Dark Possession - Aja James Page 0,55

sweet prince,” the Dark Queen comforted with silky soft words.

Soft words that nevertheless contained a hard, uncompromising edge.

“You must learn to separate pleasures of the flesh from joys of the heart. We have an eternity together, you and I. There will be endless varieties of pleasures for both of us. My love for you does not preclude me from enjoying…variety with others. It is time you learned this. It is time you grew up.”

The more she spoke, the colder the prince’s hands became, as if his blood was freezing within his veins.

“I am a grown male,” he said, staring deeply into her eyes. “I have loved you as a grown male for the last ten years of my life.”

“And you will love me for many more,” she agreed readily. “Mature love means that you will be able to distinguish what’s business from what’s personal. I already told you that I cannot Mate you. You are not a True Blood. There are things I must do as Queen. If you truly love me, you will support me in all things. Now kiss me and come watch the games at my side. I must finish getting ready for the ceremony.”

He stared into those hypnotic golden eyes for long moments, his heart twisting with agony in his chest.

She would not change her mind. He could not make her.

He released her hand with bloodless fingers.

She gave him a penetrating look but didn’t comment.

He knew that she thought this was the only way, Mating a powerful True Blood for political advantage. He wouldn’t blame her. She was his love, but she was also queen.

But he’d prove her wrong.

He’d show her there was another way.

*** *** *** ***

A short while before the first contestants were to take the stage of battle, the Elemental found what he was looking for.

Or, rather, who.

“They tell me you can weave all kinds of spells, sorceress. I need your Gifts presently,” the Elemental said to an old human woman who aided one of the Dark healers on standby on the outskirts of the encampment that surrounded the fortress.

Thousands of Dark Ones from far and wide gathered to both participate in, and observe, the tournament for Queen Ashlu’s hand. Humans attended as well from surrounding villages. Even a few Pure Ones watched from the farthest stands.

This promised to be a contest for the ages.

“Who’s they?” the gray-haired woman asked, her tone conveying clearly that the question was rhetorical.

“You have the wrong human, young prince. I have no Gifts to impart, only curses.”

She did not look in his direction, continuing to go about her business, pouring various liquids into different dishes and bowls and mixing herbs in a brew that hung over an open flame.

“I don’t have time to waste,” the Elemental said impatiently. “I have only a few moments before I must enter the competition or forfeit my place.”

“Go right along and enlist yourself, young feller,” she said dismissively, “why you should wait upon me is a mystery.”

“I need you to change my appearance,” he got to the point. “But only for the duration of the tournament and the Mating ceremony. I cannot appear as myself when I become the Queen’s Consort.”

She looked up at him then, finally.

For several long moments, she stared wordlessly at him, keeping her gaze locked with his. She didn’t look anywhere else, not even into his eyes. No, the Elemental felt as if she was looking directly into his soul.

“Ah,” she breathed softly. “I can see why.”

“So you will help me?” he asked urgently.

She was silent again while he fought the urge to fidget.

He desperately needed her witchery to enter the tournament. He’d win it on his own merits and accept defeat if that was his fate. But he was absolutely determined not to be defeated. He’d use all of his power to ensure his victory.

He could not lose Ashlu to another male. He would not.

“Why do you want to Mate the Dark Queen so badly?” she asked, her unblinking, intense dark eyes drilling into him.

“I love her,” the young prince said fervently. “I love her more than anyone else could ever love her in this world.”

“I don’t doubt it.”

As if she’d gainsaid him, the Elemental continued to list his reasons.

“I am the strongest fighter in all the realms. The most powerful. I can help her achieve all of her goals. I will be her greatest weapon and asset.”

“I don’t doubt that either.”

At last he paused, frowning with confusion.

“You want to know why I need the disguise—”

“No,