Bound to the Elvin King

by Lisa Kumar

Talion frowned. “We’ve been so obvious?” He wasn’t surprised about Relian guessing, but if others had caught on….

  “Who are you talking about?” Cal’s forehead puckered in apparent confusion.

  Relian shifted in his chair, and looked at her. “I think you know who.”

  Incomprehension shone in her eyes as she cocked her head toward her bond mate. “I do?”

  “Who have you been so worried about?”

  Dawning realization painted her face, then she wrinkled her nose. “It can’t be.”

  Relian gently took her hand in his. “It can’t? You’ve said she hasn’t been acting herself. This could well be why.”

  Her gaze whipped to Talion. “They can’t stand to be in the same room without arguing. Sometimes, she wants to shave him bald.”

  An unwitting laugh burst from Talion. So, she’d threatened that horror on him? In spite of his worry about Relian, his smile grew. She loved his hair, loved running her fingers through it. Every strand on his head was safe. Well, except for when they made love. Then she liked to fist her hands in it and pull. As images ran riot in his brain, lust socked him below the gut.

  He shifted in his chair in an effort to relieve some of the tension coiling in his loins. “I think my hair is safe from her. I daresay she loves my hair more than I do.”

  Cal’s eyes widened until he feared they’d pop from her sockets. “So, you’re…you’re really….”

  Something akin to mirth welled up. Poor Cal. She appeared flabbergasted. He understood. He really did. His turbulent and often antagonistic interactions with Maggie were common gossip throughout Eriannon and, no doubt, Eria itself. “Yes, Maggie.”

  “You two— You’re together?”

  He nodded gravely. “In every way.”

  That admittance lightened a bit of the burden resting on his shoulders, and he sat up straighter. His loved ones now knew the truth, and this somehow made his relationship with Maggie seem more real. While a small part of him mourned the future loss of privacy he and Maggie had shared, an even larger portion of him wanted everyone to know she belonged to him.

  All he had left to do was ensure his family and friends accepted their bond. Once they did—and they would, for he wouldn’t countenance any other option—he’d need to make use of their support when he announced the bond to the general public. People were apt to follow what they saw, and if they saw support for his union, they would offer that in turn. Then and only then, would she be totally his.

  “Wow.” Cal sat there for a few seconds, then befuddlement and hurt pasted themselves on her face. “Why didn’t she tell me? And how did you two get around having binding bracelets like Relian and me?”

  A measure of relief flowed through Talion. Other than being disappointed in Maggie’s reticence, Cal seemed to have no problem with their bond. Hopefully, she would sway Relian if he had doubts. He’d never appreciated his daughter-in-law more than he did right now.

  “Probably because she’s been in denial a good portion of the time. As for the binding bracelets, I’ll explain that later. Suffice it to say, they’re not necessary in all cases.”

  “The denial thing sounds like Maggie.” She paused and appeared to be choosing her words carefully. “By now, you’ve had to notice her fear of commitment.”

  A dark chuckle escaped him. “Indeed, I have. She, however, won’t tell me the reasons behind it.”

  “No, I guess she wouldn’t. She doesn’t often talk about family problems, and never with someone she’s romantically….” Cal trailed off as if realizing she’d said too much.

  “And you’re not going to tell me either, are you?”

  “I can’t betray her confidence that way. It’s her story to tell. Besides, you have the unique ability to drive her nuts, so I’m sure you’ll get it out of her sooner or later.”

  He couldn’t stop the smug smile that pulled at his mouth. “I do have that, don’t I?”

  Avrin raised his hand. “He has that unique ability over me, too. After so many millennia of advising him….” He shuddered.

  Talion sent him a nasty smile. “Just think, you’ll have both me and Maggie to advise now.”

  Avrin’s grin died.

  Cal laughed tremulously, then shook her head. “I still can’t believe she kept this from me. She’s going to hear about this.”

  “You’re not supposed to know about it.” Not that this really worried him too much. Surely, Maggie would understand. As he considered her possible reactions, he studiously ignored the pang of worry that hit him. He would convince her it had been necessary, if he needed to do so. The people in the room were her closest friends and had known something was afoot. If he hadn’t told them, their suspicions would’ve confirmed it one way or another.

  Cal crossed her arms over her chest. “Don’t worry. I’ll take care of her.”

  Talion glanced at Relian. His son’s face was still blank as stone, not revealing an iota of emotion. At that moment, Talion damned himself for teaching the boy too well. He couldn’t even guess how his son felt about Maggie’s new place in their lives.

  He bit his lip in contemplation. Would Relian respond to a little humor, or sulk? It would be the true barometer of Relian’s feelings about Maggie. “I like Cal’s attitude. I can see why you bonded with her besides for the obvious reasons.”

  “You’re too kind, father,” he drawled. A smirk grew on his face. “Your bond mate has attitude to spare, so you’ll have plenty to love.”

  Exaltation preformed a jubilant dance. In just a few sentences, Relian had offered his support. To hide his joy, Talion narrowed his eyes at his son. “You’re enjoying this a little too much.”

  “I think my enjoyment has only begun, and I’ll get much entertainment out of your bond with Maggie.”

  A sinking feeling in the pit of Talion’s stomach tempered his happiness, and he nearly groaned. Relian was completely right on all accounts.

  Avrin cleared his throat and looked at Talion. “Given Maggie’s —how do I say this? Oh, yes —independent personality, how are you going to handle the issue of her safety? I think it’s safe to assume someone knows, or at least suspects, the truth of your relationship.”

  At that reminder, Talion’s last shred of jubilation disappeared. “That is my belief, too.” He regarded his old friend with a grim smile. “As for her safety, leave that to me.”

  Chapter 13

  Maggie stared at the morning sunlight creeping into her chamber. She ignored the sting of her cuts and bruises, since the herbs were numbing the worst of the pain. Her head felt like it was full of cotton, but not to the degree of last night. She frowned. In fact, last night was a haze of memory and shadow.

  She remembered Talion being by her side much of the time. Where was he now? Vana had said something about notifying him. Did that mean he was stuck in a meeting or something? She glanced around the room. Gossamer curtains fluttered in the wind. Vana had set the charm to let in the slightest of breezes before she left. Surprisingly, the air was warm, undoubtedly due to the filtering magic of the charm.

  She sighed. Such things were so common she’d been taking them for granted. Was she becoming used to everything this world had to offer? Did she want to? There was no clear-cut answer.

  A tray of food sat before her, untouched. She wrinkled her nose at the aromas wafting from the morsels. Maybe it was the medicine still in her system. Maybe it was the lingering shock of the attack. Whatever it was, it had stolen her appetite.

  A knock on the door ripped her out of her thoughts. Probably Vana back to check on her. “Come on in.”

  Cal entered, a tentative smile on her face. “Hey, how are you feeling?” Red tinged Cal’s cheeks, a sure sign something worried or upset her.

  Concern itched at Maggie. She hoped she hadn’t caused her friend’s obvious discomfort. Other than being achy and a little nauseous, she was fine.

  “Not as bad as I expected.”

  “Avrin drugged you up pretty well, didn�
��t he?”

  “Yeah. Feel like I’m flying high, but at least unlike last night, I’m not flitting around outer space.”

  Cal’s gaze flashed to the tray. “Not eating?”

  “I think the loopy feeling from the medicine has killed any hunger.”

  “You’re probably right, but you should try to eat a few bites. An empty stomach won’t do you any favors in the long run.”

  Maggie scowled at her friend, knowing Cal was right. She picked up a piece of muffin-like bread smothered with honey and shoved it in her mouth. “Satisfied?” she mumbled around the food.

  “Maggie.” Cal shook her head. “Sometimes, you act like you’re five years old.”

  “Just part of my charm.”

  “Seems like you’ll be in fine form in no time.”

  “You know me. Nothing keeps me down for long.”

  Cal narrowed her eyes. “Yeah, not even when it should.”

  Whoa, what was going on here? “What do you mean by that?”

  “Your flippancy knows no bounds at times.”

  Cal was being unusually argumentative. “You know that’s how I am.”

  “Do you have something you want to tell me?”

  Maggie blinked innocently, though her heart thundered in her mouth. What could Cal possibly want her to say? Unless Cal had found out about the bond. If so, Maggie knew quite well what her friend wanted to hear. The possibility of that prospect spiked her nerves to the rupturing point. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  Cal placed her hands on her hips. “I think you do.”

  “Uh…I don’t think so?” Even to Maggie’s own ears, her voice rang with an unsure note that wasn’t the least bit convincing.

  “Maggie, why won’t you just admit it?”

  Shock socked her in the gut.

  A mix of emotions tore through her. Relief, anger, and worry balled together to form a stone in the bottom of her stomach. Her best friend knew her deepest secret. Had Talion told her? He better not have, or she’d— She took a deep breath to calm herself. It was best not to jump to conclusions. Cal may have guessed about the bond after looking at all the clues. That brought Maggie back to her friend.

  Just how upset was Cal with her? Maggie glanced at Cal’s face and gave an internal groan. Her friend’s lips were pressed tightly together, and her eyebrows didn’t normally slant downward the way they did right now. So, by the looks of it, pretty upset.

  Maggie said the only thing that came to her malfunctioning mind. “How did you find out?”

  “That doesn’t matter. I want to hear you say it.”

  “Why? You already know.” Maggie realized she was being stubborn, but seemed powerless to correct her behavior. Plus, Cal hadn’t told her how she found out, and that was necessary information.

  “You need to admit it to yourself. For Heaven’s sake, if you can’t say it to me, how will you be able to tell anybody?”

  An ache formed in Maggie’s throat. Cal had a point. That was the problem—admitting it to everyone would cement the situation and make it real. She’d thought she’d become used to the idea, but panic flooded every crevice of her body. The urge to run and hide hit her, and she sent Cal a desperate look. The words flew right out of her mouth. “I’ll be giving up my freedom.”

  “It’s too late to worry about that concern now, isn’t it?” Cal’s voice gentled. “Have you considered maybe you’re exchanging one sort of freedom for another?”

  Maggie gave a snort. “He’s a king. I’m tied to a monarch! How is that freedom?”

  “You’ll have power you never had back on Earth.”

  “I don’t want power.” Looking after herself was all the responsibility she wanted.

  “I know you don’t want power just for power’s sake, but you will be in a position to elicit change.”

  “What would I change?” Maggie scoffed.

  “I don’t know. I was using it as an example, but I’m sure you’ll shake up things Maggie-style.”

  “Yeah, the elves are a staid lot when it comes to change.”

  Cal smiled slightly. “See, you’re already seeing the positive side to it.”

  “Positive side? I don’t see anything positive coming out of…it.” Her life would be constrained, scheduled. Sure, she’d followed a schedule of sorts while in college, but that was a different matter.

  Was she being unreasonable for not seeing the positives? Maybe, maybe not. All she knew was that the whole situation had been swamping her with emotions she’d rather not be feeling. She’d never wanted to be tied to anyone, let alone a king. Managing her own life was hard enough. Now, she’d have to tackle a kingdom. God help them and her.

  “Because you don’t want to see anything good come of it.” Cal said.

  “Yep, you’re right.” She didn’t want to consider the great sex with Talion or his maddening yet addictive presence. Nope, those were things she wouldn’t think about.

  Cal sighed. “You’re impossible.” She paused, and Maggie could practically see Cal’s synapses firing in thought. “You know what? I think you’re scared.”

  The accusation hit a note within Maggie, and doubt crept in. “Scared? Huh!” She couldn’t be scared. Could she?

  “You’re frightened your marriage will turn out like your parents’, and you remember Justin’s unfaithfulness. I know that’s why you’ve never gotten serious about a guy after that.”

  Maggie ignored Cal’s well-placed reasons. “I’ve never made any qualms about not wanting that noose around my neck.”

  “And why is that?” Cal asked in a tone of satisfaction.

  “I…I….” She had nothing. Her mind came up totally blank.

  “So your parents have nothing to do with this? Or your high school sweetheart?”

  Cal’s words hit her harder than before, and something within her exploded. “Of course, they have something to do with it. My parents take dysfunctional to soaring levels. That’s bound to mess up a person. And Justin slept with and fell in love with one of my closest friends after saying he loved me.”

  “Your parents’ mistakes aren’t your own. And neither are your ex-boyfriend’s.”

  “But they still have repercussions, Cal. My parents make each other miserable. In fact, they live to show up each other in that department. When I think they can’t sink any lower, they think up new and creative ways to outdo the other.”

  “I know they seem bad, and you’ve distanced yourself from them, but—”

  Maggie released a bark of laughter. Cal always tried to find the best in everyone, even if the person didn’t deserve it. “Remember when my dear mom told my dad that he probably wasn’t my biological father?”

  Her response shut up Cal, but the distaste that flashed across her friend’s face couldn’t be missed, not that Maggie was feeling much different about it herself. “It’s just one story that’s part and parcel of my parents’ antics.”

  Cal spoke after a considerable lag. “But it was proven he is your biological dad.”

  Maggie grimaced. As if that negated everything that had come before it. “Yeah, no reminder needed. Don’t know if I was glad or disappointed at the news. What’s worse is my mom did it for kicks, manipulative witch she is.”

  Cal bit her lip. “Well, your father’s no saint, either.”

  Did Cal realize she was painting Maggie’s case for her stroke by stroke? “Preaching to the choir. My mom orchestrated the whole ordeal to get back at my dad for his latest affair. Old horn dog could never keep it in his pants, though my mom always gave him tit for tat.”

  Cal held out her hands as if to fend off Maggie. “Okay, your parents could win some kind of award for dysfunction and general asshattery. That would affect a person.”

  Finally, Cal was seeing sense. “So, you admit your past has consequences and so does mine?”

  “Yeah, but at some point, you have to acknowledge your past and then move on from it.”

  “Who says I haven’t?”r />
  “Have you?”

  Maggie reared back against the pillows. She thought she had moved on from the hurt of her parents’ bad marriage and Justin’s betrayal. But had she been holding people, men specifically, at arm’s length? Was what she labeled as merely being independent an attempt to protect herself from hurt? “I don’t know. Maybe.”

  “Maybe?” asked Cal softly. “Then I think you have your answer. And as much as the thought of a serious relationship scares you, I think the idea of one with Talion frightens you even more.”

  Maggie’s heart lurched to a stop before thudding back alive. Her throat refused to work correctly. “He…he has nothing to do with my fear.”

  “He has everything to do with it. I don’t think you’ve ever liked a guy as much as you do Talion.”

  “I—” Again, words deserted her. She couldn’t care for Talion. Not beyond a generic affection felt toward a part-time lover.

  “Until you figure out what you feel, be careful you don’t drive Talion away. There are many females, Alalise in particular, who would gladly kick you out of his bed.”

  A snarl formed on Maggie’s lips, and she ignored the sting it caused. “Let them try.”

  Cal gave a smug laugh. “Gotcha. You do have feelings for him. A caring Maggie is a possessive Maggie.”

  “Whatever.” A flush of embarrassment heated her cheeks. Cal’s words had a ring of truth to them. Maggie hated it, along with the sinking feeling in her stomach. Could Cal be right…about everything? Did Maggie care for Talion? Could her behavior drive him away? She tried to swallow, but her throat felt too inflexible to allow that action.

  To admit she felt something for him would change everything. She’d be opening up to someone and not totally self-reliant on herself. The breath caught in her throat. Maybe…. Maybe that wouldn’t be such a bad thing. It was a terrifying thought and an exhilarating one at the same time. But her old beliefs—or were they fears?—flashed through her mind, and any anticipation died.

  She couldn’t let herself fall for Talion, but the suspicion it was too late inundated her. “I can’t feel anything for him. I won’t. He’s the worst possible choice I could’ve settled on. And I’m not scared, just realistic.”