The Glass Queen (The Forest of Good and Evil #2) - Gena Showalter Page 0,108
majestic waterfall. Cool mist dampened me as the dragons skidded over the water. I twittered happily.
“Such skill,” I called to my babies.
Saxon motioned to a crystal-clear pond, where water lilies floated over the surface, perfuming the air. “This is your surprise. We’re going to swim.”
I fluttered a hand over my suddenly racing heart. “Swim?” I’d always wanted to swim. “I’d love to, very much so, but I don’t know how.”
“Then it will be my pleasure to teach you.” He flipped his gaze up, where the dragons circled us. “Go play, but stay close and out of others’ view. Squawk if you need us. And no peeking.”
They gave him a look, like, Sure, Dad, then shot off, disappearing in the trees. The next thing I knew, Saxon had tightened his grip on me and jumped into the pool.
I laughed as cold but refreshing water enveloped me in a single gulp, clothes and all. Had I been alone, I would have been terrified, but with Saxon holding me close, I was exhilarated.
He kicked his powerful legs, propelling us up, up. I was still laughing as we breached the surface. Droplets slipped into my mouth, and the most divine sensation came over me.
My insides tingled as if I’d swallowed a magical peppermint tree. “What’s happening?”
“The water is bespelled by the forest’s guardian. Anyone who swims is cleaned, inside and out.”
Amazing. “Queen Everly did this?”
“You know of Everly?”
“Yes, Sax.” I rolled my eyes. “Even I have heard of the new Empress of the Forest.”
His features softened when I used the endearment. “That isn’t what I meant.”
“Well, then—oh! Help me.” The weight of my dress was pulling me down, down. “My clothes,” I screeched, kicking my legs frantically. I continued to sink, even with Saxon’s arms banded around me.
He held me up without sinking an inch himself, and I took comfort in that. “No need to worry, Asha. The clothes are coming off. With your permission, of course.”
Wait. “We’ll be naked?”
“If you would rather remain dressed—”
“No, no.” Excitement and anticipation doused that sudden flare of nervousness as he floated me closer to the shore.
Except for my bath-time experience, I’d never been naked with a boy. But... I wanted to get naked with this one and no other.
“For our safety, we probably should disrobe,” I said as casually as I could manage. “I mean, if you think we should.”
“I do.” He lowered his chin, looking every inch a predator. The water had slicked back his hair. Strain had tightened his features, and his pupils had dilated. “For our safety.”
He sounded like a predator, too, all growly and hot.
For some reason, hearing that tone was like receiving a deluge of pure confidence. A flirting know-how I’d never before displayed and hadn’t learned from Leonora. “But, Sax,” I purred. “Removing our clothes means you’re the one getting the reward.”
He jerked at my tone. “If getting you out of a dress is my reward for cleaning a stable,” he said, his eyelids sinking over his eyes, “I’ll be cleaning a stable every day for the rest of my life.”
He’d just said...he’d just claimed... I think he’d just melted my brain right along with my heart. He wanted to spend every day of his life with me?
He reached a spot where he could stand, then helped me out of the soaking gown with expert precision. He got me out of my shoes, too, tossing everything to the shore...and suddenly I was standing in water that only reached my navel while wearing nothing but a corselet and a pair of panties. Cool air raised goose bumps on my damp skin, but Saxon’s gaze kept me warm.
He traced a finger along the chain that held the ring, his blistering expression unchanging. “You never remove this.” A statement, not a question. “Your mother gave it to you, you said.”
“That’s right,” I replied, cautious. Every time before, a discussion on this topic had soured his mood.
“What did she tell you about it?” He tugged his shirt over his head, baring his chest, then tossed his boots ashore.
His nipple piercing glinted in the sunlight, mesmerizing me.
He removed his pants, leaving only his undergar—no, he removed that, too.
I wouldn’t look down at the water. I wouldn’t—
The clear water hid nothing.
I’d looked down, and oh, sweet goodness. I jerked my gaze heavenward, my heart thudding. I’d just glimpsed a male member for the first time, and I didn’t know what to think. I probably needed another look—two looks, verging closer to five—ten before I made a decision