The Temple of Indra’s Jewel: (17 page)

He bobbed his head slightly in a motion to eat up. He looked handsome yet dangerous, very dangerous, and I thought of Leslie’s concerns about him.

I scanned his face, searching for a fleeting expression of guilt or anything unusual in his demeanour to indicate he might be hiding something. Nope, he didn’t look like a killer to me.

“Did you rescue me?” I asked.

Receiving only a snort for a reply, I assumed he was ticked about something.

“Are you in the habit of living in the woods now?”

Still no response.

“Viktor, where exactly are we?”

“Kingdom of Württemberg,” he replied, placing a slice in his mouth and biting down firmly.

As
in
Germany?
I thought to myself.
Well,
I
guess
that
makes
sense
when
I
considered
the
gypsy
gang
and
their
conversations.

“How in the hell?” I mistakenly mumbled out loud, which elicited a strange look from him.

Was the Princess trying to escape? How did she get here and who was she trying to get to or away from? Or did I do this? I could have been thinking of that fiery green gaze when I swam into the time portal. Missing Cullen, wishing he could do this with me. Cullen’s eyes, Viktor’s eyes. Perhaps I used him like an anchor in time.

“How is it,
Prinzessin
, that you do not know where you are?” Viktor’s words interrupted my thoughts, and I looked at him, contemplating how much to share. He poked vindictively at the fire, like he’d poked at my composure with his question.

“This is the Black Forest.” He shook his head as if exasperated and resumed his bunny feast, allowing me to resume my thoughts.

“What are you doing out here in the Black Forest anyway?” I asked.

He held his silence for a minute or two, his annoyance plain.

“A week ago Sunday, your friends back there managed to scheme their way into Schloss Lichtenstein. My family was absent, but the servants were beaten and tied and those
arschlöcher
stole many of the family heirlooms. I returned home from a visit with my
großmutter
when I discovered what happened. I only missed them by about an hour, so I took after them with some of my men, and we’ve been tracking them ever since. Yesterday we finally managed to steal back the jewels and silver.”

I cried out, grasping at my bare wrist. “My bracelet! They stole it.”

“I sent my men ahead with the loot when I stumbled upon the foolish mess you’d gotten yourself into,” he said rather pointedly. “They will have it.”

“What do you mean, ‘Got myself into’? What? You think I chose this? I was kidnapped.” I stared coldly into his eyes, for once not mesmerized by them.

“
Ja!
You were taken,” he spat. “But not from your home, Prinzessin! You were only with them for a few days.” The vein pulsed in his neck. “Women do not travel the Black Forest alone, so who are you with?”

“No one. Anyway, you wouldn’t believe me if I told you. Don’t worry about it—I won’t trouble you any further.”

“The hell you won’t,” he barked. “You’ve been troubling me since I found you naked in the sea.” He leaned forward, scowling. “You trouble me with your
hochmütig
stare.”

Furiously he pulled me against him and ground his mouth down on mine. I kicked out at him. No sooner had he let go of me when he began spewing more venom.

“Who do you belong to?”

I made no sound, struck by the absurdity of his comment.

“Tell me, damn it! Who were you running away with?” he asked.

“No one!” I bellowed.

“Or running to? One of those gypsy bandits, perhaps? Which of them is Klen?”

“What? You are the most exasperating man I’ve ever met.” And without pausing for a response, I bared my teeth in a grimace and spun on my heels, stomping off through the trees.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

A
summer wind tossed the clouds across the afternoon sky and tugged at the heavy material of my gown. The sun beat down, and sweat dripped between my breasts. My feet were raw. I’d ditched my heels for bare stockings an hour ago, frustrated after one too many stumbles. Of course, the anger was my only refuge. If it faded then I’d have to come to terms with the foolishness of my situation. Overhead the leaves whispered, calling me deeper and deeper into the woods. I scratched my head, trying to decide whether or not to turn back, and winced as my fingernails ran over a sore spot.

Viktor had a foul temper. It was not so much what he said but how loud he said it that bothered me. I replayed our argument in my mind, trying to decide if he could be the one after me. Yet it didn’t make sense.
Why
save
me?
Then again, what motive would he have to kill me?
Jealousy?
Leslie’s skepticism toyed with my head. Or was Sapphira warning me?

The scent of wet foliage tickled my nose as I inhaled the muggy air. I hesitated. Another odour clung to the breeze, churning around me like smog. I took a deep breath; my stomach twisted.
Rotten
meat.

I heard branches crack, dead branches on the forest floor snapping beneath the weight of something. Someone. A cold chill ran through me, my nerves bristling. I managed to take another step, caught somewhere between the need to flee and a horrible curiosity that dug into my bones, slowing me down.

My eyes searched the woods but saw nothing. I took another step, and the smell intensified. Again, my stomach threatened to revolt. I struggled to swallow the rising bile. My breath hitched in my throat.

No.
I could not permit myself to go to that place of uncertainty.
Keep
going.
Keep
busy.
There had to be a town around here somewhere where I could convince some poor fool to take me to the palace. Surely Sapphira’s family would pay the coach upon my safe arrival; after all, the Princess had to be missing if I was here. We shared this body.

I walked another 10 minutes and heard no further branches cracking; I managed to relax. I rounded a corner and a luminous waterfall, the colour of liquid silver, poured over the rocks, forming a deep pool. The sun shone in the clearing, and I wiped away the sweat gathering on my forehead.

A swim might rejuvenate me. But would it be safe
?
I dismissed my hesitation. What could it hurt? I was in the middle of nowhere. I stripped down to my shift and waded into the water, obviously spring fed and magnificently cold.

Treading water I saw a blur out of the corner of my eye. A trickle of dread ran through me. Should I turn and swim or yell for Viktor? I froze. From behind me came a low growl.
Please
be
a
“I’m
pissed ’
cause
you’re
swimming
in
my
watering
hole”
kind
of
growl
and
not
a
“Man,
am
I
hungry”
sort
of
growl.

Lowering my head, I felt a current of panic travel through my nerve endings like electricity. The sound, closer now, snarled again. Slowly I turned.

A furry grey-and-black spotted face with light-coloured cat eyes peered at me from the shadows. It moved in stealthy motion from behind the trees. I recoiled in fear. The animal moved toward me; branches snapped beneath it as it stepped from the shadows. My throat tightened. A scream rose from deep inside me. I wanted to swim but couldn’t. Helpless, I watched the horrible beast come closer.

Viktor,
I cried out in my head,
help
me,
please!
The words lodged in my throat. My movements grew desperate, and I thrashed on the spot.
Stay
quiet
and
still
, I told myself, but panic took over. I swam hard for the other shore. Beating me there, the devil-eared beast let out a deep-chested, continuous growl and bared his teeth.

I stood knee-deep in the water, facing the oversized cat.

“Help …” I uttered in a strangled voice. I clenched my eyes shut and moved sideways, waiting for sharp claws to flay me. Any second now I’d be mauled. Not paying attention, I tripped over a large tree root that grew out of the side of the shore and smacked my already sore head. Stars waltzed in the blackness.

I waited for snarling teeth to sink in, but instead a high-pitched yelp rang out. I opened my eyes to see the Graf throwing rocks at the beast. I closed my eyes, waiting for the dizziness to subside.

“Sapphira, are you all right?”

“Yes,” I said, rubbing my skull. “How long were you there?”

“Not long. I tracked you,” he said, cleaning the blade.

“You tracked me?”

Warning bells jingled.

“
Ja,
I almost caught you when I saw a dead carcass in the woods and decided to investigate. Then I heard a growl. I knew whatever had found the carcass had found you. You’re shivering,” Viktor said, removing his shirt and wrapping it tightly around me. “Let’s set forth. We’ve walked all day in the wrong direction, and nightfall’s approaching. We’ll see if we can gain some ground before calling it a night.”

He filled the water skin, returning with it slung over his shoulder, and bundled together bits of firewood before lifting me onto the horse. Having reached an unspoken truce, we rode for two hours before he finally stopped.

“This should work,” he said, helping me down.

“I’ve never been that close to a tig—. Actually, what was that?” I said, dismounting the horse with Viktor’s help.

“A lynx, common for these woods.” He smiled at me.

I looked up, noticing the stars as if for the first time.

“They’re so beautiful. It looks as if someone has shaken a handful of pearls into the air.”

“
Ja.
Beautiful,” Viktor agreed, staring at me, and I blushed.

Night deepened around us, and with it came a cool breeze. I had worn Viktor’s shirt while my shift dried by the fire. While I was now warm enough, wrapped in a large blanket sitting on a log watching the flames, I couldn’t help but feel guilty watching Viktor shiver in his damp shirt.

“Viktor, come share the blanket,” I said, opening it up.

“
Nicht.
I should finish the shelter.” Viktor moved to get up.

“No. Don’t go,” I grabbed his arm. “Please, share the blanket. I could use the body heat,” I said, appealing to his gallant sensibility.

“All right.” He sat down beside me on the log. He squirmed a moment and then turned to me.

“I must apologize for earlier.”

“It’s okay. I’m sorry I took off,” I whispered sheepishly. “Thank you for saving me.” I turned to face him. “Again.”

He smiled and then grew serious.

“You’re unharmed then?”

“Yes, the lynx never touched me.”

“That’s not what I meant. Before you ran, I was a brute. I should have asked if the men hurt you.” He paused, stumbling over his words. “I was selfish! I should have known you weren’t involved with them. I hope you forgive me.”

“It’s fine, Viktor.” I placed my hand on his shoulder.

“
Nicht
. I was jealous, and I behaved no better than that swine, kissing you as I did.”

“Jealous of whom?” I asked.

“I heard you call for one of them Klen.”

“Klen?” I puzzled.

“It’s absurd, I know. You were frightened, and one of them acted courteous toward you, perhaps. It makes sense you shouted for him when you were in trouble. And I have no claim on you.”

“But I—I don’t know any of their names. I must have been feverish and not making sense. But you don’t have to feel guilty. They didn’t do anything serious, thanks to you. And I liked your kiss.”

He looked up, startled by my response, and I smiled mischievously.

“It was your words that were making me angry. So tell me about yourself?” I asked, as the fire crackled.

“What do you want to know?” He turned his face to answer, his warm breath tickling my neck as he spoke.

“How about your engagement?”

He leaned in and poked the fire with a stick.

“Not much to tell.
Mein
vater
believes a marriage between ourselves and the kingdom of Southern Italy a good match. It would also elevate my station in life, and he wants to see me successful.”

“So you’ll marry?” I teased, eliciting a smile from his dark and handsome face.

He snorted a reply, which I took as a no.

“Well, what will you do?” I felt him shrug.

“What would you do?”

“Good question.” I laughed.

“What about you? I’ve heard your uncle has designs for you?”

Was marriage to close family acceptable here, or did he mean he had plans to marry me off—to the Comte perhaps?

“My uncle?” I questioned.

“Ja, Princess Maria’s half-brother and trusted advisor. Is it true?”

“I wouldn’t know.”

As the moon got bigger, we grew more tired, and we lay down. I began to drift off. With only the one blanket to share, Viktor wrapped his body around me like a spoon. I felt a little guilty cuddling with him like that so soon after being with Cullen, but it was cold and he had saved my life. The least I could do was share a blanket and some body heat.

“I do apologize for earlier,
Prinzessin
,” he whispered. “I didn’t mean to make you run. I hope I make this clear.”

“I know, Viktor. Thank you.”

My head was tucked into the hollow of his neck, his hand practically cupping my right breast. My damp shift clung to me, and I felt a chill and snuggled deeper, shifting my bum against him, trying to scoot back farther into the warmth of his lap. I felt his passion surge, nuzzle me in just the right spot, grow even larger. I pushed against him. He groaned and swelled in return. I didn’t think it possible to feel so deeply connected to a stranger, especially when I had such strong feelings for Cullen, but there I was. Phenomenal situations seemed to be my specialty. At least I wasn’t alone in my dilemma. I smiled a wicked grin and wondered if he would be able to sleep anytime soon. It didn’t feel like it.

Waking in the morning, I looked around, taking in the dark cavern, and wondered if this was indeed the Black Forest the Brothers Grimm had detailed.

The roof, if you could call it that, was a thick lattice of intertwining branches that barely let light through. Rows and columns of immense tree trunks lined up as far as the eye could see. I was used to seeing spruce and pine and all of the other coniferous trees that symbolized Canadian woods, but never had I seen a forest with so many of them so tightly packed in.

After a quick breakfast, I searched for some water to clean up in, which only reminded me of the lynx at the waterfall. I abandoned that idea all together. I sighed and glanced at the big horse.
I
will
just
have
to
smell
as
bad
as
everyone
else.

We hit the trails, and Viktor’s horse carried us without strain. I rode with my arms about his waist, feeling the closeness of his body once again. Warm sensations cascaded through me, and a deep, delicious ache built between my thighs, which I fought to ignore.

At times, the path disappeared. We got off the horse and led it through the maze of dense woods. I grew tired and hungry and mentioned that to Viktor several times. Finally we came to a part in the forest richly carpeted in moss and ferns, and Viktor whispered we were growing close. We passed outlying farms and cottages, and my heart leapt as we came into the lovely little village of Furtwangen. There were half-timbered houses with cuckoo clocks in the window, as well as one large outdoor clock in the middle of the square. I glanced over my shoulder as we rode through the delicious smells of baking breads, spiced meats and onions mixed with cheese.

“Viktor, I hoped we might stop for a break. I’m hungry.”

“I know, Prinzessin,” he said. “We’re almost there. If we stop we’ll lose the light.”

“Fine,” I said grudgingly.

We clopped over the landscape, and as we grew closer to our destination, I grew more impatient. Every step began to feel like lightning to my thighs.

He came to an abrupt stop. “There it is,” he whispered, dismounting. “I think we will find everyone fast asleep at this hour, but you’ll greet them in the morning.”

“Viktor, it’s so dark. Are you sure?” I whispered back.

From what I could see, the castle was perched on a rock, high above the valley floor.

“Ja,
natürlich,
dummes
Fraulein.”