Game of Temptation (10 page)

Chapter Fifteen

Arun could not relax as the scene played out before him and
all of Dosalam. He had been worried before Alethi had established contact with
him through their family insignia, but he became even more fretful as he
channeled all the events in the throne room. She was angering the older woman
and he could feel that she was indeed powerful. His heart nearly went into an
arrest as the contact broke. The woman was trying to kill him by disallowing
any contact with her until she made contact with him. Niraya might find out,
she said .Blast the woman for twisting his heart painfully in anticipation!

Prince Arun!
The house breaker's voice rang in his
head.
I see the princess above me. The woman is killing her. I cannot scale
up more to aid her. The walls are sheer and the vine ends a few spans below.I
cannot attract attention lest she kill me as well.

Arun pushed the rising panic away from his chest, but his
thoughts were tumbling demanding where they were. He wasted no time as he was
told of the location. Above him, he could see Alethi's struggles were growing
faint as she tried to fend off the witch. Bent over backwards, he could see the
pain clearly in her face with his heightened sight. He growled and restraint
fled from his mind.

Catch her
. He sent the house breaker and with a roar,
destroyed the wall the balcony was attached to as he ran under it, binding and
gagging the older woman as he did so.

The house breaker did catch her but a chunk from the balcony
hit his hand sending them both hurtling downward. Cursing, he let Niraya fall
toward the trees and called for the plants to create a web that would break
their fall. They crashed and Arun prayed to all the gods that he knew that she
is safe and alive.

He cared not a whit for the guerillas Orrin gathered running
in another direction in a rage, nor did he care for the raucous rioting that
was beginning all around. There was nothing more important to him than to know
that his Alethi was alive and well. And run with the speed of the wind he did.

Arun reached them and saw the house breaker groaning in pain,
Alethi on top of him. He pushed feelings of possessiveness aside as he touched
their foreheads. The man was fine but for a few bruises and scratches, but
Alethi…he saw blood mar one side of her head and he gathered her quickly in his
arms. Worse, contact poison was on her throat and was slowly destroying her
from the inside.

Cursing, himself, Arun wished he had learned the ways of
healing. But he knew that even if he did, he was not deft at it. The most he
would be able to do was close her wound. He was born a fighter, not a healer.
He called on one of his elves and pleaded Orrin to handle whatever was going on
in Dosalam, relaying what had happened after the images vanished.

-------------

A soft breeze fluttered the curtains as dawn flitted through
the windows casting Alethi's skin in warm light. The touch of dawn did not
reach Arun as he sat by her, his mood dark. He had come so close to losing her
and sent him into a fit of madness. He could only thank Orrin and Leanne for
holding him back or he would have destroyed…so many things.

He held her hand. Warmer now than days before as her body
took over healing itself. He twined a lock of hair between his fingers, wishing
he could do more. It took all of his restraint to keep himself from sharing her
bed and holding her. It will not do if she suddenly awoke or if Orrin suddenly
entered for another counsel with him. The man had come often as soon as he
calmed down asking how he would handle nobles, questions and claims. He aided
the soldier in meetings with people of import as the latter repeated whatever
it was the men and women he talked to said.

All of it was a welcome distraction, but they were few and
far between. Worrying over Alethi consumed most of his time, even taking from
him sleep and weariness. He wanted to protect her. Shelter her from the world.
He knew it was not possible to encase her, but he would protect her and
surrender to her everything, including his life.

He wanted to take her to Rehanathi away from the politics of
Dosalam. Elfin politics might be long and difficult, but human politics were
swift and unforgiving. If he were to marry her, he knew that it was he who
would be leaving everything. And by the gods, he would! He did not care if it
took him hundreds of years to get where he was and lose it all in a heartbeat.

Alethi's eyes lethargically opened and Arun immediately
hovered over her. Her hazel eyes met his and relief flooded over him, suddenly
feeling as if he would collapse. But he held himself hovering on top of her.

"How do you feel?" he asked.

"Well, though a little tired." She said smiling.
"It seems that you are the one not well, my prince."

Arun shook his head. "'This nothing. If anything, I am
better. Get more rest, love."

Alethi looked unconvinced and so she asked him a different
question, "How long have you been watching over me?"

"Five days. But you need not worry," Arun
immediately added when she realized how long she has left Dosalam untended,
"Orrin is seeing to things. He has done a splendid job. I will tell you a
few things only so you can relax. He has assembled the noble houses and is
setting things back to rights. He also leads the planning of your coronation.
The guerillas are coming to peace and are working with my kin to rebuild what
short rebellion some noble tried to raise. Leanne has not been readily accepted
by the nobles, but she is carrying the favor of many of the common folk and
even those underground and rallying them to you. So is Silas. The thief was
even hailed a hero for saving you. The woman is bound and sealed in the
dungeons until you have decided what to do with her. And so you see, all is well."

She touched his cheek and he ached to touch her intimately as
well. But she was sick and he might cause her undue stress. "What of you,
my prince? What part do you play?"

"Nothing much."

"I doubt you are here only to watch over me. I shall not
stop asking unless you tell me."

Arun smiled. Hard-headed indeed. He was going to do a lot of
bending. "Very well. I counseled all of them and orchestrated the affair
in your absence." He kissed her forehead. "Now sleep, my queen. There
is much for you to do once you are fully well."

"The people are accepting your kin's help?"

"After your and Niraya's exchange, they would rather
much work with us than to work with someone like her. Perhaps the only reason
if because you trust us, or my kin has charmed many women. Begrudgingly
trusting, I suppose, but it is much better." He smiled.

Arun felt sender fingers close on his wrist. There were a few
calluses there, but it made her all the more endearing. A woman – a high-bred
lady – who does not fear to labor. "Yes, love?"

"Rest beside me and hold me," she said, her face
flushed, looking away in embarrassment. "I am in need of comfort. And for
once, I am not shamed too admit it. Not if it is you."

Overwhelming emotions forced his face into a huge smile. He
felt light and heady, but perhaps it was his tiredness causing such headiness.
But it did not matter. She wanted and needed him and he was only happy to
comply.

"As my queen wishes."

He slipped in beside her and held her close as she turned
back to him. He couldn't help but sigh as she pressed her warm body against
him. He took in the scent of her, intoxicating him with wonderful memories of
her. It took great effort not to let his hands explore her body, soft and firm
in all the right places, only allowing his lips to touch the silken skin at the
back of her neck. She sighed contented and for once, he was able to stomp down
on all his urges to take her as violently as they roiled in his loins. The
moment was just too perfect to ruin with his raging lust. He knew it would not
stretch forever and so he relished every moment he spent holding her close to
him until his tiredness forced him to sleep.

He would protect his Alethi, his queen. Hell itself would
have to go through him if it wanted to take her. And if it did, he would come
along and be with her still.

Chapter Sixteen

Alethi reminisced the warmth of Arun's body enveloping her
when she woke up in the morning. His refusal to rest all those five days she
had taken a toll on him. He did not wake even as she prepared with her
handmaids. She had memorized every line and contour of his handsome face from
the golden locks that swept across his strong features to the lush lips that
had taken her captive time and again. The image of him calmed her and calm was
what she needed now.

She looked at Niraya from her seat at the throne. The public
trial had not gone for long and already nobles and citizens alike were already
passing judgment on her: a traitor's death. Such a punishment had not been
pronounced for thousands of years and she was loath to be the one to break it.
An ancient torturous death was not her way, and of course, she would have to
begin the torture herself and watch as she suffered and died. It was in the law
to do such a thing in the name of honor and courage.

Niraya's confession at the eve of her own coronation doomed
her as the cries for traitor's death grew louder. Alethi wished she had taken
Arun with her as she judged, but it was apparent that her people still saw them
as man-slaughterers. Bringing him with her would only taint her and leave her
enemies with openings to plot against her. Her handle on her own country was
straw-thin enough as it is.

She held up a hand to silence the crowd. "Do you believe
yourself a traitor, Niraya ka'Avenda?" Alethi asked as the crowd hushed,
her own last name tasting like bile in her mouth as she applied it to the
witch.

The keeper of her cell gripped the whip, ready to strike
should Niraya decide to recite a spell rather than answer. The horse's bridle
ready on the hands of another to silence her.

"I am traitor to the vengeance of my people whom you
have killed." Ice. It was the only way Alethi could describe her voice.
Cold, unforgiving ice.

"Do not lay the sins of the past on her! Let her prove
herself to be the queen that befits her lineage." one of the nobles cried
out causing another uproar from the crowd.

Alethi held back a groan. The speech indicated an unspoken
threat: we are watching and if you do not do well, we will overthrow you.
Lineage, indeed! She was not her father's daughter and if anyone found out she
was a bastard…

She had to do what she must. Her ancestors had designed the
punishment for a traitor in their famed level-headedness. An elfin trait, no
doubt. How ironic for people to hate the very blood her ancestors had. To break
such a tradition would be a mark of her weakness. Her hand raised to silence
the crowd once more. "Niraya ka'Avenda, wife and murderer of our beloved
King Solon Avenda, traitor of Dosalam, I pronounce you a traitor's death. As
soon as you are led out."

By the gods, she would make it a swift sentence, not because
she was eager to be rid of her, but because she was eager to have the business
done with. Her day had already been long enough in dealing with the nobles. She
wished for nothing but the day to end and to curl up in Arun's arms for
comfort. The gods know she would need it after staining her hands with Niraya's
blood. Literally and figuratively.

Alethi sagged to the floor after closing the door of the Red
Room. She had not known a human to have bled so much. Niraya's screams still
rang in her ears and it was all she could do not to remember the whole ordeal
and retch on the floor. Torturing and killing people was a horrid business she
prayed to never come across again. She had never felt faint at the sight of
blood and after outwardly watching the torment with calm, she believed she
could no longer stand the rouge ink of life. Just the thought of it threatened
to make her swoon. She had to think of something else!

Strong arms encircled her from behind, encasing her in the
familiar warmth and scent of Arun. His presence comforted her and she leaned on
his strength wanting to feel more of him. "You should not be here. You
should stay in my room."

"I saw what happened from your window. I saw you tremble
and I knew I had to come for you. I knew you would not make it to your
room."

His low, sensuous voice drove images of horror away from her
mind. Arun was, if anything, most adept to fill her thoughts with him and him
alone. His mating scent was enough to destroy any other thought that invaded
her mind and the feel of him made her mad with craving for more. Just like
that, Niraya's death became a distant memory of someone else, but it was not
enough to drive the weakness from her limbs.

Without a word, Arun lifted her onto the table where she held
strict confidence with a select number of nobles and her trusted aides. Her
eyes found his and she lost herself in his emerald depths. In them reflected a
concern that knotted her insides. His hands never let go of her waist and his
closeness comforted her, as if she could throw all precaution to the wind and
everything would be alright.

His finger traced her cheek down to her lips and he smiled.
"My brave queen is suffering on the inside. Perhaps, I can be of
assistance."

Alethi opened her mouth to speak, but it was immediately
covered by his familiar warmth. By the gods! The elf's lips were probably the
only part of him that was soft and its contrast to his overall hardness was
driving her insane. His caresses in her mouth were gentle but urgent and she
wanted nothing more but to relish in his warmth.

Her responses were bolder, meeting each thrust and plunder he
demanded from her. She held onto his neck tightly and felt delicious friction
when he wedged himself between her legs. She felt her wetness pool between her
thighs as he kissed her lower.

"Alethi, let me end our torment," he whispered in
between ragged breaths. "You and I long for this. I know."

Her eyes snapped open and gently held his face in her hands.
Her heart screamed for more of his ministrations, but she held onto the barest
scrap of self-control she had. She was no longer afraid. She wanted this, but
there were so many things to consider. Arun's eyes were hot and dark with
desire and she almost let go of him to let him continue, but she shook herself
to focus on what was important. "Arun, you know I cannot."

Arun's jaw clenched and despair replaced desire in his eyes.
"Then, you do not accept my proposal?"

Alethi shook her head violently. "No! I…I am not
rejecting it."

Hope flared back into his stunning bright eyes. "Then
there is no problem, is there?"

"There is," her voice trembled. Those beautiful
eyes made it almost impossible for her to rebuff his efforts toward her.
"I really do want to wait for marriage before we complete our union."
Damn it! She wanted him to fuck her right then, right there! Completely
overpower her and take what they have been aching for, for a long time.

"I am sensing that we cannot do it now." His eyes
darkened, but this time frustration and a hint of fury mingled in his desire,
danger tinged the edge of his voice. "Why?"

"Because of our differences."

The crack of his hand on the table made her jump. "So
you are just going to let that get in the way?"

Alethi had never been frightened before of anyone angry, but
her insides trembled at his, though she showed no outward appearance of it but
a wince. Something gentle flashed in his eyes in a moment, quickly gone.

"I need to fix this." He voice sounded steadier
than she expected. "You must understand, Arun."

"Is it not common knowledge that the Royal Line is part
elf?"

"It is. But they still cannot accept someone who is full
elfin. I know it does not make sense, but we have to wait."

Arun growled and before she knew it, he captured her mouth in
a bruising kiss. Her whole body shuddered at the outward manifestation of his
desire and frustration. He tore himself from her, growling. "Then I will
give you a taste of what you are forestalling. Make you feel what you are denying
us both."

"What—" She whimpered, his hand quickly moving
under her skirts pressing into her core through her drawers.

"You feel how wet you are?" his sexy growl caressed
her ear, "That is how much you want this."

His finger moved slightly over her, teasing her with slow
light flicks of his finger. She gasped, throwing her head back. "Arun…do
not…"

"Stop?" He nipped at her ear. "Not to worry,
my dear. I intend to make you come."

His finger increased pressure on a point that made her squirm
even as his hand refused to move. She closed her eyes and whimpered, pleading.
Her hips moved on its own seeking the pleasure his finger denied her.
"Arun…we cannot…"

"I assure you, you will still be whole. For now, I want
you to scream my name when you come, love," he whispered in her ear with a
shaky voice. "Scream your desire for me." He moved past her drawers
and circled around the same point, lightly. Teasingly.

She writhed, pushing her hips toward him, wordlessly
demanding pleasure. She knew she should desist. Knew that she should push her
away, but she could not. She would not. She was lost in the sea of passion he
had brought her to.

He held her hips steady and his finger moved ever so gently
around her pleasure point. She bit her lips trying to keep a rein on herself,
but she could not. She needed him.

"What do you want, love?"

She shook her head. He increased his pace slightly and she
moaned, her fingers digging into his shoulders as if letting go would be the
death of her.

"What do you want, love?" He asked again, his voice
ragged with lust.

"Undo me…" her voice quivered. "I cannot stand
this any longer. Please!"

"Beg more, my dear. Look at me and beg me."

Alethi opened her eyes staring at his beautiful features. Her
heart and soul screamed for him as her body cried out for his ministrations. It
was impossible not to give in.

"Please Arun…end my torment. I beg you! Please!"

She gasped as one of his fingers delved inside her. Arun
moaned slowly moving his finger in and out. "Hot, wet and oh, so tight.
Perfect. So perfect for fucking."

Alethi shuddered at his words. They were quite dirty, she
knew, but he made her seem so desirable when he was the one who would inspire
desire more than she did. She bit her lower lip as another finger joined the
first and his thumb danced quick tiny circles around her core. She tensed as if
she would explode. All her muscles were tight and taut, her body thrashing
knowing what it wanted but not what to do.

"Come, love. I know you're there."

She screamed his name as her body released all that he built
up within her. She could feel every wave of her release wrack her body
violently, as if shaking the remnants of her tightness. Groan after groan
escaped her as she leaned onto Arun and he stroke her head to comfort her.
Somehow, she felt there was something missing in all she went through. It was
an amazing experience, but she knew there was an empty void she needed to fill.

"That is but a taste, my dear." He kissed her
forehead and carried her. "Next time I will not be so merciful."

Alethi's mouth opened to protest but only a whimper came out
eliciting a low, sultry chuckle from him. She settled into him instead, resting
her head on his sturdy chest. She felt too weak and tired to move and she felt
lightheaded. When he carried her, she made no protest as they headed into her
room deciding to take in not only the scent of his desire, but also the essence
of Arun, himself.

Without any trace of Arun's prior ferocity, he tucked her in
her bed gently and kissed her on the forehead. "Good night, my dear."

"Stay with me."

Arun took a deep breath and shook his head. She could feel
him clutching at the sheets, containing himself. "It is best I do not or I
will break your purity. I will be fine, love. Not to worry."

Alethi's eyes fluttered, trying to keep herself awake, but
failing, letting sleep wash over her.