Page 49 of The Stolen Bride

On and on we kissed, harder, faster, and it was good, so good. Intoxicating and addictive. Pure seduction. I never wished it to end. But mid-walk to the pallet, he stopped and wrenched his face away with a guttural growl.

For a stolen moment, he pressed his brow against mine. Then he released my hand and set me apart from him, forcing me to let go as well. Our labored exhalations filled the small space between us.

“My mantra,” he snapped. “It’s the prophecy Malachi mentioned.”

Wait. I struggled to understand what he was telling me, until I didn’t. “Are you kidding? That’s the first thing you think of after kissing me senseless?” I lightly pounded my fists against his chest. “That isn’t the way to secure a second kiss, your majesty.”

He smirked at me. “As if you aren’t already desperate to try again and do better.”

Do better? Do better! I sputtered to make intelligent words, and his eyes glittered. He must be teasing me. Because I’d told him to teach me how to kiss him properly while he slept. But, but, Viktor Endris, the mischief maker?Make it make sense.Except, dang him, he wasn’t wrong! I really was desperate to go again.

“Be serious.” Also, how and why was he sexier right now than two seconds ago? “At least give me a critique of my kiss before you launch into a chat about prophecies. Describe an area I should work on. Of course, I will then offer you the same courtesy.”

“As if I require improvement.” He claimed my handagain, linking our fingers.

Oh, really? “Well, then, give me another kiss andshowme what I did wrong.” As coquettish as possible, I sidled closer while slipping one of his daggers from its sheath with my free hand and hiding the weapon in my pocket. The blade cut through the fabric just enough to catch on the sides of the hilt, letting the weapon dangle and rest against my thigh. To mask my actions, I made sure to pout up at him all the while.

Satisfaction lit his irises, and he couldn’t hide it. He lowered his head. “Perhaps one more.”

“Oh, never mind,” I said with a breezy tone, stepping back. “I’d rather get a tour of the campsite, so I’ll know where not to go. Then we should eat.”

His eyelids slitted. “You are a craftier opponent than I realized.”

I preened with genuine pleasure. “Thank you.”

He worked his jaw. “Before we go, there’s something you should know. The reason I stopped,” he said, giving me a squeeze. “The Valkara spoke a prophecy over each of the original kings. Everything she said has come to pass. Except mine.”

Okay. Subject switch accepted and encouraged. “I’m listening.”

He braced. “She told me my firebrand will betray and kill me unless I find her, destroy her, and let myself be happy with her sister.”

Chapter

Thirteen

Dive In! When To Make Waves With Your Berserker

–HOW TO TRAIN YOUR BERSERKER

By Elizabeth “Elle” Darcy-Bruce

Viktor’s words reverberated inside my head as he led me hand-in-hand throughout the camp.

Find her, destroy her, and let myself be happy with her sister.

Was this the greater good I had dreamed of? Kneeling before him and allowing my death by sword to save Juniper?

But. No. That couldn’t be correct because…because!

He pointed out the new defenses as we went along, carefree and oblivious to my inner turmoil. This Valkara chick had told the king I would betray and kill him if he didn’t kill me first. She must have lied to getme out of the picture.

But. The dream. Which might be an echo of Juniper’s. I gulped. And what if the prophecy pointed toherdeath?

But. She wasn’t his firebrand. I was. I’d already proven it.

Unless we both were?

“This is particularly effective for skewering any and every turul-shifter who attempts to descend from the air,” Viktor said, pointing to the spears anchored into the ground, with their sharp tips aimed skyward. How delighted he sounded. “As you know, berserkers cannot fly, but we enjoy hobbling those who do. You’ll see.”

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