The Tempting Touch Of Fire (Elemental Awakening, Book 1) by Nicola Claire Page B

I think. Had he lost himself in that embrace too?
    "What have you brought for me, Theodoros?" he boomed, his voice deeply accented and commanding. I wondered if they trained all Kings to sound like that from birth.
    " Pateras ," Theo said respectfully, bowing at the waist. I quickly curtseyed awkwardly. I think they both missed it entirely. I hoped they did anyway.
    "Well, is this the trespassing Gi or not?" the Rigas demanded, walking over to a drinks trolley and pouring himself a glass full of Scotch. He grabbed a second glass and poured a couple of fingers in that, then turned and handed it to Theo.
    I felt a part of me relax. How bad could it be, if the King was prepared to share a drink with Theo?
    My eyes trailed over the Rigas' features. Again he looked related to Theo, but then every single one of the Pyrkagia I had met did too. Were they one big happy family?
    "This is she," Theo said, nodding his thanks as he took the drink in his hand. "Compliant, as you can see."
    I was too freaked to even contemplate the falseness of his words. I stood stock still, gaze cast to the floor, and watched the entire exchange from the corner of my eyes.
    "I felt her Stoicheio before. Was she attacking one of my guards?"
    I stopped breathing.
    "I made the mistake of kissing her, Rigas ," Theo boldly lied. "She cannot help her reaction to that." The last was said smugly. The King chuckled.
    "You always did live life on the edge, Theo. Whatever possessed you to do that?"
    "She intrigues me," Theo admitted and I watched, from my lowered lids, as the King straightened his back.
    "Please don't tell me you have more than a passing interest in this creature," he said, his voice firm and harsh with disdain.
    "I am sorry, Rigas , but I do." Theo didn't sound apologetic.
    "Tell me why she is in our city unannounced and I may spare you the Bull."
    The Bull? Theo sucked in a slow breath at the threat, which made no sense to me, but obviously was dire.
    "She has been outcast from her Gi ," Theo started, his fingers pressed so firmly into the glass he held, I thought it may shatter. "Wandered into our territory seeking asylum."
    He hadn't warned me that this was the excuse he'd use. I wondered if it was chosen in the heat of the moment, due to the King's unusual threat. I had the impression Theo was floundering slightly and it made me, strangely, want to shake up the earth.
    "You believe she poses no immediate threat?" The King asked, then downed the last of his whiskey.
    "I do, Rigas . However, I would like to claim her as mine."
    The whiskey the King had just swallowed caught in his throat. He coughed a few times, making gagging sounds that alerted a guard who ran into the room ready for battle. The King waved his hand regally, indicating he was all right, and the guard reluctantly backed out.
    "Have you lost your mind?" the King ground out eventually. His voice was raspy from the alcohol burn. "This is not how you were raised."
    "No, Pateras ," Theo admitted. "But it has been many aeons since anyone has captured my attention so. I have been bored and disgruntled, you knew this. I require a distraction. She distracts nicely."
    The King chuckled. It sounded so like Theo, I lifted my head.
    "And here I thought more responsibility would do the trick. Your mother did warn me, you just needed to get laid." I choked out a sound and the King glared at me. "But really? A Gi? What will the elders say?"
    "They can say what they like, she is already mine."
    "You have claimed her?" the King asked, sounding half-shocked and half-revolted.
    "Yes," Theo answered, straightening his spine.
    "And it was good?"
    "I'd rather not divulge details, Rigas . If it does not offend."
    "You always did have a strange sense of honour. But, son, a Gi ?" I didn't even have it in me to suck in breath at the term, son . Was it just an endearment he'd use on any of those under his rule? Or was it actually real? "Please, tell me, she is not your Thisavros?"
    There was that word again.