Game of Temptation (8 page)

Chapter Eleven

Days were becoming longer for Arun as he lay
in bed, refusing to give in to death. He knew Alethi would need him. She was
strong, but she was not stupid to refuse help if she needed it. What frightened
him was not her stupidity, but the likelihood of her pride refusing help. She
had gotten to the point of storming out on him that coming back to him for help
would be wounding to her pride. It was probably why she had yet to call on him
no matter how bad things have become at her captial.

He felt fingers touch his wrist but he did
not open his eyes. It was not as if their constant checks on him would change
his state. He did not even bother to listen to their murmurings. Let them
speculate that his peerless political standing was the root of it all. At
least, Alethi would be safe from them.

"Prince Arun? Please open your
eyes."

Arun sighed and forced his eyes open.
Liushan looked down on him looking so concerned. The elf was more loyal than a
hound taken care of since it was a pup. Arun did not know whether to be
thankful for his zeal or to curse it – especially when he had almost robbed
Alethi of her purity.

"My lord, I know exactly why you are
like this. Do not do this to yourself. Forget her. She is not worth it."

Arun smiled at his liege in pity. "I am
afraid, you will never understand, Liushan. I have tried, but it is not that I
cannot. It is that I
will
not. It is easy to convince oneself to
forget another, but would it really be worth the exchange?"

Liushan shook his head. "Exchange of
life for being rid of one woman, who could even be counted as your weakness,
forever? I believe it is a fair exchange. More than fair. Rehanathi and its
inhabitants need you. And the council, though they despise you, knows how valuable
you are. As we speak, they have instituted a regent in your place, afraid that
elfinkind might question your sudden deposition. You have so much power – you
can change so many things! – why waste it on a human?"

Arun closed his eyes and held the elf's hand.
He looked into his liege's eyes to give him the truth that his words would not
be able to convey. "It is difficult to explain, Liushan. But have you ever
wondered what the point is in living so long? In going through the battles of
everyday life? To what end do we keep ourselves alive? Our long lives have
cursed us. It is because of this we have become so bitter and numb with every
gift this world has given us. Tell me, Liushan. Have you come to love anything
in this world and live for the sake of it? Not just live for the sake of
living, but to live for a goal."

Liushan bit his lip thoughtfully and shook
his head after a while. "All I live for is for your safety."

"And if I die, will you?"

The younger elf shook his head. "I will
continue living. Perhaps because I am afraid of death."

"As we all are." Arun nodded.
"But what if you have been given to see the world in a new light? What if
you have been given the chance to remove the pains of living for life's sake
and live because you find joy in it? Would you take it, Liushan?" His
liege nodded and he continued, "I have found that joy being with Alethi.
It was not just the game of wills that had made life more exciting. It is
seeing her with a smile on her face and the gift of hope that lies in her.
Humans have a short life and there is much to learn from them in the matter of
loving and enjoying life. I fear I will never learn it, but I do know that she
is the reason I have found a purpose in life."

"And what purpose is that?"

"To make her short life well worth
living." Arun smiled seeing incomprehension etch Liushan's face. He knew
the younger elf understood his reasons and emotions, but he had yet to
experience it himself so he could not understand what madness had taken over
Arun. "You would never understand unless you have experienced it, Liushan.
You cannot talk me out of this. I know she is still alive and unhurt. The gem
tells me so. And until she is well and…someone else is taking care of her, I
will continue to live. I love her, Liushan. I love her more than my own
life."

Liushan forced a weak smile. "My lord,
you have gone insane."

Arun could not help but chuckle in response.
"I know." He closed his eyes as Liushan stepped back and bowed to
leave. He wished he knew more about where Alethi was or how she was, but he
would not know. Not without her express wishes.

He did not understand how one woman could
change him so, but he did not care. He understood why love was the deadliest
trap. It was not because it was impossible to run from, it was because no one
wanted to run away from it once tasted. And it did not matter if she loved him
in return. In truth, he did not expect anything back. All he wanted was to give
her his love.

His bed moved and he reined in his
annoyance. Whoever was crawling up to his bed hoping to coax him out to mate
with him, hoping to distract him from his "loneliness in politics",
can wait all their lives and nothing would come. Perhaps after this third
attempt, they would stop. The movement stopped and Arun felt nothing. Perhaps
this she-elf was playing a game. Or observing him. He did not care. He did not
even bother to bring to normal his dimmed senses. Anything short of news of
Alethi would not stir him.

A finger traced his cheek and he resigned to
thinking of Alethi touching him that way. He would not grant, whoever the
intruder was, the pleasure of rousing him. Teeth grazed at the tip of his ear
and he grunted , his eyes opening. It was a very personal spot. One that we
would deign for anyone to touch.

"That got your attention."

Arun's thoughts on the curses he would give
died before they even reached his lips. Alethi was there, lying beside him in
her usual place. He extended his senses and searched for any magic around her.
All he got was her scent and her soft smile. Somehow, those little things gave
him strength, but it still failed to give him the power to speak.

"I used to lie here awake at dawn
watching you sleep. And I always thought to myself how perfect you are."
She shrugged and sat up. "But I see you are not truly perfect after
all."

Arun grabbed her wrist. "Why are you
here?"

"I see you do not want me here."

"No! No…I just…I am pleasantly
surprised." He smiled at her.

She smiled back and he felt at the peak of
his prime. He did not know whether to kiss or explain to her first. Thinking a
kiss might prove offensive, he opened his mouth to speak.

"Do not mistake my visit for anything
else, Arun." She spoke before he could say anything. "I am here
because I need your help."

"Of course." Arun said, sitting
up. "What is it you need?"

"I need to steal my throne back."

Arun blinked at her, not knowing what she
had in mind. "Anything under my power are in your disposition. But you
have to tell me what you are planning."

Alethi nodded. "A fair enough exchange.
I have talked to Liushan and he is willing to help if you order him to. And I
need him because he knows where Orrin is. I know the secret passages that will
enable his freedom. And the freedom of a chiseler and a house breaker."

"Thieves?" Arun asked. "What
need have you of thieves? You have our magic."

"And so does she." Alethi eased
herself from the bed and walked to the chair near his bed. "She knows I am
with you and she will be expecting magic. She is a beguiler, herself, but more
a seductress than anything else. The bitch witch thinks herself untouchable by
anything less than other witches and elves and so we strike at her arrogance.
Besides," Alethi gave a coy smile, "she had offended my two little
thieves far enough that I would not be surprised if they are desperate enough
to jump at any opportunity to take her down."

Arun nodded. "How many would you need
to take the throne back once we free them?"

"Three."

"Three legions, then."

Alethi's laugh surprised Arun. It was more
melodious and comforting than any other sound he knew of, including an elfin
singer's voice.

"Three elves, my dear Arun. Not three
legions," she said after laughing, "I told you, I will only steal my
throne. There is no need for a war. Liushan and two others besides you."

"I do not know what you are thinking of
now, and truth to be told, it frightens me," Arun admitted. He at least
knew how much power Alethi's step mother was wielding and if they were correct,
nothing short of a war would tear the throne off her fingers.

"Worried, are you? Not to worry. Your
team of elves will be safe. I promise you."

He shook his head. "It is not them I am
worried about. It is you. Alethi, if his proves to be too dangerous—"

"It is either this or an eternity of
blood feud." Alethi stood and faced the window, the sunlight highlighting
her gentle features. "My father always said that a ruler must exhaust all
his options first. I do not wish another war between our races. If I do not
succeed, then there would be no more bond or possibility of truce left. And if
she succeeds in taking the Imreal…" She looked at him, her eyes pleading.
"I ask you to trust me, Arun."

What else could Arun say? He trusted her
with his whole life else, there would be nothing left for him. "I
do."

"Thank you."

For a while, neither of them spoke, but Arun
did not mind. He was relieved she was with him and that she did not hate him.
He did not know what tomorrow would hold for them or if he would continue to be
a part of her life. He did not even know how his political opponents would move
with the knowledge of his sudden strength at her arrival, but he was certain of
one thing. He had the opportunity to be with her now and he would take it.

"I have one request."

Alethi bent her head to one side. "And
that is?"

"Before we leave, I would like to ask
you to be my guest once again. For old times' sake," he added the last
part hastily fearing she would recoil at his advance.

A grin touched the corner of Alethi's mouth.
"If it is not much of a bother, my prince."

"Not at all, my queen. I assure you,
you would be safe," he took a deep breath, "even from me." Arun
noted her smile and something in it was slightly disturbing. He knew something
was in her head, but she would not share it with him. At least, not now.

Chapter Twelve

Docile-sheep Arun did not last long. After
his initial recovery from his dying state, he was back to his domination of
everything. Not that Alethi really minded. She rather like this Arun, though
the docile sheep that confessed in his delirium would be a nice change every
once in a while.

His confession gave her power. A leverage
she could use to take her throne back. It was also a leverage she did not want
to lose. She was not exactly sure why, but she rather liked his attention. It
was strange. She never liked to be showered with it when men from her kingdom
posed to make their move on her. But what Arun gave, she welcomed with open
arms. Even when he admitted to what he had in mind when she kept her captive
and to be the culprit to her sudden bursts of…experiences, she could only pretend
to be so furious. And the attention she got from him after that…Maybe she
should pretend to be furious at him more often.

She looked at Rehanathi from the tops of
tower-like trees, sipping tea. Though the place was foreign, it felt like home.
It gave her another reason to take the bitch witch down. Rehanathi was a place
she should protect – and a place other Dosalari should be able to visit and
calm themselves without fear.

Alethi smiled. So much work to do and yet,
she looked forward to doing them. Reconciliation would be the first on her
agenda after consolidating her own power base. It would be a grand headache of
sorts, and that was the part she did not look forward to.

"I still worry about this plan of
yours," Arun said beside her. "Must you go in there yourself?"

Alethi placed her empty teacup on a flat
branch beside her. "Yes, else it will not work. Does Orrin have the
essence of Imreal again?"

"They have found it moments ago. Shall
we give it?"

Alethi shook her head. "We time it with
the coronation. Have you word yet of when it is?"

"In seven days." Arun turned to
her. "Money, titles and position. Is that all humans are interested
in?"

"It is what we call bribe. I personally
find it a cheap and utterly revolting practice, but for now it serves a purpose
for the greater good. At least I know these two will not betray me when I come
into power. They would do well at the new posts I will be giving them. Very
well." She chuckled. "Pitiful, is it not? We find pleasure in
temporal things. And they mock us in reminder that our own time in the world is
short."

"I find it rather amusing to be
attached to something that reminds you of the short time you live. Strange, but
amusing."

Alethi watched the corner of his lips pull
up in an amused grin. She could never forget those soft lips that she fully
surrendered to. He had been her first kiss and likely an experience she would
never forget. He knew exactly what to do and where exactly to touch her to
please her. And that tongue! She shuddered, feeling the familiar heat between
her legs. And this time, she could blame no one but herself for it.

Arun raised her eyebrows at her. "You
look red in the face. Are you well?"

She mentally stomped down on the thoughts in
her head. Such thoughts were dangerous around Arun. "I am well, thank
you." Very dangerous.

"Let me have a look." He touched
her burning face slightly. "As your host," he said, his face inches
away from hers, "it is my duty to ensure that you are well."

She swallowed, unable to resist him. Oh,
yes. She wanted him to touch her badly. But it would not do! It would not do
to—

Any other thought she had in her mind got
shut down as his lips met hers. By the gods! It was maddening! His lips were
warm, soft, comforting…and wet. Perhaps as wet as she was starting to get down
there. She felt his tongue touch her lips lightly and they parted to
accommodate his exploration, his kiss becoming more and more aggressive. Her
tongue caressed his as he plundered her with a rough, hungry kiss. A soft moan
escaped her and the heat in her turned up in her mindless need to have Arun.

She wanted to feel more of him. Wanted to
feel more than his mouth on hers, his hands caressing her back and her bottom,
her chest on his, and his…

She tore away feeling…the thing. She felt
dazed and her mind was slowly taking in what had happened. But more
importantly, she was becoming aware that she was straddling Arun in his seat!
How she came to be in that position, she had no idea. But it felt right. So
right to be there – she pressed precisely against his hard, firm body.

"Fuck me! We can't do this!" She
shook her head trying to clear her thoughts.

Arun raised an eyebrow. "I will be
happy to fuck you, but no kissing? Surely, we can do both. You are learning
very well."

Alethi scowled, still feeling her face
flushed from the contact and his compliment. By the gods, she wanted to do
both! "That is not what I am trying to say!" She backed away and
returned to her seat. "We cannot do this. I cannot."

Arun met her gaze and it took a solid iron
will not to look away or let her emotions get the best of her. None of them
spoke and Alethi could tell that he was not about to give up.

"Then marry me," he said with
utmost seriousness.

Alethi's composure fell and her mouth hung.
She wanted to say a million things to him, but all of them were pushing out of
her thoughts at the same time that she could get none of them out.

"Is that such an absurd proposal?"
Arun asked in all his innocence.

"Do you really have any idea about the
institution of marriage?"

"If I am not mistaken, it is the
eternal binding of two people together and creating a family. Am I wrong?"

Alethi scratched her head. "No, but you
make it sound as if it is something that can be done easily."

"Is it supposed to be difficult? Or…is
it difficult for you to bind yourself to me?"

Alethi could see the hurt behind those
emerald eyes. It was not that she did not want to. Unlike elves, she would have
to endure the pain of a heartache without the escape of death. And it
frightened her more than death did.

"Now is not the time," she said
instead. "Marriage is perhaps the only thing about us humans that takes a
long time. Unless it is arranged."

"Arranged?"

Alethi was glad for the derailing of the
topic. At least it was more comfortable talking about marriage in a detached
manner. "Noble families often do it to bind their riches and power
together. Three thousand years ago, it was also done to forge the truce between
our races, though I doubt that either was not a willing party."

"Are you willing, then?"

"What?"

Arun said nothing knowing that she knew
exactly what she meant. Whatever she said, and no matter how much she derailed,
she knew the conversation would go back to his proposal. She had imagined how
her future husband would propose when she was younger and Arun's belonged to
the unromantic half. It disappointed her a little, but what could she expect
from someone who does not know what it was like to be human?

And by the gods, she did not mind him
binding her in every sense of the word!

Arun's nervous laugh caught Alethi by
surprise. "Gods! You really like to see me writhe like a worm!" He
took a deep breath. "I am not asking you just to tie our kingdoms or to
satisfy my need for the year. I am asking you because I want to be with you.
Truly. Perhaps this is not the best time to ask. Not when you have so many
things on your mind. I only need to know one thing – and you do not have to
answer. Could you see yourself sharing your marriage bed and your whole life
with me?"

Her heart wanted to scream yes, but her head
strangled it from ever getting a word out. There was too much to be done
especially in the way of her reputation and her standing with the nobles. Even
being just his lover could prove fatal for her hold of the throne. She looked
away finding herself staring at him for too long. She could only hope that he
did not read what was in her heart when she stared at him.

She stole a glance at Arun and saw him seat
back and his lips curl up in a knowing grin.