Free Bound to the Elvin King by Lisa Kumar Page A

from Avrin to look forward to, if the man’s inquiring looks had meant anything, but also one from Relian. They were the only ones who thought he answered to them in any way. Indeed, they were the only ones to whom he gave this honor.
    He let loose a sigh and unlocked his fingers from around the armrests of his chair. The meeting had seemed to stretch to infinity. He would’ve laughed at this thought but a year ago. After all, what were a few hours to an immortal elf? But with the advent of the two human women in his realm, time had pressed upon him in a way it never had before.
    He frowned. Could their humanness be rubbing off on him? Relian had said something about time affecting him in a decidedly different way since Cal’s arrival. By the Mystics, would this phenomenon spread like a human cold? A chill shivered its way across his shoulders. Though he’d long accepted a human was his true bonded mate, the race’s fragilities still disturbed him. In fact, much of what he remembered about humanity disturbed him.
    Maggie certainly troubled him. A glance showed she sat slumped in her chair. Not a very queenly pose, but she’d remained relatively upright during the council. Only after they were alone did she wilt like a flower deprived of water. Was she tired from their bonding or merely pouting?
    “Come, let us go.” And rest. He couldn’t add this last part, though. Not only did he have matters to oversee, but he also couldn’t let her perceive any weakness on his part. He’d not give her any more power over him than she already had.
    She lifted a listless hand but didn’t raise her head. “Where?”
    “My library. I have work to do, so you’ll have to join me.”
    “Oh, joy. I’m stuck to you like glue.”
    Now, that sounded more like his Maggie. The beginnings of a grin threatened to ruin his bad mood.
    “That could be a very…exhilarating position.”
    Her head shot up. “Do you have to turn everything into a sexual innuendo?”
    He shrugged. Her glare delighted him. “It’s easy with you.”
    “Whatever.”
    Whatever—that was her standard response to anything she didn’t like. He’d have to break her of the habit before she picked up the reins as queen. Having her say whatever to their subjects wouldn’t do. On second thought, he could picture the perplexed faces of his people. He chuckled. If nothing else, Maggie would liven up the kingdom. Life had become stale with the passing of the millennia. She was like a hurricane of fresh air.
    “—are you laughing about?”
    Maggie’s grouchy voice broke into his thoughts. He sent her the smug grin he knew she hated. “Just picturing you stuck to me.”
    “You’re like a horny adolescent. Shouldn’t you have outgrown this phase a few billion years ago?”
    “In spite of my advanced years, I don’t think I’ll ever outgrow it where you’re concerned.”
    Something stirred in her face, but she quickly masked it. “Really? I wouldn’t have pegged you as the type to feel that way about anyone.”
    While she wouldn’t receive a declaration of love, she couldn’t be that naïve. “You’re not just anyone. You’re my complete bond mate and queen.”
    She met his words with a skeptical glance. “We’ll see about that.”
    A groan almost escaped his throat. He loved it when she spoke dirty. She defied him like no other woman had.
    “Yes, we will.” His voice came out practically a purr.
    She shivered, and her breathing quickened. Satisfaction thundered through him. Their verbal sparring didn’t leave her as unaffected as she would like to believe. She might pretend to hate him, but her body said otherwise.
    Though this new bond was undoubtedly trying, the benefits were most enjoyable. And he would partake of each and every one to the fullest extent possible. And if she were amendable, his library had a nice, big sofa he suddenly wanted to put to a different use.
    Oh, he wouldn’t mention his plans to her now. It would only serve to anger