by Lisa Kumar
He gestured toward her nightgown. “It is highly…unorthodox to venture outside your chamber attired as you are.”
Really? All the important places were covered. As if his faux pas weren’t greater by a mile. “Oh, is it? Just as unorthodox as recently being bound and yet entertaining your mistress?”
His lips tightened. “Don’t arrive at erroneous conclusions.”
“Come on, I’m smarter than that.”
“Apparently not.”
She placed a hand on her hip. “The round of sex from yesterday wasn’t enough?”
“I could never have enough rounds with you.”
Why, the lecherous— But then her brain registered what he’d said at the end. With you. How could he trip her up so easily? Not only that, but he took all her smart retorts away. And they protected her more than any physical armor. Words stuck in her throat until she forced them out. “In your dreams.”
A wicked smile spread over his lips as he raked her with his gaze. “In yours, too, apparently.”
“If your ego gets any bigger, it won’t fit in the palace.”
He waggled his brows at her, though his face remained serious. “There’s that wonderful new word again. If you’re correct, then I’ll just build a new home—a larger one.”
Some of the anger—her anger—dissipated. She tried desperately to clutch onto her ire, but this exchange had calmed her. Even invigorated her. Was it the effect of the bond? Or Talion? For some reason she didn’t want to consider too closely, she preferred it being the bond.
“I’m sure you would, and probably on the backs of your people.”
He shook his head in mock dismay. “I’m not the taskmaster you believe me to be.”
But it was much easier to pretend he was, not that she’d admit it to him. “I didn’t come here to discuss your building habits.”
“Then please enlighten me about the purpose of your visit. You barged in here without permission—or knocking.”
Disbelief shot through her. He was chastising her? Ire gathered like a cloak around her. “After what I saw, I don’t think you want to go there.”
“You saw nothing,” he said flatly and stepped toward her.
She held up a hand to stop him from coming closer. “Fine.” Whatever. She didn’t want to waste time arguing with him. “You forgot to tell me something important about the bond. Like the bond acts like a tracking device, one I can use with a blindfold on. This isn’t normal, you jerk.”
A flash of surprise flitted across his face, only to be tightly locked away again. “Since your arrival in Eria, what has been ordinary?”
Not much, damn it. “Nothing.”
“So why would the effects of the bond be any different?”
A sigh of frustration forced its way loose. “They wouldn’t. But you’re missing the point—I didn’t know about its tracking capabilities. I don’t care if the bond’s effects are strange. In fact, the stranger they are, the more pressing it is I should know. It makes me wonder what else you’ve kept secret from me.”
“About the bond…nothing too much.”
“Implying you have a lot of other secrets?”
“Naturally. I run a country.”
Oh yeah, that. “You can keep those secrets. I just want to know the ones that pertain to me.”
“As my mate and queen, they all involve you.”
A cringe worked its way through her. Why did he have to remind her? “So, are there more things I don’t know about the bond that might be lurking in the closet?”
“None I can think of.”
Grrr, why did she smell a “but” here? “None you can think of right now, you mean.”
“Something of the sort. But you’ll be the first to know if I remember something.”
“Sure.”
“You don’t believe me?”
She shrugged. “I don’t know you well enough to believe you.”
With a few strides, he demolished her personal bubble of space. But he wasn’t satisfied with this. The inches disappeared between them until only the barest whisper separated them. She gritted her teeth. A siren’s call to sway toward him blared through her. Her body wanted nothing more, though her mind yelled “retreat.” But she wouldn’t give him the satisfaction.
“Thanks to our bond, you’ll know me better than anyone in this world or yours. You’d be surprised at how much you can already sense if you but pay attention.”
As his words filtered through her brain, she stepped back. “What? It’s the first time I’ve heard this. I thought you couldn’t think of any others.”
“I’m getting forgetful in my dotage.”
Dotage? “Ooh, fancy word.” Luckily she knew what it meant.
“I thought you might not have known it.”
She narrowed her eyes at him. “I studied hard in Henril’s class and learned everything he taught me and Cal.”
“That’s good, because now that you are my bond mate, he’ll be tutoring you again.”
“Why?” Discomfort pumped through her veins. She had a suspicion about where this was going.
He shook his head. “Do you have to ask? As my bond mate, you’ll also hold a position of prominence by my side.”
“You’re kidding.” She scowled. “I don’t want to learn any queenly stuff.”
“I wouldn’t joke about such a serious matter.”
Yeah, right. “When it concerns me, everything is a joke to you.”
“My dear, can your opinion of me become any higher?” He reached out and trailed a finger down her cheek.
She knocked his hand away. “I’m sure you’ll surprise me and sink to new levels.”
“Your faith in me is astounding.” With a gleam in his eyes, he yanked her toward him. The hard muscles of his body pressed against her and brought up vivid images of them entwined together in bed. She swallowed past the tennis ball lodged in her throat. Not a good time to dredge up those too-fresh memories. Still, his arms felt heavenly. Her hands stubbornly refused to push him away. Every part of her body was betraying her, even her mind.
What was he doing to her? Since when was she a sex-starved loony? The day you saw him, a smug voice in her head reminded her. Maybe if she had a quick taste, it would stop her craving.
She threaded her fingers through his hair, quickly destroying the braids that kept his hair studiously styled. The sunshine that filtered in through the gauzy curtains turned his hair molten gold. He gazed at her with heavy-lidded eyes, telling her to come and get him. Her breath hitched. He’d never looked more foreign…and human. For some reason, this inflamed her more than she thought possible.
All she knew was she wanted him like she’d desired nothing else. How could lust be so strong? But that was what it had to be—just lust. All it could ever be.
Wanting to stop the whirl of thoughts dragging her down into uncertainty, she pulled his head down and crashed her lips to his. She smothered a moan, her body suddenly more alive than it had been a moment before.
She deepened the kiss, trying to silence her mind. This desire was all they had between them—all that could ever be between them. Her eyes rolled back in her head as he swept his tongue into her mouth. And, oh, was it ever great, but it was just physical.
Her fingers curled into his scalp in a scraping caress. He made a noise of appreciation, and she knew she was on the right track. If she could only work him out of her system, then maybe the allure of his magnetic presence would fade. It was a law of nature, at least in her universe.
His hands wandered over her butt and molded her lower body against him. Each stroke caused more need to flood her body. She nearly cried in ecstasy and despair. He was like a drug. Could she gorge on him and cure herself of her Talion-lust sickness? Part of her doubted this easy solution. Some addictions had to be given up cold turkey. But what did she have left to lose? She’d already jumped head first into the mind-altering substance that was Talion, and even if she’d wanted to stop, it was too late. Way t
oo late.
Her hands went to his tunic. He laughed, the sound rumbling through her.
“Can’t wait to have me take you?”
She froze, hands fisted into the heavy silk. Well, he could forget her ever trying to remove his clothes again. Cold turkey it was, the jerk.
“Trust me, the one time I can remember is enough.”
“Your body says otherwise, as do your actions.”
He had her there. But she might be able to downplay it. “The pain in my chest says it. You’re still burning in my chest like heartburn from a bad meal.”
Instead of being offended as she’d hoped, he smiled. “You have such a way of making me feel appreciated. But this brings another effect of the bond to mind.”
Great. She couldn’t wait to hear it.
He lowered his head to press his lips against her neck, the moist heat causing her stomach to clench. “Can you stop that? It’s annoying.”
His knowing glance told her he knew the truth. “Sorry to distract you. I’ll be good and keep my mouth to myself.”
She shifted uncomfortably, heat kindling in her core. Damn, why did he have to word it that way? He made it hard for her to keep her hands to herself. To cover her reaction, she tapped her foot. “Well, out with it.”
The slow, wicked smile spreading over his face didn’t reassure her. Sometimes he seemed more demon than elf.
“Even though we consummated our union, we have to spend more time together. The stability of the bond relies upon it.”
They already had sex. Now, they had to spend time together? What kind of torture was this? “Is this why I still feel pain when there’s distance between us? I thought the sex was enough?” Well, besides living together forever. “And proximity.”
“Sometimes it is. But the stronger the bond, the longer the contact has to be maintained.”
“Define contact.”
He met her glare with a considering gaze. After remaining quiet a few seconds, he appeared to choose his words with care. “Our bond is growing stronger and…requires our continued physical closeness.”
She sagged against the wall, all the air knocked from her lungs. Oh, damn. He was kidding, right?
Before she knew it, he was nearly on top of her. As soon as he placed his hands around her waist, a sense of vitality shot through her veins and she gasped. He was better than an energy drink, one she could get addicted to. To make matters worse, his heady scent filled her nostrils and did wonky things to her body. Why couldn’t she have a cold? Or an allergy flare-up? She’d have to ask Avrin for some ragweed.
Once her heart rate settled, she beat against his chest. “Requires physical closeness? What the hell does this mean? And you didn’t think to mention this possibility?”
His muscles shifted under her hands as he shrugged, but otherwise, he ignored her attack. “Our situation happens so rarely. I’m by no means an expert on it. I told you what I knew.”
“We have to sleep together again?” Her voice came out nearly a shriek, and she dropped her hands back to her sides. She couldn’t sleep with him another time. He was dangerous to her in every way that mattered. Deprivation was the way to go.
“I’m not sure.” He sent her a cheeky smile. “That or just be in each other’s presence until the bond gets it fill.”
So, they might just have to spend more time together? The expected relief didn’t surface. Both choices stunk to her. Though each was bad for a different reason, the end result could very well be the same—her dependence on him. But what option did she have?
“Okay, we’ll remain together like a ball and chain until the bond is happy.” Then I’m going to split. Doesn’t matter where to, as long as it is a room or more away from him.
He tapped her cheek. “Don’t sound so excited.”
She craned her head back, escaping his finger, and knocked away the hand clamped around her waist. He seemed way too happy about this all. And why not? He was like a lion toying with his cornered prey. But she refused to retreat an inch. “How should I sound?”
“Not like a warrant for your arrest has been signed.”
It was exactly how she felt. And he wanted her to be happy about this newest revelation? Not gonna happen, though he better be careful what he wished for. She clapped her hands and rounded her mouth in mock delight. “I’m so glad I have to spend another moment in your presence. Yippy, oh, yay.”
His lips twitched. “This wasn’t what I had in mind.”
She flashed him a cheeky grin. “It keeps you on your feet, remember?”
“That it does. You made every moment novel, if not always pleasant. You relieve my…tedium.”
She rolled her eyes, ignoring the warmth from his words kindling in her chest. “We wouldn’t want you to get bored.”
“That would be a tragedy.”
“Yeah, I can only imagine how insufferable you are when you don’t have anyone to torment.”
“You know me so well. But I now save my special treatment just for you.”
“Lucky me.”
“Mmm, you are blessed.”
“Can you get anymore conceited? No, don’t answer that. I already know the answer.”
His brow lifted. “Which is?”
She frowned. He didn’t sound concerned at all—more like he looked forward to her reply.
“Your ego can always reach new heights.”
“Ego. I love this new word of yours.”
“You would. It describes your condition perfectly. After all, not everyone can be so smug about pulling the puppet strings.”
Some of the humor drained from his face. “I assure you, I have no more control over this situation than you do.”
“Somehow I highly doubt that.”
“Believe what you want. It won’t change anything.”
This was getting her nowhere. She sighed in frustration. “So, what’s the plan? We don’t want to raise suspicion.”
“We need to tell my people. I will make the announc—”
“No way.” She crossed her arms over her chest and took a step back.
“It must be done sooner or later. Why not now?”
Panic shot through her heart. “I’m not ready.”
His jaw tightened. “How long do you need?”
“Forever.”
“I’ll give you a week.”
She shook her head and shot back, “Four months.” Four months to get herself out of this mess.
“It’s impossible. One and a half months and no later.”
His hard tone commanded compliance, but she’d only meet him part way. “You give me a good two months and tell me before you make any announcements.”
“So you can try to talk me out of it?”
“I need the heads up to prepare myself.”
His eyes narrowed. “And what is the month and a half I’m granting you, then? Is this not enough time for preparation?”
“No. And I want those two months.”
“You know it will be hard to hide our bond for that long. Already, ever-curious minds are turning in our direction. It’s only been a day, and you’re stalking me while dressed in night clothes.”
“I don’t care.” No matter what he said, she wasn’t going to budge.
He shrugged lightly. “Have it your way.”
The light note in his voice sent unease crawling up her back. She’d have to be vigilant and watch for any trickery. “Don’t worry. I will.”
A devilish gleam shimmered in his eyes. “In the meantime, we might as well indulge ourselves.”
One long stride brought him to her. He crushed her to his chest, and her mind hazed over. She wanted to call up her anger, but her body just wanted to party with his. A shake of her head cleared out the cobwebs enough for her to get one breathless word out: “What?”
“We may as well enjoy ourselves until we make public the knowledge of our bond.” His hands ghosted down to her rear end. “The secretiveness will lend a clandestine effect to all our intim
ate moments.”
She snapped fully awake, anger driving away the fog. So, he thought it would be a free-for-all, made all the more titillating because no one knew about their bond? The erection prodding her stomach left no doubt he found such a covert affair alluring.
He wouldn’t get his kicks from her. She was no one’s piece of fluff, no matter how handsome or sexy the person was. “I’m not sleeping with you unless it’s absolutely necessary.”
“So say you.”
She lifted her chin and pushed away from him. His arms fell back to his sides, and blessed distance leaped up between them again. “Is that a challenge?”
“Hmm, take it as you will.”
“It’s on.” She jammed a finger into his chest before spinning around on her heel.
“Are you forgetting something?”
She lurched to a stop and turned to face him. “What?”
“We need a dose of the strengthening our bond gives us.”
Well, that took her newfound resolve right out of her. “Great, a dose of Talion.”
A smirk curved his lips. “I know many ladies who’d love a boost of me.”
“And I’m sure you’ve given a lot of them a taste.”
“Surprisingly little. I’m choosy. I have no need to settle for just anyone.”
Normally, such words would’ve sounded arrogant, but coming from him, they had the ring of truth. So what the hell was he doing with her? Not that she had an inferiority complex, but her sight was good enough to tell her she was stuck in a land of gorgeous people. She was only an opinionated human woman who fawned over no one, be it a king or not.
And she wore this persona proudly. “I’ll put up with a little heartburn for now.” She headed for the door, and on her way glanced back over her shoulder. “I’ll get my…boost later.”
Instead of showing anger at her words, he only sent her a slow smile. “Make yourself ready for me.”
She stumbled over a nonexistent bump in the floor and gave up all pretense of walking, outrage and disbelief stuck in a mutual headlock. Did he just tell her to “ready” herself? He should know better than that. “If you want someone on tap, go to Alalise. I’m sure she’d be happy to perform.”
