The Tollkeeper (Fairy Tales Behaving Badly) Read Online Free PDF Page B

cloak she wore, pushing the thick material off her shoulders, baring her nakedness to him.
    “I like how sometimes you can be kind, and how sometimes you…” she paused and gasped, for the Mountain had taken her breasts in his massive hands, “… are… not.”
    They stayed the night. Because she was still sore from the previous night’s excess, the Mountain took her into his mouth instead, her slim hands gripping his rough mane of hair as she moaned out her pleasure. His tongue working deep into her, caressing the places he had previously overlooked; opening up her wet little crevice with his rough, thick fingers. By the time he was done, she was as weak as a kitten, too sensitive to endure more. The Mountain looked down at where she lay burrowed against his chest, his arms around her waist, and found peace.
    She had very little possessions, and the Mountain carried them all easily, in his large hands. They stopped by a small grave the next morning, and paid their respects to the only family Billie had ever known. They headed to Barton’s Common, where the villagers knew the Mountain on sight. They were amazed to see him with the beautiful redhead, to watch him sell her horse to an innkeeper. He purchased two stronger stallions and enough supplies to last them several days’ journey.
    Finally, he turned in his resignation, and gave the village elder all the proceeds of the toll payments, adding a few more coins of his own - for the three nights the girl had traveled across the bridge for free, for the three nights the Mountain had wanted her, lusted after her, loved her.
     
    The king was pleased to see him return, delighted to see the shy, blushing redhead by his side. Ever true to his word, he gave the Mountain a small estate to live out the rest of his days, and asked if he could give her away, once they had decided on a date for the wedding.
     
    The Mountain took his intended again that night in their new home, and then again - pleasurably, and rough, because he was not a gentle lover.

An Excerpt from the Shrinemaiden
     
     
    She should fetch a good price today, they said.
    The madame tells Adelai this as she brushes her hair, until it’s golden enough to her satisfaction. For the first time in her life, Adelai was surrounded by servants, who help her into the elaborate weaves and frills of her bridal gown. Shrinemaidens to be consecrated all wear the same thing - white silk affairs of ribbons and lace, cut low enough to display hints of bosom to draw in more bidders, but high enough to maintain a pretense at modesty. But modesty, Adelai knew, is not one of the many things that shall happen tonight.
    Over the babble of the other shrinemaidens getting ready the High Priestess Saleia tells her the same thing, as she scrutinizes her appearance. Though her eyes are failing and her back is stooped from forty years spent overseeing rituals and ceremonies like these, she is quick to spot and point out every flaw, from a wayward lock of hair to the minute, nearly invisible creases in my dress. Tonight, she insists, must be perfect. High Priestess Saleia runs the temple of Inne-annah, in the kingdom of Atalantea, like a soldiers’ barrack, and to girls like Adelai it feels natural to be just a little afraid of her. It is hard to imagine that the high priestess had, once upon a very long time, been a shrinemaiden herself, with her wrinkled face and long nose.
    “Show no nervousness!” She reminds the girls in her harsh nasal voice. “Your auction price shall depend on your manner and bearing, and your future shall depend on your auction price. Need I repeat myself again on the consequences of receiving a low bid?”
    The High Priestess need not. Everyone in the room was very much aware of what a low price would mean. A mediocre existence playing mistress to unimportant men at best; plying the trade in the illegal brothels still active within the city, at the worst.
    A high bidding price, however, meant power. The