Olan’s stare held a ton of suspicion. “I trust you are recovered?”
Lea nodded. “Except for my memory.” She glanced at Tarik before continuing. “Tarik and I have a lot to catch up on.”
Suspicion shifted to sympathy in Olan’s gaze. “Do you remember us, Maliya?”
With a regretful sigh, she shook her head. Gretel pinched Lea’s chin. “Don’t worry. I’m sure it will all come back.”
Her words were Tarik’s wish. He hoped that her time back home brought back her memories because his love for his wife was still there even if she didn’t recall what they felt for one another.
***
Lea’s toes burned. Either from the non-stop dancing or the heels she wasn’t used to wearing.
“It’s tragic to hear of all you must have suffered since the accident, Your Majesty.”
Lea tuned in to her current dance partner, another person who apparently recalled her fondly though nothing nudged at her memory. During the first seconds of the dance she learned that Braic had moving hands. After pretending to step on his feet for the third time, his roaming appendages had settled safely on her hips.
“How is the King dealing with your return?”
Her brows lowered. Wouldn’t anyone be pleased to discover their spouse alive? “I’m not sure what you’re asking.”
“Well it has been three years since your death.” Curious brown eyes studied her expression. “Surely things have changed…between you. From time and distance of course.”
Time and distance. Was he joking? As if she’d been away on a trip as opposed to presumed dead. “The King and I are overjoyed to be together again.”
Braic’s dark head bent close to her ear. “Yes, but surely you remember how we talked of my interest.”
Lea stiffened at his words but her feet kept moving as he danced them around the ball room. “Your interest?”
Her breath sped up as she peered over his shoulder to see Tarik standing beside Kord at the edge of the room in a small group of laughing people. Both men had their gazes trained on her. She relaxed marginally.
Braic’s breath wisped along her ear when he whispered, “About being with me if you ever chose to leave Tarik.”
“L-leave Tarik,” she stuttered, her eyes once more darting toward the man himself. He must have noticed her expression because he made to join her but Lea gave a slight shake of her head.
Braic straightened, piercing her with the burning glare of his eyes. “Maliya!” His hands gave her shoulders a slight shake. “I’ve always been attracted to you.”
No one had prepped her on how to respond to this. Braic’s confident smile dimmed to embarrassment at her lack of recollection.
“My memory of that time is not clear. The accident had a greater effect than the bump on my head.” Lea kept her voice calm and soothing.
His breath eased out and the pinched look at the corner of his eyes faded. When he grinned and rotated her around the ballroom, Lea relaxed.
“Of course. I forgot.” The hands on her shoulders turned caressing.
Lea’s stomach rolled.
“I’m so glad you’re back. I’ve missed you.”
Chapter 18
Lea’s pale face was noticeable from where Tarik stood. Braic had his head close to hers as he spoke. Tarik tried to relax. She and Braic had a congenial relationship. He couldn’t imagine there was any danger there but his gut kept churning.
“Have you noticed anything amiss?”
Tarik glanced at Kord who watched Lea and her dancing partner as avidly as Tarik.
“Nothing stands out yet.”
Kord’s gaze hadn’t left Lea’s all evening but neither had Tarik. “I’ve gone over anyone I could think of that would wish Maliya harm. Or me.”
Kord broke his vigilant stare to face Tarik. “Any names King of Desani?”
Tarik controlled his frustration. This man had kept his wife safe though he didn’t agree with his methods. “We can be at odds or we can work together. I’m willing to forgive your actions because you did what you thought best for her.” His glare turned dark. “But I won’t accept your continued slurs. Like me or not, she’s my wife and I’m not letting Maliya go.”
Something like respect lit the blue eyes. An indeterminable moment passed between them before Kord turned and searched the ball room. “She prefers Lea. Tarik.”
Tarik relaxed. They’d reached an agreement of sorts. Good enough for him. “As to names, I can think of no one readily on my staff who would wish her ill. Before the alliance I would have counted Kaban as my most prominent enemy. In my region Lord Vargas comes to mind.”
Both of them sought the robust tanned man in red silk, black hair cut ruthlessly short. Next to Vargas, his wife talked animatedly with another woman. Lady Vargas was a viper. Her blonde hair and delicate beauty hid a woman filled with malice and a perfect match for her husband’s cruel manner.
“Yet you invited him.” Kord’s tone conveyed his confusion.
Tarik clasped his hands behind his back, eyes roaming until they landed on Lea. Olan danced with her and she was laughing. “I invited him because he’s also my staunchest supporter. While he doesn’t care for me and lusts for my throne, he believes in Desani and has longed for peace and a means away from constant battle as much as I have.”
With the alliance in place Tarik fully expected Lord Vargas to become more of a threat. “I’m also concerned about Lord Ellis and Coan. Both made it clear they didn’t agree with Lea as a worthy Queen. Her lack of royal blood and odd eyes were two of the reasons they listed.”
He didn’t invite the brothers and enjoyed a moment of pleasure imagining their anger when the news spread that she was back.
“What of the people close to you? They couldn’t have all been pleased that you married a common woman not of the nobility.” Kord asked, gaze constantly roaming.
The man’s tension ratcheted up Tarik’s. He considered those close to him on his staff. “She’s worth more than any of them,” Tarik started but that didn’t really answer the question. “Hensel, Baylor and Mati are the only ones I trust implicitly.”
Baylor had been Tarik’s personal guard before he took the throne. The two men were the same age and had a friendship that withstood the difference in their station. When Tarik became King he made Baylor his Captain of the guard and the man had personally trained Hensel as his replacement.
Mati served as his father’s advisor and it was natural for Tarik to let him assume the same role for him. Everyone else he wanted to believe was innocent but he wouldn’t bet Lea’s life on his assumptions. His gaze sought Lea.
One of Vaan’s Warlords now danced with her. The warrior should have looked out of place in his leather pants and cross chest harness but he didn’t. Several of the guests stared at the two because it was clear Lea wasn’t the least intimidated by her sword carrying dance partner.
This event was the first with the Kabanians present amidst Desani citizens. Murmurs rose throughout the crowd. Serin, Jaesan, Mikal and Effan all edged close to the side ready to intercede. The four guards were the best of his men and Baylor assured Tarik they would take care of Lea.
Vaan and his men didn’t appear concerned. They all watched the dance floor from a cluster in the corner. Mikayla’s head bobbed to the music but the warriors around her had their arms crossed over bulging chest muscles to defer anyone who might think to approach her for a dance.
***
“I think we’re causing a stir,” Lea noted as she followed Ramar’s stiff dance steps. Dancing wasn’t his strong suit but she liked that he’d approached her.
“The Desani are toque,” he sneered.
She didn’t understand the foreign word. “What’s that exactly?”
He whispered the term for a female’s lower body part in her ear using Standard and Lea flushed then snickered. “Not very kind of you and I’m sure your…Overlord would not appreciate it. Tarik certainly wouldn’t.”
“The K
ing has honor. Not all of his people are the same.”
Kaban and Desani history escaped her with the memory gaps. “Have the two countries always been at war?”
Ramar glared at a few couples who danced too close. His hands tightened on her waist as he moved them away. She found his protective measure endearing.
“There have been skirmishes through the years. The Desani Kings have a history of not wanting to talk peace. King Tarik is the first to rule with a calm head. Until Thenl.”
He made to spit on the floor and Lea jerked on his shoulder. “Don’t.”
Ramar frowned but at least nothing gross ended up on the dance floor.
“Tell me what Thenl did. I believe he’s the one who attacked me.” The details of the event weren’t clear and when she tried to remember her head pounded.
“Thenl forfeited the title of Warlord by betraying Overlord Galip. He sought to poison us but the plan failed when Ashaya Galip managed to save and hide us. During this time he attacked the Queen’s party to kill you. His actions caused the battles to escalate. Full on war was almost declared. Many lost their lives.”
Lea gaped. When the dark haired Warlord finally glanced down at her his lips curled in a smile. It turned his face to down right handsome. “It is a tale fit for youngling, yes?”
“One would imagine.” She pieced together most of the story. “Mikayla saved you all?”
“She discovered where our bodies had been hidden. The deep sleep preserved our bodies and she awakened each of us at great risk to her life.”
Lea searched for the Raasa Su-Su and her mate.
Mikayla hugged the Overlord and pinched his side in jest. His dark frown didn’t intimidate her at all if her impertinent grin was to be believed. She reached up and pulled on his braid next. The Overlord lifted her in his arms above his head and held her suspended in the air. The Warlords with them paid the two no mind but guests started pointing.
Mikayla caressed his forehead earning a kiss as her mate placed her back on her feet.
“I think she found the risk worth it,” Lea said.
Ramar followed her gaze. “Yes. She is all that is good for him. He would die for her. It is a worthy match.”
She remembered something Tarik mentioned. “They have children.”
“She gifted him identical youngling nine months ago.”
Beautiful. The music ended.
“I will return you to your husband.”
“I’d like to speak with Mikayla.” She wanted to know more of the brave Raasa woman.
Ramar walked her over without argument. When Lea reached the Warlords they all nodded at her in acknowledgment but their stance remained attentive.
Mikayla grinned at Lea. “Ramar did a good job dancing. Vaan has refused to join me on the dance floor. Perhaps someone here will dance with me.”
Vaan’s lip curled and none of his men volunteered. Mikayla didn’t feign a pout as Lea expected but laughed instead and pulled Lea close to her.
“I’m glad the King invited us. This is a big occasion for all. Not just the treaty but your return to Desani and at Tarik’s side.”
Mikayla’s good humor was infectious. Lea felt none of the awkwardness with the woman that she felt with the other women she’d met.
Mikayla sidled closer, fangs flashing and whispered, “How are you handling it?”
Relief and something else she couldn’t describe crashed over Lea with the opportunity to be honest. “Nervous in some regard but not as nervous as I think I should be. One minute I’m fine and accepting of it all and the next I’m beyond anxious at the thought of ruling as Queen.”
Green eyes gentled. “It would be difficult for anyone in your place. Does any of this help you remember?”
Lea couldn’t help rolling her eyes. “No. I’m not sure how I managed before.” She was a person of action. Or at least she thought she was. “I don’t feel royal and don’t know the first thing about acting as a Queen should.”
Vaan turned in their direction drawn by their intense whispers. “Have you shared your concerns with Tarik?”
He had incredible hearing. Lea flushed. “Not yet.”
His dark eyes stared at her as if debating the wisdom of his next words. “I believe you will receive a surprise should you speak with him about your life before.”
The cryptic statement led her to look around the ball room for Tarik. For the first time all evening his attention wasn’t on her. He spoke with a portly gentleman in a green loincloth and matching vest. Legs like tree trunks were stuffed into scuffed black boots. A wild mane of red hair with random braids lay about his shoulders.
When she turned back to Vaan his searing eyes were still on her. “Things are not always as they seem Maliya Sabarn.”
His mate frowned, her expression clear without eyebrows to enhance the dark glare she shot Vaan. “You shouldn’t listen to private conversations.”
Wild amusement flared in his eyes. “Then how else am I to know what you are about, she-ma?”
Definitely beautiful the romance between them, Lea decided.
Mikayla leaned over and murmured in her ear. “You think he’s sweet don’t you?”
Lea chuckled. “He loves you.”
“Yes, but,” she peeked at Vaan who no longer paid attention to them. “She-ma is a weed that grows uncontrollably in the wilds of Kaban and is hard to untangle if you fall into a thicket of them.”
Lea laughed hard enough for tears to fill her eyes. She wiped them away noticing that all of the Warlords wore smirks, clearly having heard Mikayla anyway.
Mikayla entwined their arms. “Let’s stroll around. We’ll send panic through this crowd when they see the Overlord’s mate and the Queen chatting amicably.”
“I’d love that Mikayla.” Lea determined that this Raasa was one for mischief and she liked the idea of walking with her new friend.
“Call me Miki.”
“The treaty will end quickly should she choose to call you other than Mikayla,” Vaan stated.
Mikayla growled and dragged Lea with her. Two Warlords followed on their heels. “Marek and Ramar are behind us. Marin and Keil are with Vaan.”
“How many Warlords live with you?”
Already glances landed on them and stuck. Some were horrified but a few were pleased. Desani residents fell into two categories. They either loathed this new relationship or loved it.
“I rescued Vaan with fifteen of his best warriors. They chose to stay when offered a chance to return to Kaban. Of course the Council would make them miserable there.”
Lea raised a brow. The intricacies of Kaban’s ruling system escaped her.
“The Kabanians are ruled by a Council that works hand and hand with the Overlord. Since Vaan moved to Raasa, his brother Saran rules by his word. Not all are pleased with the arrangement especially the Council members but Vaan refuses to be swayed on the matter.”
“Doesn’t he want to return to Kaban?” Lea couldn’t understand why he wouldn’t want to go back home.
“No. He understands I’m Su-Su to my people and it would be impossible for me to leave. This way was easier and worked out for us.”
Mikayla stopped and both of them gasped at the huge sculpture made of ice. The large tub beneath caught any melting water.
“Is that Tarik?” Mikayla’s question voiced amazement.
Lea peered closer and indeed someone had rendered the image of Tarik in ice-crown and all. She snickered then covered her mouth to muffle her laughter but Mikayla had no such compunction and burst into peals of laughter.
This caused more stares to turn in their direction but neither noticed as they wrapped arms around one another.
***
Tarik broke off his conversation with Gunther when familiar laughter rang out. Conversation around them swelled. Lea and Mikayla walked arm in arm in front of the focal point at the dessert table. His gaze shifted to the huge ice statue in his image.
A slow smile curved his lips at his wif
e’s unfettered joy. This was how he preferred to see her. Not strained by lack of memories and fearful of standing by his side.
Together she and Mikayla projected a perfect picture of what this alliance with Vaan had created. Two beautiful representatives of their race uncaring that they shouldn’t admire one another publicly. They’d garnered the attention of everyone in the ball room.
Vaan made his way to his side with two of his Warlords. “Our youngling will play together and share the same joy. It is good what we have done.”
Tarik couldn’t answer. He was ensnared by the vision of his wife.
Chapter 19
Lea and Mikayla huddled next to another display on a high table with glowing candles set around the object in the middle. They’d managed to outpace her assigned Warlords who found themselves blocked by a group of simpering women in fancy dresses.
A bold blonde reached out and touched Marek’s chest.
“What is this?” Mikayla asked.
Lea turned away from the spectacle and hoped the Warlords wouldn’t attack any of the man hungry women. She faced the elaborate set up. Blue and green petals floated in a clear bowl of water. A small fountain flowed continuously on a bed of rocks with more candles set in a circle.
“I’m not sure.”
“It’s a gift of thanks to the Goddess,” a voice answered behind them.
A slim woman with perfectly styled hair joined them. She offered Lea a small curtsy. “I’m Lady Vargas, your Majesty. Lady Saia if you prefer.”
From her smile and stare it was clear Lady Saia intended not to greet Mikayla.
“You seem to know me. Allow me to introduce the Overlord’s mate and Su-Su to one of the Raasa compounds, Mikayla Galip.” Lea’s smile remained sharp.
Lady Saia tossed her fluffy hair and ignored Mikayla. “The infinity fountain is a gift of thanks to the Goddess. One finds them at weddings, birthings and now I suppose one uses them when the dead return.”
Mikayla gasped but Lea curled her fingers into her palms less she start a fight in the middle of Tarik’s elegant ballroom. She pushed her lips into a semblance of another smile. “How lovely. I’ll thank Tarik later for such a fitting tribute.”
A King's Revenge: Warlords Series Book 2 Page 11