re going to need a few things if this is going to work.”

Grinning, I clenched my fists and scooted closer to him. “Yes! Tell me everything.”

He threw an arm over my shoulder and whispered conspiratorially in my ear. “Alright, let’s get the basics sorted out first. We’ll need a pail of white paint, a long garment, and some rope.” He rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “Send a messenger pigeon to the ship. We’re going to need help.”

* * *

Music and laughter filled the night sky just beyond the village center. The roar of the Samhain bonfire crackled, shooting embers high into the air. A chorus of screams rang out before fading back into merriment.

Alexis giggled at my back. “I feel like I was created for this exact moment.”

“Good,” Fallon replied. “Now remember, don’t start until you see my smoke float past you.” He tightened the rope closer to my torso, binding her to me. His hands tickled my sides, and I bit my lip to keep from laughing. Any excessive movement may have cracked the white paint on my face and snappy gators, I would not miss this chance!

“Are you ready Cin?” He asked.

“On my life, Chili will rue the day he made me his target.” He and Dante may have gotten the jump on me before, but I had justice on the brain and a devious Shadow Dragon at my side.

And Alexis.

Vengeance will be mine.

Fallon shook his head. “I adore you.” He gave the rope one last tug then motioned us forward.

When my demon faded into the trees behind us, I shifted my weight to one leg and dragged myself forward, groaning like a haggard lost soul. My billowing white gown was torn in several places. Mud dripped from my hair, pulling the curls down until they looked like ragged weeds piled on my head.

“You should wail!” The sword whispered.

The first dancing villager came into view and I threw back my head and let loose the most forlorn wail I could muster. People froze from the dancing and turned to me. Groaning, I shuffled forward and screamed again. Behind me, Alexis joined in, bellowing a sickly moan that was cut off by wet-sounding coughs. Joined, our cries of torment caused the blacksmith to stumble back in fright.

The music stopped. I rolled my head around then glared at the nearest woman. She screeched and ducked behind a man dressed as a Jack-o’-lantern.

“It’s an evil spirit!” Someone cried from the crowd.

“Don’t be daft!” Came another cry. “It’s just someone in a costume.” Yet the owner of the voice made no move to approach me to check.

Glee fluttered in my tummy as I noticed the white of a bird skull mask next to the bonfire. Chili and Dante were dressed in their full get up, no doubt having the time of their lives scaring children. Now it was my turn.

Target locked, I picked up the pace. Groaning and shuffling through the crowd.

To my immense satisfaction, the bird creature took a step from my approach. Black smoke billowed across cobblestone streets and licked at my heels.

It’s almost time.

I stopped dead. Then twitched as if possessed. When the mist spilled past my feet, I arched backward. Bending myself as far as I could go without falling on my ass.

“What the fuck is happening?” Brie cried.

Chili pulled off his bird mask and shot an annoyed look at me. No doubt upset at being upstaged. “It’s just a prank!”

As soon as the words left his mouth, Alexis kicked into action. I wailed as she flung us up, floating me high above the crowd. A cacophony of screams sounded off below us. People scattered. Felix’s clothes ripped as he transformed into his wolf form and made a beeline to scoop up his wife - only to trip over a small child.

Shadowy figures emerged from the black mist and threw themselves at the crowd. Fallon’s shadow magic wasn’t strong enough to actually cause anyone much damage, but it was enough to grab hold of a leg with an icy touch. If the scattering crowd was any sign, that was more than fine.

Alexis tilted me forward so I could comfortably look down at the crowd. I waved a hand towards Chili and Dante, and Fallon’s smoke followed the movement to send more shadowy figures at the two men in question.

Chili screamed and fell from Dante’s shoulders. The fabric ripped at his frantic attempts to escape. Shadowed hands grabbed him from all sides, tearing at his clothes until tears sprang from his eyes. It was almost enough to make me feel bad for him.

Almost.

To his credit, Dante stood firm. He ripped the costume from his body and widened his stance, ready to fight the ghoul in front of him. Lightning crackled along his arms, then raced down to his boots where gray mist spilled into black. His show of bravery made it even more sweet when his face paled.

A sea of black mist swallowed the moon whole. The only light from the festival came from the crackling bonfire behind Dante, yet that too waned under the oppressive force of the shadow magic.

Fallon’s dragon head rose through the mist. His scales were hidden by the smoke, leaving glowing yellow eyes to be the only thing visible in the wall of black. His maw opened wide until a symphony of teeth appeared in the darkness, wide enough to swallow buildings whole. He roared, drowning out the last of the screams as the villagers bolted from the town square.

Unable to hold back anymore, I burst out laughing. I clutched my sides as Alexis lowered us back down to the ground. Grinning, I wandered over to Chili who was still stuck in his bird costume. His feet were tangled helplessly amongst the fabric and he desperately tried to shuffle away from me. Fallon’s shadowed hands held him still.

“What’s that smell?” Alexis asked.

“Yeah Chili,” I asked, leaning down next to him. “What is that smell?”

Realization donned on his face. He scrambled upright, then clenched at his costume to shield his soiled pants. “Cinnamon?” he cried.

My smile widened. “Happy motherfucking Samhain, you prick.”

About the Author

Kimberly Lemming is on an eternal quest to avoid her calling as a main character. She can be found giving the slip to that new werewolf that just blew into town and refusing to make eye contact with a prince of a far-off land. Dodging aliens looking for Earth booty can really take up a girl’s time.

But when she’s not running from fate, she can be found writing diverse fantasy romance. Or just shoveling chocolate in her maw until she passes out on the couch.

You can connect with me on:

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Also by Kimberly Lemming

That Time I Got Drunk And Saved A Demon: Mead Mishaps Book 1

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All I wanted to do was live my life in peace. Maybe get a cat, expand my spice farm. Really, anything that doesn’t involve going on a quest where an orc might rip my face off. But they say the Goddess has favorites. If so, I’m clearly not one of them.

After saving the demon Fallon in a wine-drunk stupor, all he wanted to do was kill an evil witch enslaving his people.

I mean, I get it, don’t get me wrong. But he’s dragging me along for the ride, and I’m kind of peeved about it. On the bright side, he keeps burning off his shirt.

That Time I Got Drunk And Yeeted A Love Potion At A Werewolf: Mead Mishaps Book 2

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Anyone else ever thrown a drink at someone’s head, only to miss entirely and hit a stranger behind them? Then have that stranger fall madly in love with you because it turned out that drink you threw was a love potion? No, just me? Well damn.

Dealing with a pirate ship full of demons that just moved into town was hard enough. Now on top of it, I have to convince a werewolf that I’m not his fated mate, he’s just drugged. Easier said than done.

Though I have to say, having a gorgeous man show up and do all of your chores while telling you you’re beautiful isn’t the worst thing to happen to a girl.

Mistlefoe: A Mead Realm Tale

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It’s all fun and games until someone catches feelings

Fate sends me straight into the lion’s den. Or rather, the fox’s den. After my dad trespassed into a powerful fox demon’s territory, our family is struck with a powerful curse. Now, to remove it, I’ll have to appeal to the demon’s better nature.

Easier said than done. That arrogant fox demon won’t be swayed by an apology basket full of treats. He does, however, need a fake mate for a week-long Winter Festival.

Though I’d be a liar if I didn’t admit that our doting lovers’ act was becoming harder by the day. The more time I spent with Lucca, the more his irresistible charms get under my skin. Deep down, I know it’s all a game. But my heart just can’t seem to get the memo. When our week-long affair comes to a close, will I really be able to walk away?

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It took about two weeks into the pandemic lock down before I went stark raving mad. In a bold attempt at a new skill, I decided to give baking a try. However, I took to the new venture like a fish to astrophysics and ended up with a battle demon in my kitchen.

Figures.

Will Kain The Destroyer end my life, or end my everlasting boredom?

It’s an Erotica. Take a wild guess.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgement

Content Warnings

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

About the Author

Also by Kimberly Lemming