Reining Him In (Chinese Zodiac Romance Series Book 5)

by Rachael Slate

  Lucy joined him, revealing the Rabbit. Brilliant white fur and a lean, agile body.

  Daji gasped as Fang cloaked Rat. The feral rodent’s beady eyes glinted with malice, its protracted fangs sharp as needles. Rat was one creature she’d rather not encounter in the dark.

  Snake and Ox cloaked Nat and Kassian. A large cobra-like serpent and a brawny horned beast.

  Price didn’t do the same with Horse. Instead, he strayed to the sidelines, an oddity in this group.

  “What’s the matter, Horse? Better not turn Trojan on us.” Sheng’s taunts irked her like thorns digging into her skin. She’d bet they did the same to Price.

  These two had to work out their differences before her ex-husband did it for them.

  “Okay, that’s enough, boys.” Nat stepped in between them. “Look, Sheng, Price can be an ass, and I never thought I’d defend him, but he’s a good person. You can trust him.” She spun to face Price. “You have issues with Sheng, but he only wants what’s best for everyone.” Nat perched her hands on her hips. “If I can forgive you for shooting me, you owe me this.” Neither man conceded, so she scoffed. “Both of you need to grow a pair so we can work together to fight our real enemies. Okay?” She sauntered to Ox, who squeezed her shoulders in confirmation.

  Price eyed Sheng, and Sheng glared at Price.

  After a few minutes, Sheng stepped forward, hand outstretched. “I may not trust you yet, but I trust them. If they say you’re cool, I’m willing to work out our differences.”

  Whistling out his breath, Price uncrossed his arms, closed the distance between them, and clasped Sheng’s hand. “Same here.”

  The two broke apart as fast as they had come together.

  “Right, let’s spar.” Kassian cracked his knuckles and launched toward Fang. Within seconds, the Chosen cloaked their spirit animals and danced around each other, horns, claws, and tails slashing.

  Price rolled his head and shoulders, and the haze of his spirit animal formed around him.

  Horse.

  Daji’s lips parted as she drank in his sleek flanks, the silky smooth gleam of his mane, and the soft dark eyes that passed over her with a hint of longing. He was far larger than any horse, standing as tall as a bus. A beautiful creature, whose black hair shimmered like pools of ink.

  As she blinked, she perceived both the man and the beast, flowing in unison. If her eyes drifted out of focus, she viewed the blurred vision of the horse. If she squinted, she glimpsed the man.

  A Chosen warrior. To be such was a great gift from the Jade Emperor. Was Price as unworthy as Sheng declared? No. He simply fell to the nature of the spirit animal he hosted. Wild, free, untamed.

  He wasn’t made to be restrained, subject to a master’s whims.

  Or a Queen’s.

  Even if her future was hers, she couldn’t have him. The truth struck her hard, jabbing into her throat. Price would always seek to roam. Just as Sheng wasn’t able to claim his loyalty, neither would she force his fealty.

  Price wasn’t hers.

  And he never would be.

  “Let’s see what you got, Queen Daji.” Fang circled her, Rat’s long tail flicking in anticipation.

  Price hung back, assessing the Chosen while they sparred together.

  “Daji is fine.” She tilted her head, lips curving.

  Here it comes.

  Her claws sprang out, her fangs revealed in the hiss she offered a second before leaping over Rat’s body and slashing its flank. Rat whirled around, but not before Daji snared its tail around the length of her arm, yanked it out from under Fang, and smacked him ass first onto the mats. She leapt on top of him and claimed her victory, claws poised at the vein in Fang’s neck.

  Kassian whistled low and slapped Price across the back. “Your girl got game.”

  Not my girl.

  He laughed it off and kicked out his hind legs at Ox. Kassian was a wall of solid muscle and Price’s heart wasn’t in it, so he wound up flat on his back.

  Daji didn’t, though. She worked through the Chosen, besting each of them.

  Finally, she faced off against Sheng. “You may be the Chosen leader, but you are no match for me, youngling.” Her sexy smirk shot longing into Price. In this moment, he’d surrender anything to trade places with that jackass.

  “Then you’d better bring it.” Sheng crooked his fingers for Daji to advance.

  She stalked around him, assessing. Even weakened, she’d beaten the crap out of the other Chosen. Price hopped to his feet. He was so going to enjoy this.

  The others stopped sparring, collecting into a circle around their leader and Daji. No one was going to miss this match.

  Daji slashed her arm toward Sheng. He dodged the blow, leaping backward and spinning to a crouch. Pouncing, he swiped Tiger’s tail toward her legs, knocking her off-balance. She recovered, rolling to her feet. The pair dueled in a blaze of punches and blocks, shifting so fast their arms blurred, until Daji mixed it up with a kick to Sheng’s middle and made contact, ramming him backward. He seized her arm as he stumbled back, locking it. She twisted around, flipping up and onto his shoulders, her claws poised at his throat.

  “You got me,” Sheng grumbled, panting heavily.

  Before she boasted victory though, her eyelids fluttered, and her grip loosened.

  Sheng spun and caught her as she fell, easing her onto the mats. “Hey, you okay?”

  Price rushed forward, elbowing Sheng aside. “Daji?” Too much. It had been too much exertion for her weakened state.

  He hadn’t fed her in days. Fucking asshole that he was.

  “I’m fine. I was merely dizzy for a moment.” She closed and squeezed her eyes for a moment, opening them as she eased to sit. He wrapped his arms around her, aiding her to her feet. Once upright, she brushed off his hands. “I’m fine.”

  “I’ll take her to rest.” Lucy snagged a hand around Daji’s waist.

  “Yeah, okay.” Price nodded as they strolled off. His hands fisted at his sides, anger rolling through him. It was his fault Daji was weak, but damn, he itched to punch that grin off Sheng’s stupid face.

  “Go ahead.” Sheng taunted from behind him. “You might never get another shot.”

  He whirled around and jabbed his fist straight at the prick’s jaw.

  Sheng ducked. “Too slow, Horse.”

  His self-righteous grin burned into Price. Hell, Horse had fumes smoldering from its nostrils.

  “You should hang back and let Daji fight for you.”

  He swung again to smack off that smirk, but Tiger was one agile beast.

  “You’re fighting with your heart and not your head.” Sheng jerked his chin at Price. “You can do better.”

  “Now, you’re giving me pointers? Like you’re such a badass. You let little girls do your dirty work.” Oh, yeah, the low blow referring to Monkey sparked hatred in Sheng’s eyes. “I’ve seen how you run things. Rather take my chances on my own.”

  “Whoa, Price. Careful there.” Kassian’s deep baritone loomed in warning.

  Price sensed the others closing in to surround their leader, but this was between him and Sheng.

  “Mei knows what she’s doing. At least she’s trying to save the world, and not just her own ass.”

  “You don’t know me, or anything about me.” Price raised his fists, ready to strike. “I protect my own. Don’t have to join your cult to do that. I’m here for Daji, but after, I’m gone.” He bounced on the balls of his feet. “The difference between you and me is you let the Matchmaker make you her little bitch.”

  A growl rumbled in Sheng’s chest.

  “I’m a Lotus because I chose it. Unlike you, I can walk away.”

  “To what?” Sheng snorted. “There won’t be a world to return to, Price. You don’t have to join us, but you do have to stand with us. We can’t do this without Horse. It’s your duty. You didn’t choose this fate. It chose you.”

  He punched, Sheng blocked. Sheng jabbed, Price ducked. They circled
each other in a rhythm of blows and blocks.

  “I’m not asking for anything right now, but I can’t lose another like we did with Boar. In the wrong hands, your spirit animal can do a lot of damage.” Sheng cocked his head. “I don’t think you want that.”

  His words struck on the truth. “I don’t.” Were they were nearing an understanding? “I can guarantee you I’m not going anywhere near the Empress. She’s fucking crazy.”

  “On that we can agree.” Sheng grinned and jabbed his fist at Price’s shoulder.

  He ducked, sending a kick to Sheng’s middle and knocking him back a few steps.

  “Hey Horse,” Fang jeered.

  Price spun and caught Fang’s fist in his.

  “Who wants an apple?” Kassian taunted from his other side, kicking out at Price. Nat and Sheng joined in, sparring and heckling him from all sides. They landed some blows and he dished out others.

  “That all you got?” Kassian scoffed. “Daji’s like ten times your age and she can serve it much better.”

  “Yeah, she didn’t even use her cane to whoop my ass.” Fang snickered.

  Jackasses, talking smack about her. “Watch what you say about Daji. Or I’ll kick your asses in so far you—”

  “Yep. You were right,” Nat hummed to Kassian.

  “Told you so.” He snared her waist and drew her close.

  Fang dug out his wallet and peeled off several bills, handing them to Kassian and grumbling, “He totally is.”

  Price flipped his gaze between them. “Is what?”

  “You, sir, are officially whipped.” Kassian made a lame whip crack noise.

  “We didn’t mean to insult Daji. We were just bustin’ your balls to see if it was true.” Fang slapped him across the shoulder.

  “You’re assholes.” Price staggered to his feet, shaking his head at them. Immature dicks. Of course he would defend Daji’s honor. How else should he have responded?

  “Hey, we didn’t mean it like that.” Nat wrapped a hand around his arm and squeezed. “We like Daji, really, and I’m glad you’ve found someone.”

  “Found someone? What kind of fairy-tale bullshit is that?” He shrugged off her hand. “Daji and I aren’t a thing. She’s my mission. Nothing more, so stop it.”

  He spun and faced the group. “If you pricks could pull your heads from your asses and focus on saving her, that would be great.” He tossed his head and turned his back on them, but his words sank heavy into his gut.

  What if they were right?

  Had he fallen?

  ***

  After changing into a new set of borrowed clothes, Daji halted at the doorway to the training center. Despite Lucy’s efforts to convince her to rest in their guest room, she hadn’t been able to. Her entire fate would be determined in the next few days. Her fate, and perhaps that of the world.

  “I’m glad you’ve found someone.” Nat’s sultry lilt carried from inside.

  Daji whipped around, flattening her spine against the corridor wall. They’re discussing me?

  “Found someone? What kind of fairy-tale bullshit is that?” The angry tone of Price’s dismissal cut through her. “Daji and I aren’t a thing. She’s my mission. Nothing more, so stop it.” Did he mean what he was saying? She held her breath, waiting.

  “If you pricks could pull your heads from your asses and focus on saving her, that would be great.”

  Heavy footsteps followed his snapped words. He was headed toward her. Daji didn’t care if he caught her eavesdropping. She hadn’t intended to, and she wasn’t about to scurry off like someone who had.

  Instead, she straightened her shoulders and lifted her chin. He strode straight past her, then paused, twisting around.

  He studied her for a moment, as though assessing. Had she heard? How much? What did she conclude? She read those questions crossing his features, pinching his brows together.

  “I’ll save you the trouble.” She kept her tone dry, even. “I overheard your last six sentences.”

  “Dammit, Daji. What did you expect me to tell them?” He raked a hand through his long hair, glancing at her sideways. “They were riding my ass about you.”

  Of course they were. She’d witnessed a familial tightness within the Kongsi. Such jesting meant they were accepting Price.

  But if he wasn’t comfortable sharing his attachment… Maybe he didn’t have one.

  She cast him a rueful smile as she sauntered past and veered into the corridor.

  “Tell me that’s not it.” Price trotted to her side, snagging her arm and steering her to a halt. “Daji.” He squeezed her arm, a plea for her to regard him.

  Pressing her lips firmly together, she raised her lashes. “I’m your Queen, not your master.” She shook her head. “I don’t control you, Price. I’m not going to tell you what to do.”

  “Exactly.” He tugged her closer, so her hand rested on his chest. “That’s exactly what I… Why I’m crazy about you.” With his free hand, he brushed his thumb across her cheek. Her heart stuttered, faltering in the face of his declarations. “You may not control me, but you damn sure did snap back my reins the moment I saw you.” Beneath her fingertips, she detected the shaky exhale he released. The trembling. Her pulse escalated, fluttering through her veins. “You didn’t make me do anything, sweetheart. The falling part I did myself.” His warm breath fanned across her neck as he nuzzled her. “That’s what I should have told them.”

  Her throat tightened. She was torn between elation and devastation. If she passed, what would her death do to Price? She refused to hurt him, but if he felt what he declared he did, the damage was already done.

  She should have kept her distance from him. Should never have allowed their relationship to grow this deep.

  In Price’s arms, her ominous future drifted, so far away. Enveloped in his warmth, the cold bite of death faded into the horizon.

  Love was too general a term for what she experienced with Price. Life was the better word. She eased back, drawing his face to hers. “You are the most exasperating male I have ever met. The most stubborn, cocksure, and infuria—”

  He pecked a kiss across her lips. “I’ll accept that as a compliment.”

  She smiled. “You should. I doubt any other male would have captured my heart as you have. Yet, I fear exploring our feelings for each other will end in heartbreak for you. I can’t—”

  His lips were warm, firm, against hers. “Not your choice. I’m in this, wherever it takes us.” He pressed his forehead to hers and sighed. “When this is finished, Daji, I’m going to capture more than your heart. I’m going to claim your soul.”

  He lifted those dark blue eyes to her, the fierce promise in their depths sending shivers along her spine.

  If only he knew.

  My soul is already his.

  Footsteps clicked down the hall. Price jerked his head aside and glared, then caught her hand and tugged her in the opposite direction of the interrupter.

  “Where are we going?”

  “No clue.” He chuckled as he urged her through an arch, down a set of stairs. The temple at Kek Lok Si was a maze of winding passageways. Running wild with Price through them liberated her, like a carefree child. She laughed along with him, sprinting and dodging, the only sure thing their hands clasped between them.

  Like their lives. What future lay around the bend didn’t matter. So long as Price guided her through it.

  After they broke away from the walls and stumbled into the gardens, he tugged her into an empty alcove.

  Price’s lips were hot and hard against hers before she had the chance to question his intentions. He made them pretty clear anyway.

  His hands were everywhere, combing through her hair, loosening her braid to free her locks, and along her body, possessively exploring every inch.

  Delving lower, he spread open the folds of her sarong and revealing her pink panties. He groaned, sinking to his knees, his fingers tugging down the lace.

  “What are you doing?
Someone might spot us.”

  “Then you can be the lookout. I’m busy.”

  She gasped as his mouth landed on her sex, the spread of his tongue feverishly heated.

  “Price…” She moaned a protest, which he met with a deep humming, his tongue lapping at her bud.

  Her head slammed against the stone wall, her fingers digging into his hair, urging him on. A rip of fabric released the binding of her panties and her legs spread wide. He hoisted her thighs onto his shoulders, burying his face between her legs like a man hell-bent on a mission to pleasure her. His tongue spearing into her core was ecstasy, but it wasn’t enough. Hunger surfaced, for more than mere sustenance.

  Everything.

  Her thirst built, the pressure inside intensifying, until the wave crested and consumed her.

  Time he learned what the Queen of the fox spirits was capable of.

  Want more.

  And he was going to give it to her.

  Price shoved a finger into Daji’s mouth as her sex spasmed. She bit down, muffling her scream. Her taste melted on his tongue like the sweetest honey.

  No point in denying how much she meant to him. How hard he’d fallen. Maybe this was love, but love seemed too soft a word to describe the force of his devotion.

  He was beginning to suspect there wasn’t anything he wouldn’t do for her.

  For his woman.

  If that made him whipped, so be it.

  He leaned back, panting, and tilted his face upward. Her shining copper gaze fastened on his, seduction and pure rapture promised in those depths.

  Hell yeah, sign me up.

  “Do you know,” her sultry murmur shot straight into his balls, tightening them, “As Queen of the húli jīng, I command greater abilities than any of my race?”

  She curled one finger under his chin, coaxing him to his feet while she held his stare. Without even touching him, she was making him hard. Not that he required the help. His throbbing dick and aching balls didn’t need any convincing.