Warrior Rising (Goddess Summoning #6)(67)

“Yes, you have. And the berserker can be defeated; I know it.” Slowly and deliberately, Kat rose on her tiptoes, while pulling him gently down to her. She kissed him softly. She didn’t linger or deepen the kiss, but she also didn’t make a frightened rush to get away. The kiss was her promise to him that the future he’d dreamed could be real. But she didn’t push it—she didn’t push him. Smiling, Kat looked down at the basket. “If this shrine has been abandoned for years, how did this get here?”

“Your wish to bathe reminded me of this place. While you slept today I brought these things out here. I thought you might enjoy getting away together.” He said the words with his usual gruff confidence, but Kat could see the question in his eyes. One sign of fear or hesitation in her would undo him.

“You were absolutely right—it’s a great idea.”

He smiled and bowed with exaggerated formality. “Your bath awaits, Princess, and then we shall dine on whatever I frightened Aetnia into packing.”

Kat shook her head at him. “It’s probably a couple arsenic sandwiches with a side dish of glass stew.” Then she glanced down at the clear pool of water and her throat suddenly felt dry. “Have you checked it to be sure that there aren’t any slimy things in there that might be waiting to eat me?”

“Would the word of a sea goddess reassure you?”

Surprised, Kat looked around the little tree-lined oasis. “Is your mom here?”

“She came with me earlier today and made quite certain everything was safe for you.”

“I’ve got to quit sleeping so much. I miss everything.” Kat took a step closer to the water. It did look harmless and utterly inviting. And it would be so good to get completely clean.

Achilles cleared his throat. She met his eyes.

“I’ll be here, with my back turned while you bathe. You need only call out to me and I can be by your side in an instant.”

“Wouldn’t it be better if you kept an eye on me? What if something grabs me and I can’t call out to you.” Kat watched the different emotions play across his face: desire and fear and need. When she realized fear was winning out, she said, “Why is it that the berserker doesn’t possess you when you argue with Agamemnon? Doesn’t he make you terribly angry?”

He looked surprised at her question, but answered readily enough. “Of course he does. The old bastard rarely fails to anger me.”

“Then why doesn’t the berserker possess you?” she asked again.

Achilles shrugged. “I suppose because I’ve grown accustomed to how he makes me feel. I tell myself it’s just Agamemnon, and the king is not a battle I am allowed to fight.”

“Then why not tell yourself that I am just Katrina, the woman you desire. This is the way I make you feel, and I am not a battle you are allowed to fight.”

She saw hope flare and then die in his eyes. Achilles shook his head. “No. It is not the same thing.”

“It could be if you believed it was.”

He kept shaking his head. “No. I will not chance it.”

“Well, I will. Listen—you have warning before the berserker possesses you, don’t you?”

“Some,” he said reluctantly.

“Okay. It’s simple then. You sit down up there. Make yourself comfortable. There’s wine in that basket, right?”

"Yes.”

“Drink it and relax. I’ll bathe. You keep an eye on me to be sure nothing stings me senseless.” She held up her hand when he opened his mouth. “Yes, I know. Jacky says I’m already lacking sense.” His lips twitched. “You really shouldn’t listen to her.”

“At this moment her observations seem very insightful,” Achilles said.

She frowned at him in mock severity. “Whatever you do, don’t ever tell her that. So, you sit up there. I’ll bathe. Everything will be just fine.”

“And if it isn’t?”

“If you start to look crazy I’ll use my panic button.” She lifted the locket that still hung around her neck.

He looked doubtful. “Venus might be busy.”

“Nah, she gave me her word. Plus she is one seriously nosy goddess. She’ll be here, even if it’s just to gather gossip.” Kat walked the few steps back to him and put her hand gently on his arm. “Here’s the deal. You need to believe in yourself and in your ability to keep me safe as much as I believe in you.”

“You believe I can keep you safe?”

Kat smiled into his scarred, life-battered face. “Of course I do. You have kept me safe.” She kissed him softly on the cheek then started determinedly toward her waiting bath, crossing her fingers in front of her and sending up a silent prayer to Venus, If you have to watch, maybe now would be a good time…

* * *

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

What in the holy hell had she been thinking? Kat tried not to hesitate too long while she frantically decided how best to take off her clothes without seeming too enticing, and yet also not seeming like she was scared shitless and bolting for the concealing water.

Concealing water? Kat squinted down at the clear little pool. Where were algae and a good dose of clouding pollution when you needed them? Get if over with, Katrina, she ordered herself. She pulled off the light green silk outer robe that had replaced the new blue one the gross sea things had ruined. Her underrobes were soft layers of eggshell silk. Kat let them fall around her feet. She hadn’t really thought about the fact that neither panties nor a bra had come with any of her outfits—until then. Just remind yourself that you’re glad he’s looking at this tight young little body, versus your pushing forty-year-old, needing to lose fifteen pounds and take your flabby butt to the gym body.