Bound to the Elvin King (14 page)

If he wanted a challenge, he’d get one. Their verbal feuds were the talk of the palace, so there wasn’t any worry about people inferring anything intimate from their exchanges. Though some of the housemaids had teased her ever since Talion had danced with her the one time. She’d known better. He only wanted to disconcert her.

But the recent happenings gave her pause. That he desired her on some level couldn’t be doubted. Had he always felt this way?

Whatever. It didn’t matter. She tossed a stray lock of hair over her shoulder and sauntered toward the king’s table. A smirk twisted her lips. It wouldn’t do to keep him waiting. Plus, she looked like a moron standing in the aisle of the great hall.

She put a sexy swing to her steps. If she garnered more than Talion’s attention, all the better.

Talion’s only reactions were a lift of the brow and an appreciative gaze. So, he thought it was all for his benefit? She called up her most flirtatious smile and found the nearest target. The young elvin male grinned and gave her a look that screamed his interest. So what if it was probably because she was human and therefore a novelty? This was likely why Talion wanted her, too. Some of her spunk vanished at that thought. What a way to depress a girl.

On a brighter note, Talion rewarded her with a subtle frown. Cha-ching.

If she kept this up, she’d send him over the edge in no time. It would be so fun to see the suave Talion lose it.

She sauntered toward the table, aware that while all gazes were on her, the most important one was searing a hole through her. Success.

A few feet from the table, she paused and placed a hand on her hip. She looked at Cal, Relian, and the rest of the gang, but her focus was on Talion. “His kingship called?”

Talion lounged back in his seat with the indolent quality of someone reclining on a beach chair. “Dear Calantha was worried about you. She said you couldn’t be found anywhere.”

“I was taking care of a troublesome problem.”

Avrin toyed with his wine goblet while he studied her. “All taken care of?”

She shifted under his scrutiny. This guy was too freakin’ perceptive. “I think it was put in its place.”

“Hmm, I’m sure it was.”

Eeep. What did the man know?

Cal cut in, a questioning expression on her face. “What was this problem? Where have you been?”

Maggie shrugged. “Just walking around. Thinking.”

Good ol’ Kenhel smiled, mischief sparkling in his eyes. “I hope you didn’t strain yourself.”

More than you’ll ever know
. “I believe I managed it without my head exploding.”

Cal wouldn’t let it go. “For the last twelve hours?”

“Yeah, basically.”

A skeptical stare was leveled at her.

“Well, I had this meeting thing to go to.”

“Meeting thing?”

“I don’t know what it was. You can ask Talion.”
Let him come up with some fancy story.

Cal’s brow furrowed. “Talion?”

Damn, she’d slipped and called him by his given name. Wouldn’t do to look too familiar with him.

“He invited me.” Maggie winced at the defensive note in her words. Geez, snapping at her friend would only arouse suspicion.

“Why don’t you sit down?” Talion’s voice said quietly. “You’re making a spectacle of yourself.”

Relian snorted. “Your battles with each other do that.”

Talion cocked his head to the side. “They draw attention away from you and Calantha. I would think you’d be grateful.”

A golf ball formed in Maggie’s throat. It had all been a ploy? The very thought made her blood smolder, and the pain in her chest intensified. Her mouth fired up into overdrive. “I don’t think you’re all that worried about a spectacle being made. After all, your mistress came up to me.”

He interwove his fingers together, bringing them to rest under his nose, elbows resting on the arms of his chair. “She did? Which one?”

Maggie was sure her eyes threatened to jump out of their sockets.
Which one?
He was joking, right?

“You have more than one of those frou-frou creatures?”

To her astonishment, Sardon, one of the advisors seated at the table, spoke. “Our king might have a colorful past, but even he hasn’t attempted anything like that for ages.” He turned his blonde head toward Talion. “Stop baiting the girl.”

Throughout his little speech, Sardon’s eyes remained like icicles, and Maggie shivered. Those eyes could freeze the stoutest of souls. And Cal thought he was warming up to them? Crazy woman. But Sardon must be friends with Talion to talk to him like this. The only others who dared to do so were Avrin and Relian—and her, too, but that was a given.

“But it offers me much amusement, dear friend. Whatever will take its place?”

Oh, she could think of a few things. The pig. “How about your oh-so-willing girlfriend?”

He waved a dismissive hand. “She no longer pleases me. This role now goes to another.”

She opened her mouth, only to close it. What could she say without giving herself away?

Relian turned to his father. “The one who was in your room this afternoon?”

“Yes, I’d like to know that answer,” Avrin’s sardonic voice said.

Dread swept over her like a tidal wave. How many knew about the mystery woman? And more importantly, how much did Avrin know? He suspected something, all right.

“Really, is my love life so intriguing we must discuss it over the dinner table?” Talion drawled.

Maggie would’ve liked to make a snide comment, but she couldn’t ignore the out he’d given both of them. “Yes, must we talk about his sex life? The very thought makes me sick.” Her stomach did feel queasy. But not for the reason most would think. The image of him and that blonde goddess…. She batted away this thought like the disturbing nuisance it was.

And why was she still standing by the table like an idiot? She hustled to the open chair next to Cal and slid into it.

Cal lost no time in leaning over and whispered, “I still want to know why
Talion
invited you to a meeting.”

Maggie bit back the growl welling in her throat. When would this damn dinner be over? Resignation soon followed, and she set out to spin a tale that would fool even her closest friend.

***

Maggie heaved a sigh and discreetly stretched away the tension strummed across her shoulders. Thank God, the dastardly dinner was almost done. She was wound tighter than a yoyo. Most of her food remained untouched on her plate. The rest sat like a lead brick in her stomach.

Who knew lying could be so tiring? She’d been shoveling crap to everyone, and for the most part, they seemed to be accepting it. Well, except for Avrin. And to some extent Relian. But at least Cal believed…. Hell, she’d been looking at her funny all evening, too.

Cal leaned over and whispered, “You seem really distracted.”

The words only partly pierced her consciousness. “What?”

Cal sighed. “You’ve proved my point. Where are your rapid-fire comments? Your sarcasm? You’re not…your usual chipper self.”

Maggie cast about for something suitable to say. “My mind’s just busy.”

“You’re not normally lost in thought. That’s me.”

Maggie scowled at her plate, refusing to look at Cal. If she did, she feared she’d crack like a porcelain cup and spill the truth. “Just because I’m quiet doesn’t mean anything’s wrong.”

“Sure, and the world really is flat.”

“It’s not that bad.”

“Come on, Maggie. Fess up.”

Maybe she should just come clean? She bit her lip, the sting barely leaking into her consciousness. Was she being too obstinate? But if she told any one, even Cal, the situation would be that much more real. She’d have to admit she felt something other than annoyance or rage toward
his majesty
.

That thought made her cringe. She wasn’t ready for that kind of commitment. Maybe she’d tell Cal someday…once this whole nightmare was put behind her. Or if she really was stuck with Talion. Yeah, Cal would be the first to know, then. Otherwise, Maggie would never hear the end of it.

Cal’s expectant stare weighed on Maggie, and she forced an answer out. “Nothing’s wrong.”

Everything was wrong, and lying to her friend made it worse. Hell, she hated to lie to anyone, even a stranger.

“Maggie, I don’t—”

“I’m fine, Princess Worry Pants.” Maggie pasted a bright smile on her face. It felt so brittle she feared her lips would shatter.

Doubt lingered in Cal’s gaze. “If you say so.”

“I do.”

Maggie made a valiant effort to be more talkative, more herself, after that. Still, she wondered if she’d made the right decision about keeping things from Cal. But giving in to the bond felt like a betrayal of her beliefs. She’d be damned if she accepted the situation rationally. Sensibility had no place in her emotions. Now, since this was decided, it was time to make an exit and leave the questioning stares behind.

She sat her napkin on her plate before pushing away from the table. So much for waiting until the king dismissed the diners. But she would say she felt indisposed. It wasn’t even that much of a lie.

Though she didn’t look directly at Talion, she knew he stared at her. His gaze raised all the hairs on her arms.

“I’m not feeling very well, so I think I’ll go to my room.”

“Do you require assistance in retiring, my dear?”

While his voice was courteous, the subtle undertones in it hinted at something a little more intimate than what a typical lady’s maid would do. He better not suggest he go with her.

Heat scalded her face. “I’m fine.”

“I thought you were feeling poorly?”

She was so not in the mood for his damn word games. “I am, but I’m not so disabled I need help to make it back to my room.”

“I can call for Vana, or if you’d like, Calantha can go with you instead?”

Cal piped up, “I’d be happy to.”

Grr, she wanted to be by herself. Didn’t Talion see that? Didn’t the others? “No, really, I just want a nice, quiet place to rest.”

Talion inclined his head. “I will send someone by to look in on you later.”

How did she know he’d be the one to stop by? Arousal and dread mixed inside her already churning stomach. There went her nice, quiet night. She muttered, “Good night” to everyone at the table, then headed toward the doors.

Again, the skin on the back of her neck prickled as if someone watched, or even worse, followed her. A quick glance around revealed nothing beyond the ordinary. But the feeling someone trailed her still remained.

Once she was out of the great hall, the sensation of being followed intensified. She strained to hear any suspicious noise.

Most elves were light of feet, but they did make noise if one listened carefully. Was that the whisper of shoes against a rug? She cursed. First a horny king, now an elf stalker? For some reason, she wasn’t afraid. She was annoyed.

“Okay, come out. I know you’re there.”

An elvin man slipped around a darkened corner to stand a few feet from her. The set of his elegant features almost made his handsome face pretty, but there was a quality that saved him from this fate. Hmph, good looking like almost every other elf she’d come across.

Platinum hair hung down to his shoulders. In fact, it looked spookily like Blondie’s, minus the curls. At the reminder, ire lit in her chest.

“Who are you, and why are you following me?” Anger made her tone sharp.

He smiled and executed a small bow. “Excuse me, I’ve been remiss in introducing myself. I am Alanon.”

She placed her hands on her hips. “You’ve been remiss in stalking me.”

“Never stalking. I merely followed you in the hopes we could be friends.”

Oh God, not one of those. Whenever a stranger walked up to her and wanted to be friends, it meant he wanted to have sex with her. Why couldn’t a guy just say what he really wanted? Of course, she wouldn’t take him anymore seriously, but neither would she have to guess his intentions.

“That same tired, old line?”

“I have long admired you. You’re a remarkable human.”

What loony farm was he from? Just because she was human didn’t mean she was some exotic hothouse flower.

“Right.” The sarcasm in her voice drew out the word. “I’m probably one of the only humans you know.”

He ignored her brilliant observation. “You have such poise. And the way you go head to head against the king is truly a magnificent sight.”

Maybe the guy wasn’t so bad after all. But why would he care if she stood up to the king? Well, other than for the entertainment.

“Look, what do you want? I’ve a lot on my mind and don’t appreciate the distraction.”

He didn’t even blink at her bluntness. Grudging respect kindled in her. Nothing got this man down.

“I believe you’ve made the acquaintance of my sister.”

“Your sister could be one of any number of women I know.”