It wasn't until Katarina was safely tucked in a taxi and on her way to him that Viktor took his first deep breath since Carlyle's call. She wasn't safe out in the world. He'd been patient and followed all the rules. Taught and trained the six other Kings the way Zeus had instructed. Stayed away from his mate until she'd sought him out and now it was time for him to bring her home... to make her his. Viktor knew he was ready. It had, after all, been three thousand years.
Everything was set when he arrived at the office just a few minutes ahead of Katarina. He knew the minute she crossed the threshold of his building. Counted the floors as she ascended towards the thirty-second floor. His heart beat faster every step she took closer to him after exiting the lift. Pride surged through him as he heard her appreciation of his art and looked forward to the day he could paint every square inch of her beautiful body.
Katarina stood in awe of Poseidon's Temple at Cape Sounion . Viktor vowed right then and there it would be the first place he took her after their mating. He imagined her bathing in all her naked glory in the waters of the Aegean. So moved by his thoughts, Viktor threw caution to the wind and closed the distance between them. Her scent permeated every fiber of his being. She was light and life and everything good in a world where he knew only of the dark and dank and evil.
She turned to face him and time stood still. He'd known she was beautiful, had seen her hundreds of times through her own eyes, but it was a pale comparison to the impact her true beauty had on him in person. Katarina Romalesky had a vibrant spirit. She knew the difference between having it all and having nothing. At a young age, she'd suffered loss, known pain, and lived to tell the tale that inspired instead of discouraged. Everything about her ran deep. She took nothing for granted. Was thankful for every little thing she had. Gave of herself, her time, and her talents freely, without reservation and expecting nothing in return.
The keeper of his heart knew how to laugh, was ready with a genuine smile, and had a laugh that lit up an entire room. Without a doubt she knew how to love and would fight to the death to protect those she held dear. Katarina was hope...his hope, and Viktor had no doubt he could live forever solely in her orbit.
Looking into her eyes, he saw not the grey of ash and gravel, but the grey of goose down or the sky after the rain an instant before the sun breaks through. To say they were simply grey was an understatement, for as he looked into their depths, he saw shades of blue and green...even lavender. They shone like the polished grey moonstones the priests of his first life believed to have been formed from drops of moonlight and to contain the dreams of the ages.
Her long, wavy hair flowed and danced like fire in the wind with her every move, impeccably framing her heart-shaped face. Viktor had no doubt it would rival the softest silk if he dared to run his fingers through it. Tiny freckles, almost undetectable by the human eye, dotted her nose, emphasizing the ivory of her flawless complexion.
Katarina's lips were the pale pink of the sweet oleanders that grew along the coast of Greece. They were opened just slightly, giving the only indication, other than her thundering heart, that she was as moved by their meeting as he. She was tall, with a figure that begged to be worshipped. He'd admired the fullness of her bottom before she turned around and envisioned the moment his hands would trace every sensual curve and erotic dip from her head to her toes.
When she'd commented about her bucket list, Viktor had almost laughed out loud. His mate would have forever to do whatever she desired, whenever she desired it. There would be no need for a bucket list, he would make sure she wanted for absolutely nothing...for eternity.
"You're being awfully quiet over there, Viktor," Roman commented in a tone that said he was up to no good.
"Just enjoying the view," was his only response as his double entendre was left hanging in the air.
Katarina's gaze flashed in his direction. Once again he was ensnared. For the next several heartbeats, they stared deeply into one another's eyes. For the first time, Viktor attempted to mentally communicate with his mate. He started simply by sending the feelings of warmth and acceptance. Tuning into her heartbeat, he was pleased to hear it very quickly stutter before slowing to a nice even pace that matched his own. Smiling to himself, Viktor leaned farther back into his seat and enjoyed the rest of the ride.
Once they reached the hotel, Katarina was a blur as she called over her shoulder, "I promise it won't take me longer than fifteen minutes."
"Take your time, dilectum meum. We'll be here when you return." He knew she hadn't understood the use of his native tongue but couldn't resist showing her just a touch of affection.
"I heard that," Roman mused when Katarina disappeared behind the lift doors.
"Yes, and?"
"Oh nothing. I also felt your little experiment in the limo."
"Again, I say...yes, and?"
"Nothing..." Whatever Roman was going to say was cut off by the ring of his cell phone.
Pointing toward the kitchen, Viktor strode through the hotel he'd purchased just a few hours after Katarina had confirmed her reservation. It had always been in the plans for KI to purchase lodgings of some sort, and when he'd felt how much his mate loved the place simply from the pictures on the internet, he'd made an offer. Surprisingly, the previous owner was looking to vacate the hospitality industry, so as they say, it was meant to be.
Being out of the public eye for almost twenty years was good for many things, the one most pressing was the ability to inspect his property without anyone knowing he was there. It was a little disconcerting that no one questioned a stranger in the kitchen but then again...they were extremely busy. He watched as the twelve occupants worked like a well-oiled machine chopping, cooking, and handing plates one right after another to the wait staff as they filed through.
Viktor decided he'd speak to the chef at a later date. If Katarina was pleased with what she'd eaten, the supreme commander was happy-she was all that mattered. Besides, the kitchen was performing efficiently and there were so many succulent smells his stomach growled.
I'm content...for now. Besides, Katarina is almost ready.
Viktor strolled through the lobby pleased with his investment. It wouldn't have mattered if no one was there and the property was millions in debt. His mate had dreamt about owning it and it was his duty to grant her every wish. Therefore, as soon as Katarina Romalesky became Katarina Katsaros, it would be hers.
Turning the corner, he felt Roman's frustration from across the room. Tuning into his second-in-command's phone conversation, Viktor's irritation soared as well. Moving as quickly as he could while still keeping the guise of being human, the supreme commander seized the phone from Roman and growled through gritted teeth, "Why, may I ask, do you have our satietas set up for tonight, Nikos? The dark of the moon is not for two more nights. Is there some pressing issue that will justify this change in our code?"
"Well, um...no...it just kinda happened. Morgan, my steward, called to say they'd all confirmed for tonight. I thought it was something either you or Roman had set up so I went with it. Then I mentioned it to Bain. He said to call you guys and that's what I did. I thought we were all good until Roman got pissed. Do you want me to reschedule them?"
Viktor contemplated how this could've happened and what consequences feeding early would have on the younger of the Kings, like Nikos. They had all done it before, but always out of necessity or when one had lost too much blood in battle, never over a scheduling issue. It all somehow seemed so mundane, so...human. In the end, the Unum decided it was better to go ahead with it since those loyal to them were already on their way to Sanguinem.
"We'll have to make an exception this time. Remember discretion, Nikos. Sometimes, that seems to elude you but tonight it is more important than ever. My custos animae will be with me. I will tolerate no mistakes, am I clear?" Then added, "And find out who gave the order for the change. I want to speak to the responsible party...personally. Disobedience will not be tolerated."
"Ita vero, Imperator." Nikos quickly answered in the native tongue, letting Viktor know the young King understood the gravity of the situation.
"Vale, Rex." Viktor signed off in kind, still uneasy with the way the evening was unfolding.