A Ruin of Roses

Nyfain carries Finley back to her tower room and changes back to his human form, where the two fight for the key to the door. They end up sprawled on the bed, bodies pressed together. Though Finley wants him, she refuses to give in and shoves him away, handing over the key. Nyfain leaves and locks her in. That night, Finley dreams she’s having sex with Nyfain, only to wake and realize it was a dream powered by an incubus who’s right outside her door. The sound of a scuffle comes from outside, and Nyfain arrives, having killed the incubus.

Nyfain will escort Finley to the garden to tend the everlass. Contrary to his earlier surliness, Nyfain now makes jokes about Finley needing to wear real clothes so he doesn’t kill everyone in the castle for looking at her the wrong way. He also insists she keep her animal under control so he doesn’t want to have sex with her. Finley tells him to take responsibility for his own animal, which makes Nyfain surly again. Much as the discussion and Nyfain’s attitude irritate her, Finley is glad he’s back to his usual, disagreeable self because it would be dangerous for her to be attracted to him.