Dark Choices - I. T. Lucas Page 0,60

wish there was a binding pledge that he could take not to make a move against the clan, but such a thing doesn’t exist.”

“And I also doubt that he will agree to wearing the cuff all of the time. You will need to convince Kian that Annani’s power over Kalugal should be enough.”

Edna shook her head. “I can’t do that. Kalugal can protect himself from Annani’s compulsion by wearing earplugs.”

Once again, she had the niggling suspicion that Rufsur was maneuvering her exactly where he wanted her, and that she was endangering the clan by believing in his good intentions.

Without the cuff, they were all vulnerable to Kalugal’s compulsion. He could compel the Guardians to move against Kian, or even against the goddess.

Was she in danger of letting a Trojan horse into her community?

41

Rufsur

Rufsur had felt the moment he’d lost Edna. Evidently, the cuff was a deal breaker, and he needed to find a solution around it.

“If Kalugal lives in the newly developed area, it can be fenced off, and he will only need to put the cuff on when he crosses the border. As long as he stays on his side of the fence, he can go without. Would that put your mind at ease?”

“What about everyone else who lives in that enclave? What if he compels them to attack us?”

Rufsur sighed. “I see that we are back to square one. Why would he?”

“I don’t know. But I don’t want to risk it.”

“What if a resistance starts in your village, and some idiot manages to convince people that Kian is the root of all evil and needs to be taken down? Even though it’s highly unlikely, it could happen. You can’t foresee and prevent every scenario.”

Edna shook her head. “I need to give my brain a break.”

“I agree.” He reached for her and lifted her off the barstool. “I have an idea for what we can do while your brain rests.”

Smiling, she wrapped her arms around his neck. “Take a bath?”

He stifled a relieved breath. For a moment, it had looked as though he had lost her, but she seemed to have shaken it off, and he had her back. “Actually, it’s not a bad idea. I’ve never made love in a bathtub.”

“You haven’t?”

“Nope.” Holding her in his arms, he pushed to his feet and walked toward her bedroom. “It didn’t appeal to me until now.”

Edna laughed. “Tell me the truth, Rufsur. No one has ever invited you into her bathtub.”

“True. But I didn’t suggest it either.” He used his foot to push the bathroom door open, walked in, and seated her on the vanity counter. “Wait here. I want to undress you, but first, I need to start the water in the tub.”

“Okay. But take your shirt off so I have a nice view while I wait.”

“No problem.” He whipped the shirt over his head and flexed his pectorals. “Do you like what you see?”

“Very much so.” She spread her legs and pulled him in between them. “Kiss me.”

Edna’s mood had certainly improved.

Cupping the back of her neck, he brushed his lips over hers, teasing her with feather-soft kisses.

She let him get away with that for about thirty seconds, then threaded her fingers through his curls and kissed him back.

That was one of the big advantages of sex with an immortal female. Finally, he could allow a woman to kiss him without fear of her discovering his fangs before he was ready.

But then she swirled her tongue around his left fang, and his erection punched up as if it was electrified.

He pulled back. “Save it for the bathtub. Otherwise, we are never going to get there.”

Edna laughed. “Okay, big boy.”

Adjusting the club in his pants, he pivoted on his heel and leaned over the tub to turn the water on.

“That’s a nice view. But it would be even nicer without the pants.”

“Patience, tigress.” He wiggled his butt at her.

“Ugh, you are so naughty. Take those pants off already.”

Rufsur smiled. Edna was loosening up rapidly, and he was very happy to take credit for it. The woman was changing right in front of his eyes, blossoming, and knowing that it was thanks to him was incredibly satisfying.

Perhaps changing wasn’t the right term, though. What he was seeing was glimpses of the way Edna used to be before grief had wiped out her smiles, turning her into the severe matron he’d encountered his first day in the village.

When the water temperature was just right, he pushed up and sauntered back to