Chapter 4

Four

Astra

W hen the sun comes up, a mist hangs over the mountains outside the bedroom's window. I want to ignore the letter still perched on my nightstand, but it calls to me.

Picking it up, I note the way his handwriting is neat, curved, and masculine. He has strong hands, but he said he's a musician. He cooks like it's all he'll ever do. The dinner last night was one of the best meals of my life.

Niko is interesting, and I can't escape thinking about him. I slip my finger under the corner of the envelope and tear the paper.

Dear Astra

First, I would like to thank you for agreeing to this marriage. At first, I was hesitant, but your father insisted that a match between us would be favorable. Generally, I'm not led by the will of gods or demigods like Nocturn, but he convinced me to think about it.

I apologize for not coming to New York directly. While I long to meet you in person, I have a life in Canada that I need to sort out. I own three restaurants for which I have to hire a general manager. Each has its own, but with me out of the country, I'll need someone to oversee the entire operation.

As you can imagine, this will take me some time. I will come as soon as possible. I said at the start of this letter that I was initially uncertain about this arrangement. However, from the first moment I saw your photograph, I knew this was my only path.

I hope you feel the same and look forward to getting to know you before I arrive.

Sincerely,

Niko Barbaros

The soft sounds of a guitar filter through the house as I hold the letter against my chest. What did he see in the picture? What photo had Father sent? It would be just like Father to send a photo to this stranger while leaving me in the dark about everything. Father didn't want me to have time to make plans and run away.

If I had known Niko was kind before I came out of the tree, I would have told him I was tricked and wanted to leave.

A tear spills from my eye at the thought of never touching my forest again.

Dashing it away, I tuck the letter back into its envelope and get out of bed.

This deal with Niko ensures that I'll never have to leave my home.

Once I'm wearing a light-blue sundress, I follow the sound downstairs, where I find a sticky note on the counter next to a smartphone.

The phone is for you. Pancakes are in the warming drawer. N

Grinning like a child at Yule, I tuck the phone into the pocket of my dress and round the counter to find the scent of vanilla and a blue light, which lead me to a stainless-steel drawer and a plate full of palm-sized pancakes.

There's syrup on the counter, but I eat the delectable morsels plain.

He's trying to win me over with the best food of my life and so far, it's working. However, I'm still leaving in six days. I'm just doing so with a full belly.

On the porch overlooking the lake and valley, Niko sits strumming an acoustic guitar. He smiles as I open the French door. "Did you eat?"

"Yes. Thank you. They were delicious." I walk to the railing and breathe in my trees. "This is a good view."

"I'm glad you like it." He stops playing.

"Thank you for the phone. You didn't have to do that. I've managed a great many years without one." I touch the glass object in my pocket.

"But now you have pockets and I can call you." Chest bare, he puts the guitar aside and steps beside me.

"Buying me clothes and objects will not make me stay past our deal." There's no point in giving him false hope. I've already hurt the Wyvern this week, I don't want to hurt Niko too.

"I know that, Astra. I thought you might like to go into town or to the lake, and I would like the ability to come to your aid, should you need me." He grips the railing with white knuckles, but his expression is soft. Only the whitening of his knuckles indicates he's less than under control.

"Have I upset you?" I slide my hand over his, hoping to ease whatever I've done.

"No." He pulls his hand away. "I'm unable to control my arousal and I feel foolish. That's all."

Mind your own business and go in the house. You can go for that walk and that will get you away from him and ease his situation. I'm practically yelling inside my head to go, but I face him and study the set of his jaw and the kindness in his dark eyes. "I've heard that some satyrs are always erect. That must be inconvenient." My nipples tighten and rub against my new dress.

One side of his mouth tips up. "I imagine that's true, but until a few weeks ago I had been in full control of my cock since my teen years."

"Oh. Then I'm the problem. I'll go for that walk." I never want to harm anyone and his condition must be very uncomfortable.

Before I can get away, he wraps his hand around my upper arm. His breath tickles the shell of my ear. "You are not a problem, Astra. Wanting you is not an inconvenience."

The soft, strong tone of his voice reminds me that his hands have the same quality. It's likely he's a very good lover with both tenderness and intensity. My clit pulses and my breath catches. "That's a nice thing to say. I'll visit my trees and you can…do what you need to do to…" My cheeks heat. I can't remember ever being embarrassed before, but I'm sure I'm blushing.

"Does the notion of me masturbating bother you?" His grip eases and he skims his fingers along the inside of my elbow.

Bother is an interesting choice of words. "I'm going for a swim." I step out of his reach and without looking back, rush through the house and out the front door.

Even as I run my fingers over the trunks of trees and hear their deep voices echoing their health, my mind will not give me peace. I envision Niko's big hand wrapped around his thick, hard cock. I know he's running that hand from base to tip and thinking of me, or maybe about some woman he left in Canada. Why should I feel jealous? He's not mine. It's normal to be sexually aroused by a man with a large cock. It's normal to want to have sex.

I run through the woods, kicking off the uncomfortable shoes so I can feel the earth beneath my feet. Moving faster and faster down the side of the mountain, I only slow when I hear a strange beep and my pocket vibrates.

It can only be one person. It can only be a beautiful satyr. I lift the phone from and see Niko's name on the screen. I click and a text opens.

Niko:

I'm not chasing you. Why are you running?

I look back at the house. Can he see me this far away? Do satyrs have exceptional senses? I should have studied harder when I was young.

Astra:

I would know if someone was chasing me. The trees would tell me.

Niko:

Good to know.

Astra:

Are you angry that I left?

Three dots blink for a moment then disappear.

Niko:

No. Come back when you're ready. I have things to occupy my time until you return.

I slip the phone back into my pocket and continue to wonder if he's masturbating. Why can't I get him out of my head? I never fantasize about sex. I'm the seducer, not the one who is seduced. Men want me because I'm a nymph and my magic is to lure people away. I've never been much for keeping any of the lovers I've seduced. After a while, it's a bore to manipulate humans and monsters. Besides, it reminds me too much of my father's passion for getting people to do his bidding.

At the edge of the lake, I strip out of my dress, careful to make sure my new phone is safe. I wade in to my thighs, then deeper. The cold water helps alleviate some of my pent-up longing for Niko and his big cock. The way I'm thinking about it, it's as if I've seen him naked. Perhaps it's worse to have an idea about something than the truth. However, there's little doubt from the way it moves his kilt that a lot is hiding under there.

I swim to the center and float on my back while the sun rises higher in a clear blue sky. Still warm, the day should be perfect. As I become one with the water, it occurs to me that I like Niko. Damn. That's the problem. Father ruins everything. If he hadn't forced a satyr on me, it might be different. There's no way I'm letting Father win. "Never!"

D amp from swimming but no less aroused than hours before, I walk up the path from the lake to the house. I touch as many trees as I can. At the bottom of the stairs that lead up to the porch, I take a deep breath.

Niko is wearing a chambray shirt with the buttons open to mid-chest. He has a glass of iced tea halfway to his lips when he stops to watch me climb the last few steps. He puts the glass down. "Are you alright?"

"I need sex. Can you help?" It's the only thing that makes sense. Once the deed is done, the aching for it will disappear as it always does. This is just my nature.

His kilt jerks violently. Closing his eyes, he groans. "Astra, is that really what you want?"

Sitting next to him, I'm careful not to touch him.

"I could seduce a human. There's a campground ten miles?—"

"No." He swallows hard, his Adam's apple bobbing alluringly. "I mean, please don't."

"I tried to take care of it myself, but that was not satisfying and I think it's because you are here. I could run far away, but I promised you a week and this is only the second day. All I'm asking is for some mutual satisfaction and then we'll both be more comfortable." It's hardly a difficult matter.

His face tightens as if I've caused him pain. He runs his hands over his hair and grips one of his horns.

Suddenly, my need to touch his horns grows. I wonder if they're smooth or rough, warm or cool. I've never been much for longing. In fact, I'll admit to being a bit spoiled. Freedom is really the only thing I've ever lacked and even that is a matter of opinion. My father didn't lock me in a tower; he demanded I follow the old ways, which includes my marrying at his whim.

I stifle my thoughts about both men and focus on what I want. I need relief from sexual tension. "Will you help me?"

"This is not how I imagined you wanting me." His voice is tight and deeper than usual.

His phone vibrates from the middle of the tray holding a pitcher of iced tea and two glasses.

Father's name flashes at the center of the screen.

My need is replaced with anger. "What does he want now?"

Picking up the phone, Niko sighs. "He delayed the nuptials and now our wedding hour approaches."

Looking at the clock on my phone, I realize he's probably right. It's afternoon. I get up and narrow my gaze at Niko. "Neither you nor my father will bully me."