by Lisa Kumar
A knock startled him out of his erotic thoughts. “Come in.”
One of his personal guards outside opened the door. A messenger entered and bowed. “Your Majesty, a parchment came by carrier hawk. It is addressed to you.”
Talion forced back a sigh. What now?
He held out his hand for the rolled-up scroll. The messenger placed it within his grasp. Talion gave a curt nod. “You may go.”
After the messenger left, he uncurled the parchment. The message wasn’t long, and most of the sheet remained blank. He read the three-line paragraph in moments. But the contents within threatened to crumble his world all the same.
I know the human whore is your bond mate. Such a betrayal won’t be taken lightly. Try to protect her as you might, but nothing you can do will keep her—or you—safe. But then, maybe you’re not overly concerned about her. After all, you’re in no hurry to acknowledge her position and give her that extra security, which is a feeling I can understand and for which I commend you.
Eamon
A growl rumbled in his chest. Eamon was the nephew of his first spouse. After his attempt to kill Cal, he’d been exiled. Everyone, Talion included, thought he’d die quickly with no people to claim him. Apparently, he’d been wrong. So wrong.
He crushed the scrap of parchment in his hand, his heart beating like the wings of a great eagle, and stood up. As he paced around the small, enclosed area, fear fought with his innate rationality. With this newest threat, it would be hard to protect Maggie at all times unless he publicly acknowledged her as his queen. The course lie clear before him, but a few doubts pestered him.
What if this was a trick of Eamon’s to force his hand before he was ready? Talion could be playing right into his plan of treachery. And that didn’t cover the problem of Maggie. His promise to her rested like a ton of stones in his gut, and he groaned.
Still, there was no choice, so he ignored the sick sensation filling his stomach. He’d have to live with the consequences. It was time Maggie accepted her role. And he knew how to ensure it. He just hoped she could forgive him.
Chapter 16
Maggie sulked on the edge of Cal’s bed, aware her friend watched her every move.
Cal sidled up to her. “What’s wrong? You burst into here like hell hounds are after you, and now you sink down onto my bed like your world has ended.”
“It might as well have.” Maggie couldn’t keep the glumness from her tone. “Marriage sucks in the worst imaginable way.”
“Huh?” Cal’s brow scrunched up. “I thought you and Talion were giving it a go and that this past week has gone really well?”
“Yeah, that’s what I thought too. But it was brought to my attention I was wrong. Like I said, marriage sucks. Well, mine sucks.” She glowered at Cal. “Yours is peachy like it always is, I’m sure.”
“Uh, Relian and I fight if that’s what you’re upset about.”
Maggie released a breath of frustration. “I didn’t fight with Talion.”
“Then what?”
“Ms. Fashion Doll wants to sink her hooks into Talion. In fact, I don’t think she ever let go in the first place. He denies there’s still anything between them. But I saw them together in his office, and it looked fishy. And if it looks like a fish and stinks like one….”
Cal’s face scrunched up in confusion. “You caught them in his office?”
Oh, yeah, she’d never told Cal about that instance. At the time, her bonding to Talion had been a big, dark secret, and Maggie hadn’t been in a sharing mood. In a verbal vomit of words, the story spilled out.
“I don’t think it means there’s anything romantic between them. Maybe they’re just old friends of a sort now? I can’t imagine Talion fooling around with anyone since he’s with you. He appears nuts about you—of course, all the while maintaining his kingly manner.”
Maggie ignored the small glow of warmth Cal’s words brought. “Come on, Cal. Alalise practically salivates whenever she sees him. While I don’t think they’re sleeping together right now, I still doubt she’d allow them to ‘just be friends.’ She’s not the type of woman a man turns away from romantically and can still remain close to, not that them being friends is even an acceptable choice to me.”
At Cal’s raised brow, Maggie ground out, “He has no business being around her. He shot that ship to hell when he married me, and better not be riding that sinking vessel again. If I’m played for a fool, he’ll live to regret it. So will she.”
Cal held up her hands in a soothing manner. “Calm down. You don’t know anything for sure. More than likely, you just have a jealous woman breathing down your neck. Don’t give her the satisfaction and wreck your relationship before you know all the facts. I still say he’s innocent.”
Maggie snorted. “Him innocent?”
“I mean in this case. I’m not talking about how extensive his sexual history is.” Cal shuttered. “Please, he’s my father-in-law. No matter how hot he is I don’t want to go there.”
“So why is she warning me of danger while, at the same time, wanting to do away with me?”
Cal shrugged. “Maybe she wants you confused and off-guard.”
“If so, she’s succeeding.”
“Well, don’t let her. Why not talk to Talion about her?”
Maggie reared back as if Cal had punched her, and in a way, she had. “I can’t talk to him about his ex-mistress who he might still be emotionally involved with. I need cold, hard proof when I sock him a good one.”
Cal shook her head. “I didn’t say to confront him. But if you won’t discuss it with him, please think before you act. Don’t do anything insane, because we all know an upset Maggie is a crazy Maggie.”
Her friend’s rational words sunk into Maggie’s brain. “Fine, I won’t.” At least, she wouldn’t do anything too stupid, though Cal didn’t need to know that.
Cal stared at her skeptically. “You do know you love him, right?”
“Wha—what?” Maggie sputtered and shot up from the bed like a rocket. “I don’t. I care for him, but that’s all.” But why did some part of her fear a growing nose, just like Pinocchio’s? She wasn’t lying. She didn’t love him, wouldn’t let herself love him.
“He’s got you so off-center. I don’t think you fully realize how strong your feeling are for him.”
An unreasonable fire ignited in Maggie’s chest. Damn it, she’d come here for support, not to be told she loved Talion. She didn’t need this crap. “What are you—my shrink? Given your past, I never thought you’d psycho-analyze someone who doesn’t want or need it.”
As soon as the words flew out of her mouth, Maggie regretted them. She had no right to bring Cal’s past into it, not like this. And how many times had Maggie herself given such well-meaning advice to her friend concerning Relian?
Hurt reflected in Cal’s eyes. “That was a cheap shot.”
“Yeah, it was. Sorry.” Maggie sighed. “You’re right about one thing. He does have me off-center.” She yanked on her hair in frustration and headed for the door. “I’m a mess and need to straighten myself out. I think I need to leave before my mouth gets carried away again.”
“You’ll figure it all out.”
Maggie paused, her hand on the doorknob. “I hope so.”
She closed the door behind her and stood in the hallway. What would she do now? She’d already offended one friend. No need to inflict more damage. And facing Talion was the last thing she wanted. She bit her lip and racked her thoughts.
Nothing good came to mind.
This indecisiveness weighing down her spirit had to go. Since when did she linger outside doors, not knowing which direction to go? She was the kind of gal to follow her whims, and since she’d always had plenty of those, she’d never been left without a path. Of course, some of them had been foolish or just plain bad, but she hadn’t hesitated to meet them head on.
While part of her wanted to have it out with Talion, the larger portion shouted for her to avoid the
situation. Their relationship was too new, too untried, and she didn’t know if she placed her faith in it. Men lied, so why should Talion be any different? Until she figured out if she could trust him, distance seemed the best option—the only option for her fragile defenses.
She already cared for him way more than was wise and didn’t want to chance a broken heart. Some insidious whisper told her that precaution came too late, but she shook her head. To have a broken heart, she’d have to love him. Since she’d sworn off that emotion, Cal couldn’t possibly be right.
Pain speared through her head, and she rubbed at the ache. Damn migraine. But she couldn’t let that stop her. If she was going to stand Talion up, she needed to make herself absent from the usual places where he knew to find her. So that meant getting out of the palace.
A funny feeling like the one she got whenever Talion was around zinged through her. A glace down the corridor showed him heading right toward her. Need and anger pumped through her veins. Shit, had he found her for their quickie? Well, he wouldn’t be getting one.
“Maggie, there you are, my dear.” He walked briskly to where she stood frozen. “I’m sorry, but I must cancel our afternoon appointment. Something has come up that I must attend to.”
Annoyance made her fingers clench. Great, he was brushing her off. She didn’t even have the chance to stand him up or give him a flat-out no. “That’s for the best. I’m not feeling up for it now, anyway.” Which was the truth. Her head and stomach hurt like hell.
He gazed at her in that piercing way of his. “I also talked to your guards when I came to the royal wing. They told me you seemed upset after Alalise spoke to you.”
Damn them, the tattletales. Why was everyone pissing her off today? “Yeah, what about it?”
Talion sighed and placed his hands on her shoulders. “You’re not jealous, are you? Alalise and I are no longer intimate and haven’t been since you came to Eria, I assure you.”
Maggie shrugged off his touch and stepped away from him. Even though she didn’t want to backup his opinion of her, the words gushed out. “Something is going on between you. If it’s not romantic, then what is it?”
“It’s complicated.”
“Complicated?” Fury surged through her. “Complicated, huh? I’m bonded to you, and it seems you talk to her more than you do me.”
“I don’t know what she told you, but our conversations aren’t of a romantic nature.”
“Her side of the conversation is never that way?”
He hesitated, and that was all the proof she needed. Talion might not be sleeping with the witch, but it sure sounded like they were sharing everything else. “Yeah, right. Try telling me again that nothing’s going on.”
“I can’t.”
She itched to slap him and curled her shaking hands into fists. “Afraid my feeble, little mind won’t understand?”
He swore under his breath. “No, you would understand too well. That’s why I can’t get into this with you right now.”
“So let me get this straight. You’re hiding something you know I’ll understand and probably won’t like, so that’s why you refuse to tell me.”
“Yes.”
Anger exploded over her senses, and if she had to state how she felt about him at the moment, hate would be it. “You bastard.” How the hell could he do this to her?
His eyebrows drew upward. “I don’t think you mean that as an endearment.”
“Don’t you even try your crap on me. It’s not going to work this time.”
“I’m not trying anything on you,” he said with exaggerated patience. The lines around his mouth told her he was starting to lose his cool.
Good, let him feel something other than cool indifference. “Then tell me what’s going on.”
“You will know everything when I deem to tell you.”
God, she’d had enough of him and his secrets. “By then, I won’t give a shit.” She spun on her heel, but he grabbed her arm and pulled her to him.
His hot breath fanned over her ear. “You won’t dismiss me.”
You wanna bet? She shoved him away. “I just did.”
He gave her a murderous look. “I don’t have time for this right now. But we will talk about your lack of respect.”
“Whatever.”
Talion didn’t reply and stalked down the hallway toward the main exit. Once he was out of sight, her knees turned to jelly. She caught herself before she stumbled. Outrage, pain, and hurt all pummeled her shaky defenses. She needed to get away from him before she went insane.
Her previous thought about leaving the palace beckoned like a cool drink on a hot summer day. Hadn’t Vana said something about a town market? A grim smile spread over her face, only to quickly fade when she remembered something—her guards. They would try to ruin her plans. She was supposed to get Talion’s permission before leaving the palace grounds. His permission her ass. She’d go wherever she damned well wanted. Sometimes, especially at moments like this, she really missed Earth and all the freedom she had back home.
She bit her lower lip furiously. It might be possible to try to sneak out through the secret passageways Talion had shown her, but she only knew the one that went from her chambers to the royal wing. Getting lost in hidden tunnels really wasn’t her thing, so she scrapped that plan.
Even if she could find her way out, the town and its market still lay over a mile away. With the person behind the attack at large, the walk was longer than she’d have liked. She’d be totally unprotected without her guards. She might be angry, but she wouldn’t do something that stupid. Now, if she could finagle them into taking her to the market….
She straightened out of her hunch and strode to the exit of the royal wing with renewed confidence. By damn, she’d let no man, king or not, keep her down. There was nothing a little charm couldn’t accomplish. Exerting it on her trio of guys shouldn’t be hard. While she was still annoyed with them, she knew they’d just been doing their job.
As if by magic, the door opened, and Kavlin and Batin’s friendly faces greeted her. While many things did seem to be due to magic in Eria, she knew from experience this was not. The sentries were trained to listen for footsteps, and opened the door when the sound neared.
“Hey, guys. Having fun guarding this handsome door?”
Kavlin gave her a flirtatious smile. “When you come through it, yes.”
“Flatterer. Tell me more.”
Meclin cleared his throat. “You are being quite inappropriate, Kavlin. She’s…the princess’ good friend and should not be treated in such a common way.”
Maggie glanced at Meclin, startled. What was this craziness about? Hadn’t there been enough already?
Kavlin’s eyebrows drew together in puzzlement. “I mean nothing by it. And it’s no different than the teasing your group of guards engages her in.”
“We are her personal guard,” Jocin said. “That gives us a certain familiarity, but there’s no hint of impropriety between us, if that’s what you’re suggesting.”
Maggie’s head hurt as she tried to figure out what was going on. Why were her guards being killjoys? “Come on, guys. Calm down. I like to joke around, and anyone who knows me realizes that.”
Karcin nodded, though he gazed warily at the sentries. “No harm was done this time.”
This time? Maggie mouthed, and Karcin merely shook his head. “It’s time to escort you to your rooms.”
She scowled, not liking the tone this little visit with her guards was taking. Boy, were they ever going to love her trip to the market. She wasn’t going to be stopped by anyone, least of all Talion and his men. Because that was what they were at the end of the day—his men, not her buddies, not even really her guards. Their actions proved it.
Turning to face the sentries, she said. “Goodbye, Kavlin and Batin, I apologize for the guards’ rudeness.” She stalked away but paused to look over her shoulder at the three guards. “I’m going, but not because you—or your king—demand it.
I need to freshen up because I have plans.”
The three glanced at each other and asked in unison, “Plans?”
She began walking again. “Yes, plans. I’m sure you’ve heard of them before. Oh, and don’t even think about stopping me.”
The guards rushed to catch up with her, their scabbards clacking against their boots with each step.
Meclin reached her first. “My lady, stop. Please.”
At the pleading in his voice, Maggie faltered in her stride and cast him a look. “Why should I?”
He spread his hands in a helpless gesture. “You must understand….” He seemed to be choosing his words carefully, his eyes narrowing as if he were in thought. Wise, very wise of him. “You must understand that since you’re the king’s bond mate, we only seek to protect you and your reputation. As queen, you’ll be expected to treat males other than your husband in a certain way, at least while in the public’s eye.”
Damn, the decorum lessons had started, and they weren’t even from an “official” tutor. Could someone shoot her now and put her out of her misery? She really wasn’t cut out for this queen shit, but she wasn’t as clueless as they all apparently thought.
She eyed Meclin with a calmness she didn’t feel. “But we weren’t in the public eye. I know and trust those sentries enough to be myself around them. The same went for you guys. But if you’re going to get all stuffy, then you just can forget about it. There’ll be no more Maggie spinning jokes and offering her camaraderie. And believe it or not, I know how to behave in public. While I may not know all your conventions, you can trust me not to flirt with every guy I see.” She shrugged. “I’m a friendly person. I like to talk, but only your king gets my amorous attentions.” Though he might not anymore.
Her guards gazed at her with mouths slightly agape. She held in her smile. Her speech appeared to have worked its magic.