Page 54 of I Married A Syllen

Seeing the tension bleeding out of his shoulders made me realize he feared that was something I might want to do. Not a chance in hell…

“No, that wouldn’t work. We know when we have someone under our thrall. We feel it. It’s like an invisible tether connecting us,” he explained.

“Could you enthrall me?” I asked.

“I could, but I won’t.”

“Why not?” I insisted. “Is it frowned upon among your people?”

“No. But until you are more comfortable with our ways, I will avoid anything that could give you the impression that something was done to you against your will.”

“I trust that you will never take advantage of me,” I said with conviction.

He smiled with a strange expression.

“You’re correct. I won’t… but I want to.”

My jaw dropped.

“What?” I blurted out.

He grabbed a few strands of my hair and let them glide through his fingers.

“I want to touch you,” he said almost wistfully. “I’m curious about your body, about what hides beneath all those coverings humans wear. I’m fascinated by the texture of your hair and the softness of your skin. But I also want you to touch me. I love the warmth of your hands on me.”

My brain ceased to function as too many thoughts rampaged through my head for me to focus on a single one. Taelen tilted his head to the side and studied my face with great intensity.

“You’re making that uneasy face again,” he said softly. “Did my statements offend or distress you?”

“No… yes?” I said, although neither was the right answer.

The look he gave me would have been hilarious if not for the fact even I found myself stupid. At this rate, he had to question my IQ. Why the hell was I acting so brain dead whenever we had discussions about intimacy? I wasn’t a prude.

Could have fooled me…

“Which is it?” he asked. “Please help me understand the way you think. It is never my intention to distress you.”

“Honestly, you didn’t distress or offend me. A better term would have been that you took me aback. I had not expected that,” I said, scrunching my face. “Please know that I don’t usually act in an irrational fashion. It’s just that I’m not used to people being so blunt and forward with their thoughts. In my world, you always tiptoe around and try to behave the way you think others want you to. And it’s kind of become second nature for me. So having you being so candid about things is both refreshing and destabilizing.”

“I could never play those kinds of games. How does that serve anyone?” he asked, baffled.

“It doesn’t. So please bear with me. If you see me freezing or gaping like a fish out of water, don’t assume that I’m offended or distressed. I’m probably just stunned, which doesn’t necessarily mean it’s negative.”

“Are you saying that my statements stunned you in a positive way?” he asked carefully.

Cue my cheeks heating. That blasted pale complexion of mine sure loved ratting me out around the clock.

“Yes,” I said with a nervous smile. “I’m flattered that you’re curious about me. God knows I’m insanely curious about you. I also love the texture of your skin, of your leinis, and of your skirt. My fingers constantly twitch with the urge to just reach out and touch you.”

“So why don’t you?” Taelen asked, this time with a hint of annoyance. “Have I not told you that I’m yours, and that you are free to touch me whenever you please?”

“Yes, you have,” I conceded, but this time without shrinking. “But things aren’t so binary for us. You see, for centuries, women didn’t really have a say. Being married meant that your husband had every right over your body, whether you were willing or not.”

Taelen recoiled.

“Human males would force themselves on their mates?!” he exclaimed.

“Obviously, not all. But the law gave them that right. And as a result, many women would just submit because it was deemed their duty,” I explained.