Savage Desire (Savage Lagonda 1) (33 page)

To Mara, Tajarez still seemed cool and unapproachable. She could now understand better why he always seemed so aloof, so arrogant. He was a true prince and she was nothing more than a young girl. How could she ever hope to hold this beautiful man's heart?

He took both of her hands in his. "It would seem you have charmed my father, Sagas, and all of the Lagonda this day, Mara. Have you no greeting for me?" He looked at her through half-veiled eyes.

Mara swallowed a lump in her throat. "I am glad to see you, of course, Tajarez."

"Enough for now, my son. I must present her to the people who have been waiting very patiently all morning." Hamez took Mara's hand in his and raised it over her head. "Behold, my people," he called out in a loud voice, "the Golden One has come."

The crowd broke out in a cheer that seemed to rock the very steps Mara stood on. She and Jeffery looked at each other, astonished by the reaction of the crowd. When Hamez led her up the steps to the palace, the crowd was still shouting: "Hail, the Golden One has come!" and Mara again felt uneasy at the welcome she had received.

Inside the palace, Mara was in for more surprises. Hamez led her into a large room with ceilings that rose some twenty feet into the air. The floors were of polished marble. There were couches of soft white leather and tables that were polished mirror-bright, with gold edging. A raised dais was at the end of the room, with two golden chairs with a crimson-colored canopy above them.

Mara caught her breath as she saw the gold sheeting that covered the wall behind the thrones. It was covered with carvings of ancient Egypt, and there were hieroglyphics imprinted on the lower half. In her excitement, Mara forgot where she was. She hurried across the room to get a closer look at the carvings as the four men watched her.

Sagas smiled to himself as he hurried after her. She would be the beautiful key that would unlock the past for the Lagonda. He felt excitement throb through his aged body. "You can read the ancient writings?" he asked eagerly, standing beside her.

"It would take time to decipher them, but yes, I believe I could eventually master them. They are of ancient Egypt, are they not?"

"You know about Egypt?" he asked.

"Yes, quite a bit, although I am not as learned as my father was on the subject. He traveled to Egypt and did extensive studies on hieroglyphics. It was through him that I acquired my knowledge. I helped him compile his information. He was writing a book on the subject when he died."

Sagas's eyes widened. "Egypt is a place?"

"Yes. It is a country far away. Did you not know?"

"No, the knowledge has been lost for many thousands of years; but you will help me open up the past."

Mara was excited. "I would be honored to help you in any small way I can. I have brought books from my father's library. There are many drawings I could show you.

"When may I see them?"

"I do not know where my belongings have been taken. As soon as they are unpacked, I will be happy to show them to you."

Jeffery laughed at his sister's enthusiasm. He stood beside Hamez and Tajarez as they watched the conversation that was taking place across the room from them. "You will have to overlook my sister's behavior. She is always like this when she sees anything connected with Egypt."

"Do you know about the writings?" Hamez asked.

"I do not, but Mara does. She studied with my father. He was an expert on ancient Egypt."

Hamez and Tajarez looked at each other. Hamez started quoting softly:

"When the Golden One comes

There shall be peace and plenty,

The past shall be revealed

To the few and the many.

One man will die;

Another shall weep,

There will be love

Where the Golden One sleeps."

Jeffery frowned. He had often heard his sister referred to as the Golden One. He felt a prickle of dread pass over him. "What does all this mean, Tajarez?"

"I do not know, Jeffery, but your sister's coming was foretold long before she was even born. She has been expected for many years."

"I do not like the sound of this, Tajarez. Does my sister know about this?"

"I have not told her."

"Do you not think you should have?" Jeffery said, lapsing into English. "She thinks you wanted her to come because you loved her. She does not know there are other reasons you brought her here."

"I do love her, Jeffery. I loved her before I knew she was the Golden One spoken of in our prophecy. You must believe this."

"I do not know what to believe. My first instinct is to take my sister as far away from here as it is possible to go. All this prophecy idea scares the hell out of me."

"She will come to no harm. There is no reason to fear."

Hamez had joined Mara and Sagas, but Jeffery's angry voice carried across the room to where he stood. The brother of the Golden One was clearly upset. Sagas and Mara were too deep in conversation and did not notice.

"You say you love my sister, and maybe you do, but it has not escaped my notice that she has been unhappy lately, and I know about the woman, Tanka, and yourself."

"Has she told you this?"

"Of course not. Mara is a very private person and keeps many of her thoughts to herself. You may not like to admit it, but you were married to her in our home. The marriage can be dissolved, however. It may take time, but it is possible."

"Jeffery, I consider you my friend. Why do you speak to me in this manner?"

"I like you, Tajarez, but my sister's happiness comes first with me. What are your plans for her?"

"I want her to become my bride. You know this."

"I insist you tell her all this nonsense about a prophecy. Tell her tonight, or I will tell her myself. I have to tell you, she is not going to be pleased. She will think you tricked her into coming here."

"I will tell her, Jeffery, and if she loves me, she will stay with me."

"What if she wants to return home, will you allow it?"

Tajarez stared across the room at Mara who was laughing with his father. "I cannot let her go, Jeffery."

"Do you mean because of the prophecy?"

"No, I cannot let her go because I cannot live without her. I want to be with her. I want the right to take her to my bed, to hold her. . . ." Tajarez stopped, realizing he had spoken his thoughts out loud. "Forgive me, Jeffery, I did not mean to speak so. It is just that I do not know how much longer I can go on this way, seeing Mara and not having the right to touch her."

"I am glad you told me, Tajarez. That is what I wanted to hear. You will tell her tonight?"

"Yes, I will tell her, Jeffery."

[THE INDIAN] SAID THE PEOPLE OF THAT CITY
SLEEP IN BEDS HIGH ABOVE THE FLOOR, WITH
BED CLOTHING (ROPAS) AND WITH CANOPIES (OR, "AWNINGS") OVER THE BEDS. HE TOLD ME
THAT HE WOULD GO WITH ME
...
IF I WISHED
TO TAKE HIM ALONG. I WAS GIVEN THE SAME
ACCOUNT IN THIS TOWN BY MANY OTHER
PERSONS BUT NOT IN SUCH DETAIL.

—
Friar Marcos

19

The table was laden with golden dishes and goblets; the food was delicious and well prepared. Mara was pleased to see meat and vegetables much the same as were prepared in her own home. She sat beside Hamez and was enjoying his sharp wit. Tajarez sat at the other end of the long table, silent and brooding.

"Look at my son, Mara. If I did not know better I would think he was jealous of his own father. Shall I tell you something? I have long hoped my son would take a wife. I want children to fill this musty old palace, but my son did not find any of the maidens he knew to his liking. Oh, he is a man, with a man's appetites, but he did not like anyone enough to make her his bride."

"Your son is very complicated. I cannot always understand why he does the things he does."

Hamez leaned closer to her. "Observe the way he watches us. At this moment he would like to tell me, his father, to leave you alone."

Mara laughed. "He would never do that."

"No, but he would like to all the same. Tell me, Mara, how long do you intend to make my son squirm before you tell him you will become his bride?"

"I have already married him once, did he not tell you?”

"Ah, yes, but you see that ceremony was for you; it is not valid in the Seven Cities."

"So I have often been told. Now that I have seen this city and the way your people feel about the royal family, I begin to understand why they would want to witness Tajarez's marriage."

"It is more than that, Mara. My son is the prince royal. He cannot marry a commoner. So therefore, before you can marry my son, I will have to perform a ceremony that will make you my daughter. It has always been so."

Mara looked startled. "Tajarez did not tell me this."

"It would seem there are many things my son did not tell you."

Mara looked at Tajarez's father. He seemed a kind and understanding man, and she felt that now was her chance to tell him of her wish to return home. "Hamez, I have come to realize that it was a mistake for me to leave my home. I do not feel that I can remain here. Will you allow me to return to my home?"

He looked at her grimly. "You are not a prisoner. You came here of your own free will; you will be allowed to leave in the same way." He frowned. "Consider well, Mara, before you leave this city. Be very sure that you and my son cannot work out your differences. I know my son loves you a great deal and does not want to lose you."

"You plead your son's case very well, Hamez. Would that he spoke so well."

Hamez laughed delightedly. "Let this remain a secret between the two of us, Mara. My son has been spoiled all of his life. There has never been anything he wanted that he could not acquire. It will do him no harm to think he cannot have you. But he will have you in the end, Mara. Never doubt it."

Mara raised her eyebrow and Hamez drew in his breath at the look in her green eyes. "You may know your son, Hamez, but you do not know me. For even though I love your son, there is much that is wrong between us, and the differences that separate us may not be reparable."

"Mara, Tajarez has not told me what is wrong between you, but I know it is nothing that cannot be worked out if you really love each other."

"I am not as sure as you are that Tajarez loves me, Hamez."

Hamez caught the hurt in Mara's voice and wondered just what had gone wrong between the two of them. He reached for her hand and squeezed it. "He loves you, Mara. See how his eyes spit fire. He is jealous of even his father where you are concerned."

Mara looked at Tajarez, and his eyes stared back at her coldly.

Hamez leaned over and said softly so only Mara could hear his words: "Decide quickly, Mara. My son is like the young stallion who is pinned away from the beautiful mare."

Mara blushed at his bold words and lowered her head, while Tajarez scowled at his father from the other end of the table.

Mara was relieved when Sasha came up beside her.

"Show Mara to her room, Sasha. She has had a tiring day and needs to rest," Hamez said.

Mara excused herself and followed Sasha up the wide stairs. She was unaware that Tajarez watched her. When she disappeared from view, he stood up and walked over to the window and looked down at the city below. He was so deep in thought that he was startled by his father's voice beside him.

"You did not seem to enjoy your meal, my son. Was the food not prepared to your satisfaction?"

Tajarez whirled on him. "You know what is wrong with me."

"Ah, let me guess. You are angry because I monopolized all of Mara's time."

The two men stood eye-to-eye. The younger man's eyes were dark and angry, while his father's eyes held a hint of mischief.

"What did you find to talk about, my father? You hardly paid the slightest attention to anyone else at the table."

"As it happens, we were discussing you most of the time."

"What did she say?"

Hamez smiled to himself. "She asked if I would allow her to return to her home."

Tajarez's face was stormy. "I will never allow her to leave; she belongs to me."

Hamez raised his eyebrow. "I was not aware you were king in my stead and could countermand my orders."

Tajarez was quiet for a moment. When he spoke, Hamez was aware he was having a hard time controlling his temper. "You told Mara you would allow her to return home?" he said through gritted teeth.

"I told her if she wished it, she could return home, yes.

"You would like it if she left, would you not? You do not like it because I choose to wed someone with white skin," Tajarez said angrily.

Hamez put his hand on his son's shoulder. "You are mistaken, my son. Now that I have met Mara, I find her delightful, and she has all the qualities I would wish for the woman who is to be the princess royal. Her beauty is indescribable; she is intelligent and witty. You are a fool if you allow her to return home. It is up to you to convince her to stay; but make no mistake, if she wishes to leave, I will let her go."

Tajarez smiled. "So even my father is not immune to her charms. I will convince her that her happiness lies with me, you will see."

Hamez laughed. "Perhaps, my son, perhaps."

Mara looked about the large bedroom. The floor was of white polished marble. There was a low bed with a blue coverlet that was edged in gold thread. On the center of the coverlet was a cobra embroidered in the same golden thread. The room was spacious, with long blue couches along the walls.

Mara opened the heavy door that was inlaid with silver and jade and walked out on a balcony. Peering over the rail, she looked down at the garden below. There were flowers and trees of many varieties. She saw a pond that was made of white marble, and many benches of the same stone. How was it possible, she wondered, that a civilization such as the Lagonda could exist and no one be aware of it?

Mara had once visited Versailles palace, just outside Paris. She knew that Tajarez's home would rival the French palace in luxury and splendor. How could she ever feel this was her home? Hamez had told her that Tajarez loved her, but he was not aware of all the trouble there had been between them. No, Tajarez did not want her, and she was almost sure that she did not want him anymore, either. Let him find a woman of his own race who would be what he required in a wife; she would return home.

Mara felt an ache deep inside of her. She knew no matter what happened in the future she would always love Tajarez.

"Is there anything you wish for me to do for you, Mara?
1
' Sasha said, coming up beside her.

"Yes, you can talk to me for a moment, Sasha. There is something I wish to ask you."

"I will tell you anything I can, Mara."

Mara turned and looked at Sasha and took her hand in hers. "Sasha, do you love my brother?"

The question caught Sasha off guard for the moment, but she quickly recovered. Her eyes seemed to beseech Mara to understand. "I tried not to love Jeffery, but I could not help myself. Are you displeased with me?"

Mara smiled kindly at her. "Of course I am not displeased with you. I know he loves you a great deal."

Sasha's eyes took on a dreamlike quality. "I cannot believe he loves me. He is so wonderful."

"I think my brother believes himself to be the lucky one, Sasha. Will you be allowed to marry him?"

Sasha lowered her head so Mara would not see the misery in her eyes. "I do not know. It is for the king, my uncle, to say, and he may disapprove."

"Sasha, I know that you and Jeffery are right for each other. Let us hope that Hamez will come to realize it also. If we are clever it may be that we can help convince him. I already know that Hamez likes a good battle, and we shall just have to provide him with one."

"Mara, I could tell at lunch that my uncle liked you a great deal."

"I like him, too, Sasha. He was not nearly as formidable as I feared he would be."

"Oh, he can be, Mara. You have not seen him when he has been challenged. Grown men fear him when he is at his worst."

"We must bide our time, Sasha. I believe with just the right prodding, Hamez will come around."

Mara's eyes wandered to the huge balcony next to the one she was standing on. "Sasha, whose balcony is that?" she asked.

"It belongs to the prince. Preparations are already being made to accommodate you after the wedding ceremony."

Mara's eyes narrowed as she turned away from Sasha. "We shall just see about that," she said, so low Sasha could not hear her.

After Sasha had gone, Mara opened the crate that contained her father's drawings and journals. Sitting down in the middle of the bed, she spread the papers out around her and tried to concentrate on separating them, but her mind kept wandering. She wondered why Tajarez had not asked to see her. She knew the summons would come, but the waiting was beginning to tell on her nerves.

She was startled when there was a rap on the bedroom door. She opened it to reveal Palomas standing just outside.

"The prince would like you to attend him at your convenience," Palomas told her.

Mara squared her shoulders and walked out into the hallway. "It is convenient for me now," she told him, glad at last to get the meeting with Tajarez over with.

Palomas led her down the stairs and through the huge anteroom, which was now empty except for some women who were cleaning. Palomas showed her into a small room that was next to the great anteroom. The floors were covered with the white ermine skin, and the couches were of fawn-colored leather.

Tajarez stood up as they entered. He did not speak, but allowed Mara to approach him while Palomas stationed himself before the door.

"Please be seated, Mara," he said formally. He waited for her to sit down, and then he sat down beside her.

Mara felt self-conscious and folded her hands in her lap. "You wanted to see me, Tajarez?"

"Did you not expect it, Mara?" he said as his lips curled into a cruel smile. "Tell me, Mara, do you like my home? Would you be happy living here?"

"Your home is very impressive, Tajarez, but I shall not be living here."

His face was unreadable. "Why do you say this, Mara?"

"I still do not believe you and I are suited to one another."

Tajarez reached across the space that divided them and pulled her roughly toward him. "I will show you that we are suited to one another, Mara." His face loomed above hers, and his dark eyes looked deeply into hers. Mara could feel his warm breath on her lips. She was unable to move, held captive more by the look in his eyes than by the grip he had on her.

"Palomas will see," she whispered, hoping to find a way to be free of him. She felt her pulse race as his hands slid over her back, sending tiny shivers of pleasure down her spine.

"Let him see. What do I care?" His lips brushed hers, and Mara gasped, catching her breath as his lips finally settled on hers in a searching kiss that all but destroyed her resistance. She clung to his arms as his lips traveled over her face and then down her neck to where the tiny pulse was beating wildly.

"Tell me that we are not well suited, Mara. Tell me that you do not want me as much as I want you." He took her hand and held it against his broad chest. "Feel the way my heart is beating, Mara."

She felt the erratic beating of his heart beneath her fingertips. Without her consent, her hand slid over his chest, feeling the tautness and the muscles underneath.

Tajarez drew in his breath. "Do you want me to carry you away, Mara? I will if you do not tell me you will be my bride." He laid his face against hers and nuzzled her ear. "You want me, Mara, I know this. I will never allow you to leave me."