“I told you why!” he growled and spun to glare at me. “If we mate, it will take days, not hours, Eliel! We can't spare that time right now.”
“That's if we mate. You can't be sure that it will happen, much less that we'll mate the first time we make love.”
“No, I can't be sure when. But I'm nearly sure that you're mine, and with the urges I've been having—the way I've become possessive with you, there's a good chance I will be one of those lucky few who immediately bind with their mate.”
“I want that,” I whispered.
“Eliel, I want that too.” Raven took my hands. “I want it more than you can understand. But I also want it to be perfect. You and I in the palace. You safe. My guards watching over us. Nothing to interfere. Just me and you bonding for eternity.”
My heart fluttered. “Eternity. You truly want that with me?”
“Don't you know by now?” He lowered his head to brush his lips over mine and then leaned back to take my gaze. “I love you, Eliel.”
With those words, joy burst in my chest, but so did a shocking determination. It had been years since I had set out to seduce a man. The last time had been when I was a young man, just entered into manhood. I hadn't known the power of my beauty back then, but I learned fast. It hadn't taken much to lure my lover to me. The Dragon King would require more finesse.
I didn't know the techniques of a courtesan or even of a man comfortable with seduction. But I had Raven's heart, and I wasn't going to let go of it. Sex would be security for me—the physical contract of love. And if he mated me, all the better. He would be mine forever! To have that certainty with this man, whom I knew had a heart worthy of a crown, would put all my fears to rest. With him, I would be safe and loved.
“Eliel?” Raventar looked worried.
“Oh, sweet gods!” I exclaimed. “I was so caught up in the joy of hearing those words that I forgot to return them.”
He frowned. “Don't say it if you don't mean it.”
My expression softened. My whole being melted for him. “I've never been more certain about anything in all my life. I love you, Raven. Of course, I do. How could I not? And how could you doubt it when I say I want to be your mate? The only thing I fear now is that I'm not.”
The Dragon King's trembling lips parted, and a soft sound slipped free. “I'm the King. Being my mate has its advantages. I thought perhaps you craved the safety I could give you.”
“I appreciate your protection, but I crave you, Your Majesty.” I slid my hands over his broad, solid chest. “Will you give me what I desire?”
“You wicked, wicked thing!” He pushed me away even as he laughed. “You nearly tricked me.”
I giggled. “You will succumb to me, my Raven. I vow it. Before the sun rises, you will be inside me.”
Raventar fell to his knees as if his strings had been cut. “Dear Gods, help me!” He lifted his hands in supplication. “My greatest love is intent on tormenting me!”
I burst out laughing and went to him. With Raven on his knees, his head came to my chest. Our arms wrapped around each other naturally, and his chin propped on my pectoral so he could look at me. Grinning, he pulled me closer until my wings folded around his back.
“You are a silly, wonderful man,” I whispered.
“And you are my miracle. Every day, I find more about you to love. You must be mine. The Goddess is not so cruel as to give you to me only to take you away.” He brushed my hair back. “My foundling. If you are not my mate, I swear to you that I will forsake that bond and cling only to you.”
I gasped. “Raven, no. I may not know a lot about Dragons, but from what you've said, I can guess that the bond is sacred and the greatest gift you can receive. I won't keep you from that joy.” I bent my head to press our foreheads together, and even as the ache of that possibility filled me, I knew I spoke true. I would sooner leave him than allow him to give that up for me. “I love you too much.”
Raven's breath stuttered, and his hands slipped through my hair to cradle my head. “Eliel. My precious foundling.Youare my joy. No one else, not even a mate, could make me happier than you. But let's not worry about that now. I'm sure you're mine. He eased back to look at me and then stood. “And for that reason, I will not allow you to trick me into bedding you prematurely.”
“Prematurely?” I chuckled. “Such a silly king.” I swept away from him to enter the bathroom. “I'm going to bathe now. If you'd like, you could help me.” I shot him a sexy look over my shoulder.
The Dragon King let out a pained groan. “Get away from me, you seducer!”
My chuckling turned into full-blown laughter as I undressed, leaving the bathroom door open. The King went tothe window, grabbed the frame, and hung his head out as if he might jump.
Chapter Nineteen
When I came out of the shower, the Dragon King was gone.
“Coward,” I said with a grin. Looking in the mirror, I paused.
My eyes glittered, my skin shone with health, and my wing felt better. I removed the brace and stretched it. It wasn't strong enough to fly, but it was nearly there. And so was I. I was nearly myself again. A smile spread over my entire being. Bara's brutality was becoming a nightmare left behind now that I was awake. It echoed within me, but had no control over my reality. I was ready to take back my life.
