instinctively wrapped my arms around myself. He cocked his head at me.
“What are you up to, my heart?”
I faced my image in the mirror again. “Look at me.”
I’d never considered myself perfect, but I still always thought my skin was rather nice. I looked at the palms of my hands. I’d slashed both of them with the knife—even they were scarred over.
He chuckled. Fabric rustled. Then Wolf stepped into the mirror beside me, naked as well, his body covered in just as many scars, several of them much worse. The kehmet claw marks across his abdomen had long since faded from their new-pink color to a slightly lighter shade than the rest of his skin. He turned to offer me a full view of them. I’d never looked at them this closely before. I recognized the sword slash on his shoulder blade.
“Do you find me any less appealing?” he asked once he’d finished his circle.
I blushed. “No.” In fact, a good part of me wanted to jump him right then and there.
“Besides, yours are nobler, love.”
“What do you mean?”
He lifted his foot to show me a rough-looking scar along his ankle. “Angry badger.”
I laughed. When I finally stopped, he smoothed my hair and gazed down at me lovingly.
“You’re beautiful, Caroline.”
He took my hands and turned my palms up. He kissed each one before kneeling and, holding my leg gently, began to kiss each and every scar. He took his time, pressing his lips to my skin, front and back, slowly working his way up to the small of my back, my belly, my arms, my shoulders where he lingered at the barely visible bite marks, neck, and then tenderly kissed the scar on my cheek and the tiny one above my eyebrow where I’d hit my head after meeting him.
I wanted to do the same to show him how much I treasured every part of him, but I was shaking, I wanted him so badly. I dragged him closer and fastened my mouth to his, relishing in the softness of his lips and the velvet swiftness of his tongue. His hands played over my back, tracing the scars before pressing flat to hold my body tightly against his. I would never get enough of him, his taste, his scent, the way his lean muscles went taut every time he was around me, the way my body went crazy just being near him. I lifted one leg and wrapped it around his body, offering myself eagerly to him. Breathing heavily, he broke away just long enough to speak.
“I should let you know, after tonight, you might need two more days of sleep.”
I nuzzled my cheek against his. “Bring it on, babe.”
Chapter 24
I gave Marianne a huge hug, glad to finally be going back, yet sad to leave her and the luxury of the castle behind.
“Will you come back and visit?” she asked into my hair.
“If I can, of course I will.” I pulled back and looked into her face. “And I trust that you’ll remember everything I told you?”
She nodded, sniffing as she tried to hold back tears. I smiled at her and smoothed her hair.
“Just remember, it might be hard, but you have people here that will help you.” I dropped my voice to a whisper. “You’re a very strong girl, Marianne. If anyone can put this place right, it’s you.” I hugged her again.
After a few more farewells between the court and myself, Alex, and Wolf, the three of us set off, laden with packs of food, good drink, and clean clothes. There was no question about Wolf coming to our world. I couldn’t leave him, and he couldn’t leave me. But I felt pretty certain he’d adjust well. After all, I lived in a small cabin in the woods and studied wolves for a living. Exactly the sort of thing Wolf could adjust to—maybe even help me with.
The magic pond—or doorway—sat several days away, but for once I didn’t worry about traveling through the forest. The Kingdom still had a long way to go in terms of wolf-human relations, which is why Alex wore a Sentry outfit and Wolf kept his tail hidden, but at least this time we weren’t in any hurry and didn’t have to concern ourselves with a werewolf witch. We didn’t need Sentries to accompany us to the pond. Every now and then when I glanced into the trees, a flash of gray, tan, or white would pass through the foliage.
It only rained once