THE SHADOWLORD (21 page)

"Tell me I did not hear Lord Aluino call you the Shadowlord's wife," Sulaimon intoned. He stopped and turned to glare down at her.

Aradia lifted her chin. "I am Lord Jaelan Ben-Ashaman's legal wife."

A fierce frown drew the man's brows together over a huge beak of a nose. A muscle ground in his chiseled cheek. "The Lady Orithia will find such news most distressing, Milady." He started walking again.

"Why?" Aradia asked, her short legs pumping to keep up with the man's long stride.

"She has vowed to see the Shadowlord in his grave," he responded. "And she has the ear of the King."

Fear rippled through Aradia, but she refused to allow it to creep into her voice. "A King who can gain any number of beautiful women to replace my sister in his affections, but who will have a difficult time finding another Shadowlord to do his bidding? Is that the same King of whom we speak?"

The dark man stopped again. Twisting his head toward her, he flashed her a smile that showed a mouthful of thick, startling white teeth, made all the more brilliant in contrast to his stygian flesh. "This should be interesting," he said, then resumed his walk.

The door that led into Orithia's quarters drew Aradia's notice. The scene molded in pure gold brought a blush to her cheeks.

"The work of a gifted artisan," Sulaimon explained, seeing her reaction.

Aradia shook her head. "The work of a perverted artist." She turned her eyes from the naked women emblazoned on the door, as they cavorted with one another in obscene positions. The scene made her nauseous.

From Sulaimon's wide chest, laughter rumbled, no less ferocious than thunder echoing down a mountain. His smile seemed genuine, the laughter bringing tears to his huge eyes. He swiped at the moisture with a beefy paw. "Such was the Lady Orithia's pronouncement upon first seeing the door."

Aradia's mouth twisted with disgust. "Such scenes are crafted by men for other men. I would imagine that kind of thing isn't allowed even here."

"You are correct, Milady. The only release the women of the seraglio know comes from their masters." He arched a thick brow. "To that end, certain things are not allowed within the walls of the seraglio."

"Such as?"

"Carrots, cucumbers, stalks of celery, ears of corn," Sulaimon said with a grin. At Aradia's scarlet blush, he laughed again and opened the door.

"Who are you?" a shrill voice demanded.

"Ah," Sulaimon sighed, "I had forgotten you were visiting the Lady Orithia, Saahira."

"Who's this scrawny excuse for a female, Sulaimon?" the woman demanded.

"Who the hell are
you
?" Aradia snapped, eyeing the red-haired beauty, standing arms akimbo and tapping a delicate bare foot before her.

"Aradia!" Orithia squealed. She ran to her sister, grabbed her in a fierce hug, and swung her around and around. "You have no idea how happy I am to see you!"

When Orithia released her, Aradia stared in shock. The flimsy silk pantaloons barely hid the shadowed V of Orithia's pelvic hair. The overly small vest of embroidered suede, held together by a slender golden chain, exposed most of Orithia's bosom. A gauzy veil attached to a jewel-studded circlet adorned her hair.

"Where are your clothes, Sister?" Aradia asked.

"I knew someone would come after me, but I did not dare to think it would be you," Orithia said as though she had not heard the question. "Who else came with you?"

Saahira snorted. "As though she'll be able to help you. I told you not even a battalion of your women warriors could free you from this prison."

"I suppose you know everything," Aradia grated.

Saahira raised her chin. "I am the concubine of the Shadowlord. I know all!"

Aradia's eyes widened.

The redhead smiled nastily. "So you understand the power I wield at Abbadon? I suggest you speak to me in respectful tones."

Orithia led Aradia to a low settee piled high with silk pillows. "Saahira has been a comfort to me. She's agreed to help me exact my revenge on the man who's responsible for my imprisonment."

"What man would that be?" Aradia asked, sitting beside her.

"Jaelan Ben-Ashaman," Orithia said with a sneer. "Saahira hates him almost as much as I."

"More so, Pale One," Saahira stated. "You're not required to pleasure the vile beast."

"Thanks be to Alluvial." Orithia took Aradia's hands in hers. "How did you get here? Who captured you?"

Aradia blinked. "Is that the only way you imagine I'd come to your rescue? By being captured?"

Saahira chuckled. "You certainly didn't walk into Abbadon on your own. A man brought you, whore, else you would not be here."

Before Aradia could leap to her feet, Orithia tightened the grip on her hands. "Be careful what you say to my kinswoman, Saahira. I will tolerate only so much of your insubordination. I'll soon be Queen, and where will you be then? You do not want to make an enemy of me."

Saahira shrugged. "You are not Queen yet, Pale One. Do not count your ducklings before they're hatched."

"Send her away before I tear out that ugly red hair," Aradia said beneath her breath.

Orithia giggled. "Will you excuse us, Saahira? I have much to say to my sister."

The woman's face turned hard, but she made no comment. Instead, she sauntered to the door, flipping her long hair over her shoulder. She glanced back, giving Aradia a hateful look, then left.

"She's nothing more than a prostitute, but the information she gives me is invaluable," Orithia said.

"I'd question just how valuable. That one is
not
your friend, Sister."

"I know she isn't. She hates me as much as I hate her. But we have a common enemy and are working toward ridding ourselves of him."

Aradia frowned. "Lord Jaelan."

"I'll see him in hell for his part in my captivity. I--"

"He brought me here."

Orithia gaped. "Oh, Aradia, no!" She palmed Aradia's cheek. "I'm so sorry! How did that evil son of a--"

"He's my husband."

"What?" Orithia breathed, color draining from her face. She trembled violently, her fingers fluttering at her mouth.

"I agreed to Join with him if he'd free you from this place. He said it was in his power to do so." Aradia's shoulders drooped. "But that was before you agreed to become King Hasani's wife. Now, there's nothing the warrior can do and we'll both be here the rest of our lives."

Orithia shook her head over and over. "No, this can't be."

"We were legally Joined by a magistrate in Uadjit, the town in which Jaelan grew up. Even now, he is at audience with the King, no doubt telling him of our Joining."

The stunned look on Orithia's face slowly metamorphosed into one of anger. When she closed her mouth, her lips pressed into a thin line and her jaw became tight. Her eyes narrowed into slits, and she slumped against the cushions.

"He's not the monster you believe him to be," Aradia said.

"Did he rape you?"

"Of course not."

"Have you mated with that infernal demon?" Orithia snapped.

"We have not had our Joining night, no."

"Then the Joining has not been consummated. I'll have Hasani annul this misbegotten travesty."

"I don't want that."

"Why?"

"I want him."

"Whatever for?"

"Because he wants me and we--"

Orithia gasped. "He wants you?"

"His was the life I saved in Diabolusia. Remember me telling you?" At Orithia's nod, Aradia gave a small shrug. "He was grateful for what I did, and though he has not said as much, I believe he may bear me a measure of affection."

"Affection," Orithia repeated, eyes wide.

"Perhaps even love."

Orithia burst out laughing. "Oh, this is wonderful!" She got up from the cushions and whirled around, her palms rising to the heavens. "This is better than what Saahira wanted to do to him!"

A heavy frown pulled at Aradia's face. "What do you mean?"

Shrieking with delight, Orithia danced across the room, then clapped her hands. "The stag has finally been brought to ground and by a hand he will not stop when it places the dagger to his worthless throat!"

The words settled like poisonous darts in Aradia's brain. "No, Sister. You don't understand."

"Thanks be to Alluvial for Her answer to my prayers! I'll have my revenge on the feared Shadowlord of Abbadon. You'll be his downfall, Ardy! You'll be the one to give me Jaelan Ben-Ashaman's head on a silver platter!"

Aluino slipped into the throne room, nodding at the guards and some of the silent warriors in attendance. Spying Jaelan near the raised dais that held the golden throne, Aluino made his way between the milling warriors, making no apology for pushing some out of his way.

"The King is keeping him waiting," Tarsis Khnumisi said as Aluino came abreast of him. The old warrior stood with arms crossed over a chest that had lost none of its muscled bulk. On his head sat a red and white keffiya, held in place by a double black cord agal; the headdress hid his severed left ear. The thick scars criss-crossing his weathered face gave the retired soldier a gruesome, forbidding look.

"That doesn't bode well, does it?" Aluino whispered.

"Tell me about the woman."

"She is the Amazeen from Diabolusia," he said, knowing no other explanation would be necessary.

Tarsis cursed. "By the Prophet, what other ill luck can that boy have? Just last week he was blubbering in his beer about that damned female."

Aluino grinned. "He always blubbers about her when he's had too much Heqet."

"Look at him," Tarsis said in a disgusted tone, nudging his chin toward the Shadowlord. "I sometimes think the man's retarded."

"The man is in love." Aluino shrugged helplessly when Tarsis turned to him. "And I think the feeling is mutual."

Tarsis' mouth dropped open. He slapped his right ear several times with his palm. "Am I hearing things, warthog? What foul rumor are you thinking to spread?"

Aluino lowered his voice. "As much as neither of us hoped this day would come, old man, I tell you it has. He's found the Amazeen and has made her his own."

A snarl erupted from Tarsis' throat, then he stiffened. "The King has arrived." He dropped to the floor, giving obeisance to his sovereign.

Aluino lowered himself to the floor and stretched out his arms, resting his forehead against the backs of his hands.

"Rise!" the Chief Tribunalist shouted.

Jaelan was the last to gain his feet. He came to attention, his shoulders back, arms rigid at his sides, his chin up. He stared straight ahead, his eyes locked with those of his King, who slumped in his elaborate gold chair.

"Relax, Jaelan," the King ordered.

Jaelan shifted his body into parade rest--legs spread, arms behind him, right wrist clasped in his left palm. "Thank you, Your Majesty."

"Where did you go, Jaelan?"

Jaelan swallowed before answering. "To Daedel, Your Majesty."

"Ah, yes," King Hasani sighed. "And how was mistress Olufemi's food?"

"As palatable as ever, Majesty."

The King plucked a piece of lint from his robe. "And what else did you find palatable in Daedel?"

Jaelan's nostrils flared. His eyes cut to Chief Guard Sekhem Neter, who stood with an amused look on his ruddy face.

"May I have permission to speak freely, Your Majesty?" Jaelan asked, all too aware of Lord Gehenna, who entered the throne room.

After waving a negligent hand, the King settled in his chair and steepled his fingers, resting his chin upon the tips.

"Perhaps Your Majesty remembers the time I was imprisoned in Diabolusia. The woman who saved my life was in Daedel."

The King's brow rose. "The Amazeen who was the consort of the Diabolusian prince?"

"Aye, Your Majesty." His palms slick with sweat, Jaelan surreptitiously wiped them on his pant legs.

King Hasani sat forward, his hands gripping the chair arms. "This is the woman you defied me to Join?"

"With all due respect, Your Majesty, it was not my intention to defy you. I--"

"But you did not seek permission to take a mate, did you?"

Fear of losing Aradia drove down Jaelan's tall frame. His King glared at him, and from the corner of his eye, Jaelan saw Gehenna chuckling and Sekhem Neter smirking. Though he did not turn to survey the other warriors, Jaelan felt their eyes on him.

"Well?" the King barked. "Do you dare make me repeat the question?"

Jaelan took a deep breath. "Your Majesty once told me that whatever I wanted, I was to take. You told me I did not need to seek permission from any man."

"I am not
any
man!" the King bellowed, coming to his feet. "Do
not
remind me what I said--I know perfectly well what I told you!"

"My apologies, Your Majesty, if I overstepped my boundaries, but I did not believe the taking of a bride was of import to any one other than myself. I had no idea it would displease you so greatly." Jaelan flexed his sweaty palms and wished he could wipe the perspiration from his upper lip.

"It does not displease
me
," the King grated, "but it greatly displeases Arch-Deacon Gehenna. He has lodged a formal complaint, complete with a fancy seal! He has asked for your censure in this matter. Give me one good reason why I should not turn you over to him!"

Jaelan knew how much the King hated Gehenna and his brother Jahannum. "I do not answer to Lord Gehenna, Your Majesty. I answer only to you. If my Joining does not displease you, why should it displease the Arch-Deacon?"

The King's angry face relaxed. He cocked his head. "Well said, Lord Jaelan. Well said." He took his seat, stretching out one leg as he slumped against the thick cushion. "Lord Gehenna? What have you to say in response ?"

Gehenna's frigid eyes locked on Jaelan. "He dares to flaunt the authority of the Tribunal by making such a statement, Your Majesty. Even though he is Shadowlord, he is not above the law."

"Whose law?" the King inquired politely. "He broke no law of mine."

"He violated the laws of the Tribunal Guard by wedding an unbeliever. Though he is your personal employee, he is, nevertheless, a soldier of the Crown. Granted, he is an exalted soldier, but a soldier nonetheless. If you allow him to exhibit disdain for the laws of the Tribunal, who will uphold those laws, Your Majesty? Without laws, there would be anarchy."