Savage Desire (Savage Lagonda 1) (37 page)

"The people are so friendly, one cannot help but respond to them."

"They will all be your willing slaves after today, little daughter, as I am."

Mara smiled at the idea of Hamez's being anyone's slave. They walked back to the palace, stopping ever so often to speak to some of the people along the way. Mara did not show the hurt she was feeling. Tajarez should be proud of me, she thought, I am learning not to make a public display of my feelings.

When they reached the palace, a great feast had been laid in the huge dining hall.

Mara was glad there were so many people present; Tajarez could not seek her out, and she did not wish to speak to him. Once she looked at him and found he was watching her. Mara deliberately turned her back on him.

When the feast was over, she was glad to seek the safety of her room.

It was Mara's wedding day, or rather her second wedding day. She remembered the other time, when she had been so excited at the thought of becoming Tajarez's bride. So much had happened to her since that morning. She was no longer the young girl with the dreams of love and fulfillment. She had known pain and sadness, and now disillusionment.

She had not seen Tajarez since the feast yesterday. He had not dined with them at the evening meal, and she had been glad, she was still too angry with him. She would marry him today, but she would make him pay for what she had had to submit to two days ago. Oh, how he would pay.

She did not see the look of apprehension in Sasha's eyes as she looked at Mara's reflection in the mirror. Mara had been so quiet, and there was no happiness in her heart. Sasha knew she was still upset about the examination.

Mara looked at her reflection. She was dressed in a gown made of shimmering gold. It draped over one shoulder and left the other one bare. It outlined her beautiful body, and on her feet were tiny golden sandals to match. Her hair hung free to below her waist and was encircled with the golden crown Hamez had placed on her head the day before.

"You are very beautiful, Mara," Sasha said softly.

Mara's eyes gleamed dangerously. "I hope Tajarez will think so, Sasha. I want him to see what he cannot have."

With that she swept out of the room, leaving a bewildered Sasha to follow.

She walked slowly, purposefully down the steps and through the anteroom while Palomas and Sasha followed. The wedding ceremony was being held on a raised dais on the palace steps, so the people could witness the marriage of their prince, as they had witnessed the ceremony the day before. Mara walked hesitantly now. Jeffery joined her on the steps, and led her to where Hamez and Tajarez stood. When the crowd saw Mara, there was a deafening uproar. She did indeed look like the Golden One.

Hamez was dressed in the regal finery he had worn on the day of her arrival. Tajarez wore a white wrap that fitted around his waist and stopped midway to his knees. It was made of a soft fabric and was edged in gold. He wore golden sandals that laced to his knees, and a wide necklace of thin gold circled his neck and hung halfway down his otherwise bare chest. The crown he wore was of gold and had the head of a cobra.

Mara refused to look at Tajarez; she was still too angry. Jeffery gave her hand to Hamez, who took it and held it over his head.

"I give you Mara, my daughter, who will become the bride of your prince, Tajarez."

The crowd gave its approval with its usual enthusiasm.

Hamez took Tajarez's hand, and a hush fell over the crowd. "Do you, my son, Tajarez, prince royal of the Lagonda and the Seven Cities, take the Princess Mara to be your bride?"

"I do, my father."

"Do you pledge your love and loyalty to her?"

"I do, my father." His voice was deep, his face was a mask, Mara noticed as she glanced at him through half-closed eyelashes.

"Do you pledge that any children that come from your union will be of the royal blood, and the firstborn son will be the prince royal?"

"I do so pledge, my father."

Hamez hesitated. "Mahina," he said, turning to the midwife, who stood beside Jeffery, "do you declare that the Princess Mara was found to be a maiden?"

Mara's mouth opened in protest. The whole world now knew of her humiliation. She looked at Tajarez. His eyes held no expression.

Mahina stepped forward. "I did examine the Princess Mara and found her to be a maiden still. This I do swear, my king."

"Mara," Hamez said, turning to her. "Do you accept my son, Tajarez, prince royal of the Lagonda tribe, as your husband?"

"I do, my father," she said without hesitation.

"Do you accept the role of princess royal, putting the good of your husband and the people of the Lagonda tribe before that of your own?"

"I do accept, my father."

"Will you love my son and keep to his bed until there is a son from your union?"

Mara looked at Tajarez, her eyes blazing. "I will, my father."

"Let it be known," Hamez said, facing the people, "that the prince and princess are sworn one to the other. Let neither seek the bed of another from this day forward, for to so do would mean death."

Hamez took Tajarez's hand and picked up a jewel-handled dagger. He cut a slash across his son's wrist and Mara watched as the blood ran down Tajarez's arm. Then she felt a stinging pain as Hamez cut her wrist. She did not flinch, knowing to do so would be a dishonor.

Hamez placed her wrist on top of Tajarez's and bound them together with a golden cord. Mara looked into Tajarez's eyes. She knew a medical man would tell her it was not possible, but she had the feeling that his blood was coursing through her body through the cut on her wrist. Tajarez looked deeply into her eyes and she could not look away.

"As the blood of Tajarez and Mara mingle, let their life together begin," Hamez declared. Hamez removed Mara's plain gold headband and replaced it with the crown of the cobra. Then he cut the golden cord that bound her and Tajarez together. He wrapped each of their wrists in soft white cloth, then he raised both of their hands over his head. "I give you, my people, Tajarez and Mara, husband and wife, prince and princess royal."

The crowd loved it. They shouted and chanted. Mara felt Tajarez's hand close over hers. She tried to pull away, but he held her hand firmly. They stood side by side while the crowd waved and shouted. Finally Tajarez led her up the steps.

"You are mine now, Mara. Nothing but death can separate you from me."

She frowned at him. "So it would seem. I am twice wed to you, and not yet a bride. Maybe I never will be," she said softly.

"Smile, Mara. Do you want your people to think you do not like belonging to me?"

They entered the palace, where a great feast had been laid out on the long table. Hamez took Mara's hand and whisked her away from Tajarez. "There-are people that you should meet," he told her. And indeed, Mara met so many people that her head was swimming, but she was grateful that there was not time to be alone with Tajarez. She was still seething inside and did not wish to talk to him.

She met Sasha's mother and father, and her two brothers. She was introduced to all the chiefs, and their families, from the seven cities. There were gifts that were presented to her and Tajarez—golden goblets, golden jewelry. Hamez removed the emerald necklace she had been given so long ago in her mother's rose garden, and replaced it with one that had many emeralds imbedded in a cobra-shaped pendant.

Finally everyone gathered around the table to dine. Mara paid little heed to the food because Tajarez was sitting beside her. "You look very beautiful, Mara. I love to see you in our soft robes."

She deliberately turned away from him and spoke to Hamez. "I have met so many people tonight, my father, it will be difficult for me to remember all of their names."

"That will come in time, Mara. You could not be expected to remember everyone tonight."

Hamez could see that Mara was still upset. Tajarez would not have an easy time of it tonight. He smiled to himself. She would be worth winning. His son would never know where he stood with the beautiful Mara. She was the perfect wife for his arrogant son.

Tajarez did not know how to deal with Mara's anger. He remembered Jeffery's words and knew he must not lose patience with her.

After the meal Hamez wanted Mara to explain the carvings on the wall to some of the people who had attended the banquet. Hamez looked very proud as she began explaining to the awestruck guests the story represented in the drawings.

Tajarez watched her lovely face. He wanted to tell her so many things. He wanted to be alone with her, to make love to her. He had waited a very long time for tonight, and now that it had arrived, he was both excited and apprehensive.

Mara felt the weight of the golden crown on her head and wished she could remove it. She laughed and talked to the many guests and pretended a lightheadedness she did not feel. Finally Sasha came up beside her.

"It is time for you to leave now, Mara," she said softly.

All of a sudden, Mara felt panic. She did not want to leave the safety of the celebration; she dreaded the encounter with Tajarez. Reluctantly, she followed Sasha across the room to the stairs and felt that every eye was on her as she made her exit. Jeffery was waiting at the foot of the stairs for her. He gave her a reassuring smile and kissed her.

"Everything will be fine, Mara. Just remember Tajarez loves you."

She gripped his hand, wanting to hold on to what was safe and familiar to her. "I will see you tomorrow at my wedding," he told her.

Mara gave him a weak smile and walked up the stairway. Palomas was nowhere in sight. It was the first time he had not been waiting for her, and she wished for his comforting presence.

Sasha led her not to her room, but to Tajarez's bedroom next door. The room was twice the size of the one she had occupied. The marble floor was covered with white fur rugs. The bed was long and wide and covered with a white coverlet. Embroidered in gold was the head of the cobra. There was a white couch against one wall. The huge doorway that led to the balcony stood open and a soft breeze stirred the air.

Mara felt frightened. Soon Tajarez would come for her. She felt trapped and wanted to flee, but there was nowhere to run. She clasped her hands tightly together. There was no reason to run. She would confront Tajarez. This time he had gone too far. She would not forgive him if he begged her pardon on bended knee.

THEY HAD A RULER. THEY WERE DRESSED IN
BLANKETS AND CATTLE SKINS. THEIR BLAN
KETS WERE PRINTED ALL AROUND. THEIR RULER WORE A LONG TUNIC, TIGHTLY TIED,
AND OVER IT OTHER BLANKETS. THE WOMEN
WORE VERY LONG CLOTHES .. . [OF] WHITE,
AND WENT ABOUT COMPLETELY CLAD. EVERY
DAY A LARGE NUMBER OF INDIANS STOOD AT THE DOOR OF THEIR LORD TO SERVE HIM. THEY
WORE MANY BLUE STONES WHICH WERE DUG
FROM SOME HARD ROCK. THESE PEOPLE HAD
ONLY ONE WIFE. WHEN THEIR CHIEFTAINS
DIED THEY BURIED ALL THEIR BELONGINGS
WITH THEM. ALSO WHEN THESE LORDS ATE,
MANY PEOPLE WATCHED THEM AT THE TABLE
TO HONOR THEM AND SEE THEM EAT. [THE
INDIAN] SAID THAT THEY ATE WITH NAPKINS,
AND THAT THEY HAD BATHS.

—
Hernando de Alercon

22

The door opened, and Tajarez stood on the threshold. His eyes scanned the room, looking for Mara. When he saw her standing on the balcony, he noted panic in the depths of her green eyes.

Tajarez removed his crown and laid it beside Mara's. He then removed his golden sandals. All the while his eyes never left her face.

She watched as he unfastened the golden neckpiece and dropped it beside his crown. His ebony hair hung loosely about his shoulders. His bronzed skin glistened in the soft candlelight.

"Do not come near me," Mara said. Fear laced her words.

"I will not harm you, Mara. I only want to love you. At last I have that right." As he reached her side, he raised his hand to her cheek and Mara shuddered at the gentle touch.

"I ... I am angry with you," she said.

"I know, and were I you, I would feel much the same."

"You would?"

"Yes. Our ways are new to you. My stupidity was in not recognizing that fact earlier. You are upset at the examination that was given you yesterday." His voice was soft and caressing. "Would it help if I told you it is a law that the bride of the prince royal must always have the examination?"

"You ordered it because you did not believe me when I told you Anias had not assaulted me," she accused.

He pushed a lock of golden hair from her face. "I learned long ago, my little bride, that you always speak the truth. I would believe anything you tell me."

His hands slid around her shoulders. "You are trembling, my beloved. Is it from fear, or from my nearness? Do you feel the same inside as I? When you are near me, I can neither think nor reason, all I can think of is holding you in my arms, loving you."

Mara felt his hands slide down her back as he pulled her closer to him. "I have wanted this for so long, Mara. You cannot guess what torture I have been through. Can you not feel the way my heart is beating because you are in my arms?"

She could feel his heart racing. It seemed to be keeping time with her own heart. She felt weak from some unknown longing.

His face was only inches from hers. His eyes looked deeply into hers. "Do not fear me, beloved. I will not rush you. I know what you are feeling. I will not do anything you do not want me to. If it is your wish, I shall do no more than hold you in my arms while you fall asleep. Would you like that?"

Mara nodded, not at all sure that was what she wanted. She tried to remember she was angry with him. She knew she no longer feared him. This was her husband, the man she loved, not the cold stranger he had been of late.

He picked her up in his arms and carried her to the bed. He pulled the coverlet aside and laid her gently down. She watched as he blew out the candles, and the room was bathed in soft light from the moon. She heard him unfasten the golden belt he wore about his waist.

"Mara, it is not my habit to sleep with anything on. Do you always sleep in so much clothing?"

She swallowed a lump in her throat. "No, I do not sleep in my robe," she said, sitting up and removing her robe. She felt him beside her. His hand brushed hers as he took her robe and tossed it onto one of the nearby cushions. Then he lay down beside her and pulled her into his arms.

"Mara, you have had a very emotional day. You must sleep, my beloved."

Mara did not want to sleep. She could feel his naked body pressed against her.

Tajarez smiled to himself as he heard her sigh. He was a master at pleasing women. He let his hand glide over her back caressingly. His lips touched her cheek, then moved slowly to her mouth. "A good-night kiss," he whispered against her lips.

Mara felt his lips cover hers as his tongue outlined the shape of her mouth. Her body moved toward his, seeking closer contact with him. She could feel her pulsebeat drumming in her head.

Tajarez felt her yielding to his kiss. His hands moved over her back to her waist. He drew her more tightly against him. Her soft curves seemed to melt to the shape of his body. Tajarez felt overwhelming desire. He fought the urge to take what she was almost ready to give him. He checked his emotions. No, he would wait until she wanted him as much as he wanted her. He turned her on her back, and his hands moved sensuously over her stomach and upward to cup her breast.

Mara gasped as her body reacted to his touch.

"You are so lovely, Mara. I love you. My heart has not been my own since the day I saw your golden hair. Give me your heart to replace the one you took from me, beloved."

She felt him push her nightgown off her shoulders, exposing her breasts. She felt his lips move over her breast and cried out as his mouth closed over the highest peak.

"I need you, Mara," he said as his lips returned to hers in a burning kiss that left her all but a trembling mass. "Do you wish to sleep now?" he whispered in her ear, his breath stirring her hair.

"No," she cried.

"Do you want me as much as I want you?"

"Yes, yes!"

She felt his hand glide slowly and deliberately up her leg and along her thigh. As he pushed her nightgown upward, Mara felt him lift it over her head, and she wondered momentarily how he had performed the act so smoothly. She lay naked in his arms, wondering what would come next.

Tajarez crushed her to his body, closing his eyes. He was on the brink of madness. Never had he wanted a woman as he wanted her. Looking into her beautiful green eyes, he spoke softly: "Mara, the act of love between a husband and wife is to produce children, but it can also bring much pleasure. I will give you pleasure. You will give me what I have sought all my life but have been unable to find."

Mara felt his body cover hers. "I love you, Tajarez. I have never loved before you." He recognized uncertainty in her voice. "I know nothing about how to please a man." Her hands moved over his firm body, feeling the muscles, the solidness of him.

"Beloved, beloved. You do not know the power you have to please me." His lips crushed hers, and Mara felt she would die from longing. "I love you," he cried out, overcome with loving her. "I have needed this for so long. I have been empty inside, aching for you." His voice shook with emotion.

Mara's body was on fire. Her lips moved over his smooth skin, seeking his lips.

Mara felt a pain knife through her as Tajarez entered her body. Her eyes widened in surprise.

Tajarez kept his passion under control as he slowly moved forward inside of her. "I am sorry for the pain, my beloved, but it is all but over."

Mara's arms moved of their own accord, pulling him more tightly against her. She writhed underneath him, feeling driven by an unknown promise of satisfaction.

Her virgin body stirred Tajarez's blood to the boiling point as she moved beneath him, trying to find relief for the ache inside of her. "Easy, beloved," he cautioned as he studied her beautiful face through half-closed eyelids. "You are built very small, and I am big, but your body has accepted all of me," he whispered.

His slow, rhythmic motions sent Mara's body soaring through the sky. She was no longer earthbound, but floating among the stars. Tajarez could no longer hold himself in check. He knew at that moment his body had found the perfect mate. She took him to heights he had never dreamed possible. Their bodies moved together in perfect harmony.

Mara could not know it, she had nothing to compare with, but Tajarez knew, he knew that few people, if any, ever find the perfect mate. But he had. A white-hot light flashed before his eyes as his body and hers shuddered in total satisfaction.

Mara and Tajarez lay quietly, each lost in the wonder of what had happened to them. Tajarez waited for his heartbeat to return to normal. He eased his body off Mara's, and pulled her into his arms. The soft glow of the moonlight fell on Mara's beautiful face.

Tajarez's hands moved over her silky body. At last he spoke. "You felt it, too, Mara." He turned his face to her. "You felt as I did?"

She looked at the handsome face of her husband. He had fulfilled her. He had made her a woman. He had given her pleasure beyond her wildest dream.

"Yes," she whispered. "Will it always be like this between us?"

"How can it be?" he told her. "How can we ever recapture the wonder, the beauty of our first coming together?"

"Oh, Tajarez, I never knew about these feelings. Do every husband and wife feel this way?"

"No, Mara, I want you to understand that what happened between you and me was unusual. Not many are ever allowed to reach such heights. I feel we are blessed. Now that I have had you, I know I would die if you were ever taken from me. I am a bit frightened, Mara. I wonder, did it really happen the way I remember it? Will it ever happen again? The next time we come together, will it be like the first? It has to be, Mara. I have to feel it again." His lips crushed hers, and she felt her body awaken once more. "I must know, Mara."

She cried as Tajarez entered her body for the second time. It had not been a dream. Her body told her it would always be like this between them. Mara saw Tajarez's eyes glaze with passion and knew he felt it, too. It was as if their bodies merged and became one. They might be separate bodies, but the heartbeat was as one. Mara felt as if her whole body exploded in a white molten flash, and she cried out as their bodies reached the highest point, then gently subsided. They lay in each other's arms while their heartbeats slowly returned to normal.

"Oh, beloved, my beloved, it was not a dream. It will always be this way," Tajarez said as he kissed her tears away.

"I wish we did not ever have to leave this room, Tajarez. I would love to spend the rest of my life here with you."

He smiled. "I think we will be spending a great deal of our time in this room. The people will say, 'Where are Tajarez and Mara? We have not seen them in months,' and my father will say, 'I have not seen them since last year myself, but I believe they are still alive, for they eat the food that is left for them.'"

Mara laughed. "You are teasing me, Tajarez."

"Maybe just a little." He picked her up in his arms, and carried her to the bath that had been prepared earlier. He gently washed her and dried her on a soft cloth.

Carrying her back to the bed, he laid her down once more and lay down beside her. They fell asleep in each other's arms. During the night, Mara felt Tajarez stir beside her. She felt his hands caress her body and immediately responded to his touch. Once again her heartbeat accelerated, and once more their bodies took them to the height of joy.

Mara fell asleep in his arms as he murmured words of love in her ear.

Mara awoke to the sound of the birds singing in the garden. Looking at Tajarez, she saw that he had been watching her. His hand was spread over her stomach. His eyes were soft as he smiled at her. "I began to think you would sleep the day away, beloved."

She turned on her side and slipped her arm around his neck, amazed
that
she did not feel shy lying naked beside him. Quite the contrary, she felt pride as his eyes roved over her body in a way that plainly told her he was pleased with what he saw.

"How long have you been awake?" she asked.

He pulled her tightly against him. "For a long time. I have been lying here watching you sleep."

"That is not fair. It is a bit like eavesdropping, is it not?"

"Perhaps, but I was admiring the scenery. You are beautiful, did you know that?"

"I am glad that you should think so."

"I searched for a blemish, a flaw, but could find none. You are perfect in every way." His voice deepened. He was amazed at the new emotions that had taken possession of him. He felt such a strong love and protectiveness toward her. She was so small, so helpless, and had an endearing kind of innocence about her. She was like a tiny flower that must be nourished and tended, and could be easily crushed if handled roughly.

Mara felt his strong arms tighten around her and gloried in the feel of his strength. His mood seemed to transfer itself to her. "I love you, Tajarez," she whispered. "When I think of my life before I met you, I know I was only half alive. If we had never found each other, I would never have known what love really was."

"We will teach each other about love, Mara, because before you, I did not know how to love. You have taught me love, and tenderness. There may be times when I will hurt you, but just remember when I do, that I love you more than my own life. I was lying here watching you sleep. I was thinking about your being the captive of the two men. I became frightened to think what would have happened to you if I had not come along when I did."