Prince's Master (Calluvia's Royalty 4)

And yet, nothing happened.

Idhron’s gaze turned positively icy. He said softly, “Lesson one: never make an attempt on someone’s life if you cannot actually accomplish it and not get caught.”

Eridan swallowed and looked down.

“Lesson two.” Idhron gripped Eridan’s chin hard and yanked his face up to meet his eyes. “Your actions were extremely foolish and short-sighted, given that you know that I am a stronger telepath than you. What were you hoping to accomplish with this pathetic attempt at attacking me?”

“You made me angry.”

“I did,” Idhron said, looking unfazed. “And it was a test. One that you failed.”

Eridan wet his dry lips. “What do you mean?”

Idhron held his gaze. “Getting rid of your emotions may not be a requirement, but it does not mean I will not expect you to learn how to control them. Your anger is a liability. I cannot teach you how to control this curious gift you possess, but I can teach you how to control your anger, so that your emotions do not control you. Unchecked emotions can be a great weakness, Eridan. My apprentice should be smarter than that. If you get angry with someone more powerful than you—socially, politically, or telepathically—the right reaction would be to feign subservience and wait until you become powerful enough to destroy them.”

Goosebumps ran down Eridan’s spine. There was something about the way Idhron said that…

A nervous laugh bubbled up from his chest. “So I should have just sucked up to you and plotted your death behind your back? Is that what you’re saying?”

Idhron inclined his head. “Essentially. You will learn that to survive in the High Hronthar’s social climate, you will have to do quite a bit of ‘sucking up,’ Eridan. It has always been that way.”

Eridan looked at him skeptically. He couldn’t imagine this haughty, cold man acting subservient.

As if reading his thoughts, Idhron said, “Yes, I did it, too. And I still do it, to a degree, with the Chapter and the Grandmaster.”

Eridan snorted, thinking back to the Chapter meeting he had seen. “If that was you being subservient, you didn’t fool anyone, Master.”

Idhron’s lips twitched. “At this point, I do not need them to buy it, Eridan. They are happy enough that I am still willing to keep up the appearance of them controlling me.”

“But why?”

“You will learn that using people’s fear is always a balancing act. You cannot make them too afraid or they will unite against you to bring you down. I might be a Class 7 telepath, but I am only one man. Even I will not be able to protect myself if twenty-two other members of the Chapter decide that I am too dangerous. Hence the balancing act.”

Eridan’s brows drew together. “You are being very candid,” he said suspiciously. “I’m certain you don’t trust me, so why are you being so open?”

He felt something like cold amusement coming off Idhron.

“I’m glad you are smart enough to realize that,” Idhron said, his fingers releasing Eridan’s chin and sliding along his jawline until they eventually settled just below his left ear, almost touching Eridan’s telepathic point.

Eridan shivered, his body tense as he watched Idhron warily.

“You understand that I cannot trust you without any additional assurances,” Idhron said. “Therefore, I will have to create a bond between us.”

“What?” Eridan whispered, his eyes widening. Although a telepathic bond between a Master and an apprentice was nothing unusual, it was unheard of to form a bond with an initiate the Master hadn’t yet claimed. If Idhron really cast him aside, no other Master would ever choose him. He truly would be considered used goods. Eridan had always thought that it was unfair that Masters only wanted apprentices with untouched telepathic cores, but it was what it was.

“You can’t do that,” Eridan said, his heart beating faster. “I’m not your apprentice yet.”

“Unless you want me to erase your memory of this conversation, you will allow me that,” Idhron said, watching him with a strange expression. “It is your choice, Eridan.”

Eridan glared at him, knowing that it wasn’t a choice at all. Although he was apprehensive about allowing this man inside his mind, the other option was even worse. He didn’t want his memories to be messed with, especially by a Class 7 telepath. A bond seemed like the lesser evil.

“All right,” he said reluctantly.

Idhron pressed his thumb against his telepathic point, and Eridan shivered again, something in him lurching, needing. “What is that?” he said, looking at the Master suspiciously.

“Our minds are very compatible,” Idhron said in distaste. “It is unfortunate, but there is nothing we can do about it.”

Eridan was confused. “Isn’t mental compatibility good for bonding?”

Idhron’s telepathic presence became rather sour. “Usually, yes. But a higher mental compatibility also means a higher emotional transference. I didn’t eradicate my emotions just to be subjected to yours.”