Mated to the Earth Dragon (Elemental Mates 2)

***

Only an hour later, Autumn was floating in the azure waters of the Blue Lagoon, just as scheduled. The transfer to her hotel had dropped her off together with a handful of other travelers for a two-hour stop at the lagoon, just as planned.

And now that she was floating in the warm water, surrounded by the stunning scenery, she felt overwhelmed by happiness.

The driver and the people at the Blue Lagoon had spoken English, just as promised. Everything had gone exactly as planned on her itinerary. What could go wrong now?

She took a deep breath, her eyes on the snow-covered hills and mountains that surrounded the lagoon. It was truly incredible to look out at the snow all around her, when the water she was floating in was so warm that it steamed.

Tilly had promised her natural hot springs close to her farm. She’d offered that Autumn could take one of the ponies and visit the hot springs. Autumn definitely planned on taking her up on that offer, even though she hadn’t sat on a horse since she was a girl visiting her grandfather’s farm every summer.

Still, even though the price for two hours in the Blue Lagoon had been quite steep, it was an experience she hadn’t wanted to miss.

The air smelled of the minerals that made the water so special, and it wasn’t so busy as to be overwhelming. Next to her, two young girls were splashing in the water, giggling loudly, while the obviously jet-lagged parents were floating wearily nearby.

With a happy sigh, Autumn turned in the water, swimming slowly towards the other shore of the lagoon.

Steam rose all around her, until it

seemed like she was swimming into a wall of mist. For a moment, she couldn’t see the other shore anymore. Even the sound of the other guests behind her had fallen away.

There was nothing but her and the warm water, imbued with some special magic. It felt as if she was all alone in the world.

Land of fire and ice, she remembered suddenly. That was what they had called it on the plane. No wonder people believed that elves and trolls lived here. There was something primal and powerful to this place—as if the elements of the earth itself still ruled this land.

Then the steam parted, and before her, she saw an incredibly handsome man wade out of the water.

She couldn’t see his face, but what she could see of him made something inside her stomach coil with sudden need.

He had the muscles of a superhero—a broad back with wide shoulders, muscles bunching and shifting as he moved. There was an intricate tattoo on his back. It was hard to make out from the distance, but it looked like a symbolic mountain silhouette. His hair was dark and wet, slicked back, and rivulets of water were still running down his muscular back.

Her mouth dry, Autumn stared at his narrow waist and the firm, shifting muscles of his behind.

And then she blushed and firmly forced herself to turn back.

What is wrong with me? I can’t just stare at a stranger like that!

Even now, her heart was pounding. Something about him had overwhelmed her. It was like watching a mythical figure step out of a lake—a knight from a fairy tale. Or, given that she was in Iceland, perhaps a viking...

He’s probably a model that’s doing a photo shoot here. Or a movie star on a layover. Definitely not a viking, she told herself firmly.

Then, despite herself, she found herself looking back again, hoping for a glimpse of his face. If it was a famous actor, she’d be able to post on Facebook about it—for once in her life with a status update that was more exciting than talking about a movie she’d seen or a book she’d read.

Before her, another cloud of mist wavered. Everything was white. Then, almost reluctantly, the mist moved aside—and the shore before her was empty.

Autumn bit back a deep sigh of disappointment.

She should have known better. It had definitely not been a knight or a viking, and most likely no actor either.

He was probably a tourist like her—maybe a backpacker who was going to climb a glacier or cross a mountain on foot, something daring and adventurous that Autumn wouldn’t even dream of doing.

Most importantly, he didn’t even know that she existed. Guys like him always looked past her.

And even if he did, do you think that’s the sort of guy who’d want to settle down with you, have kids and snuggle on the couch? This is a super hot guy climbing glaciers in Iceland. He’s so out of your league!

Determined, she made herself swim back. Her time was almost up, and she didn’t want to miss the return of her bus. She’d check into her hotel, unpack, have dinner, and maybe go for a short walk through Reykjavik before she’d go to bed.

Tomorrow she had a busy day ahead of her. The Golden Circle tour was waiting with the most famous sights of Iceland. She was going to take hundreds of pictures—and a geyser selfie to share with her coworkers.