by Lisa Kumar
Once they reached the palace’s main courtyard, the unit that consisted of sentries and sentinels peeled off to the right, probably to the military area located within the palace’s grounds. Their steady march was a balm to her ruptured nerves. Even though she dreaded her soon-to-be encounter with Talion, she couldn’t help but notice they looked mighty fine in their uniforms. Kenhel had told her where the offices of the captains were located, not to mention the training grounds and the barracks for those who desired them—mostly single males. Yeah, she couldn’t imagine why Talion wanted her to stay away from that area.
The guards escorted them to the royal wing, where they left to take up their appointed stations. Talion didn’t take her to his library as she suspected he would. No, he headed for his bedroom. She wasn’t sure which she would’ve preferred. The bedroom held many steamy memories, but then, so did the library. Heat burst to life within her lower regions, and she shifted uncomfortably. Now wasn’t the time to think of sex with Talion. But did her body listen to her?
She scowled. It was all his fault for being so good in bed. And sexy. She couldn’t forget how sexy he was. He positively oozed with it.
With every step she took, her libido warred with her common sense. She should hate him, but everything concerning Talion was complicated. So why would her feelings be any different? After they had their “talk,” she wasn’t sure if she’d want to smack him or have her way with him. Both sounded like very real possibilities, but she knew she could never allow herself to give into him. Otherwise, he’d take over her life.
He opened his door and ushered her inside. Taking off his outer robe, he remained silent. Each deliberate movement he made was coiled with suppressed anger. The tense moment stretched into the quietness until it was a palpable thing prancing on her nerves.
With a slowness that was nerve-racking, he gestured to a couch that rested in one corner of the room. His intent was clear: sit down and be quiet.
Well, if he wasn’t going to talk, neither was she. Two could play that game. And she wasn’t going to sit down like a good little girl, either.
As if he realized this, his face darkened. He stalked to her, and with his hands behind his back, gazed down his nose at her. “Why didn’t you meet me as scheduled? Instead, you sneak down to the market without my leave?”
Her tongue seemed to have frozen to the roof of her mouth, so it took her a few seconds to get it functioning again. “By your leave? I don’t need your permission.”
“You forget yourself, my lady. I have a say in everything you do.”
“Oh, really?” She congratulated herself for keeping her voice cool.
“You’re my spouse and mine to protect. Not to mention the fact that I’m the supreme ruler of these lands.”
She shot up from her seat. “Since when did I become your property?”
A growl emanated from his throat, and as he closed the distance between them, her stomach lurched. Nothing good could come of them being close to each other. She dashed behind the sofa. But he followed, backing her up against the wall until he’d pinned her in with a hand on either side of her head. “Listen and listen to me well, as you purposefully misunderstand what I say. I only seek to cherish and keep you safe.”
At his words and his closeness, her heart almost melted. Almost. But the memory of Talion and Alalise in his office rose up before her, and Alalise and Alanon’s words whispered in her ear. It took all her effort not to move away from him. “I’m sure you say that to all the ladies.” Well, except for the spouse part.
His lips thinned. “I say that to no one but you.”
“Ha, you and Alalise seemed awfully comfortable when I walked in on you two.”
“That again?”
“You deny there’s anything between you now, but you refuse to tell me why she hangs around you like a bee to flower.”
“It doesn’t concern you.”
She could only stare at him, disbelief stunning her into silence for a moment. It didn’t concern her? He actually said it didn’t concern her? “It doesn’t? I’m only your wife, and you have the nerve to say whatever relationship you have with Alalise has nothing to do with me? What the hell?”
“All you need to know is I’m not sleeping with her.”
An unintelligible screech left her mouth, and before she knew it, she was hammering his chest with her fists. “You’re fricking unbelievable.” She accentuated each word with another hit. “I hate you.” And right now, she meant it. She hated him so damn much.
He grabbed her hands in his and then held both wrists in one hand. Sliding an arm around her waist, he yanked her against him. His harsh breath puffed against her cheek. “I don’t think you hate me. In fact, I’d wager you feel quite different,” he said harshly.
“You wis—” Before she could finish her sentence, he pressed a grinding kiss on her mouth that threatened to suck all the air from the room. Without thought, she opened her lips to accept him fully. His hands wandered to her hips, where he pulled her snug against his erection. That ripped her out of her complacency, and the stupidity of her actions belted her low in the gut, if her queasy stomach was anything to go by. Dumb, Maggie. Really dumb. Was she freaking losing it? While his touch felt supremely good, it was so wrong. Damn, what a messed-up tangle of emotions.
She used her arms to press away from him, but his grip only tightened. “Let me go,” she said, but it came out a mumble due to his tongue making love to her mouth. Her head pounded in tempo with her heart.
When she ground the light sole of her slipper against the top of his boot, he laughed against her lips. “You think that hurts?”
“Maybe not.” She lifted her knee and aimed it toward his groin. “But how about this?” Then she let it fly. Her knee hit the desired target, and he released her with an agonized moan.
He folded over and looked at her through pain-clouded eyes. “Was that necessary?” he asked between gritted teeth.
In her book, yes. “I told you to let me go.”
“You didn’t have to render me incapable of fathering other children.”
Ha, like she’d let him get near her with that thing again. And she’d always pictured life without children. “Your manhood will be fine, not that you’ll be needing it with me.”
Talion straightened up slowly and stared at her with narrowed eyes. “Is that so?”
“It is.”
“We’ll see about that.”
“Let’s not,” she said as she headed for the door. She needed to get away from him, or she’d clobber his face in.
“The time for secrecy has ended. Someone knows who you are to me.”
His words stopped her in her tracks, and she turned back to him. “No way. You promised me two months. I still have five weeks left.” Five weeks until her life ended. She’d guard that time zealously. Whirling around, she headed for the exit before he could reply.
Once in the hallway, she walked stiffly past the guards stationed at his door. Only sheer willpower carried her out of their sight before her knees buckled, and she slid down the nearest wall. Gulping in a deep breath, she rubbed a hand over her face. She should’ve never tagged along with Cal on this magic carpet ride. Elves would be the death of her.
***
Talion winced as the door slammed shut behind Maggie. The breath hissed between his teeth as he walked to his bed. That little witch knew how to use her knee. And then she had the audacity to walk out on him. He knew from experience she didn’t like being dismissed. Neither did he. It was time someone taught the little demon a valuable lesson. By the end, she’d come to him and beg for his touch.
But as he sank onto his bed, the gravity of the situation intruded, with Eamon and the attacks on the forefront, and all plans for revenge evaporated. There was also the matter of Maggie’s distrust of him because of his relationship with his ex-mistress. To be truthful, her mistrust wasn’t unwarranted. The Mystics knew he’d done little to ease her suspicions, and as much as he would like
to, he couldn’t. Not when her life and the future of his kingdom depended on the secrets he kept.
He couldn’t risk her life, not even to set her mind at ease. Maggie was too transparent and could easily give information away she shouldn’t with just one glance. And that was something that scared the immortal life out of him—for her sake and everyone else’s. She needed to learn to perfect a calm elvin exterior. Even though Cal was shier and more reserved than Maggie, she already had a good grasp on that cool demeanor. But maybe it was those very qualities that allowed Cal to mold herself so well to their ways. Maggie was another thing entirely.
A pang of loss hit him at the thought of Maggie not being Maggie, though. He didn’t want to change who she was at heart, but she did need to learn to temper her responses—at least when the situation called for it, such as for reasons of safety that concerned her or the kingdom. As long as she could do that, he didn’t care how many courtiers she shocked or how many servants she charmed.
Annoyance and affection mingled in his chest. Though he was still angry at her outing to the marketplace, he realized the part he had played in the whole debacle. He’d have to be careful to handle her more gently in the future. He smiled wryly. Maggie and gentle didn’t exactly go together, and she could goad him like no other could. Some of their more passionate encounters floated to mind, and he allowed himself a moment to become lost in the remembered sensations. So much vitality and emotion unfurrowed from their every touch. For them, hate and love seemed on the same spectrum.
His grin faded, and his heart sank to his stomach. Talking about hate…. When the day of the Harvest Festival came, she’d be sure to despise him with all her being. There may not be a way for him to earn her forgiveness but with time and understanding. But her safety was worth any price, even his happiness.
Chapter 18
Maggie slinked by the council room, dreading and hoping she’d see Talion. Their bond told her he was nearby. She just had to root him out. He’d been avoiding her for the past two days, which was upsetting. She was used to doing the avoiding. Hell, she should still be doing it. But without her Talion fix, weariness was fast overtaking her. Plus, she was getting sick of the nausea and headaches that loved to kick her in the teeth.
The bond must still desire their “closeness.” Apparently, it didn’t care if she was still pissed at him or vice versa, or that he still maintained some kind of fucked-up relationship with his ex. No, the bond just wanted them to be sex-o-holics. Well, at least somewhat intimate.
Sure, they sat near each other at the dinner table in the great hall, but that did little to replenish her dwindling energy. And going by his somewhat smug, knowing looks, he realized just what he was doing to her. Hopefully, he felt what she did, but a thousand times worse. That only would be proper retribution.
Avrin popped out of the council room, startling her more than she’d ever admit. She quickly removed the hand resting over her thundering heart.
He quirked a brown brow. “Did I give you a fright?”
She waved away his concern with a wan smile. Damn elves and their stealthy ways. “You took me by surprise—that’s all.”
He placed his hand on her shoulder and pushed her gently into the council room. She gave him a suspicious look, to which he said, “Don’t worry. It’s empty.”
That didn’t reassure her at all. Given the shifty look about him, Avrin was concocting something. She crossed her arms over her chest. “So spill it. What do you want?”
He closed the door. “A moment alone with you, my dear. We have to hurry while Talion is still preoccupied.”
Preoccupied? She hated how he said that word, like Talion was up to no good. With a blinding certainty that made her slightly stagger, the realization that Talion was with Alalise bulldozed over her.
Pain ripped through her, and she grabbed onto Avrin’s arm. But as she studied her new awareness, something very important came to light. Talion wasn’t enjoying his visit. None of the feelings she could detect were even vaguely reminiscent of him engaging in any kind of sexual act. Or even a warm conversation. Happiness swelled, and she grinned stupidly at Avrin. Maybe, just maybe, Talion was trust-worthy, and he had a good reason for his meetings with his ex.
“Are you well?”
“Yep, couldn’t be better,” she said giddily.
“If you say so.” Though his tone expressed doubt, Avrin removed the supportive arm he’d placed around her shoulders. “Just don’t pass out on me. Talion would have my head.”
She nodded, only half paying attention to his words.
He sighed. “Can I please have your attention? You can moon over him later.”
She drew herself up taller and glared at him. “I’m not mooning over him.”
“I know love-struck when I see it.”
Her in love? What was it with people saying that? What a ridiculous idea. But was it really? Some tiny part of her shouted it wasn’t so absurd. As she remembered all the times she’d melted for Talion, a cold sweat broke out on her skin. And though she wanted to believe the best of him, she still couldn’t overlook his secretiveness and the possible reasons for it.
“Please, you need your head examined.” She just wasn’t sure if she meant herself or Avrin. Falling in love with Talion would make her certifiable, and give him another means by which to control her.
“I see we won’t agree on this matter. You know he was furious with you over the market incident?”
“Yeah, I kind of guessed it,” she said sarcastically. “The shouting he did, and the fumes coming out of his ears gave it away.”
Avrin’s lips twitched. “Talion has quite the temper.”
He was the ultimate master of understatement. “You can say that again.”
“Talion has quite the—”
“I didn’t mean it literally.”
He nodded. “One of your strange human sayings.”
Really, with elves’ love of word games, he was telling her that her sayings were weird? Definitely calling the kettle black.
“So, you pulled me in here to tell me something I already know?”
“No. I just…you’re both incredibly stubborn individuals. Now that you’re bonded, I hope you two can come to some sort of compromise. I don’t want to see either of you hurt.”
His earnest gaze caused her to shift uneasily. “I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but compromise isn’t a word that’s used much in Talion’s vocabulary. Though your concern is touching, don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine.”
He shook his head. “You both think you’re so strong. Even stone can crumble.”
She didn’t like the direction this conversation was going. Talking about her, Talion, and love was a cringe-worthy subject. “Don’t get all philosophical on me.”
“You’re so much like him.” He sighed. “Just be careful. He’s been hurt—betrayed—before.” He hesitated. “Do you know who his first wife was?”
She shook her head, not sure where this was going. “Did she do something to hurt him?” Talion never talked about her. If she were guilty of betraying him in some way, maybe that was why he kept silent on the subject.
A sad smile played over his lips. “She was my sister Serrina.”
She recoiled as if struck, which was close to the truth. “Why have you never mentioned this to me before?” No wonder Avrin had acted weird about Maggie’s relationship with Talion. She was with his dead sister’s husband. Talk about awkward.
“Her death happened during a painful time that I’ve tried to put behind me, but the consequences of her marriage to Talion are still far-reaching.”
Maggie shivered. He made it all sound so ominous. “How so?”
“Since she was my sister, I feel like I can tell you a bit, but the rest you need to ask Talion.”
An ominous feeling preyed on Maggie. She was sure she didn’t want to hear this news. She wet her lips. “Okay.”
“She was ridiculously in love with Talion.” He laughed humor
lessly. “But what young maiden her age wasn’t? I know she dreamed of being queen.”
The irony of Avrin’s words slammed into Maggie. She would do about anything not to be queen, while women like Serrina found it their most fervent desire. How messed up was that?
“So what happened?”
“Talion needed a wife, or so he said.” Avrin shrugged. “The truth of it was the kingdom expected it of him, but he’d long ignored that convention. Then one day, he seemed to wake up and decide he needed a queen. It was quite the turn-about.”
His eyes developed a far-away look, as if memory dragged him into the past. “My sister had always been quite clear in her adoration of him, so he asked me if he could court her. Against my better judgment, I allowed Serrina to sway me, and I agreed to his suit.”
“So you had doubts?”
He nodded. “He treated her with a fondness best reserved for siblings.”
“Then why marry her, and not someone else?”
“You’ll have to ask him that. I have my suspicions, but it’s not my story to tell.”
She let her head drop back between her shoulder blades for a few seconds. “I was afraid you’d say that.”
He grinned, and the solemn atmosphere lightened. “I do try to live up to your expectations.” But as quickly as the moment had come, it disappeared. “But needless to say, Talion never loved her in the way she craved. In bitterness, she set in motion things that should never have been done.”
With his last sentence, he clammed up tighter than a miser’s fist. She glared at him. “That’s it? You’re going to leave me hanging and not tell me more?”
“Few know the whole story, even Relian.”
What kind of answer was that? An elvin one, if she’d ever heard one. One thing for sure, though—whatever Serrina had done, it must’ve been of gigantic proportions, and not in a good way. “Well, shouldn’t Relian know?” she asked irritably.
“More than likely. But right now, the greatest threat is to you, so I feel you should know the full truth.”
