The brief glimpse of fear on her face transforms to a smile. “I’m not going to drown. I’m a very strong swimmer. I swam every chance I got, in the lake near my father’s castle. Even in winter. Come on in!”
I shake my head and point toward the ground. “Get out. Now!”
She frowns. My command angered her. But it’s for her own good. For her safety. My wife doesnotlike to be told what to do, especially when she doesn’t see a good reason for my demands.
Just minutes ago, the mood between us was very different. Her delight when I gave her the jewelry stirred so many things inside me. Pride, joy and gratitude, on top of the overwhelming desire I always feel when around her—even when I’mnotaround her. Even through this intense fear for her life, my cock remains hard.
I should have fucked her on the settee. I wanted to. Desperately. But didn’t want her to think it was some kind of exchange for the jewels.
But if I had done it, I’d be inside her right now, and she wouldn’t be in danger of drowning. Instead, I prioritized the reason I came here: gathering enough coin to pay for the things that we need.
“Come and get me.” She splashes water toward me and then spins in a tight circle.
She’s purposefully taunting me, and my fear bubbles into anger. “Get out. Now. I mean it, Rosomon.” Why won’t she do as I ask? It’s a simple request.
She kicks her legs, propelling her toward the cascading waterfall, moving even farther away, even closer to danger. Like a small child, she’s purposefully defying me.
“Come here!” I shout. “Now. Or else.”
“Or else what?” She grins mischievously. “Will youpunishme like Lucian punished his familiar?” She arches her eyebrows and then floats back again. “Your rod looks ready topunishme.”
She tips her head back, and her breasts rise above the water’s surface. The necklace catches and reflects every bit of available light. The gems are beautiful but seeing them against her damp pale skin only makes me angrier.
“Rosomon, you are being ungrateful and disobedient. And you’re wasting my time. We came here with apurpose.”
Her eyes narrow, and her gaze stabs me like arrows. “Disobedient?” There’s no longer any jest or flirtation in her tone or demeanor.
Turning from me, she dives under the water, giving me a quick flash of her perfect round bottom.
My panic rises. She’ll surface soon. She knows how to swim. She told me so. Rosomon is brave, but not foolish.
Seconds go by. Far too many seconds. How many? Is it a minute now? I should have counted. She’s been underwater too long.
I pace back and forth across the rock, terror rising inside me.
Today, Rosomon coaxed me across that raging river, risking both of our lives. And now she’s become reckless and still hasn’t reappeared.
My throat closes; my chest tightens.
I can’t lose her. If Rosomon dies, I will die too.
Dropping everything I’m holding, I race forward and jump into the water. As I sink like a stone, I realize that even if she lives, I’m going to die.
Humans can’t survive this long without air, but I can’t survive in the water.
CHAPTER 21
Tynan
After the meal, I demand that the footmen find Surath, and they escort the three of us back to our rooms. Tension is wound inside me so tightly, I feel sure I’ll explode. Xendus and Surath can’t begin to understand how much has changed here. I need to talk this through with someone to sort it all out in my head, and right now, they are my only options.
We stop in front of Xendus and Surath’s door, and I push through the bevy of footmen escorting us. “I will speak to my friends in their chambers—privately—and you will remain in the hall.”
One of the footmen opens his mouth to object.
I widen my stance. “I am Prince Tynan of Khotor—I mean, Prince Tynan of the Kingdom of Light—and you will do as I command.”
The footmen bow slightly as they back away, and I open the door, ushering Xendus and Surath inside.
