The Shadow held her firmly, not not painfully.  She was his prize, and much too precious to damage needlessly.  That the bond had taken its own hold on him did not enter into his thoughts, as it was already becoming instinct as ingrained and natural as breathing itself.<br/><br/>He drew her closer, firmly pulling her closer despite her pushing him back.  From the hall came murmurs and other noises.  He could feel her need filling her, and it woke his own dark hunger all the more.  And with that came an increase in the musk that wafted from him and set many of those present to squirming and casting needful looks at each other.<br/><br/>"My mate," he said softly.  Then he looked up to call loudly.  "The elf Lauralana is my mate, so long as we shall live our souls shall be as one!"<br/><br/>A cheer went up from the restless assembly as some of the less disciplined of them started to pant and let their hands wander in reaction to the Shadow's powerful aura.