Chapter 77: A Thorn in the Boot Can Weigh on the Soul

He is me.

She turned her head to the side and eyed him askance. “The way you say that…Are you threatening me?”

Threat? Taken aback, his surprise covered his face.

She was glowering. Face flushing and her eyes shining ruby.

“Calm down. You need not stress in your condition…Threat?” He shook his head, baffled.

“Don’t take the panther from me!” She leapt to lean across the table. Gorgeous heat flushing her face in this rare flare of passion.

I wouldn’t hurt your pet, even were he not me. He gave a slow smirk.

“I want the beast left with me. You’ve taken all else!” She stated.

Making him wince. Sighing he sat back in his chair. Crossing his arms over his chest. Face alight with something she recognized as mischief. “And what would I get in exchange?”

Hissing through her teeth, she caught the meaning behind his words. “I’ll leave you intact when I leave this place.”

You’ll not leave with my child.

Thus, a hard note entered his mocking laughter. A cold sound echoing through the library. “I don’t fear you, woman. You’re as little to me as a thorn in my boot.”

“Careful, my lord. A thorn in one’s boot can weigh heavily on the soul after a short time.”

You own my soul.

A scintillating grin split his face as he hid his weakness. “I propose this, Little Bird. Tell me how you became what you are, and I’ll consider allowing you time with the animal.”

Bluffing. I couldn’t stay away from you, in any form.

Her lips compressed, and brows drew together.

For a moment, he thought perhaps he’d miscalculated. She’ll call me on it.

“The Prince of Air and Darkness commissioned me to collect the item you wear about your insufferable throat.” She blurted darkly.

My pendant. Oh? He kept the interest from his eyes and murmured encouragement. Not the subject I wanted…but keep talking…

“He desires the pendant for the ability to summon the largest breed of dragons.”

Who is he?

“The Forever Knights?” He queried quietly.

“Is that the term you give them? Is that what you are?”

There’s all the questions. He’d known they’d come pouring out eventually.

“I’m many things, my lady.” He smiled.

“A Master of Evasion, not the least of which.” She stated scathingly.

“Father of your child, the greatest.”

At her gaping jaw and shocked face, he pursued. “Tell me more about this Prince of Air and Darkness. What exactly is he prince of?” Teal eyes turning molten gold, as though someone lit a flame in them. He notched his chin, compelling her to answer his questions.

“The Realms of Night and Day.” She stated before her eyes widened at the realization of how much she’d confided.

“Hmm. Tell me more about these realms. What do they entail?”

Elsabet began speaking. Words flowing from her more quickly than she could check. Becoming frustrated, she found she couldn’t cease her foolish words. Finally, she shrieked. Body twisting and distorting as she desperately tried to become the valkyrie.

“What did you put in my water?”

“WordFlower.”

“You poisoned me?”

“It won’t harm either of you.” He nodded toward her stomach. “It just relaxes the senses.”

She was forced to subside back into her seat with a snarl. Slightly dizzied. “Why do you bind me in this form?” She demanded.

“It’s the only way to keep you safe.” He stated. When she would’ve shouted for an explanation, he interjected with a subject change. “You and I will become allies, Little Bird. Mated together in alliance.” His jaw was set, and a muscle ticked there methodically.

She gasped in shock and the table rattled between them. “Never.” She enunciated the word.

“We could ally these Realms of Night and Day with the power of the Forever Knights. We’ll assist your lord in the manner he wanted, and have a substantial force behind us as well…” He cleared his throat, arms still crossed he leaned his shoulders over the table to give her a long look. “You and your kind. Because if I’m not mistaken, there’s more of you. And you’re capable of commanding them.”

She looked confounded.

I’m right.

“You’ve an air of command you wouldn’t possess otherwise.”

Her red eyes darkened and hair began to brown. She cracked her neck. Trying to control her hostility.

“I won’t join you!” She shrieked from in his mind.

He felt the walls of WaterRose cringing beneath the onslaught of the magic pouring off his dangerous little creature.

“You will.” He interlocked his fingers and placed his pointer fingers against his lips as he studied her face assessingly. “In time.”

She hissed in response.

I can’t resist goading her further.

He hid his smile behind his hands. “It’d be common decency to warn me what I may be crawling under the covers to lie beside, in my future.”

“Your imminent death.” She said dryly.

He gave her a startled look before his blue-green gaze narrowed. We’ll see about that.

He was already envisioning all the heat of her annoyance warm next to him. That mouth spitting venom at him now. Warm on his neck and chest.

It dawned on him she’d not appreciate his thoughts. Her ire at men ready to be expended on him.

His teasing air faltered as he grew serious. “What happened to you?”

“Men.” She sneered, mimicking his intimidating posturing over the table.

Not men. One man. Your tormentor.

“Gathered that, My Dear. Who was this demon fiend and what’d he do to you?”

Will you admit what he was?

“He was who he was. And what didn’t he do?” Seething, she panted for air from between clenched teeth. Fit to explode.

At painful memories. At her vulnerability. At her confession. Mulling over her words he ran the back of his thumbnail across his lips.

She watched the motion hypnotically.

A nice reminder I’m not the only one…

“We’ll talk about this again.”

“We won’t!” She announced. Snapping to her feet to storm from the room.

He watched her retreating back thoughtfully. “You will be mine, Sweet Valkyrie. One day or another…”

I will wait…