Total pages in book: 91
Estimated words: 84237 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 421(@200wpm)___ 337(@250wpm)___ 281(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 84237 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 421(@200wpm)___ 337(@250wpm)___ 281(@300wpm)
And yes, he wanted that to remain untouched and protected for Vasily and Luka.
He wanted the family love and friendship he found with the Valerii Clan to remain safe and happy for the rest of time. The dragons and mages had suffered enough.
Dimitri stopped and turned toward him, their eyes instantly snagging. There was a question in the dragon’s gaze, as if he was asking whether Samuel was okay. Had the dragon somehow sensed that his mood had taken a melancholy turn?
Pasting on a broad smile, Samuel gave Dimitri a thumbs-up to show that everything was just fine.
But with every passing day, a new, sickening thought was starting to worm its way through Samuel’s brain. Even if he succeeded in finding the Sousa and getting all the answers he was searching for, how the hell was he supposed to leave the Valerii behind? Was it at all possible for him to stay?
They stopped for camp that night, and it was a relief to set that pack down. Samuel was sore, tired, sweaty, and frankly he’d give his right eye for air conditioning. Or a shower. God, what he wouldn’t give for a shower.
Wait, was that water he heard?
Samuel lifted his head and inhaled a deep breath. He smelled water, too. Maybe right past the tree line. Somewhere over there.
Now, normally, Samuel would have gone searching for the stream. He was an experienced archaeologist, after all. But…well…mermaids. Carnivorous mermaids. Pisadeiras. And whatever else lurked in the Brazilian forest.
Yeah…no. He’d politely decline the opportunity to have to be rescued. Again. He’d just suffer in sticky, sweaty clothes.
A strong arm wrapped around his shoulders, and he knew without looking it was Dimitri pressed in close, even before the man spoke directly in his ear.
“Want to wash off?”
Now, if Dimitri was volunteering to guard him, that was an entirely different story. Samuel couldn’t bring himself to ask, but he could take the offer when it was out there.
“I wouldn’t mind.”
Dimitri gave a soft laugh, more felt than heard. “I bet. Come on, I have soap and towels.”
Samuel followed closely, and not just because the light was failing. He had learned the hard way that while nothing would dare mess with a dragon, humans were very much fair game. He didn’t want to lag too far behind and make himself a target.
Turned out he was right. The water was right past the tree line, barely fifteen meters from where they’d made camp. There was a waterfall, one that smoothly fell over the boulders and tumbled into a rather shallow-looking river. At least, Samuel was fairly certain he could walk right across without the water coming up farther than his shoulders.
The water was clear right down to the bottom, the shadows of the trees turning it turquoise and green in different spots. Samuel immediately pulled out his phone and took several pictures because, damn, this was quite the sight. He’d likely use this as a desktop background for a while.
Dimitri heard the sound and turned, smiling. “You like waterfalls?”
It wasn’t exactly planned that Samuel took a picture of that smile. He just kind of hit the shutter button without thinking.
Look, beautiful things were beautiful things. Waterfalls, dragons—same difference.
Clearing his throat, he put the phone in his pocket. “I do. Really, I like water. Whatever form it’s in.”
“Yeah? You’ll fit right in with the clan, then. We love water in all forms too.”
Samuel gave a little roll of his eyes. “Ice dragons. Kind of comes with the territory, I bet.”
“Well, there’s some truth in that.”
Samuel spied a good flat rock well above the water’s edge and chose it to put his clothes on for safe keeping. He stripped off his shirt with a sigh of relief, then took off his boots and socks, only fumbling when he hit his waistband. Why he suddenly felt shy about stripping completely, he had no idea. It wasn’t like Dimitri hadn’t already seen the full package. Had traced it with mouth and hands, no less.
Samuel was being ridiculous. He recognized it. He stared the emotion down and purposely undid his pants before shoving them off. See? Nothing to it.
Damn, that jittery feeling was still in the pit of his stomach. But it wasn’t embarrassment. It was nervous hope. Was there a chance Dimitri would join him? Could they do a little more than just get clean? Fuck, he wanted Dimitri to make him so dirty.
Water. Water would give him some cover. He wanted to be in the water anyway, so win-win.
Samuel climbed in, keeping an eye out for sharp rocks, but most of this area consisted of smooth pebbles and sand. Once he was in the riverbed proper, it was all sand. Okay, good. Ahh, the blissful feeling of cool water against his skin. The farther in he waded, the better he felt.