Chapter 26
Kiran took her hand and stormed with her down the aisle of the train. A zing shot across her skin at his touch. It startled her, and she flexed her hands in his.
All at once, he stopped and grabbed her closer, snaking his hand around her waist to hold her tight to him, chest to chest. “You have to pretend you don’t hate me,” he growled.
“What’s more, you have to make them believe you love me.
Dwarves are masters of defensive spells, truth telling enchantment, and disillusionment.
It’s how they’ve protected the vast treasure in their vaults for thousands of years. ”
Letting out a deep breath at another lecture, she merely nodded. “I know.”
“Look at me.” He lowered his eyes to meet hers. “Can you do this? We are going into their territory, and they are unforgiving to those who break their laws. Including royals. We will be utterly alone, miles underground.”
She glanced away then met his eyes again. “Yes, I can make them believe,” she breathed then added, “and we’ll make them look like fools for believing us.”
“We will,” he agreed softly with a small smile, tucking that same loose tendril of hair behind her ear again.
A pang of hunger hit her, but she clamped it down. Her urges had not abated, and she almost whimpered—and almost grabbed him and dragged him away from this godsforsaken place to feed.
Instead, she held her chin up and brazenly gave him a soft kiss on the corner of his mouth. His eyes closed in response, and he deepened it, moving his hand to lightly hold her face. When she pulled away, his eyes were still closed.
“Kiran.”
When he looked at her again, both eyes were familiar to her now but so arresting still. Still, he didn’t say anything.
“I’m ready,” she said, squaring her shoulders.
“Good. You are going to mesmerize them, my darling.” He smiled and kissed her again.
Her heart flipped in response. Kiran rarely gave her real smiles … even small ones. She liked it immensely when he did. He didn’t let her enjoy it, grabbing her wrist and stalking off the train with her in tow.
The second he stepped off the train, the air shifted.
Taking her right hand, he placed his other on her waist then helped her carefully slip down.
He held her as if she were made of delicate crystal, watching her every move, her every breath.
She noticed how he shifted his body to shield her from view as much as possible, holding her protectively close. It was strange.
And then there was that power emanating from him. His core existence was projecting his complete superiority over every single one of these elves. Indeed, Kiran carried himself with even more condescension, annoyance, and smugness than usual, his magical signature exuding his full magical power.
It almost took her breath away.
His attitude wasn’t unfounded. Despite being a high Drow elf, Kiran was technically, and potentially, in line for the throne, even if the chance was small. And, as a prince, everyone here was beneath him. He was richer, more powerful—politically and magically—and he had her.
As soon as they emerged from the train, Imani understood exactly why she hardly had to convince Kiran and Zadie to bring her along.
Every single set of eyes was on her. Even ones she couldn’t see.
She would play her part perfectly. Even if it meant selling her soul for a little while.
Without the glamour or echo shield they wouldn’t let visitors wear, Imani let her own magical signature out in full force, including her soul draw. A show of power to match Kiran’s.
He gave her a look out of the corner of his eye when she did, and a minuscule smile lifted up the corners of his mouth slightly.
She lifted her chin, letting the silver and diamonds catch the dim light as her hair fluttered over her face and neck. More elves came out to watch, and she tilted her head back to see them better.
There were dozens, maybe more, and they all were pale-skinned with dark hair and blue eyes that watched her from afar. Some waved and pointed.
She’d never had this type of attention on her, even in the throne room or during the duel with Aiden. It was all-consuming—borderline obsessive. While things were going to plan, she hadn’t expected this many eyes on her right away.
As if he felt her disquiet, Kiran suddenly moved his hand protectively to her back. “I need you to stay at my side, my love,” he ordered, not hiding the irritation in his tone. He pulled her closer with his one hand, holding her face with his other, kissing her brow.
Standing confused, she wondered how to follow his lead. She’d never heard him call her that or act like this before.
It sounded so natural. So easy.
I guess the game has already started.
He didn’t seem to notice her bewilderment. His sharp gaze glared everywhere around them as he led her forward. Rubbing his hand up and down her spine, he kept her calm while his eyes watched—observed—with a predatory air about him.
While she had seen his cruelty and his madness, she’d never seen this mix of a tender yet hardened version of Kiran. With that look in his eyes, she knew without a doubt that she did not want him as an enemy. He was just as intimidating as the rumors said.
Several servants greeted them and scurried around them. Kiran quietly commanded them like only he could. She remained silent, curiously looking around the inside of the mountainside. Her mouth gaped a little, and she wasn’t pretending. It was beautiful here.
An elf, clearly the head servant, came forward and bowed deeply, welcoming them.
Imani gave him a hint of a smile, feeling her magic simmering under her skin.
Her complexion glimmered and glowed, and the elf servant flushed with Imani’s attention on him.
His eyes shone with desire as he walked them toward the underground city of Eto.
Kiran’s hand was firm on her back, rubbing in slow circles. Where he was unsmiling and taciturn to everyone looking at her, Imani gave small smirks to those she caught staring.
He tried to drag her closer to him.
Irritation flooded her, and she forced them to pause walking momentarily. Some possessiveness was expected from heartmates, but Kiran needed to relax. Otherwise, they wouldn’t be getting out of here alive if he attacked these people.
She leaned up to him, her mouth brushing his ear. “Will you be threatening to murder people the whole weekend?” she teased, recalling his comment on the train.
He continued his languid touches on her back, but he wasn’t amused. He narrowed his eyes at her, his brow wrinkled, as if in pain. “If you keep looking around with those perfect blue eyes … and glowing and glittering like an actual fucking diamond, then yes, probably,” he muttered.
“I’m not allowed to wear my glamour, and you know it.”
“I know,” he sighed, dragging a hand through his hair and letting it fall from her back.
“It’s just that you feel so different. You smell so different.
It’s probably the spell making me feel these urges.
I’m not sure, but it feels like it’s … it’s doing something to me around these other elves,” he admitted softly as his aura wrapped around her in a cocoon of warmth.
The magic was subtle, yet she knew exactly what he was doing—warning others away.
She caught another one of the servants stealing a look at her, and she gave him a small smile. A quiet warning growl rumbled from Kiran. The boy scampered away.
This sham was going to be more difficult to pull off than she’d anticipated.
She glared, her voice still a murmur in his ear so only they could hear.
“Just because we’re pretending these next few days and sleeping together doesn’t mean you have any real claim to me.
A little possessiveness is normal, but we need these people to actually like us and to see me.
Focus and remember our agreement.” She stared up at him with an arched brow, waiting for a response.
He mesmerized everyone equally, but in a far more dangerous way. Where she made people feel serene and curious, Kiran was unmistakably insane and threatening, making everyone uneasy. But it sent a shiver of desire through her.
“I know. I’m sorry, I didn’t expect this crowd, but don’t hide. You’re stunning, as planned,” he admitted after a moment.
“Such a fickle prince. Doesn’t like it when he gets what he wants.” She smiled demurely and lightly reached up to brush her fingers down his cheek, unable to stop herself.
His eyes, more expressive now that she knew him better, lit up with hunger.
He turned and pressed a soft kiss to her palm.
“I think, in this instance, I’m allowed to be fickle when it comes to you, aomagho ruya.
” The act felt strange and intimate, although quite typical behavior for heartmates, even in front of others.
After he pulled away, Kiran was brooding and glaring again at the dozens of people staring at them.
A group of what appeared to be high-ranking elves approached to greet them.
More and more people watched now, crowding them and growing louder.
The energy and magic around them grew thicker.
Imani’s smile fell because, unlike earlier, the clamoring from the crowd made her nervous.
People looking and being curious was fine, but her soul draw was powerful, and this situation could escalate without her illusion.
She wished they’d allowed her to wear even a light one.
Her breath started coming faster, and Kiran noticed.
“I won’t let anything happen to you,” Kiran murmured against the shell of her ear. The prince gently pulled her closer, cradling her head against him, hiding her from the crowd again.
While she couldn’t see anything buried against his chest, she could imagine his murderous look at everyone trying to glance at them.
At the same time, a quiet purr only she could hear sounded from his chest as he stroked her hair, calming her.
He pressed a kiss through her hair, and she allowed it … It was expected behavior.
But they were such imposters, and without some glamour, letting her soul draw out like this was a dangerous game, especially since they weren’t truly heartmates.
A flare of worry sparked in her gut. She hoped the flesh magic spell was powerful enough to trick the dwarves. Zadie and Kiran had said they would be looking for every reason not to trust them.
Even when the dwarves welcoming them stood close in greeting, Kiran never let her go.
One of the elves stepped forward.
“Your Highness, I’m Ven, steward to High Sentinel Thalem.
We were sorry to hear about your chosen mate, but you are lucky to have found your heartmate so soon after such a tragedy.
We are honored that your father, the king, has sent you and your new princess to meet with us.
It’s been too long since we have been able to host the royal family here. ”
“Thank you. Her Highness and I are honored to be here, as well,” he said politely, but with an edge to his voice.
Imani still couldn’t see his face as he continued to keep her hidden against him, but for once, she didn’t mind. She could feel the unrest of the crowd growing.
Laying her cheek against his abdomen, she breathed him in as he gently massaged her head as he held her against him. With his other fingers, he traced circles down her spine where he firmly held her back.
He was so much taller than her, but she carefully peeked her head up to glance at the crowd.
More elves stared, their eyes glued to her and Kiran.
Catching some of their eyes through his arms, she stared back and could see them look dreamily at her, sensing their desire.
Their reverence for and fear of Kiran—maybe from his reputation or possibly the intimidating, powerful magic he was putting off—seemed to hold them back from getting a closer look.
More acutely than ever, she felt Kiran’s unease coming off him in waves. She slowly reached up and lightly rubbed his chest in an effort to calm him.
He continued speaking to the steward politely but with a frustrated undertone. “Forgive me, but this audience is unexpected. I’m always on edge when so many eyes are on her, but especially if she’s anxious … which she is right now.”
A little embarrassed, Imani buried herself deeper against him.
He dropped a kiss on her hair before adding, “If I’m not mistaken, this is inconsistent with the security requirements we need for her.
My staff sent a full list ahead of our arrival.
I hope you understand. With your illusion regulations, I can’t take my heartmate anywhere else until I get assurances.
She’s different from the Niflheim elves. ”
Imani hadn’t known he’d done that ahead of time.
She supposed it made sense if she was going without her glamour.
Her soul draw was wild and alive, reaching its tentacles out to its prey without hindrance.
Without her illusion magic, not even her shadows could possibly hold back an entire mob of people.
“Yes, I apologize. It won’t happen again,” Ven said in a somber tone.
An awkward silence fell, then Ven continued. “She’s … Well, we were just remarking, Prince Kiran,” he murmured, pausing to consider his words.
Imani lifted her chin to look up at Kiran, who had leveled Ven with a piercing gaze.
Ven cleared his throat then met his eyes.
“Forgive us, I know you said she was … a different breed from the Niflheim elves. But this is … a surprise still. You must understand that we are all fascinated and quite mesmerized by your heartmate. I suppose you hear this often, but she’s lovely …
and like no elf we’ve ever seen before. It’s causing quite a stir. ”
“I’m well aware of the stir she’s caused.
Believe me; she and I are used to people staring.
But without her glamour—which you won’t allow—she’s at risk.
I hope you followed every instruction we sent ahead of time for her, even if you missed this one.
” His voice dropped lower. “Because I can assure you I do not react well when she’s in a vulnerable spot. ”
Imani shivered a little and rubbed her nose against his shirt.
“Of course. Some did find the extensive security measures you required a bit too extreme …” Ven trailed off, as if this was the explanation for the lack of security upon their arrival.
“They are not for her. They’re for your people. I would hate to hurt anyone, but I make no promises if I think she is threatened.”