Page 30 of The Stolen Bride

“I merely made an observation. Now prepare yourself. I’m about to ask the next question in my queue of seven.”

“Five,” I corrected.

“Ja. I was testing your counting ability.”

I snorted. “Whatever, Curious.”

He ended the massage and moved to stretch beside me again.

No! There might be another knot somewhere. “I’ll give you a sixth question, if you add ten minutes to the massage clock.”

“Done,” he replied as pleased as punch. He returned to his ministrations and switched to a neutral tone, giving no hints of his inner thoughts. “What’s your plan once we have Juniper in our possession?”

Easy. “Hug her. Learn about her life. Hug her again. Sob like a baby. Go home. Hug her some more.”

His fingers dug into a knot in my backside, and I groaned. See! “The two of you are on Deco’s radar now. The shifter will forever hunt you, whether you are in this world or another. Unless something is done, neither of you will ever be safe again.”

Tension resurged, flooding my limbs. “Guess I’ll have to do something then.”

“You’ll require a big, strong, powerful berserker to protect you,” Viktor said.

Aaah. “Okay. I see what you’re doing here. Trying toscare me straight, get me desperate for your safekeeping, so I’ll stick around.” Never mind our attraction to each other, the firebrand possibility, and the fog stuff. He must want free concerts. “Admit it.”

“You are already sticking around. I’m keeping you, remember. And that wasn’t a question, but a command.”

“I remember you made such an outlandish claim, yes. Doesn’t mean it’ll work out for you if I’m unwilling to do any sticking.”

He ended the massage again, and this time I didn’t let myself request more. I maneuvered to my side, facing him as he stretched out beside me again, linked his hands behind his head, and peered up at the ceiling.

Brighter lightning flashed, momentarily bathing him in a golden halo. With his hair in disarray and his features soft, he appeared sleepy, relaxed, and totally at ease. A good look for him. Very good. My heart actually skipped a beat.

“How do I get you willing?” he demanded with a hint of temper, belying his ease.

I almost smiled. “Is that your next question?” If so, only four remained.

“Ja. And since I just answered another of your questions, it cancels out this go round. You must answer my last questionandfive others.”

Dang. He was quick-witted, too. I tried not to be impressed. “I don’t know how you can get me willing to stick with you, but I’m happy to offer suggestions.” Would I bargain away my freedom for my sister? Yes. There was no way I could defeat a flight of turul-shifters on my own. But that would only gain my outward surrender. I wouldn’t be willing on the inside. “I’m really into good moods, being a man’s one and only, kindness, meals, and rescuing twin sisters.”

“We shall see,” he said, sounding as if he were already plotting my downfall.

“And with that, the conversation ends. Goodnight, Viktor,” I rasped, turning from him.

“Cuddle me like you’ve done every other night.” He rolled into me and dragged me against his chest, the big spoon to my little spoon. His arm remained a strong band, keeping me locked in place. Not that I was the teeniest bit tempted to break away. “Better.”

Much. “I knew you’d been sneaking into bed with me,” I muttered.

“Only because you demanded it.”

“Oh, that’s what happened, is it?” Other cracks of thunder ebbed and flowed, parts of the tent flapping with the wind, but I didn’t care. The rest of the world had ceased to matter. I closed my eyes, breathing deep, trying to forget the residual aches from his ministrations which had yet to fade. What would he do if I twisted around and kissed him?

I’d told him not to make a move. He’d said the same to me. I shouldn’t do it. I couldn’t. Wouldn’t.

But I wanted to.

It was almost a relief when the trials of the day caught up to me. Wrapped in Viktor’s heat and scent, I let the sea of nothingness sweep me away. Awareness dulled…

The dream never came.

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