Page 20 of Wulver's Flame

Then—of course—he distracted me with food.

“You are still a maiden,” he said, slow and condescending, as if I were the village simpleton.“Eat.”

I was ready to argue, to swing the platter at his smug head.

Then I saw the honeyed porridge.

With berries.

I snatched the bowl off the platter and let the first spoonful melt on my tongue.

I hummed in pleasure.

Gods help me.

He was a devious demon.

Chapter 9

Vargr

She dragged her feet behind me, but I never released her hand. Her small, dainty fingers were limp in my grip. We loved touching her. Any part of her. She mumbled curses under her breath, no doubt cursing my existence. Sköll was happy. We’d see her naked again.

When we climbed the rocky path, her fingers tightened around mine. I led her to the pool and she gasped at the sight.

“No one will come here. They know better,” I said, releasing her hand.

I removed the bag with soap and a drying cloth before stripping out of my clothes.

“What are you doing?” she gasped as I tugged the leather from my feet.

“Bathing,” I said, diving into the cold water.

When I surfaced, I pushed my hair back and caught a glimpse of her indecision.

“If you want to bathe, you have to come in.”

“It—it’s indecent,” she stammered.

“You’ve already seen the beast between my legs,” I taunted.“Are you scared?”

Her glare burned like sparks.

“Your Gods gave you strength but forgot the rest,” she snapped.“Turn your back.”

I chuckled but did as she said.

“Don’t try to stab me in the back.”

“I’d fight you to your face, you hairy beast.”

I turned just in time to see her balancing on the rocks, trying to climb into the water. Her eyes caught mine.

My heart slammed against my chest as her foot slipped.

I reached the pool’s edge and caught her as she tumbled.

Sköll whined, anxious, as I checked her head in case she cracked her skull. Mortals were weak beings.