Reining Him In (Chinese Zodiac Romance Series Book 5) Page 2

  Áo could travel to any body of water, opening portals between them. He often frequented the oceans around the five islands of the Eight Immortals, like this one, Yuánjiāo Island. Although she could have opened a gateway here, forming new portals required copious amounts of power—energy she lacked. It was easier to manipulate existing gateways.

  The ancient turtle had been more than pleased to offer his aid to the Queen of the fox spirits when she’d requested a guide. A rumor had led her to this island, and from Naya’s scent, the female had been here. Daji was simply too late.

  The water in front of them swirled, a vortex spinning faster and faster, resembling an underwater tornado.

  A weight snagged her ankle, jerking her around. The male. Clamping her lips together, she stopped from gasping and inhaling water.

  Just as his grasp tightened on her ankle and he hauled himself forward, a sonic boom crested over them.

  She craned her neck toward the thunderous noise.

  The Kun Peng plunged beneath the surface, its form morphing from the enormous bird into the gigantic fish. Baring rows of needle-sharp teeth, the beast barreled toward them.

  Áo continued his leisurely paddle toward the vortex. She swung her gaze from the zooming fish to their achingly slow escape. Hurry, please.

  The male climbed onto Áo and wrapped his arms around her waist. Although she desired nothing more than to toss him off, that would be sentencing him to become the Kun Peng’s meal.

  The vortex widened at their approach, and before they passed through, she glanced over her shoulder. The beast’s jaws snapped as the portal closed behind them.

  Until next time.

  Price choked as the giant-ass turtle breached the surface. Salt water burned his throat and nostrils, but it was better than dealing with the monstrous fish-bird trying to make him its breakfast.

  He tossed his dripping wet hair and studied the fox spirit ahead. She patted the turtle’s neck and murmured to the creature. He cleared his throat. “Ah, thanks for the ride.”

  She whipped around. “You are most fortunate we chose not to abandon you for fish fodder.”

  He lowered his brows at her haughty tone. “Well, I did say thank you, but if you’d prefer me to express my gratitude another w—”

  “What I would like is for you to leave.”

  Whoa. Uptight. What twisted her panties? He tilted his head and squinted at her hips. What was she wearing? Her damp garments clung to her curvy form, making his clothes tighten uncomfortably.

  “What are you looking at?”

  “Your panties. Something’s got them in a knot. I’m wondering what.”

  She made a strangled noise in the back of her throat and hopped off the turtle onto the shore. He copied her, trudging through the shallow water. Thick jungle surrounded the pond they’d emerged from. Bubbles foamed on the surface while the turtle slowly dove under.

  He scratched his head and swiveled toward the fox spirit, who plucked at her thighs as though trying to make her skirts cling less.

  Wasn’t working. The filmy material plastered against her skin, conforming to those soft curves.

  “Where are we?”

  She lifted her head and scowled. “Why are you still here? I dismissed you.”

  “Uh, where should I go?” He swept an arm toward the vast expanse of jungle.

  “Fine,” she huffed. “You may accompany me to the palace. I’ll arrange for your transport out of the country.”

  Out of the country? He raised a brow. “Which country exactly?”

  “That is no concern of yours.” She dropped her skirts. Yeah, the task was futile. The scorching sun would dry her out soon enough anyway. “This way.” She led him along the embankment to an overgrown path cutting through the jungle. He wasn’t sure about the gloomy, darkened tree line, but the word “palace” resounded with another in his brain.

  Queen.

  “If you’re not looking for your Queen, who are you searching for?” He rushed to catch up with her quickened strides. Like she was eager to get away from him. Huh. The only women he chased after were the ones who wanted to get caught.

  Maybe she did too.

  Her lovely hips swaying in front of him were a rather pleasant view. He was still on duty, but there might be time for a quick interlude.

  She stopped and tugged aside a thick vine. He wrenched his stare off her fine ass and peeked past the foliage. Well, damn. She’d led him to a pile of rocks. “When you said ‘palace,’ I kind of assumed it was from this era.”

  The crumbling stone fortress had once been quite luxurious. Squinting, he made out where the tall towers gracing the exterior would have poised, the stone façade carrying a hint of weathered red and gold paint. The footprint was large too, extending beyond his view. Why had she led him here?

  Unless… He sauntered toward her and placed his hands on her hips, spinning her around. “Enough games. This will do.”

  She gasped, and he shuttered his eyes, bending to feather his lips across her lush mouth.

  A sting sliced across his cheek. Jolting, he released her and pressed his hand to his face. “What the—”

  “You will not place your filthy hands upon me.” Hissing, she smoothed her slightly trembling hands along the hips he’d grasped.

  Wasn’t the first time he’d been slapped, wouldn’t be the last. But were her hands quivering with anger, or a deeper emotion? “Well, why else did you lead me into the middle of nowhere?”

  “Ugh.” She stormed to a crumbling archway and pressed her palm against the flowering lotus carved into the stone.

  The etched lines glowed and a light humming filled his ears. The view through the arch grew fuzzy, until the ruins behind it vanished, morphing into a candlelit corridor.

  “Because this is the entrance to the palace.” She scoffed and stepped through the doorway.

  Holy crap. Price dropped his hand and gaped for a second, until the other side blurred. The portal was closing.

  Grimacing, he bolted straight for the arch, praying he wouldn’t crash into a wall. He tunneled through, swallowing a jolt of nausea, and skidded to a halt in the candlelit hallway.

  The fox spirit sighed at him, shaking her head, before strolling into the next room.

  He twisted around. The crumbling walls had been replaced with solid, glistening stone. Intricate carvings lined both walls of the corridor. Lit sconces emitted a perfumed, flickering luminescence.

  He rolled back his shoulders. Definitely the Queen’s palace. The Queen he was supposed to be locating and retrieving.

  Damn. He was pretty sure she wasn’t missing in her own palace. Why the hell had he followed Naya here? Chasing a sassy tail.

  Berating himself, he stepped into the adjoining room, where the fox spirit stood, along with several hooded figures. Three of them clucked around her, fussing like hens, but one stopped the second he strolled inside.

  “Who are you?” the feminine voice demanded.

  He tried not to peer inside the darkened hood. Way too creepy. “My name is Price Wentworth, and I’m here to save your Queen.” He extended a flourishing bow. The ladies loved that extra touch. Straightening, he shot a grin at the females.

  The one who’d spoken to him swiveled toward Naya. “Why do you require saving, my Queen?”

  My Queen?

  She’d played him. He blinked and raked a hand through his hair. The fox spirit faced him, but instead of intolerance or disdain in her eyes, raging hatred burned within those dark depths, shooting straight for him.

  ***

  Price Wentworth? Daji’s claws dug into her palms, warmth oozing between her fingers.

  No, no, no. She must not have heard him correctly. She hadn’t saved the life of this infamous scoundrel.

  This scourge to her people.

  This… Enough.

  He promised the naïve females of her race a new life, and then stole their souls.

  Under the guise of a thrilling romp in his bed.

/>   “You.” She spun and stormed toward him, one hand poised with claws out, ready to strike. Halting a few steps from him, she heaved in a shaky breath. How dangerous was this male? Perhaps more than they’d credited him. He’d managed to infiltrate her very palace, and she, she hadn’t even questioned him.

  “Whoa, now. Easy.” He raised both hands, placating. “I didn’t realize you were the Queen.” Accusation permeated his lowered tone. “I don’t mean you any harm.” He tapped his wrist, the one with the Lotus tattoo. Ah, yes. How foolish she’d been to trust that symbol. “I’ve been sent to save you, remember?”

  Save me? She scoffed. This male had no idea about the weight of his words. She was beyond saving.

  But her race wasn’t.

  She thrust out her hand, one finger pointing toward the exit. “Guards, seize him.” Straightening her shoulders, she forced her noble bearing to hedge out the fear. From the shadows, her sentinels stepped into view. Her royal guard wasn’t many, not anymore, but these fox spirits would defend her, and their race.

  If she’d had better resources, she would have cut this male down months ago. Yet, her Council had advised he wasn’t as great a threat as others.

  It would appear the weight of his threat had grown. Her guards surrounded the male, who kept his hands in the air.

  “There’s really no need for this.” He winced while her sentinels prodded him from her sight with spears, leading him to the dungeon.

  “We shall see about that,” she muttered after he’d passed from her view. An hour or two of torture might pry his schemes from his tongue. Had he planned to seduce her as well, in hopes of weakening her like he did the others? Was such the purpose of his attempted kiss in the ruins? By Nüwa, she was glad she’d not succumbed.

  Daji pressed a hand to her throat. “If anyone requires me, I’ll be in my chamber.” A flush of heat washed over her, weakening the little strength she had left. These excursions claimed more from her than she was able to replenish. She hurried past her advisors before any objected, or took note of how much paler she was certain her skin had grown, and closed herself inside her chambers.

  Sinking onto the edge of her bed, she slumped forward, her face lowering into her hands. It was too much, this burden she bore. For centuries, she’d ruled her people. Alone. Fighting a devastating war against extinction. All the while certain she would lose.

  And now, she couldn’t even find Naya. The girl was her last hope—her heir. But to what? What legacy had she to bequeath the poor female other than a dying race?

  No, men like Price Wentworth were not her people’s greatest threat, but only because he still had hold over her.

  She opened her eyes, a tremor seizing her hand. These past centuries, she’d fought him, and won. Yet the battle was never-ending and she grew tired. Weaker every year. Not even feeding made much difference anymore.

  She had to finalize her plans, to pursue drastic action in order to lock her legacy into place.

  Do everything within her power to ensure the survival of her race.

  And pray they wouldn’t die along with her.

  ***

  Price played nice. Or at least, he tried to, but every few steps one of the sentinels would get a smidge too eager and the prick of a spear would sting his ass. The Matchmaker owes me one for putting up with this crap.

  Damn his boss. Why had she sent him to rescue someone who clearly had no use—or desire—for his help? Was this some kind of cruel punishment for the failure of his last mission?

  Another sharp jab poked into his ass and he stumbled forward. “Yeah, yeah.” Grumbling, he marched into a dank, poorly lit stone chamber, not much more than a step up from the Kun Peng’s nest.

  If intimidation was their course of action, they’d soon run out of cards to gamble with. As a Lotus, he’d been trained to withstand any and all types of interrogation.

  As a Chosen? Nothing broke Horse.

  The twelve spirit animals of the Chinese Zodiac had been bonded to twelve human hosts, courtesy of the Almighty, Supreme Ruler of the Heavens, the Jade Emperor. Yeah, that badass. The human hosts were descendants of the Eight Immortals—Price’s being the same as the host of Ox, Zhang Guolao. Together, the Chosen were supposed to restore the balance of yin and yang—good and evil—to the world, whenever it skewed.

  Like it had in the past few years, after the release of a vicious plague god and his sidekick, the Red Death—a nasty pandemic that had decimated millions.

  Price’s last Lotus League mission had been a covert operation to smuggle vaccines into restricted areas. Unfortunately, the vials had gone missing under his watch and now he’d been downgraded to…what was turning out to be bodyguard duty.

  Horse had been a part of Price his entire life. Gifting him with supernatural abilities such as superhuman strength, godlike speed, and not to mention, his swoon-worthy good looks.

  None of which were doing him any good at the moment.

  “Over there.” One female shoved her spear so close the tip threatened to gut him.

  “Okay, okay. Geez.” He stalked to the far corner.

  “Hold out your arms.” The one who acted in charge swept her spear in front of him while the other two fastened manacles around his wrists.

  This was not the kinky playtime he’d had in mind.

  Instead of glorying about his capture, the three guards cast their dismissive glares over him and marched from the dungeon.

  Leaving him alone to ponder what plan to follow. He tugged on the chains. Nothing Horse couldn’t snap. But then where would he be? It was bad enough they considered him an enemy, but if he escaped, he’d prove their suspicions correct.

  Wasn’t his first time on the wrong end of an interrogation. He shuffled his feet and whistled a cheery tune to pass the time. A high note warbled past his lips and died as his nose caught a scent.

  A familiar, seductive fragrance.

  Price cocked his head and squinted toward the dungeon doors. They creaked and sure enough, the Queen slipped into the chamber.

  She floated forward, stiff as if she had a steel rod taped to her spine. Head on, he studied her features. Without a doubt, she was an exotic beauty. He did a quick mental calculation, adding up her age into the thousands… Except, her skin was smooth and supple, and her eyes glistened with a bright keenness.

  Nothing like the Queen he’d pictured in his mind. Every húli jīng he’d met had spoken of her as though she was an omnipotent mother-figure. They revered—and feared—her almost as much as they did their goddess, Nüwa. This place, her palace, was a sanctuary for the fox spirits. Daji’s subjects were free to live with her in the royal residence, whenever and for however long they wished.

  Cohabitation sounded like a nice gesture, but if he went by history’s report of Daji, she kept a close eye on everyone. Gossip abounded about the fox spirit Queen, most confirming she was a badass, cruel, and calculating female who slaughtered her enemies with ruthless abandon.

  One he’d gotten on the wrong side of. Great work, Price.

  The fact she was interrogating him instead of her sentinels didn’t bode well.

  Rumor had it Daji liked to get her hands dirty.

  His muscles tightened, his body on alert as she stepped forward. The notion of being tortured by this stunning female shouldn’t arouse him…

  But it did.

  Her eyes flashed, molten copper, and he almost lost himself in those swirling depths. Oh, man, he was about to get screwed and not in the way he preferred.

  “Since we weren’t properly introduced earlier, I never had the chance to say it’s a pleasure to meet you, Queen Daji.” He inclined his head, assuming his best air of charming respectfulness.

  Her nose twitched, but the tight, disapproving press of her lips didn’t lessen. “Who are you really?” She snatched his left wrist and poked her claw into his Lotus tat, huffing.

  The ink wasn’t something to be bought off the black market and the curling floral design couldn’t
be duplicated by any artist other than the one the Matchmaker employed.

  “Sorry to disappoint you, darling, but it’s real.” He winked. “Just like the rest of me.”

  She dropped his wrist and twisted to glare at him.

  He was a good head and shoulders taller than her, but her piercing glower made him feel like a petulant child. He swallowed thickly and gathered Horse’s strength. Not for the first time, his Chosen status just might save his ass.

  Her eyes widened and she staggered backward a couple of steps. “Horse.” The word was a hushed whisper parting her lips. Doubtless she’d run into his kind before. Hopefully, his predecessors had handled those situations better than he was this one.

  “My Queen, what are you doing in here?” a sharp tone cut from the open doorway.

  He dragged his focus off Daji and scowled at the hooded figure, and her three minions, marching forward to stab him with their spears again.

  The three sentinels closed in between him and the Queen, the tips of their weapons poised toward him.

  “That will be enough. My Queen, you may leave. We’ll handle this prisoner,” the commanding voice droned from within her darkened hood.

  Daji’s eyes narrowed, but she cast one quick glance at him, then nodded and glided from the chamber.

  The spear-happy sentinels stepped aside, revealing the freaky, cloaked woman behind her.

  “Price Wentworth.” She tsked, lowering her hood. Her sparkling eyes and youthful features did not coincide with what he’d envisioned. Huh. No hollowed out cheeks or disintegrating features. She resembled any other húli jīng.

  Except that judging from the glint in her features, she had his number. This one wouldn’t be swooning at his feet, no matter how hard he charmed her.

  “Now, Mr. Wentworth, you will disclose everything.”

  The prick of a spear stung the side of his neck and he swallowed carefully.

  Right.

  A tap rapped at the door. Daji straightened and rose, smoothing out her wrinkled gown. “Enter.”

  Chenda, her Council’s leader, treaded into the room. “My Queen, we have reached a resolution regarding the prisoner, Mr. Wentworth.”