A King's Revenge: Warlords Series Book 2

by Michelle Howard

  ***

  Maliya thought she’d prepared herself for the trip to Desani. She’d gone over several potential outcomes with this return to a home she didn’t remember. A quick check, showed Kord’s frowning face. His eyes constantly moved as if he expected an attacker to leap for her throat as soon as they were outside the space port.

  At first the sheer number of guards greeting them had stunned her. It seemed excessive. Then again considering all Tarik had gone through perhaps her arrival warranted the extra caution. Aware of the stares aimed in her direction, Maliya focused her attention on the man waiting for her. Tarik was beyond handsome. She hadn’t imagined his appeal on the Space Station.

  His breath taking beauty had her questioning why another woman hadn’t snatched up the grieving King. The artificial air inside the space port blew strands of his multi-colored hair across his jaw. His gaze darkened at her comment about hapfe. Lea stifled her sigh. She had the feeling many of the things she said would bring back uncomfortable memories.

  What she hadn’t shared with Kord was the vivid dream before they’d left. A brief flash of an incident that could have been a memory. An old but maintained castle with elaborate stonework. Large cut round jewels in every shade over the windows. In the dream her heart had lifted at the sight of the stones but she couldn’t place the reason why.

  Tarik stayed close to her side as twenty men surrounded their small group. Each man wore black tunics and leggings with gold trim. Deadly swords swung from their hips and Maliya guessed by their powerful physiques that they were quite capable of using them.

  Outside, the sun shifted, its mid-day rays beamed down forcing her to lift a hand to shade her eyes. Fingers bumped into her visor reminding Maliya. “Did she… I mean did I wear anything over my eyes?” Her eyes were unique enough to draw attention on their own.

  Tarik waited as another set of guards led out more hapfe than Maliya had ever seen in one place. Hensel brought over three of the prancing mounts.

  “You wore your visor when you left the castle.” His brows dipped in a frown. “Never at home. You once told me you didn’t like the strange stares.”

  And he hated that. Maliya could tell that not being able to make everything in the world perfect for his wife had bothered Tarik. Knowledge of that added a piece of the puzzle she was building of him and the man he’d been with his Queen.

  Maliya allowed the full escort to keep her in their midst while everyone hopped on the backs of the bi-pedal animals. Hensel waited for Kord to mount a tan hapfe before leading over the other two. Tarik grabbed the leads trailing from their neck and extended them toward her to choose.

  “Are you sure you’re comfortable riding alone?” Concern shifted his lavender eyes to a deep purple that stirred renewed desire in her loins. In light of the recent changes, she’d expected the attraction to dim but it hadn’t.

  “I’ll be fine.” To prove it, Maliya accepted the leads and selected the one for the dark brown hapfe with a small white streak across the triangular shaped head.

  Tarik placed his hands at her hips, the touch sending a shaft of warmth to the skin beneath her jumper. The position placed them chest to chest. His head dipped toward hers and Lea could no more resist the kiss than she could resist eating sweets.

  “You smell exactly as I remember,” he murmured before taking her mouth in a kiss of rough possession.

  Lea used one hand on his shoulder for balance and stroked his teasing tongue. He licked her bottom lip and pulled lightly before releasing her. She touched the stinging plump flesh and gazed back into his eyes.

  “You’re mine, Maliya. No one will ever take you away from me again.”

  With that passionate declaration he boosted her up and Lea had to rush to throw her leg over the saddle. She glanced back at the man who still had a hand on her thigh, softly stroking. “You’re a dangerous man, King of Desani.”

  He smiled and stepped back. “No argument here.”

  The animal held perfectly still the entire time, a rarity considering the breed was known to be anxious and easily excited. Lea decided to shift the mood or she’d drag the man into the nearest empty space in the station and lay claim to him. “She’s a beauty.”

  He didn’t look away from her. “No argument here,” he repeated but his eyes reflected a pain so stark Lea’s hand lifted without volition toward him.

  “Tarik?”

  He stumbled back from her and shook his head. “We should head out. It’s not a good idea to be this exposed after our efforts to bring you back with minimum fuss.”

  The strange mood connecting them broke. Maliya wanted to pursue the emotion that flashed across his features. Her heart thumped a maddening pace in empathy but Kord caught her eye and signaled with a shake of his head for her to let the matter drop.

  Chapter 15

  Lea stood in front of the floor length mirror staring at her reflection. There was no question the ankle length gold gown and its small train was gorgeous. Sleek with minimum detail to detract from the clean lines, the custom made dress added an elegant edge to her otherwise average appearance.

  Lea tried to remember the last time she’d worn anything this luxurious and came up blank but that wasn’t unusual when she probed her missing memories. Her hand smoothed down the soft fabric covering her hip feeling the reassuring hilt of her favorite knife sheathed at her thigh. The material covered any bump and had to have cost a large sum. Add in the fact someone tailored it to her size and Lea bumped the amount up exponentially.

  A short tug fixed the black satin straps holding up the low cut bodice. It was the only touch of color in the otherwise unrelenting gold.

  “It’s beautiful, my Queen.”

  Lea flinched at the young house maid’s words. Tarik’s man, Mati, introduced her to Chelle as soon as she’d been escorted to a guest room. Apparently royalty didn’t dress themselves.

  Chelle discomfited Lea. While not overly fawning, her manner and deference reminded Lea firmly of her role as royalty thus above the young girl’s station. A role she’d yet to adapt to but needed to learn. Quickly.

  At her silence, Chelle probed, “Are you well, my lady?”

  Blue eyes studied Lea in the mirror, dark head tilted to the side.

  “Yes, and thank you, Chelle.” Lea pulled her shoulders back and forced herself to take inventory of her changed look. Red curls were smooth back from her forehead and held back by the simple gold crown that formed a V between her brows. A crown that had come in a silver jewel encrusted case she estimated at more than the cost of the ship she and Kord owned.

  Initially, she’d protested wearing something so important and obviously expensive but a confused glance from Chelle ended the argument before it started. Lea turned to the side admiring the neat folds of fabric gathered into diagonal pleats on her right hip. The dress whispered against her bare legs with a delicate swish revealing the tip of a gold heeled sandal. A small train flowed behind her.

  After dropping her off with a light kiss to her forehead, Tarik had whispered that he planned a small formal dinner to share the news of her return with his people and to set up phase one of their efforts to find the traitor.

  According to Chelle who’d been remarkably open, the guest list numbered in the low hundreds. Small indeed.

  “Are you nervous?” Chelle’s innocent question opened up a host of emotions not the least of which was fear.

  Lea turned away from the mirror and forced her mouth into the semblance of a smile. “Yes.”

  She studied the competent girl who’d stayed by her side throughout the day to help bath, dress and style her hair. “Did you know me before?”

  Chelle’s grin flashed wide, perfect teeth shining. “No, my lady. My mother’s very pleased though for me to be selected to serve you. I promise I’m very good at styling hair and making up your face. Six younger sisters gave me plenty of practice.”

  There was a measure of relief knowing Chelle didn’t know her before the accident. Se
veral of the guards during the trip to the castle smiled and nodded each time she made eye contact with them.

  It was awkward to say the least for others to have knowledge about her that she had no recollection of. People who would expect her to recognize them and speak of the past acquaintance or memories. Even Hensel in his happiness forgot and began to point out places she ‘liked’ while he talked of the things she enjoyed.

  Not wanting to ruin his pleasure at recalling the tidbits, Lea smiled when appropriate and pretended the overwhelming sense of loss didn’t take away something from the trip.

  At least with the house servant Lea wouldn’t have to pretend. Chelle’s exuberance for her task was hard to miss. She had to be fresh out of her teens and still flush with the bloom of youth. Lea felt ancient in comparison.

  The knock at her door dispelled her maudlin thoughts. Chelle hurried across the room and opened it. Mati, whom Tarik introduced as his personal advisor, entered and closed the door behind him.

  His blue eyes narrowed as he ran a critical eye over her from head to toe. The seconds under his scrutiny unnerved Lea and she wondered if her appearance wasn’t sufficient when he declared, “Your hair used to be much longer.”

  Lea wasn’t sure what she expected him to say. Something critical perhaps but not a general comment about her hair. She reached up to pat her simple coif. Since Mati’s position to Tarik probably conveyed total trust, Lea decided to give him full honesty and disclosed the reason the doctor’s shortened her hair. “Because of the accident, blood matted my hair into thick knots. The blow I took to my head bled profusely. In order to save my life, they had to cut it. I kept it short since it was easier to maintain. ”

  Chelle gasped her delicate hands flying to her mouth. Mati had the grace to flush.

  “My apologies.” He looked disconcerted then cleared his throat. He clasped his hands behind his back, the simple black tunic laying flat against a body still trim despite the gray at his temples. “It’s a bit difficult to adjust to your return. We’re all in awe to know you survived.”

  His grin was more relieved and Lea relaxed.

  “Forgive the stares you’ll no doubt get this evening.”

  Unfortunately, stares were common place for Lea. Sensing Mati only wanted to make amends for his verbal blunder, she spread her hands out to her side. “Do I look okay for this event? I’m unsure how a Queen would dress for such an occasion but Chelle said it was appropriate.” There had been five others to choose from.

  Mati came forward and strolled around her to see the dress from every angle. When he circled back to her front, he bowed low. “You’re as beautiful as my memory serves, Your Highness.”

  “That’s going to take some getting used to,” she joked.

  He straightened and offered her a smile.

  Lea searched for her visor and snagged it from the bed.

  “You won’t need those here.” His look was gentle.

  Maliya forced her fingers to unclench and step away from her comfort zone.

  “Tarik sent me to accompany you to the ballroom. Will you allow me to escort you?”

  Nerves skittered down her back. “Shouldn’t he be here with me? To make an entrance together.” Lea also wanted him at her side when she faced a room full of people she didn’t know as well as one suspected of wanting her dead.

  Mati extended his elbow for her to grip. Lea placed her hand lightly on his sleeve while he answered. “The King is hoping to distract many by appearing first. The guests know this is a momentous occasion but are unsure why. Many believe it is a celebration for the new treaty. It was only recently that Desani entered an alliance with Kaban and Raasa.”

  Lea had heard of the discord between the other countries. Well, Kaban. The warlike people had recently fallen under a mad man’s control and only the actions of a Raasa woman had saved them. Lea sensed there was more to that story but hadn’t had time to question Kord.

  They left her room and were joined by four royal guards waiting in the hall. Chelle offered Lea a curtsey and headed off to the left. Lea knew the young girl would be back later to help her undress. Kord leaned against the wall across from her. Kord reluctantly accepted the room next door after assuring for himself that the hall door was the only entrance to the suite. Now he took one look and his eyes darkened. Lea knew he worried and thought returning to Desani was a big mistake.

  A bigger mistake would have been to ignore the opportunity to discover her past.

  “It’s been many years since I’ve seen you like this.”

  Kord’s statement brought up their history.

  “Did you visit the castle often when I was Queen?”

  An abrupt shake of the head. “No. My goal was to keep an eye on you from a distance and ensure your safety. I didn’t want to infringe on the life you made here as I’d only known you through your parents.”

  Considering Lea had not recognized anyone when she awakened in the medical center that wasn’t much. Kord did have holos of her parents and a treasured dagger that her father had given him as a gift to prove to Lea that her father entrusted her into his care. She had accepted the truth of his words and had no reason to doubt him.

  The guards closed in on them and Kord stepped to her right while she clutched Mati’s arm on her left. Forcing a smile to her lips, Lea inclined her head as she thought someone of royal bearing would. “Let the games begin.”

  Chapter 16

  Tarik used his iron willed control to keep from pacing. Years of being on display in front of others stood him in good stead. So far over half the number of guests he’d invited had arrived. Many cast blatant stares his way as if they could read the reason behind today’s announcement on his face.

  Guests streamed in the double doors with curious probing eyes and smiles that hinted at their pleasure in being invited to hear a formal royal announcement first hand. The last such occasion had been for the death of his wife.

  Tarik clenched his hands into fists at his side and focused on the next couple entering the ballroom. He’d chosen to wait at the top of the grand stairs by the entrance to greet each guest personally. He wanted the chance to look directly into their eyes while he pondered the possibility of someone close to him as a traitor.

  If such was the case then the offenders had to work under the directive from one of his enemies. There were those in his country who disagreed with his order of doing things and how he passed judgment. Could one of them be the mastermind behind Maliya’s attacks?

  The next couple paused in front of him and Tarik loosened his hands to fold them behind his back.

  “Your Majesty, a pleasure.” Gretel offered Tarik her curtsey, the blue of her gown pooling around her feet as she performed the respectful gesture.

  “Sire.” Her husband, Olan, bowed. His blue eyes practically danced. He faced Tarik with a wide grin. “What trickery are you up to boy?”

  Tarik’s mouth curved in a genuine smile of pleasure. Gretel had been his personal care taker as a baby and Olan his tutor. He included them in every function he hosted at the castle. Both had the trust of his parents for their responsibility was a great one. They’d been entrusted to mold a young Tarik into the future King.

  “A celebration, Olan. No more, no less.”

  Gretel clasped her husband’s hand in hers. Silver touched the edges of her blonde waves hinting at her age. Delicate lines flirted at the edge of her full mouth. Such small signs of her advancing years saddened him.

  Brown eyes capable of cowing him in the nursery narrowed. “Don’t think to fool us, Tarik. You’re up to something.”

  He would no more make them use his title than he’d correct them on their personal demeanor when interacting with him. It was hard to be stern with the couple who’d once changed his soiled clothing.

  Tarik leaned forward and brushed a light kiss across her temple. “Trust me,” he whispered.

  “Hey, none of that, young man,” Olan scolded, causing his wife to chuckle and blush.
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br />   He tipped his head to them and they proceeded down the four steps onto the main floor of the ballroom. Hensel and Baylor stood at attention at his back. Hensel laughed. “Olan will get you if you continue to flirt with his wife.”

  Tarik didn’t get to respond. The side door he’d used to assume his spot at the top of the stairs opened. Mati came through first. Kord next. He and the dark haired bastard eyed each other with leashed anger. Tarik had yet to forgive the man for taking Maliya away.

  His Queen, who stepped through the door followed by four armed guards, looked like a vision of loveliness. His dual hearts beat faster.

  Shorter than he was used to, her red hair had been smoothed back from her forehead leaving her sculpted cheekbones, bright eyes and full lips in clear view. The Queen’s crown, a delicate fixture of gold, sat on her head amidst the red waves in a subtle reminder of her station.

  She’d selected a gown in the Sabarn colors of gold and black. Three out of the five dresses he’d had sent to her room were deliberately in his colors. Tarik wanted to make a statement when he presented Maliya. She was his. She was back.

  And she was scared to death. Tarik reached for Maliya’s hand and pulled her to his side. Her fingers were chilled. He stroked a hand over her bare arm and leaned down. “Don’t be nervous.”

  Her lips curved as she whispered while staring at the mass of people, “Easy for you to say, you know them.”

  “So do you.” Probably not the best retort but it pulled her wide gaze in his direction and away from the staring faces.

  Her lips twitched. Tarik held his breath and waited. Another twitch then her laughter spilled out. “I probably do but unfortunately as we both know, I don’t remember them.”

  Tarik tightened his fingers on hers and pulled her close to his side. Her body stiffened initially before relaxing her weight against him. He never thought he’d laugh about their situation and yet he couldn’t wipe the grin from his face.