by Lisa Kumar
All in all, everything was perfect and spotless. So much like the outward appearance of the elves. How she longed to smash this façade and grind it to dust, especially his.
The idea of being trapped here in this perpetual elvin land of the young was enough to make her scream. Humans were so much more her speed. They were noisy, dirty, and lived fast-paced lives compared to those in fairyland.
Responsibility wasn’t her thing, either. Being with a king pretty much blasted this preference to smithereens. Her life would be a study of strict scheduling, conformity, and political correctness. A shiver of horror racked her body. It would be a life of hell. Talion was really her abyss. If her attraction to him were any indication to go by, he might bring her untold pleasure in the bedroom, but he’d be the inferno that burned her life to a crisp.
The words slipped out of her mouth before she could shove them back in. “We can’t tell anybody about our bond. If it can’t be undone, we have to pretend it doesn’t exist.”
“Not tell anybody?” The deadly quietness of his voice shot through the room as he steepled his fingers under his chin.
She nodded her head vigorously until she feared it might come off. “I don’t want to stay here or be married to you. I have a life back home. College to finish.”
“Who do you want to be married to? Anyone back in your America?”
“No. I don’t want to be married to anyone.”
His eyebrows drew together. “Then what’s the problem?”
“Besides the fact I want to return home? Um, we don’t like each other.” She ticked that off on her finger and kept up the action as she talked. “How about choice and love? We don’t have either of those.”
He scoffed. “Females and love. Why this obsession? Affection can grow. And a bonding has very little to do with choice.”
She crossed her arms. “I’m not falling for that one. Undergoing the binding ceremony is done only if the couple agrees. For us, there was no binding ceremony. No magically fused bracelets appeared on our wrists to announce to the world a bonding would be possible. So I don’t see how we could’ve moved on to being bonded.”
“It can and has happened, though it’s not common. As I said, if a couple hasn’t attempted a binding ceremony and then consummates their relationship, a full soul-bond is always a very slim possibility. While it is tradition to undergo a binding first, it’s not required in order to become bonded. This is what happened in our case.”
“But there’s some way to get out of it, right?”
He shook his head. “If Relian and Cal found a mere binding inconceivable to turn away from, a bonding is a thousand times so. It is unbreakable, except through death. We are well and truly stuck with each other. Even in death, it is said the bond can be renewed under some circumstances.”
Panic rippled through her. Holy heck, tied to one person for the rest of her life…and maybe death. If she followed in Cal’s slippers, that life would stretch on far past what it should for a human. “Oh, this sucks.”
His shoulders stiffened. “How is this idea disappointing?”
Ooh, she stepped on his elephant-sized ego. Time for some damage control. She spread her hands placatingly. “I’m not knocking it, but marriage—bonding, whatever you want to call it—isn’t for me.”
He remained silent, his hands still clasped beneath his chin. His eyes bored into her, and she shifted uncomfortably on the sofa. She smothered a groan. He wasn’t satisfied with her answer, but she’d be damned if she’d spill all the dirty secrets he sought. Just because she had good reasons for not wanting to be married didn’t mean he had to know each and every last one of them.
“Look, for me love is a mistake, as is marriage. I don’t want it. I don’t need it. It’s fine for other people, but I want no part in it.”
“An unusual view coming from a female.”
With all the broken marriages back home? Yeah, right. “Not as much as you might think. We modern women don’t need a man. We value our independence.”
“You can’t have one if you have the other?”
“In too many cases, no. Why take the chance?”
He regarded her impassively. “Maybe because a woman wants a family?”
“Pssh, so adopt a child or go to a sperm bank.”
At that unfamiliar English term sprinkled in with the Elvish they spoke, his brow creased. “A sperm bank? What is that?”
Oh, hell. No way was she touching this topic. His royal highness would have to stew in his curiosity. “It doesn’t matter. I don’t know what human marriages were like when you guys were still around. But from what I’ve seen, most marriages are like blood-sucking parasites to the soul and heart.”
“That is a cynical view.”
“No, a realistic one.” She shook her head. “Sorry, this is all I’m going to say about the subject.”
“Yes, you’ve made your stance quite clear.”
The dryness in his tone mocked her, but throttling him would get her nowhere. Why was she even drawn to him? His position didn’t impress her. In fact, he was everything she’d attempted to avoid, but was now mired in right up to her eyeballs.
Maggie glared at him. “So, we’re stuck with no way out?”
“What do you think?”
She gave a huff of annoyance. Now was not the time to give her the runaround. Damn elves and their games. “I think we’re screwed.”
“If you say so.”
“Why are you so calm about this? If you ever remarried, I’m sure you wanted it to be to an elf.”
Something flashed across his face, but it disappeared before she could make sense of it. He shrugged. “We don’t always get what we desire.”
“Amen to that.”
“What is done is done. We must make peace with it.”
She sent him an are-you-insane look. “Peace? We can’t be in the same room without arguing.”
He smiled faintly. “We challenge each other.”
“Now I know you’ve lost it.”
“I think you hate how I make you—how do you say it?—lose your cool.”
The truth of his words spread molten lava through her veins. “You think too much of yourself.”
He chuckled. “Such passion. I’ll enjoy partaking of it.”
“You’ll partake of my fist if you try anything.”
“Like it rough, do you?”
Her scream came out a squeak. “You’re a pig.”
He glanced down at himself. “Last time I looked I was an elf.”
She slapped her hand against her forehead. “I can’t talk to you when you’re like this. Stop it.”
His rich laughter filled the room. “I think this bonding will be more fulfilling than expected. You’ll give me much enjoyment.”
“Is this all about you and your “enjoyment”? How selfish.”
His face looked as if fashioned from hardened plaster. “I want you because you please me.”
“Please you? Ha! Hardly.”
“Like I’ve said, you’re a challenge.”
“Well, challenge solved then. You’ve had me. The allure should be gone.”
“Even if it were, the bond doesn’t dissolve into thin air just because someone gets bored.”
A tide of helplessness swept her away. This loss of control almost undid her. Even though she hadn’t been able to go home for the last six months, she’d known the dangers of that possibility when she chose to stay by Cal when the veil came for her friend. Her presence in Eria had merely been a by-product of Cal’s. But now the stakes skyrocketed beyond her sidekick role.
She didn’t ask for any of this. But in order to deal with this situation, she needed space. Thinking was impossible around him. He caught her off guard way more than she liked. Though she hated to admit it, this was partly why he angered her so. That and his arrogant, taunting personality. Yeah, what was there not to love?
“I need time to think about…us.”
“Why? Nothing you do can chan
ge the fact we’re bonded.”
“Maybe not, but I have to get my head in order and come to terms with the fact I’m bonded to you.” Ha, good luck with that. She was more likely to sprout wings than accept Talion into her life willingly.
“You can start the process now,” he said, but made no effort to leave the room.
She narrowed her eyes. “I meant without you around.”
“I can’t leave, my dear, or don’t you remember what happened when I tried a little while ago?”
A melon-sized lump formed in her throat. Was he talking about her near collapse from chest pain and weakness? Her mind flew back to his own demeanor and appearance. He’d looked pale and…weak. The watermelon in her throat plummeted to her stomach.
A smug expression played over his face. “I see you’re comprehending the ramifications of our recent bonding.”
***
Talion watched as realization hit her. Maggie’s eyes dilated, and her face lost all color. A twinge of guilt pricked his conscience, but he quickly quashed it. He couldn’t afford to become maudlin, and as king, he found scruples sometimes had to be ignored. This situation could be no different. Maggie displayed enough hard-headedness, bashing the truth over her head would be necessary. The sooner she accepted the reality of their bonding, the better.
She ran a hand through her hair. “The bond brought about that horrible pain and energy loss?” Furrowing her brow, she shook her head. “It never affected Cal and Relian this way.”
“They had the benefit of a binding bracelet. We do not. But even with a binding bracelet, they suffered, especially Relian, as he’s more attune with the magic here. They felt the effects of the potential bond, but it was muted compared to what we feel.”
“A binding makes that much of a difference?”
His lower lip twitched in irritation. Hadn’t he said so? “Undeniably.”
“We can’t be far from each other?”
“Not for right now.”
“Right now?”
“That’s what I said.”
She shot him a nasty look. “I’ll come over there and whack you good if you don’t give me a straight answer.”
Did she know how desirable she sounded as she uttered those words? He grinned and patted his lap. “Come here, then.”
“Um, no. Get your mind out of the gutter.” A smirk replaced her frown. “You’re too old for such nonsense.”
So, she wanted to play? He’d oblige her. “You didn’t find my age a hindrance last night.”
“I don’t remember last night.”
Her memory still seemed to be affected by the bonding. Even his wasn’t as clear as he’d like. But she didn’t need to know that—yet. Hazy recollections of her both beneath and astride him blazed through his mind. Lust shot straight south, and his arousal pressed painfully against his pants. “Your loss, I assure you. Don’t worry, though, we’ll repeat the joys of last night so you can remember them vividly.”
“You’re crazy if you think I’m sleeping with you.”
He bit back a smile. She’d love his news. Hopefully, the whole palace wouldn’t hear her joyful shriek. “If we want to go farther than forty paces or so from each other, then we’ll indeed be repeating the activities of the night.”
A disbelieving laugh escaped her. “What? You’re going to make sure I’m thoroughly drunk and then take advantage of me?”
He prayed for patience. Had she not noticed the first part of his sentence? “Trust me when I say I did not take advantage of you. If anything, it was the other w—”
“Na, na, na.” Her hands covered her ears. “I can’t hear you.”
He frowned. This was his queen? Maybe she was right. He was insane. “Are you done?”
She pulled her hands away from her head. “Only if you stop talking bull.”
Not more of her strange slang. But he caught the meaning well enough. “You’ll believe me sooner or later.” Probably later. “But that’s not my concern.”
“So tell me of your concern, big kahuna.”
Another interesting term, though he hazarded it wasn’t complimentary. “You seem to be selectively hearing only part of what I say. And you’re gifting me with another name?”
A roll of her eyes was his answer.
Such impertinence. Again, why did he want her? “If you really want to test what I’m telling you, walk out the door.” He made his voice a dare. Though he wouldn’t enjoy the pain that would spring up in his chest if she did, the consequences could prove to be most worthwhile.
Her gaze darted to where he’d pointed. The expressions flitting across her face told the tale of her momentary indecision. But the urge to flee must’ve trampled all other feelings, for she lunged off the sofa and flew to the door. Did she fear he’d give chase? Normally, he might so he could corner her in some hallway. But any fun would have to wait until he illuminated his point.
The door slammed behind her, and a shot of pain speared his heart. He grimaced. They could’ve avoided the discomfort if the little witch had just listened. But she had to do everything the difficult way. Damn the Mystics, why was this so alluring? She was a headstrong human who wasn’t exactly queen material. For some reason, that thought sent desire humming through him.
A cry sounded from the hall. He lurched to his feet. So much for the legendary grace of the elves. But with his strength draining away, he’d be forced to his hands and knees in order to move if he didn’t go after her now. And he preferred to crawl to no woman.
He stumbled down the hall, barely aware of where he went. Thankfully, no servants loitered about to witness his undignified state. The bond worked as a tracking device. His feet needed no guidance.
She hadn’t gotten far and was slumped in a corner, a hand fisted into a tapestry. He neared and leaned heavily against the wall. Just a few more inches, and he could touch her. His hand flexed involuntarily with his desire to reach out to her, but he stifled the impulse. He couldn’t be the first to capitulate.
“Talion.” Her voice came out a whisper. “W…what’s happening?”
“That is the bond at work and why we can’t be far from each other for now.” His chest heaved as he spoke. “Foolish woman, you said it yourself, but you still had to push at its boundaries.”
Her eyes closed. “No energy to fight with you.” Her legs buckled, her hand sliding down the tapestry. “Help.”
With the last shred of his energy, he lunged to catch her. He fell to his knees with her. Pain radiated up his legs because of the hard stone, but he ignored it. All that mattered was in his arms. The heat of her skin singed him to the core, and possessiveness roared through him. He wanted to lose control with her, in her. Strip away their façades, leave them raw and bare.
Her hands clutched his shoulders. Their bodies pressed tightly together. Not even a whisper could pass between them. She stared, wide-eyed, pleading for something she’d never say out loud. As vigor returned to him, he removed his arms from around her so he could cup her face. A sigh escaped her, and she leaned into his touch. Triumph soared through his veins. She was finally seeing reason.
He crushed his lips against her mouth. She responded by meeting his kiss with equal force. His tongue dove into her depths and dueled with hers. Her arms wound around his neck.
Both fought for dominance, and neither one would retreat. It was the most erotic moment of his life. If he weren’t careful, he’d take her right there. On the floor. At this thought, blood flowed to his nether region. He willed the stubborn organ to settle down but to no avail. It strained toward her, desiring to be in one place—her warmth. He had to get them back to his bedchamber. Or the nearest empty room.
She rubbed sensuously against him. He wrapped his hands in her hair and bit back a groan. Though he sensed no innate magic within her, she had to be a sorceress to beguile him so. He took one more thorough sweep of her mouth, savoring the taste of her. It would have to be enough for now. He pulled back, though his body screamed a vicious objec
tion.
Her arms slowly slid from his neck, but her gaze remained dark with desire. “Wow, that was some kiss.”
He couldn’t resist a satisfied smile. She was falling in line nicely. “Not too shabby from an old man?”
She licked her lips. “No.”
That sultry movement, along with her pink cheeks, enchanted him. Would the flush of color spread to other parts of her body? And that tongue? The multiple ways he could put it to good use had blood thundering through his veins.
He tugged her up with him. “Come, let us take this to my bedchamber.”
As he pulled her along, she lagged behind. He sighed in impatience. Did she realize how aroused he was? It was sheer torture walking when all he wanted was to be in her.
He sped up his pace, but as she came to a complete standstill, he stopped. A look at her sent all his plans careening off course. The slightly confused but mutinous expression plastered over her face didn’t bode well for him.
“We need to talk.”
He let loose a groan. When an elvin woman said those words, nothing good ever came of them. Did human men live in the same fear of hearing those utterances?
Might as well get it over with. “Of course.”
He strode down hall quickly, though he no longer hoped for a passionate union in bed. No, an argument was the only thing waiting for him. Too bad the lower portion of his body didn’t get that message.
***
Maggie ground her teeth as she stalked behind Talion. What the hell had come over her again? She’d practically begged him to have sex with her right in the hall. What would they have done if someone happened by? Hide behind the damn tapestry? Yeah, that would’ve been real subtle. Too bad “subtle” hightailed it out the window whenever Talion showed his face. For that matter, her commonsense did, too.
He was like an aphrodisiac. If she could bottle him, he’d outsell any cure for a flagging libido available back home. Women would be rioting in the streets to get their men some Essence of Talion.
