by Lisa Kumar
Her face crumpled when she apparently realized there was no going back to her old life. A pang assailed him, but he swiped it away. Did she think he liked being so dependent on anyone, especially a human? His enemies could use her to strike against him. But neither could he deny how she drew him.
He neared her until only a heartbeat separated them and grasped her chin. “What we choose doesn’t matter in this case. We must make do with what we have—and that’s each other.”
Indecision clouded her face. It wasn’t a look he saw on her face often.
She knocked his hand away. “I—I need time to think.”
Grim amusement tickled his insides. She wasn’t going to give in easily and would probably keep looking for a nonexistent way out. Let her try. It would keep her busy and allow him to continue with his plans for her and the kingdom.
“You might have all the time in the world now, but don’t take long. Others will soon discover the bond.”
She tensed up. Hmm, was she worried people would find out about their bond, or was she concerned about something else? She’d reacted more to his first words than his last. Could his reference to time have upset her? But why? A human should be happy to have the lifespan of an elf.
“Great, a lifetime of you,” she muttered. “Sign me up now.”
He frowned. Really, there were worse things in life. She needed to learn that and her place in his world. “You are. Blood and soul.”
“Could this day get any more horrible?”
He tsked at her. “Is that a dare?” It probably wasn’t wise to bait her, but he couldn’t help himself. She resembled an angry kitten when mad.
She glared at him. “Why are you such an ass?”
Ah, her favorite insult. He was becoming quite fond of it himself. “What other people call dynamic and witty, you call an ass.”
“Yeah, they must be imbeciles.” She turned her back on him and gathered up her clothes. “Where can I get dressed?”
“Right here.”
A snort escaped her lips. “I think not.”
“It’s nothing I haven’t seen or tasted.” And would taste again.
She shivered, her hand clutching the blanket around her tighter. “Grr, don’t remind me.”
“Afraid of wanting a repeat performance?”
She spoke between gritted teeth. “Where. Can. I. Get. Dressed?”
He considered his options for a moment. She wasn’t rising to his challenge, and he did have work to do. “Through the door to the right.”
“Finally.”
She marched over to the door leading to his bedroom and opened it, sending it banging against the wall. When she yanked the door closed, the sound was no softer.
He winced. Remind him to have doorstops installed in all his rooms.
A few minutes passed, and Maggie still hadn’t returned. His mind froze on that one thought. Why would she when they’d already finalized the bond? He sighed. She was going to lead him on a wild chase, one he could ill afford. Follow her he would, but not right now. There was work to do. Personal matters would have to wait.
A ripple of pain pierced his chest, but he ignored it. The twinge would go away over time. Until then, Maggie would find herself in his company often.
He grinned. She’d love that.
***
Maggie wandered the halls. She didn’t want to go back to her room and face Cal.
She gulped. Would Cal know just by looking at her? Talion had left his imprint on her. Surely, it showed on her face, on her skin, like an ink stamp. In fact, the elves she’d run across stared more than usual. She was sure of it.
The skin on the back of her neck itched. She turned around to see an elvin woman gazing at her. The woman was everything she hated, with a thin, willowy figure that could do a supermodel justice. Long, silky, platinum hair cascaded in waves down narrow shoulders. Maggie wanted to barf. Her own golden-brown hair and average figure seemed plain and frumpy in comparison.
She shrugged off the feeling. Why was she now worried about her looks in Elfland, when she hadn’t been concerned before? Back on Earth, she’d never lacked for dates when she’d wanted them.
The woman walked toward her. Maggie stifled a groan. She didn’t feel like talking to a living fashion doll.
“You are Lady Maggie, are you not?”
“Yes. Why?”
“I’ve wanted to meet the woman I’ve heard so much about. Rumor doesn’t lie. You’re a very pretty human.”
Maggie scrunched her brows together. “Uh, thanks?” What did this elvin woman know of human beauty? Or was she just giving her an underhanded compliment?
“You’re a musician, it is said.”
“Yeah, I play the violin, guitar, and piano, along with other instruments.”
The lady’s shrewd gaze swept over her. “The king loves music and appears to think highly of you.”
What the heck? Why bring up Talion? “He does?”
“He’s mentioned you a few times in passing.” The elvin lady’s lips thinned. “Besides, I know him quite well and can tell when someone has his regard.”
Emotions thundered through her. Why and when had he been talking to this woman? They seemed way too chummy to her. As the possible implications hit her, the sound of her heart hammered in her ears.
“Really? My, you do know each other well, then.”
The woman either ignored the barb, or wasn’t familiar with her personal brand of mockery. Either way, it pissed Maggie off.
“We were lovers, yes. I still care deeply for him, but he was…never free to return my affections. So I made do with what he could give me.”
Yeah, and I can guess what that was. “When did you stop...seeing him?”
“The night you arrived in Eria. He felt it was in my best interest to halt the affair.”
Maggie’s mouth went dry. “Best interest? He didn’t want to see you anymore?”
“While we still enjoy each other’s company, he no longer beds me at the moment.”
Maggie winced at the matter-of-fact words and the images they conjured. This lady was beyond blunt about her relationship with Talion. Normally she’d appreciate such a trait, but in this case….
“Why are you telling me this?” Was Blondie trying to stir up trouble? Because regardless of her intentions, this was what she’d achieved. Talion would be getting an earful.
“I want Talion to be happy. And you seem decent enough, for a human.”
Wow, the compliments just kept pouring in. Really, it was as if being human was considered a bad thing. She may not have been born to live freakishly long, and graced with stunning looks, but being human was pretty nifty.
She crossed her arms under her breasts, which she noted with satisfaction were larger than Blondie’s size As. “Well, thank you very much. I’ll be sure…to take your words into consideration. A good day to you.” With a spin of her heel, she turned around, only to nearly stagger. Her lungs felt constricted, and her heart seemed determined to follow the same path.
Damn Talion and Blondie. They’d riled her up and literally sent her off-balance. She smiled grimly. Now, Talion better be ready for the consequences.
***
Maggie stalked toward the great hall. Let the dinner from hell commence. She was still smoldering from her run-in with Talion’s piece of fluff.
She’d felt off ever since. But that was surely because she now found herself bound to him. Hell, she’d “been off” since she met him.
As she entered the cavernous room, her stride almost faltered as the very awareness of him seeped into her soul. She didn’t need eyes to pinpoint his location. His energy pulsed through the air. A homing beacon couldn’t have been any stronger. It took all her power not to immediately seek him out. She gritted her teeth. What the hell was he doing to her? This loss of control had to go. No man would lead her around by the nose.
She knew the moment his gaze zeroed in on her. Sparks played over her skin like lightning. Their gaze
s met across a sea of tables, and she was sucked into the typhoon that was Talion’s eyes. Immeasurable moments passed before she yanked herself out of the swirling waters.
She made the mistake at looking at his mouth. And what a mouth it was. Those lips were gifted. By the smile spreading over his face, he knew it, too. She rolled her eyes. He really was insufferable.
He crooked his finger at her. Crooked his finger! Like she was a servant. And in front of everybody. Who did he think he was? King? The absurdity of her last thought hit her, and she came to a halt. Yes, stupid, he is a king. Used to getting everything—and everyone—he wanted. And in the end, she’d caved like everyone else surely had. It didn’t matter she’d had a raindrop’s chance in hell concerning the whole matter.
If he wanted a challenge, he’d get one. Their verbal feuds were the talk of the palace, so there wasn’t any worry about people inferring anything intimate from their exchanges. Though some of the housemaids had teased her ever since Talion had danced with her the one time. She’d known better. He only wanted to disconcert her.
But the recent happenings gave her pause. That he desired her on some level couldn’t be doubted. Had he always felt this way?
Whatever. It didn’t matter. She tossed a stray lock of hair over her shoulder and sauntered toward the king’s table. A smirk twisted her lips. It wouldn’t do to keep him waiting. Plus, she looked like a moron standing in the aisle of the great hall.
She put a sexy swing to her steps. If she garnered more than Talion’s attention, all the better.
Talion’s only reactions were a lift of the brow and an appreciative gaze. So, he thought it was all for his benefit? She called up her most flirtatious smile and found the nearest target. The young elvin male grinned and gave her a look that screamed his interest. So what if it was probably because she was human and therefore a novelty? This was likely why Talion wanted her, too. Some of her spunk vanished at that thought. What a way to depress a girl.
On a brighter note, Talion rewarded her with a subtle frown. Cha-ching.
If she kept this up, she’d send him over the edge in no time. It would be so fun to see the suave Talion lose it.
She sauntered toward the table, aware that while all gazes were on her, the most important one was searing a hole through her. Success.
A few feet from the table, she paused and placed a hand on her hip. She looked at Cal, Relian, and the rest of the gang, but her focus was on Talion. “His kingship called?”
Talion lounged back in his seat with the indolent quality of someone reclining on a beach chair. “Dear Calantha was worried about you. She said you couldn’t be found anywhere.”
“I was taking care of a troublesome problem.”
Avrin toyed with his wine goblet while he studied her. “All taken care of?”
She shifted under his scrutiny. This guy was too freakin’ perceptive. “I think it was put in its place.”
“Hmm, I’m sure it was.”
Eeep. What did the man know?
Cal cut in, a questioning expression on her face. “What was this problem? Where have you been?”
Maggie shrugged. “Just walking around. Thinking.”
Good ol’ Kenhel smiled, mischief sparkling in his eyes. “I hope you didn’t strain yourself.”
More than you’ll ever know. “I believe I managed it without my head exploding.”
Cal wouldn’t let it go. “For the last twelve hours?”
“Yeah, basically.”
A skeptical stare was leveled at her.
“Well, I had this meeting thing to go to.”
“Meeting thing?”
“I don’t know what it was. You can ask Talion.” Let him come up with some fancy story.
Cal’s brow furrowed. “Talion?”
Damn, she’d slipped and called him by his given name. Wouldn’t do to look too familiar with him.
“He invited me.” Maggie winced at the defensive note in her words. Geez, snapping at her friend would only arouse suspicion.
“Why don’t you sit down?” Talion’s voice said quietly. “You’re making a spectacle of yourself.”
Relian snorted. “Your battles with each other do that.”
Talion cocked his head to the side. “They draw attention away from you and Calantha. I would think you’d be grateful.”
A golf ball formed in Maggie’s throat. It had all been a ploy? The very thought made her blood smolder, and the pain in her chest intensified. Her mouth fired up into overdrive. “I don’t think you’re all that worried about a spectacle being made. After all, your mistress came up to me.”
He interwove his fingers together, bringing them to rest under his nose, elbows resting on the arms of his chair. “She did? Which one?”
Maggie was sure her eyes threatened to jump out of their sockets. Which one? He was joking, right?
“You have more than one of those frou-frou creatures?”
To her astonishment, Sardon, one of the advisors seated at the table, spoke. “Our king might have a colorful past, but even he hasn’t attempted anything like that for ages.” He turned his blonde head toward Talion. “Stop baiting the girl.”
Throughout his little speech, Sardon’s eyes remained like icicles, and Maggie shivered. Those eyes could freeze the stoutest of souls. And Cal thought he was warming up to them? Crazy woman. But Sardon must be friends with Talion to talk to him like this. The only others who dared to do so were Avrin and Relian—and her, too, but that was a given.
“But it offers me much amusement, dear friend. Whatever will take its place?”
Oh, she could think of a few things. The pig. “How about your oh-so-willing girlfriend?”
He waved a dismissive hand. “She no longer pleases me. This role now goes to another.”
She opened her mouth, only to close it. What could she say without giving herself away?
Relian turned to his father. “The one who was in your room this afternoon?”
“Yes, I’d like to know that answer,” Avrin’s sardonic voice said.
Dread swept over her like a tidal wave. How many knew about the mystery woman? And more importantly, how much did Avrin know? He suspected something, all right.
“Really, is my love life so intriguing we must discuss it over the dinner table?” Talion drawled.
Maggie would’ve liked to make a snide comment, but she couldn’t ignore the out he’d given both of them. “Yes, must we talk about his sex life? The very thought makes me sick.” Her stomach did feel queasy. But not for the reason most would think. The image of him and that blonde goddess…. She batted away this thought like the disturbing nuisance it was.
And why was she still standing by the table like an idiot? She hustled to the open chair next to Cal and slid into it.
Cal lost no time in leaning over and whispered, “I still want to know why Talion invited you to a meeting.”
Maggie bit back the growl welling in her throat. When would this damn dinner be over? Resignation soon followed, and she set out to spin a tale that would fool even her closest friend.
***
Maggie heaved a sigh and discreetly stretched away the tension strummed across her shoulders. Thank God, the dastardly dinner was almost done. She was wound tighter than a yoyo. Most of her food remained untouched on her plate. The rest sat like a lead brick in her stomach.
Who knew lying could be so tiring? She’d been shoveling crap to everyone, and for the most part, they seemed to be accepting it. Well, except for Avrin. And to some extent Relian. But at least Cal believed…. Hell, she’d been looking at her funny all evening, too.
Cal leaned over and whispered, “You seem really distracted.”
The words only partly pierced her consciousness. “What?”
Cal sighed. “You’ve proved my point. Where are your rapid-fire comments? Your sarcasm? You’re not…your usual chipper self.”
Maggie cast about for something suitable to say. “My mind’s just busy.”
/> “You’re not normally lost in thought. That’s me.”
Maggie scowled at her plate, refusing to look at Cal. If she did, she feared she’d crack like a porcelain cup and spill the truth. “Just because I’m quiet doesn’t mean anything’s wrong.”
“Sure, and the world really is flat.”
“It’s not that bad.”
“Come on, Maggie. Fess up.”
Maybe she should just come clean? She bit her lip, the sting barely leaking into her consciousness. Was she being too obstinate? But if she told any one, even Cal, the situation would be that much more real. She’d have to admit she felt something other than annoyance or rage toward his majesty.
That thought made her cringe. She wasn’t ready for that kind of commitment. Maybe she’d tell Cal someday…once this whole nightmare was put behind her. Or if she really was stuck with Talion. Yeah, Cal would be the first to know, then. Otherwise, Maggie would never hear the end of it.
Cal’s expectant stare weighed on Maggie, and she forced an answer out. “Nothing’s wrong.”
Everything was wrong, and lying to her friend made it worse. Hell, she hated to lie to anyone, even a stranger.
“Maggie, I don’t—”
“I’m fine, Princess Worry Pants.” Maggie pasted a bright smile on her face. It felt so brittle she feared her lips would shatter.
Doubt lingered in Cal’s gaze. “If you say so.”
“I do.”
Maggie made a valiant effort to be more talkative, more herself, after that. Still, she wondered if she’d made the right decision about keeping things from Cal. But giving in to the bond felt like a betrayal of her beliefs. She’d be damned if she accepted the situation rationally. Sensibility had no place in her emotions. Now, since this was decided, it was time to make an exit and leave the questioning stares behind.
She sat her napkin on her plate before pushing away from the table. So much for waiting until the king dismissed the diners. But she would say she felt indisposed. It wasn’t even that much of a lie.
