Bound to the Elvin King
her, but once alone in his private sanctuary, she’d melt for him. Last night and this morning proved that.
    With renewed energy, he unfolded from his seat and held out a hand. “Ready, dear one?”
    She stared at his hand like it was a poisonous snake and grimaced. His loving bride was back in fine form. She was such a delight to his bored, jaded soul.
    “Do I have a choice?”
    “Unless you want us to pass out from pain and energy loss, no.”
    She grumbled something under her breath and lurched from her chair, ignoring his hand. “Let’s go.”
    He bowed slightly. “I follow my queen’s command.”
    A growl rumbled from her throat, and she stalked ahead. “Don’t remind me, jackass.”
    “It’ll be my pleasure to remind you multiple times a day and in every way I can.”
    She screeched and marched to the door. Her back was stiff and her hands fisted. Lust hit him. She was beautiful when mad. So much human emotion poured from her. It was like a heady aphrodisiac.
    As he followed her out, a form lurking in the hallway drew his attention. He nearly cursed. Avrin leaned against the wall with one shoulder, his feet crossed at the ankles. He gave off an air of ennui that didn’t fool Talion. His friend was tightly coiled and wanted answers.
    Avrin’s gaze slid over Maggie before honing in on him. “If I may have a moment with you alone, Your Majesty.”
    “Later.” Talion didn’t attempt to keep the curtness out of his voice.
    “I think it’d be beneficial if we talked now.”
    Damn persistent man. Never knew when to give up. Normally, this was a trait Talion admired, but not when it was turned against him.
    Maggie frowned at them both. “What’s going on?”
    Talion glowered at Avrin. “Just idle gossip and conjecture, I’m sure. Maggie, why don’t you give us a moment?”
    “And where am I supposed to go, Einstein?”
    “Back into the meeting room or farther down the hallway.”
    A smirk curved her lips. “I think I’ll stay right here.”
    She was the most aggravating wench he’d ever bedded. How fortuitous he was also bonded to her. “I’m sure you will, but Avrin and I will move farther down the hall then. You”—he pointed at her—“stay here.”
    A pout played over her lips, and she crossed her arms over her chest. But she stayed silent. He and Avrin moved down the hall, out of earshot of Maggie.
    “What do you want?”
    Avrin’s eyes narrowed. “I think you know.”
    Oh, he did, not that he would admit it. “No, I do not. Now, excuse me, for I have other matters to attend to.”
    “Like Lady Maggie?”
    Something akin to jealousy rose in him, and he spoke softly. “Why do you care?”
    “You know why.”
    “This is still about your sister? She’s long dead.” Talion knew he sounded heartless, but he’d done his duty by her—many times over.
    A glimmer of pain shone in Avrin’s eyes before he masked it. “We were friends long before you courted her.”
    “You never approved of our bonding.”
    “You couldn’t offer her what she most desired—a complete bond. She loved you.”
    Talion’s shoulders stiffened. He refused to take on the brunt of guilt that lay implicit in his friend’s words. “I cared for her. She knew this and accepted my limitations. Our binding ceremony proved we weren’t capable of a full bond. She could have called off our joining then.”
    “She would have sooner cut off her arm, but that’s not what I meant. You always knew a complete bond wasn’t possible between you and Serrina, didn’t you? And indeed, between you and any elvin woman.”
    This time, Avrin’s words dug deep, and the dam holding all the old hurt and guilt broke. But he refused to be inundated by the past right now. How much did Avrin know or suspect?
    “Now is not the time for this.”
    As he brushed by him, Avrin caught his arm. “What’s going on between you and Lady Maggie?”
    He stared down at his friend’s hand. “Again, I ask why do you care?”
    “We’ve

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