Did he not care that I’d forced myself on his woman?
No… he’d seen howshefelt, that she’d liked it, and it hadn’t mattered to him what I’d done because he knew she’d always be in control.
“Fuck, fine, you have a deal, bewitching wench!” I held out my hand.
She took it, her hand tiny in mine, yet her strength was evident, meeting me force for force when we shook.
Bloody Bones! She was infuriating! Strong and commanding and sexy!
“Bring me those armies, as soon as you can!” she said, straightening her clothes and calming herself before she left.
I put my fist through a wall after she’d gone.
“Brother? What’s wrong?” Wensuria came out from the long hall leading to the bedrooms. She hurried to me when she saw the damage to the wall. “Breathe!” she encouraged me.
Wensuria knew about my control issues, my anger. I’d told her what Osserime had done to me and, of all who knew, my sister was the only one who’d consoled me. She’d seen what that betrayal had done to me.
She guided me to a chair and I sat heavily. The furniture creaked under my weight. Elven furniture was strong and well built, but still not meant for titans, who on average weighed well over five hundred pounds. I was closer to seven hundred.
“I assume your talk with Izzy didn’t go well?” My sister had known I’d been meeting with the half-elf this morning.
How could I explain that every time I’d tried to control the small woman, she’d turned the tables and made me feel out of control.
“No,” is all I said, because talking about my feelings wasn’t my strong suit. Still, I explained, “Her terms are fair, but I still feel like I lost. And I’ll be king—” meaning we’d be safe, “—onlyafterI bring the titans to her, which… I’m not entirely certain I can do.”
Best to leave out the kiss, and the raging hard-on, and Izzy accepting all of it without batting an eyelash.
“You’ll have to stay clear of father and mother when you’re back,” she said. “They’ll not be happy you broke your agreement with Saldrea, let alone usurping their power.”
She was right. If my parents found out what I was doing, I wouldn’t be surprised if they sent assassins after me. I wasn’t afraid, I could deal with any titans they sent. Still, it would endanger others.
“You need to practice fighting more,” I warned Wensuria.
“I fight well enough. I may not like it, but I’m a titan as much as you are. My magic is even stronger than yours. I can take care of myself.”
Yet another reminder that earth magic invariably ran stronger in the female line.
Damned elves.
“You can do this. Being king of all of Seial… the titans will eat that up. I know they will. Just be as confident with them as you were with Saldrea. You never backed down with her, and you can do the same with our own people. Be the brother I know you are, and the titans will follow you.”
How strong could I be if I needed a pep talk from my sister to accomplish my goals.
But she was right.
“I’ll go immediately. Tell everyone here to prepare for an influx of titans, thousands of them.” I smiled as I rose.
If Izzy wanted to test me, I’d show her exactly what I could do. Then she’d be my queen, and I’d show her exactly what I could do… in bed. Yes. Letheranticipate our wedding night, letherdream about being with a man as powerful as myself.
And I’d not think of her at all…
…was the lie I told myself as I prepared to depart.
IZZY
Flustered didn’t beginto describe how I felt after my meeting with Bayn.
“You got everything you wanted,” Koar said. It wasn’t a question and there was a hint of mischief in his voice. “And more… it seems.”
