Roses and Emeralds: A High School NA Reverse Harem Dark Fantasy Bully Romance (Cruel Princes of Wyvern All-Boys Academy Book 2)

by Rachel Angel

  Ally’s ears perked up at the sound of a cracked branch and she opened her mouth to warn the princes, but was thrown off her horse before she could manage a syllable. As she tumbled to the ground and wrestled with her attacker, she saw the four princes fighting their own battles as, they too, were tackled off their horses.

  One man, a tall dark-haired warrior, sat stiff and immobile on his black horse. In a haughty and confident manner, he looked down upon the battling princes. His gaze, filled with disdain, fell to Tar, and a devilish smirk slowly spread across his lips. Despite his arrogant demeanor, he was darkly handsome like Tar, but more robust and rugged as a man who have seen more of the world and have experienced more.

  With a lazy swing of his long lean leg, he got off his horse and walked to where Tar was struggling to catch his breath. Instead of giving him a helping hand, he kicked him in the gut, sending Tar crumbling to the ground.

  “What are you doing in this neck of the woods, little brother? I thought I’d banished you for good.” As if to emphasize his words, he gave Tar another swift kick. “Maybe I should just put an end to you once and for all.”

  With Tar lying on his side, barely conscious, his brother drew his sword and raised it high in the air, prepared to deliver a fatal blow.

  Stunned by what she was witnessing, Ally kicked her assailant off her and ran to block the cruel brute of a man. Raising her armor-plated arm, she block the fatal blow.

  The tall man, snickered and raised his sword again, determination set in his cold black eyes. “Back away, little girl,” he growled.

  Keeping a fierce glare on him, Ally pulled her metal gloves tightly to her wrists and silently dared him to strike, and when he did, she reached out with one hand to grab the blade of his sword. With a firm yank, she pulled him forward, forcing him to come nose to nose with her.

  Surprise played in his eyes for a flash and was quickly replaced with anger and rage.

  Ally grinned. Before he knew what hit him, she smashed her forehead against his, sending him falling back with a cry of pain. With his sword in her gloved hand, she stood victoriously over him, looking down at the embarrassing position she’d put him in.

  “Might I assume that you are Drago, Tar’s brother.”

  He groaned.

  “Not so arrogant now, are you?” she added.

  She noticed then that everything had gone silent. The wrestling behind her had stopped and she looked back to see that they were all, her princes and their assailants, looking at her with awe and fear.

  Biting her lip, she realized she’d once again let the extent of her strength show. The men now all had the same expression as the students of Wyvern had had that day she’d kicked Jasper for making up that silly lie about her.

  Tar sat up and, still holding his aching gut, smiled. “Wow. No one, much less a female, has ever dared touch the King of the Dark Forest quite like that.” He struggled to get to his feet. “What a sound beating that was. No one has ever even gotten close enough to slap him, never mind beat the crap out of him.”

  The dark army that had attacked them suddenly stood back with an air of reverence and respect.

  Tar got back on his horse and invited the other princes and Ally to do the same. Then he led them into his kingdom. His back was straighter than before and his chin higher. He was clearly proud of his home, despite his dispute with his brother.

  They made their way through the Dark Forest that deserved its name. The foliage of the tall trees was so dense and dark that barely a glimmer of sun penetrated.

  But the darkness of the forest made the appearance of the palace all the more brilliant.

  “That can’t be,” Ally said as she was suddenly blinded by the shimmering diamonds.

  Set in the midst of all the darkness and shadows, the palace walls were made entirely of huge, fist-sized diamonds.

  “It’s our diamond in the rough,” Tar said with a grin. “The diamond walls shine with such brilliance, while the surrounding forest hides deep dark secrets behind every shadow.”

  Ally admired the perfectly cut diamonds and realized how all the kingdoms had their own blend of beauty and ruggedness. Each had something soft, and hard.

  And here she was, a soft, young girl among rugged, hard men.

  Was that the way of the world in Wyvern? Powers were begotten by blending two opposing forces.

  She hoped so.

  Chapter 12

  Tar came up beside Ally as they got off their horses and handed the reins to the stable boys. “I think you’ve really shaken Drago up. He’s been unusually quiet.”

  Ally looked at the tall dark figure who approached them with quiet dignity instead of raw rage.

  “If you’ll allow me,” Drago said. “I’ll show you to your room.”

  “I think I can handle that,” Tar said.

  “And I think you should show your princes to their rooms instead,” Drago shot back, his eyes never leaving Ally.

  He led her inside the elegant if not austere palace and brought her to a guest room. “This is by far our most lavish suite fit for a lady,” he said, pushing the door open. “And you certainly deserve it. Please, rest and meet us for dinner when you are ready.”

  “If I may,” Ally said, holding up an inquisitive finger. “I’d rest much better if I were assured that the remainder of my party were to be treated just as well.”

  Closing his eyes wearily, he nodded, then looked at her with intrigue. “You are a special one, aren’t you?” His eyes roved over her face then her body, appreciating all her feminine attributes. “Quite a fighter and a beauty.”

  Dinner was an affair of excess with enough food to feed ten times the number of people seated at the long table. Bowl, platters and trays overflowed with abundance, as did the wine.

  Tension between Drago and Tar was palpable as they remained cold for a long while, eating in silence.

  Finally tired of their childish behavior, Ally intervened. “What were you boys like when you were younger?”

  “I was a quiet kid,” Tar said simply.

  “And…” Ally prompted.

  Tar shot his brother a quick sideway glance and when Drago said nothing, added, “I liked to read and…” He trailed off.

  Drago remained stoic and silent.

  “Did you guys play together? You know, tag or hide and seek. Did you build a tree house in the forest or go on a treasure hunt together? Go fishing. Anything?”

  Silence.

  “How many years are between the two of you?” she said, trying a different approach.

  “Four,” Tar said.

  “Five,” Drago corrected, finally getting into the conversation.

  “Oh.” It was a start, she thought. “As a big brother you must have had a lot of influence on Tar.”

  Drago smirked. “He was an annoying little squirt who followed me around everywhere. He’d wait for me outside my door as I prepared to go hunting and beg me to let him tag along.”

  “Well, I think that’s the natural way of things,” Ally said. “I would have loved to have a little sister tag along with me.”

  “I once followed him out into the forest,” Tar admitted. “Call it naivete or ignorance or just plain stupidity, but as a seven year old I saw him as a hero, a god. He could do everything I couldn’t. He was allowed to go into the forests. He was even encouraged to do so, while I was expected to stay inside and play silly little games with the nanny.”

  “Yeah, I remember that time you followed me,” Drago said, his features suddenly softening as he remembered that long ago day. “You slipped on a rock when you tried to follow me across the creek and you were carried downstream by the strong spring current.” He laughed. “You screamed like a girl.”

  “Hey,” Ally called out. “What is that supposed to mean?”

  Drago just laughed and speared a small roasted potato, raising it to his face to inspect it before popping it into his mouth.

  “You let me float away for over half a mile.”<
br />
  “Screaming the whole way,” Drago added.

  “I could’ve drowned,” Tar said.

  “Yeah, but you didn’t ‘cause I ran after you and pulled you out like the lame squirt you were.”

  “Well, that was certainly brave of you,” Ally said, finding the positive aspect of his actions.

  “Ah, it was just to shut the squirt up. He was scaring all the wildlife away.” He looked to his little brother. “If I remember correctly, I didn’t bag anything that day just because of you.”

  “Get serious,” Tar countered. “You never bagged anything anyway. You were always a miserable shot.”

  They both laughed and a huge weight suddenly lifted from the entire dining room. Everyone breathed easier, smiled broader and spoke more animatedly.

  It was late into the night when they finally finished off their last bottle of wine and, slightly drunk and exhausted, they headed off to their respected rooms.

  Despite her fatigue, Ally needed to wash the effects of the day off and headed for the shower. She’d just barely lathered herself up when she felt a warm figure coming up behind her.

  Tar, she thought with a smile. It was his home kingdom, and his chance to be with her tonight.

  He kissed her and caressed her breasts with large greedy hands. Groaning in her ear, she suddenly realized it was a sound she was unfamiliar with. Spinning around, she faced Drago and let out a small scream of shock and fear.

  “What the hell are you doing here?” she said.

  “Ah, come on,” he whispered. “Don’t tell me you didn’t think of this moment. I have since you’ve arrived. I have thought of having you all day. A girl like you… riding around with four princes. I’m sure the guys don’t lack for… well, you know, female tenderness with you around.”

  “Actually, you’re right. They don’t lack female tenderness at all,” she said defiantly. “I’ve fucked every one of them, but it was my choice. Mine! You, I want nothing to do with. Now get out!”

  “I’ve rarely met such a strong woman. It’s such a turn on.”

  She stepped out of the shower and grabbed a towel. “How about this for a turn on.”

  Before he could follow her out of the shower, she turned the water to full on cold.

  “Shit!” he shouted as he hopped out.

  “Is that a strong enough woman for you?”

  “Damn. You’re even lovelier when you’re angry.” He grinned, grabbed her towel and wiped off some of the cold water while his eyes danced over her glistening body. “I envy Tar for having bedded you. Surely you would prefer a real man over him.”

  “Don’t make me hurt you,” she warned. “You are my host, and my friend’s brother, but I won’t hesitate to hurt you if you push me to.”

  He looked at her a long moment, assessing her. “A woman who can and will fight back, will be a woman I’d like to bed. Not only will you heat up my bed, but I would never get bored with you.” He took a step forward, seemingly prepared to test her resolve, but he then backed away. Passing his tongue over his teeth in a show of disgust, he eyed her with feigned disdain, tossed the towel at her and grabbed his clothes.

  “But you’re pretty like a doll. Beauties like you always tend to just lie there and wait for it to be over.”

  Ally just stared at him, not in the least bit tempted to show him how wrong he was.

  With a final nod, Drago opened the door and left her.

  After a moment to collect her thoughts, Ally returned to her shower, but now felt the added need to wash off his touch. As much as she loved Tar’s touch, Drago’s left her feeling dirty and disgusted.

  She toweled off, pulled on a thin nightdress and slipped into bed, thinking of the long day they’d had. What an interesting day, she thought.

  The door creaked open.

  “Tar?” she said, not wanting to take any chances this time.

  “Yeah,” he whispered as he slipped under the covers beside her. “Finally, I get to be with you alone. I’ve been waiting for this since we arrived.”

  She melted into his arms and he tenderly kissed her, holding her close. She wanted to tell him about his brother, about the awful moment she’d spent with him, but didn’t want to add to their rift.

  Instead, she allowed Tar to make gentle love to her and she reveled in his every touch. His lust was there, but so was a tenderness that made her feel loved and cherished. As with the other princes, when she reached her orgasm, something was different, more powerful…the fusing of energies.

  “You make me so happy,” he said after he’d climaxed. “You made all this happened. I could finally return to the Dark Forest and see my homeland. I could even talk to my brother for once in a very long time.”

  She hugged him tightly. “You make me happy, too.” She hesitated, feeling the need to tell him about his brother after all. “Tar, there’s something… I want to tell you…”

  “About Drago?” he finished for her.

  Surprised, she looked at him. “Yes. You know?”

  “Yeah, I know,” he said. “I saw how he looked at you this entire time. He clearly wants you.”

  “Why didn’t you stop him?” Ally asked.

  “If you were attracted to him and wanted him too, how could I stop you? You are free to choose anyone you want to be with, although I wished it would only be me. I know you are intimate with all of us princes, and we all want you so much in our own ways, that we would stand having you in any way we can. Even if we have to share you. So…even if Drago were to become your fancy…”

  “A lot of women would find Drago attractive. He is handsome. very well endowed, and a king,” Ally said, “but the way he treated you…his own flesh and blood just didn’t sit well with me. For now…you’re the only man I want from the Dark Forest.”

  “That’s a relief,” Tar said. “I know you scared Drago out of here,” he said with a chuckle. “He’s not used to girls like you. I think you really have him confused, but still intrigued.”

  “Am I that intriguing?” Ally asked.

  Tar smiled and said, “Hell yes, Ally. First of all, we admire and respect you for the amazing strength that comes out of you at times. Where do you get that strength? And…you are always thinking…coming up with new inventions. In all of Wyvern, we do not have an inventor yet as industrious as you. Besides all that, you are not quite human, are you? No other humans have what you have…so, Allotrope Free, you are the most intriguing individual all of us princes have met in a long time. Not to mention sexy and beautiful. And we all want a piece of you if not all of you.”

  Ally smiled and looked into Tar’s deep dark eyes and said, “I want all of you four, too, but for tonight, I want to feel you in me again. Harder and faster, Tar, so much so that I’d forget that Drago ever tried to take me while I was in the shower.

  Tar’s eyes widened with a hint of surprise then jealousy before he pressed her down on the bed, tore off all of her clothing before kissing her naked body with the heat and passion of a man about to go off to battle.

  Ally gave Tar her all, too, knowing and dreading it might be the last time they could make hot passionate love for a long time. Or ever again.

  Who knows what tomorrow would bring, especially since the monsters seemed so formidable.

  Chapter 13

  Ally stood in front of the mirror and examined her reflection. Her hair was pulled back and tucked under a black leather cap. She wore black leather pants and a dark shirt. A warrior, she thought. Was she really a warrior?

  Training had made her stronger, faster, and smarter. But that was all in training, with other students. This was to be a war, a real war. No second chances, and against creatures that couldn’t be reasoned. Creatures whose bites were lethal and would stop at nothing to completely destroy their victims.

  A knock at the door pulled her from her thoughts.

  “Yes,” she called back. “Come in.”

  Tar came in. “It’s time.”

  She nodded, her eyes meetin
g her own in the mirror. It was time. Time to finally go back to The Borders, but this time being there was going to be so incredibly different.

  “You okay?” Tar said.

  She nodded again, biting her lower lip. “Yeah. I’m okay.” She turned to him. “This is big,” she whispered.

  “It is.”

  “Everyone is depending on us.”

  He nodded. “They are.”

  She drew in a long, deep breath and slowly let it out.

  “We’re ready for this, Ally. I mean, we’re really ready to beat these things. Everything will be great. You’ll see.” He pulled her to him for a tight hug and kissed her forehead. “We will be victorious, Ally, especially with you on our side. I didn’t think much of it back at Wyvern, but with your background from The Borders, we will have an advantage of knowing Borders from the inside.”

  Nodding, she left the room with him right beside her.

  They made their way to the gate where Drago and the other princes were waiting. King Drago had also arranged for his citizens to see the warriors off.

  “I didn’t expect to see you here this morning,” Tar said to him. “And with such a procession.”

  “Don’t think you had anything to do with it,” Drago said. His gaze fell to Ally. “She’s the one I came to see. This is all for her. The Kingdom of the Dark Forests won’t be second to any kingdom in Wyvern.” Taking a step closer to her, he licked his lips and breathed her in. “You’re the kind of woman I need,” he whispered, his hoarse voice filled with lust. “Why are you running around with mere princes, when you have a king here in front of you who would give you the key to his castle?”

  Ally just looked up at him, bored.

  “You’d also have the key to the king’s chamber.”

  She yawned in his face.

  “You don’t know what you’re passing up,” King Drago went on. He leaned in and said, “When you beat me, it was as though I’d awaken to the only woman worthy enough to have me.”

  “Oh?” Ally asked. “Still so arrogant.”