Chapitre 18

Ilya was a tall man with red hair and a beard. He looked like a Viking with the animal skin on his body. Only the weapons were missing, but all he had to do was transform.

"So what brings you here?" Ilya asked, guiding us through the crowds of werewolves all eyeing me.

I was glad that Ero's hand held me tight. The gray pillars were circular in shape and I tried to make out the ceiling but it disappeared somewhere in the darkness of the cave.

At least it was warm here next to Eros.

"It's been a long time since I was here. Something has changed in the world that we need to talk about."

"Whatever you say," Ilya replied, war paint thoughtfully distorted.

"Are you guys down here year-round?" I asked, looking worried.

Ilya laughed heartily and smiled at me.

"No, only in the worst weeks of winter to protect the females and puppies. The rest of the year we're going up north."

I nodded and felt Eros pull me closer. A yawn overcame me and fatigue began to creep into my muscles.

"Ephilia and I have come a long way," Eros said, glancing at me.

"Sure, you probably want to rest. Of course we still have free rooms. There's a festival tonight. You are welcome."

I took a deep breath and leaned my head against Ero's arm. Inwardly, I was grateful that he had asked. If he had lived here for a year, then he must know everything well.

We left the huge hall and I followed Eros disoriented through a wide corridor, in front of which the Viking stopped. Torches lit the way up the mountain.

"See you tonight," Ilja said in parting.

We made our way through the stone corridor that split into different paths. Eros seemed to know exactly where to go.

He led me to the end of the corridor, protected by dark fabric. We passed through and a sleeping place in the stone appeared.

I just wanted to throw myself on the bed and sleep, but I held myself back. I unbuttoned my coat and put it in the corner. Despite the relief, tiredness still weighed on me.

My body had probably not yet recovered from the marking. She was still tugging at my powers.

"I'm sorry that Ilya treated you with disrespect. He just wants to protect his people from invaders," Eros said, but he seemed absent-minded and lost in thought.

I slipped out of his arms and sat on the bed. It was amazingly soft. I laid my head against the pillows and closed my eyes.

"I know. I don't blame him," I replied. "But you must be tired too. Did you sleep at all after our bath in the holy lake?"

Instead of answering me, Eros lay down next to me and lifted me onto his warm torso. He pulled the fur over my body and wrapped his arms around me.

I didn't seem to matter to him.

Good for me. A cozy warmth immediately filled me. I buried my hand in the shirt over his chest and snuggled my head against it.

Eros ran his hand over the back of my head, sending a tingle through my body. My mark tingled.

There was no place I felt more comfortable than in Eros arms. Only here I could hide everything and relax.

As if he understood my thoughts, his arms hugged me tighter. Then I felt a kiss on my hair.

I raised my head in anticipation. How did Eros manage to blow my tiredness away with a kiss? I immediately lowered my lips to his. He caught me in one arm and easily rolled me over so I was underneath him.

My heart began to pound vigorously in my chest. A tremor ran through my tense muscles. A hot fire emanated from his lips and engulfed my entire body.

He held himself over me while his tongue massaged mine. My hands tangled in his hair, drawing an excited growl from him.

He was between my legs and I could feel his whole body on me. An excited sigh escaped my lips and greedily Eros continued to move against me.

A sense of utter happiness numbed my thoughts. My fingers stroked the muscles of his upper arms that held me captive beneath him.

A hot desire formed in my stomach and I lifted my back off the bed. Eros responded and ran his hands down my waist. They buried themselves in my waist and a horrified squeak escaped me.

Eros lifted his head and stared down at me. He gasped and his eyes shone with wild desire. I had to look the same.

I wanted... more.

It scared me.

"We- we should go to sleep," I huffed, trying to get my heart under control again.

"You really want to sleep?" Eros asked, stroking my cheek longingly.

I clasped his fingers in mine so his touch wouldn't leave me. The corner of his mouth turned up as he regarded me with a gleam in his eyes.

My heart clenched as I tried to interpret his gaze. The gray speckles glistened with an emotion I'd never seen in Eros before.

I swallowed.

He wanted it too.

My throat burned with unspoken words, but neither of us seemed to be able to find our voices. A small flash of fear shot through my body.

We had only known each other for a few weeks and Eros already had my heart in his hands.

"What's wrong?" he asked, lifting my chin towards him.

His hair was all disheveled from the kiss. I furrowed my brows and smiled at the same time. Did I ever have to be afraid that he would hurt me?

The thought seemed so far-fetched that even my mark gave a twinge.

"Have I ever told you how cute you look when you think about it?" Eros asked with an amused grin.

"So so," I said, rolling sideways under his arms.

"Come on, that's no reason to pout," he said, laughing, and lay down behind me. "Or is that tiredness?"

With one arm he pulled me back so my back was pressed against his chest. I relaxed into its warmth as Eros tucked a strand of hair behind my ear.

"Does it bother you that I'm not a werewolf?" I asked uncertainly.

"Do you mind that I'm one?"

His voice vibrated against my back.

"Of course not," I said.

"There you have your answer."

A deep yawn rippled through my body and I closed my eyes. I didn't want to think about what we had just about done. There was still time for that tomorrow.

Now I just wanted to enjoy Eros closeness without racking my brains. Fatigue pushed everything aside, leaving nothing but numbness.

"Good night, Eros," I whispered, snuggling into his protective warmth.

His arm was wrapped around my body, further enveloping me in weariness.

"Good night."

His words swam in the wake of sleep that gripped me.

WEDNESDAY OF THE 9TH MOON COUNT:

A breathy kiss on my neck lifted me from dreamland. It was as light as a butterfly fluttering.

The soft sheets lay beneath me and I sighed in greeting. I felt the warm lips curl into a smile against my skin.

I opened my eyes and the fog of sleep lifted. Eros lay behind me, his head resting on his arm as he watched me.

"Did you watch me sleep?" I asked.

"It's the only time you don't talk and are peaceful," he replied with a grin.

A tired laugh escaped my lips and I broke free of his arms. Then I looked at a flower-printed dress draped over a wooden chair.

I walked over and ran my fingers over the airy fabric.

"It's beautiful," I whispered.

"It's for you."

Surprised, I looked at Eros, who was watching me from the bed with eagle eyes.

"To me?"

"Yes, after all we are going to a party and believe me, if we party with the nomads, it will be a long evening."

Heat flushed into my cheeks and I picked up the colorful dress. It came down to my knees and had short sleeves. I had never worn anything so revealing.

"Turn around," I said, and Eros reluctantly followed my direction.

I changed my clothes as fast as I could and kept peeing at him to see if he did what I said.

I looked down at the pink fabric covered in green and multicolored flowers. It lay slightly over my legs.

I felt free in it and something that struck me as strange.

Eros slowly turned around.

His eyes lit up and he got up from the bed.

"You look beautiful."

A fountain of happiness flowed through my veins.

It was time to celebrate.