Bound to His Fate

  Bound to His Fate

  Mists of Eria, Book 0

  Lisa Kumar

  Cover art: Hot Damn Designs

  Copyright 2014 Lisa Kumar

  This is a work of fiction, so any resemblance to persons, locales, or events is purely coincidental. The characters, locales, and events are products of the author’s imagination and are used fictitiously.

  This e-book may not be re-sold or given away to other people.

  Discover other titles by Lisa Kumar at Lisa’s website and Goodreads.

  Join Lisa’s Newsletter and Reading Group.

  Table of Contents

  Copyright Page

  Dedication

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  About the Author:

  Discover other titles by Lisa Kumar at Lisa’s website and Goodreads. | Join Lisa’s Newsletter and Reading Group. | Connect with Me Online: | Twitter | Facebook

  Bound by the Mist (Mists of Eria)

  Excerpt

  Bound to the Elvin King (Mists of Eria)

  Excerpt

  The Fae Lord’s Mistress | The New Earth Chronicles Book One

  Excerpt

  The Fae Lord’s Companion | The New Earth Chronicles Book 2

  Excerpt

  Back Cover | Bound to His Fate

  Dedication

  I’d like to thank my family and friends for supporting me in all my writing endeavors.

  Chapter 1

  The light-green walls surrounding Talion pressed in around him. He couldn’t make the choice they asked of him. He wouldn’t. But as the King of the Erian people, how could he do otherwise?

  “You must marry to give our people stability,” Baltor repeated again, turning his brown head to gaze at the other council members assembled in the conference room.

  All the members nodded except one. Avrin, his oldest and most trusted friend, sent him a glance filled with understanding and pity. The look drove home the fact that Talion had no escape route in order to bypass a bonding to some elvin maiden. It wouldn’t matter a bit to the council that he’d had visions of a future bondmate. Not only did he not have a clue as to the timeframe of their meeting, which could be millennia from now, but also the female in his dreams was human.

  The council expected immediate results, and while he could override them, it wouldn’t be in his best interests to do so. His people came first, and if this would quiet unpleasant rumors, then he had to seriously consider it. Discord had started to flourish among certain segments of his people because he hadn’t taken a bondmate—a wife.

  But beyond the occasional fling, he’d never been interested in settling down and choosing a queen. When the dreams had come a few centuries ago, he knew why. His true mate was a human woman...one with honey brown hair and an attitude to rival that of the angriest bee when provoked.

  While it wasn’t unheard of to have visions of a future bondmate, it was rare. But he was no ordinary elf. His destiny seemed set out before him. Even if he could meet the human woman in the next couple of years, his people and hers seemed bound for war unless his people retreated to a place where most humans couldn’t tread.

  Talion ignored the lump forming in his throat and clasped his hands together under his chin. He couldn’t allow himself to think of what he might be giving up if—more like when—he chose duty over his true bondmate. Of what use was love to a king, anyway? He had no time for such silly things.

  Then why did the mere thought of taking an elvin mate feel like sacrilege? With a resolute shake of his head, he pushed the disquiet aside. “I will think upon procuring a mate and will accept the names of eligible maidens.”

  TWO YEARS LATER, TALION stood on a cliff near the palace. The sun glinted on the waters below, where sailing vessels of all shapes and sizes shone in all their beribboned finery. Flowers and arbors decorated the area he stood in. But that beauty didn’t touch him, and his heart remained cold.

  As his hand was joined with Serrina’s, he swallowed down the feeling that he committed a terrible wrong. But this is what his kingdom required of him—a king who wouldn’t shy away from providing heirs and could ensure an efficacious succession during times of war and peace.

  He stared blindly out over the ocean, wishing he could escape this fate by sailing away. But he had his duty, one that he couldn’t ignore. His kingdom, his people, came first. If he had any energy left after seeing to them, he might be able to find a small measure of happiness. And if not....

  Not allowing himself to finish that thought, he returned his focus back onto his new mate. She was a lovely lady and the sister of his best friend. Who could ask for more?

  Serrina glanced at him through her lashes and sent him a blinding smile. Her black hair shone with blue highlights, and her blue gown skimmed a trim yet surprisingly curvy body. Most elvin men would give their last coin to be standing here—to be him, to be claiming the bride that smiled so prettily at him.

  But try as he might, he couldn’t dredge up any excitement or appreciation. Those feelings would come later, surely. They had to. He couldn’t countenance anything less.

  Everything had to play out as it was supposed to. His sacrifice couldn’t be all for naught.

  Chapter 2

  Arianne sped through the airy halls of the elvin king’s palace, her feet tired but her heart light. Excitement bubbled to the surface. There wasn’t a moment to spare.

  Her shift in the kitchens was supposed to have ended long ago, but the celebration of Prince Relian’s ninetieth birthday had interceded. Everyone in the palace loved the quiet, yet curious young elvin boy, so the extra duties hadn’t seemed so troublesome. The festivities lasted into the night, allowing even the busiest servants time to attend the merry-making.

  Her bondmate, Calathion, had stood guard in the palace during the first rotation. By her figures, he should’ve been off for the last hour. That meant she had no time to go home to freshen up, unless they both wanted to miss more of the celebration.

  She grimaced. Her hair had to be a mess, and sweat dampened her body from the hot kitchens. But Calathion wouldn’t care. He’d welcome her into his arms no matter what, just as he’d welcomed her into his life and that of his people. As she thought of his sensuous embrace, a flush swept over her neck and upward.

  Pleasantly ensconced in daydreams of her husband, she let her mind wander from her surroundings. She rounded a corner and slammed into a hard chest, her musings coming to a standstill. When she glanced up, any hope of a good evening shattered like glass.

  The brown-haired elf towering over her sneered. “Little human, watch where you’re going.”

  She shrunk back. All the servants—human and elf alike—knew tales of this elf. Lord Baltor wasn’t one to anger, for he had far-reaching power as one of the king’s councilors. He was also the queen’s brother, and if she had little love for humans, he had even less. “Y—yes, my lord. My apologies,” she forced out.

  He stared down his nose at her. “See to it that it doesn’t happen again. You’re bonded to one of my kind, are you not?”

  Fear exploded in her veins for her bondmate, and she lowered her gaze in a submissive gesture. She could sense where this was going. “Yes.”

  “Your position in this household—and his—depends on you staying out of my way. If it were up to me, you would stay behind.”

  She nodded mutely, a melon-sized lump in her throat. Her mind was too numb to form a coherent thought at the moment. With one last derisive glance at her, Lord Baltor swept down the hall. The hem of his robe billowed around his legs like some sinister bird of prey and suited him well. Why the king ever put up with such a nasty elf, she’d never puzzle out. But she knew nothing about the treacherous waters
of politics, and that was fine with her.

  Once Lord Baltor vanished out of sight, she slumped against the stone wall. The coldness of the rock seeped into her skin, and she shivered. Though the early evening wasn’t cold, the encounter had turned her insides to ice.

  So the rumors were true? Maybe he had meant that he’d forbid her to go to the festivities if he could, but somehow she doubted it. No, his words had contained a more serious meaning to them—one she feared.

  What would it mean to her and Calathion if the king decided to remove his kingdom from the reach of the human realm? Whispers had reported that the elves would go to a new location, maybe even a different dimension. Though that boggled her mind, Calathion and a few of his friends said it was all too possible.

  Among the elves, there’d been more sightings than ever of the mysterious veil that seemed to pulse with the magic of the earth and gave tantalizing glimpses of a new land. Many elves believed this to be a sign that foreshadowed their coming departure. Arianne had never seen the veil, but she wasn’t elvin. Though, to her knowledge none of her friends or Calathion had witnessed it, either.

  She rubbed her arms in an attempt to chase away the goose bumps, but it did no good. Only Calathion’s comforting touch could do that. Her feet like lead weights, she began her trek toward her bondmate once again.

  The beautiful tapestries and gardens that lined the way failed to entrance her as they usually did. She had to find Calathion—now.

  An arm snaked around her waist, and a scream erupted to the surface.

  “Shh, my love, it’s me,” a familiar and beloved voice whispered.

  She nearly collapsed back against him in relief. Calathion turned her around, and his brows drew together. “What has you so upset?”

  Words deserted her. She buried her face in his tunic. The material smelled like him—an outdoorsy, earthy smell, combined with a hint of pine. A few deep breaths of that incredible scent slowed down her soaring heart rate. Though she knew she should tell him of Lord Baltor, she didn’t want to spoil the moment. She finally found the voice to mumble, “Just a run-in with an unpleasant elf lord. You know how the ones who hate humans can be.”

  Long fingers slipped underneath her chin, and he tilted her face up. “Who was it, and did he hurt you?” Ire flashed in his blue eyes and promised retribution if the elf had touched her in any way.

  She shook her head, opting to not tell him a name. Even though Lord Baltor hadn’t physically hurt her, she couldn’t be sure that Calathion wouldn’t go after Baltor. And a guard going against a noble wouldn’t end up in their favor. “He resorted to verbal threats only.”

  Her bondmate’s lips twisted into a snarl. “Tell me his name.”

  “You can’t confront him.” She pulled away from him so she could clutch his arm. “He could ruin you—ruin us—so easily.”

  “The king wouldn’t allow it.”

  “Would he even know before the harm was done?”

  The stubborn line of Calathion’s jaw relaxed, and he sighed. “He might not. Though he has a fondness for humans, especially those under his protection, the queen does not.” Sorrow flickered over his handsome face. “I’m sorry I put you in this position by bonding with you.”

  No, she wouldn’t have him regretting their love. With trembling hands, she cupped his smooth-skinned face. “When I wed you, I made my peace with the fact I’d have to face elves who hate me because I’m human. You also live with prejudice from both elves and humans because of me. It’s a fair trade, wouldn’t you say?” she said, making sure to add a teasing note to her voice. “In fact, I daresay you received the raw end of the deal.”

  His frown turned into a lopsided smile, and he covered her hands with his. “No, never. When I saw you across that crowded marketplace, my heart knew yours instantly.” He shook his head. “Would that our two peoples could get along before it’s too late. If they got along even a fraction of the way we do, the world would be a much different place.”

  A giggle tickled her throat. “That would be a sight to see. But I don’t think most would be as friendly as we are with each other.” She slipped one hand from beneath his and slid it around his neck, curling her fingers around the mahogany brown ponytail. Most people within the palace—indeed, within the capital of Eriannon—should be attending the celebration.

  But then why had Lord Baltor been stalking the hallways? She pushed the uncomfortable thought away. The nobility’s goings-on had nothing to do with her. She was here with her love, and that was all that mattered.

  Calathion rested his forehead against hers and chuckled. “That would be scandalous, my love.”

  “And we’re very scandalous.”

  “That we are,” he said and captured her mouth in a kiss.

  The searing heat of his lips melted any remaining ice coating her body. She clutched tighter at his neck as their tongues dueled. Desire kindled low in her stomach.

  When she pressed closer to him, he groaned against her lips. “Don’t torture me so.”

  She pulled back from him an inch. “You know you love it.”

  “Only when you can make good on your overtures.” He laid a peck on her nose and moved back from her.

  A sense of loss filled her, but she forced a smile to her face. “Even we’re not so shocking as to couple in the hallway, where anyone could find us.” Then she added on a hopeful note. “Are we?”

  He snorted. “Even if I were willing, I know you wouldn’t be. You’re much too modest.” Holding out his arm to her, he bowed. “Come, my lady, let us go to the celebration.”

  She started to take his hand but halted. “My dress and hair. I didn’t have time to change or straighten up this rat’s nest.” While he wouldn’t care, she did.

  He reached up and loosened her hair from its bun and finger-combed the golden-brown tresses. “There—that problem is solved.” His gaze swept up and down her form, caressing every inch. “Your dress is tastefully simple, and you have not one stain on it.”

  Smoldering desire addled her brain and made her say stupid things. “I wore an apron, but it didn’t help me with the warmth of the kitchens.”

  Calathion’s thin nostrils flared as he sniffed the air. “You do not smell unpleasant. Your scent is just stronger than usual.”

  Just what a woman wanted to hear. She crossed her arms. “That’s merely a nice way of saying I stink. Is it a human thing? I rarely notice a bad-smelling elf, and as one of the few humans in the palace, I’m around a lot of elves.”

  As if realizing he was in dangerous territory, he said placatingly, “Nay, your scent is stronger than it usually is. Even elves become this way after being in hot conditions. I know I often return to you after such a day, my aroma is less than pleasing.”

  She sighed, placing her hands on her hips. “You have a point, but you don’t stink for long, because you take a bath.”

  He moved close enough to whisper in her ear, “We often take a bath together. Those are some of my favorite moments.”

  The hot fan of his breath on her ear sent bolts of lust through her. She turned to face him and licked her lips, enjoying the answering need burning in his eyes. Forcing her breathing to a more normal cadence, she said, “But then why does it seem to take elves much longer to become odorous than it does most of the other humans who I’ve known?”

  “I think you already answered your question.” Apparently seeing her blank, desire-filled stare that he always wrought in her, he said, “Tell me this—the humans who had no offensive odors, did they bathe nearly every day?”

  “Yes.”

  A roguish smile curved his lips. “There’s your answer. People who bathe regularly don’t stink very much. When they do get dirty, they jump in a tub of water. Problem solved.” He bent his head until his nose caressed the sensitive hollow of her throat. “Your scent is intoxicating, and if we didn’t have friends who were expecting our arrival, I’d take you to our cottage and show you how much I want you.”

  E
lectricity ricocheted through her veins. Waiting would heighten the pleasure and make their anticipated joining all the sweeter—and passionate. “We’ll have something to look forward to after we return home.”

  His mouth pressed nibbling little kisses against the side of her neck. “That we will.” With a sad sigh, he straightened and held out his hand, “Come, my love, let us keep our friends no longer.”

  COOL NIGHT AIR GLIDED over Arianne’s flushed skin. She sat at a pretty latticework table, trying to keep her heavy eyes open. The festivities had spilled out of the great hall and into the gardens. Colorful lanterns decorated the trees, and luminaries dotted the sides of pathways.

  Vana, one of her close elvin friends who was in the king’s employ as a housemaid, leaned in and patted her hand where it rested on the table. “Ari, you look sleepy.”

  Arianne smothered a yawn. “I am, but it’s such a lovely night that I hate to retire. Plus, I don’t think anybody else has gone to bed, not even the young birthday boy,” she said, looking toward where the black-haired prince was playing some sort of ball game with his friends.

  And it was true—the party was still going strong. But that was the way of the elves. They didn’t need as much rest as did a human like her. A night of dancing in Calathion’s arms always tired her out. Besides, the nearly empty bottles of wine sitting before her and Vana had only added to her drowsiness, though she only had a small portion of each.

  Vana pushed away from the table and smoothed a hand over her dark blond hair. “Do you want me to track down Calathion?”

  “Don’t trouble yourself. I really should get up before I fall asleep. I’ll find where my wayward bondmate has gone, though I have a fair idea.”

  “I do, too. For the life of me, I don’t see why these crazy guards think they should have archery contests in the dark.” Vana made a scoffing noise. “Males of any species seem to have a juvenile streak.”