Page 78 of The Serpent Prince

He still sat casually on the sofa with his arm resting on the back. His eyes were wide as he stared, almost transfixed, at the archmage.

Imani expected Kiran to step in and stop her, but when he didn’t, she went over and hovered over the archmage’s face. “You will never touch me again …”

Imani started trembling, overwhelmed by the sheer power she wielded.

Kiran slowly turned away from the archmage to stare up at her. He stood and placed his hand to her chest, pressing down and moving it slightly. Cool, calming feelings spread throughout her body.

Wilting slightly, she felt her breathing even out. Her eyes slid shut, her heart slowing. “Thank you,” she whispered.

He looked at her strangely for a moment. Then, keeping his hand against her, she felt his forehead against hers. “No one touches you if you don’t want them to.”

Something raged inside him. She could feel it—she didn’t know how she knew, but she did. “You want to kill him,” she stated flatly.

“Of course I do … but we need him, remember?” He lifted his head from her and stroked his hand over her hair. “Besides, I’d let you do the honors. I’m nothing if not a gentleman.”

She choked out a laugh and rolled her eyes.

He stood up and pointed his wand at the archmage. “If I ever see you look at my heartmate like that again, talk to her like that again, or fucking touch her—I will let her kill you.” He kneeled down and grabbed him by the throat. “Believe me … I’m the only thing standing between you and a vicious murder at my mate’s magic. She is small and lovely, but truly, she’s a nasty piece of work. One of the many things I love so much about her.”

The archmage whimpered.

“Pieces of shit like you are why I cast those spells around my perfect heartmate. If you had a heartmate, you’d know that the instincts are intense. They roar at me to keep my mate close, make sure she is safe. Most male elves are only aggressive, territorial, and protective when their female is hungry. But me? I have shifter blood.” He bared his teeth. “And it means I’m constantly territorial and protective of my heartmate”—he pointed back at Imani—“because fucking look at her.”

The archmage didn’t move.

“Imani, order him to look at you,” Kiran demanded, his eyes never leaving the archmage’s face.

“Look at me,” she murmured.

With a snap, the man’s eyes met hers.

Kiran’s lip curled, almost like he wanted to smile, then he took out his wand and continued his speech.

“Just now, you made the unfortunate mistake of trying to touch what’s most precious to me. The person I love the most in this world. I understand your compulsion—she is utterly perfect and mesmerizing. Don’t feel too bad,” he confided then grabbed the witch’s face between his hands, smashing his cheeks together. “Everyone looks at her that way. But she is not yours to touch, no matter how tempting it is—she’s mine.” He shook the witch slightly and leaned closer to his ear. “We won’t kill you, even though I want to, desperately.”

Kiran shoved the archmage back against the chair and let his full grin finally show. A serpentine smile of pure power. He flipped his wand in his hands. “Now, I’m going to let her finish her work, and she’s going to manipulate you into letting us into your city.”

Kiran was going to do what?

The prince turned to her and laughed—laughed. With a bow of his head, he stepped aside. “Tell him what he’s going to do, my darling.”

Tilting her head to the side, Imani just stared at Kiran. It was then that she realized the truth—she had all the power here. The room wasn’t spelled against Norn magic.

Fighting a devilish grin of her own, she swept forward until she was directly in front of the archmage. Imani could feel her feeding draw magic vibrating around him.

She stared directly into his eyes. Her voice was lilting and soothing. “You won’t remember a word of this conversation since I caught you in my draw. But when I set you free, you will not attempt to touch me, you’ll remember that you’re not meant to touch me, and you will examine our brands and feel our magic then deem us an authentic heartmated pair, trustworthy enough to enter your city.” She paused. “Nod if you understand.” Again, her voice was a sweet song even to her ears.

Was this Kiran’s plan all along? To use my magic to give them access to the city instead of all this silly heartmate business?

She had to wonder.

A lifting of his chin was all the archmage could manage, but Imani would take it.

She straightened up and turned to the prince. His eyes were the hungriest she’d ever seen.

“Come to me, my darling,” he said, beckoning her to him.

Imani took measured steps until she stood at his side.