Page 96 of Barbi and the Villain

Where did he go? Where did the dogs go?

I swing my legs over the bed, carefully making my way around the cabin without hitting anything. But I don’t need to go outside to search for them. Not when the small window leads directly to a backyard where Nykander is hanging out with the dogs.

“No. It is not the time to play around, PomPom,” he says in a low voice as he waves his finger at PomPom. She runs around him excitedly while BonBon is going potty a small distance away. “Come on. It is your turn, PomPom,” he instructs her, but she doesn’t seem to listen.

BonBon finishes his business and joins her as they both run around him. I expect him to get annoyed. PomPom doesn’t listen to anyone but me. Yet as I silently continue to watch them, Nykander drops to his knees to pet the two dogs. A genuine smile appears on his face as he tentatively tries to play with them.

The dim light from the moon illuminates his face and makes my heart still in my chest.

The dogs jump on him at the same time, making him lose his balance and fall on his back. His laughter fills my ears as he lets them lick him and sniff his face. Every now and then he encourages them, giving them a light pat or scratching their bellies.

Eventually, with enough coaxing, he gets PomPom to potty, all the while giving her words of praise.

“That’s a good girl,” he murmurs, scratching her behind her ears. BonBon jumps around, wanting to be praised too, so Nykander gives him attention and calls him a good boy.

Moisture clings to my lashes as I stare at them.

I want to be a good girl too—his good girl.

Damn it. Why does he have to be so awfully attractive? And why is he so kind to my dogs, making my heart leap in my chest at the smallest interaction?

Once the dogs have done their business, he takes them back to the cabin.

When he opens the door, he doesn’t seem surprised to see me—of course he doesn’t. He has super hearing.

He gives me a tentative smile. “They wanted to go out.”

“You should have woken me up.”

He shakes his head. “You were sleeping.”

That’s all he says as he resumes his place between the covers on the floor, but somehow it’s enough to make me ache like crazy for the same attention my dogs got.

Isn’t that pathetic? I am now jealous of my dogs!

I muster a smile.

“Good night, then.”

He grunts a reply, but it’s clear he’s not inclined to make conversation with me.

With a heavy heart, I join my babies on the bed and will myself to sleep. Mentally, I count down the days until we can get that artifact and find someone to break our bond. Because until then…I fear my heart is in too much danger in his presence.

The following day, we wake up in the morning and make our way to the village. Jeya appears by our side and tells us the village works as a commune, which means that everyone must participate in an activity. Every morning, there is an event called the drawing, in which every member of the commune draws a ticket that lists an activity. Since Nykander and I are considered a pair, we only get one draw.

Nykander mutters something under his breath about meeting the High Priestess sooner, which I would normally agree with, but in this instance, I don’t want us to be seen as ungrateful or rude.

I elbow him and tell him to cut it out while I plaster a smile on my face for Jeya. Alas, that seems to get Nykander even more rude.

“I know you have been imprisoned for a long time, but you need to mind your manners. These people have graciously allowed us to stay here. You won’t help our cause by being rude.”

He glares at me.

I roll my eyes.

“We are here to speak with the High Priestess, not engage in frivolous activities,” he declares, rather loudly.

People stop what they’re doing to stare at him, some even muttering a few admonishments under their breaths.

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