Page 33 of The Stolen Bride

The longer I leaned against Viktor, breathing in crisp air scented by wildflowers, the faster a sense of invigoration bloomed. I began to feel as if I hovered in some kind of timeless moment that had taken place a thousand years ago while simultaneously happening in the present.

I opened my mouth to launch a new conversation, but Bodi trotted over, his horse remaining beside ours.

“No turul-shifters have ambushed us,” he announced, as if it were some great surprise.

“What’s your point?” Viktor demanded, keeping his arms wrapped around me.

The prince darted his gaze to mine. “Have you considered the possibility the woman is part of the trap?”

You’ve got to be kidding me. Oh, I got why he might suspect me of lying and working with Deco. But come on! As if I would really put myself into that kind of danger while my twin needed me.

“Ja,” Viktor repeated, still totally at ease. “I’ve considered it. And I will be the one to handle her if so. Me and me alone.” A warning dripped from each syllable. “Tell me you understand.”

I preened over his possessiveness–Wait. He suspected me of foul play, too, but he was helping me anyway, just in case? Intending to change my mind and win me over to his side? That might explain last night’s charm, which must have been more potent than I’d realized, creating some kind of unconscious softening inside me. Look how quickly I’d settled against him, unaware of his dangerous musings.

Well. I straightened with a snap. From now on, I’d be more careful. More guarded. Coming to like and depend upon such an unstable guy wasn’t in this year’s bingo card. The very reason I should stop thinking about kissing him! I mean, he hoped to keep me glued to his side for the rest of my life, even if he married Valkara. An idea I intended to nip in the bud after Juniper’s rescue. My sister and I could forget this other world existed. No more berserker obsession. I’d had my fill. We’d just have to ensure Deco never found us.

Fake our deaths, possibly? Kill the shifter king?

Whoa. Where hadthatthought come from?

“I understand.” The prince gave a terse nod and retreated.

“I’m not, you know,” I said and sighed. Except Malachi. His offer.

“Perhaps not wittingly,” Viktor replied.

Silence accompanied us the rest of the trip. As the sun descended, the stream of light that filtered through the overhead canopy thinned. Finally, though, we reached our destination. And oh, wow. What a destination it was. People would pay big money to use this area as a wedding venue. Not me, of course, but others. Anyway.

A large circular clearing surrounded a smaller circle marked by ten massive stones reminiscent of Stonehenge, each positioned to resemble a doorway. Flecks of gold and silver glittered in the air, while a dusting of diamond powder coated the outside of every rock. Precious gems rimmed the edges. Rubies. Sapphires. Emeralds. Plus jewels I didn’t recognize.

“Anything I should know about these traveling stones?” I asked as Viktor dismounted and helped me do the same.

“Yes. Humans usually die going through them. And if they survive, they often wish they’d died.”

What! “I’m human!” And already backing away.

He reached out to clasp my wrist. “Not fully. You are of sentinel blood. Fully griffin with a beast of your own. Which makes sense, since Malachi recruited you.”

Wait. I had a lion-eagle hybrid inside me? I mean, yes, Malachi had told me I hailed from his line, but I hadn’t consideredthis. The moisture in my mouth dried. “How do you know that for sure?”

“There are many indicators.” Viktor moved fast, leaning down to put his face at the base of my throat. My pulse leaped as he dragged his nose up, inhaling deeply. “Your scent is one,” he rasped, straightening. Gold rings flashed in his eyes. He released his grip on my arm,but there I stayed, close enough to lean into him. “Though yours is a perfume sweeter than most.” His voice dipped. “Deliciously sweet.”

I licked my lips and wrung my fingers, each action born from a conflicting emotion. Pleasure versus dismay. “I meant, how do you know I’m not human? What if you’re wrong for once and I die?” Who would rescue Juniper then?

“You’ve already passed through a traveling stone. There’s no other way to reach Örök.” He linked his fingers with mine and led me to the circle. “And don’t forget the doorway in my tent.”

Right. Still I reeled. Malachi had risked my life without my permission. He must pay.

The berserkers strapped our supplies to their backs and released the horses, trusting them to return to camp on their own. We approached the stones on foot, everyone halting in front of a different pairing. Tremors swept over my limbs when Viktor took a post at my side.

“Don’t be afraid, Lovie.” He whispered the words straight into my ear, sending a new tide of shivers cascading over me. A talent of his, apparently. “I will let nothing happen to you, I swear it.”

“I’m not afraid. Not really.” But the stakes had never been higher. With Juniper, I’d finally found my other half. My missing piece. I needed time with her. “But I kind of am,” I admitted. And man, I hated fear.

“I will protect your life with my own.” He ruined the beautiful confession when he added, “You still owe me answers, songs, and a reward.”

I pressed my tongue to the roof of my mouth. “From sweet as cake to sour as lemons.”

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