Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 78886 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 394(@200wpm)___ 316(@250wpm)___ 263(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78886 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 394(@200wpm)___ 316(@250wpm)___ 263(@300wpm)
Viktor motioned to Keve. The warrior left the circle and rushed over with a second, bigger slice of bread.
“Thank you,” I said, digging in. When I finished, I curbed the urge to request a third and leaned against the tree trunk, stretching out my legs. “I’m a fan of that bread. It’s almost filling.”
“It is Hőskenyér. It provides a sentinel with all the nourishment required to maintain strength on a long journey.”
Even better. “I’d love to score the recipe, if it’s not some treasured family secret.”
“Your world lacks many of the ingredients.”
Too bad. I peered at him, intending to say something but... Golden firelight bathed his face, painting his skin with loving strokes. My heart kicked into another mad race as if—No! Nope. No way I was attracted to King Viktor, the feral primal leading Hungarian sentinels, who sought the devotion of an otherworldly woman able to speak into his head. But why did he have to be so gorgeous?
“Since I have my parameters, I can consider what I wish to demand from you,” he said, bordering on gleeful. “For now, I’m ready to ask a few of my questions.”
Flutters erupted in my stomach. “Go ahead. Ask,” I told him, breathless. “Just know I’ll be keeping count.”
He canted his head. Quiet again, he asked, “Do you have a male?”
That was what he wished to know first and foremost? How interesting. I may have smiled. Okay, I definitely smiled. He might want that Valkara chick, but he was super into me.
“No. No male. Man. Not too long ago, I was engaged to a mechanic.”
Viktor stiffened. “What brought about the end of your relationship?”
Second question, check. “He decided he preferred my former best friend Kami. Well, that, and because I have a so-called heart of ice. Oh, and also because I’m a ‘toe-stepper’. Excuse me for speaking my mind and containing my emotions to protect others from my wrath.” Jerk. “Anyway. I caught Benjamin and Kami together a couple of days before my wedding.” Ugh. Had I really needed to share the whole sordid story of my greatest rejection?
Viktor’s expression grew pensive. He better not be working up to pity. I was glad Ben dumped me. Gladder than glad. The gladdest. Who wanted to be legally shackled to a lowdown, dirty cheater? Travesty averted—for me. Neither Kami nor Benjamin could say the same.
“You contain your emotions with me, too,” Viktor stated, “and you will cease doing so immediately. I told you, there’s no need for it.”
Maybe. And oh, how tempting was such a thought. To let go. To experience emotions at full wattage. If anyone could handle my temper, it was this man. But I merely shrugged, noncommittal. Could I handle feeling things other than rage?
“Back to the fool you almost married. You loved him.”
Not a question, but I counted it, anyway. Three down, only seven to go. “I did, yes.” I paused, waiting, but Viktor didn’t speak up again. “Ask me how he won me over, and I’ll tell you.”
Viktor didn’t take the bait, but he did waste an additional question on Benjamin. “How long ago did this occur?”
“Six months.” Not long enough, honestly.
“What do you feel for him now?”
A wee bit jealous, was he? “Relieved that he’s someone else’s problem.”
Five.
Viktor rubbed two fingers and a thumb over his stubbled jaw, pensive.
“Hit me with the next,” I encouraged. “I’m ready.”
“I’ll save my remaining questions for later.”
Bummer. I’d hoped to wipe out his entire reserve.
His brow wrinkled. Then he jolted, as if punched by an invisible fist. “She whispers again.” Pause. “Yes, yes. Find, destroy, happy,” he muttered. “Find, destroy, happy.”
Ugh. Not this again. I cupped his cheeks, determined to nip this little episode in the bud. And yeah, okay, prevent any interactions with Valkara. Better his affections centered on me during this journey. “Hey, Snarls. Focus on your firebrand. I want something from you. I need it.”
A beat passed. Then another. I figured I’d failed. Eventually, his gaze slid to mine. The hazy glaze faded from his irises. “What do you need, drágá?” His voice had dipped.
Ignore your shivers. “To sleep. Be a darling and show me which tent is mine.” The moment after I spoke, I yawned. Man, I’d had a day. “I’m ready for my beauty Zs.”
“You’re staying in that one.” He pointed to the smallest structure and grinned a slow, languid grin that ignited un-ignorable flutters in my belly. “With me.”
Chapter
Seven
When Your Shelter From the Storm is a Walking Tempest
–HOW TO TRAIN YOUR BERSERKER
By Elizabeth “Elle” Darcy-Bruce
Islept nestled in Viktor’s arms.
It happened by accident, but also on purpose. After his shocking yet not even the tiniest bit surprising announcement that I’d be bunking up with him, I sputtered out a breath, producing plenty of sounds but zero words. Eventually, I stopped clutching my invisible pearls while preparing to demand he use his payment in order to gain my cooperation, and sighed. “Fine. Whatever.” First, he could force me to sleep outside. Second, he sought to protect me. Third, keeping him close wasn’t a terrible idea. “But no making a move. I’m issuing a preemptive refusal.”