The woman did not make any sound other than her entry. Perhaps, he was waiting for his acknowledgement. He had not once looked at her. Besides, he had to be rid of her to calm himself before seeing Alethi. He did not know how much longer he could take, so he looked up.
In a heartbeat, he was on his back on the bed, the wind rushing out of him. He felt something firm nudge his stiffness and his senses went on full alert. The woman had him pinned on the bed, her eyes hungry. Damn, if it was not the king's favorite mate herself – Eian! And gloriously naked at that.
"Luthgarian was right. You do need your release." She grasped him and he hissed. "How long has it been? I heard you had not had sex since the beginning of your year."
He growled and pushed grabbed her hand to free himself. Before Alethi, he would have welcomed her. She was a prize many elves would have warming their beds, but now he had Alethi and her touch felt like filth. "You need not concern yourself with this."
Her lips pouted sensually. It did not appeal to him. No longer.
"I know you are tired and you want rest, but you need your release more than you think. You cannot even keep your head cool in the council any longer." She went for his throat and suckled.
He grunted and shoved her, shoving her to the mattress. He dared not touch her unless she mistook his intentions. "I cannot do this. I will keep my head. I promise you."
Eian shook her head. "Luthgarian noticed your need and so, I am doing this for you. For your sake, Arun. He is this close to retiring his rule and he wants to give it to you. He does not want to leave room for doubt that you are the next rightful king. I know you will have groomed someone to be Prince of Rehanathi. I think I taught you well enough when you were but an infant."
Arun only sighed in response. The woman always had his best interest at heart and treated him like her own personal child before she took her place to frequently warm the king's bed.
"Tell me Arun. Why is it you do not want to copulate? It is unnatural." When he bit his lip and hesitated, she smiled endearingly. "You can trust me."
Arun let go of her shoulders and sat on his heels, releasing her. He knew he could trust her. If there was anyone other than Nuat and Liushan he could trust, it was her.
"Perhaps, it is not best for King Luthgarian to leave me with the rule of all elves." He looked at her straight in the face. He would not keep this secret from her. "You have heard that I have taken a woman prisoner?" She nodded. "I think—no. I have fallen in love with her. I am smitten and it will not be long until I meet my death. She has no elfin blood. A great secret we must keep. But I would not exchange that short life. Not even for the position the king would want me to have."
Eian put a hand to her breast, her expression proud. "Such courage! I know of no one for thousands of years who would do such a thing. The last was Beleron, my seed brother, the forefather of the princess that you seek." Her smile broke into a chortle. "Now I understand your passion. You do not want your kin to be cut off from the new life you chose. You want us to be a part of it. You are even more ambitious than Beleron!"
Arun tried to smile, but only managed a wince. If that was ambition, he wondered what she would call humans playing at politics?
"Tell me, though, how is she at servicing you?"
Arun could feel his face flush. He had opened the floodgates and she would barrage him with a torrent of questions.
"I do not know." Eian raised her eyebrows and he continued, "I have never taken her. She is a virgin and she refuses to be taken until marriage. I know she would oblige if I drive her, but I do not want her to bear any guilt in our union."
This time, she laughed aloud. "My, my, my! You have become a whipped dog. I must see this fabled princess who has brought the mighty Arun, slayer of ten thousands, subduer of nations, grand master of the Council, and commander of Rehanathi to his hands and knees. Collared, I might add."
He sighed. Once again, he was the child and she was her nurse. It was a feeling he had almost forgotten after thousands of years since he had grown in stature.
"I love her."
She patted his cheek. "I know. And you must come back to her soon. Human lives are dreadfully short. It would be such a short time to revel in her company." She stood from his bed and dressed herself. "I will see what I can do to make Luthgarian and the rest of the Council decide quicker, but only on one condition."
"Anything!" he said a little too hasty for his taste.
"I will return with you and meet this woman." Her eyes sparkled as she laced her shirt. "And I will teach her a thing or two about pleasuring a certain elf. Though I know you will quite enjoy the novelty of virgins. I know I did." She winked and left as if he had already agreed.
In truth, when he said anything, he had agreed. It was not a bad deal, but he was not sure if it was a deal Alethi would appreciate. Perhaps he should leave off telling her. Eian would just drop it on her lap when they arrive.
He shivered, thinking about all the wicked things Alethi could learn from Eian. She was his first and it was quite hard to forget, but it was all a distant memory. Now, no one else mattered but Alethi. Nothing else mattered but being with her and making her happy.
But first he had to calm himself. Gods, he hated the icy needles that deflated him. But there was no choice.
Chapter Twenty
Alethi wrung her hands as she waited for Arun to near the castle. He had been gone for almost a season and she missed him so very badly. In truth, she wanted to curl up to him for a whole night then confess her nightly activities with Leanne and Liushan. She shuddered, remembering and tried not to.
Half the time she found herself failing miserably to keep her eyes on Leanne and Liushan, a third of it, she spent learning how to hold…parts properly with Leanne's guidance and the artificial parts she had made. The rest of the time, she flew out of her own solar feeling the intimacy between them become too private and intrusive. Especially when they were at the throes of passion.
Gods help her! She could not get the sounds they made out of her head!
All of that was for Arun. It was embarrassing and quite gut twisting to make herself go through with her…lessons, but she did. The worst she could do was disappoint Arun when the time comes. She wanted him to enjoy the experience.
Fuck me! I can't compare to the she-elves he had.
Her back stiffened as a knock on the door came in and the door cracked open enough for Liushan to announce, "The prince has arrived."
"Bring them to the grand hall. I will meet them there."
Alethi let out a breath she did not know she was holding. Arun was here. Her heart hammered against her chest. The days she spent without Arun had made her wander to thoughts about children. Would he be interested in playing the role of the father? She remembered that he said he had fathered children he never knew. Would he be just as apathetic to theirs? It did not seem like he cared a whit for children. And the thought scared her.
She took a deep breath. The bridge will be crossed when she got there. For the moment, she had to remember everything that Leanne taught her. She closed her eyes as she headed out of her rooms to the grand hall – only to fling open again. Leanne never told her when to do the things she suggested! She groaned. How on earth did it come easy for Leanne, Shanel and even Arun? She did not even know the difference between flirting and talking. They were the same thing to her! How was she to flirt with Arun if she didn't know the difference?
The doors to the great hall were before her and she steeled herself. None of that! Just a sway of the hips and stolen glances. That was all she was going to employ for now. By the gods, it was going to be difficult to keep herself from staring at Arun! She took a deep breath and sauntered in. Gods! She hoped she did not look like a fool!
The elves were all gathered there with Orrin, chatting a while. Hanging at Arun's shoulder was a she-elf she had never seen or met before. Seeing Arun letting her hang onto him like that knotted her insides with jealousy. Who was that she-elf? Sh
e wanted to wring her neck, but restrained herself and exuded the aura of the queen that she was.
It did not take long for them to notice her arrival and Arun was the first to make a respectful bow to an equal. "Thank you for receiving us, Queen Alethi." He stood straight and motioned to the she-elf who had been hanging by him. "I would like to introduce you to our king's…confidante. Eian. We have her to thank for the peace elves extend to Dosalam."
Alethi nodded and looked to the she-elf, jealousy still throbbing in her veins. "I am grateful for your aid." She inclined her head to the she-elf with a smile that did not touch her eyes. It was going to be easier to ignore Arun than she thought.
"It was a pleasure, Queen Alethi." Her smile held a tiny twinkle in them that Alethi was coming to resent. Did the she-elf think she was going to take Arun from her? Not in her life or death! Her father always said she was stubborn. This Eian was going to know just how stubborn she could be!
"My Queen, might I ask a private audience with you?" Eian asked.
So it has begun. Her battle for Arun against a woman who was the epitome of beauty. A woman whose body was carved for pleasure and whose face was meant to inspire men in so many ways. She groaned inwardly feeling that she had already lost half the battle. She was a worse enemy than ten of Shanel combined, and she could not even measure up to the woman yet!
"Of course. Orrin, please make sure everyone has settled into their rooms."
Orrin bowed and Alethi motioned for the Eian she-elf to come with her. She did not want to take the woman to her solar, but there was no other place they would be away from prying ears. And she definitely did not want to take her to her room!
Alethi closed the door of her solar and turned to the woman. Her eyes bulged finding herself encased in the she-elf's tight hug. Uncharacteristically, her hug was accompanied with a human-type squeal of excitement. As if she were a long lost favorite toy finally found after being looked for in a long while.
Alethi opened her mouth to speak but her mouth jarred close as Eian pulled heart arms length. She stared at the she-elf in disbelief, shock, surprise and a whole lot of confusion. What on earth was going on?
"I thought you would be something else to have held Arun by the balls! You are not the beauty we are used to but, your face is very…memorable. No wonder he cannot take his mind off you! And your natural sultriness! Do you know how hard you make him all the time? And you look so stubborn. Yes, yes. He'd quite love that. And to top it all off, a virgin! I would never imagine a woman your age would remain a virgin this long!"
The torrent washed over Alethi bringing her into more confusion. She removed the she-elf's hold from her shoulders and shook her head. "Forgive me, I do not quite understand…"
"Oh, dear me. I have forgotten myself." Eian smiled. "I know it is quite uncharacteristic, but I am a bit of an exception, having spent too long with humans during your ancestor's reign here. Oh yes, I am quite old," She added when Alethi expressed shock. "I was hundreds of years old when the peace was broken. And I live on because I have learned to fall in love with life. Unfortunately, other elves just do not get it. But that is not the point, is it? I am here to advise you with Arun.
"The child has been my charge since he was born and I was wont to let go. Until about two hundred years ago when I attached myself to the king. And my dear, I hope you do not mind that I had been his first." She tittered. "He was unsure the first time, but at the second go, he had become so assertive."
Alethi's mix of emotions never left, only changed. Now she was embarrassed, awed, horrified and jealous.
"Not to worry your pretty little head, child. I will tell you everything Arun likes in bed to prepare you for what he has in store for you. I do not think you need my instruction in how to please him. An intelligent woman like you would know instinctively."
Alethi felt blood rush up to her face. With Leanne and Liushan, talk of such things were enough to make her hide under a rock, but for a stranger like Eian to talk to her about it…she was quite ready to swoon.
She felt the she-elf's arm wrap around her as her knees felt weak.
"Oh dear, not quite used to the subject?" Eian ushered her to one of the chairs. "Another charm Arun would love about you. But I hope you are stronger than you look. Physically, I mean."
"I-Iam," Alethi said weakly, trying to regain her composure. "I sometimes train with the soldiers and I often go out tracking. But what does that have to do with anything?"
Eian clapped her hands in delight. "Good stamina then. Good. Arun likes it rough. You'll love it! And he is often in control. I hope you do not mind surrendering to him or being helpless and at his mercy. Although, there would be times when he relinquishes his control and then you have to be creative. But perhaps you do not need to be. Just the thought of you sends his mind senseless with need."
Alethi looked at her, mouth hanging. Thinking about it, the she-elf was quite right. And of course, she did not mind such things about Arun. But being creative? She did not know how creative she could be without Leanne's teaching. She did not even know something so big could fit…or that feather light touches elicited so much response. She shook her head. Images of Arun in the throes of passion Liushan had been in sent jots of heat throughout her body and a familiar tingling between her legs. She squeezed them together to try and ease it. No dice. Her arousal even intensified with the act so she tried to relax.
"Oh dear, you're even redder. I will open the windows for air. No talk of sex with Arun until you have recovered."
Alethi's mouth was dry. She wanted to say something – anything – but nothing came out. The she-elf was an unstoppable hurricane. What was it with old people and being unstoppable? She was probably so old, even the old king of the elves bent to her wishes.
But no matter how old she was, the woman looked like she was at the peak of her prime. Not a wrinkle marred her perfect face.
Eian smiled. "I know I should not talk," she said returning to her after opening the windows, "but I really have to say that you are quite a sensual woman. I doubt Arun would be disappointed in you as long as you let go. Remember to lose yourself in the passion and I promise you would enjoy every moment with him."
"How could you even say that of me?" Alethi asked finally finding her voice.
Eian leaned into her ear. "I can smell your arousal. And we are only talking about facts."
Alethi groaned. Why was everyone around her so schooled in carnal pleasures? She felt as if she was being left behind. Perhaps she could allow Arun to…
She shook her head. No! She was going to be a virgin until her wedding day. If Arun could not respect that, then he could forget it! Or not…Could she really leave him just because of that?
She groaned. Why was everything such a complicated problem when it came to Arun?
"He is having a difficult time of it, is he not?" Alethi finally said after a stretch of silence.
"Considering what year it is? Quite so."
Alethi sighed pitying Arun. How he must suffer if what he felt was anything like what she had when he cast his spell on her not finding her release. She bit her lower lip and thought about how Leanne dealt with Liushan with only her hands and mouth. Surely she would still be considered a virgin if she did those things?
She shuddered imagining Arun's pleasure and the pressure between her thighs increased. Arun had already brought her to a most pleasurable experience after Niraya's execution. Perhaps it was time she had done something of the same nature for him.
"Um, Eian, could you please close the window?" She licked her lips. "I would like to ask you something."
Chapten Twenty One
The solar's drapes were shut giving the room a dim glow. In the middle was the dining table, with its cloth brushing the floor, set up for this particular dinner. Arun felt himself stir in anticipation for what was in store. Usually, Alethi and he dined in the great hall with the others. This time, however, it was just the two of them in her solar.
He lo
oked at Alethi who led him to the room. Her hair was brushed to one side revealing her delicious neck exposed to him. He licked his lips as his eyes traced her naked flesh to where her sleevs started and he frowned. Such a frustrating obstruction!
"I hope I have not made you wait too long for dinner," she spoke without turning to him.
"Not long. But I am hungry." He whispered wrapping his arms around her slender waist and giving a light kiss where her neck and her shoulder met. She shivered in response and he smiled. "And I find this quite infuriating." His finger grazed on her sleeve and pulled it down to nip at the newly exposed skin. "Very hungry indeed," he said, unsurprised at how hoarse his voice got.
The gasp and tremble he elicited from her pleased him. He knew she had completely surrendered to him and he silently swore to make her surrender well worth it. He would make her feel pleasure and make her beg for it.
"A-Arun?" Alethi's voice quivered, "We truly should have dinner first."
Arun sighed and replaced her sleeve. "Of course. Dinner first," he said giving his voice undertones of something wicked as he let go of Alethi whose quickening breaths matched the arousal he sensed from her.
He pulled the chair nearer the door for her acting as if nothing heated had passed between them. She took her seat gracefully and he sat himself across her. He wished the chairs had been set to seat them beside each other so he could tease her all the more, but there was nothing for it but to be patient as his blood thrummed in his ears and desire raged through his loins.
"I hope you do not mind that the courses are all on the table. I have no desire for a constant bother tonight." Alethi's flushed face marred her regal visage, which Arun found to be endearing.
Oh, it was obvious she had something planned from the very moment she asked him for a private dinner at her solar, but until now, he could not fathom what it was she had in mind. He looked at the sliver chloches covering the golden gilded plates. He was a little hungry, true, but he was quite famished for something else entirely. But he had to be patient. He had been patient for a long time. There was no need for him to be rushing anything.
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