"Can I not merely admire my wife before I take her?"
His hot breath grazed her ear moments before he kissed her there. When his lips claimed her earlobe, she couldn't help but lay her head back.
"Can I not imagine your nipples in my mouth? Or the taste of your skin on my tongue?"
Ziyad dipped his head until his mouth latched on to her neck, giving her playful bites. Amani's mind went blank the moment his fingers found her breasts.
"Mmm," he said. "You're bigger than I thought you'd be."
"I'm sorry." Of all the things to say to the Spider, she hadn't thought she'd apologize for the size of her breasts.
Ziyad chuckled. "Don't be. You make my mouth water."
Amani's stomach leapt. Gods above, but the man was turning her inside out. She bit her lip to keep from whimpering. A sound escaped her regardless.
"Do you know how long it's been for me?" he asked, walking her to a nearby wall.
"Years," she whispered. At least two, since Karis died.
"Years," he repeated. "This might be over quickly."
She heard the chuckle in his voice, but knew he was probably being honest.
"I don't mind," she answered, gazing at him over her shoulder. Surprisingly, Ziyad didn't turn her in his arms.
"Put your hands on the wall," he commanded. She obeyed. "Spread your legs, Amani. Let me feel your pussy."
She gasped and did as he said, knowing he'd find slick skin. Once his fingers touched her clit, she jumped at the unexpected feeling of ecstasy.
"Easy," he cooed. "Gods, but you're so ready for me. I can't wait anymore."
Amani felt the probing of something hard between her legs. It had to be his cock. But he hadn't pulled away from her to disrobe. Perhaps he hadn't worn undergarments himself. That thought had her stomach leaping again.
"Spread your legs more. Yes, like that."
Ziyad took his arm and lifted her hips until her ass was in the air, offering herself to him. Without any more talk, he drove into her pussy, as deep as he could go. Amani tried hard to keep in her squeals of pain by tugging on the fabric on the wall. Tears stung her eyes at the pressure of him.
She knew this would hurt, but she hadn't been prepared for just how much.
His hand rounded her hips and caressed her clit as he thrust again. This time, however, she didn't jump with pleasure at his touch. All she could feel was his claiming as he plunged in and out.
"Are you all right?" he asked, panting. Amani couldn't find the breath to speak. All she did was nod furiously and hope it would be over soon. It was better that he couldn't see her face and the agony that was no doubt twisting her features.
She wouldn't be able to quell her cries for much longer.
With three more thrusts, it was over as Ziyad shuddered and yelled behind her. He rolled his hips a few times and spread feather-soft kisses along her shoulders.
"Gods, Amani," he whispered. "You are so tight. Did I hurt you?"
She didn't answer. She couldn't. He was still inside her. As if he could read her mind, he withdrew and she moaned with relief. He turned her to face him.
One look was all she needed to confirm that he hadn't bothered to take off his robes before claiming her. A strange disappointment overcame her heart.
Ziyad's palm cradled her cheek. "I did hurt you."
She didn't bother denying it. "I was a virgin. It is to be expected."
"I am sorry."
"My job is not to feel pleasure with you. It is to bear you sons," she told him. Amani gave him a soft smile.
"I didn't want to hurt you. I wanted you to enjoy it."
Amani placed her hand on his chest. "My mother told me my first time would be the worst. I am just thankful you didn't ask for me to put my robes back on before we…"
She glanced at his robes and looked away. Ziyad cleared his throat and seemed flustered. She hadn't meant for him to take offense that he hadn't gotten completely naked, she merely wanted him to understand her point of view.
"Yes, well," he said, stepping away. "It shouldn't hurt any longer."
"Thank you, Spider." Amani retrieved her robes and put them back on, hugging her stomach in an effort to stay in one piece.
He looked as if he wanted to say something more, but thought better of it. "We have both had a long day," he said, running his hand through his hair. "I suppose I should leave you in peace."
Ziyad walked to the door, but Amani's voice stopped him. "Wait."
She slowly padded up to him and stood on her toes to plant a kiss on his cheek. "Goodnight, husband."
He blinked in confusion before his eyes softened. "Goodnight, wife."
Opening the door, Ziyad disappeared into the night, leaving Amani to close the door behind him. She did and leaned against it, hoping to the gods she'd made the right choice to marry the Spider Prince.
Three
Ziyad spent most of the night staring at his ceiling. The memory of Amani's warm skin had him hard even now. He'd never expected to want her again so soon after consummating their marriage. But more than that, he hadn't expected her gentle acceptance.
Of all the things he thought Amani would do, he never once imagined she'd disrobe in front of him of her own free will. From her behavior earlier in the evening, she'd been aloof and distant. He'd prepared himself for soothing her, for getting her used to the idea of lying with him. But Amani had been the one doing the soothing, thinking of him by asking if she should douse the lamps, or perhaps put her robes back on.
Despite her words, she'd been scared of him and his reaction to her. But the moment he'd taken in her breasts, with her erect nipples staring him in the face, Ziyad's cock had strained for release. She thought he hadn't wanted her, but he'd merely been keeping himself in check so he didn't pounce on her.
God of Spiders, but the memory of her nipples on his palms had him groaning. Right now he was questioning his reasoning for putting her in her own carav. If she were lying beside him, he could partake of her again.
No, he thought, shaking his head. He wouldn't. She'd been in obvious pain, even though she'd tried to hide it from him. He knew he was a big man. He remembered Karis's pain and closed his eyes with a groan. Ziyad hadn't meant to claim Amani so ruthlessly, but lust had been riding him.
Now, however, his lust didn't compare to his guilt.
When she'd given him a kiss on his cheek, she'd hobbled over to him in the doorway. Her slow gait gave her away. Even in her pain, she'd called him her husband.
Gods, but he didn't deserve her. The Falcon was right. She deserved a man who could return her sentiment, who would love her and cherish her. Her acceptance would only be wasted on him, the Spider Prince, who was nothing more than a shell of a man.
But it didn't matter now. She was his wife and he'd have to make the most of it. Amani had been an excellent choice for his caravan. If he thought only of his people and not of himself, he'd be all right.
He hoped.
~ * ~
Amani awoke the next morning to sunlight streaming into her carav. The darkened fabric hanging from the walls helped to keep out the glare, but it was bright regardless. After Ziyad had left the night before, she'd curled up into the pillows and wept. Not only for the pain in her body, but for the pain in her heart.
Ever since she was a young girl, she'd dreamt of the man she'd marry. Long ago, she'd once thought that man might have been Ziyad himself.
In his youth, Ziyad had been stunning, with flowing hair and an easy smile. He'd flirted with her on more than one occasion, but all flirting had ceased when he first laid his eyes on Karis. Amani couldn't blame him. Karis had indeed been a beauty, with exotic eyes and thick black hair. Amani's was black as well, but stringy in comparison.
Where Karis had been thin, Amani had curves. For a long while after the Spider's rejection, she'd wondered if her curves repulsed men. Four others, including the Scarab Prince, had rejected her as well, until Amani was certain no man would ever take her off her
father's hands.
Then one chance meeting with the Spider after Karis's passing had given her father an idea. He offered her once again to Ziyad, only to be met with another refusal. However, after a few weeks in the desert, the Falcon Prince had traveled to Suridesh with his new bride and informed the governor that the Spider had finally accepted her.
Amani still remembered the thrill that rocked through
her at the news. However Ziyad Bihar could only claim her when he was ready. And he'd mourned Karis for two full cycles.
Long enough for Amani to become the laughingstock of her sisters, and to receive pitying looks from the townsfolk.
Amani sat up and winced. The aches from last night hadn't lessened much. Cleansing herself, she hoped the light magic might help with her pain. But all it did was freshen her skin and take the wrinkles from her robes.
A few shouts could be heard outside, as well as the long, low note of the Spider's horn. Within seconds, her carav lurched. Ziyad's caravan was on its way to his oasis. Beyond that, she had no idea where they were headed.
At least she'd finally be able to pay her respects to her friend. Karis had been buried at the Spider's oasis.
Amani's stomach growled. With a sigh, she reminded herself that she was not the Spider Princess, she was merely a member of Ziyad's caravan. And as such, she needed to take care of her own breakfast.
She tossed aside her thin blanket and made her way to the door. The moment she opened it, a hot breeze caressed her face. After being on the move for only a few minutes, Suridesh was already well behind them. She'd never jumped from a moving carav before, but it couldn't be hard. She'd watched people do it all the time from the city walls.
sand.
Holding her breath, Amani jumped—and fell in the
"Your Highness!" One of the men walking near her carav ran to her and helped her to her feet. She blushed at her own clumsiness. "Are you all right?"
"Yes, I am fine," she said with a grin, wiping sand from her robes. "And please, I am not a princess. Call me Amani."
His eyebrows shot up. "I cannot call you by your given name!"
"Sure you can," she replied, beckoning him to fall in step next to her.
"But…but you are the Spider's bride!"
"Ah," she said, wagging her finger. "But I am not
royalty. If he does not call me his princess, then I do not expect you to honor tradition."
Her words shocked the man. He stepped away from her.
"What's your name?" she asked.
"Hyram."
"It is nice to meet you, Hyram. Would you be so kind as to tell me which of these caravs is the kitchen?"
"No one has brought you breakfast?"
"Why would they?" she asked with a shrug.
"You are the Spider's—"
She stopped him with a raised hand. "Where is the kitchen, Hyram?"
He merely pointed in front of him. "F-five caravs down the line, Your Hi… your…I-I mean…"
"Amani."
Hyram continued walking as if he hadn't heard her. Shaking her head, Amani increased her pace and passed the next five caravs. One of them was the Spider's royal carav. But aside from a passing glance at the lovely embossed spider on the door inlaid with black onyx, she didn't acknowledge it.
The kitchen's door was wide open and a few servants were dabbling about inside. It was hard enough to jump from a moving carav and land on one's feet. Amani was certain she'd fall once more if she attempted to climb the steps.
"Hello?" Amani called out, and one of the servants peered out the door, her eyes widening at the sight of her. "Might I bother you for some breakfast?"
"We…we sent your breakfast already, my…my lady."
"I didn't get it. Perhaps you sent it to the wrong carav?"
"Pardon, my lady, but there is no mistaking the Spider's carav."
Gods. They thought she'd spent the night with her husband. She would set them straight.
"No, I didn't stay with him." At Amani's words, the woman's eyes bulged and her face grew red. "He gave me my own carav, about five carriages down the line."
"He did what?"
"He… May I please have some breakfast? I-I'm not
used to climbing these caravs when they're moving. When I get better at it I can come in, but—"
"Certainly!" The woman disappeared and rushed about the kitchen, apparently putting together a plate for her. While she banged on her pots, Amani continued walking. It wasn't even mid-morning and already the heat was oppressive. She'd need to return to her carav soon.
Before too long, the woman scrambled down the steps and handed her a plate full of all kinds of delicacies. Not only did she have breakfast, but probably her lunch as well.
"Here you are, Your Highness. I am sorry you were not fed. It will not happen again."
"I am not a princess," she corrected, swallowing hard. "Please call me Amani."
"Oh no, my lady, I couldn't possibly!"
With a sigh, Amani nodded. "Thank you for the food."
She kept her head bent low and rushed past the Spider's carav just as his door opened. She didn't stop to make small talk with her husband. Confronting him now would horrify her. Even his own people hadn't known she didn't share his quarters.
She hadn't given a thought as to how she would clambor back into her carav until she got there. Reaching inside to put the plate on the raised floor wasn't too hard, it was putting her foot on the step that didn't agree with her.
Just as she'd dumped herself into the sand, Amani fell on the steps with a cry.
"Your Highness!"
Amani growled at Hyram's shout behind her. "My name is…"
Strong arms grabbed her by the waist and hoisted her against a lean, muscled frame. Ziyad.
Her first instinct was to lay her head on his shoulder, as she had the night before. But before she could give in to the urge, he'd hefted her into her carav. She stumbled, but managed to keep her footing.
Amani watched as he fluidly jumped through the doorway.
"What are you doing?" she asked, somewhat breathless. She felt like a cornered animal, but knew she was being ridiculous.
"Saving you, it would seem," he replied, his mouth barely lifting into a grin.
"I didn't need saving."
"Is that why you were hanging off the steps?"
"I would have been fine." Why was she arguing with him? Amani had no idea, unless it had something to do with her own flustered emotions.
"You would have fallen off."
Amani shrugged. "Wouldn't have been the first time I ate a mouthful of sand this morning."
She turned away from him and grabbed her plate of food from where she'd set it earlier.
"You fell off the steps?" His tone turned serious.
Amani waved him away and popped a slice of meat into her mouth. It was so delicious, she groaned as she chewed. "It waf nofing," she said around the food. "I jumped and I didn't land on my feet."
"You could have hurt yourself!"
"I just need practice."
Ziyad turned her to face him. The food was forgotten once she looked into his stormy eyes. "You need to be careful."
"I needed breakfast!" She hadn't intended to shout at him, but she waved the plate in his face. "I was hungry."
He nodded. "I should have told the servants to send you food here instead of my carav."
"Yes, you should have," she grumbled, uncaring that she was chastising the Spider. "I had to tell them we didn't share a carav. And they need to know they can say my name."
His eyes widened. "They most certainly will not say your name!"
"Then what can they call me?" she shouted in exasperation. "Twice I've had to correct them. I am not royalty, Spider. They cannot call me Your Highness!"
Ziyad wiped his face with his hands but said nothing. She walked past him and sat in her pillows.
"Why didn't you come to me when you weren't served breakfast?" he asked.
"I
do not expect to be waited on. I thought I should get my breakfast myself. I am a member of your caravan like anyone else." She took a bite of flatbread. "Besides, your caravan is on the move. I figured you'd have more important things to attend to."
She heard him approach her but did not look up. When he crouched next to her, he grabbed her chin and gently forced her eye contact.
The Spider Prince Page 2