Page 50 of Joined By Magic

No positive answer came to mind. “Should we head back?”

We paused. As I tried to find my bearings, a figure emerged round the corner just ahead that froze me in my tracks. A red-and-gold-clad guard. The king. So far, Leo had kept Andrew and the king apart. Cursing my luck, I tugged on Andrew’s arm. “Let’s go.”

Andrew remained rooted to the spot. I glanced at his face, and my stomach dropped. Disgusted fury so stark and unfamiliar it made him look like a different man.

The king strolled around the corner, flanked by two more guards. He moved slowly, as if every step caused pain, brows pulled down in a stoic expression. Maybe he wouldn’t notice us? That hope faded as the king raised his gaze. Black eyes pierced me, then swept over Andrew. His lip curled into a derisive sneer.

“Ah. Mysonwarned me he’d had to bring you along, Andrew, though he’s been remiss in introducing us. How are you finding Atar? We rarely harbor criminals here, but I do hate to say no to my boy.”

Andrew stiffened. “You dare call me a criminal?”

The king’s eyebrows rose. “Is the concept hard for you to understand? You took something that was rightfully mine. In a civilized territory, that makes you a thief.”

“Rescuing a woman from abuse is never a crime!” Andrew spat. I tore my gaze from the king back to Andrew. With his cheeks flushed red and lips in a tight rictus of anger, he looked ready to launch at the king. “I took care of her after you’d finished with her one afternoon. I know what you are.”

Disaster loomed in the tightening of the king’s eyes. My heart pounded, but I stepped between the two men.

I bowed to the king. “Please excuse us, Your Majesty. This has been a difficult transition for everyone.” My hand hovered over my mark, but I wouldn’t call Leo unless I had to. We lived here now. This sort of thing was going to happen, and I couldn’t rely on him every time it did.

The king’s black eyes settled on me. “Ah, my son’s little pet. His infatuation is peculiar, but I was young once. I know how easy it is to be distracted by a pretty face. Don’t worry, we’ll find a spot for you in the Collection once he casts you off. You’ll be busy.”

His words, an echo of Adante’s threat, filled me with revulsion. How would Leo have turned out if raised by this snake? As bad as Adante? Worse? I kept my voice the epitome of bland politeness.

“Thank you, Your Majesty. May we be excused?”

Andrew gave a sharp intake of breath but kept silent. The king drew the moment out, then waved his hand. “Go.”

I bowed my head and ushered Andrew away.

Hours later, I blasted myself in a scalding shower. Here, the unlimited fast-flowing showers were a status symbol. Most houses were limited to short bursts of tepid water. A tiny pang of guilt had me shutting off the shower earlier than I’d have liked. I dried off, wandered into the living area, and picked up one of the thin, silky robes they’d given us.

“Don’t worry about that. You won’t need it.”

I jumped at the sound of Leo’s voice, then broke into a smile. He’d been swamped with work since we arrived. The king and his advisers had prepared a crash course in all things Ataran, and Leo sat up late every night reading pages of notes.

He reclined on the low divan-style sofa, impressive in red-and-gold royal clothing. He patted his knee, and I ran to him without a thought. Closing my eyes for a moment, I enjoyed the solid feel of him beneath me, the soft fabric of his clothes against my naked skin. I should tell him about the incident with the king, but it could wait a bit. Just long enough for us to have some fun.

He teased my nipple with his thumb, and I wriggled against him as his other hand stroked my wet hair. A wave of warmth spread over my head, and I gasped, meeting his amused eyes. I touched my hair. Dry.

“I didn’t know you could do that!”

A smile played on his lips, but it gained a feral quality as it reached his eyes. “I need to make sure you’re comfortable during your punishment.”

Fear shivered through me at his words, and I frowned. Would he cane me again? The memory of the previous painful chastisement was still fresh. “Punishment for what?”

His hand clasped around my hair and pulled my head backward. He dragged a slow finger down my exposed throat, then gripped my neck. My pulse beat against his hand as he bent his lips to my ear.

“You’ve got a lot to account for. Did you think I’d forgotten you broke my rule and pleasured yourself? You have no self-control at all, do you? And there’s the disrespectful way you’ve been speaking to me lately. I’ve been too busy to keep you in line, and it shows.”

Rising desire at his words warred with irritation at the unfairness of them. I’d endured his constant teasing for months, given in once, and I had no self-control?

Leo lifted me into his arms and perched me on the edge of the low wooden table in the center of the suite. He picked up a colorful embroidered cushion and lowered my head back onto it, my body stretched out across the table.

Confusion clouded my thoughts. He couldn’t cane me in this position.

Leo took his time positioning me, bending my legs and stretching out my arms. He fastened me in place with the usual snap of magic, more securely than I was used to. My whole body was locked to the table, legs bent and spread wide apart. I struggled on instinct until Leo’s hand stroked down my face, soothing me.

“Relax. You’re going to be here for a while, so you’d better get used to it.”

---