Game of Temptation (9 page)

Chapten Thirteen

Alethi's pink, swollen lips haunted him. The
image burned deep into his mind after kissing her three times. He wanted more
because – fuck it! – that was all they ever did. Once by the lake, another at
the treetops and once in his room. He was going delirious with need and he was
still far from even having the rights to touching her ample breasts.

Who had ever heard of an elf going for two
seasons in his mating year without sex? The longest he had heard of one without
going on an animalistic rage of lust was seven days. And he had gone far longer
than seven days – with a constant temptation dangling itself in front of him.
Sometimes, he could think of nothing but tying her up and claiming her, and to
hell what her protestations might be. But he could not because she was a
fucking virgin. A virgin without a barrier if she always rode astride as she
did now. And her deftness at riding suggested that she always rode astride –
and frequently.

Perhaps it would not be too bad for him to
push himself into her…

Arun noticed Orrin's horse slow and shut
down her thoughts about Alethi. The man was observant and protective – a
dangerous combination in a father. If he did not guard himself, the man would
know the sick and dirty designs he had for his daughter. Probably sick and
dirty to the old man but to him, he was only imagining heaven.

"My lord prince," he began showing
no signs he knew of whatever was in Arun's mind, "I cannot thank you
enough for your aid."

"You can thank me if we succeed. To be
honest, I still do not approve of this. Have you tried talking her out of
it?"

Orrin chuckled. "I see you have not
heard of the legendary hard-headedness that courses through her mother's
family. To try and make them see other things than what they have set their
minds on is an effort of epic proportions. And one with a lower will than them
would fold without question. As I did." He looked beyond and smiled
remembering a distant memory. "I remember her mother. She loved the king
with a passion, but the problem of his impotence proved to be too great for her
to ignore. Snuck into my chambers the moment the opportunity presented itself,
she did. I was not exactly reluctant when she demanded intercourse, and I was
much younger, then. To bed a queen was frightening, but also impossible to
refuse. Only after that one night did she and I become friends and I've always
bent to her wishes, no matter how much older and more seasoned I grew. You must
prepare yourself for much bending if you wish to have Alethi."

Arun choked on nothing in surprise. The man
knew his intentions? Although, perhaps, he should not be surprised. He was
Alethi's father and she could have told him. Or word of his near-demise at her
parting could have reached him. Either way, he felt that the news reached her
father too soon. It was one thing to be much older than the man, but it was
quite another when the younger man was the father of the object of his desires.
He could not stop acting like he was hundreds of years younger!

Orrin chuckled again. "You seem
surprised I know. I do not know how far you two have gone, but the way you look
at each other – or in her case, avoid looking at you – there is just too much
to read."

By the gods! He hoped he did not read all
the fucking he thought in his mind. "You have no objections?" he
asked regaining his composure.

"She came to trust you despite the
difference in your lineage and despite you holding her prisoner, did she
not?" Arun nodded and he continued, "Then I see no problem. She may
choose whom she wishes. She can think on her own. But if you hurt her, I have
no other option but to act as a father should and try to kill you, though I
know I will not succeed."

Arun noticed that though his smile was one
of amusement, it carried a deadly seriousness. A father's protectiveness was
not to be tested, and he gave off the same feeling a wolf mother had for her
pups.

"Even in captivity, I have never
thought of hurting her."

Orrin clapped him at the back. "We are
on good terms, then." The old man smiled and trotted back to beside his
daughter.

Arun smiled. It was a brief clap on the
back, but he felt warmth in it. The same warmth a dear and close friend might
give. Was that what it was like to have a family? He would not know. Not until
he had Alethi for his…
wife
. Gods! The word was like another creature
he was tentative to approach, but would approach if only because of his need
and his longing. Need and longing that manifested in every opportunity he
touched the small of her back, hips, thighs, neck and ears, and in every time
they kissed. And she responded with her own longing – restrained and timid.
Virginal.

Thinking about that made him stiff. Quite a
bad moment for that on a saddle. What he needed was a distraction. Or perhaps a
pause so he could take her behind the large tree at the edge of his vision. He
shook his head. He could not believe he was thinking of such things when she
would be putting herself in danger in two nights! The thought was enough to
settle him down as worry replaced lust.

Soon, light was fading and they were
beginning to set up camp. Arun found many of the rituals of men in settling for
the night quite interesting. They needed so much when all elves truly needed
was a sheet to tie between trees to sleep in.

"I will be gathering wood for the
fire," Alethi told her father.

"Be careful, now. And do not stray
far," Orrin said.

She giggled and hugged Orrin. "It is
just firewood, father. I will not be hunting a boar with children. At least,
not in the dark."

Orrin looked at the deer he was gutting,
considering to leave it and go with her.

"I will go with her," Arun
volunteered. To keep her safe. That was his intention. But as Orrin nodded, it
dawned on him that they would be alone. Just him and Alethi. Away from
everyone. And with him by her side, his worry fled like a gazelle pursued by a
lion. His longing for her took over as her calves peeked out from under her
dress, picking her way on the incline.

Arun was half-hearted in his attempts to
look for wood, having only a few in his arms. He was more interested in
watching the way her hips swayed on even ground and how delicately she picked
her way through. Of course, he would always watch out for the unlikely case
that she would fall…

His eyes saw her foot step on loose, muddy
soil and he barely had time to drop his load to catch her. And – sweet child of
the gods! – her warmth gave new life to his libido. Not least because his hand
latched onto her full breast as he unwittingly caught her.

Unlikely chance of falling, indeed! He
thanked the gods for giving him such a wonderful opportunity. The problem was how
we would get through the night without taking her. The gods know how much he
needed his release!

"Wow…thank you." Alethi's head
turned to face him. "I did not even have time to react. That was stupidly
careless of me."

"The woods are treacherous even in
daylight." Arun grinned. "Perhaps you would not deny me a reward for
that."

"Perhaps." Her eyes wandered to
his hand on her breast, her face visibly red even under the light of only the
moon. "Um…I am safe now."

"I know," Arun breathed on her
neck and was rewarded by a gasp and a shiver. "My reward?"

Alethi's eyes went wide at him.
"Su-surely you do not suggest…"

Arun held her close and let her feel his
longing for her. He restrained a groan and he felt his hardness nestle in her
soft behind. He fought the urge to tear her clothes apart and take her. It was
just not practical. Not out here where her father sat waiting just below them.
"Do not deny you want this," he hissed trying to keep a measure of
control over himself, but found it impossible not to feel more of the exquisite
softness in his hand.

He was rewarded by a moan that nearly rent
his control apart. For all his restraint, he could not help but feast himself
on her exposed neck. He trailed feather-light kisses from her jaw to the base
of her neck, nipped at her skin with her teeth back up before tracing it back
down. He smiled as she gasped when he sucked at the point where her neck and
shoulder met. His.

"Arun," she whispered in between
shallow ragged breaths, "we cannot—"

He covered her lips with his own. No! He
would not hear of her protest. Not this time. He nibbled at her lower lip
before entering the familiar sweetness of her mouth. He plundered her, making
his claim as best as he could and tasting her everywhere as his fingers located
the stiffening peak of her arousal. She arched toward his hand and moaned in
his mouth as her own tongue met his, sagging against him.

His other hand slowly raised the hem of her
skirts and he reluctantly tore away from her mouth, watching her expression and
his hand wandered along the insides of her thighs. Her face was arrested with
pleasure, making her glow and unfold to be more beautiful as every moment
passed. Her eyes fluttered most enticingly as his hand followed the path of the
sweetness that trailed downwards. He stopped before reaching his destination
and his hand hovered to the other side of her thigh following the pattern of
her juices.

"Arun…" she groaned, jaw tight as
she battled within herself. "We should stop…"

"Do you truly want that?" he
growled as he nibbled her ear. "Truly?" He placed a finger on her
coveted treasure and she gave a strangled cry as her hips thrust to meet his
fingers. He chuckled loving his control over her. But blast those damp drawers!
He would tear them from her body if he surrendered to his animalistic need.
"I believe you need to be soothed first."

"Arun! Alethi!"

Arun bit back a howl of frustration as
Alethi's eyes shot wide open, though still unable to tear herself from him.
Arun tried to ignore it, but the call came again, this time, nearer. He
produced a string of curses, including the gods that taunted his vulnerability.
Damn them for making him get this far, but no further!

Alethi, found her own strength and moved
away from his slackened hold, albeit on shaky legs. She started picking up what
they have gathered and he joined her.

"Arun! Alethi!"

"Over here!" Alethi answered her
father and looked apologetically at Arun as they both stood.

"Ah! There you are." Orrin smiled.
"Well, dinner is ready and everyone is waiting for the both of you.
Especially you, my prince. Your elves would not eat without you."

"Thank you," Arun said, a little
too stiff for his taste.

He lagged behind as father led daughter into
the clearing, thanking the night for covering any traces of his debauchery of
her. His mark would be covered by her long hair, unless she decided to hold
them back. Hopefully, tonight, she would not.

He ate in silence trying to find a way to
deal with his raging lust until he could no longer take it.

"What is it, my lord?" Liushan
asked when Arun took him aside.

"Punch me. Here." He pointed at
the point just below his ribs.

"That would hurt."

"That is the point."

Liushan looked at him oddly. "What
for?"

"I believe I would rather be gutted
than to prick my dick with pins of ice again."

Liushan's brows raised in understanding.
"So that was why she…" The wretched elf smirked. "You did not
finish with her, did you not."

Arun grit his teeth. "Do it now,
Liushan!"

One thing Arun was certain, being gutted was
a better idea than punishing his already-tortured dick.

Chapter Fourteen

Alethi wondered how the chiseler – Baronet
Leanne, she should start remembering that – could be so calm and confident in
impersonating Duchess Sirien. Sure, the woman rarely left her estate because of
her frailty and Leanne had been impersonating her for so long. But still…how
could she not worry about being caught?

"Abiel," Leanne turned to her,
"please make yourself scarce among the servants. I shall send for you when
I feel faint. Run a long now."

"Yes, my lady," she bowed and
wandered off not daring to lift her head, lest she be recognized. She went
unnoticed by nobles as she made her way through the gardens to the servant's
hallways, and when she was certain no one was looking, she veered off.

Alethi clutched the tube in her hands,
hoping that no one would stop her. She hoped that she would not have to use
Leanne's tactic to get past guards and not raise an alarm.

Arun had told her that the Imreal they let
the lieges of Niraya discover was at the private library where many other
secrets were stored. And as she neared it, she ducked behind a wall and hissed.
There was one guard. She knew him and remembered he was one of the good
soldiers his father had. He was supposed to be an officer, but he was relegated
to such a duty. She knew him enough to not complain and he did his job well. It
was a pity he had to bar her way. She would not take her chance at pleading
with him.

"Oh dear!" she threw herself on
the floor, clutching her ankle.

The soldier looked at her, tense with a hand
on the pommel of his sword. Seeing her, he relaxed. "You are not supposed
to be here, miss."

She sobbed, the cowl of her hood hiding the
fact that she did not have any tears. A horrid actress! That was what she was.
"I know. But a rat!" she sniffed, trying to still her wildly beating
heart. What she didn't feign was her trembling. The gods knew how nervous she
was. "A horrible, vile creature, that! It chased me and I stumbled. Could
you please help me up?"

He came to her and put his arm around her.
At once, she applied pressure beneath his ear, brought her fist to his throat
to stifle any sound and stroke the nape of his neck. She sighed and the frantic
beating of her heart eased somewhat. She thanked herself for her stubbornness
and refusal to listen to her father when he did not want her to be about Orrin
and the king's guards as they trained. It made her hands rough and callous, but
it did serve a purpose.

She hoped Arun did not mind such ugly hands…

She shook the thought off. She had to get
what she came for and be quick about it. She dragged the unconscious guard into
the library and opened a box that was not there the last time she came. In it
contained different vials, most of them, full. She easily recognized Arun's
crystal vial and saw one that was less. Her father's poison. She took both
vials and placed them in the tube.

Alethi ran quickly up to the throne room
where Niraya would be pronounced queen later. The house breaker – soon-to-be
merchant – should be in his position for her getaway. If not, well, perhaps it
was her time to die. She also hoped that Orrin had gathered as much as he could
and was ready at their stations. She had given him so little time, so she could
not expect so much.

Her hood dropped as she lifted the Imreal
from the tube for a quick check to see if she got the right one. She nodded to
herself and burst inside the throne room. She approached the insignia of her
family and traced the gem-encrusted symbol with a finger. This was her father's
pride. It was what he and generations before him ahd worked for – peace to
Dosalam and she would be damned if she let Niraya ruin it! She would rule
Dolsalam. With Arun. The elf could protest all he wanted but once she was
through with all this political business, it would be his turn to be her
prisoner.

"I thought I saw a little mouse run up
here. With something of my own."

Alethi's back stiffened and she straightened
to face her. "Hello, bitch witch."

Niraya smirked. "Funny you should call
me that now. I always knew you suspected, but your father was a very foolish,
passionate man. I thought his death would grieve you to death, but I see you
are still here."

"My desire for vengeance runs deeper
than my grief, Niraya. As is my desire to see the country that my father loved and
ruled prosper. You will ruin all of Dosalam with your desire to be at war with
the elves! And for what?" She clutched the tube to her heart.

"Dear, sweet child, you have no idea
about the power of the Imreal, do you?" Niraya laughed a melodious, but wicked
laughter. "The elves do not know the power that they have. With it, they
can raise entire cities and destroy them. They can even raise the dead and have
a whole army of unfeeling, mindless creatures at your command. Think about it.
You would have the whole world at your hands and nothing could stop you."

"That is why the Imreal is in their
care and not in yours! They use the Imreal to breathe life to Rehanathi, not
take it away. They have done good with such a power and you want to destroy
everything just to have everything you want?"

"Not everything, my dear, little mouse.
Only those who oppose me."

"To what end?"

"Does power need an explanation?"
The smile on her face faded. "Too long I have been denied of what was
rightfully mine. Your soldiers crushed our village as we housed the guerillas
and tended to their wounded. You took everything from me!"

"It was an action in remiss."
Alethi stood straight. "We have said our apologies and are trying to
rebuild with the guerillas. And now, there is peace, though a fragile one. I
assure you, it will never happen again."

"Damn right it will not. Because I will
be queen. And I will destroy those who are not at peace with me." Niraya
extended her hand. "Hand over the Imreal and I will only send you to the
dungeons. If you do not, I will kill you and have it anyway."

Alethi glared at her, fiddling with the tube
under her coat. "You will kill me, whether or not I give this to you. I am
a stumbling block to your ambitions."

The evil smile returned on Niraya's features
again. "Very perceptive. But you see, I do have a merciful side. I will
kill you painlessly if you give it to me. A streak through your skull should
suffice."

"Such a coward to not kill with your
own hands." Alethi smirked, herself. "But I guess that is the way of
an invalid. Magic is your crutch and will be your downfall. I assure you, when
I am dead, the meisters will know magic has been used. Magic different form the
elves. And who to blame but you? Such a pity for your reign to end so short.
You know how this hall records magic. Of course I do not wish to die
painfully." She tossed the tube to Niraya. "I wait my painless
death."

Niraya caught the tube and opened it. She
howled seeing only the poison she used fall into her hands. "Where is the
Imreal?" She screeched.

"That is the poison you used to kill my
father and frame Orrin, yes?"

Niraya took a deep breath and composed
herself. "You come here only to hear the truth of things? You do not have
the Imreal." She laughed. "Such a fool I had been. Yes. Is this what
will silence you in your grave? Yes. This is what I used. And I have considered
your advice. I will kill you with my own hands. You think I am incapable? We
shall see."

Alethi took the vial of Imreal in her hand
and ran to the curtains behind the throne. "You want it?" She threw
the vial behind the curtains to the ground ten spans below.

Niraya's eyes lit with burning rage as she
screamed rushing toward her, spewing out profanities. Alethi knew the woman to
be quick, agile and better than her at combat with all the time the woman had
spent living with the guerillas. She had too little time to dodge and her she
felt her throat constrict painfully as the bitch witch's hand collided into her
and pushed her out to the balcony railings, pinning her there.

Alethi's vision was going white and her mind
did not comprehend anything but pain and suffering. She could not breathe and
her body felt like it was being snapped as she was held bent over backwards on
the railing. She could feel her neck collapsing in on itself as she struggled
to claw and kick her way out of her grasp. It was a useless battle and as she
felt herself getting weaker, she could only think about how she would
disappoint Arun. Dead, she could never be his bride. Could never tell him how she
truly felt about him. Could never feel what it would be like to be held in his
powerful arms, sheltered from the world. Could never even so much as say his
name. Never feel what it would be like to be finally free to act on the primal
need she felt every time he drew near.

The only thing that she could understand
aside from the pain was that dying felt the same as falling.