“Why should I? You’re going to do something that you think is going to help claim me.” Her lips curled and she wanted to be able to use the magic against them as Linc thought she would.
“We’re your Ardin. You will respect us.” Linc’s eyes narrowed.
She had a feeling he was a breath or one unwise taunt away from hauling her over his knee. He’d threatened something such as that before, but right now he was closer than he’d ever been. The thought was a little intimidating. She took a few deep breaths and tried to calm herself. They obviously weren’t backing down.
“What are you going to do? What are you planning?” She managed to keep the anger out of her words. A growing feeling of being cornered made her angrier. The magic inside her rose even higher. She began pacing, but the closed doors and the windowless room made the caged feeling even worse.
“We’re going to show people just what you are to us. The only effect it will have on you is how they perceive your position.” Colm stayed where he was in front of the chair.
“How do you expect to do that? There are those who haven’t believed you with the way you’ve acted so far.” Her jaw ached. They kept pushing and pushing as if they could wear down any resistance to their plans through sheer determination.
Linc stepped back and waved his hand at the two chairs and the tapestries behind them. Pillows had been placed on the floor in front of the two chairs. Her eyes widened. She stopped abruptly and slowly shook her head. Panic welled in her. There was nothing subtle about what they wanted to do.
“You can’t make me sit there.” She took a step back. She wanted to run out of the room. The only way they could have made a more blatant claim was with the mating bite.
Colm laughed, supremely confident. The arrogant man didn’t even tense to chase. She knew he’d seen and noted her taking a step back. Did he expect her simply to walk over there and sit down docilely?
“You’ll sit where you belong. It’s time to stop denying what you know. We’re not backing down. You will accept us. We haven’t taken away your ability to hide your scent, but you will play this our way from this point on. We know what you are to us and we’re not going to let you pretend anymore.” Linc raised an eyebrow in open challenge.
“Accept you? How can I do that if you’re forcing me to do something I’m not ready to do?” She threw up her hands and stalked the length of the room again. She didn’t understand how they thought this was going to change anything. It certainly wasn’t going to make her decide to stop using the lotions and tea.
“Once you start actually taking the position that’s yours, hopefully it will help you realize that you do belong with us,” Linc answered bluntly. “Now get over here and sit down. We have work to do today.”
“No. If you’re going to do any judging, you’ll do it without me. I won’t pretend to claim a position I’m not ready to take.” She folded her arms across her chest and smiled.
They might say that they were going to make her do this, but they’d made demands before. While they might not have completely backed down from their wishes at that time, they’d stopped. Sometimes it had been because of her magic and others it had been because she was too agitated. They’d given her space when she needed it. She definitely needed it now.
“I don’t like that look in your eyes.” Colm tilted his head and studied her as if he was trying to see inside her head.
She didn’t respond to that observation. It wouldn’t aid her cause and she really wanted to get out of this room before they thought she was agreeing to it. As if she didn’t already have enough trouble with some of the women in this Thent. She didn’t mind the glares and dirty looks so much. If she sat there while Colm and Linc passed judgment, it would get so much worse. That was a claim more blatant than any they’d made before. They’d only allow the woman they’d chosen to claim to sit there. It was a position meant only for their mate.
“I’m tired and my magic’s doing strange things. The emotional