The Priestess and the Thief Kindred Tales 30 - Evangeline Anderson Page 0,38
noble turned and fled—still barefoot—from the large Supper room.
“Now then.” The Crown Prince cleared his throat and lifted his chin. “We may continue with Supper. Everyone, please be seated.”
And he went back to his lounge to cuddle with his “Bride of the Night.”
“Um, what just happened?” Elli whispered from the corner of her mouth to the Duchess.
“Oh, there are strict rules about who may request whom as a Supper and bedchamber companion,” the Duchess whispered back. “No one of lower rank may request a companion of higher rank. I think that Lord Villaphone misunderstood your rank—which is apparently quite high.” She gave Elli a look that was half envious, half awed as she sank back against her husband’s chest on their lounge.
“He’s fucking lucky the Prince stepped in,” Roke growled. “He doesn’t know how close he just came to having his head torn off!”
“Really, old boy, there’s no need for such aggression,” the Duke said, looking shocked. “After all, one spends one’s whole life with one’s Heart’s Companion. It’s nice to have a bit of variety now and then.”
“Yes indeed.” The Duchess nodded.
“Well that’s not the way we do it in our culture,” Elli told them. She looked over her shoulder at Roke. “Are you all right?” she asked, raising an eyebrow.
“All right? Of course I’m all right!” He took a deep breath and rolled his shoulders as though to get rid of tension. “Why wouldn’t I be all right?”
“Maybe because you were going into Rage for me just now?” Elli said, raising both eyebrows this time. “Don’t deny it—I saw your eyes go red and you were growling.”
“I’m sworn to protect you, that’s all,” Roke said stiffly. “It’s not like I want to call you as my Bride—you know Havocs don’t bond.”
“I didn’t think they went into Rage either,” Elli remarked.
“I wasn’t going into…all right, I was,” he admitted in a low growl. “It just made me so fucking angry that some bastard just thought he could come and take you away from me and—” He broke off, shaking his head. “I just feel protective of you—that’s all, little priestess. And I’m thinking of my own hide, too. The Goddess sent me to watch out for you—what do you think she’ll do to me if I fail and you get hurt or abused in some way?”
“Probably what you were about to do to Lord Villiaphone,” Elli murmured, a little smile playing around the corners of her mouth.
“Be quiet and come here—the servers are bringing the food,” he ordered, scowling at her.
Elli settled back against his broad chest but she couldn’t help smiling. Now that the fright she’d had was fading, she found she quite liked teasing the big warrior.
She had no idea how soon he would be in a position to tease her back…
Twenty
What in the Seven Hells is wrong with me, acting like that? Roke asked himself. Like some lovesick Kindred mooning over a female he wants to call as his bride!
But he hadn’t been able to help his reaction, no matter how irrational it was. The minute that Tenebrian asshole had demanded that Ellilah come with him, a red curtain had dropped over Roke’s eyes and a fury so great it was unlike anything else he had ever experienced, had filled him like molten metal pouring into a smelter’s cup.
There had been only one word in his head—Mine! And though the Rage had passed, it echoed there still, as part of him still insisted that the little priestess was his by right and he would kill or die to keep any other male from touching her.
You’re a damn fool! Roke told himself. But he couldn’t stop the possessive and protective emotions that still filled him. Carefully, he cradled Ellilah’s small form to his chest, determined to keep her safe no matter what else occurred.
After all, Supper wasn’t over yet—who knew what else might happen before they got to leave and go back to the safety of their own bedchamber?
Twenty-One
Elli settled back against the big warrior, grateful for his presence at her back. It had been scary, watching him go into Rage. But it was also nice to know how strongly he felt about protecting her. So far Supper had been a strange affair and they hadn’t even had any food yet—she wondered what could possibly be next.
As a matter of fact, the next thing that occurred was the soup course. Or what apparently passed for soup among the Tenebrians.