The Perfect Prince (17 page)

 

“But,” Pia began, protesting Zoran’s insistent shove. “I feel fine. I haven’t been poisoned.”

 

Nadja’s eyes widened in horror at the statement and she spun around to stare at Olek. His lips tightened as he nodded for her to go on. Mede’s hand was on her arm, pushing her forward.

 

“Go, dear,” Mede said. “Hurry.”

 

Nadja was led into the room with Pia. The doctor turned to the women, taking out two handheld medic units. Without comment, he grabbed their arms and took a sample of their blood. Neither woman spoke as they watched the man go to a counter to test it.

 

Outside the room, Olek felt as if he was dying. Morrigan had fallen to poison and possibly lay dying in the other room. Yusef was still unconscious. Suddenly, Ualan spoke, stating what they were all thinking.

 

“If any in our family die,” Ualan swore to his father. His voice deepened into a growl as his face began to harden with a shift. His eyes glowed with a deadly yellow as fangs extended into his mouth. Resembling the beast he could become, he roared, “There will be blood.”

 

“There will be blood either way,” Zoran said, his eyes dark.

 

Olek nodded in firm agreement, staring at the door that kept Nadja from him, unable to speak until he knew his wife would live.

 

* * * *

 

Pia and Nadja’s blood tested fine. They were unharmed. Olek almost swooned with relief when the doctor told him. Nadja was stiff as Olek pulled her into his arms, but she said nothing and didn’t pull away. Afterwards, they all quietly sat together in the medical wing by the motionless Yusef, as they awaited news of Ualan’s wife.

Morrigan was very ill and didn’t stop throwing up, even in her sleep. She had been poisoned. Her body fought with a bravery and in the end she won the battle for her life--albeit barely. Ualan sighed heavily with the news and was instantly ushered to his wife’s side, where he stayed.

 

The King ordered all the food and wine tested, starting with Morrigan’s. The poison was instantly found in a goblet. The servant responsible for serving her the drink had been dealt with. It was soon learned he wasn’t at fault. One of King Attor’s men had distracted him as he was preparing to serve the royal drink.

 

The drink had been meant for the King and Queen. But, when King Attor went up to speak, the servant had placed the goblet before Morrigan instead as not to get in their way. He never realized Princess Morrigan wouldn’t recognize the King’s seal and would indeed take the drink for herself. If Mede or Llyr had taken a sip, they would have died instantly. The poison worked slower on humans.

 

The family relaxed some, until the soldier Zoran sent to gather Yusef’s wife came 
back alone. He looked worried, standing in the doorway, eyeing the royal family.

 

“Where is she?” Zoran barked, as soon as he saw the man. Pia jumped slightly by his side at the noise.

 

“My lady is gone,” the soldier announced. “There looks to have been a struggle.

 

We smelled Var blood, but no human. She should still be alive.” The King growled.

 

“We picked up their scent in the forest. I ordered the others to follow it,” the soldier said to Zoran.

 

“You should call the soldiers back and get one of your best trackers on it,” stated Olek quietly. Nadja, who was standing by his side, turned to look at him, surprised by the darkness in his voice and glad that they all spoke so she could understand what was going on. “Let them think they have escaped into the shadowed marshes. Once we find their location, we’ll go after them alone and reclaim her for Yusef.”

 

“Olek’s right,” Zoran stated to his father, switching his language in deference to the listening women. “If they wanted her dead, they would have killed her right then.

 

They take her for a reason. If they hear the men coming after them, they could be forced to get rid of her to escape.”

 

Nadja held quiet, though she didn’t like the idea of Olek going out to do battle.

 

The men looked at each other, nodding in agreement and knowing that the revenge was going to be theirs.

 

* * * *

 

When it was determined that nothing else could be done, the royal family departed for their homes. Only Ualan stayed to sit vigil over his wife and brother, promising to send news if there were any changes.

Nadja yawned as Olek called open the door. She stepped wearily in front of him, her feet dragging. As the door slid shut locking them in, he tugged her into his arms, resting his chest along her back. He tenderly leaned his chin on her hair.

 

“I’m so glad you’re not hurt,” Olek whispered, leaning into her neck to give her a light kiss.

 

Nadja stiffened.

 

“Nadja?”

 

“Get away from me, Olek,” Nadja said, ripping away. She turned to stare at him.

 

Anger seeped from her skin, but her voice was deadly quiet. “You lied to me about your brother. I can’t talk to you right now.”

 

She left him standing in the hall, going to the bedroom. Sighing, she unbuttoned her overdress. She threw the formal gown over a chair, sliding into more comfortable clothes before crawling into bed.

 

Olek’s body stung with the rejection. Slowly, he walked over to his office.

 

Running his hand over the wall, a hidden liquor cabinet opened. He poured himself a stiff drink and sat down, sipping at it wearily.

 

He knew Nadja never wanted to be a Princess. She’d told him that from the beginning, but he had foolishly hoped she’d come around.

 

Finishing his drink, he went to the bedroom and changed his clothes. He debated whether or not he should sleep on the couch, but then decided that his bed, by his wife, was where he belonged. He slipped next to her beneath the coverlet.

 

Nadja sighed, but didn’t wake. Olek was glad that she didn’t resist him when he pulled her into his protective arms. His body curled intimately around hers and the thickness of their cotton clothing wasn’t enough to keep the softness of her body from stirring him to full attention. Cursing his one-tracked erection, he refused to let her go. No matter how much holding her made him ache, the alternative was that much worse.

Nadja awoke with a start. Olek’s arm was draped around her body, hugging her back close to his chest. There was a hardness pressed intimately into her backside. In a sleepy daze, she turned to him. Her hands reached up the side of his body, unable to see his face in the dark room. Her fingers glanced against his naked waist, tripping on his shirt as they moved up to feel him. Her hips rocked naturally closer to where he lay. She moaned to feel him, her lips searching blindly to kiss him.

 

He had been in her dreams again. Maybe she was still dreaming. She didn’t stop to think as she opened her mouth to lay claim to his.

 

Olek gasped with a start, instantly waking, only to groan as he felt Nadja’s soft body working into his. Her mouth was parting against his lips in a tender, sleepy kiss. Her hands were on his chest, rubbing up to his neck as she urged him to her. Her thigh was over his hip, restlessly digging to feel him, pulling him closer.

 

His hand glided over her body, unable to resist the hot passion she awoke in him.

 

He held quiet, wrapped in the dark spell of her lovemaking. Her hands were on his waist, lazily urging the shirt from his chest. Her fingers inched over his muscles, grazing over his nipples. He threw the shirt off his shoulders and came back to her. Nadja moaned lightly as she felt the tight folds of his warm arms embracing her.

 

Olek rolled her to her back. He placed kisses on her mouth, moving to her cheeks and throat. He pulled the shirt off her and tossed it away, loving the feel of her skin beneath him--so soft, so fragile, so warm. The only sound was the panting of their intermingling breaths as they explored in aimless directions.

 

Nadja discovered the delight of his lower back, sloping to his butt beneath his loose pants. Her hands dipped beneath the cotton material causing him to groan against her breast. The sound sent chills over her body, shooting like fireworks throughout her skin. His hips jerked and flexed as she worked her way around to the front. He pulled his stomach up to allow her access. Soon, her hands were on the center of his hot desire, stroking him, feeling him, discovering him.

 

Nadja wasn’t scared--she’d never be scared of such a sweet dream. Her eyes were closed, so she must be dreaming. Her body felt as if it were in heaven. Olek was so hot against her.

 

“Olek,” she moaned, wanting him to touch her as she touched him.

 

Olek heard her plea and pulled back. With supernatural speed, he rid them of their remaining clothing so there were no boundaries. Her smooth legs ran against his hair-roughened thighs and it was more than he could bear.

 

Wanting to make sure she was ready, he kissed a fevered trail down her stomach.

 

Nadja gasped in surprise. Olek’s tongue flicked her navel before he dipped lower to taste her sweetness. His mouth pressed a light kiss onto each hip. Nadja tried to close her legs, but his hands strayed to her thighs, parting her for him.

 

With a moan, he tested her wetness with his tongue. Her hips bucked in astonishment, a ragged moan falling from her mouth. Olek’s kiss only deepened, pleased to discover her body was more than ready to accept him. He couldn’t deny himself the sweet taste of her in his mouth. The whole kingdom might come to his door, but he wasn’t stopping this time. He drank deeply from her, causing her legs to tense and her hips to arch against him. He felt a soft tremor start. Oh, but she was close. He couldn’t help but smile.

 

Swiftly, he crawled up over her, rising on his hands as his hips sought to burrow naturally into her. Nadja felt a momentary wave of apprehension. She’d felt how big he was to her hand, had seen the size of him. The heat of his arousal was searing her thigh, edging ever closer to stake claim.

 

“Olek,” Nadja breathed, wanting to trust him but frightened.

 

“Oh, Nadja,” Olek moaned, seeing that she was about to hesitate. His words came out in a horse whisper: “You feel so good. I have to have you.” Olek guided himself to her. He felt her body tighten around him as he eased his way inside her silken depths. Nadja’s eyes got wide. Her fingers gripped his arms. Olek groaned in ecstasy, fitting himself deeper.

 

Nadja’s body burned and stretched. Tears came to her eyes and she began to pant.

 

Olek pushed on and she panicked, hitting at his arm.

 

“Stop,” she breathed, frightened that she could feel so full and hot, and so wickedly wet at the same time. Her mind tried to adjust.

 

Olek blinked in surprise, feeling her tight muscles spasm around him. He wanted to go deeper, but he held still, allowing her body to get used to him.

 

“It’s all right, solarflower,” he eased, his voice trembling. “Try to relax.”

 

“I don’t think this is working,” she whispered earnestly.

 

Olek’s laugh was painful. He eased a little deeper. Oh, but it was bittersweet agony. Leaning down, he whispered, “You were made to take me like this.” Nadja tensed, not so sure. Olek pulled back, taking shallow thrusts as he tried to stretch her to accept him. He’d waited too long to have her, had been pushed so far without release. Now he finally had her where he wanted, he could barely stop to think. It was hard, but he kept from delving fully into her silken depths.

 

“That’s it,” he urged, moving his hips a little faster. Nadja felt a fire beginning to build inside her as his movements hastened, replacing the white heat of his initial testing.

 

“Oh, that’s it, solarflower. I just want to go a little deeper, just a little … oh, ye-ah.” Nadja began to tremble, feeling a sensation coming over her flesh. Before she could discover the true depths of what her body was trying to show her, Olek tensed. His sweaty skin slid beneath her hands, shuddering violently. His yell resounded over her, 
loud and conquering.

 

Nadja’s hand fell away at the sound. Her lungs panted for breath. It was like nothing she had ever experienced. A curious warmth spread over her limbs, making them weak. Her body hurt, but it wasn’t all bad.

 

Olek groaned as he slid himself from her, completely sated. Reaching for her, he pulled her into his arm, tiredly kissing her temple. He brushed her hair with his nose, snuggling into her, curving his body to fit hers.

 

“I’m told the first time is always a little rough,” he whispered into her hair. Nadja shivered. “As your body gets used to me, it will be better. I promise you, my sweet solarflower.”

 

Nadja shivered, not sure she could take anymore of what he had to show her. Olek held her there, in the dark, as they both fell asleep.

 

* * * *

 

When Nadja awoke her body stung. Her first thought was that it was too early to be having another period cramp.

Her second thought was, What happened to my clothes?

 

The third thought, coming to her as her eyes popped wide awake, was, Why is someone kissing my neck?

 

“Fire,” she croaked with a hoarse pant. Nadja pulled up in the dim light as the fireplace lit. Grabbing the blanket to her chest, she looked over at Olek. He was lying down next to her on the bed, grinning like a fool.

 

Nadja stared at him, her mind trying to focus on what was happening.

 

“Lay down,” he urged her, his hands coming for her naked back. Her skin instantly lit with memories as he ran his palms over the flesh of her back. Bumps rose over her skin, though she wasn’t anywhere near cold.

 

Nadja jumped, scooting away from him. Her eyes wide, she pulled the blanket with her as she nearly jumped out of the bed to get away from him. When she turned, Olek was on the bed naked, wearing nothing but a confused frown and a very disturbingly ready arousal.

 

“What are you doing?” she breathed hotly. Her body twinged as she tried to move.

 

Her eyes traveled over his form, trying not to stare at the most predominate part of him vying for her attention.

 

“Nadja?” Olek asked in confusion, sitting up.

 

The full force of what they had done hit like a ton of brick to the head. She gulped. Her eyes went to a telltale red stain on the bed where she had been sleeping. She shook her head. Staring at the stain, she muttered in disbelief, “I was dreaming. That wasn’t real.”

 

Olek smiled, he moved to sit, completely unembarrassed to have her look at him.

 

Nadja didn’t look. She turned her eyes away as she began rushing into the closet looking for clothes.

 

“Nadja,” he laughed. He was in too good of a mood. His body sung with released tension and he felt like he actually slept instead of tossing and turning all night. If she wasn’t too sore, his body was more than willing to try it again. “It’s all right, come back to bed.”Nadja rushed out of the closet, shaking her head at him. Her arms were laden with clothes as she hurried past him to the bedroom door, still sporting the bedcovers around her naked body.

 

“Nadja,” he said sternly, his good move quickly leaving him in light of her outrage. To his surprise, her voice actually rose and she when she answered she was yelling at him.

 

Angrily, Nadja cried, “We couldn’t have done this! I’m still mad at you! Oh, how could you do this to me?”

 

“Nadja,” he tried to reason. “You woke me up. You were kissing me.” She stopped, turning to glare at him. “I told you I was dreaming. If I had been awake I would never have kissed you. I don’t even like you right now! Why would I kiss you when I don’t like you?”

 

Olek stood to follow her, moving behind her without bothering to dress. Nadja quickened her pace, slipping on the covers as she tried to get away from him.

 

“What are you so mad about?” he asked in exasperation, at a complete loss. His arms tossed into the air.

 

“You lied to me about Yusef! You said it was no big deal,” she shouted. She turned, kicking the bedspread as she moved back to glare at him. He was gloriously naked and she tried her best not to look at his handsome body. “You’re always so secretive about what you do. Oh, your so important Princely duties. Let’s not tell Nadja about them, she obviously can’t be trusted!”

 

Nadja stormed into the bathroom, slamming the door behind her. She dropped her clothes on the floor, whirling to lock the door. She was too late, Olek barged through.

 

“I didn’t want to burden you with it,” he growled.

 

“You didn’t have to lie about it. You said he was in an accident. I saw his wounds, Olek. What happened? He fell onto a knife about fifteen times?” she demanded back, her blue eyes wide in disbelief.

 

“I was trying to protect you! I know you hate being a Princess and I didn’t want you to be frightened by this.”

 

“That isn’t your decision to make! I have every right to know if my life may possibly be in danger.”

 

“I am your husband,” he announced, his face red with anger. All he wanted to do that morning was make love to her again and again and now he found himself in a full blown fight. “It is my job to decide what is best for you!” 

 

“What’s best for me?!” she howled with bitter laughter. “You just want to control me. You may talk sweet, Olek, but you’re just like my father. You just want to tell me what to do and where to go and who to be. Soon you’ll be telling what I can and can’t eat! 
Well, I’ve had it with being controlled and I don’t need you or anyone trying to protect me.” Olek swallowed, seeing the strange light that came to her eyes when she spoke.

 

The dam he had feared for so long broke within her until she was raging mad. He couldn’t fight that kind of passion, not until she cooled, not until she came to reason.

 

“Now get out!” she screamed. “I’m going to take a bath and go check on Morrigan to see if she’s up.”

 

“Fine,” he growled.

 

“Fine!”

 

Olek slammed the door behind him. Nadja locked it for good measure. Then, turning around, she dropped the covers and climbed angrily into the bath.

 

* * * *

 

Olek was gone when Nadja finally came out of the bathroom. She didn’t care, storming her way through the halls to the medical wing. The place was deserted, except for a kind lady at the reception desk. Nadja discovered she was married to one of the doctors and just helped out when the men took breaks or when there was a patient to watch after like now.

Morrigan had awakened and had been allowed to go home to finish recovering.

 

The woman told her that the pain medicine they gave her would keep her knocked out most of the time. Prince Ualan had been with her, but now he was meeting with his brothers.Yusef was still unconscious. The woman at the desk asked if Nadja was going to stay for awhile and if she would mind sitting with the patient until she got back from a short errand. Nadja agreed, pulling up a seat by Yusef.

 

As soon as the woman was gone and she was alone, she studied her brother-by-marriage. Finding a pin light, she lifted one of his eyelids and then the other. She took a reading of his levels with a handheld unit. Next, she began to examine his wounds, rotating him over to the side to see his back. She lifted back the bandages. Grabbing some gloves, she probed them gently. Hitting a particularly long gash, she frowned.