Tower of Shadows (Once Upon A Wicked Villain #2)

EPILOGUE

HAVEN

At Rozlyn’s request, Haven vowed on his life as a sorcerer that he wouldn’t visit her shop until it was finished and that absolutely no spells of any sort could hurry the work along. He might’ve had his shadows sneak in a few helpful errands here and there, but he was growing impatient to see her reaction.

Haven stood at his cauldron, sprinkling in a few herbs before stirring the contents. Over the past two months, he’d visited Souldark once a week with his tower when Rozlyn was working at her shop. She had asked him to deliver Iseult her handmade gifts. The skeleton was happier than Haven had ever seen him, and he admitted that he rarely stayed at the manor. Instead, he spent most nights helping lost spirits so they could find their way to the gods. Haven’s old assistant had no beating heart, but if he did, it would’ve been bigger than anyone else’s. Being that selfless was something Haven could never achieve.

Rapid footsteps echoed down the stairs. Rozlyn flung herself into the spell room, her cheeks flushed pink, and a yellow lacy dress hugged her curves. The color was growing on him.

“It’s finished!” she squealed and tugged Haven’s hand, his boots planted to the floor. “The shop!”

“It’s about fucking time,” he said, fighting a smile.

“Oh, shush.” She grinned. “I know you helped. I just kept quiet about it.”

Haven smirked as Rozlyn dragged him out of the tower and through the forest, the giddy smile continuing to glow and light up her face. Her freckles shone like stars beneath the blazing sun, and he desperately wanted nothing but to be bound to her once more, for Rozlyn to be his wife. They’d fucked every night, made love every day, and he hadn’t chained her down. That was something he would never do to her again. With Rozlyn, he’d learned what it was like to truly feel . But only with her. The rest of the courts could go up in flames for all he cared.

They neared the market, and bustling customers walked up and down the streets. Fresh breads and savory meat permeated the air.

Rozlyn drew to a stop in front of her shop’s door, clasping her hands as she bounced on her feet, her doe eyes lighting up even more.

Yellow drapes cloaked the windows, concealing what rested inside.

“This is it!” she chirped and opened the door. He followed her over the threshold, and his gaze swept across the sea of dresses. Every fabric and color one could imagine. Yellows, greens, purples, blues, a rainbow of colors each in their own section of hues.

“This is … lovely,” he lied.

Rozlyn placed her hands on her hips. “Thank you for pretending to like them. But! You didn’t look in the back yet.” She waggled her brows and grabbed his hand once more and guided him past a velvet curtain to reveal a room entirely of dark dresses. Ball gowns. Simple dresses. Ones that were much bolder, ones he would quickly remove from Rozlyn before fucking her. But no matter what she wore, he would simply peel the fabric from her perfect body, revealing the delicacy that awaited him.

“Now this,” he purred, “I like.”

“Would you like to help me remove my clothing, so I may try one on for you?” She grinned.

Fuck. Yes . Haven’s shadows seeped out of him, trailing their fingers up the curve of her waist, between her breasts to unfasten her dress. He teased them both while his shadows slowly removed her garments. With a snap of his fingers, his clothing vanished, making Rozlyn smile even more.

“You’re so efficient,” she drawled.

His lips claimed hers, tasting her alluring sunshine. He cradled her close and took her with him in a heap on the floor before rolling her to her back to graze kisses down her throat. His shadows caressed her thighs as he flicked his tongue over a peaked nipple and took it into his mouth. She moaned and he brought his lips to hers once more, yearning to kiss her for eternity.

“Marry me,” he rasped, his eyes hooded. “Be my wife again.”

Rozlyn stilled, her heart racing against his chest, her eyes dancing in excitement. “Yes! But only on two conditions. I want Iseult to initiate the ceremony. And!” She held up a finger. “Allow me to make your wedding attire!”

Haven chuckled. “I’ll make arrangements as soon as you pick the date.” Since Iseult was the ferryman, he could no longer cross into another court, but Haven would have his prior assistant stand on one side of the border between Souldark and Dawnbreak during the ceremony while Rozlyn’s brothel family remained on the other.

“I’ll even wear a black gown for you.” She winked, then gripped his cock, and he released a groan of pleasure.

Rozlyn stroked him at a deft pace. His Rozlyn . Haven rolled with her to his back, and she cradled his thighs—he needed to feel her around his cock now . She slid down on him, making them both gasp.

Haven dug his fingers into her backside as she rode him, harder, faster, brilliantly. He kept his eyes open, studying her every feature, every curve, every movement. And he continued watching as her lips parted and her back slightly arched while discovering her own bliss.

His hands moved in sync with her body, her core grinding into him in the way that drove him mad, desperate for more. Closer. Closer. Until her name tore from his lips. “Rozlyn.”

She collapsed against him, and he draped an arm around her waist, his chest heaving.

“I love you,” he murmured. She’d spoken the words to him every day, and even though he felt the sentiment in return, he never said them aloud. They were words he’d never told anyone. Not his parents. Not Vivienne. No one. But he fucking loved her and wanted to give her everything.

Beaming like the sun, Rozlyn lifted slightly and kissed his lips. “And I love you.” She dipped her head beside him, her soft lips brushing his ear as she whispered, “Now, let me measure you so I can get started on your attire.”

Haven laughed and held his arms out for her. “As you wish.”

***

Want to dive into another villain from the Grimm world? Then try Spindle of Sin , a standalone Sleeping Beauty retelling, now!