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The muscles in my back and legs moaned as ferocious bubbles roared to life under his touch. Then he dipped his flaming hand in the water to warm it.

I touched the surface—the gentle massage was heavenly.

‘If I get in, I’m never leaving,’ I warned, unable to look away.

‘Don’t threaten me with a good time,’ he said, stripping before stepping in.

With his headagainst the headrest, he reached for a remote and switched on the head massage. I might have drooled.

‘I’m sensing some apprehension,’ he said, almost curious, spreading his arms along the edges.

‘It’s just… I’m not wearing a swimsuit.’

One brow arched, a small smile tugged at his mouth. ‘Neither am I.’

Could I do this? Anya kept saying I needed to loosen up. I didn’t care about that, but… that water looked seriously tempting.

‘Okay. Look away,’ I demanded before taking my clothes off. I kept glancing his way, surprised he listened.

It wasn’t that my underwear wasn’t nice. Miriam stocked my wardrobe, and she obviously had a thing for lace. The thin straps were rather provocative. I didn’t want him to get the wrong idea.

I slipped in opposite him, the heat making my head spin.

River watched me for a moment before leaning his head back and relaxing.

‘I had a plan for a swimming pool over there,’ he gestured toward the tree line. ‘But that would take a few weeks and I couldn’t wait.’

‘Gods, do I look that bad?’ I chuckled.

‘You’re beautiful,’ he said, straightening. ‘But you need rest. Let me care for you.’

‘River… it’s not that—’

‘Simple,’ he finished. ‘I know. But I will always provide what you need, as long as you let me.’

‘Thank you. But at some point we have to get back to searching for the Crones. Time is a luxury we don’t have.’

‘But you have me, and I have armies,’ he replied. ‘I’ve sent out several troops in various directions.Don’t worry, we’ll find them.’

With a click of a button, he switched on my head massage. I leaned back and allowed the world to fade away.

Chapter Thirty-Two

Avari

Afaint swaying sensation set my insides tingling—left and right, up and down—like a ship drifting on the ocean, carried by the rhythm of the waves until everything stilled with a jarring calm.

The softness that followed was unfamiliar, as was the herbal scent lingering in the air.

One of my eyes opened cautiously, wary of the light I sensed was peeking through the curtain. ‘River?’

‘Shh. Sleep,’ he said, tucking me in. The thick weave of the blanket brushed gently against my abdomen. I basked in the calm, a soft breeze carrying birdsong through the cracked window beside me.

Life was peaceful in the forest. Nature took care of those who cared for her.

The next time I opened my eyes, the room was darker, bathed in muted shades filtering through a narrow gap in the double-layered curtains.

Planning to grab something to eat before urging River to continue the search, I froze mid-step, mortified. I must have fallen asleep in the hot tub—and that meant…