On the Move by Catherine Vale Read Free Book Online Page B

other bowl. Crush them and wrap them against the skin.”
    She glanced in the bowl, picking up a sprig of dried herb. “This?” She sniffed. It wasn’t anything she recognized. Griffin nodded and she crushed the herb, sprinkling it over the cloth. It released a pungent scent and she sneezed. Griffin laughed softly.
    “It’s definitely a different scent.”
    “This helps the bones set.”
    “So you admit you have broken bones?” She smiled as she carefully wrapped the strip of cloth around his hand. The broken ends ground together beneath her fingers and she cringed. Griffin had gone a bit pale, but she knew the hand wouldn’t heal correctly, shifter or not, if some kind of wrapping wasn’t applied.
    “I’ll admit…to that.” His voice was strained and she hurried to finish wrapping the hand, tying off the ends of the cloth. Griffin drew a deep breath through clenched teeth, examining his hand.
    “It feels better.”
    He glanced up as she laughed.
    “Not by the look on your face. But I guess I can only take your word. Now, lie down and I’ll clean up the rest of your wounds.”
    Griffin tossed her a look, the imperious expression returning. She was pushing his limits, and for a moment she expected him to pull away. But his expression softened.
    “I’d almost forgotten how headstrong you are.” He rose, coming to his full height. She was suddenly aware of his body, the scent of him, that he was naked. It set her heart pounding and she had to look away, even though they’d slept together, and they were mated. He’d fought for her, risked his life, and come away as the winner. But he was still a stranger to her.
    “I will submit to you.”
    She looked up, blinking at his words. His voice was soft, but firm, and his eyes on her face were intense.
    “In heart, in soul, in body, in life. From this day forward, I give my life for you. You are mine, Addison, and I am yours. And here, in this hut, I will submit to you.”
    A tear slid down her check and Griffin reached out, brushing it away with his thumb. “Do not cry. Don’t be sad. I know you miss your home, your sister…”
    She shook her head. “No. It’s not just that. It’s just…no one has ever…no man has ever said words like that to me.”
    He shrugged. “It’s my vow to you. The vow I should have said, if we had a true ritual. Those are the words from my heart.”
    She felt her face grow warm, suddenly conscious of how small the hut was, and how large the bed suddenly seemed.
    “No man has ever seen the treasure you are then, and given themselves over to that. You are a rare flower, delicate but strong, beautiful but with thorns.” He smiled, his hand caressing her cheek.
    “You were put in my path by the Gods, but it was my duty to see what you are, to see the gift they gave to me. I didn’t see it at first; I saw a way to get what I wanted. And that was all. But you opened my eyes.”
    He leaned down, kissing her softly. She reached out, placing a hand on his chest, fingers moving over his warm skin. She’d never felt this before, this intense sense of belonging to someone, knowing they belonged to her just as deeply.
    Her hands traveled lower, sliding over his taut stomach until they came across dried blood. She pulled away, looking up into his eyes.
    “Lay down. Now. I’m not done with you.” With an effort she stepped away from him.
    “I should hope not.” His arrogant smile was back and it set her heart pounding again. She knew behind that arrogance was a very confident man, one who had every reason to be. With his unbound hand he pulled the pelts from the pallet and sat on the edge.
    “I am yours. Do with me what you will.” He laid back, unbound hand behind his head, broken hand resting on his chest. Addison looked at him, trying to focus on his wounds, but her eyes were drawn to the rest of his body, the broad shoulders, flat stomach, long legs. As hard as she tried, for a moment she was unable to do anything but stare.