Page 42 of The Stolen Bride

My excitement doubled. Tripled! Was it truly happening? Was he awakening?

“Come on, come on. Wake up, and I might ask you for that kiss. A guaranteed five-star experience…if you’re using a ten-star scale. But that’s only because I’ve never kissedyou. You can teach me how to do better. Wouldn’t you like that? An opportunity to show me what I’m doing wrong. To give me hands-on tutelage in the art of pleasing you.”

His back bowed, and he roared. I jerked upright, unsure whether this was a fit of pain or the moment I’d been fighting for.Please, please, please.

He sagged against the blanket, just as still as before. The images projected on the boulder faded to nothing, and I whimpered. Had I killed him?

Seconds ticked by as I wrung my hands. “Viktor?”

His eyelids popped open. He turned his head and met my gaze dead-on. “Don’t you mean pudding pop?”

Relief flooded me in an instant, drowning my good sense. With tears welling in my eyes, I threw myself uponhim, slinging my arms around his powerful body. “You woke up! You’re alive!”

He rolled me to my back, pinning me to the blanket with his weight. Air hitched in my lungs when our gazes locked. Flecks of gold glowed in his green irises.

“You owe me a date and a kiss. Now give me what I’m due.”

Chapter

Eleven

Rise and Roar: Battle-Free Tips for Waking With Your Berserker

–HOW TO TRAIN YOUR BERSERKER

By Elizabeth “Elle” Darcy-Bruce

My heart stopped, or seemed to, only to kick start with fevered anticipation. Viktor smoldered with the most sublime intensity. A true feat, considering white locks fell over his black brows, gracing him with a boyish charm. His gaze remained unwavering, however, and far from boyish.

I licked my lips, adoring the white-hot sear of his skin far too much. “First, I suggested we go on a date and said I might ask you for a kiss. Might.” In an effort to put us on equal footing, I said, “Second, you should probably pin me against a wall while I decide if I’m gonna do it or not. Thatisyour fantasy, yes?”

“Yours, too. I scented your reaction to seeing the imageseven while I slept.” He brushed the tip of his nose against mine. “Youwantto kiss me.”

A blush heated my cheeks. “Tell me you crave me, andonlyme.” Unable to stop the actions, I wound my arms around his shoulders and toyed with the ends of his hair the way he’d done to mine the night of the storm.

His eyelids hooded. “Ask me to kiss you.”

Flutters erupted in my belly, making me feel as if I verged on taking flight. A single thread of common sense kept me grounded. “What about the shifters? I saw them on my walk here.”

“Deco shouldn’t strike for days.” Viktor bent his head and nuzzled his cheek against mine. “He’s giving Bodi time to kill me.”

I frowned even as I nuzzled him right back. “That’s not a very shiftery thing to do.” But that explained the bargain the turul-shifter spoke of. “I’d think Deco would want to deliver the final blow himself.”

“Nem. If Bodi ends me, he’ll become a shifter himself and therefore subject to Deco’s command. A particularly cruel punishment meant to haunt me after my death. Now, about that kiss you’re ready to ask me for,” Viktor purred, rocking his body into mine.

I moaned with rapture. Oh, this man could make me burn. I softened against him, asking, “Admit you want me more than the Valkara, and I’ll do it.”

“I want you more,” he growled without hesitation. “Much more. Happy now?”

Yes! And no. I didn’t want him to want her at all. But a deal was a deal. I cupped his jawline and peered into his eyes, growing breathless. “Viktor Endris?”

“Yes, Clover Deering.” Desperate need flashed in his eyes. He lowered his head, letting his lips hoverover mine.

“Will…” I brushed the tip of my nose against his. “You…” My lids began to slide closed, and I tilted my head to the side. “Kiss…”

“Nem!” he shouted, jolting as if he’d been hit from behind. My eyes popped open. “Not now,” he snapped and drove his fists into his temples.

I jolted, too. “Is Valkara trying to speak to you?”

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