Page 54 of A Song of Saints and Swans
It all made sense now; how Margo’s behavior seemed off the last couple weeks of her life, which was right around the time my casual acquaintance Kira started coming by Sochi regularly to interview me for one of her vapid think pieces.
I closed my eyes as pure pain washed over me. Never in a million years would I have even humored the idea of cheating on Margo. She was my entire life, and the moment she walked into my bar, no one else could ever compare. While I’d known she had insecurities, I assumed my constant attention would keep her happy—that it would be enough.
That I was enough…
“It wasn’t your fault, Kostya,” the Gamayun softly spoke, and both Margo and I looked at her in surprise. “Your Rusalka was drowning in the depths long before she met you.”
I turned my attention back to Margo, finding tears running down her perfect face. “It’s true,” she choked out. “But I think I’m finally ready to come up for air.”
All the Stars in Siberia
MARGO
For three days, we followed the Gamayun as she led us deeper into the forest, barely stopping to eat and rest before we arrived at the edge of a large, clear pond. On the far side sat an abandonedVardowagon, the only sign that a swan shifter clan had once settled on these shores.
Konstantin will need to learn that shifters are also real, I suppose.
The wagon was in surprisingly good shape, with walls still brightly painted and the embroidered furnishings more dusty than anything. There was clothing waiting for both of us and the small kitchen was well-stocked with non-perishable food and supplies for planting a garden.
Before she flew away, the Gamayun left strict instructions we were to remain here until three strangers came to call. She didn’t elaborate on their identities, but hinted that they could provide a solution to the challenges of our pairing.
We may have been compatible in life, but a relationship between a human male and a Rusalka wasn’t very practical. I knew I could hunt for the blood I needed—determined not to put Konstantin at risk with my hunger ever again—but our existences were vastly different. I also worried how my city boy would manage in the Siberian wilderness.
“Oh, cool, a fishing pole!” Konstantin excitedly called down from where he was digging through rooftop storage bins. “Haven’t used one of these since I was a kid visiting my grandmother, but I bet my expert wrist action will come in handy for casting like a pro.” He lewdly winked and made a gesture that looked suspiciously like jerking off before climbing down from the roof to join me again.
“Yes, I’m sure mixing drinks at Sochi equipped you for surviving in the middle of nowhere,” I schooled my face into an expression of innocence, knowing it spurred him on. “Unless, of course, you were insinuating something else.”
He smirked and roughly pulled me into his arms, making me gasp. “Don’t play coy with me,lisichka.I think you were already a maneater when we met—you just hid it well.”
Touché.
The longer I spent with Konstantin, the more flashes of my human life I recalled, specifically my time with him. I was ashamed by how much of myself I’d hidden from someone who wanted to know me—to love me unconditionally. Even though I hardly deserved it, the gods had given me a second chance.
One goddess in particular.
“Well, there’s no point in hiding anymore, is there?” I purred, possessively grabbing his hardness through his pants, making him groan with need.
My display of dominance didn’t last long. Konstantin easefully threw me over his shoulder and carried me, laughing, into theVardo.I was tossed onto the cushion-covered bed, bouncing slightly against the velvet fabric before he flipped up my dress and ran his tongue through my wetness, both of us moaning as one.
The thin summer dress I was wearing was nothing but a distraction. I’d grown used to being naked—and the elements didn’t affect me anymore—but it seemed a pity to waste the wardrobe. It also didn’t escape my notice that a thin layer of fabric made myhuman desire me more, especially when I wore nothing underneath.
It seems he still enjoys uncovering my secrets.
“Fuck, you’re still as delicious as the first time I tasted you,” he murmured against my pussy, shifting slightly to pull his cock out.
I growled possessively at the sight, annoyed that he wasn’t positioned whereIcould easily reach it. He chuckled low, sitting back on his heels, continuing to lazily stroke himself with a knowing expression on his handsome face. “Is there a problem, little fox?”
Konstantin knew first-hand the dangers of baiting me, but he seemed to enjoy the risk. My vision went momentarily red as I shoved him onto his back and batted his hand away with a snarl.
That’s mine!
He threw his hands up in mock-surrender. “Take over if you insist, Margosha. Just try not to bite it off with those sexy fangs of yours…”
I scoffed, licking my way up his shaft before torturously circling my tongue around the head until I’d wiped the smirk off his face. Mindful of my sharp teeth, I swallowed his full length, smugly drinking in his moans until he was helplessly bucking into my mouth—completely mine once again.
And don’t you forget it.
Waiting until he was on the edge, I abruptly pulled back and slid off the bed. Maintaining eye contact, I lifted the dress over my head and carelessly dropped it to the floor before running outside again.
