The more she spoke, the more hurt she projected.
His chest pinged as never before. He’d been so focused on his own past, he hadn’t given hers a thought. What had branded such anguish in her eyes? “I will always need you,” he told her, his certainty unwavering.
“I thought we’d established the fact that you aren’t a seer. You can’t know the future.”
“In this, I can. I do.” He sensed the truth in the deepest part of himself. Looking back, he realized he’d experienced a glimmer of her importance to him the moment their gazes first locked. “I’ve lost everything of importance to me. My parents. My sister. My innocence. For most of my life, vengeance has been my sole pleasure. Before you, sex wasn’t something I deemed essential. But you affected—affect me. The things you make me feel, every hour of every day, whether you’re with me or away from me...”
Desire scraped him raw, even now. He ran his gaze over her, and his timbre dropped. “Your mind and body are most definitely essential.”
Emotions spun inside her eyes, reminding him of the wheels on a cart, going around and around, delaying her reaction. As if she couldn’t know how to feel until the wheels stopped.
He pressed his advantage. Confusion had opened a door; he needed only to slide in. “My affections are yours, Chantel. I will see to your every need and slay your every dragon.”
Her eyes narrowed. She came to her feet with that awing grace. Leaning over, languid but intent, she gripped the sides of the table. “I don’t need you to slay my dragons, Kaysar.” Those mismatched eyes glittered as she displayed a cold smile. Vines unwound from her fingertips, slithering around his throat and squeezing—lifting him out of his chair. “I’m perfectly capable of killing anyone.”
Savage arousal choked him as surely as her vines, and he shot as hard as stone. Want her. Need her.
“In case it isn’t obvious,” she said, severe and pitiless, “I’m keeping the apprentice and the palace, but I’m declining your offer.”
Perhaps he should modify his strategy? A small tweak, nothing more. “Allow me to stay and help you defend your palace against the coming attacks,” he said, slowly, gently wrapping his fingers around the stalks.
Pressure eased. She retracted her vines and returned to her chair. Wineglass in hand, she reclined. “Go on. I’m listening.”
He openly adjusted his erection, not trying to hide the action, and returned to his seat, as well. “Micah and his army want this palace back. They’ll return. As queen, you’ll be responsible for the defense of every person, door, window and trap. To achieve victory, you’ll require an army of your own filled with loyal soldiers—or a king able to fell thousands within seconds.” Because he had no moral compass, he added, “Think of Pearl Jean. Sugars. Guarding their lives will be a high priority for me. They’ll be my family, too. I’ll protect them with my life. No other king, teammate or lover will vow the same, and mean it.”
A moment passed without the slightest hint of a reaction, both endless and agonizing for Kaysar. Then she swirled and swirled and swirled her wine, and he longed for the inactivity of yesteryear. What did the swirling mean? What would she say or do next?
Finally, she spoke. “Micah and the bulk of his men are unable to hear your voice. How will you defeat them?”
“No, sweetling. They were unable. The effects of the drug they used have since worn off.”
“And if they use the drug again?”
“I can sing to you.” Did she feel anything for him? She must. When she kissed him at the waterfall, she’d lost herself in the throes. Her body had clung to his, desperate for more.
But what if she had changed her mind?
He shifted in his seat, agitated by her stillness, his thoughts fragmenting. She must, she must, she must.
“Stop that,” she snapped, and he jolted into focus. “I will not have my meal ruined with unnecessary bloodshed.”
He realized he’d dug his claws into his arms and slashed. Blood trickled from the wounds. “My apologies for maiming myself at our table,” he said. “I find I am...uneasy about your unwillingness to respond to my gifts. Do you leave me in suspense to punish me? If so, I accept it as my due. But you must explain what I’ve done. I cannot guess your thoughts if—”
“I’m not punishing you,” she interjected with a softer tone. “I need a moment to process, that’s all. Your last offer both intrigues and confuses me. You’ll remain in my palace and act as my family’s personal bodyguard. That, I understand. But what do I get in return for allowing you to do so?”
Cunning seductress. So assured of her control. And oh, he liked her. Calm replaced his panic, tempering his posture. She did feel something for him. Otherwise, the treacherous beauty would be drilling a vine into his head right now.
He told her honestly, “You will get a devoted lover who will pleasure you in every filthy way you desire, help you slay any enemy you wish and lay his heart at your feet, if ever you ask.”
Her red lips parted. “You think repeated orgasms will bind me to your side. That I’ll do whatever you command, if only you keep me drunk with pleasure.”
“I’m staking a lifetime of happiness on it.” Kaysar dropped his chin, the corners of his lips curling into a predatory smile. His glamara heated. Not enough to compel, just enough to singe. “The things I’m going to do to your body...”
Beneath the fabric of her severe gown, her nipples drew tight—he watched it happen. When she wiggled in her seat to assuage her aches, he almost roared with triumph.
She pulled at the stiff collar, softly asking, “What kind of things?”
He held her gaze. Throat suddenly raw, he told her, “There is nothing I won’t do to you. If you have a desire, I will fulfill it.” Menace seeped into his tone. “I will do this. There will be no other for you.”
Her features shuttered. With a flat tone, she told him, “There will be no other for you. For any reason, even vengeance.”
“Agreed.” He couldn’t release the word fast enough. She was considering his offer because of jealousy. She nearly frothed at the mouth at the thought of him with another. She must! The queen of the Dusklands was delightfully possessive, refusing to share her male with another.
Placing the glass at her mouth without tilting her head, she drained her wine. Closed her eyes. Drew and released a deep breath.
He shook, wanting to push his advantage. But he didn’t do it. Somehow he found the strength to tell her, “There’s no need to provide me with an answer today.” As long as she deliberated, they stayed together.
Her eyelids popped open, and he frowned. She appeared...disappointed. Had she hoped to bed him today—now?