by Jayla Jasso
He stroked her hair, her back. “Jiandra, marry me.”
She froze, not sure she’d heard right. He’d mouthed it so softly that she thought it might have been her fevered imagination. “What did you say?”
“Marry me. Come live with me at the palace in Nandala. We will return to Villeleia as often as you wish to visit your family, but I want you with me always. I need you with me, always.”
Jiandra’s head spun. Live with him at the palace in Nandala? He was going to be some sort of joint emperor with Yavi, if she’d understood the evening’s events correctly. “But you’re…Nandala’s king now.”
“That doesn’t matter.”
“But are you sure you want to marry a Villeleian? Wouldn’t that make me a, sort of queen over your people?”
“I can think of no more fitting queen than she who has fought for my people so bravely. I need you by my side. I need your help, your company, Jiandra. You can help us rule with wisdom and justice. Your stone reveals motives. That is of utmost value to an emperor.”
A sudden pang of worry struck her that he mostly wanted her for the Omaja stone. “Yajna…is it the powers of this stone that you really want? Tell me the truth.”
“Read my mind, Jiandra. You’ll see that’s not it.”
She lay still, listening to his steady heartbeat in the darkness.
“Do it. Read my mind. I want you to know me.”
She raised herself up on one elbow to hold the Omaja, and it glowed brighter in the darkness, clearly illuminating his silvery eyes in blue light. She focused Knowing, staring down at his face.
Jiandra, my love. I love you.
“You love me?” she whispered.
He just smiled.
With all my heart and soul, she heard with the stone. She watched his face for a moment, feeling warm all over, and soon his thoughts took a different trail. She saw herself stripped naked in his mind, lying under him while he caressed every inch of her body. Then she saw him wrap her legs around his hips while he thrust himself into her again and again, their naked bodies intertwined in abandonment and passion. The scene was quite scandalous to watch, and after several exhilarating seconds she shook her head to break it off.
“Are you all right?” he asked. “Was it…to your liking, what you saw?”
“Mm-hm,” she murmured, embarrassed.
“You don’t have to answer me now, Jiandra. I know we haven’t known one another long, and that we met under ill circumstances. What I’m asking would mean a complete change of your life’s path, your future. I know you love your farm and your family, and—”
“I’m in love with you.”
“You are?” He propped himself up on one elbow to face her.
“Head over heels. I’m crazy about you, Yajna.”
A huge smile spread over his handsome face. He closed his eyes a moment. “Thank Tejeshwar. I thought I was coming on too strong, too soon. But I love you and I know what I want. It’s to be with you, forever.”
“That scene I just saw in your thoughts…”
He stroked her arm. “Yes? What about it?”
“Do you…think about that, a lot?”
He grinned. “No, not much.”
“Not much?”
“Every minute of every day since we met.”
She giggled softly.
“Don’t answer me now. Just know that I love you. I need you. Your lips, your body. Your lovely face. Your sweet compassionate heart.” He lay down and pulled her close, pressing her head against his shoulder. “Rest now, Lahdli,” he whispered.
Jiandra snuggled in, enjoying the feel of his smooth, warm skin pressed to hers where the unlaced, bunched-around-her-waist shift allowed all kinds of delicious contact. Soon, she drifted off to sleep.
THIRTY-FIVE
The sound of soft crying awakened Jiandra sometime in the night. She turned over to find Yajna sitting on the side of the pallet, face in his hands. She sat up and laid a hand on his back. He glanced over his shoulder at her, then reached for her. She moved to sit beside him and wrapped her arms around his neck, kissing his forehead. She brushed his tears aside with her fingers, then hugged him tightly with both arms.
“My father,” he whispered brokenly.
Yavi’s voice came from the other side of the curtained partition. “Yajna, ohkfu laud de chimin hey lalt sey?”
“Jode, Hejin.”
There was movement on the other side, then Yavi parted the curtain and entered their room in the darkness. He knelt by his brother and put a hand on his arm. Jiandra scooted back and pulled the front of her shift together, and allowed them their space.
They cried and spoke in hushed Nandalan for a few minutes, then Yavi returned to his own bed.
Yajna lay down beside her and pulled her tightly into his arms.
“I’m sorry, Yajna,” she whispered, hugging his neck.
“I’m sorry for waking you, Lahdli.”
She touched his wet cheek, kissed his tears away, and they slept again.
#
In the early morning hours before dawn, while the Black Army camp was doing its final packing and preparing to march, Jiandra and Yajna bid Yavi farewell and set off for the campsite west of Caladia where they had left their horses, accompanied by a couple of servants. They retrieved Otto, Sunil, and Yavi’s horse, then went to the doctor’s house in Caladia to let the Nandal refugees there know what had transpired with the Black Army and Emperor Thakur. The servants then took Yavi’s horse and escorted the refugee group to join Yavi and the Black Armies before they headed back to Nandala, and Jiandra and Yajna headed south toward Kingston.
By the time the sun peeked over the eastern horizon, they were almost to Frocklin Grove. Jiandra glanced back at Yajna. “Let’s deliver the news to the Village Watch that Thakur is dead and Nandala has retreated.”
He nodded. His face was etched with weariness.
“You’re exhausted, Yajna. Maybe we should stop and rest.”
“No, I can stay awake. Your wisewoman’s tea is still having an effect.”
“You never told me what side effects you were experiencing besides alertness.”
He chuckled.
“Yajna.”
His silvery eyes met her gaze for a moment.
“Well?”
“I wish it were not so, but that conversation is for another time,” he said.
In another hour they arrived at Frocklin Grove, telling the town guards the news of Nandala’s retreat. They met up with General Toledano’s forces just south of the village and dismounted to water the horses.
Toledano strode forward to greet them. “Milady Jiandra. We received word that Caladia was taken.”
“Yes, it was overrun before we arrived last night,” Jiandra replied. “But Thakur is dead, and the Black Armies are retreating.”
“Nandala’s emperor, dead? How did this happen?”
Jiandra explained quickly. “We found a group of Nandal prisoners in Caladia who wanted to help us stop Thakur, and—well, we inadvertently started a small rebellion against him. When we met the Black Armies at their camp, several other soldiers defected to our side, and Yajna and his brother were able to kill Thakur. Yavi and Yajna were hailed as the new emperors, and Yavi is marching Nandala’s forces out of Villeleia as we speak.”
“Can this be true?”
“The Gods were with us,” Jiandra smiled. “Yavi hopes that Villeleia does not choose to follow the Black Armies and retaliate, but he realizes that is your decision to make. But we can end the war now by marching our forces back to Kingston.”
Yajna spoke up. “Nandala is not a wealthy nation, General, but when we arrive at the palace, my brother and I will send what resources we can to help rebuild Caladia. You have my word.”
Toledano inclined his head to Yajna. “I am certain the queen and the council will appreciate the gesture.”
Jiandra patted Otto’s neck. “We are on our way to Kingston to visit the queen and deliver the news, Genera
l. What will you do now?”
“I will march my army to Caladia to look for survivors and secure the area. If all is truly quiet there, I see no reason to pursue the Black Armies to Nandala and prolong this conflict.”
“We will take our leave, then, and speed on our way.” Jiandra bowed to Toledano and climbed into her saddle.
She and Yajna continued their journey south, stopping only briefly a couple of times to rest the horses before setting off again. By midnight, they reached Kingston’s northern gate.
“Any news of the queen’s condition?” Jiandra asked the guard as they approached.
“The last report I heard was optimistic, Milady. She’s in a great deal of pain, but she lives. What of the invasion?”
“It’s over. Nandala is retreating.”
“Retreating?”
“No time to explain, sir. I must hurry to the castle to see the queen.”
“Of course,” he bowed and stepped aside.
Jiandra and Yajna galloped through the cobblestone streets until they arrived at the castle gate. Jiandra called out to the gate guards. “Let us in at once! I have the Omaja Stone.” She held it up. “I can heal the queen!”
“Yes, milady.” They swung the gate open for her and Yajna to enter. Inside, they gave their exhausted horses to the stable boys, then rushed up the steps to the castle. They were ushered quickly to Solange’s room.
Inside, they found Elio and Zafira sleeping soundly in chairs near the queen’s bed, but Solange was awake. She gave Jiandra a weak smile when she came in.
“You look so pale,” Jiandra whispered, hurrying to her side and touching her cheek. She held up the Omaja stone by its leather cord, grinning.
Solange’s eyes widened.
“Hold still.” Jiandra closed it in her left hand and healed Solange’s face, chest, belly, arms, and legs with her right.
Solange sucked in a loud, deep breath and laughed aloud for joy. “I can breathe freely!”
Elio and Zafira jerked awake, startled. They leapt to their feet as Solange sat up in bed and stretched her arms over her head, giggling. She reached out for Elio, who rushed forward to scoop her into his embrace.
Zafira hugged Jiandra. “You got the stone back! And you made it home safely.”
“Yes.” Jiandra glanced back at Yajna. “We defeated Thakur. Solange, Elio—Thakur is dead!”
“Dead?” Solange repeated. “How? What happened?”
Jiandra explained, and pulled Yajna forward by his hand. “Meet the new joint-emperor of Nandala.”
Yajna inclined his head. “Your Highness, my brother and I deeply regret our emperor’s attack on Caladia. We will send whatever resources we can to help you rebuild the city. Nandala has no fight with Villeleia, and we will do what we can to resettle the refugees back in their homeland.”
Solange smiled. “Thank you, Yajna. And please call me Solange. Jiandra, my hug?” She held out her arms.
Jiandra went to her and hugged her tightly, eyes filling with tears of joy. “I am so glad you’re alive.”
“Me too,” Elio said.
Jiandra turned to embrace her brother. “How are Gracie and Rafe?”
“They are sleeping. They are well.”
Solange rang the bell near her bed. “Jiandra, you and Yajna look exhausted. Have you eaten anything?”
“No. We’ve been riding since before dawn yesterday.”
A female servant appeared at the door, surprised to see Solange sitting up. The woman smiled and curtsied. “Your Highness!”
“Prepare rooms and baths for Jiandra and Yajna. They will need supper as well.”
“Yes, Your Highness. Right away, Your Highness!”
When she was gone, Jiandra turned back to Solange. “I need to borrow a few articles of clothing, too, if you don’t mind. All my things were burned in the cottage.”
“I’ll have them send some of Riselle’s clothes to your room. It is so good to have you home, cousin.” Solange shoved the covers back and stood. “And it feels so good to have the pain gone!”
Elio lifted her off her feet, planting kisses over her forehead and cheeks before setting her down.
Zafira stood. “Well, I’ll return to my cottage now, if I may.”
Solange whirled to face her. “Now? In the middle of the night? Nay, stay until morning. We shall share a breakfast feast to celebrate my recovery and Jiandra and Yajna’s victory over Thakur before you go.”
Zafira chuckled. “All right, Your Highness.”
Two more servants appeared at the door holding folded towels and toiletries, beaming at Solange. “Your Highness looks so well,” one of them said.
“Yes, Belinda. I feel very well. Would you inform Meredith that we need some of Riselle’s dresses, underthings, and a nightgown for Jiandra? Also, some of Father’s clothes for Yajna?”
“Yes, Your Highness.” The girls curtsied, then turned to Jiandra and Yajna. “Your rooms are ready, milord and milady.”
“We’ll wake you at ten,” Solange said. “For the breakfast celebration.”
“Agreed.” Jiandra smiled.
The maids led her and Yajna down a hallway. Belinda stopped and swung open a door on the right. “Milady, your room is here. We are filling your bath now, and we will return with supper and some clothing.”
The other girl went inside to deposit Jiandra’s towel and toiletries.
“Thank you.” Jiandra hesitated in the doorway, waiting to see where they put Yajna.
Belinda opened the door opposite her room, and the other servant girl went inside to leave his bath towel and items. “Milord, here is your room. I believe Searcy is filling the tub now. We’ll return with clothing for you in a moment.”
“Ah, Belinda, if I may,” Jiandra interrupted. “Yajna and I would like to dine together, so…could you bring supper for two, just to one room?”
Belinda gave her a knowing smile. “Yes, of course, milady. His room has a more suitable table for that, so I’ll have them bring it there, if that meets your approval?”
Jiandra looked at him, and he nodded.
“Yes, thank you,” she replied to the servant.
Once the servants were gone, Yajna took her hand. “Meet me in my room after your bath?”
“Love to.”
He smiled and watched her go into her room and close the door.
#
A little later, after drying herself and letting down her hair, Jiandra donned her borrowed nightgown and robe and slipped out of her room. She tapped lightly on Yajna’s door.
He opened it, barefoot and shirtless, wearing only a pair of loose pants tied low on his hips. Jiandra’s breath caught at the sight of his gorgeous body. Never quite feel prepared for that, do you, Jiandra? she joked with herself.
“Come in, Lahdli. Supper’s already here.”
His room was spacious, with a large four-poster bed in the middle of the back wall, draped with rich navy silk bedcoverings. A heavy round mahogany table stood in one corner, lit with candles and laden with silver dishes of food. There were two pewter goblets and a bottle of wine, plus bread, cheese, smoked meats, a tureen of soup, fresh fruits, and some tarts.
Jiandra surveyed the table’s offerings. “I’m starved.”
“Me too. Come.” He pulled out a chair for her. He uncorked the wine and poured it into their goblets, then seated himself across from her.
Exhausted as she was, she still couldn’t keep from staring at the muscles in his bare chest, shoulders, and arms as they ate and sipped the wine. When they’d eaten their fill, he stood and held out a hand to help her up, then pulled her into his arms.
She smiled up at him. “Is this my goodnight hug?”
“No. Because I’m not saying goodnight. I want you to stay with me tonight.”
“I was hoping you’d say that.”
He kissed her jawline, removed her robe and laid it over the back of a chair, then led her to the bed. She crawled onto the soft, comfortable mattress while he put out t
he candles and joined her under the covers. He pulled her into his embrace, rubbing and caressing her back through her thin nightgown. “Jiandra, have you thought about my offer of marriage?”
She snuggled against him, inhaling his clean masculine scent. He smelled of sandalwood and bergamot soap. “Yes, all day.”
“You don’t have to answer yet, if you need more time to consider.”
“Yajna, I’d be honored to be your wife. My answer is yes.”
He hugged her tightly in his arms, burying his face against her neck. “I’m so happy to hear it.”
“I have a few demands,” she grinned.
He lifted his head. “Oh? What are they?”
“That you stay exactly as you are right now. Strong, honorable, and loving.”
He smiled. “I will do my best.”
“And that you pleasure me as well as you did last night, every night that you can possibly manage time and energy for it.”
“I’ll pleasure you better than that,” he murmured, kissing her face, then her lips. “Much, much better.”
Jiandra giggled, then sighed against his sensual lips. He deepened the kiss, tasting her mouth with his tongue. She drank in the kiss like a starved woman, touching his shoulders and arms, running her fingers over his smooth, muscled body.
He reached down to untie his waistband and free his swollen shaft, then wrapped her hand around it. “This,” he breathed, “has been like this almost constantly for two days, thanks to your wisewoman’s tea.”
“Oh?” She swallowed. Touching him was such a turn-on.
He stroked her face, brushing his lips over hers. “I didn’t need the tea, though. You’re beautiful, Jiandra. Within and without. And every inch of your body is so attractive to me.”
She caressed him eagerly in her hand. “I feel the same way about you.”
He reached down to the hem of her gown and slid it up her thighs. She sat up and helped him remove the gown completely, then lay back against the pillows while he caressed her body. Her torso was illuminated by faint blue light emanating from the Omaja, and he stared at her breasts as he touched them reverently. “So beautiful, Lahdli.”