Page 59 of The Stolen Bride

I remained on alert for any signs of a turul-shifter scout,but to my surprise, I spotted none. Didn’t mean they weren’t out there.

“Where are we?” I asked, not missing the bite of frost one bit.

Viktor led me forward, our boots sinking into spongy, rich earth and moss. “This dimension has four parts. Each embodies the essence of a season in the mortal world. We have entered spring.”

The sound of soothing water splashing against rocks reached my ears. Excitement bloomed as we rounded a corner. Spotting a gorgeous crystal pond complete with a tumbling waterfall, I stopped. Steam curled from the water’s surface, coiling around a mini-rainbow. Three types of fruit dangled from tree branches, each a different color.

A veritable paradise. There was no stopping my mewl of delight. “As much as I’m looking forward to a warm bath, I’m dreading wearing these dirty clothes again.”

“About that. I sent a soldier to a nearby village while the rest of us worked on camp defenses. He had orders to confiscate specific things and leave them here.” Viktor squeezed my hand before releasing me to pluck a plum-size red berry he offered to me. “This will soothe your appetite.” He selected a golden grape type fruit and offered it as well. “This will refresh you.” He merely pointed to the blue apple-like fruit. “That will liquify your bowels.”

I snorted. “Thank you for the warning.” Marveling over his thoughtfulness, I took a bite of the red berry first. Mmm. My eyes slid shut in surrender. What incredible sweetness. A bead of juice ran down my chin as I devoured the rest of the treat and popped the golden grape thing into my mouth. Oh, wow. Even better! He wasn’t kidding about being refreshed. I didn’t think my mouth had ever felt so clean.

“If you don’t have any of these trees in your realm, get some,” I advised. Even indulging every day wouldn’t be enough. “Well, not the bowel liquefying one, of course. The others are perfection.”

“They only grow here, but if you want to rule this dimension, I will gift it to you after we secure your sister.” He gently dragged his knuckles over my jawline, as if he hadn’t just rocked my world. “Your happiness leads to mine, apparently.”

I peered up at him, mind boggled. When he decided to go all in, he wentall in. “I thought you didn’t like happiness.”

“I suppose it’s an acquired taste.”

My lips quirked at the corners. “I’m ready to bathe. Join me?”

“You wish to bathe together?” His eyes widened ever so slightly. “If you insist.” He kicked off his boots, dropped a million and one weapons I hadn't known he carried, and tugged at his clothing, disrobing to his briefs.

His speed impressed me, but his body…Hello, gorgeous. My heart attempted to jump out of my chest. The man utterly dazzled. Muscles cut with steel. Tattooed skin on display.

“No one will sneak up on us. I’ll remain aware. The very reason I’m still partially dressed,” he added with wry humor.

I trembled as I stripped to my undergarments as well. He watched unabashedly, even licking his lips like a big, bad wolf. No reason to wonder if he liked what he saw. His body let me know big time. Huge time.

“I’m definitely keeping you,” he rasped, looking me over from head to toe.

I almost asked him to kiss me, but I had a feeling oncewe started, we wouldn’t be able to stop. Especially dressed like this. Gulping, I backed into the water. “You can’t keep me without my permission.”

“Then I will get permission.” We maintained our eye-lock as he prowled forward, following me. “I’m confident of it.”

Warm water swallowed my feet. My calves. My thighs. Soon I was submerged to the navel. The soothing liquid delighted sore muscles while Viktor’s hot stare melted everything else.

“I look forward to your efforts.” My trembling redoubled as I swam to the waterfall, where I found a wealth of toiletries. “One day, when we’re not in enemy territory, on a mission, we’re going to enjoy some water play.” Splash around and paw at each other, letting hands slip and wander. But that day was not today. The sooner we reached that fortress, the better. I rubbed the center of my chest, where my bond to Juniper tingled as never before. She must be nearby.

“Agreed.” Viktor followed me still. “One day we will play. Today, we focus on cleanliness. You are very dirty.” His voice dipped. So did his eyelids.

“Oh, I am, am I?” Never mind the bath he’d given me yesterday.

“The dirtiest.”

I didn’t protest as he soaped me up. And, okay, yes, his hands did wander. Mine did, too, when I returned the favor. The scent of jasmine and lotus enveloped us. I relished our closeness, leaning into every touch. Aches only he could rouse blazed to life, need for him nearly a tangible force.

Only the intensifying tingle of the bond stopped me from going further.

“We better go,” I said, before I gave in to temptation.

He kissed my brow, and we exited the water together. “Our clean clothes are in a pack next to that S shaped tree.”

I stalked to the pack, dug inside, shed my wet underwear, and wiggled into my new outfit with a growing sense of alarm. The gauzy material was soft, luxuriant—and indecent. A translucent bodysuit was pink as cotton candy with a built-in panties and bra, spaghetti straps, and a cutout midriff. Basically a genie costume, with a sheer skirt flowing from the cinched waist rather than a pair of pantaloons.

Viktor donned a soft black shirt and black leathers. Fully covered!

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