Page 27 of The Stolen Bride

I could work within those terms. “You can’t pick anything that violates my moral fiber. So, as you can see, that’s only one limit.”

“Accepted. The payment I demand will do nothing toviolate your moral fiber.”

Hmm. He’d acquiesced too easily. He must not get my meaning. “That includes anything romantic or harmful to myself and others.”

I couldfeelhis eye roll.

“As if I have any need to demand romance from you or anyone. I’m a king. Women throw themselves at me daily. It’s one of the reasons I go to war. To rest.”

This time he didn’t moderate his volume, and his grinning men all nodded their support of his claim.

First, Viktor had displayed a sense of humor, now ego. I wasn’t sure what to think.

“Besides,” he added. “I want only to win the Valkara.”

I ground my molars. An action my stomach misunderstood, obviously. It gave another rumble. Feeding time again.

Viktor motioned to Keve. The warrior left the circle and rushed over with a second, bigger slice of bread.

“Thank you,” I said, digging in. When I finished, I curbed the urge to request a third and leaned against the tree trunk, stretching out my legs. “I’m a fan of that bread. It’s almost filling.”

“It is Hoskenyér. It provides a sentinel with all the nourishment required to maintain strength on a long journey.”

Even better. “I’d love to score the recipe, if it’s not some treasured family secret.”

“Your world lacks many of the ingredients.”

Too bad. I peered at him, intending to say something but... Golden firelight bathed his face, painting his skin with loving strokes. My heart kicked into another mad race as if—No! Nope. No way I was attracted to King Viktor, the feral primal leading Hungarian sentinels, who sought the devotion of an otherworldly woman able to speak into his head. But why did he have to be so gorgeous?

“Since I have my parameters, I can consider what I wish to demand from you,” he said, bordering on gleeful. “For now, I’m ready to ask a few of my questions.”

Flutters erupted in my stomach. “Go ahead. Ask,” I told him, breathless. “Just know I’ll be keeping count.”

He canted his head. Quiet again, he asked, “Do you have a male?”

That was what he wished to know first and foremost? How interesting. I may have smiled. Okay, I definitely smiled. He might want that Valkara chick, but he was super into me.

“No. No male. Man. Not too long ago, I was engaged to a mechanic.”

Viktor stiffened. “What brought about the end of your relationship?”

Second question, check. “He decided he preferred my former best friend Kami. Well, that, and because I have a so-called heart of ice. Oh, and also because I’m a ‘toe-stepper’. Excuse me for speaking my mind and containing my emotions to protect others from my wrath.”Jerk.“Anyway. I caught Benjamin and Kami together a couple of days before my wedding.” Ugh. Had I really needed to share the whole sordid story of my greatest rejection?

Viktor’s expression grew pensive. He better not be working up to pity. I was glad Ben dumped me. Gladder than glad. The gladdest. Who wanted to be legally shackled to a lowdown, dirty cheater? Travesty averted—for me. Neither Kami nor Benjamin could say the same.

“You contain your emotions with me, too,” Viktor stated, “and you will cease doing so immediately. I told you, there’s no need for it.”

Maybe. And oh, how tempting was such a thought. To let go. To experience emotions at full wattage. If anyonecould handle my temper, it was this man. But I merely shrugged, noncommittal. CouldIhandle feeling things other than rage?

“Back to the fool you almost married. You loved him.”

Not a question, but I counted it, anyway. Three down, only seven to go. “I did, yes.” I paused, waiting, but Viktor didn’t speak up again. “Ask me how he won me over, and I’ll tell you.”

Viktor didn’t take the bait, but he did waste an additional question on Benjamin. “How long ago did this occur?”

“Six months.” Not long enough, honestly.

“What do you feel for him now?”

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