The Pirate Prince (14 page)

He stayed inside her a long time, waiting for the tumultuous upheaval to subside before pulling out. When he grew soft, he lifted her off him and settled her down beside him.

Willow’s voice trembled. “Do you know what you just did?”

Dariq turned toward her. “Aye, I’m not
that
drunk. I left you well sated, did I not?”

“You may have left your child inside me.”

Dariq rose up, and then fell back down, his dismay apparent. “Perhaps I did that the last time we mated.”

Mustafa would accuse him of deliberately sabotaging his own plans to save his mother. Perhaps his friend was right. Dariq had examined his heart and realized he wanted to keep Willow for himself.

“You will never know if I carry your child,” Willow said. “I will be gone before we know if your seed found fertile ground. I hope it does not, for I have no desire to bear the child of a heartless pirate.”

Her words stung sharply. “Do you think me heartless, Willow?”

I think you are the most talented lover on earth
. But of course she could not say that. She had no intention of inflating Dariq’s ego. She was frightened—more frightened than she had ever been before. If she went to Ibrahim already with child, the sultan would surely punish her. Did Dariq not know that? Did he not care? What kind of monster was he?

She glanced over at him; he was sleeping, his face relaxed into a smile. “Why can you not love me?” she whispered.

Dariq wasn’t sleeping. He heard her whispered plea but had no answer. He prayed to Allah and then to the Christian God, prayed that he would be granted a solution to his dilemma. Choosing between Willow and his mother was a punishment worse than death.

Suddenly a thought came to him, and he mulled it over in his head. It wasn’t an easy decision, but then, one’s death was never pleasant to contemplate. It could work, however, because ultimately it was his death that Ibrahim wanted. Aye, he would explain his new plan to Mustafa tomorrow. Until then, he would savor every remaining moment with Willow.

Dariq left his bed the next day before Willow awoke. She remained soundly asleep while he bathed and dressed. Before he left, he covered her nakedness with a sheet and kissed her forehead.

Whatever else Willow felt for him, he didn’t want her to hate him. He wanted her to think kindly of him. Perhaps, after she learned what he had done for her, she would realize how much he cared for her.

Dariq found Mustafa in the dining hall with Captain Juad. They had already eaten, and Juad was preparing to leave. Juad wished Dariq a good morning and hurried off to oversee the repairs on his ship. Dariq waved him off and seated himself across from Mustafa.

A manservant poured his tea, then placed a bowl of fruit before him. “What is your pleasure this morning, master?” the servant asked.

“This will suffice,” Dariq said. “I have too much on my mind to eat. Leave us. And close the door behind you.”

The servant bowed himself out and closed the door. Dariq picked at the fruit. Mustafa observed him a moment, then shook his head.

“ ’Tis the woman. Your involvement is more serious than I thought.”

“I cannot send her away, Mustafa. Ibrahim shall never have her.”

Mustafa sent Dariq an appalled look. “Are you mad? I suspected your emotions were engaged more than they should be, but I never imagined you would abandon your mother because of your obsession with a blond houri. I warned you, Prince. Did I not tell you she was trouble the moment I clapped eyes on her?”

“Save your anger for someone who will appreciate it. Don’t you think I have said as much to myself? Willow is … not like other women. She would wither and die in Ibrahim’s harem. She is a free spirit, with a will and determination few women possess.”

“Once you saw her as a desirable woman, you forgot the reason she was important to us.”

Dariq shrugged. “Don’t you think I have argued this over and over in my mind? Don’t you think I tried to tell myself that Willow’s fate should not matter to me?”

“What of Saliha Sultana, my lord? Are we to let her perish? When Ibrahim learns his concubine is not forthcoming, he will respond swiftly. You of all people know the extent of Ibrahim’s cruelty.”

“I do know, my friend, and that is why I am offering myself to Ibrahim in Willow’s stead. An exchange will still occur, but it will be me and not Willow who goes to Ibrahim. I suspect my brother will be thrilled, for my death is vital to him. Though I no longer reside within his sultanate, he still believes I threaten his power.”

Mustafa made a gurgling sound in his throat. “Allah protect me from fools and men in love.” He searched Dariq’s face, and then he smiled. “For a moment I thought you were serious.”

“I have never been more serious in my life. When Ahmed brings word from Ibrahim concerning the exchange, I plan to sail to Istanbul and place myself at Ibrahim’s disposal. I am telling you this because I want you to return Willow to her father.”

Mustafa uncoiled his huge frame from his chair and stood menacingly over Dariq, all six and a half feet of him, arms crossed over his massive chest. “I will not allow it. I did not save your life so you could sacrifice it. I will bind and gag you and lock you in your chamber if you attempt to do what you are proposing.”

Dariq rose, going nose to nose with his friend. “You have no say in the matter. Try to stop me and I will fight you every step of the way.”

“But at least you will be alive,” Mustafa argued. “I made a promise to your mother, and I intend to honor it.”

“At the cost of our friendship?”

“Aye, my lord Prince.” He bowed and stomped off, leaving Dariq to muse that he would never have another friend like Mustafa.

Mustafa made certain Dariq had left the seraglio before visiting Willow in the prince’s chamber. He knocked and identified himself, asking for an audience. Willow bade him enter.

Though she was surprised to see Mustafa without Dariq, she was curious about his visit. The huge Turk rarely spoke to her… didn’t even seem to like her. The scowl on his face was not reassuring.

“Lady Willow, I have something of grave importance to discuss with you.”

“I assumed as much,” Willow replied. “Please continue.”

“Has Prince Dariq informed you of his plans?”

“Do you refer to his plans to trade me for his mother? If so, aye, I have known Dariq’s plans for me since I became his captive. I am intended for Ibrahim’s harem.”

Mustafa nodded sagely. “It is good that you know to whom you belong.”

Willow’s chin rose defiantly. “I belong to no man.”

Mustafa shook his head, his dark eyes sad. “I do not understand why my prince is willing to sacrifice his life for you. But know you this, lady; I will not allow it.”

Willow slanted him a bewildered look. “What are you talking about?”

“The prince informed me this morning that he is not going to send you to Ibrahim. He intends to sacrifice his life for you. Ibrahim will be well pleased with the trade. He fears nothing more than a coup instigated by his brother to strip him of power. A dead brother cannot challenge his power.”

Willow was shocked into silence. Last night Dariq had given no indication of his intention to spare her and sacrifice himself. When had he made the decision? Why? More importantly, could she allow it?

“What do you want me to do?” Willow asked.

“Convince the prince to give up such folly. His life is too important to sacrifice, for one day Turkey may need him. Ibrahim has had no children with any of his concubines. It is a widely held belief that he is sterile. If aught should happen to him, Prince Dariq will inherit the sultanate, and he will become ruler of the great Ottoman Empire.”

Willow considered everything Mustafa had told her, but nothing made sense. Dariq was a pirate. Pirates did
not have a noble bone in their bodies. He said he cared for her, but by no means could that be considered a declaration of love. She knew Dariq was fond of her, but would a man sacrifice his life for a woman he was merely fond of?

“You want me to convince Dariq that his life is worth more than mine,” Willow repeated.

“Aye, lady. Your life is naught compared to Prince Dariq’s.”

Willow bristled. “My life means something to me and my family.”

Mustafa slumped, his disappointment palpable. “I thought you cared for my master, but I was mistaken.”

“You are not mistaken, Mustafa. I care a great deal for Dariq. You are the one who does not care enough. If you did, you would understand that he has committed himself to a selfless act of honor and nobility.”

Mustafa stiffened. “I love Prince Dariq more than my own life. I would willingly die for him. I protected him in Istanbul, and I will continue to protect him until my dying breath.”

“Forgive me for having doubted you,” Willow apologized. “I know how close you are to Dariq, and that he respects your opinions and values your friendship.”

“Then you will help me dissuade him from his destructive course?”

“Mustafa, what are you doing here!” Dariq’s voice roared from the doorway. “You had no right to divulge our private conversation to Lady Willow.”

“Forgive me, master,” Mustafa said, sounding not at all contrite. “I told you I would do whatever it took to prevent you from throwing your life away.”

“My life is mine to do with as I please. Leave us!”

Mustafa slanted a warning glance at Willow and then departed.

“What did he say to you?” Dariq demanded.

“
Why
, Dariq? Why would you sacrifice yourself for me?”

Dariq shrugged. “Perhaps I am not as heartless as you think.”

Despite his soft-spoken words, Willow sensed a deeper reason. “Is that the only motive?”

“I am better prepared to defend myself against Ibrahim than you or my mother. I do not intend to die, Willow.”

One finely arched eyebrow shot upward. “Do you not? Mustafa thinks differently.”

“I haven’t told him everything.”

“How do you expect to save yourself? From what I’ve heard of your brother, he will order your death the moment you step ashore in Istanbul.”

“ ’Tis my head,” Dariq drawled. “You and Mustafa are insulting my intelligence.”

The words came easily to her lips, though she hadn’t planned them. “I won’t let you do it. I at least have a chance of surviving, while you do not. There is no guarantee you will remain alive longer than a heartbeat.”

Willow couldn’t let Dariq die. Mustafa was right. Ibrahim would not let his brother live once he surrendered himself.

“I know what you are thinking, but my mind is made up,” Dariq said. “Naught will change it.”

“You said you had a plan. What is it?”

Dariq looked away. He wished he
did
have a plan. All he knew was that he couldn’t let his mother die because he cared more than he should for an English houri.

Chapter Thirteen

Dariq began making plans for his departure. He provisioned two ships, his own
Revenge
to carry him to Istanbul and another to take Willow home. Mustafa adamantly refused to help him; they butted heads constantly about Dariq’s decision to sacrifice himself for a woman.

Dariq knew Mustafa would take charge of the Brotherhood once he was gone, though with great reluctance, and Captain Juad would become his lieutenant. He had already spoken to Juad about it and had received reluctant agreement. The Brotherhood would prosper regardless of who was in charge.

As for Willow, she would return to her father and live her life without him. Maybe she would wed her fiancé, or another man who caught her fancy. But until he left, she was his to make love to each night. And each night he silenced her pleas to rethink his plans with deep kisses and erotic lovemaking.

Though he hadn’t given up hope, Dariq had no definite plan to escape death. He couldn’t even think about
how he would avoid Ibrahim’s death sentence until his mother was safely aboard the
Revenge
and well on her way to Lipsi. And there was a good chance that Ibrahim would order his execution immediately.

Willow was at her wits’ end. Whenever she tried to talk sense into Dariq, he refused to listen. Then he made love to her as if it were the last time, which might very well be true if he continued to tread the path to an early grave.

Willow felt certain she had a better chance of surviving Ibrahim’s harem than Dariq did the sultan’s prison. Ibrahim might desire her body, but he
craved
Dariq’s death. She grimaced with distaste at the thought of Ibrahim’s hands on her, but she was determined to do whatever it took to keep Dariq alive. Even if it meant becoming the sultan’s concubine.

Willow had reached the conclusion that she loved Dariq. How could she not? Any man willing to give up his life for her was deserving of her love; her body was already his.

Dariq found Willow sitting in the garden when he came looking for her one afternoon. He sat down beside her, his expression grim. “Ahmed’s ship has arrived.”

Willow went still. “So soon?”

He nodded gravely. “I plan to leave on the morning tide.”

“Is there naught I can do to change your mind? Send me to Ibrahim as you originally planned. I swear he will not harm me. I will charm him into making me his favorite.”

Obviously, that was the wrong thing to say. A low growl rumbled from Dariq’s chest. “Ibrahim will not touch you.” He rose abruptly. “There is still much to be done. I shall return in time to share supper with you.” His
expression softened. “After, we will make love until dawn, until we must part.”

Tears streamed down Willow’s cheeks as she watched Dariq walk away. She had to do something, but what?

She was lost in thought when she heard the shuffle of footsteps on the flagstones. She turned her head, surprised to see Mustafa and Baba approaching.

Mustafa bowed. “Forgive us for intruding, lady. I knocked, but you did not hear.”

“I already know what you have come to tell me. Ahmed’s ship has returned.”

Mustafa bowed his head. “I cannot let the prince go to his death. I intend to keep the promise I made to his mother.”

“I agree,” Willow said. “If there is any way possible, I would take his place.”

Baba, who had remained silent until now, stepped forward. “There is a way, my lady, but you may not like it.”

“Tell me! I will do anything to stop Dariq from throwing away his life.”

“Are you willing to go to Ibrahim?”

Willow did not misunderstand. She nodded slowly. “I suggested it to Dariq, but he refused to listen. He … he swore that I would not become Ibrahim’s concubine.”

Mustafa’s keen gaze dug deep into Willow’s soul, as if searching for the truth. He must have found it, for he smiled, the first smile Willow had ever known from him.

“Here is my plan, my lady. Baba is skilled in the use of drugs. She will prepare a strong sedative for Prince Dariq. It will make him sleep until long after his ship has sailed for Istanbul with you aboard.”

“The drug won’t hurt him, will it?” Willow asked anxiously.

“Nay,” Baba assured her. “Our master is beloved; no one here wishes him harm.”

Curious, Willow asked, “How will you give Dariq a sedative without arousing his suspicion?”

“It won’t be difficult,” Mustafa explained. “Baba will infuse the drug into his tea. Tonight, you must refuse tea with your dinner and drink juice instead.”

“What if Dariq wants juice instead of tea?”

“He won’t. The prince’s habits are well known to me. He will sleep deeply for many hours. Once he is deep in sleep, I will bind him to his bed. When he awakens, he will realize what has happened, but by then it will be too late to stop the
Revenge
from sailing.” He sent Willow a sheepish look. “I intend for the prince to be kept bound in his bed for two days. Juad and Baba will see to his care. The
Revenge
is the swiftest ship in his fleet. Prince Dariq will not be able to overtake her.”

“And I shall be on the
Revenge
,” Willow said softly. “The exchange will take place as originally planned.”

“Aye, my lady. But success depends upon your compliance. I will not force you aboard the
Revenge
.”

“When he awakens, Dariq will be furious with you and everyone who had a hand in this.”

“It cannot be helped. Saliha Sultana did not save the prince’s life so he could throw it away. I will be aboard the
Revenge
when he is released, praise Allah, but I will face his wrath when I return with his mother. It is up to you, lady, to tell us whether or not you will help.”

Willow shuddered. If she did not fall in with Mustafa’s plan, Dariq would die. If she sailed to Istanbul, she would spend her life behind walls, bound forever by Ibrahim’s will. Either way, the choice was a terrible one, but Willow did not hesitate. She had not abandoned hope that her
father was searching for her and would eventually rescue her. He wasn’t the kind to give up.

“Tell me what I must do.”

It took but a few minutes for Mustafa to explain his plan. Then he and Baba left Willow to ponder her fate. She sat in the garden where they had left her, staring at her hands, wondering if Dariq would follow her to Istanbul after he was released. Probably not, she decided. Once his mother was returned to him, he would forget about her and what she had done for him.

Freedom might not mean a great deal in Dariq’s country, but to her it meant everything. Granted, English society imposed many restrictions upon young women, but at least they weren’t confined behind walls and used as sex slaves.

Lost in contemplation, Willow remained so long in the garden she didn’t notice that the shadows had lengthened and the sun had sunk below the horizon. Nor did she know she wasn’t alone until a pair of strong arms circled her from behind.

She smiled and leaned back against Dariq, breathing deeply. He smelled of exotic spices and a scent uniquely his.

“Our dinner will be served shortly,” Dariq whispered against her ear. He extended his hand. “Come. There is plenty of time to enjoy a bath. Baba prepared a special perfume to add to the water. I think you will enjoy it.”

So this is the beginning of the end
, Willow thought as she placed her hand in Dariq’s and let him draw her to her feet. Hand in hand they walked to the
hammam
. The small chamber was warm and humid and indolent with a flowery scent Willow didn’t recognize. She sniffed appreciatively.

“Do you like the scent?” Dariq asked. “I poured it into the water.”

“Very much. ’Tis intoxicating,” Willow allowed.

Dariq turned her toward him, his eyes dark with desire. “I find it arousing myself. Shall I help you undress?”

Willow offered no objection as Dariq removed her clothing and then his own. He stepped back to look at her. “You have a beautiful body.”

Willow smiled, her eyes taking their fill of him while he gazed at her. His legs were long and muscular; the tendons beneath his golden skin rippled with suppressed tension. “So do you.”

He threw back his head and laughed. “Men’s bodies are not beautiful, beauty.”

“You are right, of course. I meant to say magnificent.”

Smiling with a tenderness that took Willow’s breath away, he led her down the steps to the water. Once she was immersed to her hips, he reached into the pot of fragrant soap sitting on the rim of the tub and scooped out a handful. His hands slid provocatively over her breasts, stomach and hips; then he turned her around to spread soap over her back and buttocks.

He surpised her when he lifted her, sat her on the lip of the tub and reached for her left foot. Raising it from the water, he soaped her foot and leg, his hand straying into the damp tunnel between her thighs. Whimpering, she arched into his caress. Then he gave the same attention to her other foot and leg. By the time he lifted her down into the water, her skin was flushed and she was trembling.

“Now it’s your turn,” Willow purred, dipping her fingers into the pot of soap.

Willow loved the feel of his skin beneath her fingertips; it was smooth and velvety, yet the muscles were hard beneath the surface. Every time she touched a sensitive spot, his tendons jerked in response. When she finally
turned her attention to his manhood, she wasn’t surprised to find him fully erect.

Holding his engorged staff between her hands, she slowly stroked up and down. She watched his face as she worked her magic on him; his head was thrown back, his teeth bared and his eyes closed. Did she look as transfixed as Dariq when he caressed her?

Abruptly Dariq’s eyes flew open and he removed her hands; his silver eyes were so dark they appeared black. He slipped into the water to rinse off the soap, then scooped Willow into his arms and carried her from the
hammam
.

“I want to be inside you when I find my pleasure,” he whispered hoarsely.

He dried her with a soft cloth. When he finished, she was as aroused as Dariq. Their food was waiting for them on a low table surrounded by a pile of pillows when they returned to the bedchamber. Dariq seated her and followed her down. Willow saw the teapot and tried not to think about the drug it held. How soon after he drank it would it take effect?

She wanted to have this one last night with him and could think of only one way to achieve it. She stroked his face, turning it toward her and away from the food.

“I am not hungry for food yet. I want to make love before we eat.”

A slow grin spread over Dariq’s face. “I have met my match. Aye, my lusty beauty, the food will keep.”

He lowered her to the pillows and kissed her ravenously, all thought of food forgotten in the name of passion. He aroused her slowly, lavishing her with tender, nipping kisses, using his hands and mouth to make her body sing. She returned his ardor kiss for kiss, until he was hard as stone and they were both trembling with need. It wasn’t enough.

Willow wanted more of him. She wanted to taste him as he had tasted her. Clasping his hips in her hands, she lowered her head and licked the length of his cock, from the base to the head. Then she lapped a pearly drop of dew from the engorged tip with her tongue. He reacted violently to the rasp of her tongue, arching and crying out.

She went still. “Did I hurt you?”

“Aye, you are killing me, but I love it. Don’t stop.”

Willow was enjoying herself far too much to quit now. She raised her head and looked into his eyes. They were narrowed into slits and watching her. She grinned at him, then slipped her lips around the head and sucked him into her mouth. His moans fell one upon another as she licked up one side of his staff and down the other. The salty sweet taste of him surprised but did not disgust her.

He grasped her head between his palms, holding her in place. “Deeper,” he groaned. “Harder.”

Happily Willow gave him what he wanted as her head dipped again, increasing the pressure upon his sensitive sex with her tongue and lips.

Suddenly Dariq lifted her off and away. “No more, vixen.” He lay without moving several minutes, struggling to control himself. “Turn over,” he panted.

She stared at him for the length of a heartbeat before obeying. Then he raised her hips and positioned himself behind her. Willow waited with bated breath for Dariq to do something … anything. She wiggled her hips invitingly. When he finally thrust inside her, she shoved back against him, urging him on with tiny, desperate cries.

He leaned over her, pushing in and out of her tight passage while his hands teased her nipples into hard nubs. Sweat dampened his skin, blood pooled hot and heavy in his cock. The scent of aroused female filled his nostrils as he drove himself relentlessly. He was so close to the edge,
he feared he wouldn’t be able to wait for her. He tried to slow down, but he was stampeding toward climax.

“Hurry, love,” he pleaded. “Come with me.”

Unwilling to leave her behind, he slid one hand down her stomach and gently massaged the swollen jewel nestled between her thighs with the rough pad of his thumb. Willow screamed and began to convulse.

“That’s it. Come with me, sweet beauty. Soar with me.”

Willow was already soaring. She felt her soul touch the moon and stars, and then she heard Dariq cry out in a voice harsh with anguish, “You are mine, Willow, mine.”

Then his warm seed filled her.

For several long minutes Dariq lay panting and motionless on top of her. Then he moved away, his chest heaving as he lowered himself beside her.

“I will never give you to Ibrahim,” he said fiercely. “You may already be carrying my babe.”

“Is that the only reason, Dariq?” Willow asked.

Dariq stroked her face. “Nay, sweet love, but the rest is better left unsaid. We go in different directions now, you to your father and I to my…” His sentence fell away.

“To your death—is that what you meant to say?”

“If that is my fate, then so be it.”

Rising, he lifted her into his arms and carried her back to the
hammam
. They washed quickly and returned to the bedchamber and the supper that awaited them.