Savage Kingdom

by Deanna Ashford

  “I think at least some of what Danara said was true.” He examined every sweet curve of her delicate features, the straight line of her nose and the fullness of her kissable lips. “I know you’re beginning to doubt Danara, but I saw little physical resemblance between you and your adopted mother. Yet when I first laid eyes on Rianna, I thought how alike you were.”

  “But Rianna is beautiful.”

  “As are you, Nerya, although you don’t seem aware of it.” Jaden reached out and patted her hand. “In the meantime, all I’ll say is that you can’t let this consume your thoughts. You won’t discover the truth until you get the opportunity to speak to Kitara herself.”

  She shook her head and sighed. “Maybe I should just forget what Danara told me. I’m beginning to wonder if I even want to know. Rianna already considers me kin and she wants us to be friends. Perhaps I should just be content with that.”

  “It’s your choice.” Jaden knew she was in pain. He wanted to pull her into his arms and comfort her, but he doubted she’d appreciate such a public gesture. She was stubborn and irritating at times, but he still regretted he hadn’t been able to be with her last night, after she’d spoken to Rianna. For once, she’d needed him, and he hadn’t been around. “Gerek is due to arrive at the meeting place in the next few days, and no doubt Kitara will be with him. You can make up your mind whether to speak to her then. In the meantime, why not ride ahead with me? Sarin’s camp is less than half a league from here. I can introduce you to my friend.”

  “Sometimes I don’t understand you, Jaden. You have a strange manner with those you should surely consider your betters. Already a casual familiarity has grown up between you and King Tarn, and you speak of Sarin as a friend. Yet I thought he was your monarch.”

  “He can be both monarch and friend.” Jaden had no wish to discuss his relationship with Sarin as yet. There were a number of things he had to tell Nerya, before she learned them from another. “Come. Let’s go.”

  Jaden spurred his horse forward, and Nerya followed him. They rode in silence along the side of the long column. As they reached the grassy plain, they urged their mounts into a gallop. She looked a little more relaxed as they pounded across the flat meadowland together. Perhaps this might take her mind off her own concerns, he thought as they slowed their horses to a trot when they reached Sarin’s camp. It was quite small. Sarin must have only taken a few soldiers with him on his trip to Vestfold. Usually he traveled with a much larger retinue. Jaden presumed he must have feared Ragnor’s suspicions might be roused if he’d arrived in Vestfold with too many men.

  The guards acknowledged Jaden, stepping aside to let him and Nerya through the boundary. He spotted Sarin immediately, standing talking to a couple of his men, close to a blazing campfire.

  “Sarin,” Jaden called out.

  “Jaden.” Sarin swung round and strode towards them. “It’s good to see you.”

  “It’s good to see you too, old friend,” Jaden said as he dismounted.

  Jaden supposed women might think Sarin attractive, with his dark hair and goatee, but there was hardness to his hawk-like features that made him appear rather fierce and forbidding at times. His build was somewhat slighter than Jaden’s, but he was said to be an impressive swordsman and a good man to have beside you in a fight. Jaden would far prefer to be on Sarin’s side than against him.

  “You did not come alone.” Sarin’s attention focused on Nerya. He’d always had an eye for a pretty face and flirted outrageously with most females whenever the opportunity arose. Sarin was lucky; his beautiful wife Zene endured these shortcomings with amazing patience. She’d told Jaden she’d been born in Freygard, although, as far as he knew, her antecedence had been kept from the people of Percheron. Zene had refused to say any more, and he’d no idea how she and Sarin might have met. Jaden had always been surprised that a woman such as Zene had allowed Sarin to keep his harem, even after they were married. He’d been even more amazed when he’d discovered her true origins. He couldn’t imagine Nerya ever being so understanding.

  Jaden grinned. “I thought you’d be interested to meet her.”

  Sarin embraced Jaden with a warmth he’d never displayed before. It had taken quite some time for them to become friends. When Jaden had first set foot in Percheron, Sarin had been suspicious of him and not prepared to trust him.

  “I’m pleased to find you safe and well,” Sarin said.

  “Yes.” What would Sarin make of his adventures in Freygard? Knowing Sarin as he did, no doubt the tale would amuse him, although Jaden hadn’t found it amusing at the time. He decided it might be circumspect to keep it to himself for the time being.

  Sarin turned to Nerya. “How came you by this beauty, Jaden?”

  Nerya wore the feminine traveling apparel Rianna had given her, and not her old shirt and breeches.

  “It’s a long story. I’ll tell it to you one day.” Jaden held out his hand to Nerya, intending to help her from her horse. Ignoring him, she jumped down from her mount in a quite unladylike manner.

  “A feisty one, it seems.” Sarin chuckled. “I’ve always enjoyed a challenge.”

  Jaden knew he was joking, but, judging by Nerya’s expression, she didn’t take the comment lightly. “May I introduce Nerya?” Jaden said before she could respond with an inappropriate comment. He slid an arm around her waist and pulled her close. “Nerya, meet Lord Sarin, the ruler of Percheron.”

  “Just Nerya?” Sarin asked, clearly aware Jaden was marking his territory. “Doesn’t this delicious creature have another name?”

  “Just Nerya, Lord Sarin. That’s the only name I need,” Nerya said, smiling at him with sweet innocence.

  “I am honored, lovely lady.” Sarin took Nerya’s hand and kissed it, his lips lingering just a little longer than necessary on her skin, which, funnily enough, irritated Jaden no end.

  “I’m honored to meet you, my lord,” she said. “Jaden has told me all about you,” she added, continuing to smile sweetly at Sarin.

  “Has he?” Sarin raised one dark eyebrow.

  “Only what’s right and proper for a young lady like Nerya to know,” Jaden assured him. He’d never spoken of the licentious excesses of Sarin’s court. With her scant knowledge of the world, Nerya would be horrified to hear of them. Although he’d been told by many it had been far more scandalous before Sarin had married Zene.

  “How did the negotiations with Ragnor go?” Jaden enquired.

  “You’ll be pleased to know Ragnor will be arriving in a day or so to attend our meeting. Of course, in the circumstance, he wishes to meet you first, Jaden, and have your total assurance that we can depend on your promises of friendship and mutual co-operation. I have every confidence in you, but it may take a little persuasion to get Ragnor to feel the same.”

  No doubt Sarin’s words were confusing Nerya. Once they were alone, later tonight, he’d tell her as much of the truth as he could. There were things he hadn’t told her that she really should know before she accidentally learned them from Tarn or Sarin.

  Ragnor of Vestfold arrived at the camp not long after darkness fell. Nerya had expected Jaden to be sequestered with the three leaders all night, but instead King Tarn had decided to hold a banquet in their honor. Nerya, much to her irritation, had found herself sitting with the other women, including her sister, while the men sat at another table together. She’d wanted to listen in to their conversation in the hope she’d learn something of use to Freygard. Instead, so far, she’d endured an evening of facile female conversation. She hadn’t been able to speak to Rianna in confidence, and all this talk of dresses and suchlike was so boring. Rianna had retired a few moments ago, using her pregnancy as an excuse, but Nerya had decided to stay in the hope she’d learn more about the treaty. If only this stupid woman to her left, the wife of some general or another, would shut up.

  She suppressed a yawn. All of a sudden, Jaden, who up to now had been deep in conversation with the three monarchs, rose to his feet. Perha
ps she might learn something of interest.

  “Ragnor, I know you’re suspicious. So were Tarn and Sarin, at first,” Jaden said in a loud voice as if wanting to impress his point to the leader of Vestfold. “But if the huge Empire of Marquab fears the Dragon Lords of Acheron, then so should you all.” He looked around at the small assembled company, which included all the monarchs’ senior military advisors. “I, Jaden, Lord of Iberim, have the full trust of the emperor. As Suzerain Commander of the forces of Marquab, I pledge that you can call upon the entire might of our armies if the Dragon Lords invade your lands. Ally yourselves with us, and your safety is assured.”

  Nerya nearly choked on her wine, hardly able to believe what she was hearing. Jaden had been deceiving her all this time. He didn’t serve Sarin at all. He was Suzerain Commander of the Marquabian Empire and Lord of Iberim. She’d trusted him, even begun to care for him, and yet it appeared she didn’t know this man at all. Just about everything he’d said to her had been a lie.

  “Ragnor.” Sarin rose and addressed the Speaker of Vestfold. “I know that the rulers of the Western Kingdoms have always considered Marquab a threat. In the past, the Emperor of Marquab has expanded his empire by conquering much of the territory surrounding his own lands. Yet may I remind you that never once have his forces ventured over the Sea of Marmara toward our kingdoms. Now he offers us this alliance.” Sarin inclined his head at Jaden. “I trust the word of this man, Jaden of Iberim. I consider him a friend. What he proposes will be good for us all. Especially now we know what a terrible threat Acheron could well turn out to be.”

  “Is something wrong?” the stupid woman to her left hissed. “Are you unwell?”

  Sarin sat and spoke quietly to Jaden. It appeared no more public announcements would be forthcoming as Tarn leaned forward to join in the two men’s conversation.

  “I need some air.” Nerya couldn’t bear to stay in this stuffy tent a moment longer and make trite conversation with these stupid females when she was seething with anger. “Don’t worry.” She pushed the woman’s hand away from her arm. “I’ll be fine.”

  Nerya slid from her chair and crept out of the tent. She stood for a moment and took a deep breath of the cool night air, trying to make some sense of all this. It wasn’t easy. Her mind was in total turmoil. All she knew was she needed some time away from Jaden. She doubted he would even have noticed her leaving, so she was safe for the time being. Perhaps she could take refuge in Rianna’s tent; but then she would have to offer some explanation as to why. She’d no wish to admit to Rianna, let alone anyone else, that she hadn’t known Jaden’s true identity. She’d just have to try to find a spare bedroll and sleep under the stars. At least that would be better than having to share a tent with the Suzerain Commander of the Marquabian Empire.

  “Nerya.” She stiffened as she heard him call her name. Swinging ’round, she saw Jaden exit the tent and stride toward her. “There you are. I saw you leave and—”

  “Why bother with me, Lord Iberim? I’m sure you’ve much to discuss with your fellow monarchs.” Her voice was icy cold with derision. “Is everything you’ve said to me a lie?”

  “No. Not everything.” He shrugged. “I’m sorry. I never got the opportunity to tell you, Nerya. I really did intend—”

  “I don’t want to hear anything you have to say.”

  “Don’t be so stubborn.” He reached out to her.

  “No.” She stepped back, slapping his hand away. “Don’t touch me.”

  “Touch you?” He sounded irritated. “I’ll do more than touch you.” Jaden grabbed her and swung her into his arms, then turned in the direction of their tent.

  “Let go of me, you brute.” She thumped him on the chest and wriggled, trying to slide out of his arms. He just tightened his hold, his mouth set in a grim line.

  “We’ll discuss this once we reach the privacy of our tent.”

  “Our tent?” Why hadn’t he felt he could confide in her? Why had he let her continue to believe he was merely a nobleman of Lord Sarin’s court? Jaden had been foolish not to reveal his identity to her from the start. If Danara had known what a powerful man Jaden was, it was possible even she might have acted differently. Surely she would have thought twice about incurring the wrath of the huge Marquabian Empire. “It won’t be our tent for long, Jaden of Iberim.”

  He gave a soft, menacing chuckle. “Do you really think you can defy me?”

  At that moment, Ragnor, accompanied by two of his warriors carrying flaming torches, left the tent. Spotting Jaden, he hurried toward him. “Lord Iberim. We need to talk.”

  When Nerya had first laid eyes on the Lawspeaker of Vestfold, she’d thought he bore a faint resemblance to Tarn, but up close his features were coarser, his complexion roughened by exposure to the cold northern climate. Tarn was clean-shaven, while a long ragged blond moustache decorated Ragnor’s top lip.

  “Lawspeaker—how can I help you?” Jaden swung ’round to face him, acting as though it was quite usual for him to be carrying her around like this.

  “I hate to intrude on your pleasures,” Ragnor said with a knowing grin.

  “My pleasure can wait.” Jaden set her down. Nerya tried to pull away from him and failed. She had no intention of trying to fight to get away. She’d not embarrass herself in front of Ragnor. “Needless to say, I enjoy her even more when she’s angry. The fire in her belly incites her lust.”

  Nerya’s disgust for him magnified, but she was even more troubled by the licentious way Ragnor stared at her breasts. It made her skin crawl as though it were covered by a thousand creeping insects.

  “I envy you, Lord Jaden. I’d like her for myself.” With slow, deliberate sensuality, Ragnor licked his lower lip. “Would you be willing to share this treasure?”

  Nerya’s stomach lurched. He was repulsive. The lawspeaker’s long hair was plaited at the sides and held in place with tiny skulls carved out of bone. The light from the torches caught his pale, chillingly cold blue eyes. She’d called Jaden a barbarian, but Ragnor was a barbarian in every sense of the word.

  Jaden frowned, digging his fingers into the flesh of her arm. “She’s not for sharing.”

  Nerya glared at Jaden, resenting the way he spoke about her. Yet she was equally glad he held on to her at present. She didn’t like the predatory look in Ragnor’s eyes.

  “A pity.” Ragnor shook his head, and the tiny skulls binding his hair brushed against his cheeks. “We need to talk. My men will escort this little firebrand safely back to your tent.”

  “No, Nerya,” Jaden hissed under his breath, well aware she was ready with a cutting retort. “I thank you, Ragnor. Nerya will be fine. The girl is quite capable of looking after herself.”

  “Indeed I am.” Jaden at last let go of her. With an angry toss of her head, Nerya shoved him aside and stalked off toward their tent.

  Nerya’s eyes flew open. It was pitch black and she couldn’t see a thing, but she was certain someone was in her tent. She reached for her sword. She’d left it on the ground beside the bed so she could grab it at a moment’s notice. Jaden kicked it away before she could reach it and slipped into bed beside her. Winding his arm around her, he pulled her close. She’d been so angry with him, she’d demolished almost a jug of wine before she retired. She rarely drank that much. Now she felt a little fuzzy-headed and yet also sleepy. If she hadn’t felt quite so languorous, she might have resisted Jaden, but she couldn’t seem to raise the energy to do so. She couldn’t even raise the energy to say all the things she wanted to say to him as his hand stroked her breasts, then ran over her belly and pulled up the thin shift that had been rucked around her thighs. His fingers brushed against her mons.

  “We need to talk,” she managed to murmur.

  “I know we do.” Jaden kissed her earlobe in the tantalizing way that always turned her limbs to water. “I’m sorry, Nerya. I intended to speak to you before the meal. It was unforgivable of me. I promise I’ll tell you everything, but not now.”
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br />   “Tomorrow…” she murmured, closing her eyes as his hand caressed the valley of her sex. It felt delicious as his fingers moved slickly along her soft pink flesh toward her clitoris. The tight bundle of nerve endings ached for his touch and, as he fingered the small nub, the fiery warmth of desire flooded her body.

  His lips covered hers, and he kissed her with unrestrained passion. She was so enmeshed in her own lustful desire that she was barely aware of anything outside their cocoon of pleasure. Vaguely, almost as if it were a dream, she heard a sharp, anguished scream, followed by loud shouts and the clash of weapons.

  “What’s that?” Jaden pulled away from her and sprang to his feet. He grabbed his linen shirt and flung it on, then picked up his sword and ran barefoot from the tent.

  The fog in her brain lifted immediately. Nerya jumped out of bed and reached for her own weapon, scrabbling across the floor to find it. Once it was in her hand, she rushed after Jaden, not caring she was clad only in a flimsy shift. He was some way ahead of her as he sprinted through the camp. She followed him, struggling to keep him in sight as he headed toward the source of the disturbance.

  In the flickering light of torches, Tarn’s men-at-arms battled with a multitude of masked, black-clad intruders. Jaden charged at a couple of them who’d just butchered one of Tarn’s men-at-arms. Nerya ran to the aid of another soldier vainly battling two bandits at once. All the bandits wore black breastplates. Not knowing how strong his armor was, she aimed for the man’s legs. Her sword cut through the flesh and bone of his thigh. Uttering a strangled scream, he fell to the ground. The other bandit, having easily dispatched the man-at-arms, turned to attack Nerya. He was a good swordsman, and at first she could do nothing but fend off his angry blows. Then, when she saw an opening, she went on the attack. As he backed away from her fierce sword thrusts, he slammed into one of Ragnor’s followers. The towering, furious Northman grabbed hold of the bandit, swung him away from Nerya and decapitated him with one blow of his heavy battleaxe.