She might not need him, but he…he needed her.
Which was why, when the scroll test came back inconclusive, his entire being rebelled, because his mind was already settled on her. Only with her did the storm within calm. Only she made him feel like he could breathe. But he couldn’t do shit, because free will was her right. And she seemed to like thisfosser.
Aware Eregen watched him keenly, Aerén reeled in his thoughts at the mind-shattering discovery.
“I know we need a Chosen on Élendium,” Eregen continued, his expression growing contemplative. “From what I understand, any of us lords can mate with the mortal females who house our world’s ancient magic. So, I choose the lovely Leyathi. She’ll be in my care. It leaves you free to mate my sister.”
He smiled, apparently satisfied with finding a solution, while Aerén thought of ways to throttle him.
“Are you aware of something called free will?”
Eregen shrugged. “What of it?”
“Humans aren’t bound by rules and laws like we are. They don’t have to do anything they don’t want.”
“Why not? Once mated to me, Leyathi will want for nothing. I will offer her riches, the likes of which she’s never seen before. She’ll be a Lady with a better life than the human one she must abhor.”
“You aren’t listening. You can’t force them. They have the right to say no. You don’t believe me.” Aerén cut him a flat stare. “Then speak to her. If that is all, I have work to do.”
“Need I remind you a verbal contract is binding, Your Highness?” he reiterated.
He wanted to play hardball?
“Then we have a problem.” Aerén dropped the letter on the table. “Anedaén is now the Elyon, and he has ordered me to mate the next Chosen.”
He didn’t care about the falsehoods he tossed out. This was his fucking life, and he refused to live an eternity tied to a female he barely knew or wanted because of some verbal damn agreement he didn’t know existed.
Brow furrowed, Eregen paced the length of the desk, rubbing his mouth in contemplation, then he faced Aerén, expression smoothing out. “Very well, we shall settle this at a later date. I’ll see myself out.”
At the door to the outside, he stopped and turned back. “Will you be attending theLaetacelebrations in Issyrus? I think it would boost morale further for our people to see you there.”
Aerén exhaled deeply, pulling the anger deep into his gut, and his calm persona settled back in place.
He’d been away for too long, and he’d forgotten about the end of summer festival before the brutal winters trapped everyone indoors. While his personal life was a no-go area for anyone to trespass into, Cidéra, on the other hand, was one mistress he couldn’t ignore. “If I am here, I’ll be there.”
Eregen cast him a little smile, bowed, and left.
Whatever the male had planned, he’d soon find it was a wasted effort.
Aerén stalked out. And found himself already heading in the direction of the tempestuous female who had ahold of him and wouldn’t let go.
Dammit. He slowed to a halt and rubbed his bare biceps. He had to give her time. Because telling her straight out he wanted her would likely tip that stubborn little chin, and she’d sayno,then storm off.
Oh, he wasn’t going anywhere.
Because that kiss in the garden had changed something fundamental between them, and he was determined to find out what the hell it was.
CHAPTER16
The frustrating man!Prince or not, he sure knew how to push her buttons.
Scowling, Leya shut the bedroom door behind her and stomped to the slightly ajar window in her room. Warm air flowed through the gap, hiking her irritation further. She pivoted and rubbed her prickly palms down her tunic.
Lord Eregen seemed friendly, and while she was curious about the people—theangels—who lived here, she wasn’t interested in him. He didn’t draw her in that intrinsic way Aerén did. But his closed-door attitude made her feel like she’d done something wrong.
Gah, men!
She entered the bathroom and found her boots but no sign of her dirty clothes. She scooped them up and shuffled back into the bedroom, into icy air—
