"You will be the death of that old fool," Ziyad said, amused by her words.
"We shall see," she told him. "There is something to be said about having life experience."
"Amani?"
"Hmm?" she replied, stretching against him.
"Do not think for a second I will forget that you are deliberately trying to incite me."
"I am hoping you do not, Spider."
Ziyad groaned and closed his eyes, certain his minx of
a wife was going to be the death of him.
Twenty Five
Once Ziyad's hand was healed and he made sure Amani was comfortable in his physician's carav, he stabled his horse then dashed across the sand to the Viper's caravan. The door to Tariq's carav was open wide, and the Falcon was already inside.
"Ziyad," Khalil said, beckoning to him. "Come in."
He leapt up the steps, his chest heaving from his run. "Did you catch Jaden?" he asked, his eyes darting from the Falcon to the Viper. The Jackal and the Scarab were here too, apparently arriving well before he had with Amani.
"We haven't found him yet," Tariq said ominously, his face set. "But we found Jalil."
Ziyad bowed his head. "I am sorry for your loss, Viper, truly."
Tariq inclined his head. "Jalil was a valuable member of my caravan. Her death will not be forgotten."
"Where are the women?" Ziyad asked.
Khalil cleared his throat. "They are in my carav with Zara," he said. "And the Scarab has magically sealed the door. Jaden cannot get to them."
Ziyad's skin tingled and fear once again crept into his heart. "I left Amani alone with my physician."
"It is safe to say that wherever the Cobra is, he knows we have returned," Siraj told him. "We should move your wife."
Without another word, Ziyad turned and left the Viper's carav, hitting the sand at a sprint.
~ * ~
Amani sat before him, looking at him with trusting
eyes. Jaden's mouth watered at the sight. She was on the cot of the Spider's physician, the man he'd killed not two hours before. He knew the Spider would bring Amani here, especially after what she'd suffered in the desert.
After killing the man, it was easy to take his face and pretend to care about Amani's wellbeing to the Spider. The only way to get Ziyad to leave had been to heal him, but thankfully, the magic Mother had bestowed on him was still intact, despite the fact that his body was rapidly aging.
No doubt a punishment from the gods.
Jaden could change into anyone he'd come in contact with. And he could persuade anyone else to believe his façade.
"Close your eyes and do as I say," he told her. She obeyed, obviously believing he was Ziyad's physician. "Remove your robes. I must see if you have any burns on your skin, either from the sun or from leaning against the heated sides of the chest."
He helped pull her robes from her arms, and his cock hardened painfully at his first glimpse of her ripe breasts. Jaden's thoughts buzzed inside his head. His Sentinels had been struck down. His oasis had dried up. His god had turned his back.
But he was alive. He could still pass on his line. If he got Amani pregnant, before anyone knew what he'd done, his very own son would become the next Spider Prince, and Ziyad would be none the wiser.
Jaden groaned and wiped his mouth.
"Lay back, Highness," he cooed.
Amani seemed unsure at first, but he passed his hand before her face and she did as he said. It was hard, changing his appearance into that of Ziyad's, but he didn't think much on why his magic seemed almost out of reach. Lust was riding him, and he wanted to thrust deep within this warm, soft woman.
Jaden lowered his head and took Amani's nipple in his mouth. She gasped and pushed at his shoulders.
"It's all right," he whispered, lifting his head.
"Ziyad?" She seemed confused.
"Yes," he said. "It is me. Close your eyes. Let me love you."
"But…"
"Do it," he growled, pushing his magic into her. Amani arched her back and closed her eyes, offering her nipple to his mouth.
Jaden feasted. She was sweet, she was hot, and he couldn't get enough.
"Are you wet?" he asked, his voice gritty to his own ears.
"Yes!" Amani gasped. Jaden plunged his hand into her undergarments and rubbed his fingers on her clit.
"Gods, I want to fuck you."
Her eyes snapped open and she glanced at him. "What?"
"Do you want to be rammed by my cock, Amani?"
A look of fear and disbelief overcame her. "Jaden! What are you doing?" Amani squealed and tried to get away, but he pinned her with his weight.
His magic must have broken. He could no longer sway her with his thoughts. No matter. He didn't need her cooperation to plant his seed within her.
"Get off me!" she yelled, flailing about.
He caught her hands in one of his and yanked her undergarments down with the other.
"Be still, bitch, or this will hurt! I am so hard for you. Mmm, I bet your ass is nice and tight."
"Ziyad!" she screamed as tears rolled down her face. "Jaden, don't do this. Please! Ziyad!"
"Damn, I'm going to come if you continue to fight me. Open your legs."
He forced them open and settled between them, already having tugged his own undergarments down.
"No," Amani spat. She bucked.
Jaden's cock leapt in near pain. He needed a release.
"God of Spiders!" she yelled. "Avenge Karis—right now. I beg of you as your princess. Don't let him defile me!"
In that instant, something shoved Jaden off the cot with such force, he slammed into the far wall of the carav. He glared at Amani in shock seconds before the entire roof of the carriage was torn off, as if by an unseen hand.
Jaden looked toward the heavens—and screamed. ~ * ~
Amani screeched just as the roof of the carav ripped away. She scrambled back into her robes that were underneath her and held them shut with her hands. She huddled on the cot, her eyes wide in disbelief as the Cobra Prince rose in the air. He was shrouded by a colossal beam of bright brown light, one that seemed to emanate from the Cobra constellation itself.
It wasn't the god of Spiders who was now demanding retribution. It was the god of Cobras. And before Amani's very eyes, Jaden was plucked from the carav and lifted into the sky.
"Amani!"
That was Ziyad's voice.
"Here, I'm here!"
The door slammed open just as Ziyad jumped through. She ran to him and leapt into his arms. He didn't waste time with hugging her back. He grabbed hold of her and bounded out the door, running before they'd hit the sand. Amani closed her eyes and held them shut while hiding her face in Ziyad's shoulder. She couldn't watch.
Not with Jaden's screams echoing across the desert.
~ * ~
Ziyad's heart banged against his ribs and each breath was a labored gasp, but he ran until he couldn't run any longer. Falling to the sand, he pulled Amani close and glanced over his shoulder.
He thanked his god over and over that he'd been able to reach Amani in time. He took her in, noticing her absent belt-wrap and wrinkled robes. What he'd seen of Jaden in the air, he'd been naked and about to force himself on the Spider Princess.
Apparently, that had eaten away at the last shreds of his god's mercy.
And Ziyad couldn't have been more overjoyed.
He glanced behind him once more only to see Jaden still screaming in the air. From this distance, Ziyad couldn't see much of what was happening to the man, but he had a good guess. The god of Cobras was letting the other gods torture him within an inch of his life.
Jaden's legs now bent at odd angles. His arms fell away, as if ripped from their sockets. His body rolled this way and that, batted about like a pesky insect. With each new torment, Jaden's cries became more bloodcurdling.
Amani clutched Ziyad's robes and buried her face in his chest. He didn't want her to see Jaden's fate. He held h
er to him, stroking her hair and praying the man's fate would be over soon.
After what seemed an entire age had passed, Ziyad watched in horror as Jaden's body burst into flames, burning every color of the princes of the desert. Within seconds, Jaden's screams were no more and the light extinguished, leaving nothing but silence on the dunes surrounding Suridesh.
Twenty Six
Amani trembled as she held on to her husband. His arms held her close and he breathed deep, seemingly relieved to have found her in one piece.
"Is it over?" she asked, her voice cracking.
"Yes," Ziyad whispered, stroking her hair. "Jaden is dead."
"He was about to… He almost—"
"I know," he said, interrupting her. "I never should have left you!"
"You couldn't have known." Amani leaned back, amazed to find tears on her face. She stroked his cheeks. "You thought I was with your physician. So did I. He even healed your hand! Neither of us could have known."
"That is the third time I have almost lost you, Amani," Ziyad said. He sniffled, and his eyes betrayed his fear.
"The Cobra is no more," she told him. Amani let her fingers wander into Ziyad's hair. He shuddered in her arms. "He can no longer harm us. And I will never leave you again. There is nothing left to be afraid of."
He gave her a half-grin. "And here I thought I would be the one to soothe you."
She hugged him and chuckled. "The gods destroyed one of our caravs."
"A small price to pay for your safety," he replied.
"Can we… can we…"
"What?"
"Can we stay in the city tonight, Ziyad? I do not believe I can be out here on the dunes any longer."
Ziyad cupped her cheeks. "We can stay in my royal
tent. It is not too far from Qadir's."
Amani nodded. "I would like that."
"Spider!" Khalil's deep voice resonated throughout the night as he ran toward them with the other princes in tow. "Are you all right? Is Amani safe? Did you see that?"
"Yes," Ziyad answered. He stood and hauled Amani up next to him. He pulled her close with his arm around her shoulders. Amani was grateful she could press against him to hide the fact that she had no belt-wrap to hold her robes closed.
"But that carav!" The Viper glanced over his shoulder. "It's in pieces."
"The Sentinels live," Ziyad answered. "We can rebuild."
Amani watched as all five princes nodded and looked toward the Spider's caravan in silence. "The gods have eliminated the house of the Cobra," she said. "There are now only five princes who roam this desert."
Every man present looked at her. She blushed under their scrutiny, but thankfully the darkness hid it from them.
"Amani is right," the Scarab said. "It is just us now."
"What do we do with the Cobra's people?" Khalil asked. "I'm sure they fled to Suridesh when the Sentinels began to die."
Ziyad stroked his chin. "They are not guilty of the treachery of their prince," he said thoughtfully. "They should be given the choice to ride with any one of us or live in the tent city."
"Jaden had a physician, Spider," Tariq suggested. "You could ask him to ride with you."
Ziyad nodded. "True. He also had a head cook."
The Viper nodded as well. "Jalil will be sorely missed. She and Sabine had grown close these past years. My wife is nearly inconsolable."
Amani decided to speak on behalf of the other princesses. "I know your schedules keep you busy, delivering water to the people, but might I suggest something?"
"By all means, Spider Princess," the Falcon said with a grin.
"All of you are so close. And yet you barely see each other, except on rare occasions. Tariq and Qadir, you are best friends, and yet how often do you visit? And Khalil and Ziyad, I have seen for myself a bond between you two that has only grown stronger."
"Don't fool yourself, Highness," Khalil said with a wink. "I only tolerate the Spider because of his lovely wife."
Amani chuckled. "I don't doubt it. But I've grown very close with Zara. And the Jackal married us. Well, the first time."
Everyone laughed as Ziyad smacked the boy on his shoulder.
"I propose we make it a point to meet in Suridesh a few times a year. Let our children play together. Catch up on old times. We need each other."
The Viper took a deep breath and sighed. "She's right. Sabine loves getting together with Trianna and Zara. I'm sure she would love being with you as well, Amani. It sounds like a fine idea."
As the princes talked amongst themselves, making plans for the future, Ziyad hugged Amani close and whispered in her ear. "This is why I love you, minx. You think of others more than you think of yourself."
"I know you have a responsibility to your gods and to the people of Jikkar, but the princes work too hard, Ziyad. If each of you takes two of Jaden's water caravs, then you could provide even more water on your trips. Perhaps even enough to rest a few days in Suridesh when you are all together."
Ziyad opened his mouth, then closed it. When he opened it again, he said, "I was a fool to ever think you weren't royalty. You have been the Spider Princess since the day we first said our vows."
Amani bit her lip in an effort to keep herself from tearing up. "Do you know what one of my greatest wishes is?"
"Tell me, let me grant it."
"I want to wake up to you in the morning." She kissed the side of his neck. "I want to sleep the night knowing you're next to me." She kissed his cheek. "I want to lie in your arms and know that I am safe."
The smile he gave her sucked the breath right out of her lungs. Amani's heart pounded when he lowered his head,
but all he gave her was a quick, chaste kiss.
"Gentlemen," he said, bowing to his peers. "I will agree to whatever terms you deem worthy, but for now, I must take my leave of you."
Khalil grinned. "Of course, Ziyad. Take care of your wife."
"I intend to."
With that, Ziyad took her hand and marched straight for the city gates.
~ * ~
Ziyad snapped his fingers and the lamps instantly lit around his royal tent. He was surprised to find the place had been cleaned recently. He'd expected to find dust everywhere. He hadn't stayed in his royal tent once he'd reached Suridesh. Perhaps Ahmed had it cleaned after the Princes' Council. It made sense the Spider and his princess would want a place to stay while resting in the city.
He'd forgotten the lush blacks and silvers that lined the floor, from dramatic carpets, to pillows of all shapes and sizes. Two silver columns rose like palm trees from the floor to hold up the ceiling of the tent, while a few tables held various water pitchers, pens, and hair brushes.
"Ziyad, look!"
Amani strode past him to a potted plant sitting on a prominent table in the middle of the tent. "It's my mother's rahala blossom, the one I told you about!"
He walked behind her and hugged her around her waist. "Perhaps she thought you'd want it."
"It smells divine."
On an impulse, Ziyad sent his magic into her to cleanse her. Then he took a deep breath. "You smell divine," he amended.
Amani didn't say a word. She turned in his arms and hugged him, standing on her toes to get closer. Ziyad obliged, closing his arms firmly around her and squeezing. When her own gentle magic flowed through him, it made him smile. She'd cleansed him in return.
"Your Highness?" A quiet, feminine voice called to him from beyond his tent flaps. Who could possibly be disturbing his time with his wife, and at this late hour?
Ziyad released Amani and strode to the flap, intent on giving the person outside a taste of his wrath. But when he swept the flap aside, no one stood there. Instead, a tray of delectable meats, breads, and desserts greeted him. No doubt his peers knew both he and Amani needed food.
"Who is it, Ziyad?" Amani asked, glancing over his shoulder. When she noticed the food, he heard her stomach growl like a baying jackal.
"Hungry?" he asked, giving her a
playful grin. Amani nodded so fast, he laughed out loud.
Scooping up the tray, Ziyad spared one quick glance up at the Spider constellation in the night sky. He grinned widely and bowed to his god.
Twenty Seven
Amani woke to a large hand caressing her belly. She stretched and arched her back, coming in contact with a warm, naked body.
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