Avrora
I bolt upright, fleeing from the terror of another nightmare.
My heart is pounding hard and I'm breathing like I've just finished swimming in the all state championships.
Feeling disorientated, I frantically look around, checking to see where I am.
Satin-covered cream walls, long embroidered curtains hanging at the window, and that masculine scent of power clinging to the air gives me the answer I seek.
I'm in Anatoli's room, sitting on his bed.
I'm not in the nightmare anymore and shadow monsters haven't slashed my throat. No one is trying to kill me.
It's morning and it's just me in here. Once again caught in the aftermath of another intense nightmare.
Damn it.
I don't know how much longer I can go through this.
Seeing the crest and not having any further information to work with has rattled my brain and put me in a stupor of confusion.
That thing has plagued my mind for years, smoldering like a volcano waiting to erupt. And worse of all, my little expedition the other night got me in more trouble with Anatoli that I didn't need.
Just thinking about him heats my blood.
Like an idiot, I waited up late last night because I wanted to be prepared for him. The idea of falling asleep in the dragon's bed in my helpless state felt like I was just asking for more trouble. But I didn't see him and sleep claimed me anyway.
I don't even know if he came back eventually and slept in here.
And I don't care.
I'm just glad I didn't end up with his cock shoved down my throat.
If I can avoid that asshole for as long as possible, I will.
I slide off the bed and make my way into the en suite. A shower always helps calm me when I get worked up like this.
I'm not doing anything much today besides speaking with a wedding dress designer to pick a dress I don't want. That's supposed to be after lunch, so I have the morning free.
I shrug out of my nightshirt, loosen my hair and step into the walk-in shower. I then adjust the settings so one of the jet sprays will blast cold water while the rest will keep me warm.
Pressing my hands against the smooth granite walls, I double over and allow the rapid stream of water to flow down over my head, soothing the section of my brain I hold responsible for my horrors.
I stay like that, keeping my eyes squeezed shut as I pretend I'm anywhere but here.
If everything had gone to plan, I'd be on that cruise ship with Mikhail.
I was looking forward to all the fun we were going to have, but more than anything I was looking forward to being with him.
I miss him with all my heart, and our sweet talks about the future. I miss talking about the two boys and two girls we were going to have-Fredrich, Siegfried, Arabella, and Freyiss.
I can't believe it's all over.
The moment I think that, fingers flutter over my back and my insides still.
The water flow over my head slows to a light spray and a hand slides across the flat planes of my stomach.
Whipping around, I turn to see Anatoli and my heart lunges into my throat.
Fuck. He's in here with me.
And naked.
Naked, naked.
Before I can even think of getting away, he barricades me in, setting his giant palms on the wall either side of me.
His big strong biceps seem to ripple under the water's flow and the vigorous definition in his muscles stops me from trying to break free. My hands would probably snap off if I braved the attempt.
Since I can't escape, I do the next best thing. I cover my breasts, lock my legs, and keep still like I'm playing possum, pretending to be dead.
"What the hell are you doing?" My voice chokes with the fright seizing my lungs.
"I was about to ask you the same thing, Valkyrie." A saucy smile flirts with his lips. "Your head was practically between your legs. Looked kind of kinky. Couldn't be sure though. Never can tell with you daddy's-little-girl types. But your ass looked great."
Oh my God.
My nerves sizzle with annoyance and embarrassment. Every time this man speaks he manages to shock me worse than the last time.
"I'm not a daddy's-little-girl type." Especially not now. I don't know when I'll ever forgive my father for what he's done to me.
"Yes you are." He gives me a light chuckle, making me think this is the jovial version of him.
"Whatever. I'm bathing. Can't I at least have some privacy?"
"No, you can't. Everything is mine, including you. So things like privacy no longer exist."
"You're such an asshole."
"Yes I am." Flashing me a deadly smile, he straightens and runs a hand through his hair.
Then, against my better judgment, I allow my wanton eyes to drift over his body.
This is the first we've seen of each other since the other night and for some ungodly reason, he looks hotter than he did before. It's his beard. It's fuller.
And with his wet hair sticking to his skin, it gives a better view of the precise sculpt of his angular face. I'm sure FHM wouldn't hesitate to christen him 'the world's sexiest' in their next issue.