Game of Temptation (6 page)

"…thi? Alethi?"

Her eyes saw him, but it was not after a
little while that she recognized him.

"Are you well? Did he…did he touch
you?"

Alethi could hear the anger in his soft
tones. His eyes shifting from worry to outrage, flitting like a hummingbird.

"You came just in time." She could
not get the quiver out from her voice. "Thank you."

His thumb brushed her cheek and it was only
then she noticed that she was crying. Something about his tenderness let out
all the fear, anger and anxiety that she walled in. The torrent of emotions
denied her the ability to speak. But words were insignificant as her tears
spoke her emotions and comfort came in the warmth of Arun's embrace.

Chapter Seven

"Prince Arun!"

Arun blinked and looked at the female above
him. Her beautiful brows kit in frustration and her jaw was set in
determination.

"My lord, you are not responding."

Arun looked at her perfect skin, every curve
made to perfection. His eyes looked past her naked form and then at himself.
She was right. He was limp and there was absolutely no feelings of arousal in
him. He looked up at the face of the female elf and sighed. "I am just…not
in the mood."

"Not in the mood?" she demanded.
"How can you not be in the mood? It is your mating year. I would
understand if it is any other year, but you should be at your peak now. A whole
season, you have not acted on your lust because of your role. I have heard you
complain about it. Now that you have the chance, you are not in the mood?"

He knew she was right. Ever since his year
started, he was not able to do his duty and impregnate anyone. He had often
been stiff doing his work and by the time he was done, he was so tired. Now
that the opportunity presented itself in the form of a perfect nubile body, he
could not even get aroused!

She was beautiful and compared to Alethi,
the elf would definitely eclipse her. But those eyes that were staring back at
him were dead. There was no fire, though her eyes were of the color of
sapphire. Alethi's hazel ones held a conflagration enough to inspire something
in him in and more.

"Now we're getting somewhere."

Arun looked at the grinning she-elf as she
traced her hands all over his body. Despite her noted skills, the act did not
do anything more. It was his thoughts of Alethi that roused him. Damn the woman!
What had she done to him? He only thought about her eyes and it made him throb.
The gods knew how he would react thinking about other parts of her body.

Sighing, he pushed her hands away and stood
to dress.

"My lord?" her voice was filled
with horror though he did not see her face. "Have I not pleased? Have I
done something wrong?"

Arun faced her and shook his head. "You
have done well. I am the one with the problem. Forgive me, I have to
leave." And leave he did without waiting to see her reaction.

That Alethi was the only one he was reacting
to was bad news enough, but to receive the news about Dosalam was even worse.
The problems were making his head ache, fraying his mind. He wanted to lie down
and relax. And unfortunately, his imagination took him into Alethi's arms.
Which prompted only one reaction.

"Down boy," he told himself.
"It is not yet time." But if he told her what he knew, there would
never be a time. Damn it! He should release his own spell and just have his way
with her. She was ripe for the picking – almost begging to be taken. The coy
virginal play was driving him insane and it took all the control he had as an
elf to keep himself from tying her up and playing with her.

He hissed at the pain that was starting to
stir in him and muttered the words. By the gods, if he was going to suffer, he
was going to make her suffer with him. Let her feel all the twisted things his
mind wanted to do to her.

He had not intended his spell to affect her
strongly – just enough to tease, but not so much that she would writhe. But
sometimes, his lust was so elevated, he had to pass them onto her whenever she
was not around. If he did, seeing her so stimulated would just heighten the
vicious cycle of lust.

Just behind the vine curtains of his room he
magnified his senses. He could hear her pant as the spell expired, accentuated
by tiny whimpers. Her intoxicating arousal reached him and he immediately toned
down his senses. This time, he knew she came, if the shudders he had detected
in her breathing had been any indication.

The room was strong with her scent when he
entered. He swallowed and thought of the scene of a battlefield after a war,
focusing his thoughts on dead, mutilated and crushed bodies. He even put in a
dead baby and a bearded woman for good measure. It did not calm him down, but
it did not start the pain of going over too much either.

Alethi sat on the floor, her head hidden by
her arm on the bed. She was obviously making the effort of steadying herself as
shudders continued to hit her body. He could hear her breathe heavily as her
hand slowly let go of the sheet. Sweat glistened on her exposed neck and it
made her dress cling to her prostrate form.

Decaying battlefield, dead babies,
bearded women…

She lifted her head and took a deep breath.
When she turned, she paled against her flushed skin, seeing him. A look of
horror passed on her face, her supple mouth open.

"How long have you been there?"
she asked tentatively.

He cleared his throat silently, surprised at
the sudden tightness. "Just arrived. Are you well?"

For a while she said nothing, but it was
obvious she was in deep thought. "I need your help," she finally
said. "I did not want to tell you this, but I have to. I think I cannot
hold on to my sanity any longer." She took a deep breath. "Something
strange is happening to me. I am not quite sure what it is but…I believe you
were just being polite to let me finish. I do not know why I feel so…wanton all
of the sudden, but there it is. It has never happened before. Perhaps you would
be able to find out what is wrong with me? You are skilled in healing, are you
not?"

Arun could only clear his throat at her
confession. Why would she tell him something so…intimate? Why not other female
elves? He did not know how to react to her request when he had caused it
himself. He continued to stare at her eyes wide, mouth hanging open.

In response, Alethi reddened even futher.
"Fuck me! I-I did not know what came over me. I…" she stammered,
"You do not have to. It was foolish of me. Stupid, Alethi. Stupid!"

He wanted him to fuck her? By the gods, he
would! He would make her forget all her childhood trysts with what he had in
mind for her. "I would be obliged."

"You would?" Relief washed over
her. "I cannot ask anyone else this. I know an elf's healing is worth its
weight in gold. I promise to pay you when I get back."

Arun blinked, her words finally sinking in.
Healing? But she just said…oh. It was an expression. Shit…he was so stirred up
about that, and she had to ruin it. But at least, he would be able to touch her
again legitimately. It was not a total loss. And perhaps, he would be able to
touch further knowing that humans no longer knew how his kind healed.

"Let me see, then." He held the
sides of her head and his fingers gently massaged her head through her hair.
Alethi's eyes closed and her mouth parted. He staed at her full lips and
resisted the urge to kiss them. His hands worked their way down, his fingers
sensually massaging her ears, neck and shoulders. With each area that he
passed, she let out a sigh.

Arun felt the familiar stirring but did not
stop. He wanted to touch her. He wanted her to know his touches. As a near
immortal prince, he had everything and wanted nothing – except her. His hands
splayed on her stomach, fingers aching for skin to touch skin and then…the
pain. He backed away and grit his teeth breathing deeply to calm himself and
tolerate the pain.

He had never gone without sex for a whole
season in his life. There were always others who were willing to father his
children. Women presented themselves to him, but this lust-controlled human
would not throw herself at his feet! He wanted to take her so badly he was
often sleepless lying next to her. He could only touch her as her unconscious
form opened to him.

He, Prince Arun of Rehanathi, Commander of
the Grand Legion, High Intelligence of the Council of Minds and Ambassador to
the Seven Clans, was helpless with lust for a woman who would not beg to
copulate with him!

As soon as Arun calmed himself, he opened
his eyes and stared into the worried eyes of Princess Alethi. The object of his
desires. "It is complicated. I will have to ask the healer. Wait
here." He hurried out. He did not know how much longer he could stand
staying next to the only woman he ever lusted hungrily after. He wanted her so
much, he wanted to claim more than her body.

Chapter Eight

"Stupid, Alethi. Stupid!" Alethi
berated herself once Arun was gone. She had admitted that lust was enslaving
her to an elf – a being that believed just so! What's more, she used an
expression both Orrin and the king would give her an earful for. And how apt
was that expression for her self-abandonment?
Fuck me
? She could have
just said
shit
and it wouldn't have been as embarrassing. And it
wouldn't have been closer to the truth of what she wanted.

By the gods, she wanted him to have his way
with her! But it was not right and she wouldn't do it. Never do it. Was this
the reason why her kind had raped an elf? Because they were much too alluring
and tempting? Was this the only reason why her people committed the sin the
elves could not forgive? Now she knew what it was like to call on the last
vestiges of self-control in front of an elf in heat. Even she would blame the
elf if she ever jumped him, claiming that he had compelled her.

She understood now the root of their
differences. Elves were the epitome of control and patience. Their nature
allowed them to do so and they expect humans to exert the same measure of
control by the strength of their wills. It was why the races had trusted each
other before the divide. The loss of control by her people over an elf who
tested the limits of human endurance was the only cause.

Perhaps the division could be reconciled.
And she would do her best to reconcile them once she has the throne. The races
were each other's better half and it would be better for both if they worked
together instead of working apart.

Alethi took a deep breath and changed.
Again.

The thoughts that were plaguing her would
make her go insane. That and the fact that she was spending too much time in
the prince's chamber that every thought she turned to always went back to him.
She had to get it out of her system. She had to exert the control the elves
were no longer expecting of her. Her efforts would be the only way any
semblance of confidence could be restored to humans. And against, the express
order of the prince, she went out and took a walk.

The visions of Rehanathi cleared her
thoughts and the melodious merriment of the elves from the direction of the
lake where they bathed calmed her. Part of her was amazed at how the elves
retained control of their lusts as they bathed in the lake together. Another
part of her was puzzled at how they could display themselves at each other so
easily. Perhaps that was one of the reasons why a man and a woman's union meant
so little to them. They did not share the intimacy of a husband and wife who
would only bare all to their mates.

There was a lot both races could learn from
one another. Her dread to rule slowly turned into excitement at the prospect of
making the two races see eye to eye once again. She only had to return to
Dosalam and play the politics of her kingdom right. It would be difficult to
reconcile them again after all the bloodshed, but it was not impossible. She
was with the elves and she could see that acceptance of them was easy for her
as long as she forgave their atrocities and she let go of her own prejudice and
hatred of them.

An elf landed in front of her stopping her
in her tracks. Her hands gripped her skirts and her jaw clenched seeing
Liushan. He was not weaving any magic on her. At least, none that she could
tell. But he stared at her with an intensity she had only felt when Arun looked
at her. But it was not the same feeling. Arun's piercing stare made her feel
vulnerable and open to him – but safe. Liushan's own made her feel as if she
were a condemned prisoner. He felt like a judge trying to find more faults in a
horse thief than stealing the crown's prized steed.

"Liushan," she regarded him and
thought about her earlier thoughts. It was possible to reunite them if she,
herself begun the process. "How are you? I hope you are well."

"Prince Arun has commanded you to stay
in his chambers," he replied cuttingly, "And you go against his
express command. Do you not know that he will be responsible for anything that
you do or anything that happens to you? Or do you wish to bring evil on him and
give his enemies reason to strip him of his titles?"

Alethi was taken aback. She knew he was
keeping her for her own protection. Though how grave the consequences were, she
did not know.

"We are not like you humans who come by
status because of birth. We work for it." His hand gripped the pommel of
his dagger. "I swear, by the gods, if you destroy the prince, I will kill
you at the cost of my life."

With her new perspective, Alethi could see
Liushan in a new light. His actions could only be attributed to loyalty – if
one that is based on blind faith. A loyal liege like Liushan would be difficult
to find among humans, and maybe even among elves. Doubtless, he was an
important part of Arun's power base and she was thankful she told him she did
not want him punished when Arun asked.

"Forgive my ignorance," she said,
"Will you walk with me back and ensure my safety?"

Liushan looked at her with suspicion.
"You ask this after what I have done to you?" The grip on his dagger
tightened.

"No," Alethi shook her head,
"I do not trust you as much as you do not trust me. But I ask this on the
loyalty that you serve your prince and the honor I owe him." She didn't
blame him if he suspected her of pulling tricks on him. She would be wary of
such sudden kind responses from nobles as well.

He nodded and walked an arm's length beside
her, his hand never leaving the pommel of his dagger. His head held high and
straight, but his eyes were wary and watchful. It was all the more reason for
Alethi to steel herself as she felt the familiar stirring between her thighs.
It was a light stirring, unlike earlier, and though she could feel herself get
more and more sensitive, she held herself together, hopeing that his senses
were not open enough for him to notice the wetness that was beginning to pool
in her.

"I want you to know," Alethi
looked at him to steel herself as they walked, "that I hold no grudge
against what you did. You acted on what you thought was right and I commend
that. I am just a little frightened at the zeal in which you accomplish things.
I wish for there to be no barrier between us."

He only grunted in response, but it was
enough for Alethi that he knew she was not an enemy and that she wanted to mend
things. It was not a large step, but at least, it was a step toward progress.

Liushan drew back the curtains to Arun's
room and his face wrinkled. He glared at Alethi. "Cheap whore," he
growled and stormed off.

Alethi bit her lower lip as the pressure
between her legs increased. She didn't know if Liushan noticed her current
arousal or – she shuddered – that she came in Arun's room, but she knew she had
just destroyed whatever positive rapport that she built up with him. At the
same time, she was also glad he left as her breath hitched at the sudden
assaults she was experiencing on her sex.

One moment, it felt as if something were
playing with her intimate place, then at the next blink, it was gone. It was on
and off and Alethi all but threw herself on the bed, tempted to touch herself
to ease the torture. Earlier, she found out that the only way for her urges to
ebb was to let go. It was a glorious feeling, but the only way to get there was
through constantly feeling whatever it was so intensely and continuously. And
right now, it was apparent that these bursts would not get her there.

She writhed stilling her hands as she held
onto the sheets, wanting to have her release so badly. "Arun…please…"
she panted, not knowing what she wanted. What she did know was, she wanted to
feel Arun's soothing touches as well. She wanted his golden hair, gliding on
her as his lips and hands drew a trail of artwork on her body. She wanted those
green eyes that always looked at her as if she were prey to gaze at her now.
For his deep, husky voice to tell her things that only they would share.

They might have only been dreams, but they
calmed and comforted her. And right now, her body was screaming for his touch
and there was nothing she could do about it.