The King had played a brilliant game, sliding through my calm and past my protests with his viciously sexy words that turned my body against me. I knew it was all a part of his plan, and that it was only passion, so I could move past it. I just needed to give my body what it wanted—in a manner that wouldn't risk my freedom. Thus, I'd need a stand-in Dragon King.
Until then, I needed words!
“I'd like for you to wait outside when I investigate the jewelry shop,” I said.
The King's smug expression—the one he'd been wearing ever since his declaration—slipped. “No.”
“Are you trained on crime scene etiquette?”
“What does that mean?”
“That you need to ask is enough of an answer. You are not trained. So, you do not know how to walk through an environment without disturbing evidence.”
“I may be large, but that doesn't mean that I go around knocking into things.”
“That's not what I'm implying. You don't know how to look for things that don't belong in certain environments. Not knowing means you may disturb evidence before I can collect it. I need you to wait outside until I'm done.”
“I will stay near the door and observe until you finish your inspection. That is the only compromise I will make.”
“Fine.” I stabbed my food with my fork and filled my mouth before I said something that would get me executed.
But I'd broken the silence. He took it as permission to proceed.
“Where are you from, Tek? Were you raised in this city?”
My face twitched. “Please, don't call me that.”
“Why not?”
“It is overly familiar, for one. And it sounds like I'm a clock for another. Tek, tek, tek.” I made a face. “You've reduced me to a sound.”
The King chuckled. “You are so rigid. Were you like this as a child?”
“I don't think of myself as such, and I can't remember being any other way. I am who I am.”
He snorted. “That's a yes. You need to loosen up. Perhaps we should go on an adventure after you investigate the shop.”
“My life is full of adventures, thank you all the same.”
“Not the sort I'd give you.”
Another thrill coursed through me. Damn him. He was good. He could have made a fortune as a sex worker. Or a blood worker.
Oh, fuck me! That got me thinking about taking his blood. It would be delicious. Like a fine wine. I'd heard Dragon blood was unlike any other. It had nuances and zings of magic that could make an Eljaffna feel as if they'd departed this world and gone to live among the Gods. Looking at King Tor'rien, I knew the rumors were true. He'd be incredible. In every way. But, like anything worthwhile, there would be a cost associated withhaving him. And I couldn't afford it. Not even for an endless tap of Dragon blood.
I almost groaned. To taste him . . . no! I couldn't think about this any further. It would make me wild. Insane. I'd give in to any of his demands for just a sip. He could control me without the mating magic. Without even asserting his dominance as my king. Blood. That was the weakness of all Eljaffna, and I couldn't escape my race. All I could do was stay away from the most addicting blood in the kingdom.Just don't drink from him, Tekhan. Simple.
All of this internal strife stayed hidden under my cool exterior. Could he truly smell my interest? Probably. I'd heard that Dragon senses were even sharper than an Eljaffna's. But the King would never hear me confirm what he sensed. Until he did, he wouldn't know exactly what had turned me on. Only that I was aroused.
“No offense, Your Majesty, but I'm not interested in the kind of adventures you're offering.”
The King looked down as he softly laughed and shook his head. “I don't think anyone has ever rejected me so eloquently or repeatedly in all my life.” He looked up, his blue eyes still laughing. “I don't know why I find it amusing.”
“Because it stimulates your predator.”
His eyes widened. “Excuse me?”
“Your hunting instincts. You want what you can't have. It's a technique employed by many courtiers. Maybe not with you, but it is common. I, however, am not flirting. I am being honest with you.”
