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  Game of Temptation

  Anda J. Santoso

  “Game of Temptation”

  Copyright © Anda J. Santoso

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review

  Table of Contents

  Prologue

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty One

  Chapter Twenty Two

  Prologue

  Alethi listened behind the door as her father tried to stifle his sobs. She, herself felt no sadness, whatsoever, but listening to her father cry was heart-wrenching. It was all she could do not to turn back from the doors and go to the courtyard to work out her annoyance in training. But she knew she couldn't leave her father mourning alone for much longer. She had already stalled enough and her father would soon ask why she had not been visiting.

  With a sigh, Alethi swung open the doors to her step mother's chamber. She nodded to Orrin as he stood guard behind her father but she could not decide whether she was going to grin or frown. The woman was there, lying in bed, pale and seemingly skeletal. A week in her condition had reduced her to a shell that she once was. The proud and condescending look was no longer present in her eyes.

  Beside the poor, wretch was her father, holding her hand as if she were precious porcelain. His face was gaunt and dark circles framed his red, puffy eyes. The crown of his head was now closer to white than gray and his hairline started to recede from his forehad. He looked up at Alethi and a smile that didn't touch his eyes pulled at the corners of his mouth. At once, he stood and went to her as fast as an old man with feeble knees could.

  Alethi immediately closed the distance to save her father the effort. He held her in a tight embrace and she could feel how thin her father had grown. He was still larger in stature than most men in the kingdom, but he felt old and weak to the touch. The fact that her father had grown frail worsened her anxiety even more. He was no longer the image of the great and mighty king his people had looked up to.

  "Alethi," he began, his voice hoarse from weeping, "They have given her thirty days to live. No more. The men I have sent to Rehanathi have not returned. I don't know if I have sent fools or greedy bastards on that errand, but I am losing hope. I've already lost your mother. I can't lose Niraya."

  Her glance went to the woman in the bed for a while. She would that the witch was dead, but seeing her father become what he has become…Witchcraft or no, the woman had her father in sackcloth and ashes at the prospect of losing her. It even occurred to her that it was possible that he would follow her in grief.

  Alethi supposed the whole illness was a sham from the moment she was proclaimed sick. None of the healers or the magi could heal her. Despite the wretch's worsening disposition, she did not believe she was truly ill especially when her father started sending out some of the kingdom's best warriors to get the cure with his blood and his treasures. She had feared for their lives and her suspicions were confirmed when they did not return. That made her want to show everyone what a liar she was, but she had no proof. The wretch was too cunning.

  But no matter how much she hated the woman, she could not show her disdain as her father forgot all his cares in her company. She held her tongue and had become civil with the witch, never telling her father all the troubles the wretch was bringing her.

  "Alethi," he stood putting her at arm's length, "my time is passing. I am old and as a king I have become weak."

  "That is not true, father!" Alethi began to protest, but her father shook her head and she silenced.

  "Listen to me," he breathed, "If none of whom I sent comes back in twenty-five days, then I will name you Queen of Dosalam. I will pass to you the whole legacy of our kingdom. You might say that I am strong, but I am no longer fit to rule. My mind has wasted on this and poor judgment comes from my mouth. I long for peace and quiet, my dear, power and politics interest me no longer. I doubt I will live for much longer in this grief, curse this blood. This is the final act of wisdom I am going to do. And I know you are ready, my daughter."

  "But what if they return on the twenty-ninth day?"

  "You will still be ruler and I will guide you should you wish as Naraya and I live the remainder of our lives in the country."

  Alethi closed her eyes trying to shut out her emotions and think about how wise her father's decision. But try as she might, she could not bring herself to ignore her father's cries. He had become even more miserable than when her mother had died. And that was because of the elfin nature that ran through his veins. He could suffer grief once, but never twice. It pained her to not see any traces of the jovial, mighty father that had taught her to be strong for her people. Perhaps, there was one last thing she could do for him.

  "Then I will go and get the cure from Rehanathi myself."

  Her father's brows furrowed even more than she ever imagined possible. "Don't be foolish. The warriors didn't come back. That is how dangerous it is."

  "Father, the truce extends only to the Royal Line. The elves will not harm me. I will speak with them and I will use my own blood to get the cure. I'm the only one who could do it, father, and you know that. As long as I don't harm the elves' domain, I will be fine."

  "But who knows what else they might do to you? They have not forgiven us, Alethi. They have not forgiven the cruelty of our ancestors. Don't do this."

  Alethi shook her head. "Father, you had once told me that a wise and strong ruler, will exhaust all options before giving up the rest to fate and chance. I am your last option. The worst that can happen is that the elves will send me home with nothing but my clothes. In any case, I will return. They promised to never bring harm on the Royal Line of Dosalam. We have to trust in their honor. The elves never lie."

  The king sighed as if he held the weight of the world. "You do know that if you do not return, I will go before my time and the kingdom will be caught in a war for the throne."

  "I know that father."

  "Then you will bring with you precaution. Take Orrin with you."

  Alethi's eyes widened. "You cannot do that father! Orrin is your captain-general! He is the cornerstone of Dosalam's peace and the key to your personal safety. I cannot and will not take him from you!"

  "Listen to me, Alethi. The elves' oath extends to only as much as one honor guard of the Royal Line. And in the danger you would be exposed to, you need the best to be with you. If I die, then you would still be safe and keep the kingdom whole. But if you die, who would succeed? I would surely die with grief."

  Alethi sighed and nodded. "I understand, father."

  "Orrin," the king said, "Put my daughter's life above yours. Treat her as if she were your queen."

  "As you wish, my Lord," Orrin bowed, "But I will not leave you without replacement. I would choose two of my best men to guard you."

  "As you wish, captain-general."

  Alethi stayed for a few more moments with her father until she could no longer stand the eyes of Niraya on her. She pleaded to take leave with the excuse that she needed to pack. Behind her, Orrin followed.

 
"I do not know what possessed you to do what you did," the stalwart veteran said, "I would have opposed to it if you father did not so easily agree with you."

  "Orrin, I will be in safe hands for as long as we do not harm Rehanathi. If we hold our part of the bargain, the elves will as well. They are creatures of honor."

  The veteran quickened his pace and strode beside her. "It is not your safety I am worried about. It is your father's. I do not trust that woman.

  Alethi sighed. "Neither do I. But she will be the doom of my father if she dies. If there were any other way, I would not have you leave my father. But I'm certain he will not be appeased if my companion were any other."

  "Nor would I," Orrin agreed. "Your father is right. Your safety is more important now that your father is old."

  "Truly, Orrin. Sometimes, I think you are more a father to me than my own for as long as he is busy in politics and running the kingdom."

  "Forgive me, your highness. I forget myself. It is just difficult to forget that we have been watching over you since you were a babe."

  Alethi smiled despite herself. "It's fine Orrin. I rather like it. I see why my mother always told me to go to you with any problems that I have. She trusted you with her life, and I know I can trust you with as much as well. Now, make your preparations. We leave at dawn and finish this as soon as we can. And please choose the best men to be with my father. I would go insane should anything happen to him."

  Orrin bowed his head. "Your wish is my command, Princess Alethi."

  Chapter One

  Arun looked at the elves under his charge. He did not know what games the people of Dosalam were playing, but they have been relentless at sending warriors – great warriors in Arun's view – to their domain. He could not fathom why the kingdom would waste such great men, but territory was territory and those men were best off to forget everything than to die. Valiant warriors sent by a king that might have gone mad did not deserve death, blood feud or no.

  "Are you sure that she is the princess of Dosalam, Nuat?" Arun asked his captain.

  Nuat bowed his head in response. "I am positive, your highness. It is Princess Alethi and her escort, the Captain-General of Dosalam. We must send them away as soon as we can."

  Arun turned away from him to think. "Why do they come here? I cannot see why they would go to such lengths to take the Imareal from us. Do they not know its significance?"

  "They are fools, my lord," Nuat answered, "We must make them know that in under no circumstance will we give up even a drop of it. They will never soil us again."

  Arun turned to Nuat and regarded him. He knew his hatred. It was Nuat's sister that had been the victim of the human's insatiable lust. Yes, humans were nothing more than animals who are slaves to their own lusts. And the only reason they have extended clemency to the Royal Line was because of their own elfin lineage.

  Humans are all the same, but perhaps, he should hear from the Princess herself.

  "Capture the Princess and her escort," he finally decided. "Perhaps this time, it would be wise to know the state of our enemy. If they are planning anything, we better be ready."

  "Yes, my lord." Nuat turned to the people under his command. "We move."

  "And Nuat?" He waited for Nuat to face him before continuing. "Bring her to the Ollan. I want her alone. The escort, you can bring to the normal hold."

  Arun wasted no time to see if Nuat would object and headed for a high vantage point where he could see the clearing where they camped. The princess moved about as if she knew what she was about, helping the middle-aged escort break camp. He always knew Dosalam's Royal Line to be spoiled and delicate, taking more after their human lineage than their elfin one. It caused him to be intrigued with her. He could not believe she was the princess. She was too spoiled to leave the safety of her luxurious chambers. Just like all the women of Dosalam.

  The man stiffened and Arun smiled. He knew the man sensed the presence of his small force. From where he was, he could hear the princess declaring who she was and what they have come for. He could not help but sneer. Why should she think they have no knowledge at all of who she was and what they came for?

  He saw his captain's mouth work, mouthing the words of the spell and he knew it was over. He got down from his vantage point as the princess screamed for her escort to run. It was over, and they did not even stand a chance. It would only be a matter of time before his debut with the princess.

  Arun debated with himself what he should do to get information from her. Humans were a tricky lot and he knew that they could shut their minds off and he would not be able to breach them. Not without harming them. And he could not do that to the Royal Line. There had to be a way to make her tell the truth and confess to him everything he needed to know.

  The elders would be able to answer his questions. They have lived among humans before they retreated to Rehanathi. They would be able to give sound advice.

  The lake was empty save for one elf, sitting on a rock in the middle of the lake. Arun stopped at the edge waiting to be acknowledged.

  "Prince Arun, make your question quick. I am in the middle of a thought."

  "Elder, I wish to know how to make humans tell the truth."

  "There are many ways to make them tell the truth," amusement tinged his voice, "But if you need something to quickly make them tell the truth, there are only two things. Giving them what they want without them knowing it and seducing them. They are more likely to say things in bed. Is there anything else?"

  Arun's brows knit. How would he know what she wanted? A princess had everything. What else could she need? Perhaps he could find out in the first few moments. People's body languages give away so much in the first few moments. He would read her and give her what she wanted. If he could not, seducing her would not be a problem.

  The Ollan was guarded by two of his men and he dismissed them with a wave of his hand.

  "She is secure, my lord."

  Arun nodded at his man's advice and entered the Ollun, mouthing the wards that would protect him from the effects of the hold. The room was dark with only the soft glow of the moss on the ground giving off the faint light inside. At the end of the room was the Princess, held on the wall by her wrists, eyes fluttering as she fought for her consciousness. Her light hazel eyes tried to adjust to the dimness as she looked through the black long waves of her hair. He moved close and confirmed that her skin was sun-kissed. A testament of being someone used to stay under the heat of the sun. For what reason, though, he did not know. He could not think where she got the calluses on her hands from, but she was definitely someone who got her hands dirty. Perhaps she was trained in tracking?

  "Princess," Arun lifted her chin gently so that her eyes met his. Their fluttering stopped and he found himself looking into fierce bright eyes. He could feel her breathing deepen, but nothing in her face gave anything away. She did not speak, and neither did she flinch. He waited, but all they did was stare into each others' eyes.

  "Tell me, you are here for the Imareal. Why? You know we will never part with any of it."

  Her mouth opened to reply, only to let out a moan, her eyelids closing for a while. They flew open once again as she sucked in air. He knew the Ollan was affecting her. It was heightening all her senses, magnifying everything she felt, smelled and heard. The human mind would not be able to take the sudden change in.

  "I…my stepmother needs it. She is dying."

  "Death is a part of everyone's life. Deal with it. We are not giving the Imreal to fulfill your selfishness."

  "You…" Her struggle to speak was apparent. "You do not understand." She took in a deep breath. "My father cannot take her death." She grit her teeth suppressing another moan unsuccessfully. "She could die a million deaths and I will not do a thing for her. But my father…He has already survived the death of my mother. He would not be able to take the grief her death would bring." She moaned again releasing her head from his fingers looking away. "Please. I do not need much, but I
need my father. Please…"

  It was easy to know what she wanted. She wanted her father alive and she would do anything for him. "Alright. I will let you take a piece of the Imreal, but you must tell me everything about Dosalam. I need to know the powers in it and the plans of your kingdom. I will know everything."

  Her head whipped to him, her lower lip trembling. "Why?"

  "For Rehanathi's safety."

  Her jaw clenched and she closed her eyes groaning. "I will not betray my country. I know you elves. You will destroy us with the slightest provocation. I will not give you our secrets. I will not have my people destroyed."

  So, it was protecting her country and her father. He wondered which outweighs more in her heart. "You choose. Your father's life, or your people's."

  "You…you think you are so righteous! But you are no different from us who you condemn to be ruthless and wicked," she hissed the words out. "Blackmailer!"

  "I do not see that you have a choice, Princess. Your father's life hangs in the balance."

  Her eyes closed. "I hold my father's blood on your hands."

  Arun held his surprise. He had thought she would give into her human nature. That her selfish side would prevail. He stared at her, looking for any other signs of weakness. Her eyes were fiery even through her labored breathing. He searched, but there was no other weakness he could find. There was nothing to exploit and so he bought time staring at her. And for a brief moment, he saw it. A hint of fragility, and if he was not mistaken, a look of lust passed through her eyes. He could not be sure if it really was there, but if it was…

  Alethi continued to glare at him and he closed the distance, his mouth a hair's breadth from her ear. "You will," he whispered, "won't you." She responded with a shudder that racked her entire body and a sharp intake of breath let out through gritted teeth as a sharp hiss.

  Arun grinned. So it was not just sensory overload that was assaulting her. His own mating scent was affecting her. It was his year to mate and he knew his scent, amplified by the Ollan, affected her and brought out in her raw animal lust.