“And you want me?” Konstantin grinned.
I nodded. “I want you.”
“Damn it all!”
“Excuse me?” I gaped at him.
He waved a hand at his hardening shaft. “I really want you too.Right now. But I'm so fucking hungry.”
I laughed brightly. “Then eat faster, tiger.”
Kon started shoving food into his mouth.
Chapter Twenty-Three
We took the rest of the day for ourselves. The storm continued to cloak us, as if the Gods themselves gave their blessing. No one ventured out into our garden, much less up to our little love nest. We were safe, tucked away from the Swan Court and its king. Kon and I didn't finish our lunch. We decided to save some for later and packed it away, back in the satchel. Then we attacked each other.
Sweet Goddess, the bliss of it all. To be able to kiss every inch of his body, run my hands over him as I wanted to, and discover all his sensitive spots. Learn him as he learned me, all without feeling rushed or scared. It was glorious.
Unlike the night before, when I was exhausted by Niko's unending hunger, every episode with Konstantin left me exhilarated and wanting more. I even braved the storm to relieve myself outside so we wouldn't have to return to the castle. And it takes a lot of talent to hold a fur coat out far enough so you can pee within its warmth without peeing on yourself.
Our time ran out eventually. It grew late and dark, and still, the storm blustered outside the entrance of our nest. We knew we had to go, but we lingered anyway, sitting together naked, cuddling close, his body wrapped around mine from behind as we drank our tea.
Kon nudged my cheek with his. “We could go right now, Misha. Just leave. I'm doing this as a favor to my clan; I don't have to stay. And you don't owe anyone here anything.”
I shuddered, wanting what he offered so badly. But then I thought of Timofey and Eva, their love. How someone had stolen it from them. And Lady Milana, whose connection to it all was still a mystery. And Olga, who mourned her daughter and would never have closure without us. And Sofia, who had risked her life to help us solve her friend's murder. Even young Gleb, who had helped Kon create this love nest for us.
“I can't,” I whispered. “Great Gods, I want to, but I can't. I can't abandon them.”
“I didn't think you would.” He smiled against my skin. “Swanling, I would leave everything for you if you asked it of me. My home, my clan, my job—I'd give them all up for you. I'd take you wherever you wished to go and build a life for us.”
I set my tea down and turned to hug him. Kon discarded his cup as well and surrounded me as only he could. All that strength was so reassuring. It felt as if nothing could harm me. But I knew it was an illusion. Yes, Konstantin was powerful, but he was outnumbered here. We had to be careful, especially now, when we risked being blinded by our desire.
I pulled back to say, “We can't show any of this when we return to the castle.”
“I know. Don't worry, I won't betray you. Not even accidentally.”
“Kon, I want to see your other form.”
“My tiger?” He grinned as he shot a look around the tent. “It might be snug, but I suppose I can fit. Move back.”
I scooted off the platform to stand on the ring of floor around it. Konstantin went onto all-fours and, with a shimmering haze of magic, his body blurred and grew. The gorgeous copper-bronze of his hair spread, becoming stripes interspersed with black, and when the haze cleared, a massive beast was curled up before me.
“It's a little more snug than I expected,” Kon's voice came out of the tiger's mouth as his brilliant green eyes looked mournfully at the walls that pressed in against him. His back legs hung off the platform.
“You're magnificent,” I whispered. “Kon, you're . . .”
I stroked his broad face, and he lifted it into my caress.
“I'm what?” I could hear the smirk in his voice.
“Breathtaking.” I crawled up on the platform and snuggled against his sleek side, laying my head on his back. “Glorious. Wondrous.” I slung an arm over his waist and hugged him. “So beautiful.”
Konstantin chuckled as he swung his head to look at me. “If I'd known you'd be so impressed by my tiger, I would have transformed the very first day we met.”
“I've never seen one of you up close.” I lifted my face to nuzzle it against his, mimicking his earlier behavior. “You're so soft. I didn't expect that.”
“My coat is thicker this time of year.” He licked my face, his rough tongue making me laugh. “Now you.”
