Free Dragonfae & The Soul Catcher by H. C. Brown Page A

to a pool? I will see what Coventina has to offer.” He pulled off his boots. “Wait here, I’ll not be long.”
    Thalia allowed Albert to wander to the edge of the brook. She climbed down to find a spot to empty her bladder. How did she tell a man she needed to relieve herself? Deciding to stretch her legs, she walked towards a group of weeping willows, their graceful green limbs brushing the fast-flowing water. She watched a yellow-billed duck bob countless times for fish and listened to the buzz of dragonflies hovering over the water. Leaning against the rough bark of a willow, she watched Lumos break the surface and throw objects onto the bank, then dive again. The Fae dived many times, and finally, after throwing a rusty sword onto the bank, swam for shore.
    With a surge of water, Lumos’ tanned body emerged from the pool. Thalia held her breath. Goddess, she had never seen a naked man before. Unable to look away, she took in the width of Lumos’ shoulders, the way the rippling muscles of his back narrowed to a slim waist. She marvelled at the roundness of his buttocks, the defined muscles in his strong thighs. As if Lumos felt her hot glare on him, he turned around slowly, looked her straight in the eye, and raised one perfect, black eyebrow. Thalia’s face grew hot, but she could not drag her eyes off the perfectly formed man. The Fae stood tall and proud like a bronzed warrior. His long, wet hair fell over one shoulder and stuck to his massive chest. She took in all of him, lingering far too long on his remarkable sex. Her tongue stuck to the roof of her parched mouth. She dragged the tip over dry lips. This man had skin like a peach and she could see every generous part of him.
    Thalia wanted to look away but at that moment, Lumos turned his impressive back on her, shook the water from his hair like a dog, and strode from the pool. Face burning, Thalia ran back to the wagon. She sought comfort in the memory of Lumos’ words. “It is not a sin to look at another’s body.”
     She reached for the water bottle, and, lifted it to her lips, and sipped slowly. The memory of Lumos’ golden body made that strange sensation coil in her belly again. She clenched her thighs together. Her breasts ached. Dampness slicked her folds. Why did he do this to her?
    “I’ve found many things of use.” Lumos pushed his way through the willow branches and grinned at Thalia. “Look.” He dropped a sword from under one arm and spilled the contents bundled in his shirt onto the grass.
    Thalia climbed down from the wagon. Thank the gods he has put his pants back on. She noticed the sudden flare of Lumos’ nostrils, the setting of his jaw. Had he noticed her reaction to him? She sank to her knees to view the mound of treasure.
    “This is wonderful…but that sword is useless.”
    “I can sharpen it with a whetstone and the river sand will remove the rust. I’ll work on removing the rust a little each night. It is a fine sword, well balanced.” Lumos sorted through the coins and jewels. “There is enough here to buy clothes and perhaps another horse. We will reach the foot of the mountains soon. The way will soon be too steep for Albert to pull the wagon.”
    Thalia ran her fingers over a gold, jewel-encrusted dagger untouched by the water. “I cannot ride Albert. I have never ridden a horse. I’m sorry.”
    “Then we will buy a donkey to carry our supplies and you will ride with me on Albert.” Lumos lifted her chin. “I will buy a scabbard for that dagger. Keep it with you always.” He ran his thumb over Thalia’s bottom lip. “You will not look me in the eye. Don’t be ashamed. I like it when you look at me, little one.” He sighed. “I’m not permitted to enter sacred water wearing clothes as it’s an insult to the gods. I hope I didn’t frighten you with my nakedness.”
    Swallowing hard, Thalia touched Lumos’ thumb with her tongue. The taste of him thrilled her. Shivery sensations racked her folds in