From Slave To Queen (Athena and Michael) novel Chapter 43

Chapter 43

We stop at sunset near the lake, and like the day before, I handle the horses while Drystan prepares our camp. No fire. We’re close to the Twisted Forest, and we don’t want to tempt fate.

“Maybe you want to bathe. Tomorrow we’ll reach the banshees‘ camp.”

Elara nods. I see her stretching her legs, stiff from so many hours on horseback. Drystan walks off–for who knows what reason and Elara heads to the lake in search of the most secluded area.

I repeat what I did last night, following her a few meters behind until she reaches a spot surrounded by protruding rocks enclosing a pool of water. The waterfall drowns out all other sounds. With clenched fists, she turns toward me.

“Are you planning to stay there the whole time?” she asks seriously. “You’re a pervert.”

“Have you considered that maybe I’d also like to present myself clean and tidy to the banshees?” I arch a brow. “Besides, I need to make sure you don’t get yourself killed. I wouldn’t want to see so much blood go to waste.”

“Turn around,” she growls.

I do, but not without tossing one last jab.

“It’s not like I haven’t already seen your whole body at the Red Auction.”

I did. I saw every soft curve beneath that little red scrap of silk that did nothing to hide her nudity. The weight of her small breasts, the curve of her waist and hips, and the little hollow between her legs. I clear my throat to rid myself of the

sensation.

She throws the simple dress at my head in response to my biting comment. I smile, pleased with her unpredictable reactions. I hear the sound of water as she dips her feet. I can imagine her wading in slowly–and then decide I don’t have to imagine anything when I can see it with my own eyes. I turn just enough to catch, from the corner of my eye, the moment the water conceals the curve of her backside and touches the tips of her hair.

Once she’s fully in the water, she lets out a tiny squeal.

I turn fully, watching as the day’s last rays hit her and the water, making it look like thick blood. They call it the Blood Lake not only because the kraugs‘ massacres often tint the water red, but because the stones surrounding it are reddish and, in sunlight, create a whole spectacle. I will admit to myself that the sight before me is beautiful. I take a few steps toward the shore and begin to unbutton my shirt.

“Have you ever seen a naked man, Elara?”

One beat.

Two.

Three.

“No.”

Her response is music to my ears–though I don’t know why.

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Chapter 43

“Then don’t turn around if you don’t want that to change.”

The water

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toward har Plaza’s breathing grows racred as she hears me enter the lake She keeps her

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Chapter 43

The sound of her clothes sliding back over her skin distracts me for a second. The sensation of her breasts against me, the softness of her thigh tangled with mine, the memory of her hand over my heart that doesn’t beat, all persist in the memory of my cells. Hunger makes me think of my teeth dancing over the silkiness of her skin and sinking into that tender part of her thigh…

I blink and relegate that thought to a remote part of my mind.

“Well, I wouldn’t want to leave you curious about my love life or whatever it is I have.” I glance at her when I think I’ve been gentlemanly enough for today and the next ten days. I catch her slipping the remaining sleeve of her dress on. “She was a forest nymph, a dryad.”

“And what was she like?”

“Black hair that covered her breasts.” I savor every word. “Gray eyes like mist. Pronounced and dangerous curves. Pale skin kissed by death…”

“What you’re describing…”

I cut her off before she continues.

“Don’t go comparing yourself to a dryad, Elara. You’re a human.”

I spit the last word with disdain. Her features contort into an expression of disgust and anger. I’m not willing to endure whatever comments she’s about to spew from that pink mouth, so I turn and go back to Drystan. As soon as he sees me appear, he raises his eyebrows, surprised.

“What happened?” He rummages through his bag. “I felt the ground tremble.”

“A little accident.”

Neither of us adds anything more. I lie on the ground, feel the small stones pressing against my back, and use my arm as a pillow, placing it behind my head. When Elara joins us again, I don’t bother to look at her. Soon the night swallows everything.

Drystan insists on keeping watch from a tree branch. The mound of blankets where Elara hides doesn’t seem enough to warm her, I can hear the chattering of her teeth. I clench my jaw, insisting on focusing on anything else. I see the splash of stars in the sky, the only thing capable of casting some light on this night, even if I don’t need them to see through the absolute darkness. I hear the hoot of an owl and the sound of the blankets as Elara moves under them. From the rhythm of her breathing, she must be asleep or about to fall asleep.

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