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)
“Majesty.” Bodi bypassed those around us, his palms up and out in a gesture of innocence as he neared. “Perhaps you should place the girl under my protection. I’ll take excellent care of her, I swear it.”
I didn’t get a chance to shout, “Liar!”
“Mine,” the king snarled, nearly cracking my ribs as he yanked me closer. His nostrils flared, and he bared his teeth at the other royal.
Okay, so, maybe I was his type? I mean, I wasn’t unattractive, if I did say so myself. And I happened to dig my personality. Animal lover and violin enthusiast, with an indomitable spirit and an unwillingness to give up when things got tough. Talk about rare qualities!
But what if I was Viktor’s firebrand, and not the Valkara? Look how calm he’d become. And he’d only dialed up the protection factor.
I mean, it wouldn’t hurt to at least test the theory.
“Majesty,” Bodi said, gearing up to try again.
“Stay back, prince, I’ve got this,” I announced, then I did it. I made a move, patting Viktor’s cheek. “Focus on me, Snarls. Come on. Look at me.”
He resisted my command, his chest heaving, and I wondered if he was close to losing his temper again. Well, I was already in the fire. I might as well dance.
“Hey! I told you to focus on me, and I meant it.” I snapped my fingers in front of his face until his dark gaze found mine at last.
“What?” he barked.
Are you kidding me? “Wow. I try to help, and this is the thanks I get.”
His lids slitted. From the corner of my eye, I detected movement. Suspected Bodi and a few others were slipping closer. I stretched out my arm, fingers spread in the classic sign for stop. All the while, I held Viktor’s gaze.
“Look,” I said. “How about we cancel all punishments and return to your place? I’m starving, and I’ve got some questions only you can answer.” I batted my lashes, giving him my best puppy dog eyes. “Take care of me? Please, with a cherry on top.”
Silence. Stillness. One moment bled into another, the crowd so quiet everyone might have been holding their breath.
Finally, Viktor scowled and nodded. “We’ll be in my tent. Bring us food, and a lot of it,” he bellowed, and carried me over the threshold.
Chapter
Five
See Beyond What You See: When Your Berserker Does Tricks, Dish Treats
–HOW TO TRAIN YOUR BERSERKER
By Elizabeth “Elle” Darcy-Bruce
Viktor dumped me on the pallet of furs for the second time that day and paced. Back and forth, back and forth, agitated but no longer verging on violence or muttering. Rather, he remained silent, which wasn’t much better.
At least his size returned to “normal.”
As I watched him and waited for the food to arrive, my eyelids grew heavy. Guess the emotional highs and lows, unmitigated stress, constant stream of uncertainty, and mystery drugs had caught up with me.
I fought the fatigue with every fiber of my being, refusing to fall asleep in Viktor’s presence. Although, if I was his firebrand, I was probably safer with him than anyone else in the world. According to everything I’d read in my studies, berserkers protected what they considered theirs. Proof: look how fervently King Tor had warned his own second-in-command to keep his hands off the royal prisoner. Also, notice how quickly Viktor had ceased raging when I showed up on the scene.
Maybe Prince Bodi wouldn't be so swift to threaten me now. For the time being, I had a bit of power and influence over his sovereign. Except. The Valkara. She threw a wrench in my assurance.
But. Ugh. There was also my reoccurring dream to consider. How I could’ve seen into the future, I didn’t know. If I was, in fact, Viktor’s firebrand, he might, just might, be the warrior I pledged to serve. But seriously, me, kneel before him? I still wasn’t a fan of the idea. And I didn’t even know what “the greater good” was. I did know it wasn’t a double chili cheeseburger with a mix of onion rings and french fries, ranch dip on the side.
Dang it, where was the food? My body was probably already eating itself!
I needed a distraction. Again and again, my attention returned to the pile of instruments. My fingers itched to play. Finally I succumbed to temptation, clambered to my feet, and walked to the prized violin. Intricately carved swirls decorated the upper and lower boot.
As gently as possible, I seized the instrument by the neck and body, then got comfortable on the chair at Viktor’s desk to test the strings. Nice. Perfectly tuned.
After rosining the bow, I gave an experimental stroke. My lips parted as the rich, warm tone of the Stradivarius filled the tent. Never, in all my days, had I heard anything as exquisite or powerful.
Closing my eyes, I played a series of layered notes, thrilling at the harmonies. Satisfied with what I heard, I focused on the still pacing Viktor, curious to learn his reaction as I brought to life the serene melody of Bach’s Air on the G String. Would he calm as I often did?