Temptation and obsession. The first always led to the other, whether it was to avoid or indulge. The temptation to kill was the worst of any he knew of, for there was no return from giving in to it.
Kai had reminded himself over and over that there would always be one to replace her and the one after that. There were endless human females which could satisfy him, yet he had become partial to this one. He did not understand why this was. She held nothing special. Yes, she was beautiful and alluring, but so were many others.
He was not one to favor someone over all others. In his homeland, he admired his slaves equally. Their qualities differed, but their worth was the same.
Something about Dira had drawn him the moment he arrived in this distasteful place. He pondered why this might be as she sat before him, silent and awaiting his will. While he loved her silence as a sign of her submission, there were times when he wished to speak to her. This was unlike him. perhaps it was only because he wished to learn more of the human world through one of its inhabitants.
Her intelligence was clear in her manner, therefore he did not doubt there were areas of knowledge which she could share. After all, that was his national purpose for leaving his homeland and duties.
Ah, but then he caught her scent and was distracted from his intentions.
He had been indulging in her for weeks and was accomplishing nothing except for the utter mastery of this one mortal. He decided that tonight would be different.
"Girl," he addressed her plainly, "Put your clothes on. I wish to speak to you without distractions."
Dira was surprised at his request. Up to this point, he had constantly told her to be silent.
And had he just called her a distraction? While it was far from a term of endearment, it was indeed the sweetest thing he'd said so far. She knew nothing of his kind, so it was impossible for her to tell whether he truly possessed no emotions or was just playing aloof. He rarely smiled and when he did, it was for a wicked purpose. Even then, the smile never reached his eyes.
She was in love with him and it terrified her. In truth, she knew that nothing good could come of it. She loved his intensity and the sureness of his words. She loved his eyes, the secrets they seemed to hold in their depths. She loved the things he did to her and how his every touch was intent on making her his own. Finally, she loved that he was hers. Yes, he had become her master, but was he not also enamored with her? After all, she was the one he came to night after night when he could easily have a million others.
All she wanted was a kiss, a whisper, something which told her that he indeed adored her. But he gave no indication of this, only whispers of a language she couldn't understand. For all she knew, they were words of hatred.
Impulsively, she leaned forward and kissed him, praying that he would not be angered by it. She knew she was defying him, but she needed to see whether he would return the kiss or push her away and reprimanded her as he so often did.
He remained still and did not make an attempt to stop her. She tried to push her tongue into his mouth. This, he would not allow. He kept his lips closed and his eyes locked to hers.
"I love you," she confessed against his still, closed mouth. His hands went to her shoulders and he held her away from him slightly.
"Of course you do, pet. Now do as I asked."
His indifference stung her and almost caused her eyes to tear. Not this time. She refused to give him the satisfaction of seeing her cry. So she obeyed and went into her bedroom to aquifer her clothes.
Kai would have been a fool not to notice the change which had overcome her during the past few days. There was something in her gaze that suggested more than submission. He could not recognize what it was and he had the overwhelming urge to demand that she explain it to him.
When she emerged from the room, he decided it would be their first topic of conversation.
"Come, girl. Sit down and answer my questions."
She sat on the couch across from him and waited for him to speak.
He attempted to choose his words carefully, but failed.
"What is wrong with you?"
