Sara had left then, unable to watch anymore. And her head was spinning with the knowledge. Tiria was looking to kill her husband. So she could replace him with Zameer or this other man? Sara didn’t know but she didn’t like it.
She had debated all day whether to say anything to Zameer. But he was so busy he probably wouldn’t hear her. Sara knew she needed to tell someone and everyone else was not in the palace. Zameer had the power inside the palace.
And, quite frankly, Sara wanted Zameer.
Deciding to brave it now since she couldn’t sleep, Sara tapped away into the intercom system and found Zameer’s personal code. It bleeped a few times before Zameer answered.
“Zameer, it’s me.”
“Sara?” Zameer sounded sleepy. “What’s wrong? Can’t you sleep?”
“Not really.” Sara swallowed. “I need to talk to you about something. It can’t wait. And I don’t see you anymore, as it is.”
“I’m sorry about that. I’ve just been given a very hectic schedule.”
“Zameer, you haven’t got a schedule. You’re permanently on-duty.” Sara didn’t want to sound like a whiner. “Your health is going to decline and I’m missing you like mad.”
“I miss you too, Sara.” Zameer’s voice softened.
“I’m getting fed up with falling asleep at the console for something that doesn’t need anyone. I’m going to have a word with King Deva later and see what he can do. I don’t know who’s organizing my schedule but it can’t go on.”
Sara didn’t say anything. She knew exactly who was dealing with his schedule but didn’t want to put ideas into his head if it wasn’t her. Zameer would be able to sort it out himself.
“If you want to come down now, I’m three floors down in the east wing.” Zameer said. “I’ll let them know to let you in.” He paused. “Take care. I’ve missed you.”
Sara found herself smiling.
“I’ve missed you, too.”
She called off and began to dress. She was finally going to see Zameer. It felt good knowing she was going to get a few minutes with the male she loved, even if it was to warn him about a supposed plot against the king.
King Deva needed to know his mate was not the loving person he thought she was.
Sara slipped her sneakers on and headed out the apartment, the door sliding closed behind her. She had barely gone half a dozen steps when a hand closed over her mouth and she was dragged off her feet.
#
Zameer found himself pacing in an attempt to take the edge of his excitement. He was going to see Sara again. He hadn’t seen her properly in over a week.
While he was aware of her shape when she snuggled up close to him in bed at night, Zameer wanted more. He wanted to feel her with his hands, hold her in more ways than one, rediscover her body inside and out.
But someone had messed around with a schedule he didn’t realize he was on and he was now a mess. Even the guards in the command station where he was now were confused as to why he was there all the time.
Zameer decided on having a word with King Deva about it and get him off the schedule. Then he would do about seducing Sara again, if she hadn’t forgotten what he looked like.
There was no doubt about it. He loved Sara. Mates weren’t often required to fall in love but it could happen. His parents had fallen for each other as quickly as they had discovered their mating bond. Now Zameer was experiencing the same.
He enjoyed spending time with Sara and she had been accepted by everyone. With the exception of the queen but Zameer wasn’t holding his breath that they would become bosom buddies.
Sara was the female he wanted to spend the rest of his life with. And with his bonding bite, she would be able to live as long as him. Zameer knew the last few days hadn’t been great – and he had an idea – but he knew he hadn’t lots more days to make up for it.
Zameer glanced at the clock again.
“Where is she?” He muttered.
The guard at the screens in front of him looked back.
“How long since she called you, sir?”
“Half an hour ago.”
The guard shrugged.
“Maybe she got lost.”
Zameer snorted.
“She’s been here a month. And this room is hardly difficult to miss.” He couldn’t help but smile. “Even when she’s lost she’s never late. Plus, she hardly walks the pace of a snail.”
“Where do you think she’s gone, then?”
“I don’t know.” Zameer had a thought and pointed at one of the middle screens, which showed security footage of the gardens. “Could you pull up the cameras outside my quarters? See where she went?”
“We’re not supposed to use them for that.”
“I know but just do this for me.” Zameer shrugged, trying to not look urgent. “Humour me. No one’s going to know. We’re the only ones here.”
The guard sighed and began tapping away at the keys. As he did so, there was the bleeping from a separate screen of an incoming call. Zameer hurried over and checked it.
The name flashing up surprised him. He answered it and Neil Jones’ face filled the screen. He looked like he was still in the lab, the door behind him open to show the bright sunshine streaming into the garden.
“Doctor Jones. I wasn’t expecting a call.”
“I know you weren’t.” Neil smiled. “I just wanted to check how things were going.”
Zameer wondered what Sara had said to him. Chances were she had told him about Zameer always working but Zameer figured a workaholic would understand it, even if it was not his doing. He shrugged.
“Fine.”
“Sara says you’re working all hours.”
“Not by choice. I can’t seem to get out of it.” Zameer rubbed at his eyes. “I don’t even remember putting in for this detail, either. I thought I’d put down for a month’s holiday. I must’ve filled in the wrong form.”
“We all make mistakes.” Neil shrugged. “I know I’ve done it on more than one occasion.”
Zameer glanced back at the guard, who was scrolling through security footage.
“Your daughter seems to have gone walkabout. She wanted to tell me something and she’s taking her sweet time getting here.”
“Probably trying to figure out what to say.”
“You know what she has to say to me?”
“She called me and her mother earlier.” Neil’s smile widened. “She said she’s going to stay.”
Zameer stared. Sara was staying? Even after the last week? He couldn’t stop the smile.
“Wow. That’s going to make me feel better. What did you two say to it? I bet Fiona wasn’t pleased.”
“She’s still in hysterics. I’ve told her to grow up and shut up.” Neil chuckled. “The chief of police in Phoenix is from Abison as well. He’s planning on arresting her himself if she escalates.”
“I’d love to see her face on that.”
“I’ll probably hear the screams from here.” Neil’s expression softened. “I’ve put a lot of trust in you, Zameer. Take care of her. And when she gets there, give her my love.”
He trusted her. To an Abison that meant a lot. Zameer nodded.
“I will take care of her. And thank you, Doctor Jones.”
“It’s Neil. You are going to be my son-in-law.” Neil winked. “By the way, if there are any female Abisons looking for a partner, don’t hesitate to throw her my way.”
Zameer laughed and ended the call. He had a feeling any Abison female would have their hands full with Neil Jones.
“Zameer. Come look at this.”
The guard was beckoning him over. Zameer joined him and watched as Sara came out of their quarters – he couldn’t see it as simply his quarters anymore – and someone appeared out of nowhere, grabbed her, and pulled her off-camera.
Zameer squinted and played it again as a slower pace.
“That’s one of Queen Tiria’s guards. Does it show where they’re going?”
&nbs
p; The guard looked grim.
“They go down the one corridor that doesn’t have any cameras.”
Zameer knew exactly where he was talking about. The corridor to Queen Tiria’s room.
He was out the door before the guard had finished speaking.
Denying Reality
Sara didn’t know what was happening. One minute she was leaving Zameer’s quarters, intent on finding him about Tiria’s plot. The next minute, she was getting grabbed and pulled down a corridor she didn’t recognize. She was eventually released when they reached a huge ornate set of doors and was ushered inside.
Sara didn’t want to go in. She had a feeling she knew who was behind the doors. But the door was opened for her and she was pushed in, the door slamming behind her. And then she was in a huge, white room. It was so white it hurt her eyes.
Tiria was sitting cross-legged on the huge canopy bed. She was wearing a white pantsuit that made her look even paler than she really was. Her hair was pulled back severely and tied into the same style Sara’s hair was in. Either she had been watching Sara get ready or she was psychic. Either way, it made Sara uncomfortable.
She gave Sara a smile, a smile that didn’t reach her eyes.
“Sara. Come on in.”
Sara glanced back at the door.
“Do I have a choice?”
“No.”
That was a problem. Sara hoped Zameer would send a search party out when she didn’t turn up. He knew she was very particular about being on time.
This change in her behaviour would have him worried. She sat on the couch, keeping to the edge in case she needed to run. While she wasn’t fast enough or strong enough to keep away from Tiria, she could give it a good try.
Tiria regarded her thoughtfully.
“You’ve been here a month now, as you agreed with my mate.”
She sounded like she was discussing the weather. Sara stiffened.
“Yes.”
“And?”
“And I intend to stay.”
Tiria barked out a laugh.
“Really? You really think you’ll be able to cope here?”
“I’ve managed fine so far, My Lady.” Sara said evenly. Better than fine. She fitted right in. “I don’t think there will be any problems.”
Tiria stared at her like she was crazy. She shook her head.
“You have no idea what you’re doing, do you?”
“How do you mean?”
“Zameer hasn’t had much luck with females. They find him too much of a…” She smirked. “They find him intimidating. Especially in the…trouser department.”
Sara could hardly describe him as intimidating. Big, yes, but not intimidating. And she didn’t care what luck he had with previous women. They weren’t his mates. She couldn’t help barking out a laugh.
“He’s probably the least intimidating male I’ve met on this planet. And I say that when I’ve met his father as well.”
“What if his parents don’t approve? What if your parents don’t approve?”
“My mother gave up the right to be my mother years ago so her opinion has never counted. Everyone else is delighted.”
“You’ve discussed it with them?”
“Yes.” Sara resisted the urge to cower under Tiria’s clearly building fury.
“I adore his parents. And his father was actually urging me to stay last week because he hadn’t seen his son so happy in a long time.”
Tiria’s face was bright red. She looked like she was about to explode. She spluttered.
“But you can’t stay! You can’t!”
“And why not? I’m allowed to do as I please.”
“Because Zameer is mine!”
Tiria’s eyes were bulging. She was breathing heavily. Sara fell silent. She had suspected that Tiria was attracted to Zameer but she hadn’t expected the outright possessiveness to come forth. Tiria bared her teeth at Sara in a snarl.
“He’s always been mine. Ever since we were small. I love him and I’ve known he’s always meant to be my mate.”
If Sara hadn’t known anything about mates she would have cowered and said she would step aside – nobody could trump a queen – but that wasn’t her. And she knew Tiria simply meant to own Zameer not love him.
“If that’s the case, why has he got feelings for me? As far as I’m aware, there’s only one person in your lifetime that you feel any kind of attraction for. So if Zameer really were your mate, you wouldn’t be mated to Deva and Zameer wouldn’t be attracted to me. You would’ve have mated Deva if he wasn’t your mate.”
Tiria sighed.
“You don’t understand the politics here, do you? I wanted to be queen. You have no idea how delicious power tastes. But I wanted Zameer. He’s the only man I want a life with. But he keeps avoiding me and Deva won’t die.” Her lip curled. “And now you’re here and I can’t get rid of you.”
“I presume that’s why you’re making Zameer work himself into the ground so he doesn’t spend time with me?”
“As long as he doesn’t spend time with you, I don’t give a damn what he does.” Tiria smirked. “But it helps to be able to enforce things.”
Sara could feel her anger building. But she had to leave. She needed to get to Zameer.
“So you’re going to kill the king to free yourself up and then what? Murder me as well?”
Tiria smirked.
“Sounds like an idea.” She reached behind her and took out a knife, the blade big and curved. It glinted in the light. Sara flinched as Tiria inspected it closely.
“I’ll say you were try to kill me while I slept. I overpowered you and no one will be any the wiser.”
“They will.” Sara couldn’t take her eyes off the knife. “I’m not a fighter. Never have been.”
“But I’m Queen.” Tiria slipped off the bed. “No one argues with the Queen.”
Then she gave a blood-curdling scream and launched herself at Sara. She moved so fast Sara barely had time to get out of the way. She threw herself to the floor and covered her head with her hands.
As she ducked, the door flew open and suddenly Zameer and tackling Tiria round the waist. He threw her across the room. Tiria screamed and hit the far wall, collapsing in a heap on the floor. Zameer drew his knife and put himself in front of Sara.
“Haven’t you done enough damage, Tiria?”
#
Zameer’s heart was pounding. He had had a feeling Tiria would do something to get Sara out of his life but he never thought she would do this. Not attempt to kill her.
Keeping his sights on Tiria, Zameer knelt and reached out for Sara. He breathed a sigh of relief when he felt her grab at his arm.
“Are you all right?”
“I’m fine.”
Sara’s voice was shaking. She slid into his side and hugged his waist tightly. Zameer’s arm tightened around her and kissed her head, keeping his eyes on Tiria.
The queen was pushing herself to her knees and saw the intimate embrace. She wailed and pounded the floor like a little girl.
Sara flinched. She looked up at Zameer. Her face was whiter than his.
“She was going to kill me.” She whispered. “She’s plotting to kill the king. I heard her the other day. That’s what I was coming to tell you about.”
“I figured that bit out.” Zameer rose them to standing, still keeping Sara tucked into his side. “We’ll tell Deva now. Everything’s going to be all right.”
And it would be all right. Sara was unharmed. Tiria was going to be executed for her actions. Deva may have loved his mate but he wasn’t stupid to the fact Tiria desired another male, surely. Zameer was not the most obtuse of people and he could tell. The king had to know.
As if on cue, the door at the far end opened and Deva came in. He was wearing white silk pants, hanging low on his hips with a matching shirt unbuttoned to show his chest and stomach.
He looked at Zameer and Sara to Tiria still on the floor and back again. Confusion marred his face.
“What happened here?”
Zameer had planned to tell him what happened. But Tiria got there first. She launched herself at Deva, still on her knees, and hugged him round the waist as she wailed. Then she pointed her finger at Sara.
“She tried to kill me!” She screamed.
Deva grew very still. He looked up and narrowed his eyes at Sara. Sara was shaking his head.
“No! I never tried to kill her!”
“She sneaked in here, my love, and tried to kill me!”
Tiria was sobbing now but no tears seemed to be coming out. Zameer had to admit she was a good actress. It looked like Deva was being taken in. Sara started to protest.
“I was grabbed outside of Zameer’s quarters and dragged in here. She was trying to make me leave. When I refused she tried to attack me.”
Deva was still looking hard at her. Zameer wondered if he was seeing her as Doctor Jones, the female he had been seeing her as, or as a Human, who were still tentative allies with them. He put his two cents in.
“Sara’s telling the truth, Your Majesty.”
But Tiria was still shaking her head, trembling against her mate’s side.
“One of my guards was in league with her.” She spat. “They’ve been having an affair.”
“What the hell?” Sara shook her head. “No!”
“Enough!” Deva snapped.
“I’ve had enough of this.” His jaw set as he glared at both of them. “You two are going to the cells. I’m executing the pair of you in the morning.”
Zameer stiffened. Beside him he heard Sara moan. She swayed and he caught her before she collapsed, tucking her into his side.
“Stay with me, love.” He whispered. “Don’t faint on me now. Stay with me.” Then he spoke to Deva. “Deva, you can’t seriously believe her! She tried to kill Sara!”
“She’s my wife.” Deva didn’t look away but his hand was stroking Tiria’s head like she was a dog. “I believe her always. She would never lie to me.”
Zameer couldn’t believe it. She had been virtually caught in the act by her own husband and they had camera footage. Surely he couldn’t believe her with all of that? He needed to get their camera footage to her.
The Warrior's Proposal (Celestial Mates Book 7) Page 6
