Page 43 of Of Wolves and Wives

“Watch her,” I tell him, nodding toward Lyra.

He nods, looking less than happy with the task before I shift. The going is slow, and I’m impressed the two women were able to move through the tunnel. Darkness threatens to swallow me, despite the dim glow of the moss. Finally, the tunnel begins to widen. Several minutes pass before I can shift back into my full human form. I let my nose lead me as I try to follow her scent, thankful that I’m not smelling much blood. That has to be a good sign.

I still don’t see Rose, though. The tunnel leads me to a large cavern with a large pool. I’m about to turn back when I notice a figure next to the pool. Rose. It has to be her. I run toward her, relieved to see her red hair. She’s asleep, I realize as I approach. Her cheeks stained with the tears she shed before sleep overtook her. Streaks of blood mar her skin along with dirt, but otherwise, she doesn’t look injured.

Without thought, I curl up next to her, pulling her to me. She doesn’t wake as I brush back loose hairs from her face. It’s clear that she’s exhausted. Sleep will do her good. Smiling down at her, I let her rest. Just as the early dawn light fills the cavern, Rose wakes. She frowns up at me, blinking several times.

“Lyra?”

“She’s safe.”

“How did you find us?”

I hesitate for a breath before admitting, “Rykker.”

“Oh.”

“Without him, his knowledge of these lands and his expertise in tracking, it would’ve been an impossible task. He is the best tracker there is.”

Rose nods, sitting up and shifting toward the water. I watch her sip from it before using it to clean her face. She frowns slightly as she stares at her hands, as though just now realizing how covered in dirt she is. My eyes widen in surprise as she stands, stripping bare before slipping into the water. Desire burns through me as I watch her bathing. Our eyes meet, and she gives me a smile.

“Would you like to join me?”

I know we should make our way back to Rykker and Lyra. But as I stand, I find myself stripping as well. Then, I slip into the cool water. A shiver works its way up my spine as I make my way toward her. She watches me, her eyes burning as I pull her to me. A sigh escapes me, or maybe it's her, as our skin meets.

“Let me wash you,” I whisper.

She tilts her head up at me. Her eyes are wide as she nods, shifting away. I run my hands along her body. Relishing in her shiver as I pull her back to my chest, letting my body heat warm her. I take my time, ensuring that every bit of dirt or grime is gone from her skin. Then our eyes meet again.

I love her. More than I’ve loved anyone and more than I thought I ever could. It hits me that I would go to the ends of the world and beyond for this woman. Nothing will ever keep me from her again. Of that, I am certain. She gives me a slow smile as she twists around in my arms. Her lips meet mine, and I’m lost in her as we both give in to our hunger for one another. Afterward, I wrap her in my arms. She glances at me, frowning at the grin on my face.

“What is it?”

My grin widens as I say, “I rather like the idea of the prince drinking the very water that we just made love in.”

Her laughter fills the cavern and my heart. I wrap my arms tighter around her, whispering my love and adoration into her ear.

29

Rose

Stepping from the mountain, Peirce and I are greeted by Rykker and Lyra. She shoots me an annoyed look while Rykker looks relieved that I’m alive. Followed by nervous that I’m watching him so closely. I give him a curt nod, which seems to help him relax a little.

“Now what?” Pierce asks.

His question is followed by a moment of silence before I say, “We’re not going back to the castle, that’s for sure.”

I wish I could ignore the look that passes between Peirce and Rykker. It should go without question that going back to the castle is a death sentence. Lyra and I will be slaughtered for leaving, no matter that we carry wolf heirs. I’d rather face whatever the forest and beyond throws at us than return to the Grey Prince.

“What?” I finally snap as neither man makes a comment.

“Pushing on through the forest and then the swamp that lies beyond is a bad choice,” Peirce says. “There’s very little chance either of you will survive.”

“There is no way we can go back to the castle,” I argue as I narrow my eyes at him.

Another look passes between the two men. There’s more shame in the look, but that does little to ease my growing annoyance at them.

“If you are only here to drag us back, then you should’ve saved yourselves the wasted time. We can not go back.”

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