Savage Desire (Savage Lagonda 1) (47 page)

Tajarez swallowed a lump in his throat as he looked at his small daughter. She was so perfect, so beautiful. He found himself wishing he could reach out and touch her. He remembered when he had been worried about the color of her skin. How foolish man was in his vanity. Love swelled in his heart for the tiny infant who was so helpless. He felt fatherly love so strong it shook his tall frame. The tepee was silent as the tiny girl turned her head, opened her green eyes, and looked right into her father's heart.

Mara cried inside at the love plainly written on Tajarez's face.

"I see you are pleased with your daughter," Anias said. "Do you not care that she is not a son?"

Tajarez's eyes went to Mara. "No, I do not mind. Nor would I have minded if her skin was white, Mara. Please believe this."

She closed her eyes against the tears she saw in his. Dear God, she prayed silently, let me feel all the pain that he is going through and release him from his anguish.

Tajarez saw heartbreak in Mara's face. He had been right. She was doing it for the child.

"I have a surprise for you, cousin," Anias said. "I think you will find it a pleasant one." He was enjoying himself enormously at Tajarez's expense. Reaching into the basket a second time he lifted up the infant boy. "Mara is an exceptional woman. It seems she has presented you with twins." He lifted the baby above his head and then laid him down beside a startled Tajarez. "It seems you have your son after all. I am told he preceded his sister's birth by only moments."

Tajarez strained against his bonds. He could hardly believe his eyes. He had a son as well as a daughter. Primitive fatherly instinct came to life within Tajarez, instinct to protect his offspring against danger. He knew it would be hard for him not to plead for their lives. He felt a sadness that he could not even touch them or take them in his arms.

Anias withdrew his knife and knelt down beside the infants. He placed the tip of his knife at the throat of the baby boy.

"What color is the blood of the prince royal, Tajarez? Will he bleed red like the rest of us mortals, do you think?"

Tajarez pulled with all of his might against his restraints, wanting to shield his son against danger. He felt enraged, knowing that he could not stop Anias if he were to slay his son before his very eyes.

"Anias, do not hurt my baby," Mara cried.

"Kill me if you will, Anias," Tajarez said, "but spare the babies. They are innocent. It is I you hate."

"But they are of your flesh," Anias hissed. "Your son is the prince royal."

"If you harm him you will have the hatred of the people. They will hunt you down no matter where you go. The rest of your life you will be looking over your shoulder, wondering when they will finally catch you. You know I speak the truth."

Anias could not mask the fear that leaped into his eyes. The importance of loyalty of the people had been instilled in him at an early age. It was a strong feeling that ran deep within his body. The fear of how the Lagonda people would react had a lot to do with his not slaying Tajarez. He knew if he killed one of the royal house he was condemned to a horrible death. But had he not already slain the king, his uncle?

Mara stood frozen into silence. Her heart was pounding with fear that Anias would harm her son. She watched as the hand that held the knife wavered. He moved the knife away from the baby's throat and pricked the delicate skin of his forearm. When Mara saw the blood of her son, she sprang into action. Throwing herself against Anias, she knocked the knife from his hand and picked up her son, cradling him in her arms while she wiped the blood from his tiny arm.

Tajarez watched helplessly as both babies started crying and waving their tiny arms in the air.

"I will do anything you ask, Anias," Mara cried, "only do not harm the babies, please."

Anias rose slowly to his feet. "You have made a grave mistake, Mara. I would not have harmed the child. I merely wanted to convince you that I could kill all three of them if you did not obey me."

Mara gathered her daughter into her arms and rose to her feet to face Anias defiantly. "I will no longer bargain with you for Tajarez's life or the lives of our children. I will do as Tajarez asked and die beside him."

"What about the babies, Mara?" Anias asked pointedly.

She stood before him proud and unafraid. "If they must, then they will also die at the hand of the man who murdered their grandfather."

Tajarez felt pride in Mara. Had any man ever had a wife to equal her? He knew how hard it was for her to condemn him and their children to death. She had sought to sacrifice herself for him, but when the time came, he knew that she would die bravely beside him. He could not bear to think of her beautiful green eyes closed in death, or the babies, who had just begun to live. He smiled bitterly. At least Anias would be cheated of his final victory.

"Put the babies down, Mara," Anias said, his voice deadly.

"No, I will not," she told him defiantly. She turned to face Tajarez. "Forgive me for the shame I caused you. I now know that life is not so precious if it is bought at the expense of one's honor. You have taught me this today." Her voice trembled. "Please say you forgive me."

"Be silent, you little fool," Anias rasped as he struck her hard across the face. Mara's head reeled from the heavy blow, and Tajarez bowed his head and expended all of his strength against the still unyielding bonds.

Mara placed the babies down beside Tajarez and faced Anias once more. "You are a coward. You would harm helpless babies and strike a woman, but I wonder how brave you would be if you had to face a real man such as my husband?"

"I will show you," Anias yelled as he doubled up his fist and struck Tajarez a stunning blow that sent him reeling backwards.

Tajarez quickly recovered, and laughed deeply. "It seems you lose, Anias. You see before you a family that stands united and ready to meet death. I wonder who you will hate when I am gone, Anias. Who will you then find to blame for your weaknesses?"

"As I told you before, Tajarez, you will not die. But you will be forced to watch while the one person you love most in the world dies before your eyes."

"No, Anias," Tajarez whispered, fear gripping him tightly. He felt sweat pop out on his brow as he watched as Anias grabbed Mara by the hair and yanked her around to face him.

"Tajarez, do not grieve for me. I love you," she said just before Anias's hand closed over her mouth.

"You can watch as I make love to your wife before I kill her," Anias said, smiling at Mara's attempt to free herself from his grasp.

"I will kill you for this, Anias," Tajarez said through clenched teeth. "This I swear on the body of my father."

Anias smiled harshly, then withdrew his knife and slashed Mara's dress down to her waist, exposing her creamy breasts. He drew in his breath as his eyes moved over her body. "Such beauty should not be kept for one man alone, but should be shared with many." He let his eyes slide over her, taking in her loveliness. Mara was struggling to cover up her nakedness as Anias ran his hand down her smooth throat. "Such beautiful white skin. How is she in bed, Tajarez? I have not yet had the pleasure. Is she exciting? I almost had her once, remember? How will you like watching me enjoy her beautiful body?" His voice grew heavy with passion as his hands slid over her breasts.

"Do not touch her," Tajarez whispered, tears running freely down his face. "Mara, do not let him touch you."

"Help me, Tajarez. Oh, God, help me," Mara pleaded as Anias lifted her into his arms and placed her on the buffalo hide.

…WERE NOT THE LANDS WE LEFT BETTER
THAN THOSE WE ARE IN AT PRESENT? …WERE
IT NOT BETTER TO HAVE DIED THERE, THAN TO
LIVE HERE?

—
Garcilaso de la Vega, explorer

31

Mara struggled with all her strength. She scratched and clawed at Anias's face as he pinned her body beneath his and laughed at her efforts to push him away.

Tajarez pulled so hard against his restraints that the leather straps cut into his skin and his hands were covered in his own blood. He heard Mara's pleading and Anias's laughter. Looking upward, he prayed aloud: "Help her, Great Father. Give me strength to protect what is mine." He was so intent in his prayer that he did not hear Tanka as she entered the tepee until she knelt down beside him and sliced through the bonds that held him prisoner.

Tajarez leaped across the room and grabbed Anias and pulled him from Mara. A leather strip was dangling from Tajarez's wrist. He took it and wound it around Anias's throat.

Wild terror leaped into Anias's eyes as he felt the strap tighten, cutting off his breathing. Grabbing at Tajarez's hand, he tried to relieve the pressure, but he was no match for his cousin's superior strength.

"What a pity you can die only once, Anias," Tajarez hissed through bared teeth. He watched with satisfaction as Anias's face turned purple and his eyes seemed to bulge out of their sockets. Anias twisted his body in one last feeble attempt to free himself, then his body went limp and Tajarez released him and watched as Anias fell dead at his feet with his face frozen in agony.

Turning quickly to Mara, he knelt down and gathered her into his arms and held her tightly. "Do not weep, beloved. It is over. Anias can never hurt you again."

"Hold me, Tajarez. Hold me tightly," she cried against his broad shoulder.

"I will hold you forever and never let harm come to you again," he vowed, loving the feel of her in his arms. His hand slid up and down her back, trying to soothe her and stop the trembling of her body.

When at last the trembling stopped, Mara raised her face to his. "I am glad that he is dead, Tajarez. I wanted to kill him myself."

"Hush, beloved. Hush. It is all over." He rocked her in his arms, feeling closer to her than he had ever felt to anyone in his life. He knew if Anias had harmed her he would not have survived her death by very long. He would not have stayed in a world without her. He tried to control the shudder that racked his body.

They heard a commotion outside the tepee, and Mara heard Jeffery's voice calling her name.

Tajarez smiled slightly. "It would seem that we have been rescued." He rose quickly and rolled Anias's body over and took his knife. "See to the babies. No harm will come to you now."

Before Mara could answer he was out of the tepee standing guard against any intruders who might try and enter. Tajarez was soon joined by Jeffery. The two of them watched as the Lagonda warriors quickly overcame the resistance of the Utes. Soon all of the Ute tribe was rounded up into one large group, awaiting the judgment of Tajarez.

"Is my sister safe?" Jeffery asked.

Tajarez laughed and clapped Jeffery on the shoulder. "She is magnificent."

The baby?" Jeffery asked.

"You will see later. Right now I must deal with the Utes."

Jeffery accompanied him to where the Utes were being detained by a large force of fierce-looking Lagonda warriors.

"Which of you is the chief?" Tajarez asked, speaking the language of the Ute.

A man of medium height and graying hair stepped forward and faced Tajarez proudly. "I am Black Hawk, chief of the Ute," he said crisply.

"Listen to me, Black Hawk, and you, the people of the Ute nation. I am Tajarez, King of the Lagonda. You harbored among you my enemy, Anias, who had slain my father and abducted my queen. This angers me greatly. I know that Anias tricked you, but that does not save you from my displeasure. However, I am going to be lenient with you this time. I will not ask for your lives, but you will leave this land that has been yours for many generations. You will be allowed to gather your belongings, then we will burn the village. Never return to this land, for to do so would mean your death."

Black Hawk stared at Tajarez. He had heard much of this prince, or king, he was now. The Indian tribes all feared and respected the Lagondas, who lived in a hidden valley. He had often seen members of the tribe riding through his lands, but he had never spoken to them. He was in awe of the tall king who stood before him now. Seeing Tajarez standing so proud and arrogant before him, he knew how he had been tricked by the other man who bore some resemblance to this mighty king. But there was no question in his mind that this man was the true king of the Lagonda. He knew that he and his people were in fact fortunate that they were being allowed to escape with their lives, for there were stories of how ruthless the Lagonda could be when they had been crossed. None of the Indians knew the exact location of the Seven Cities, and none wanted to know, for to find them would mean certain death.

"I did not know that the white woman was your queen. I was told by the imposter that he was the king, and helped him, thinking he was you."

"This does not excuse you, Black Hawk, but because of my cousin's treachery and deceit, I will also spare your life. Look well upon my face, Black Hawk and remember, if you ever see me again, it will be the day you die. Go now, and make ready for your departure."

Mara picked up her sleeping babies and placed them gently in the basket. She was startled when she heard Tanka's voice beside her. "I have brought you one of my dresses to wear, Mara. You cannot travel as you are."

Mara took the doeskin dress from Tanka and smiled. "How can I thank you for what you have done? It is because of you that we live."

"I did not do it for you. I did it for Tajarez," Tanka said softly.

Mara took her hand. "I know why you did it, Tanka. We both love him."

"But it is you he loves, Mara. I saw just how much he loves you today." She looked down at the dead body of Anias. "I must leave quickly. Tajarez will want my death if he finds me."

"He would never harm you, Tanka. You saved us from Anias."

Tanka looked at Mara, her face stiff. "You do not know Tajarez very well if you think he will let me live after I helped Anias. He will never forget or forgive that."

"Where will you go?"

"I go with the Ute. Because I am of the Lagonda tribe they have offered me respect." Tanka bent down and touched both sleeping babies lightly. Then she slipped through the back of the tepee silently.

Tajarez entered just seconds after Tanka had left. Going down on his knees, he looked at the sleeping babies. Lifting the tiny girl in his arms, he held her to his cheek. "She is so tiny, and her skin is so soft." His voice shook with emotion. Holding her tiny hand in his, he stared at it in amazement, then he kissed the tiny rosebud mouth. His daughter did not stir, nor did she open her eyes. She slept peacefully, not the least impressed that she had just stolen her father's heart.

Tajarez laid her down gently and picked up his son. Pride flashed in his eyes as he held him to his chest. The baby opened his eyes and stretched his arms over his head. Then he fixed his eyes on his father's face. His green gaze was penetrating, for it struck his father's heart.

"My son," Tajarez said proudly. "My immortality." He nestled the baby close to his chest. He felt such pride, such love. He was speechless for a moment, knowing he had not the words to express what he was feeling.

Mara knelt beside him. "Our son is wonderful, is he not?"

"He is magnificent. Never has there been a prince such as he."

Mara touched Tajarez's arm. "I am sure Hamez felt much the same when you were born."

Tajarez's eyes narrowed and he felt pain in his heart. "I regret that he did not live to see his grandchildren. He would have been so proud."

"He knows, Tajarez. Wherever he is, he knows."

Tajarez placed his infant son in the basket beside his sleeping sister and rose abruptly to his feet. "We must go now, Mara." Picking up the basket in one hand and slipping his arm around Mara's shoulder, he steered her out of the tepee. Neither of them paid the slightest attention to the dead body of Anias.

Mara looked about her at the burning village. The smell of singed leather from the burning tepees filled her nostrils. A Lagonda warrior set fire to the tepee they had just left.

Tajarez was pushed aside by an eager Jeffery, and Mara was enfolded in a bone-crushing bear hug by her brother. He held her so tightly she thought her bones would be crushed.

"I thought I would never see you again," Jeffery said in English.

Mara answered him in the language of the Lagonda. "As you can see, I am not so easy to be rid of."

"Pest," he said, kissing her soundly on the cheek.

Mara's eyes widened in shock as she looked over her brother's shoulder and saw Palomas. He was not dead as she had feared, but was very much alive. She felt great joy as she untangled herself from Jeffery's arms and raced across the space that divided her from Palomas. Calling his name, she threw herself into his arms.

"You are alive," she cried. "I thought you were dead." His arms enfolded her. His joy at seeing her was plainly written on his rugged face.

Tajarez's eyes narrowed as he watched his wife kiss Palomas on the cheek. Jeffery smiled at his brother-in-law's anger. "Not the way you would expect the queen of the Seven Cities to act, is it? But it is typically Mara. Relax, it is you she loves. I suspect Palomas is my rival, not yours. She would give him the love of a brother."

Tajarez's facial muscles relaxed and his mouth twitched, knowing Jeffery spoke the truth.

A cloud of dust joined the smoke from the burning village as the Ute tribe rode away from the place they had called home for so long. Tajarez watched them with a frown on his face. "Anias's treachery reaches beyond his death to punish," he said, not even aware he had spoken aloud. Then he turned to Jeffery. "You have not seen my son or your niece, Jeffery."

"What?" Jeffery said in amazement as he peered into the basket and saw the twins. He went down on his knees for a closer look at his sister's sleeping babies. The basket was soon surrounded by fierce warriors who stared in awe at their new princess and the tiny prince royal. Tajarez stood back proudly with his arms folded across his broad chest, feeling superior for being the father of the most beautiful babies ever to draw breath.

It was a happy group that rode away from the smoldering ruins of the village. Palomas and Jeffery each held a sleeping baby in their arms, each very much aware of the infant entrusted to his care. Palomas looked down at the sleeping princess he held, wishing she would awaken so he could see her green eyes once more. Jeffery held the future king of the Seven Cities in his arms, but to him the child was more than a mere prince royal, he was his sister's child, and his nephew.

That night they camped beside a river with the majestic mountains that surrounded the hidden valley visible in the distance.

Jeffery and Tajarez sat beside the campfire that was set apart from the rest of the group to give Mara some small privacy as she fed and tended her babies.

"How was it that you found the Ute camp, Jeffery? You came at a very opportune moment."

"Sagas told me that you were in danger. He told me to gather a large party of warriors and ride to your aid. He told me exactly where the camp was located, although he said he had never been there. I begin to believe he can really see into the future."

"Believe it, Jeffery, for it is so."

"Imagine my sister having twins," Jeffery said. "It must have been quite a surprise to you."

"More of a shock. The people will be overjoyed. To my knowledge there have never been twins in the royal family before now."

"You can thank Mara for them. My grandfather on my mother's side was a twin, as was my mother."

Tajarez leaned back on the cool grass and rested his head on his arms. His gaze traveled to Mara, who was sitting on a fur robe holding both of the babies in her arms and humming softly to them.

"You would have been proud of your sister today, Jeffery. You should have seen the way she stood up to Anias so brave and unafraid."

Jeffery nodded. "That does not surprise me. She has always been exceptional. Anias did not touch her, did he?" Jeffery asked. The possibility had been nagging at his mind.

"Not in the way you mean, but he would have, if I had not slain him." Tajarez remembered Anias touching Mara, kissing her soft lips. He sat up quickly. "Jeffery, you watch the babies."

Walking over to Mara, he took the infants from her and placed them in the basket. Pulling Mara to her feet, he lifted her into his arms and carried her toward the river.

She slid her hands around his neck. "Where are you taking me, Tajarez?"

Sitting her on her feet beside the riverbank, he shielded her body with his as he lifted her dress over her head. He picked her up once more and carried her into the river. "I am going to wash every part of your body that Anias touched with his filthy hands."