“Tell me about the forests of your tribe, Johann.”

“I wouldn’t know, I’ve only been in one and I don’t like to think about it.”

Zafira lay sprawled beside him in the king-sized bed. No, not even kings had beds that encompassed an entire room and lived up to the name bedroom.

“Why not? Do your people fear nature, my sweet boy?” She leaned over and kissed him again. The raspberry flavor of her lips enticed him to want more.

“No, of course not.” He paused, taking in her ample curves. “There are stories of those that go missing in the forests and lots of people believe they are mystical.”

“Is that what you think?”

The women from Germany were hard on him. As a student and assistant from a lower middle-class family, he wasn’t worth the attention of proper ladies. Only Charlotte had given him a chance. That chance expired four months into the war when she broke off their engagement to marry a businessman from Berlin. Johann laid a hand on Zafira’s soft, yet, cold skin. It startled him at first and he pulled away but as the night grew longer, he became accustomed to her nearness.

“There’s no such thing as witchcraft or mysticism. Only facts we discover through science. We’re not afraid of the forest because we can cut it down. Lions scare children. A man with a rifle need not fear anything in the world.”

“Hmmm,” she hissed in his ear. “That sounds strong. What is this rifle you speak of?”

Johann held his arms out. “It’s a long piece of wood and metal. When you activate it, there is an explosion and metal is thrust out.”

Zafira used the opportunity to wriggle in under his arm. “I see, and this makes your people powerful. Do you have a rifle?”

Johann shook his head. “It’s lost. I joined the army because of my friends but I lost them as well.”

As the hours went by with them talking and touching, the caution and fear he once felt for her dwindled away. The image of the American being torn apart faded and was replaced by pleasure. Zafira’s German was rusty, but they understood each other. Each time she made a mistake, he would point it out and they would laugh. She was intriguing and interested in him as well. He told her all about the Kaiser and the navy. France and Russia pitted up on either side with Germany caught in the middle.

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“Then your wish came true. Your tribe sounds fascinating. Tell me everything there is to know.”

“Just one thing,” Johann said, easing out of her embrace. “How is that you speak such good German?”

Zafira swiftly moved on top of him, thighs pressing against his sides. The woman grinned as he gave out a low moan. She rocked her hips and slipped both hands in under his shirt. Her nails clawed at his chest. “A friend I once met taught me. I like to consider myself an eager learner.”

“You’re exceptionally talented.” Johann sat upright and fondled her breast. He leaned in and kissed her cleavage. She gasped as he slowly made his way up her neck. Heat seeped into every inch of his body and gave rise to that which remained hidden. When he moved up to kiss her lips, she held a finger to his mouth. A little confused, he let himself fall back onto the bed.

“Go on. You were telling me about the many wonders of your people.”

“Can’t it wait until after?”

Zafira’s eyes darkened until they resembled a vial of ink. Her lips pulled into a deep frown.

“I’m sorry.” Johann forced himself to meet her eyes again but by then they reverted to their emerald color. “What was that?”

“That just shows how much I adore you,” her voice returned to its jovial tone.

Johann’s heart leap against his chest. He’d never felt as satisfied as he did laying there with her. He wasn’t even sure he wanted to return to Germany anymore —where ever that may be.

So far, Zafira hadn’t given him any detailed information on exactly where Tamulan was. He remembered the spiders and how she saved him. At least that’s how he recalled it, but the how he got there was blank. A veil clouding his memory. For all he knew, he could be in a South American jungle weeks away from civilization.

A servant entered carrying a platter of what he assumed was fruit and nuts. His heart hitched up a notch as he took her in. She wore a necklace made of colored gems and a loose fitting linen garb that fell shy of her knees. So scandalous and alluring. A woman dressed like that in the empire would be locked away for misconduct. She approached, batting her thick lashes at him and set the food down on the edge of the bed. She bowed before her lady and stepped back.

Zafira noticed his interest and waved the servant off. “Ieh vars dan Milanja, davenk.”

Johann watched her leave the room with a sense of guilty pleasure before returning his attention to the woman at his side.

Zafira retrieved a slice of cut fruit and held it to his lips. “It’s sweet, you should try.”

He accepted her offering, sucking on her fingers but paused and then coughed. The sweet gave way to a bitter aftertaste that assaulted his tongue and scratched the back of his throat. Johann opened his mouth to spit it out but Zafira put a fingernail to his chin and lifted his gaze.

“It’s yomre, full of vitamins you need to regain your strength.” Zafira narrowed her eyes. A sharp warning on its own but she added, “Play with me again and you will find that I’m not so fun to be around. Come, you’ll want to take a bath.”