“Thanks. I just feel bad disappointing you four.”
“No worries. Keep bringing home more Mageia. I know mine is out there, somewhere.”
Justin left the room. I started to follow him, hoping that Kopanos might take the hint, but he cleared his throat.
“Follow me,” he ordered peremptorily. I held in a sigh, but followed him, not wishing to offend the man. He seemed to hold a position of some authority in Illyria, and I really didn’t want to cause a problem.
He entered the office and immediately settled himself behind the desk across from where I had been sitting, instead of in a chair next to me like the others had. I felt my eyes narrow. He acted as if it was his rightful place, and looked at me from across the desk as I took my seat.
“It has been a long day already, so I am going to cut right to the chase, Lucien. I have a great deal of experience, Your Highness, both military and political.”
“It’sLuke,” I snapped, finally losing my patience with him. “Please use my chosen name.”
He leaned forward on the desk, steepling his hands in front of him, his eyes narrowed at my words, but he continued talking almost as if I hadn’t spoken.
“Names have power in Illyria,Lucien. My family name can give you something none of those pups can. I can teach you how to walk the halls of power within Illyria. I have been involved in Illyrian politics my entire life. I know who therealplayers are, and the obols they have to play with.”
I had to stop for a moment and remind myself that obols were the currency used in Illyria.
“My family is also an old and respected one. I have contacts and connections at every level within the city. My family knows everything that occurs within Illyria.Everything. I can give you the best advice and direction on how to get what you want. In return, I offer my services to develop your…skills. I know how to train young men in the art of politics, war and…the bedroom. Especially those who lack discipline.”
His gaze raked me, simultaneously making me feel like I needed to straighten my shirt while also wanting to shower his filth off me. I’d seen that look on Maalik’s face, and it had never boded well for me. Something in me knew that, should I agree to Bond with him in some moment of insanity, I would never be anything more than a puppet.
“Why weren’t you in the Touchpoint, if you’re that influential?” I asked, the feeling of revulsion washing through me again and making me speak more bluntly than I should. I had never been great at politics, and caused more than my share of diplomatic incidents, but there was nothing I wanted to learn from this man.
My question seemed to have hit home, because Kopanos grew visibly angry and cracked his hand on the top of the desk, making me jump despite myself, before struggling to regain control of his temper.
“That wet behind the ears Goddess-bedamnedPolemosdecreed an age range limit for Touchpoints,” he hissed through clenched teeth. “It didn’t matter if other, more experienced Somas had been waiting foryearsfor an opportunity to Bond with a Mageia. His ruling was ‘No more than ten years age difference inattendees’. He said that if the Goddess wanted someone to Bond outside that range,Shecould damned well arrange it. Well, it looks like She has,” he said, smiling icily at me.
The chill in his look sank into my bones. I had to remind myself I was no child, and that this man could not force me to do anything against my will. I was not powerless anymore.
Oblivious to my reaction, he stood and came around to the front of the desk, the move so reminiscent of my father that I shuddered and had to force myself not to lean away from him. He looked at me as if I were some kind of specimen he was preparing to dissect.
“I don’t think I’ve witnessed a stronger match than what you and I just experienced. We would, undoubtedly, make an extremely strong Bonded pair, with the proper training onyourpart, of course. Your reaction to me was definitely stronger than the reaction you had with any of those…youngsters. I could see it when you shook their hands.”
He flicked his fingers dismissively toward the door through which the other Somas had left, before continuing. He reached out to trail his fingers across my face, but I leaned out of his reach. Years of diplomacy forced me to try and find a way out of this situation.
“But the age difference—”
“I know I am a good deal older than you,” he interrupted me. “But my age gives me certain…advantages, in political and military knowledge, as well as sexual relations. Most Bonded have a sexual relationship, as I’m sure even you are aware. I would not care if you chose to take lovers. I’m certainly going to do so, myself, because men are not to my…preference.”
The way he said the word made me certain he was one of those cave dwellers who felt that sexual orientation was something that was chosen, instead of something you were born with. He tilted his head and continued in a condescending tone, completely oblivious to the offense he was giving.
“Though I’ve heard from my sources that you would be…tempting. You’re pretty enough though, Imightbe able to imagine you were a girl, if you really had to have that. But one thing needs to be perfectly clear: I don’t care if you’re a prince in public,Your Highness, but in the field, and especially in the bedroom,Iam King.”
I stared at him in disbelief as he leaned forward from the desk as if to place a kiss on my lips.
“Umm, not only no, buthellsno,” I said as I pushed him away from me in revulsion, finally finding my voice. “Get thefuckaway from me! My name isLuke. Not Lucien. NotYour Highness. It’sLuke. And I wouldn’t Bond with you if you were the last Soma in the world.”
His eyes went wide in shock, and his face flushed with rage at the rejection.
“It would be…unwise…of you to turn me down without due consideration, Your Highness. I have a great deal of power in Illyria, and you have no idea what you are doing when it comes to Illyrian politics. You are going to be needing my helpverysoon, I assure you.”
He leaned forward, his hot breath on my cheek and the sour smell of him enveloping me.
“I’d hate to see you without…resources…when it came time to help someone you loved. Someone like yourhalf-brother, perhaps?”
Kopanos knew nothing about me or Elex if he thought threatening one of us would make the other submit. I loved my brother, and would do anything for him, but I also knew Elex would kick my ass if I gave in to a creep like Kopanos.
