To Defend A Bride (Entangled with the Enduar #3)

Chapter 5

Chapter 5

MELISA

I never imagined that I’d be wandering through tunnels filled with glow-spiders, cave bears, and these trolls who call themselves Enduares, but here we are. Deep underground. Far from the sunlight that used to warm me every morning.

Shortly after arriving and being swept up in a sea of blue folk, we were fed and found places to sleep. When I didn’t see Ra’Sa, I decided to continue exploring. I looked inside empty houses and around corners and found mushrooms, small beasts with glowing eyes, and no shortage of wonders.

Begrudgingly, I fully accepted that Estela had been telling the truth about this place.

Blood doesn’t stain the walls, and there are hundreds of gentle monsters willing to help the humans.

I need to get Thea and Wren here as quickly as possible, ideally before their birthdays in a few weeks.

Griselda… well. I don’t know if Griselda would come.

As we trekked back from Zlosa, I’d pictured myself touring Enduvida in a few hours and then making my decision. Regardless of my choice, I would leave the city. Either to go for my family, or return to hell on earth.

That plan crumbled when I saw the Enduares and elves fighting those beasts. I saw their dead bodies. They had teeth and claws.

I don’t know how to fight. Navigating across terrains as brutal as the ones we crossed are for those with more worldly experience.

In the last hour, traversing through tunnels, I’d considered finally seducing Ra’Sa and asking him to take me. The worry with that option is that he will report to the Enduar king, and everyone will start asking questions about where I am going.

I don’t think I’m ready to tell them about the girls yet.

Estela could be an option. She is kind and might keep my secret.

But, then again, she once confided that Enduar mates can speak to each other’s mind. The lack of privacy sounds awful.

As each exit strategy proves futile, nerves congregate in my chest, and I keep exploring. Everything is beautiful in this city, from the golden metalwork to the red crystal temple in the middle of the city, pulsing with life. The houses are finer than any hut I’ve ever seen.

Letting my hand stretch out, I brush my fingers along the smooth stone walls. A small spider steps onto my hand. I watch it dance across my palm for a second.

I’ve always felt a strange kinship with creatures after working with the cattle, even grotesque ones such as spiders. Insects and beasts do not inspire fear—not when giants and men can be so much worse.

That was why I tamed Coco. She’d been a snarling, injured wolf found bleeding between the trees. I nursed her back to health, and then she helped me through some of the most gruesome moments of my life.

Unexpectedly, I find the entrance to what looks like the bathing pools. I take a deep breath and walk inside. This place has a pleasant sound, like music playing in another room.

The tune plucks out echoes of bittersweet grief, and if I try hard enough, I can feel little hands pressed against my thighs and hips, wanting to be picked up. I push those thoughts away. They have no place in my head right now.

The closer I get to the humid pool, the more I feel itchy with grime. I hate being dirty. Washing away the trek should help me sleep, and tomorrow, I can find a way back to Zlosa.

The lighting in the room is dim. It’s like dozens of cool-toned candles flicker on the walls. Pretty effect, but I prefer the sunlight.

More glow lights up the end of the small cavern, and I stare at the round, glowing bulbs with delicate curly tendrils splayed across the stone walls. They bloom in clusters and remind me of twirling sea creatures.

Movement from the water draws my eyes to the pools. I look around, not expecting anyone to be here. Then I see a man, suspended in the middle of the pool, head tilted downward.

Silvery, braided hair floats behind him, and his arms are outstretched on either side. I recognize the broad shoulders and pointed ears.

Ra’Sa.

He looks like…

Oh gods, he looks like he’s drowned.

Godsdamnit. I need him alive.

“Ra’Sa?” I call.

No response.

Fuck.

My chest tightens to the point of pain. I grab my cloak, untie the ribbon at my neck, and throw it to the ground along with my red dress. With nothing more than a thin slip and the loincloth tied around my hips, I dive headfirst into the water.

“Ra’Sa!” I shout. The pool is much deeper than I thought.

Large crystals shine underwater, pulsing erratically, and little bioluminescent flecks sparkle along my skin as I swim forward.

Just as I reach to grab him, he turns around, pulling his head out of the water.

“What on earth are you doing?” he demands.

I stop swimming and swish my hands back and forth to help me tread water. It doesn’t work as well as I’d like, and some water gets in my mouth.

I sputter and push over to the side of the pool. “Saving you! You looked like you had drowned .”

His hand moves gracefully, and he glides through the water with ease. A strange expression appears on his face as his eyes search me. Then those glittering blue eyes dip lower.

I look down at my breasts. They are just barely skimming the top of the water, and the cool cave air causes my nipples to harden.The thin fabric reveals just about everything.

My eyes go to my arms and wrists, and I see the notches carved in my flesh. I’m glad the water hides them because a mostly naked woman could be just what Ra’Sa needs to lose control.

The Enduar quickly snaps his gaze back up to my face.

Annnd… nevermind .

His face softens. “That was kind of you.”

That may be the closest thing to a compliment he’s ever given me. I should preen, but a part of me is confused. If he were a human or a giant, he would’ve come closer to me. He would’ve wanted to touch me. Move me to be on full display.

“Anyone would’ve done the same.”

An awkward silence fills the air between us. A pool apart. His simple shirt clings to his blue skin as he swims even further away from me.

I’d already resigned myself to his pushing out of the pool and leaving me alone. But he finally says, “I didn’t realize anyone would be here this late.”

I look around the glowing areas, marveling at the glinting crystal that catches my eye deep in the water. Thea would love this.

“I didn’t think anyone would be here either,” I say.

He pushes off the corner of the pool, gliding through the water with expert grace. My breath hitches as he comes closer, his clothes showcasing the sinewy bulge of his muscles with perfect, glittering clarity.

When he’s close enough to touch, he treads water. I sink deeper into the warmth of the pool, easing the chilly ache across my breasts.

This is the first time he’s willingly stayed near me, and I don’t want to waste this moment. I’ve never seduced a man in water, but I figure the mechanics will be the same.

One fuck to freedom.

Suddenly, a long blue tail skims across the top of the water, brushing my arm. I flinch away, not realizing what it is.

“And why are you here?” Ra’Sa asks, frowning at my reaction.

Mierda. ? 1

I turn around fully, and I let my chest be visible just under the water’s surface.

Come closer, I urge silently.

“I needed to bathe.”

Offer to help.

He nods thoughtfully, turning around. “I will leave you then.”

Something twists in my gut as he swims to the opposite edge of the pool. What did I do wrong? Is he really so unaffected?

Desperation has my heart racing. He can’t leave yet. I’m supposed to be cementing this relationship.

“Wait!” I call after him.

He turns back toward me. The faint light outlines his features in a stunning, cool silver. I admire the straight line of his nose and his full, purplish lips. They purse slightly as his eyes of pure open skies meet mine.

I swallow.

Just go for it.

“Why were you here?”

Different emotions flash across his face as he considers his words. “I like the song of these pools.”

Huh. How surprisingly honest.

“I don’t think I hear the song.” My voice is soft. “Will you show me?”

“You would… want me to stay?” he says slowly.

“Yes,” I respond instantly.

His eyebrows furrow. “Do you humans not worry over others seeing you so exposed?”

I bite my lip. “We do sometimes. But I don’t mind you looking.”

I watch as his throat bobs and feel a sort of satisfaction.

He comes even closer than before, sparkling water rippling around us. Heat radiates off of him. It’s pleasant in the warm water.

“You saw my magic on the trek here. I am what my people call a Stone Bender. I can shift most rocks—large or small—and change them. I feel them like I feel my heartbeat. I speak to them just how I speak to you now.”

His tail brushes over my bare calf, and I cease listening.

I’ve been used and touched a thousand times. I can do this.

Reaching out, I place my hand on his chest. His pulse stutters under my touch, and then his hand envelopes mine.

He removes my hand.

“Silence remains,” he mutters so quietly I can hardly hear.

“What did you say?”

His eyes snap back open. “Nothing.”

“Can you change the notes in the song?”

He smiles, and it takes my breath away.

“Hold your breath and sink down until your ears are submerged.”

I obey but also venture to open my eyes underwater. The beautiful blues, reds, and greens sparkle before me. Ra’Sa takes a deep breath and lets out an enormous air bubble with sweet melodies.

Sound travels differently through the water. It’s fractured and distorted, but when the sound hits the crystals, they sing together.

It’s a louder song than the one following me through the caves.

It… dazzles me.

It’s also full of sadness and mourning. I understand such feelings, having left behind my family to come here and see if it was safe for them to follow.

My chest starts to hurt, and I push up through the water’s surface before the panic can set in—no need to have an attack with this hulking, blue Enduar next to me.

Need to be alone.

I take a few deep breaths. As he exits the water, he asks, “Are you well? I didn’t realize humans cannot last so long without air.”

The attack, threatening to steal all my breath, doesn’t subside, so I force him away. “I’m fine. Thank you.”

He frowns but retreats.

I mourn his loss, wrapping my arms around my chest.

“Very well. There is usually soap left along the back wall.”

I fix a practiced smile on my face and wait for him to leave.

His wet footprints across the cave floor unsettle me as I wait in the warm water.

Once he’s gone, I retrieve some soap and take a long breath. He didn’t seem mad.

Tomorrow, I’ll kiss him. It will drive him wild and make up for… whatever this was.

All is not lost.