Bound to the Elvin King (10 page)

A jumble of emotions settled in the pit of her stomach. Satisfaction she could wring this kind of response from him warred with the longing to be free from all personal entanglements. She hated such messes, and he was the biggest one she could’ve stepped into. He was kind of like gum on the bottom of her shoe. Now was the time to scrape him off before he ensnared her even more deeply in his sticky web.

She wound a strand of hair around her finger, determined to ignore their last make out session, and forced a nonchalant air to her movements. “He’s just a friend. A very handsome one.”

“Whatever you say, my dear.” This time when he spoke he wasn’t rumbly. In fact, he sounded disgustingly confident. She scowled. What a disheartening turn of events. It was like he could read her flipping mind. Being bonded to an elf majorly sucked.

He chuckled. Damn him.

They were going to be linked at the hip unless they slept together. She released a deep breath and pushed away from him. He let her go. They stood in silence, staring at each other. She didn’t want to go to his library but had no choice, just as she had no choice in the bond that now tied them together.

There wasn’t a way out of a bond, not if she desired to stay sane and whole. But then a thought sprang to her and sparked hope. Even though they couldn’t break the bond, no one said bonded couples had to live together. Maybe home was still an option. She could pick up where she left off, and everything would go back to normal. Of course, Cal wouldn’t be there, at least not for long. Her place was beside Relian, so any visit would be short.

But she’d have to have sex with Talion first. And this time she’d remember everything. Every touch, every caress. Her heart lurched as a cool chill played over her spine.

She hoped the experience didn’t haunt her. Would she ever be truly free of him? Talion wasn’t the sort of guy she’d forget easily. His presence would linger like a poltergeist. And he wasn’t even dead. Stupid elf.

There had to be a way to minimize any damage that might be done. They needed ground rules—and fast. She’d sleep with him, just this once. It was the only way to actually get away from him. If they couldn’t separate soon, people would start to speculate about the reason for her presence at his side. That couldn’t happen.

Her fingers went to her throat. An imaginary yoke was tightening around her, and she needed to break free before it strangled her.

“Let’s go to your library. We have a few things to discuss.”

***

Talion frowned. Those damnable words again. What was it with females and talking? Just when he was assured events were going as planned, Maggie stalled all progress. If he weren’t careful, the whole situation could spiral out of his carefully crafted control. He bit back a bark of laughter. Who was he fooling? Not himself. When it came to Maggie, his lack of control happily stared him down. It was her allure and his curse.

Might as well get her “discussion” out of the way. Only then could he move forward with his plan.

“Of course, my dear.”

Taking her arm, he pulled her toward him until their sides brushed. She stiffened and attempted to put some distance between them. He didn’t loosen his grip. Whoever said he’d make it easy for her?

He propelled her through the halls at a brisk pace. Every time her hip brushed against his leg, he smothered a moan. Trailing fingers of energy traveled over his skin, the sensations highly arousing. But he wouldn’t give her the satisfaction of seeing his weakness. If all came to fruition, she might be privy to the knowledge at some point, given the inherit qualities of their bond. Until then, however, he would keep as much of it secret as possible. Giving her this kind of power over him would be like giving an untutored child a deadly sword.

They halted before an oak door, and he blinked. At his library already? Though he hadn’t timed it, this had to be some kind of record. Only she could shake his equilibrium to such an extent he lost track of all time and place. He hadn’t even noticed the sentries and guards posted at their stations throughout the palace at various intervals. Though they’d probably believe he was taking her to see Cal, he’d make sure to place that thought in their minds, along with a little subtle psychic push to make the suggestion solid as reality. He smiled slightly. Sometimes being king had its definite perks.

He swept his hand over the doorknob, loosening the magic warding his sanctum against all but a few people. A thought infiltrated his mind, and he paused. He probably should give her clearance to enter as she pleased. Quickly adding her energy signature to the wards, he let the door swing open and stood aside so she could enter first. She hesitated before proceeding in.

He’d kept his occasional lovers far away from his private rooms, so Maggie was the first woman he’d been intimate with who ventured into his inner lair. If there weren’t an infernal war brewing right under his nose, he’d have some fun with her. But alas, with her need to “talk” and his duty to his people, no time remained for indulgence. Sometimes being king—how did Maggie say it? Ah, yes—sucked.

His life was sucking. Too bad he didn’t know on what. Did all humans use such peculiar words? And to think humankind had accused his people of word games. He shook his head. Humans were a mystery he’d never comprehend. Until Maggie, he’d never thought or cared about this fact. Humans had been a topic he preferred to avoid. Only in the dark of his dreams had his unwitting fascination for a lone human flared to life.

“Well, are you going to loiter in the doorway all day? Or are you going to come in?” Maggie’s cross voice enquired.

She was all sweetness and light, his queen. “I was merely held entranced by your beauty.”

A snort left her delectable lips. “You’re prettier than I am.”

Not what he wanted to hear. He scowled as he stepped into the room. She’d certainly never give him an inflated sense of self. “I’ve never been compared to a female before. You sounded almost jealous when you said that.”

“Ha. It’s just I have a strict policy of never being involved with a man who is better looking than I am. In fact, most of the men here are better looking than me.” She shook her head in seeming exasperation. “Most of you could pass as models. It’s freaky. You all need to shovel in some pizzas and cookies. You need some fat on your asses to round out your population. You know, fair representation and all.”

He raised a brow. Humans were strange creatures. “You want our rears to be larger?”

She slapped a hand against her forehead. “I meant, where are your chunky people? Surely, they exist. Not even elves are so perfect fat refuses to stick to you guys.”

Though her words were strange, the allusion was clear: she criticized their appearance. “You want us to be heavy?”

“Yes…no. That’s not the point.” She threw up her hands. “Why aren’t you fat?”

“Because I’m not? However, some of my people are plump, at least according to our standards. And what is your point? I confess I don’t see it.”

“Your perfect looks.” She flung the accusation around like a rock seeking a glass window. “It’s not normal.”

He shrugged. “We are what we are. But on the contrary, your human beauty far outshines my people’s.”

Her brows shot up. “Are you blind?”

“My eyes are functioning quite well, dear heart.”

“Not well enough apparently. Wait, what did you— Never mind, I don’t want to know.”

The way she rolled her eyes was quite endearing. How wonderful life with her would be! But for now, he needed to stay focused. “Why this sudden preoccupation with my people’s appearance?” It seemed she wanted to find fault over superficialities and anything that would put distance between them.

“There’s no preoccupation. You brought the subject up.”

“I merely mentioned your beauty. You dragged everybody else’s into it.”

Her eyes narrowed, and she stuck her nose up in the air. “I was merely proving a point. Nothing more.”

Of course. When wasn’t she? “And what would that be?”

“That we’re too different.”

“Because you think my people more beautiful than yours?”

She made a huffing noise. “No. I mean, the beauty thing is only representative of the issue. You’re an elf, and I’m not.”

“You didn’t think it was a problem when the couple in question was Cal and Relian. I think you seek to delay what lies between us.”

“What? Now you’re a shrink analyzing my brain?”

Because she’d thrown that lovely barb at him before, he knew what she meant. Would she ever learn he wouldn’t be denied by mere words? He stalked toward her, stopping when he stood a few inches from her. He could feel heat radiating off her body, hear the hitch of her breath. Every nerve in his body answered her call.

“I don’t have to be a mind healer to see through your charade. You’re scared.” He forced a taunting note into his voice. Nothing would enrage her more—or make her lose control. “A scared little girl.”

A thundercloud of emotions flashed across her face. “Scared? Of what? You? Oh, I suppose you’re the big, bad king. I’m quaking in my frilly, pink slippers.”

Her voice, while mocking, shook from barely leashed anger. Now, he had to cut the tenuous thread that held her in check. Plus, she needed a reminder about certain things. He trailed a finger along her cheek. She rewarded him with a shiver but kept her face stubbornly turned from his.

“You would do well to remember who you speak to, little girl. I have millennia on you. Few are left standing after taking me on.”

Her head whipped up, and her mouth formed a fake “O”. “Goodness gracious me, I thought you were a king, not a prize fighter.”

She thought to goad him through teasing? Well, she’d learn to not challenge a master of keeping people off kilter. “You would be amazed. They’re not so different in some ways. And I once held Relian’s post of captain, so I’m no slouch in that area. But I’m not talking just about physical force, which I would never use on an unarmed female.”

“What, you blackmail those you can’t subdue with might?”

So much emotion. He suppressed a smile. She was playing right to cue. “There’s no need for it when one is king. I have…other means available.” And he did. Though he no longer knew how kings in the human world governed, she needed to be aware of the scope of his powers and the respect they garnered.

Her eyebrows snapped together. “That sounds nefarious. Even though you’re an ass, I thought you were a fair ruler.”

Really, he was going to have to work on her adoring attitude. Her respect was astounding. “Always so complimentary, aren’t you? Just be sure to keep such endearments to the privacy of our chambers.”

Instead of honing in on his reference of them sharing the same rooms, she dismissed what he said with a wave of her hand. “Whatever. Now, what is this about you being a dictatorial pig?”

He drew himself up to his full height. Just when he thought her respect had reached its peak, she surprised him. “I’m many things, but never a pig. I am “fair” until someone steps over the defined boundaries I’ve created. They’re in place for a reason. To keep peace, I have to be firm and decisive when the occasion necessitates. Depending on the person and offense, I choose the most appropriate measure.”

“And what are these measures?”

“Physical punishment, monetary fines, revoking of privileges, imprisonment, banishment…death.” He shrugged. “The norm, I would suppose.”

A frown blossomed across her face. “You say that like you’re reciting the latest weather update.”

“When you’ve passed judgment as often as I have, a jaded outlook is somewhat expected.”

“That’s the problem.”

He waited patiently for her to explain herself.

“You and your position are a nightmare to a girl like me, so we need to set some ground rules.”

“Such as?”

“We have sex, and all talk of queenly stuff stays far away from me. And after the sex, you stay away, too. We’ll make it a one-time deal and see if that’s enough to satisfy the bond. If it is, then maybe I can go home and the bond will fade.”

His mind blanked out to all else but the fact she wanted to leave. Leave
him
. A punch to the gut couldn’t have winded him more. She was his. The ache residing in his chest since her arrival proved it.

He couldn’t allow her to leave, even if it were possible. Anger slowly built in his empty lungs, spreading fiery air throughout his body. By Eria’s damnation, why was she so impossible? All other females would be stampeding in the halls if they stood a chance to be his mate and queen. Why not her? A mere human?

He lunged at her. She wasn’t going anywhere.

Chapter 6

Maggie stumbled back, and an unflattering squeak left her lips. But she was a little too busy dodging the lunging figure of Talion to care about that. She ducked and wove around the furniture in the large room.

Her heart hammered against her ribcage, and her breath came in gasps. Wherever she turned, he was there. God, were there five of him?

She couldn’t let him catch her. He wouldn’t physically hurt her. This she knew to the very depths of her bones. But her pride was another matter. He’d obliterate that if he could.