Reining Him In (Chinese Zodiac Romance Series Book 5)

by Rachael Slate

  Daji wouldn’t desert me.

  If she’d believed she was disappearing, she wouldn’t have done that to him.

  Would she?

  How many times did he have to lose her? How many fucking times did he have to be tested?

  He stormed through the corridor, cloaking Horse and galloping as fast as Horse’s hooves would pound the tiles.

  This wasn’t happening.

  She’d saved her race, and for what? To vanish into nothing?

  No. He refused to admit defeat.

  Daji had taught him that.

  ***

  Price paced the inside of Daji’s chamber, tugging at the tux he’d switched into. The coronation ceremony was starting any minute. He should be there. He was Daji’s representative. The húli jīng looked to him.

  Now, they would depend on Naya. She was their new Queen.

  He dug his fingers into his scalp. Horse had raced around the palace grounds, but it hadn’t done a bloody thing to make this ache in his heart any better.

  How much harder did he have to fight to prove he was worthy of her?

  He grimaced at his Lotus tattoo. The symbol meant nothing to him anymore. He’d utterly failed. Protect her. He snorted. No matter what he did, he couldn’t.

  Daji kept slipping through his fingers, but if he held her, one more time, he’d never let her go.

  Their connection pulsed inside him. Her spirit was connected to Horse’s. Didn’t that mean she was alive, somewhere?

  She’d faded right in front of his eyes, but she couldn’t be gone.

  Price slammed his open fist on the side table and stormed from the room. He had to go to Naya’s coronation. Had to suck it up and feign his uncaring self once more.

  He strode down the corridor and poked his head into the coronation chamber. Naya kneeled before a hot-tub sized pool of shimmering blue liquid. She didn’t have a stitch of clothing on, so he studied the room instead. Ogling his sister-in-law? No thanks.

  The chamber was big enough to fit about a hundred húli jīng, all of whom wore white robes, their long hair flowing down their bodies.

  This was also the birthplace of the húli jīng. Born from this oozing mud.

  Ryden kneeled beside Naya, buck-ass naked too. Guess King and Queen would be crowned at the same time. And mated.

  The robed Council members gathered in a half circle around the pair. His mum was in the crowd too, smiling with pride. It was so good to have her back, but his heart wasn’t beating properly. The joy was missing. Tainted. By Daji’s absence.

  He shuffled along the side, inching toward the front. Ryden and Naya had their happily ever after, and a realm to rule together.

  Envy pinched his chest. Should have been me and Daji. Hell, he’d settle for just her. It was never the crown he’d craved.

  Ryden waded into the pool first, the oozing liquid coating his bare ass and sinking above his head as he submerged.

  A brilliant flash sparked across the surface and Ryden shot upward, his fox spirit glinting in his eyes, fangs and claws drawn.

  He extended his hand for Naya, who glided into the pool. She ducked beneath the slime, and a second flare erupted across the surface. Price shielded his eyes from the blast with his forearm.

  He blinked, catching sight of Naya emerging from the pool. Hand in hand, both she and Ryden were clothed in an iridescent slime that concealed their nudity.

  His heart panged as he imagined Daji going through this ceremony, assuming the throne.

  He would’ve loved to have seen her.

  Naya inclined her head toward the mass of females before her silvery gaze slid to him. Her lips curving, she stepped aside.

  A figure stood behind her.

  She’d brought someone back with her.

  Daji.

  His heart leapt into his throat and he sprinted to the pool, but the organ slammed back down again.

  He didn’t recognize her.

  She wasn’t Daji.

  ***

  Daji blinked, squinting into the bright light. She’d passed through a vaporous realm of darkness, but a force had snapped her out of it.

  No, a person. She peered at the female at her side. Naya. The new Queen.

  Her heart fluttered as she sensed an intense stare targeted on her. She angled toward a male.

  Disappointment and hurt crushed in his pale blue eyes.

  He doesn’t recognize me.

  She glanced at her hands, smoothing the silky mud across her skin, and set her shoulders. He will know me.

  Their love would bloom between them.

  Daji stepped forward, out of the pool, toward Price. He reared backward, caution flaring his nostrils.

  Horse would recognize her, wouldn’t it?

  “Price,” she pleaded with him to see her. “It’s me.” She nodded at the tightening of his features. “Daji.”

  His fists clenched and unclenched. After every hell she’d dragged him through, she could well fathom his mistrust.

  She claimed one step toward him. The crowd cheered for their new Queen and King, but off to the side, it was her and Price.

  “Daji?” His voice croaked, thick with hope and fear.

  Her breath shuddered and tears stung her eyes.

  He wavered on his feet for a second before rushing forward and crushing her in his arms. His solid embrace enveloped her and his masculine scent drifted around her, soothing and intoxicating.

  “I’ve missed you so bloody much.” He glared at her. “Don’t you ever leave me again.”

  “I won’t.” She smiled at his stern frown, then overcome with mischief, she closed her eyes, shook out her locks and transformed into herself.

  Húli jīng were born into a kind of cookie-cutter body. This one matched her better.

  “Better?” She opened her eyes and flashed him a smile.

  “Fuck, yes.” He sighed. “Now, you look like my Daji.” Bending, he claimed her mouth, his lips feathering across her mouth before swooping firmer and slipping his tongue inside to stroke hers.

  She moaned, sinking into his kiss. My Daji. She rather liked the sound of that.

  A male coughed into his fist.

  Price grunted and slid his lips off hers. “What?”

  Beaming, Naya draped a robe around her shoulders.

  “We just wanted to say hi to the new Daji. You can’t hog her all the time, bro.” Ryden grinned at them, then swung an arm around her and pressed a kiss to her cheek.

  Naya bounced on her feet and crushed Daji into a tight embrace. “Missed you.”

  “Sovereignty suits you, Queen Naya.” She smiled. “Remember everything I’ve taught you.”

  “You betcha.”

  “Ok, that’s enough.” Price broke them apart and tugged Daji against his chest. “I’m going to have some alone time with my mate now.”

  She smirked at him. “Don’t you mean wife?”

  “Well, I tried, but she wouldn’t have me.”

  “Maybe she will now.” She traced a circle on his arm. “She’s no longer Queen and doesn’t have use for a Consort anymore.” Her claws drew a line from her circle down, following the vein along his left arm, ending around his ring finger. “She might find herself in need of a husband instead.”

  “You’re serious?”

  She bit the corner of her lip and nodded.

  “You gotta ask her first, dumbass.” Ryden’s taunt made heat rush to Daji’s cheeks. Ah, yes. The man was supposed to ask the woman, wasn’t he.

  “I know that, dickhead.” Price sank to his knees, seizing her hand. “Daji, I love you with every beat of my heart. I’ve traveled through Hell to be with you, and more. I can’t imagine my life without you. Would you do me the honor of becoming my wife?” The twinkle in his eyes sent joy spiraling through her chest.

  She arched forward and pressed her lips next to his. “Yes.”

  At Chenda’s clucking, the chamber had cleared faster than if someone had issued a bomb threat. Price shuffled his feet
and yanked at the bowtie choking him. He’d given Daji precisely ten minutes to change and nine had passed.

  Only Naya, Ryden, Mum, and the Council Elders had stayed for their wedding. Small and intimate, and free of drama.

  He didn’t want anything, except for Daji to be his.

  The clack of heels on the tiled floor stung him like precisely fired bullets.

  The Matchmaker? What was she doing here?

  “Didn’t figure you for a wedding crasher.” He narrowed his eyes. If one more thing wedged between him and Daji, he might throw a real mantrum.

  Let Horse out of the stables and fucking kick some shit around.

  “I’m not intruding on your wedding, Mr. Wentworth. I’m officiating.”

  Bloody hell. His boss was going to marry them?

  “Okay.” He sent her a wary nod and focused on the aisle while she sauntered to pose beside him.

  “Chenda.” She inclined her head at the head of the Council.

  “Matchmaker.” Chenda returned the gesture, and Price almost swore he caught her smirking beneath that darkened hood. Man, she really had played him well with that “one small task” performance. He should’ve guessed the Matchmaker had set the whole thing up.

  Not that he planned to fill out any complaint forms.

  His nerves melted the instant Daji strolled into the room wearing a flowing, rose silk dress and carrying a bouquet of lotuses. The fabric hugged her curves, the low-cut neckline balancing against the soft swell of her breasts.

  He fingered his collar and Ryden slapped him on the back.

  “You got this.”

  He bobbed his head. Of course he did. Horse didn’t stomp in protest. They both craved this.

  Her.

  Daji smiled as she glided to his side, and he linked his arm through hers. His pulse thrummed in a steady beat and he flashed her a grin.

  Her eyes sparkled, her beauty stunning the breath from him.

  She’s mine.

  He was one lucky bastard.

  They knelt on the cushions in front of them while the Matchmaker murmured in a language he recognized but didn’t speak—an ancient húli jīng dialect. Then she wrapped a crimson-and-gold-embroidered silk scarf around their wrists—his left and her right. “Do you vow to share everything between you, forever?”

  “I do,” he barked first.

  “Yes, I do,” Daji copied.

  “Good, then you must not untie this scarf before dawn.” The Matchmaker handed him a silver bowl filled with rice and he used the chopsticks to feed Daji a few grains. After, she reciprocated, feeding him.

  “Congratulations, you are now wed,” the Matchmaker hummed in satisfaction. “You may kiss your bride.”

  “My wife.” Price smirked, then clasped Daji’s elbow to help her stand, and swept in to kiss her sweet lips. He slid his hand along her cheek, nudging her closer and coaxing his mouth deeper against hers.

  She was every inch his fantasy come true.

  Laughing, she eased back and smiled at him.

  Naya, Ryden, and his mum crushed them together in a giant hug. His family. Exactly how they were meant to be.

  He chuckled and scruffed Ryden’s hair. “You’re next, buddy.”

  “Unlike you, I’m happy being mated. Fox spirits don’t marry.” He snared Naya’s hand and the two of them grinned at each other.

  Right. Their coronation had served as a mating too.

  The Matchmaker cleared her throat and Price shifted to scowl at her. Only one thing might ruin this moment—his commitment to his boss.

  “Do you have a manila envelope for me?” She handed out assignments that way. Old school, but untraceable by modern technology.

  “Why?” The Matchmaker arched a brow, her sly gaze passing between him and Daji. “You don’t honestly presume your mission is complete yet, do you?”

  “Ah…”

  “Is your father alive? Do the Demon Kings continue to scheme in Dìyù? Is Daji’s life still in danger?”

  “Yes.” His frown lightened into a grin.

  “Then your mission to protect Daji remains unfinished. Do not report to me again until you have fulfilled your duties.” She spun and sashayed from the great hall, pausing at the doorway. “Congratulations,” she murmured over her shoulder. “Don’t mess this one up, Mr. Wentworth.” Her lashes dropped before she faced forward and strolled out of sight.

  Huh. She’d let him off the hook from his Lotus League duties, even though she never did that. Not even with Nat and Kassian, who flocked to her bidding whenever she beckoned them.

  She’d absolved him, until the threats to Daji were squashed, at least. Which might be a very long time. Afterward, he’d conjure invisible ones just to stay by her side.

  Bodyguard duty suited him just fine.

  “Congrats again,” Naya chimed as Ryden escorted her away, giggling.

  The others emptied from the chamber, and he was at last alone with his new wife.

  His forever soulmate.

  “Well, that was fun, Mrs. Wentworth.” He smiled at her, breathless from her beauty.

  “It was, Mr. Wentworth.” She laughed, poking him in the chest with her bound hand. “I believe there are other rituals associated with this marriage ceremony, are there not?”

  “Hmm, like what?”

  “You promised me a honeymoon.” She rose on her tiptoes and purred into his ear, “There was mention of pleasure-filled screaming.”

  His cock jolted, on its own. Daji didn’t have to lift a finger to make him hard.

  “Yeah?” He slid his free hand along her body, down to squeeze her ass. “I hear Dìyù is rather pleasant this time of year.”

  “Oh no.” She nipped his ear. “Follow me.”

  He grinned while she mischievously led him from the chamber. “Anywhere.”

  ***

  “First, we must check on Lucy and Sheng. They’re in the throne chamber, reuniting húli jīng with their fox spirits.”

  “Uhn.” Price grimaced. “Fine. But after, you’re mine.”

  “Definitely.”

  Daji led them to the chamber and treaded inside. Lucy reclined on a bench, Sheng poised behind her, and a húli jīng rested beside her. The silver canister of fox spirits glowed from the side table.

  Blue mists hazed around them, flowing in and out of the two females while Lucy utilized her Spirit Thief powers to reunite the female with her fox spirit.

  Hope and joy warmed through Daji. They hadn’t encountered every single missing fox spirit, but most of them were in the process of being rejoined.

  Before long, her people would thrive and prosper once again.

  Daji beamed at the two Chosen, and then at Price, who grinned as well. “You joined with them to save me?”

  He squeezed her arm. “I told you, I’d do anything for you, sweetheart. Well, maybe not join Team Tiger, but Team Dragon isn’t so bad.” He cocked his head. “Hasn’t made any house calls or asked me to pick up his coffee yet.”

  Her smile grew somber. “When the time comes, you must stand with them. We will fight together, to save our worlds.” She twisted around in his arms, linking her fingers behind his neck. “It may not be the future you envisioned, but it is the one destined for us.”

  “Are you kidding?” His brows pinched together, his eyes crinkling at the corners. “I’ll take any future, so long as I have you.” He shifted closer and nuzzled her neck. “Besides, it’s about time someone whipped my ass into stepping up.”

  Daji’s body thrummed with anticipation and hunger. She was bound to Price in every manner possible. Mated, their spirits connected, and even married.

  Every single tie strengthened their bond and assured her they would be together.

  Forever.

  Nothing and no one would ever draw them apart.

  Her throne was in safe hands with Naya and Ryden. Her shoulders eased at being able to step down and claim a life of her own. She would continue to dedicate herself to her people, but she wouldn
’t be ruled by that burden anymore.

  Now, love was her master.

  Price, her partner in crime.

  In life, in love, in everything that mattered.

  “Hmm. You might regret handing me those reins, Price.”

  “Nah, you know how to handle me.”

  She whipped out a silk scarf and wrapped it around his head, blindfolding him.

  “Whoa, what’s this?”

  “Your first lesson.”

  “In…?”

  “Wait and see.” Clasping the silk scarf tied between their wrists, she led him through the corridors, slipping outside, past the aviary.

  “Are we nearing those hot springs?” Price chirped.

  “No.”

  “Daji,” he groaned. “I’m all for games, but I’m dying here.”

  She stole a glimpse at the thickness straining his pants. “Indeed. A few more steps.” As she cracked open the large wooden doors, a crisp, earthy scent flooded around them.

  “Do I dare to ask where we are?”

  “Why, are you frightened, husband?”

  “Nope, but smells like I’ve been here before.”

  “Not like this, you haven’t.” She led him to the center of the stable, the fresh hay crunching beneath her slippers, and snatched a length of rope, winding it around his free wrist. After tying it off, she threaded the rope through a slender hoop hung from the rafters, pulling to raise his free arm, and securing it against the wall.

  “Now, you’re mine. Sapha.”

  ***

  Price swallowed hard. Hell, everything about his body was hard. Tense. Stiff in anticipation. The crisp, grassy note saturating his nostrils was unmistakable. Hay. A stable?

  It would seem his new wife was tying him up.

  He was bloody well enjoying it.

  Her slender hands plucked the ties of his robe loose, sliding the silk off his shoulders.

  The rip of fabric tearing rushed his ears as warm air fanned across his bare ass. He locked his hips, his hard-on jutting straight out. Moisture beaded from the tip. He was unable to contain how badly he craved her.

  “You once referred to your body as a feast, and I gather weddings often do feature buffets.”

  She tugged the blindfold loose, and he squinted, blinking into the dim stable. “Damn straight. All-you-can-eat variety.”