Page 80 of Prince of the Northwest Forest
I shrug. “I have no idea. But it’s incredible.”
He laughs, a bighearted laugh. “Well, yes, it is, although wait until you find out what some of them are saying. Trust me, you’ll wish you didn’t know.”
My head is spinning. “So we’ve found your bride, although she doesn’t want you. In Jails and Jackals, you’d get quest points for finding her, but you’d lose some of them for not completing the quest by marrying her.” I’m really, really okay with him losing those points.
Kalle looks amused. “All right.”
“And then we’re still not earning any points on the quest to find your brother. We keep using them, I think, since we’re tired and don’t know where he is.”
“And we haven’t even begun to search for your memory.”
“Right. But we did lift your curse. So, one out of four?” I say.
“Do I get a bonus point for giving you the gift of animal communication?”
“Definitely.”
He leans down and kisses me again. We’re both giddy. While we haven’t solved all our problems, we have solved one: He doesn’t have to marry the princess.
Which means I can get this fine man naked as soon as he’ll let me.
I tell him this, and without another word, he grabs my hand, pulls me up, and starts tugging me out of the room.
In the hallway, a guard stands waiting for us. “Prince Eckhart has arranged your accommodations. Would you follow me?”
Prince Eckhart, like the ice prince, has us put in one room with one bed. This is a bit odd, since a week ago, Kalle was to marry Eckhart’s sister. I’m not questioning it, though. I figure Kalle and I are still putting off vibes. Accurate ones.
“I dig this place,” I say, looking around. “If you’re not having second thoughts about being in bed with me.”
Kalle steps forward, a hand coming up to cradle my neck as he kisses me again, deeply and passionately. “I want to spend all my time in bed with you.”
So, okay. The Fire Realm makes me melt.
First things first. We ensure that Hazel and Martin have food, water, and a place to rest. They inform us that they will take turns on watch duty so each can get some sleep. Then we explore our suite.
“You can do whatever you want with me,” Kalle whispers. “I am at your mercy.”
“My mercy, eh? What if I have none of that?” I feel like a predator. I move closer, whispering a finger across Kalle’s high cheekbone. “Come on,” I say, and lead him into the adjoining bathroom.
In contrast to the bathroom in the Ice Palace, this one is made entirely of polished black stone. The spa tub is almost translucent, even though it’s black, and the water is steaming soit seems to be on fire. “Do you want to take a bath?” I ask. “That water would probably feel good on tight muscles.”
Kalle looks lost. I gather him in my arms and kiss him. That wakes him up. “What was that for?” he asks.
“It was for you to know that I like you.” I sound like a kid. “I really like you. In that way. If you want to take this further, we can. But we don’t have to. You’re in the driver’s seat.”
“More than anything else—or, at least, ahead of everything else—I want to be clean,” he admits.
“Me, too.”
I start unbuttoning his shirt, and he lets me. I get to touch him. We’ve been teasing ourselves for days now, but actually being able to put my hands all over him is more than I ever could’ve dreamed of.
We get undressed and bypass the tub in favor of the large shower. It’s walled with huge pumice rocks, and the water is plentiful and warm.
“I really want to blow you,” I say bluntly. “My last test results were negative. For STIs, I mean.”
He nods. “The royal doctors do a battery of tests frequently. I’m negative for everything, too.”
“Cool,” I say, and kiss him.
