Chapter 27

"How'd I do?" The fox asked with cocky grin, while I was so out of sorts, I was still trying to figure out what the word "how'd" meant, who "I" was, and what was done. "Here I was worried you were going to try to be clever and fake your climax and your tears to get it over with, only to get us sent back to the start. Good to see you know when it's the right time to play by the rules."

My cheeks were still on fire. My whole body was. All I wanted was a nap and a cigarette, while I had no time to sleep, and I'd never smoked in my life. I wiped the tears from my cheeks with the back of my hand, and I pulled myself together.

"I've come this far. I'm not going to mess it up over something as small and silly as a sex toy." I muttered like I was tough, but I didn't feel very mighty right now. He offered me a hand, but I refused to take it, instead managing to lift myself to my feet all on my own power. I smoothed out my skirt while trying to pretend my heart wasn't pounding, my breathing wasn't completely erratic, my whole pussy wasn't throbbing with contented pleasure, and that I was completely unbothered by how drenched his fingers, my panties, and my inner thighs all were.

"I'm just glad to see you're so dedicated." Alessi patted me on the shoulder, and I noticed now more than ever how fucking gorgeous and dangerous he looked. "Now let's get moving. You'll have plenty of time to rest once we get to the Orange Sector."

"Lead the way, travel buddy." I squeaked like a fucking dork, because how else does one respond after getting fingered by a gorgeous god you only just met.

Alessi's amber eyes reflected way too much amusement and satisfaction as he turned his back to me and started down the corridor. I followed dutifully, thankful for a few seconds of quiet relief in between challenges.

The next room was an unexpectedly far walk, but fortunately the vibrator was well secured, and it settled very firmly in place. It didn't disrupt my movement, nor did it slip around. It somehow remained fixed exactly at the pin pointed position that it needed to be. Any other time, that kind of magic might have been awesome. Right now, it only served to constantly remind me of how pathetic and shameful I'd just been in front of Alessi.

Alessi seemed unmoved by the event. We were little more than strangers though, so that had to have been uncomfortable for him too, right? Then again, he was a magical beast from a magical realm who had been alive for thousands—maybe millions—of years. He'd probably seen everything there was to see by now, and sex with a human was probably laughable compared to the Dream Weaver. Alessi would be used to something way more extreme than a little non-fatal toy, considering how traumatic my introduction to Theron was.

I miss Theron.

The thought jumped through my mind, and it was entirely intrusive. I shook my head in an effort to forget it. There was no time for dawdling on such a ridiculous ideas anyway, as we entered the next chamber and new walls slammed down around us.

Next Challenge , the wall began. And once again, two openings appeared in the golden surface. A pair must share the burden of choice. One has chosen, now one must trust the other to choose.

Alessi nodded to me, and I tried not to blush every time I made eye contact. He approached the choices next and slid open both cubbies in the wall. Behind them were the same type of glass boxes.

On the right, there was a whip. On the left, a ball gag.

And over here, in my personal box, there was nothing but dryness and dread.

"You still heal fast, don't you Bijou?" Alessi asked, oh so casually, and my throat clogged with horror at the implication of what I knew was coming next.

"I mean, we can't know that for sure." I wanted to protest, but Alessi had already put his hand on the box with the whip. His smirk was a touch wicked as he removed the long, leather weapon from the case.

"Then we should probably test it again to make sure, don't you think? "

I swallowed and he grinned. "Why wouldn't you pick the ball gag?" I could handle drool better than forty lashes.

"And lose out on listening to your pretty voice?" The fox raised a crimson brow, though his delight was written all over his face. He was enjoying this whole thing way too much for a guy who tried to get himself murdered by flesh eating plants a few hours ago. "After the way you moaned through the last challenge, I didn't even consider it."

I'd been reasonably confident he was on my side after the first challenge. Now I wasn't so sure.