Dragon Lords Books 1 - 4 Box Set: Anniversary Edition

by Michelle M. Pillow

  Pia’s breath deepened with long pants of air. She didn’t look at him.

  “You’ll owe them a lot of money if you leave me.”

  “I can pay it back,” she lied, her voice trembling.

  “If you could have, you wouldn’t be here,” he said.

  “I can go on another trip,” she said, sounding more desperate with each sentence. “I can find a different husband to settle my obligation to Galaxy Brides.”

  “Maybe you should read the fine print,” Zoran said. “Since I chose you, you can’t leave unless the wedding isn’t finished. If you leave me and I complain, you will have to pay them back for breach of contract.”

  Pia spun to him in dismay. Her eyes rounded and her voice was barely audible, as she asked, “Why would you do that?”

  “Because you are my wife.” His jaw was stiff. It was a shallow victory, but he would take it. “You belong with me.”

  “I have no choice, do I?” Pia asked. “You’re serious.”

  “Very.”

  Pia gasped for breath, stricken by his decree. Her lips trembled and her eyes became moist. The tears didn’t fall.

  Pia slowly nodded. Sighing in resignation, she said, “You win, Zoran. You win. There will be no divorce.”

  As she turned to leave him, Zoran didn’t feel like he’d won anything. Her shoulders pressed proudly back. She didn’t cry or pout over her fate. She handled it with dignity.

  He was sorry it had come to this. He’d never wanted to force her hand, but if she kept speaking of divorcing him someone would eventually overhear her. It would dishonor him and his family. The divorce would never be granted. As a prince, one of the votes was his and he would never allow it. But, the shame of going through the trial would undermine his authority with the men and embarrass everyone involved.

  “Pia,” he called, not knowing what he could say to bridge the gap between them. He only hoped that time would mend it. She stopped, waiting. “Thanks for taking care of my arm.”

  At that, he heard her give a short, humorless laugh. “Of course. What else is a wife for?”

  Chapter 14

  Zoran left his home at dawn. Pia was fast asleep on the couch, curled into a ball beneath the blanket. He felt terrible for forcing her to stay with him, but was proud of how well she accepted her fate. She didn’t cry or whine. She honored herself well.

  Standing, arms crossed, he shouted commands to the young soldiers. He couldn’t slack in his duties. But as hard as he’d pushed the men lately, he would call off early in the day, and give them a break. He wanted to extend a peace offering to Pia, maybe escort her out of the house.

  Seeing one of his brothers, Olek, striding toward the field, Zoran gave a wry chuckle of self-amusement. His brothers had been most lax in their training since getting married. Ualan had joined him for a little while during the swamp battles, but other than that, the princes had been scarce.

  Olek’s features were drawn into a tight scowl and he stomped as if he were being chased by demons. When Olek’s troubled eyes lifted from the surrounding village, he nodded solemnly at his commander brother. Zoran answered with a devilish smile in return and sternly nodded back. He knew just what his little brother needed.

  Lifting his arm to the men, he motioned to Olek and yelled, “First wave, attack!”

  Olek jerked in surprise, but grinned as he swung his sword up from his waist. Zoran watched in brotherly mischief as the whole of his first battalion rushed forward and tackled the bravely fighting Olek to the ground.

  * * *

  “Here.” Zoran stood before his wife, sweaty from work, but not covered in swamp muck. In his extended hand he held a bunch of flowers. He’d pulled them up by the roots and red dirt still clung to them.

  Pia looked up in surprise from where she lounged on the low cushion next to the short table. She’d been flipping through a weapons manual, probably looking at the pictures. He doubted she understood the words.

  Pia eyed him and his wilting flowers unenthusiastically. “You’re off early.”

  “I thought,” he began. “Here, take these. I’m trying to...ugh.”

  Pia arched a brow. Standing, she set the manual aside and took the flowers.

  “Ah, thanks,” she mumbled. “What do I do with them?”

  “I’ve seen men give them to their wives.”

  “I guess I should get them in some water?”

  Zoran resisted the urge to smack the side of his temple, as she turned to walk the sorry bouquet to the kitchen. He’d known it was a stupid idea when Olek suggested it. Olek seemed so sure his own wife liked plants from the forest and assumed maybe all women did.

  Following her to the kitchen, Zoran watched as she grabbed a knife and cut off the roots. She then filled a goblet with water and stuck the flowers in it. As she swept the roots into the trash, he said, “Come on. I got you some things.”

  Pia eyed him suspiciously.

  “Just,” he frowned and grumbled, waving her to follow. “Come on.”

  Pia joined him in the main hall. She hadn’t noticed the packages he’d placed on the floor. “What’s all this?”

  “I thought, well, you looked like you might need some stuff. So I went shopping for you.”

  “Okay,” Pia allowed carefully.

  Zoran leaned over and picked up the largest bag, handing it to her. “I got you clothes. I know they aren’t what you’re used to, but it’s our fashion. I purchased the most comfortable items I could find.”

  Zoran had gone to the dressmaker, grabbing a random woman off the street who appeared to be about Pia’s size. The woman was shocked beyond belief to have the overlarge Captain of the Guards, and a prince at that, yank her into the dressmaker’s shop. But, after realizing what the big bad warrior was trying to do, she took pity on him and helped him out. She even went so far as to make him a list of everything he should consider getting. Zoran had gotten most of the items off her list—at least the ones he could understand. For the life of him he couldn’t figure out what eyeliner and a blush tinter were. When he’d asked the baker if he knew, the man had just shrugged.

  Zoran then ordered the old dressmaker to give him everything she had that a wife might have need of. She’d only been too happy to comply, insisting that he bring his wife back to the shop so she could measure her for a dress. Instead, Zoran told her to send one of her assistants to the palace to take the measurements. He hated to admit that he was still disturbed by her hair and not ready to bring her out in public. Not that he thought she wasn’t ravishing, but that the rest of his people would assume he did it to shame and humiliate her. The Draig would never believe a woman had purposefully done it her herself.

  The seamstress’ helper would be arriving any minute. Zoran had picked out a few dress designs and materials he liked. Then, he’d given leeway to the woman to make Pia whatever else she saw fit, before leaving the shop.

  Zoran frowned when his wife didn’t speak. “You aren’t pleased.”

  “No,” she rushed. “It’s fine. I don’t think I need all this. Aside from something to do during the day, and food… I mean, there’s just so much of it.”

  “I can’t take it back,” he lied. “So you might as well go through it and pick out what you want.”

  Pia nodded. She took the bag and sat with it on the front hall floor. Carefully reaching in, she dug out several pairs of cotton slacks. The material was soft and flowing. They came in all colors, most predominantly black. One even had a red dragon embroidered on the front hip. She smiled.

  Zoran saw her look and relaxed some. “So you’re not going to throw them in the fireplace?”

  Pia looked up at him, clearly not knowing he was teasing. “I’m sorry about that. I shouldn’t have done it. I didn’t sleep the night before and I was—”

  “It’s fine. Forget it.”

  Pia nodded, but she still looked guilty.

  Zoran lifted up a couple of bags, and began walking to the kitchen. “I’ll put the groceri
es away. And the eyeliners will be in the fridge.”

  “Eyeliners?”

  “Meat, for when your eyes swell like after a fight.” He paused, sure he’d correctly figured that item out.

  “Oh, ok.”

  “And if you don’t need it, we’ll eat it. The meat’s fresh,” he finished. “The rest is yours, go ahead and put it wherever you see fit.”

  * * *

  Pia swallowed nervously. No one had ever gotten her anything like this before. No one had ever brought her flowers. She didn’t care how sorry they looked. To her they were the most beautiful flowers in the galaxy.

  Without Zoran watching her, she dug into the sack with shaking fingers. She found several cotton shirts, with built-in support. Reaching to scratch where her bra rubbed her side, she held her breath in excitement. These shirts would be so much more comfortable.

  She heard Zoran rummaging around in the kitchen. She leaned back, trying to get a peek at him. She couldn’t see him from her place on the floor.

  In one of the smaller bags contained several perfumes. She wondered if he’d even tested them, or if he’d simply walked along and plucked them randomly into a bag. She smelled a couple. Most were exotic flower blends and not bad. One, a very decorative bottle encrusted with fake gems, was awful and she capped it immediately.

  “You’ll be decoration,” she said to the offending fragrance, setting it apart from the others.

  There were socks, leather boots, and a low pair of shoes perfect for exercising. Lifting them up, she slipped the low shoes onto her bare feet. They fit perfectly.

  “I thought you could use those if you wanted to work on your kicks,” he said from behind her.

  Pia was in too good of a mood to take offence. It was just like a holiday—or what she imagined a holiday would’ve felt like. “There’s nothing wrong with my kicks. I hit you, didn’t I?”

  They both instantly remembered their little fight in the tent. Zoran’s eyes lit with the memory. Pia turned quickly away to hide her blush.

  “I let you hit me,” he said. “I took it easy on you, you know, because you’re a woman.”

  Pia’s mouth dropped open at his presumption. “Hey, I’ve been in a lot of fights. I can hold my own.”

  “I’m sure with a weaker, less skilled opponent, you could,” Zoran said, clearly provoking her on purpose.

  “Are you saying I couldn’t take you down?” she asked, hands on hips. “I’ll have you know that I’ve taken down creatures twice your size.”

  “Have you?” he smirked, not believing her.

  “Yeah, I have,” she stated. “In fact, once in the Sollure System I took on two yehtis and their droid companion from—”

  “Yehtis are slow, cumbersome creatures,” Zoran broke in, dismissing her words with a toss of his hand. “Anyone with half a brain could outwit them.”

  “I was thirteen,” she said darkly.

  “You could have just gotten lucky.”

  “You’re impressed. Admit it.”

  “Fine, two yehtis are impressive for a thirteen year old. It doesn’t mean that you don’t need to work on your moves.”

  “My moves are just fine,” she countered. “I’ll take on any man you put in front of me.”

  “Is that so?” he asked, taking a step forward.

  “Yeah, that’s so!”

  Zoran stepped directly in front of her, crossing his arms over his chest. “All right, then.”

  Pia blinked up at him.

  “Well?” he questioned, with an arrogant raise of his brow. “You said you could take down any man I put in front of you. So, what are you waiting for? Take me down.”

  Pia narrowed her eyes. Instantly, her hand darted out for his neck and she turned to sweep him down over her hip. Zoran ducked out of her way and grabbed her from behind as she spun. Pulling her hard to his chest, he said, “I’m sorry, were you not ready? Would you like to try again?”

  Pia grumbled as he let her go. Backing up, she eyed him. She came forward to fake a kick and punched toward his jaw. He dodged her fist, lifting his hand to catch it in his large palm.

  Pia flinched, as he squeezed her fist lightly in his grasp without really hurting her, showing her how easily he could have broken her hand. She jerked away from him with a loud growl of frustration. Zoran smiled. “Are you done playing around?”

  Pia shook out her hand and circled around him. Zoran lowered his arm to his side and didn’t move to watch her.

  “Ow,” Pia cried out breathlessly, as if in pain.

  Zoran instantly turned to check on her. It was a mistake. She grabbed his arm in mid turn and bucked him over her knee. He landed on his back with a thud and she jumped on top of him, pinning down his arms with her knees.

  Smiling victoriously, she said, “You military guys are all the same. It doesn’t matter who you are, if you hear a womanly cry for help you’re all over it.” She shook her head, her short hair brushing up against her jaw. “I’m sorely disappointed, Zoran.”

  * * *

  Zoran grinned. He was anything but disappointed. He could’ve gotten out of her hold if he wanted to, but the view was too great to disrupt. He had an eyeful of her breasts right above his face and if he were to lean his head in he could nuzzle her inner thigh. Too bad she wouldn’t take her clothes off. This game would be much more entertaining if they were naked.

  “Do you give up?” she asked.

  “And relinquish this view?” he said playfully, giving a meaningful nod to her chest. He licked his lips. “Never.”

  Pia gasped, instantly trying to stand. Zoran pushed up from the floor, bending straight over so she straddled his lap. Whipping his straightened legs to the sides and then around on the floor, he pinned her down with his body, fitting himself between her thighs. His body pressed into hers.

  “Though, this view isn’t bad either,” he said naughtily. Looking down at her breasts beneath his face, he asked, “Do you mind if I just take a closer look?

  “Ah!” Pia’s mouth fell open in outrage.

  He took the opportunity to place a swift kiss on her lips. She jerked in response beneath him. She squeezed his waist with her legs, trying to get him to back off.

  “Get off me, you gigantic oaf,” she ordered. “Don’t you dare touch me!”

  Zoran chuckled and rolled to the side. She shot to her feet. Suddenly, a knock sounded on the door. Pia blinked looking down at her husband who was lying on his back, eyeing her from the floor.

  “That would be the dressmaker’s assistant here to take your measurements,” he answered her unasked question. Kicking his feet into the air, he hopped to standing with little effort. He winked at Pia as he passed by. “I know you hate it, but you do need to have a few formal dresses for special occasions.”

  * * *

  Pia was too weak to answer. She liked the graceful way his body moved and flexed, it was strange to see a large man so nimble. The way he could so easily overtake her did something to her insides. She watched him, her mouth dry, as he went to answer the door. It was as if he had no idea the effect he had on her. Her heart hammered in her chest, pounding wildly.

  In the tent, when they’d fought, he hadn’t moved as swiftly and surely as he had just now. Pia realized he’d held back that night. He’d let her think she had him matched. Now, watching him with new appreciation, she understood that he was trained well beyond her years of experience. She might get a few lucky shots in, but in the end he would always be able to defeat her. A small part of her wanted to beg him to train her. The other parts of her beat that small part up.

  Pia peered over Zoran’s shoulder. A man stood in the doorway, looking at her with an expression akin to horror. She blushed, suddenly realizing he must have heard them from outside the hall.

  “Draea Anwealda,” the dressmaker’s assistant said, turning to address Zoran with a slight bow. The man glanced at Pia’s hair and motioned to her with a look of compassion, asking Zoran something in their shared language.

/>   Zoran glanced back at Pia before answering in kind.

  The assistant motioned to her and then to his own longer locks. She self-consciously touched her hair as she watched him. When he looked at her again, it was as if he pitied her. The man shook his head sadly.

  “What?” Pia asked, turning expectantly to Zoran to translate. “What’s he saying?”

  Zoran frowned, but answered, “He wants to know why I have disfigured you, and if he should leave your presence. He thinks you might be preparing for exile.”

  “What did you tell him?” Suddenly, she became extremely self-conscious. Annoying Zoran with her haircut was one thing, but eliciting pitying looks from outsiders was another completely. She didn’t wish to be pitied. She hated the looks people sometimes gave her when they’d seen her scarred face. That’s what this man’s expression reminded her of.

  “That you weren’t disfigured,” Zoran answered.

  She scowled at the man. He continued to stare at her. Her jaw lifted regally. The man turned away first. It was a grim victory.

  Zoran said something in his language. The assistant rushed forward. Zoran nodded at his wife, going to the kitchen and leaving them alone. Lifting her arm, the assistant ran his measuring device over her body. He finished quickly, without looking directly at her again, and turned to leave. The door slid shut behind him.

  “Please tell me not everyone is going to react like that,” she said in ill humor.

  “Like what?” Zoran asked. He pretended not to know what she spoke of, as he came out of the kitchen wiping crumbs from his mouth.

  “Never mind.” Hands on hips, she looked over the packages. “Where do you want me to put this stuff? The closet or dresser?”

  “It’s up to you,” Zoran answered. “I cleared out the right side of the dresser and half the closet for you before the festival.”