Dragon Lords 4-Warrior Prince (10 page)

Zoran’s head angled down, persuading her to fall against the waterspout buried in the tile. Water rushed over her back onto his fingers. His lips were wet as they glided over hers. He opened his mouth wider, trying to consume part of her as he deepened his intent. He dipped his tongue forward, drawing a taste. He moaned into her, letting her hear his desire for her.

Pia trembled. She tried to touch him but held back, too afraid. When he pulled his lips away, she wanted to follow them and urge him on.

Zoran swallowed. She hadn’t really kissed him back, only allowed him to take his taste of her. Her wide eyes stared at him through the thick set of her lashes and he felt her quivering beneath his fingers. He had to remind himself that she was innocent, pure. It wasn’t hard looking down into her hesitant eyes.

Zoran’s body lurched with rough ideas, with bold and fiery longing. However, he couldn’t just back her up into the shower wall and have his way. He had to be gentle. It took a lot of effort to hold back. Warriors weren’t exactly known for their gentleness and he was one of the best.

"How did this happen?" Zoran asked softly, keeping his forehead drawn close. The water beat its hard, steady rhythm around them.

Pia stiffened, remembering herself at the question. Closing her eyes, she felt shame. She knew what she looked like, even before the fire scarred her body. Before the accident, she’d been a gangly teenager. Now, she was a gangly, ugly woman. How could he even look at her like that? How could he kiss her with such sweetness?

Even though she still stood before him, Zoran could tell she’d pulled away from him mentally. Little droplets of water sprinkled her down turned lashes. Her breath deepened and she edged away. When she opened her eyes, she was no longer looking at him.

"It was a gift," Pia said, her voice coming out a quiet whisper. She turned and his hand was forced from her waist. She quietly stepped out of the shower, shutting the door behind her.

Zoran sighed, watching her trail out of the bathroom in her wet clothes. She didn’t look back. The water hit his body as he leaned his forehead against the side. He could still feel her softness under his hands and against his lips. Letting her walk out was the hardest thing he’d ever done.

At moments, when she looked at him, he thought she wanted him. Then, an instant later, it was as if she felt nothing at all. He couldn’t figure her out. All he knew was she was driving him mad every waking moment and tormenting him every sleeping one.

"Cold," he mumbled to the shower. The shower instantly sprayed cold water onto his heated body. It didn’t help. "Freezing."

* * * *

Pia looked at her naked body in the bedroom mirror. Her skin was damp from the shower. Her short hair clung to her face and she pushed it back. She tried her best to be objective, but she didn’t see anything worth looking at.

Touching the long scar on her side, her finger traced over the wet path Zoran had made around it. She couldn’t see why he picked her in marriage. Sure, her skin was improved thanks to the doctors. But now she was back to being the unattractive girl all the boys on her father’s military base had made fun of. Her face was narrower, but her eyes were the same wide hazel. Her body had filled out, but she was still too muscled and too skinny.

Pia shrugged, having long ago learned to live with her imperfections. Not wanting to get caught naked by Zoran, she hurried to the closet and grabbed some sweat pants and a T-shirt. Eyeing her bra, which she was still trying to get used to, she threaded it on under her shirt.

Zoran came into the bedroom, a towel around his naked waist, to the sight of Pia struggling underneath her shirt. A smile lit his face at the scene. She was too adorable.

"Do you need rescuing?" Zoran asked with a good-natured grin. He held the towel to his waist. He still ached with fire for her, but the freezing water had finally cooled him enough so he could think straight.

Pia jumped slightly at his voice, but didn’t turn to look at him. Grumpily, she said, "I’ll ... ah ... never understand ... ugh ... the need ... oh ... for these stupid contraptions ... ah, got it."

With a heavy sigh, she turned to him and rolled her eyes as she weaved her arm though her sleeves. Seeing he was standing in the towel, she hurriedly forced her eyes away. "Sorry, I didn’t think that you’d be out so quickly. I’ll get out of here."

"Actually," Zoran murmured in his low spine-tingling voice. As the cold had taken effect, his head cleared enough to remember how she relaxed a little when taking care of him. He’d dug at his shoulder while in the shower to get the gash to bleed. "If you wouldn’t mind, I’d appreciate it if you’d take a second look at my arm. It started bleeding again."

"Oh," Pia said, instantly coming forward to look at it.

"It doesn’t hurt, but I have to work tomorrow--"

"Again?"

"I work every day, Pia." Zoran would’ve sworn she looked dejected by the news. Could it be that she actually missed him during the day?

"Well, no, that’s fine," she said, realizing what she sounded like. "My father was the same way, so it’s perfectly fine. I mean I understand. It’s just..."

"What?" His voice again dipped and he watched her breath catch slightly in her throat.

"You’re too tall, come sit on the bed so I can see what I’m doing," Pia said, changing the subject with ease. Zoran nodded.

Lifting his hand, he gave her a bandage he’d brought with him. As he sat down, she took an edge of the bandage and tried to wipe the blood from his wound. She was firm but gentle in the task.

Studying the gash, she said, "You got hit with a knife blade, huh?"

Zoran’s brows furrowed. Wasn’t it obvious? Slowly, he said, "Yes."

"The blade depth isn’t bad, too shallow for a sword unless it was done on purpose with the tip." Pia bit the corner of her lip, trying to figure it out. "The angle is strange. Was the man taller than you?"

"No," said Zoran watching her eyes carefully. She was concentrating on the wound.

"I know," Pia smiled brightly, as if she just achieved victory. "The man fell, you reached to catch him and his blade nicked you."

Zoran’s eyes widened in surprise, as he asked, "How did you guess?"

Pia shrugged, growing slightly embarrassed. "It’s just this game we used to play. It’s not hard. You just have to be observant and logic your way backwards. Then you’ll see how it happened."

"Guessing at knife wounds was a game you used to play?" Zoran watched her face for changes. Her features became completely blank. "Where exactly did you grow up? In a prison complex?"

Pia froze. This conversation was getting too personal and she didn’t want to go there. Her eyes dipped down over him, realizing how intimate the situation had become. He was sitting before her on the bed with only a towel between his naked body and her. Gulping, she made quick work of wrapping up his arm.

"You shouldn’t have any problems with this," she said. "I know it might itch, but don’t scratch at it anymore. That’s why it was bleeding."

Zoran gave her an idle grin.

"There, you’ll be fine." Pia tied off the end and turned to leave.

"Wait." Zoran reached out to grab her hand. Pia blinked in surprise, turning around to study him. There was a lot he wanted to say to her. She could see it in his eyes, but he held back. "Is there anything you need? You seemed ... concerned that I was going to be working."

"Oh, no, it’s fine," she answered. His brow rose in disbelief. "Well, it’s just I’m not used to being trapped in a house all day and there isn’t a lot of food in the kitchen. I don’t wish to be a burden and, since I don’t plan on staying married to you, I’m more than willing to get a job to pay my own way until we can get this mess fixed...."

Pia let her voice die off. His face had darkened with her effortless denial of their marriage.

"Pia," Zoran said. His jaw was very tight and worked against his flesh as he tried not to yell at her. He took a deep breath, standing to tower over her. "I’ll only tell you this one more time. You are my wife and that’s the end of it. If you need something I’ll provide it for you. If you need food, I’ll buy it. If you desire new clothes, I’ll buy them. If you want to leave the house, I’ll take off early tomorrow and show you around so you don’t get lost. But, make no mistake. This is your new home. I’m your husband and there will be no divorce."

"That’s what you say," Pia said. There was a distinct finality to his words and she felt like she was a soldier being given a command. She wrinkled her nose in distaste. "I’m sorry, but I’ll convene the royal council. It’s nothing personal--"

"Nothing personal?" he bellowed in disbelief. "You talk of divorcing me and you say it’s nothing personal?"

"Zoran," she began, trying to keep her tone soft, though there was a definite edge to her words. "You are a very nice man and you will make someone very happy--"

"You have no grounds for divorce," he declared, cutting into her placating speech with a slash of his angry hand. "To even bring it up to the council will dishonor us both. I can provide for you. I can give you sons. What will be your reason?"

"I ... " Pia hesitated. How could she explain when she wasn’t sure herself? I’m scared of you and how you look at me. I think you’re too handsome and strong and I want a wimpy husband who doesn’t have such a striking voice, or a devilishly wicked grin. I want a man who can’t give me children because I’m scared of being touched or looked at.

"Well?"

"I," she tried again. Her eyes dotted with moisture.

"Out with it!" Zoran yelled, waving his hand through the air.

"You are just impossible!" Pia screamed at him instead. "You’re nothing but a big baby who has to have his way! You don’t want me, you’re just mad because I don’t want you! Well, get over yourself! I’m getting a divorce and there is nothing you can say or do to stop me!"

Pia stormed away.

"What about your contract?" he asked, as a last effort.

Pia stiffened, stopping in the doorway.

"I received a copy of it," he said. In fact, he’d requested it. The way she’d referred to it in the tent, he’d been most curious to know what the corporation had on her to make her follow him regardless of how she felt at the time. It’d been clear she wanted to leave the tent, but was too scared to.

Pia’s breath deepened with long pants of air. She couldn’t look at him.

"You’ll owe them a lot of money if you leave me."

"I can pay it back," she lied, her voice a trembling whisper.

"If you could have, you wouldn’t be here," he said.

"I can go on another trip," she said, feeling suddenly trapped. "I can find a different husband to settle my obligation to Galaxy Brides."

"Maybe you should read the fine print," Zoran said. "Since I chose you, you can’t leave unless the wedding isn’t finished. If you leave me and I complain, you will have to pay them back for breach of contract."

Pia spun to him in horror. Her eyes were round and her voice was an inaudible murmur, as she asked, "Why would you do that?"

"Because you are my wife." His jaw was stiff. It was a shallow victory, but he’d take it. Lowering his tone, his eyes were still hard, as he stated, "You belong with me."

"I have no choice, do I?" Pia asked, though she didn’t expect or receive an answer. "You’re serious."

"Very."

Pia gasped for breath. She looked completely stricken. Her lips trembled and her eyes became moist. The tears didn’t fall.

Zoran was sorry that it had come to this. He’d never wanted to force her hand, but if she kept speaking of divorcing him someone would eventually overhear it. It would dishonor him and his family. The divorce would never be granted. As a Prince, one of the votes was his and he would never allow it. But, the shame of going through the trial would undermine his authority with the men and embarrass everyone involved.

Pia slowly nodded at him. She felt numb. Sighing in resignation, she said, "You win, Zoran. You win. There will be no divorce."

As she turned to leave him, Zoran didn’t feel like he’d won anything. Her shoulders held back, proud. She didn’t cry or pout over her fate. She handled it with dignity.

"Pia," he called, not knowing what he could say to bridge the gap between them. He only hoped that time would mend it. She stopped, waiting. "Thanks for looking after my arm."

At that, he heard her give a short, humorless laugh. "What else is a wife for?"

Chapter Seven

Zoran left his home with the dawn. Pia was fast asleep on the couch, curled into a ball beneath the blanket. He felt terrible for forcing her hand, but was proud of how well she accepted her fate. She didn’t cry or whine. She honored herself well.

Standing, arms crossed, he shouted commands to the young soldiers. He couldn’t slack in his duties. But as hard as he’d pushed the men lately, he could call off early in the day and give them a break. He wanted to extend a peace offering to Pia, maybe get her out of the house for a little bit.

Seeing one of his brothers, Olek, striding toward the field, Zoran gave a wry chuckle of self-amusement. His brothers had been most lax in their training since getting married. Ualan had joined him for a little bit during the swamp battles, but other than that the Princes had been scarce.

Olek’s features were drawn into a tight scowl and he stormed as if he were being chased by demons. When Olek’s troubled eyes lifted from the surrounding village, he nodded solemnly at his commander brother. Zoran smiled a devilish smile in return and sternly nodded back. He knew just what his little brother needed.

Lifting his arm to the men, he motioned to Olek and yelled, "First wave, attack!"

Olek blinked in surprise, but a healthy grin came to his features as he swung his sword up from his waist. Zoran watched in brotherly mischief as the whole of his first battalion rushed forward and tackled the bravely fighting Olek to the ground.

* * * *

"Here."

Pia looked up from where she lounged on the low cushion next to the short table in surprise. She’d been flipping through a weapons manual she’d found, looking at the pictures, though she couldn’t understand the words. Her mind had drifted some time ago and she didn’t hear him come in.