Page 16 of The Stolen Bride

“Don’t be dramatic.” The second voice faded. “I only removed a few organs.”

Soldiers slowly, cautiously approached us. Well, almost. They halted a good distance away, out of the strike zone. Many wobbled, injured and bleeding. All peered at me in shock. Murmurs of “firebrand” arose.

Not this again! I wasn’t Viktor’s soulmate, okay. Nope. Not this steel magnolia. Maddened had never been my type. And as he’d babbled earlier, I wasn’t his type, either. On top of all that, let’s not forget the Valkara, the real firebrand. But…

Viktor’s reaction to me. It did explain why Malachi would pick someone as normal as me for such a special, suicidal mission. Though how could he have known I might be in the running for firebrand of the year?

“Put me down,” I insisted, wiggling against Viktor.

A ragged moan left him, and I stilled. Either he was injured, and I just couldn’t see the damage, or I’d hurt himin some way. I didn’t like the guy, but I didn’t want him to suffer.

“Will you run again?” he demanded.

“Probably. But not right this second or anything.” Maybe not the best response, but honest. “I give you my word.”

He stiffened. “There’s nowhere you can go that I won’t find you.”

“Just FYI, you aren’t helping your cause when you get all supervillainy.” Not much, anyway. Because yes, a part of me might kind of…like it. But only a part! The worst part, clearly.

“Majesty.” Bodi bypassed those around us, his palms up and out in a gesture of innocence as he neared. “Perhaps you should place the girl under my protection. I’ll take excellent care of her, I swear it.”

I didn’t get a chance to shout, “Liar!”

“Mine,” the king snarled, nearly cracking my ribs as he yanked me closer. His nostrils flared, and he bared his teeth at the other royal.

Okay, so, maybe I was his type? I mean, I wasn’t unattractive, if I did say so myself. And I happened to dig my personality. Animal lover and violin enthusiast, with an indomitable spirit and an unwillingness to give up when things got tough. Talk about rare qualities!

But what if IwasViktor’s firebrand, and not the Valkara? Look how calm he’d become. And he’d only dialed up the protection factor.

I mean, it wouldn’t hurt to at least test the theory.

“Majesty,” Bodi said, gearing up to try again.

“Stay back, prince, I’ve got this,” I announced, then I did it. I made a move, patting Viktor’s cheek. “Focus on me, Snarls. Come on. Look at me.”

He resisted my command, his chest heaving, and I wondered if he was close to losing his temper again. Well, I was already in the fire. I might as well dance.

“Hey! I told you to focus on me, and I meant it.” I snapped my fingers in front of his face until his dark gaze found mine at last.

“What?” he barked.

Are you kidding me?“Wow. I try to help, and this is the thanks I get.”

His lids slitted. From the corner of my eye, I detected movement. Suspected Bodi and a few others were slipping closer. I stretched out my arm, fingers spread in the classic sign forstop. All the while, I held Viktor’s gaze.

“Look,” I said. “How about we cancel all punishments and return to your place? I’m starving, and I’ve got some questions only you can answer.” I batted my lashes, giving him my best puppy dog eyes. “Take care of me? Please, with a cherry on top.”

Silence. Stillness. One moment bled into another, the crowd so quiet everyone might have been holding their breath.

Finally, Viktor scowled and nodded. “We’ll be in my tent. Bring us food, and a lot of it,” he bellowed, and carried me over the threshold.

Chapter

Five

See Beyond What You See: When Your Berserker Does Tricks, Dish Treats

–HOW TO TRAIN YOUR BERSERKER

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