"No." She slowly shook her head, pondering. Had she given the impression of favoring someone? She was just being nice to everyone, since they had welcomed her in their homes. "Lord Mehmud introduced me to his son, but the last Akkoran ambassador wasn't too happy to see me."
"And he left before your father became emperor." Harithik smiled. "So you're fine here? How are you feeling... inside?" He put a hand on his heart. His gray-green eyes were still quite sad and she had never seen him smile in genuine happiness.
"I felt angry at first, that's what made me leave home. Then I felt empty, that's what made me stay at your beach house. Now... I don't know," she admitted. "It seems I have found some sort of inner peace."
"But not happiness," he said gravely.
"I still miss a piece of me."
"So do I, but I was wondering if... we could try to piece our holes together, see if we can fill each other?"
She stared at him, surprised, and saw him blush and stammer.
"I mean... I don't know... I miss Zoya..."
"And I miss Roger. And Abayomi." She looked him in the eyes. "But I might be ready to try for another. I want to feel life grow inside me again."
"I want to give a mother to my children and have a woman by my side," he said. "I have still a few months of mourning, but... would you marry me when it's over?"
She gasped and looked at him, incredulous.
"I know your father is an emperor and I'm only the cousin of a king..."
She put one finger on his lips and he shut up. She slowly smiled. He wasn't Roger, but he was a good man. Maybe he was right, they could help each other to fill the void in their hearts.
"I will be honored to be your wife," she answered.
His lips curved into a shy smile. "Thank you," he whispered. He took her hands in his and kissed them. "Zindagi bless you, you will never have to go through that loss again, not if I can avoid it."
"I will bear your children while I have strength in my body and be a mother for Radhwan and Ramjee until my last day," she promised, kissing his hands in return.
He was still quite formal, probably because they were on a terrace and anyone strolling in the garden could see them. But then he rose and, holding her hand, he led her inside. Behind the curtains of a short corridor, he took her in his arms and sought her mouth.
Olayinka kissed him back with unexpected passion. She thought her heart was dead, but she felt it beat again against Harithik's chest, with his arms wrapped around her.
***
Harithik's wedding was celebrated one year after Zoya's passing, to the happiness of the boys who already adored Olayinka and looked forward to calling her "mother" officially. The bride came to the temple of Zindagi accompanied by her sisters-in-law Nadirah and Saira, who had helped her dress and comb her hair.
She had cornrow French braids pulled up on the side with white pearls and a bright blue dress that wrapped her hourglass body and trailed behind her. Her Neran golden necklace and bangles shone on her neck and arms, and when she smiled, she lit up the temple for Harithik.
He thanked Zindagi once more for bringing the black princess into his life. As they headed back for the palace, holding hands and followed by the children and his relatives, she whispered in his ear, "You know, I think it's the first time I've seen you smile with your eyes."
"It's because you gave me back joy and happiness," he replied tenderly. "And I'll do my best to make you happy every day of your life."
He already knew her body and caressed her belly, knowing she'd soon give him another child. As night fell on the wedding banquet, Harithik thought he saw Zoya and Roger watch them and smile.
Acknowledgments
Amrendra (The Northern Warrior, The Jesters, Twin Royalty)
A very special thanks to Camila for her thoughtful comments on the whole story. Sorry I couldn't please you better with The King-God of Arquon!
The Hooded Man
Special thanks to Shafali, Joleene, Fulvio and the Rome Regulars for their input on the manuscript that earned it a Honorable Mention at Writers of the Future. And to Tricia Kristufek for the editing, so it wasn't buried in typos and bad grammar.
The Young King
A very special thanks to J.D. Martin for his excellent suggestion that made this story better. This is the third version of the story: the first one was published in Male Lovers of Silvery Earth. The second, with J.D.'s suggestion, is included in More Tales of the Southern Kingdoms. This single edition contains the suggestions by cover artist Cristina Fabris – just a couple of paragraphs in the first sex scene, previously exclusive of the Italian version.
***
About the Author
Barbara G.Tarn had an intense life in the Middle Ages that stuck to her through the centuries. She prefers swords to guns, long gowns to mini-skirts, and even though she buried the warrior woman, she deplores the death of knights in shining chainmail. She likes to think her condo apartment is a medieval castle, unfortunately lacking a dungeon to throw noisy neighbors and naughty colleagues in. Also known as the Lady with the Unicorns, these days she prefers to add a touch of fantasy to all her stories, past and present – when she’s not wandering on her fantasy world of Silvery Earth or in her Star Minds futuristic universe. She’s a writer, sometimes artist, mostly a world-creator and story-teller. Two of her stories received an Honorable Mention at the Writers of the Future contest. She writes, draws, ignores her day job and blogs at: http://creativebarbwire.wordpress.com.
For more info on the series or other titles of Unicorn Productions join the mailing list and receive the bi-monthly newsletter to be notified of new releases, sales and other author's news and the exclusive opportunity to get free stories or discounts on Barbara G.Tarn's works.
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Did you love More Tales of the Southern Kingdoms (One Volume Edition)? Then you should read Tales of the Southern Kingdoms (One Volume Edition) by Barbara G.Tarn!
Sex. Lust. Blood. The power of the Sect. Darkness spreads to the southern kingdoms. "The Sect" - a religious minority becomes the powerful Sect using a Pond of Dark Magic. "The Slave" - the story of the last real king of Arquon. "The Orphans" find trouble with the Sect. "Yash" - a prince of Akkora sacrificed to the Bloodthirsty Goddess. "The High Priestess" - Keiko becomes Ramesh's successor in the temple of the Sect. "Tarun" - another southern prince abducted and used by the Sect. Then "Books of the Immortals - Air" happens. War. Love. Passion. The fall of the southern kingdoms. "The last King of Akkora" (two parts) - the fall of the biggest southern kingdom through a spoiled prince heir. "The Prince Heir", or how Prince Anjaan didn't make it to king status. "The Dancer" - a northern dancer throw a former adventurer turned king out of balance again. "The Lords of War" – foreign men, foreign culture; the continued destruction of Akkora. "The courtesan's son", or what's left of the southern kingdoms after all of the above.
Read more at Barbara G.Tarn’s site.
Also by Barbara G.Tarn
Future Earth Chronicles
Across Continents (Future Earth Chronicles Book 3)
Brainwaves (Future Earth Chronicles Book 1)
Wanderlust (Future Earth Chronicles Book 2)
Himalayas (Future Earth Chronicles Book 4)
Airships (Future Earth Chronicles Book 5)
Silvery Earth
Books of the Immortals - Air
Tales of the Southern Kingdoms vol.1
Tales of the Southern Kingdoms vol.2
Books of the Immortals - Earth
Books of the Immortals - Ether
Books of the Immortals - Fire
Books of the Immortals - Water
Chronicles of the Varian Empire - The Enlightened Emperor
Chronicles of the Varian Empire - The Left-handed Warrior
Chronicles of the Varian Empire - The Spell
Records of the Varian Empire<
br />
Allan de Sayek
Conall's sons
The Death of Queen Amazonia
The Warrior Woman
Amazon Sisters
Saif's Legacy
Male Lovers of Silvery Earth
Amazon Spring
Amazon Summer
Books of the Immortals
More Tales of the Southern Kingdoms - volume 1
Uncommon Amazons
The Hooded Man
Amrendra
Kilig's Heart (Kilig&Hakeem #2)
Hakeem's Rival (Kilig&Hakeem #3)
Kilig & Hakeem
Saif & Kilig
Kilig the Sword
The Young King
Firebird
Beautiful
Two Tales of the Northern Kingdoms
Colors
Prince Splendor
The Archers
Amazons
Amazon Fall
Cinder Boy
Lovers
The Path of Water (Quests Book 1)
The Path of Fire (Quests Book 2)
Tales of the Northern Kingdoms volume 1
Tales of the Northern Kingdoms volume 2
More Tales of the Southern Kingdoms - volume 2
Male Lovers of Silvery Earth Volume 2
Fairy Tales Revisited on Silvery Earth
Tales of the Queendom of Maadre
More Tales of the Southern Kingdoms (One Volume Edition)
Tales of the Southern Kingdoms (One Volume Edition)
The Path of Air (Quests Book 3)
Quests Volume One: The Paths of Water and Air
The Path of Earth (Quests Book 4)
Quests Volume Two: The Paths of Fire and Earth
Talwar and Khanda - Assassins in Love
Saif's Story
Honorable Assassins
Axelle, Wanderer (Silvery Earth Heroines)
Royal Blood
The Complete Chronicles of the Varian Empire Box Set
Assassins Guild of Silvery Earth Box Set
Fall of the Southern Kingdoms
Angelica, Scholar (Silvery Earth Heroines)
Two Stories of the Varian Empire
Male Lovers of Silvery Earth Volume 3
The Sun Sword (Legends of the Moren Empire Volume 1)
Star Minds Italiano
Angelo Tecnologico (Star Minds #1)
Mercanti di Schiavi (Star Minds #3)
Star Minds - la trilogia
Stella Cadente
Legame Mentale (Star Minds #2)
Star Minds Frammenti - Donne
Star Minds Frammenti
Star Minds Universe
Technological Angel
Mind Link
Slave Traders
Star Minds - The Trilogy
Mind Control
Women
Shooting Star
Half-blood
Star Minds Snippets
Star Minds Next Generation
Star Minds Next Generation Diaries
Star Minds Next Generation - Kay-low
King of Music - Zaphadin
Star Minds Chasing Stardom
Star Minds Interregnum - Telepaths
Star Minds Interregnum - Galaxy Police
Star Minds Interregnum
SMTG - Iso-bel Aya Shermac
Star Minds Third Generation Snippets
Star Minds Starter
Adventurer (Star Minds Lone Wolves)
Pilot (Star Minds Lone Wolves)
Hacker (Star Minds Lone Wolves)
Thief (Star Minds Lone Wolves)
Mercenary (Star Minds Lone Wolves)
Freelance (Star Minds Lone Wolves)
Star Minds Lone Wolves Shorts
Terra d'Argento in italiano
Amori Maschili a Terra d'Argento
L'eredità di Saif
Smeraldo e Kyrio
Il giovane re
Saif e Kilig
Vampires Through the Centuries
Charioteer of Buddha
Indestructible
Kaylyn the Sister-in-Darkness
Kristine the Youngest
Norman Blood
Rajveer the Vampire
Shashank the Fledgling
Vampires Through the Centuries Novellas
Standalone
Johnny & Marian
Six Months and Other Love Stories
Best of Friends
Ciaran & Harith
Happiness is...
Choices, Changes and Other Stories
Pat & Babs
Body Switches
Yash and Ryo Lost in the Milky Way
How to Publish Your Book in English When You're Not a Native Speaker
Openings - Writing Prompts
Today People
Soul Thieves
The Fern and The Cross
Otherside
Joint Operations
Relationships (5 Short Stories of Love and Friendship)
Mumbai Dreams
Watch for more at Barbara G.Tarn’s site.
More Tales of the Southern Kingdoms (One Volume Edition) Page 28