Bound to the Elvin King

by Lisa Kumar

  So much for music helping her relax. Exhaustion dogged her every moment. But sleep fled whenever she closed her eyes. Only he remained. He’d jackhammered his way into every crevice of her mind. Ha, maybe that was really the cause of her headache.

  Now, she had Talion’s countdown to worry about. In only two months’ time, everyone would know. The ticking of that bomb buried its way deep into her heart. Every movement of the secondhand brought her closer to the doom awaiting her.

  Pain lanced through her head and chest. She clutched at both areas, the instrument resting abandoned on her lap. Damn, she needed a dose of Talion. Only stubbornness kept her glued to the chair.

  She rubbed at the dual ache with weary hands. How was she going to get out of this mess? No matter which direction she envisioned, Talion invariably waited at the end. Sometimes, it was a proposition that caused her heart to pitter-patter with excitement. At other times her heart froze in terror. If there was one thing she hated, it was a loss of control. And with Talion, this seemed to be the status quo of her life.

  If only she could tell Cal, but the fewer people who knew, the better. Plus, how could Cal help her beyond giving a sympathetic ear? No, this was her problem, and she’d be the one to solve it.

  But did she want to solve it? Resolve pumped away the uncertainty, and she sat straight in her chair. Of course, she wanted it to end. She didn’t need anyone in her life other than her friends. They filled any void that could possibly arise. And physical needs were easy to take care of by herself or with any number of eager partners. But the thought curdled her stomach. Other hands touching…caressing…her where his had been. Bile rose in her throat.

  She buried her face in her hands. God, what was wrong with her? She was frigging nuts. When had she turned into such a prude? The answer lit like fireworks going off in her mind. Talion.

  He’d messed everything up. Being reliant upon anyone was a bad idea. She’d seen this first hand with her parents. Such dysfunction shouldn’t be repeated, and she had no reason to believe she’d act any different than her parents had. After all, she was a lethal mixture of the two, as they’d told her many times.

  Maggie ground her teeth. Screw them, and screw Talion—and everyone who tried to control and manipulate her. She didn’t need their crap.

  The door to the music room crashed open, the boom reverberating off the walls, and Maggie’s head shot up. All anger evaporated, and her mind fell into a fog that narrowed down to one person. Talion. Disheveled. Fierce. He froze inside the doorway, his eyes devouring every inch of skin left exposed by her gown.

  Every cell in her body flowed toward him, calling out for him. Their cry echoed in her veins. She wanted him. The ache in her chest testified to that. But what was worse, she needed him. Beyond reason, beyond understanding. And there wasn’t one damn thing she could do about it right now.

  He lurched toward her. Suddenly, all the air in her lungs vanished. Each of his steps looked painful, like he labored through quicksand. Was it her vision, or was he really affected? The bond was messing him up that much? This thought gave her no pleasure, no matter what she would’ve previously believed.

  The moment stretched on to infinity but ended way too soon when he loomed over her. With a shaking hand, he reached out and touched her cheek. But instead of being rough, his fingers slid across her heated skin like silk. Her eyes closed as a sensation of completeness swam through every particle of her being. How could he put so much tenderness into one caress?

  He knelt before her, and his arms banded about her waist. A shard of surprise cut through the surreal haze surrounding her. He came crashing into her room like a flesh-hungry predator, but was now at her feet? Something had brought him to this state, but was it the bond or something else? Did she care? Yes, she did. She wanted to…comfort him.

  His mouth sought out her collarbone before he rested his face against the side of her neck. The press of his head on her chest filled her with a curious sense of familiarity, like his action was the most natural thing in the world. Maybe in this situation, it was. But that was the bond speaking, right?

  “Let me hold you. Don’t deny me this.”

  More surprise bit into her. Though no plea rested within his ragged words, neither did any command. Where was his kingly arrogance?

  Even though his arms released the vice around her lungs, she couldn’t catch a breath. But this didn’t stop her mouth from running before she had a reply in mind. “Just this once.”

  “A truce for the moment?”

  He offered a face-saving way out? She could comfort him without looking weak? Well, hell, she’d take it. “Yeah.”

  His lips curved into a smile against her skin before he said breathlessly, “I’m not begging.”

  She jumped a little. Was he a mind reader? “No, never that.”

  “You admit in this we need each other?”

  “At the moment.” She didn’t know where this new Talion had come from, but wasn’t counting on him to stick around. He was pushing his luck if he thought he’d get anything more from her.

  “Fair enough.” With a renewed energy about him, he stood and pulled her with him. As he framed her face between his hands, his eyes glowed with a fire that promised to smolder her to the core. “It’s up to you. Do we take comfort by merely holding each other? Or do we make love?”

  Awe and something she swore felt like tenderness swarmed inside. He was willing to play by her rules? God, that aroused her.

  His fingers roughly traced the curve on her right cheek. “I know which I prefer, though I won’t seek to sway you either way. But I need one of these things from you, and I won’t leave until you’ve satisfied one of them.”

  He ground out the last sentence as if his life counted on it. A lump sprung up in her throat, and she closed her eyes. Maybe it did. As much as she pretended to hate him, the thought of any true harm coming to him nearly stopped her heart.

  The choice shone clearly. She melted into him like ice cream on a warm brownie. The feel of him was even better than that gooey piece of heaven.

  She ran her hands over his shoulders and down his upper arms. The muscles corded under her touch, and he moaned. She froze. That wasn’t a groan of sexual pleasure, but one of pain. The tenseness in him was a palatable thing with him pressed against her.

  Her previous concern for him caused her to draw back. Lines of stress ringed his mouth and eyes. She frowned. Why hadn’t she noticed them before? Was she so oblivious? Guilt trickled into her. “What brought about this change? Why are you so tense?”

  His face shuttered against her scrutiny. “I’ve had a trying day and an even more trying council meeting.”

  Her conscience panged in sympathy. Sometimes, she forgot he was a king with all the responsibility that title brings. No wonder he was so stressed. He had to deal with his kingdom—and her. That was enough to drive any sane male insane. Maybe she should go a little easier on him, at least when he wasn’t being unbearable.

  “You want to talk about it?” She was pretty sure what his answer would be, but she had to ask.

  He shrugged her hands off. “It’s nothing I want to discuss.”

  She regarded him with a frown. Whatever happened, it must’ve been bad. “What would make you feel better?”

  “You.”

  Her heart sped to a blistering tempo. She knew what she wanted—him. Maybe it wasn’t wise, but she was tired of fighting whatever was between them. For one night, the bond wouldn’t be the deciding factor of them being together. She wanted him for more than the cure he could provide for the ache and pain. The revelation hit her with the force of a semi.

  In fact, she didn’t need to sleep with him to feel renewed. Her headache had vanished, and new strength coursed through her body. Anyway, they’d already done the damage. Having sex again couldn’t make anything worse, and he’d relieve the throbbing pressure building in her core since yesterday.

  “You have me.”

  As soon as those
words left her mouth, he sprang on her. She was ready for him. The nearest piece of furniture—in this case the top of a piano—was their bed. He didn’t even bother to strip her. One hand pulled up her gown while another fumbled with his leggings. He took her fast and hard. His first thrust slammed her backside painfully into the hard wood. The pain from it barely touched the pleasure flooding her every cell. She raked her hands down his back, loving the feel of his sleek muscles under her fingers.

  Talion mumbled incoherently against her neck, punctuating every few syllables with a nip to her skin. She arched into him, hips slapped against his. Completion grabbed her first, and bliss poured through her. He released one final cry as if he’d found paradise and collapsed against her.

  The whirlwind coupling left them both panting and sated on the cold wood. His breath puffed against her shoulder. Reality seeped back into her mind. She was lying on a piano, with her most intimate place bared for any who chose to walk into the room. Untangling herself from him, she sat up and pushed the dress down to her knees.

  A glance back showed him reclining there, looking replete and supremely well rested. To think she’d helped bring about this change was amazing. Energy and contentment hummed through her. She smiled and couldn’t call up one regret.

  Her gaze roved lower, and she chuckled. “Hey, might want to tuck yourself back in. Anyone could walk in and see your most kingly feature.”

  He stretched with the fluidness of a cat and hoisted himself up. “My most kingly feature? Maybe my most mighty.”

  “You flatter yourself.” Not really. She knew firsthand how magnificent it was.

  Poorly concealed passion still lurked in his eyes. He slid off the piano but didn’t cover himself. He nudged her knees apart and wrapped a hand in her hair, drawing her head back. His hips pushed against hers. She gasped. He was ready for another round?

  “Again?”

  “Yes.”

  Mixed feelings clashed within her. She’d love to feel his touch again, but was it wise to become dependent on him to any extent? Experience had taught her nothing good lasted for long. “I don’t know.”

  He drew back. His eyebrows snapped together. “Oh.”

  Regret smashed into her. Damn it, why did she have to say anything? She’d gone and wrecked the good mood they’d created, all because of her doubts and insecurities. There was a way to turn this around. Did she want to take it? Could she afford not to?

  She drew close to him and ran her hands over his chest. His eyes widened, and some immature part of her crowed with delight. Oh, how she loved throwing him off-center. “Let’s have some fun this afternoon.”

  ***

  Talion stood immobile. Maggie’s hands seemed to sear a hole through his tunic, and the desire to make love to her hammered him. Did he dare believe her words? After their last explosive coupling, he wanted to believe her. But the little vixen loved to torment him. Normally, he loved said torment, but not when he was harder than the stone cliffs that soared above the city.

  She pulled his head down to run the tip of her tongue over his ear. A tremor shivered its way down his spine. By the Mystics, didn’t she know what she did to him? Not sure of her motivation, he made no attempt to touch her.

  With a mew of disappointment, she drew away. A pout played over her lips, and a soft reproach lie in her eyes. But they couldn’t hide the uncertainty lining her face. “Don’t you want to play with me? All day long?”

  His eyes nearly rolled back in his head at her proposition. Did he ever. Her teasing voice contained an undercurrent of fear that he’d turn her away, and his reservations vanished. He gave her a smile. “As my lady wishes.”

  Relief flitted across her face before she gave him a saucy smile. “I like the sound of that.”

  He pulled her against him. “Hmm, I bet you do.”

  His mouth covered hers, and she opened up for him. His tongue swept in, and she dueled every motion he made. He released Maggie’s lips, and lowering his head, nuzzled her neck. Working his way up to her ear, Talion nipped at it. A moan came from Maggie, and she tilted her head to the side so he had better access.

  He whispered, “I look forward to…playing with you all day long.”

  “God, you turn me on when you talk like that.”

  He couldn’t help but smile. The most delightful things came from her mouth—and her mouth did the most delightful things to him—when desire clouded her head. He’d have to keep her in a lusty mood all the time. His mind homed in on all the possibilities. Maggie in the morning, Maggie in the afternoon. In the evening, during the middle of the night….

  But an unpleasant thought intruded, and his lips froze on her neck. He had a kingdom to oversee, and Maggie would soon take her place at his side. Their bed sport would have to be squeezed in between all their duties. He frowned and lifted his head back up. Well, there went half of those times he’d been fantasizing about.

  “What’s wrong? Why did you stop?”

  He snapped back to reality and shrugged. “Nothing I want to go into at this time.”

  She arched a brow. “Okay, whatever you say.” She glanced at the door. “It’s kind of public for our planned activities, anyway.”

  He smirked at her and then strode to the door. “This is easily taken care of.” From a pocket on his pants, he withdrew a key that was charmed to lock any door in the palace. Ah, the perks of being king did come in handy sometimes, though he could’ve as easily warded the door shut.

  Maggie wound her arms around his neck. “You looked so kingly doing that. Show me all your majesty.”

  And he did just that.

  Clothes disappeared. Hands and mouths caressed naked skin. As he pressed her down on a couch, his mouth sought out her breasts and lavished their tips. Maggie fisted her hands in his hair, seemingly torn between alternately pressing his head closer and forcing it away.

  He decided to prolong her suffering and renewed his attack. She writhed under him. “Please, I need….”

  “You need what, Maggie?” he murmured against her skin.

  “You.”

  “Because of the bond?” For some reason, the words sprung up on his lips.

  She didn’t answer, and a bolt of disappointment hit him. He raised his head. “Answer me.”

  Her brow furrowed, and she gazed up at him, her eyelids heavy with desire. “No.” She shook her head as if confused.

  “No?” He kept his voice soft.

  In an uncharacteristic show of nervousness, she chewed on her bottom lip. Her eyes flickered back and forth as though she were absorbed in her own thoughts. “I want…you. Right now, I don’t even want to think about the bond, okay?”

  That last sentence brought a grin to his face. His Maggie was back—attitude and all. And the primal exhilaration flowing through him made him want to shout. She’d admitted a need for him, one she’d normally rather die than acknowledge.

  Her nails scraped over his buttocks. “Now, can we get back to the nookie?”

  “Gladly.”

  He lowered his head to her breasts, kissed down to her stomach, and then went even farther. She gasped and yanked on his hair.

  When he glanced up at her, she glowered at him. “Why are you stopping?” She waved a hand toward her sex. “Get back to work.”

  He chuckled. So bossy, but he’d listen to her commands on this. With a bend of his head, her core received the same attention her breasts had. But he refused to give her the ultimate satisfaction, so he pulled back whenever she neared her pinnacle. His name sounded like a chant on her lips. After a while, though, she’d had enough. “Talion, if you don’t give me some relief, I’m going to climb on you and get it myself.”

  The picture plastering itself in Talion’s mind was so erotic he almost told her to carry out her threat. He nipped at the tender flesh of her inner thigh before he rose up over her. “We’ll try that next time. For now, I’m in charge.”

  She pouted. “Why can’t I be?”

  He shook his h
ead ruefully. That didn’t take long—the power struggle had commenced. But he’d win. He always did, and he wasn’t above using her own words to do so. “You commanded me to show you all my majesty. It’s my kingly duty to fulfill your request.”

  A smile replaced her pout. “Okay, do your duty and show me your royal mightiness.”

  More blood surged to his groin. “I love it when you talk dirty.” He captured her lips in a kiss and spread her knees wider with his thighs.

  He entered her, and their moans rent the air. He ground his teeth as he thrust. She was so tight he feared he’d finish too soon. It took all his millennia of self-control not to spend himself like a callow elf seeing his first female.

  Her hips surged against his, and the slap of skin against skin sounded in the room. The noise only inflamed him more, and another thread of his restraint snapped. He rocked against her faster. Her hands slid over his slick back, her nails branding trails over his skin.

  She cried out and pulsed around him. The sensation wound his body tighter than a miser’s grip on gold, and he gave up the battle. With one last thrust, he emptied himself inside her. Euphoria flooded every pore. He collapsed down on his side, careful not to fall off the couch, and spooned her against him. His heart thudded in his ears, and their heavy breaths broke the silence.

  Lethargy weighed him down. He couldn’t have moved even if he’d wanted to. Every time with her surpassed the last. She was his. She’d always been, though she hadn’t known it. And he’d grown tired of waiting. The years had passed by—and even with the knowledge she would exist sometime, in some place—the notion of a true mate had drifted farther away. Now, it was time to remedy his mistake.

  With a grunt of effort, he laid a possessive arm over her waist, and she snuggled against him. Her eyes fluttered open and closed as she fought sleep.