Page 63 of The Stolen Bride

Rushing off with barely a second glance at his one, true firebrand to rescue another woman in distress…

Plus

A centuries long connection…

Equaled

Some part of Viktor might love Valkara, who may or may not be in love with him, too.

Finally, the math worked out. I’d believed my hold on him was stronger than hers. And maybe it was. But any hold she had tainted mine. She wanted me dead so badly that she’d sunk to invading my dreams to convince me to willingly accept death at his hand. And she’d done this since my childhood!

Though Viktor had promised to refuse her instructions, he might change his mind. I didn’t know what power shepossessed, the strength of her influence, or the depths of his feelings for her.

My stomach churned. For too long, I’d missed the signs that Benjamin and my ex-best friend Kami bore an attraction to each other. And yet, the calculation had been right there in front of me. Stronger variables lay before me now. Otherworldly ones!

One thing was for certain. Viktor was a man with divided loyalties, and I was an all or nothing kinda girl. I had major feelings for him. I liked who I was with him. I liked him period. But I needed total devotion. Deserved it because I gave it.

An agonized groan echoed up ahead. Bodi and I shared another look before kicking into a supernaturally charged higher gear. We reached Viktor, who had stopped at the edge of an abandoned campsite.

I took in the destruction. A smashed shelter composed of mud, limbs, and leaves. A torn, bloodstained gown of multi-colors, from the darkest gray to the palest white, hung from a branch.

A dented canteen on its side, the lid several feet away.

“She was here, however long ago,” Viktor rasped, balling his hands. “There are no footprints but hers. They took her from the air.” He stalked about, ransacking the camp. On the hunt for something specific? “Why did she come here? For me? Did she find my key? Did Deco?” Roaring, he punched his fist into a tree trunk. His knuckles drove through the bark, leaving a gaping hole.

Bodi motioned me forward. “Well?”

I blinked at him. “Well what?”

“Calm him.”

What, I was a dancing monkey on a string now?

I didn’t calm Viktor because this wasn’t a berserkerage,but a tantrum over his precious primordial guardian. I crossed my arms over my middle and waited.

The king was panting by the time he finished.

“May we go now?” I asked.

“We may, but you should prepare yourself.” He squared his shoulders.

As if I hadn’t already prepared for the worst twenty times over since finding Malachi Cromwell sitting in my bedroom. Still, I had to ask, “Prepare for what?”

“I won’t stop until Deco is dead, or we are.”

Chapter

Seventeen

Wish Granted: Making An Entrance With Your Berserker

–HOW TO TRAIN YOUR BERSERKER

By Elizabeth “Elle” Darcy-Bruce

Our trio raced through the jungle at top speed, and I didn’t dare complain. The faster we reached the fortress, the better. Amidst the beauty of the tropical wilderness, I remained on the lookout for the enemy and traps.

I won’t stop until Deco is dead, or we are.

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