by Nikki Frank
“Oh? And what would those be?” I teased. I did feel much more like myself since we’d left Lynx behind.
Talon squeezed my arm. “I’m serious, Livy. Watch yourself. I’ll only forgive so much. I don’t want to be mad at you or hurt him, or both.”
I took Talon’s hand, pulling him over to a secluded corner behind a bookcase. “Why are you fighting so hard? We don’t have to be partners anymore. You never have to steal again. I never have to kidnap. We’re like Yumiko and Omri. We’re free to be with whoever we want now.”
Talon hit the wall, looking like I’d slapped him. I hesitated, a fiery feeling of guilt and fear buzzing through my body knowing where I intended to push this.
“If you only liked the way I fight. I mean, I know you like Ferika’s looks better than mine. You don’t have to be with me.”
His expression flipped between devastated and furious. “Are you not interested?”
“No, I―”
“Then what are you getting at, Livy?”
My eyes filled with tears. “I only meant―”
“Whatever, Livy. You seem to be trying to find reasons for us not to be together. So, have it your way. Have Lynx, or whoever else you want. I’m not going to force you. Be happy on your own.” He turned and stalked off.
Every step he took away from me burned harder in my chest. The pain went from hurt, to aggravation, to all out anger. I leapt, tackling him and landed on his back, pinning his arms behind him.
“Look here, you insufferable toyol. I don’t want to be on my own.”
“Get off, Livy.”
I shoved his chest into the floor. “No. You got your chance to tell me to shut up and listen. Now it’s my turn. I wasn’t trying to run you off. I want to make sure you aren’t staying because you feel obligated. I need you more than you need me. I drove in the sword, but you came up with the plan to kill Farak. You were my eyes in the tunnel with the sigbin. Everything people are proud of me for, you’re behind it. You like the way Elita and Ferika look. I know I don’t compare. Between the two why would you want me?” The last part came out with a bit of a sob.
Talon got his knees under him and I let him sit up, sliding down his back to the floor. He twisted and took my face carefully between his hands, giving my head a gentle shake from side to side.
“I’m only going to clear this up once more, so get your head out of the sand and pay attention. I still want us to be partners. Not because we have to be but because we’re better together. Do you think I would have lived through the fight in the tunnel without you at my back? Do you think my plan would have amounted to anything without you to kill Farak? I can’t do these things by myself. I need you. Protecting Elita may not be so adventurous once Zaemon is in hand but there’s no one else I want at my side.”
He leaned to kiss me, but I dodged. “What about my looks?”
He sighed and let his hands drop. “My feelings aren’t based on comparisons. I want the package deal. The perfect girl for me, not some homogenized ideal. And that girl is you.”
He tried again for the kiss and I dodged again. “Everyone is watching,” I mumbled.
Talon caught my face and squeezed my cheeks into fish lips. “Let them. Our friends don’t care, and I want Lynx to see this.” He pressed his lips to mine and I relaxed, accepting the kiss.
“Is the dinner show over? Everyone’s good?” Emmett smiled down at me and offered a hand to help me up.
“Yeah. I think we’re good.”
Emmett ruffled my hair. “You should have a higher opinion of yourself. I agree with Talon. You’ve done some pretty amazing shit the past few weeks. No one here thinks you’re a one-woman show, but we all know who’s got balls of steel.”
I scowled at him. “I’m a girl, remember? I don’t have balls.”
“It’s an expression.” He winked at me. “Now. I think Elita’s tired of having her thunder stolen. Let’s not piss her off.”
Elita ignored Emmett’s teasing and directed us all to a table she had set up. I’d been seated directly across from Lynx with Yumiko and Talon on either side of me. Yumiko had her little tablet next to her and I slipped it onto my lap and scratched a note to her.
What do you think of Lynx?
Narcissistic, but serviceable.
Elita indicated she found him attractive but she wanted me to make a move on him, why?
She wants to live vicariously. Elita won’t make a move. She’s got a real crush on your friend.
Emmett?
Yes. But as far as I know she hasn’t said anything to him.
I thought Elita planned on bonding with him.
Sort of. The old Elita was going to force the pair-bond, but this new Elita is somewhat lost I think. She still wants to be with him, but she doesn’t know how to start up a real relationship. How about Emmett? Has he spoken to you?
No. I don’t know how he feels. Emmett probably doesn’t either. He’s the kind of guy who really likes to think things through before he speaks or acts. The more important the decision, the longer he’ll brood. Do you know why Talon hates Lynx so much? He said it’s because he’s a makhai, but I wonder if there isn’t more. Should we trust him?
Yumiko gave a silent laugh. Talon’s completely green with envy. You were practically drooling on Lynx.
Talon’s green anyway.
You know what I mean. Yumiko rocked with her laughter this time. Talon’s jealousy has not been helped by the fact Lynx made a public announcement he intends to win your affection and pair-bond with you. He spouted some crap about you making a worthy partner to his illustrious self after all your heroic deeds. She rolled her eyes.
Elita stood and tapped her fork to her glass. “I’m glad to see everyone enjoying the food and getting to know one another. But I have an important announcement. Most of you know the agreement between Omri and Ferika. Father has decided the wedding should commence at once.” She gleamed at us all.
Everyone clapped and the two shone with pleasure, but I felt confused. I poked Yumiko and whispered, “Why the rush? Aren’t we in sort of a precarious position? Is now really the time for a wedding?”
She scribbled a reply. From the Lord’s point of view, now’s the perfect time. In part because it shows Zaemon we won’t be threatened. And in part because dragons are incredibly loyal to their mates. The Lord doesn’t doubt Omri’s loyalty and as Omri’s mate Ferika will protect him ferociously. A pair-bond locks her to our cause.
I nodded, my mouth in a silent “o”. So, the wedding wasn’t a party. It was a political maneuver. I listened more intently as Elita gave the date for one week out and informed us all we would be a part of the wedding ceremony. I sighed. Wasn’t there an evil creature I could fight instead? I did not want to be dressed up and put on display for the elite of the Central Borderlands.
Ferika gave us a huge, dragonish grin and picked demurely at her scales with one claw. Next to her Omri’s white lion tail swished behind him and I giggled. Once again, the strangeness of the pairing struck me. Everyone had started talking at once and Elita immersed herself in the thick of the chaos, obviously reveling in her role as wedding planner.
“Don’t even ask.” A sensual voice came from next to my ear.
I jerked away from the face and Lynx’s eyes sparkled at me.
He winked. “You were giggling about the happy couple. I don’t need to be an oracle to figure out what set you off and trust me, you don’t want to know.”
My blush crept across my head, even under my hair. “You’re too close.”
He gave me his most melting smile. “Not close enough for me.” He put his hands on my shoulders. “I find you . . . intriguing.” He breathed the last word out.
I had no idea how that word became so sexy, but holy wow. I shook my head to clear it at
the same time I took a swift kick to the shin under the table. I glared at Talon but snapped out of Lynx’s spell. Scooting my chair back I stood, excusing myself. “I need to go offer congratulations to Ferika and Omri.”
I scurried around the table and away from Lynx. Once he stopped using his powers of attraction, my feelings did a complete flip: I hated him. I kept a wary eye on him as I hugged Omri and Ferika, but he sat down to a fairly amiable looking conversation with Emmett. I really didn’t need him sneaking up and surprising me. If I planned to keep my head around him, I needed to see him coming.
Chapter 19
I lay in my comfy new bed letting everything run around in my mind, but mostly luxuriating in the first real bed I’d slept in for weeks. I’d forgotten how nice they were. Made even nicer by the nuzzle at the back of my neck. I stopped short of rolling and scolding Talon for sneaking in. The body behind me was the wrong size.
I slipped my hand under my pillow at the same time I giggled. I wanted to keep the intruder from paying attention to the fact I now gripped the hilt of a dagger I’d stashed. One doesn’t sleep unarmed when they’re at the top of a demon lord’s hit list.
I rolled at the same time as bringing the hilt of the dagger up and into the face of the intruder.
“Ow. That’s not the welcome I hoped for.”
“Lynx?”
Lynx lay along the length of my body. I sat up and scowled at him. He shot me what I assumed was supposed to be a sexy smile. But I had been so afraid and now felt so angry his charm wasn’t affecting me at all. I punched his gut, hard.
“Get the hell out of my bed.”
He kept grinning. “Ah, but aside from the welcome, I like it here.”
I slipped out of the bed and to the adjoining door. I raised my hand to knock but based on the noises coming from inside, trying to get their attention would be a waste. “Fine. You stay. I’ll go.” I left for the hallway.
Counting doors, I opened the one I hoped led to Talon. Good thing the moon shone brightly through the sheer curtains. I recognized the green tail hanging out of the bed.
Tiptoeing up to the side of his bed I whispered, “Talon?”
He grunted.
I poked again. “Talon.”
He caught me around the waist and tossed me over him into the center of the bed. “To what do I owe this pleasure?” he purred.
“Shut up and listen. This isn’t a conjugal visit. It’s business.”
“Too bad,” he mumbled into the pillow.
“Lynx was in my bed.”
His eyes flew open and he scowled at me. “And why would you think I’d want to know that?”
I sighed and rolled my eyes at him. “He wasn’t invited. And I thought you’d want to know because you seem to be the most likely to believe how slimy he is.”
Talon sat up rubbing his eyes. “You don’t have to sell me on his slime. Do you think slug bait would work on him?”
“Talon, please. Stop joking and help me figure out what to do. I can’t take this.”
“Neither can I. Since everyone else seems to tolerate him at least, let’s go the easiest and least offensive route. We’ll talk to Elita tomorrow and see if he can’t be reassigned. If not, we’ll try to get him caught so the others will see the slime, too.” He gave me a hug. “You don’t have to fend him off alone.”
“Thanks.” I wiggled. “You can let go now.”
“Where are you going to go?”
“With Elita?”
“And what would her father say about you bunking with her? We’re lucky he’s been permissive enough to let us all stay in the same wing. But she’s upper crust and you’re hunted.”
“I don’t want to go back to my room, what if he’s still there? And I can’t go to Ferika. She and Omri are”—I flushed—“busy.”
“Stay with me.”
“I can’t. You’re a guy and we’re . . . you know . . . sort of involved.”
He laughed. “I also happen to be a bodyguard. And I’d rather be very involved rather than sort of. You staying here would help accomplish that.”
“What do you mean ‘very involved’?”
He leaned toward me. “Omri and Ferika style.”
I fell back. “Not happening.”
“Why not?” He gave an exaggerated pouty lip.
“Stop, please. I just escaped one guy coming on way too strong. I’m not saying never. But not tonight. Not with the mood I’m in.”
“Okay.” He opened his arms wide. “I’ll behave. I promise.”
I snuggled in next to his chest and fell asleep before I had time to dwell on anything.
~ ~ ~
“What’s the point of giving you your own room and guards?” Elita stood over me looking irritated.
Talon stayed curled against my back.
“Some guards,” I griped. “Lynx attacked me last night and they were too involved with each other to help. Hence my current location.”
“Lynx attacked you?” Elita asked, completely dumbfounded.
I yawned and sat up. “He’s a sexual predator. He snuck into my room, climbed in my bed and tried to molest me.”
Elita raised an eyebrow. “And the problem is? Who wouldn’t want to be in bed with him?”
“Me. I’m not interested, and he won’t accept no. Can we please replace him? He makes me uncomfortable.”
“I doubt it.” Elita finally took on seriousness. “He passed Daddy’s screenings and it’s a rare man who’s willing to partner with another man. There’s hardly a que of replacements waiting.”
“Your father is the Lord High Governor.” I was getting close to whining and checked myself. “Being Talon’s partner is a cushy job, surely someone else wants it. Hell, I almost think I’d rather Talon partner with a girl at this point.”
“All right, if Lynx bothers you so much I’ll see what I can do. But Daddy’s really busy so it might take me a day or two to even see him.”
I wrinkled my nose. “You won’t see your own dad for two days? In the same house?”
Elita tipped her head up and I saw her chin quiver. Suddenly her quirks and her previously crappy personality all made sense. I scrambled out of bed and hugged her.
“I’m sorry. I know you said Omri and Yumiko were your family. I just didn’t fully understand why.”
“Sometimes he goes months without actually seeing me.” Her voice sagged. “I always got everything I wanted, but . . . it’s not the same.”
“You know what, don’t worry about Lynx. I’ll find a way to deal with him. Will your father be upset if I maim the creep?”
Elita giggled. “I’ll talk to Daddy for you. I don’t care, but if you have to hurt him, spare his face.”
I rolled my eyes. “How about I off him and have him stuffed as a throw rug for you? Then you can sit and gaze at him all you want. And he’ll never move or speak again. Everyone ends up happy.”
“Geez,” Talon yawned. “Remind me never to get on your bad side. I don’t want my head mounted above the family fireplace.”
“Actually,” I mused. “I have to admit Lynx has some serious talent. At your most aggravating I never felt like actually snapping your neck. He’s lucky I thought you were sneaking into my bed, otherwise I’d have slit his throat first and asked questions later.”
Talon gave an exaggerated fake gag. “Even in the dark I don’t know how you could mix the two of us up.”
I grimaced back at him. “It’s hard to tell one type of snake from another when you don’t have night vision. You’re both after the same thing, predatory, really. You’re lucky I like you.”
“And that’s my cue to leave.” Elita headed for the door. “You guys are free to do whatever until eleven, then Talon needs to come with me.”
My stomach gave a huge growl. “Breakfast?”
“Not yet.” He hopped out of bed and started to dress. I hadn’t meant to peek, but I noticed his boxers had a tidy slit in the back out of which his tail poked. His jeans had the same. His tail threaded itself through of its own accord. Mine must do the same because I’d been pulling my pants on without thinking about it and I’d never squashed my tail.
“See somethin’ back there you like?” He waggled his butt at me and I slapped it.
“I was watching your tail. It seems to have a mind of its own.”
“That it does.” He smirked as the tip of his tail took aim at the gap in my cleavage.
I grabbed his tail and pulled. “Watch it.”
Talon whirled, stopping very close to my face. “If you’re gonna flirt rough I’ll forget what your surprise is and keep you here instead.”
I hopped from the bed. “A surprise?”
“Yeah but we need enough time to properly enjoy the treat, and I have to be back here in time to go with Elita. So, get a move on.”
I hesitated at my door. “Come with me. I don’t want to go back on my own in case Lynx sees me. He’d probably peek at me changing.”
Talon’s face darkened. “Unacceptable. He’ll never get to see you naked before I do.”
I stuck my tongue out at him, but held out my hand. Talon led the way and opened the door, but my room looked the way it had when I left the night before, minus Lynx.
I went into the bathroom and changed as quickly as I could. Talon led me to the end of the hall and up several sets of winding staircases. At the top a small door stood shut and bolted, nothing else around it. Talon unlocked the door and opened it. Blinding sunlight flooded the stairwell.
At midday, the sun wasn’t so much red but electric strawberry. He led me out along a roofline access path to the peak. From our vantage point the whole palace spread below us. Beyond were gardens and pools, courtyards and secluded patios. Outside the palace wall forest spread as far as the eye could see to the left, and beyond the dark blanket of trees, shimmered ocean to the right.
