Earth Borne Read Free Page B

“Will you care for Lucian this evening?”
    “Of course. He shan’t even miss you, I promise. King Cheiron sent a messenger afore Lord Thereus’s arrival for us to wait until the morrow to introduce them. I most heartily agree.”
    She nodded her approval. With a heavy, determined heart, she left the safety of her chambers and went to join her almost-husband.

Chapter 3

    Thereus had never been so full of anticipation in all of his seventy-two years. Though Kalliste’s reception toward him was rightfully mixed, both he and his horse agreed. They wanted her. Desperately. He ran his finger along the collar of his shirt. He was wearing so many clothes, he’d probably sink if he tried to swim. After he’d performed the morphos into his human form tonight, his servants insisted he be made up like a frilly doll. Bloody hell. Give him a leather vest and breeches of the same and he was a content male. He flicked the ruffle of his collared shirt in disgust, then drummed his fingers impatiently. Fidgeting failed to calm him, so he strode to the fireplace.
    Any minute, he’d start pacing again. He was so anxious to see Kalliste, so curious about—a low growl escaped his throat as she glided into the room. Damn. He’d assumed his human form wouldn’t be so intimidating. Had even worn these clothes to appear civilized, hoping she’d be more receptive to him. His horse had to interfere, didn’t he? Though her eyes widened slightly at the feral rumble emanating from his throat, to her credit she neither ran nor blushed. Rather, her dark perusal penetrated him, making him squirm as though she peered through the layers of his clothing, deep down to his insides. Studying, as it were, his very soul.
    By the gods, she was worth the wait. Her dress was of a dark green silk, the low-cut bodice far too distracting. As her full, cream-colored breasts rose and fell with her breath, he fathomed the error of his judgment. Human form was definitely not less alarming. No hiding the force of his attraction to her, not that he would bother to try. His wife had been living amongst centaurs, including his brothers, for long enough. She must be aware. Lust was a powerful force, and virile was far too timid a word to describe a centaur male in his prime.
    Thereus was most definitely in his prime.
    He grinned before striding to Kalliste and helping her to sit. Ignoring protocol, he chose the seat to her right, as he wished to be close to her. One could not carry on a decent conversation across a twenty-foot table. He longed to study this mysterious creature beside him, and determine how to coax her into his bed.
    The servants brought them the first course, a carrot soup, before intuitively slipping from the room. Raising his glass, he waved it for them to make a toast. “To my return,” he purred, ensuring his voice dripped with seduction.
    “Yes, to your return.” Her tone was far too grim for his liking.
    “Does it displease you greatly, my Lady?” He leaned back and studied her. “No doubt you were happy to be rid of me.”
    “Yes, and no, my Lord. In truth, we are all relieved to find you healthy and alive.” Her lips pressed firm, her hands clasped tightly in her lap. As frigid as he recalled. “However, you must conceive we—the servants, villagers, and myself—have continued on without you. Your arrival has caused quite a disruption.” She nibbled her lip in a most tempting manner, a glimpse of her pink tongue taunting him. Focus on her words, and not her mouth.
    “I hope, on your part at least, such a disruption is for the better.” He flashed her a wicked grin and the color rose in her cheeks. Huh. Perhaps no longer so frigid. To emphasize his words, he placed his hand atop hers. It might as well have been a hot iron for how quickly she snatched away her hand.
    “My Lord,” her words came rushed, “you may find many things have changed in your absence.” Folding her hands in her lap, she regarded him. “While you’ve