“Why are you doing this?” he whispered.
“Because I need you,” I murmured back, and my heart ached at the raw truth in those words. Sliding my hands into the hair at the base of his skull, I allowed myself to savor the feel of his silky cherrywood tresses gliding against my fingers, something I’d thought about more times than I could count but never imagined I’d actually experience. This moment was so surreal, and for a beat in time nothing else existed but the two of us. There were no consequences, no friends or family breathing down my shoulder, no past, no future, no anything. There was only the heartbeat beneath my palm, the water swirling around my hips, and a pair of iridescent eyes that blazed so hot I thought they might consume me whole.
Before either of us could change our minds, I unclasped the chain from around my neck, then slipped it around Iannis’s neck while pulling his body into mine. Our lips clashed, and I nearly dropped the necklace into the water as a bolt of white hot heat lanced my body. Strong arms banded around me as the necklace clasped, and I could feel the heat of the two charms glowing between us as Iannis kissed me back, crushing his mouth against me as his fingers dug into my hips with bruising force. My knees went weak as his arousal pressed against my inner thigh, my fingers digging into his broad shoulders as I gasped, and then his tongue was in my mouth, tangling with mine. He tasted dark and sweet and spicy all at once, a flavor combination unlike anything I’d ever tasted, and I kissed him hungrily, wanting more, wanting everything he had to offer.
“I remember you now,” he rasped, pulling back just far enough to let those glorious words feather over my lips. “I can’t recall ever doing this, but I remember you. How could I have forgotten your fiery spirit for even a moment?” His hand drifted up to press against my cheek as his eyes burned into mine, and if I had been a lesser woman, or perhaps had a looser grip on Iannis’s shoulders, I would have swooned.
“Yeah, well that shamaness did a number on you.” I shifted a little, and my nipples scraped against his chest, sending little zings of pleasure through me. Iannis’s eyes gleamed hungrily, and my lips parted as his head dipped down –
“Sunaya! Come quick!” Fenris cried, and I jumped, knocking my forehead against Iannis’s. “We’re under attack!”
“Shit!” I clapped my hand against my throbbing forehead. “I’m coming, I’m coming!”
“What’s wrong?” Iannis demanded as I leapt from the stream and made a beeline for my clothing.
“Fenris just sent me an S.O.S.,” I explained as I hurriedly dragged my clothing on. “I guess your shamaness friend is trying to kill him now.”
“Damn,” Iannis swore as he rushed out of the stream. I forced my gaze away from his naked body – I couldn’t afford the distraction – and focused on shoving my feet back into my boots. “That wolf who sneaked into the village was Fenris? Of course he was.” He sounded chagrined as he grabbed for his own clothes. “Did you bring anyone else?”
“My friend Annia. I’m sure she’s with Fenris right now.”
Iannis and I sprinted down the hill, following the cacophony of shouts and cries. I was a little surprised that he was keeping up with me, but I didn’t have time to dwell on that. We burst into the camp to see women herding their children into the safety of the huts, while pandemonium reigned closer to the fire pit. Annia and Fenris stood back to back near the fire, Annia with her bow drawn and Fenris in human form with his hands outstretched, power crackling at his fingertips. They were surrounded by warriors, and Halyma was facing down Fenris, a ferocious glare on her beautiful face as she held a feathered staff aloft and chanted some sort of spell that made the head of the staff glow bright with power.
“Halyma!” Iannis shouted, drawing the shamaness’s attention away from Fenris. “Stop! These are my friends!”
“These people are outsiders!” Halyma’s dark eyes flashed, and her nostrils flared as she caught sight of me. “Cursed man-beasts and white men, trespassing across our lands and trying to take what is ours!”
“They are not trying to take anything,” Iannis said sternly, and I inwardly sighed with relief – he was sounding more like his old self. “They came here because they were concerned about me.”
“They are trying to take you!” Halyma shrieked, her cheeks reddening with anger. “You are my sharalli, and I will not let them have you!” She leveled her staff in my direction, and a ball of deadly energy shot straight toward me.
Iannis shoved me to the side, and made a slicing motion with his hand as he shouted a Word. A glowing force field materialized in front of him, deflecting the ball up into the sky where it dissipated.
“You…you defend her?” Halyma whispered, her dark eyes filling with tears. She looked so dejected that I would have felt sorry for her if she hadn’t just tried to kill me.
“Of course.” Iannis put his body between Halyma and me, partially blocking my view of the shamaness. “These people are my friends, Halyma. How could you try to hurt them, knowing that?”
“Because they are taking you from me.” Halyma’s voice hardened, though the tears did not disappear, and she pointed a shaking finger at me. “I knew that one would come eventually. That is why I told you to get rid of that necklace! And yet you defy me by wearing it again.”
“I am not yours to command.” Iannis’s voice hardened as well, and the air around him crackled with power. “I am grateful that you found and healed me, Halyma, but you cannot keep me here against my will. My people are in danger, and I must go back to them. As a leader yourself, you must understand this.”