More Tales of the Southern Kingdoms (One Volume Edition)

by Barbara G. Tarn

  More Tales of the Southern Kingdoms

  One volume edition

  by Barbara G. Tarn

  ***

  Barbara G.Tarn copyright © 2016

  Cover Art by Cristina Fabris

  electronic edition by Unicorn Productions

  November 2016

  ***

  Table of contents

  The Gorgeous Prince (Gajendra – 1447)

  The Northern Warrior (Amrendra – 1447)

  The Jesters (Lakeshi – 1447)

  Twin Royalty (Amrendra – 1447)

  The Hooded Man (Akkora –1450)

  The King-God of Arquon (Arquon – 1450)

  The Young King (Rajendra –1450)

  The Conspiracy (Amrendra – 1453)

  The Bodyguard (Lakeshi – 1470)

  Narcoleptic Prince (Gajendra – 1474)

  The Black Princess (1480)

  Acknowledgments & About

  Table of Contents

  Copyright Page

  The Gorgeous Prince

  The Northern Warrior

  The Jesters

  Twin Royalty

  The Hooded Man

  The King-God of Arquon

  The Young King

  The Conspiracy

  The Bodyguard

  Narcoleptic Prince

  The Black Princess

  Acknowledgments

  About the Author

  Further Reading: Tales of the Southern Kingdoms (One Volume Edition)

  Also By Barbara G.Tarn

  The Gorgeous Prince

  "Prince Prem of Gajendra!" the herald announced as Prem stepped into a great hall not much different from his father's. Both royal palaces had huge rooms with columns and balconies all around showing the upper-floor passages to the royal apartments, so he wasn't impressed.

  "Welcome, Prem!" King Vijay didn't rise from the cushions and gave him an appreciative look that sent a shiver down Prem's spine. He had heard the rumor that the king of Lakeshi preferred spending his nights with young men, now that his queen had given him two healthy sons and two daughters – or maybe he had only ever slept with the queen just to breed – but feeling those eyes stripping him was worse than expected.

  Prem bowed and sat on the cushions with the king and the melancholic queen.

  "You are gorgeous, my prince of Gajendra," King Vijay continued. "And certainly your sky-blue eyes add to your charm." He, like most southerners, had black hair and eyes. The king peered at the edge of Prem's turban, "Is it true that your hair is golden?"

  "Dark blond, your majesty," Prem answered, averting his eyes. Definitely lust in the king's eyes. He was grateful his turban covered his hair, another uncommon feature that added to his beauty.

  Gorgeous child, gorgeous teen, and now gorgeous young man, the most handsome of the southern kingdoms... Everybody lusted for him or praised his looks. Servants, courtiers – their adoration and adulation felt fake at home, but now even neighboring kings seemed smitten by his body and face. Among dark-haired and often brown-skinned individuals, he stood out with his blond hair and blue eyes.

  The royal family of Gajendra had mated with the Underground People in the past. The androgynous magical beings had golden hair and pointed ears and called themselves "Genn". They lived in towns buried inside the mountains that were the northern border of the kingdom and didn't show themselves much – in fact, Prem had never met any of them.

  The Gajendran blood was the only fair-haired among the royal families of the southern kingdoms. Not even Amrendra, the kingdom bordering with fair-haired Gallians, had blond royalty. Prem had just spent a few days there as part of his tour to meet the other royal families and possibly choose a suitable bride. The Amrendran princess was pretty but dull, and now here he was in Lakeshi, meeting more maidens – and their lascivious father.

  Luckily King Vijay controlled his lust before introducing his offspring. Both his daughters were good-looking and looked shy – and smitten by Prem's looks. If he'd hoped to escape from adoration while he traveled, he realized right there and then that there was no escape. People would gape at him and judge him for his looks and his royal blood.

  He attended the banquet in his honor, splitting his attention between the two princesses, and retired to sleep as soon as he could, sick already of the Lakeshian court – and its lustful king. He was sure his father would be happy if he refused to have a father-in-law like King Vijay.

  He went back to the guest room, hoping to be able to sleep. Except he wasn't alone on this journey, and Rhea was eagerly waiting for him. She wasn't allowed in the banquet hall, but she rushed in his arms as soon as he entered.

  "Oh, Prem, missed you!" She pressed her body against him. "I wish I could always be by your side!"

  "You know it's not possible, or I'd have already married you," he replied with a sigh.

  "But you know I love you, don't you?"

  "Yes." He rolled his eyes. "But I'm tired now and we're leaving tomorrow, so I need to sleep."

  She let him go. "I take it you didn't like the Lakeshian princesses?" she asked with a grin.

  "They're fine, it's their father who is... creepy." He shuddered. "He undressed me with his eyes the whole time. And the prince heir too – I wouldn't want him near Priya!"

  Rhea giggled. "So the king really is a pervert! Him and his son! Would you like me to undress you?"

  "I'm not king yet, I don't need help," he snapped.

  "Sorry." She brushed the corner of his mouth with her lips and went to wait on the bed.

  Prem slipped on his night caftan and lay next to her. "Don't keep me up all night," he warned.

  "I won't," she promised.

  Rhea was a childhood friend – the daughter of his wet-nurse – and had never dared to ask him for anything until he had chosen her as lover. She had always been less obvious than others in her adoration – or at least very discreet. And while everybody at Godwalkar knew she was his lover, he would be king someday, and couldn't marry her; he would have to marry a princess.

  Prem was fond of Rhea, but he was also restless. Sometimes he wished he had more freedom – or maybe just that people stopped adoring him like they did. As if only his public persona mattered and he didn't exist as a private person. Even Rhea loved him because of his looks.

  He was glad to have her in his bed that night, though, just in case King Vijay decided to pay him a visit...

  ***

  The stay at the Arquon court was similar to the previous two – meeting princesses smitten by his looks and talking to their brothers. In spite of being considered semi-gods, the royalty of Arquon failed to impress Prem, so he moved on to Akkora, the widest of the southern kingdoms.

  He reached the capital, Agharek, and met King Karan, who was only slightly older than him. He had small children and unmarried sisters, and one of the latter was right for Prem. Jaya of Akkora was a beauty herself, with silky raven hair and hazel eyes. She was bright and a pleasant companion, so Prem stayed a few days in the Akkoran royal palace, trying to know her better.

  One night he awoke in a luxurious bedroom that wasn't his, on a bed with night-blue sheets and canopies. The last thing he remembered was the banquet in the great hall, when the king's favorite, Madhouri, had impressed him with her belly dance. He'd been sitting next to Jaya, drinking sweet wine – and then nothing. He tried to move, but couldn't, as if a powerful spell was blocking him after taking him to that strange place.

  As panic rose, he wondered where he was, who had abducted him, and why. The room was lit only by a couple of torches by the bed, and he realized he was completely naked.

/>   Then, Jaya emerged from the shadows, her silky locks loose on her shoulders, wearing a transparent gown that didn't cover much. Breathless, Prem stared at her as she joined him on the bed.

  "Welcome to my humble alcove, my prince of Gajendra," she purred. "I thought I'd try you – allow you to try me – before we ask our families to let us marry."

  "What... why?" Prem managed to ask. He felt parched and breathless, and still couldn't move much.

  "Hush," Jaya said, putting a finger on his lips. Her nails were painted red. "Don't worry, I won't hurt you. We can have fun and then I'll let you go," she whispered in his ear as her hand caressed his chest. "I say I must try everything before committing... Don't worry, you'll enjoy it as much as I will."

  She kissed him hungrily. Again, he tried to move, but his body was released only when his passion was aroused. She must have drugged him.

  "You're beautiful," she whispered in his ear.

  I hate my looks, he thought, surrendering to her caresses and fiery passion. It wasn't love, just a wild physical act that left him exhausted on the night-blue sheets. He closed his eyes, still dazed, and the last thing he saw were her hazel eyes.

  ***

  He woke up in full daylight, in the guest room he'd been assigned upon arrival, still confused about what had actually happened. Rhea was biting her nails, seated by the bed, and as soon as she saw him open his eyes, she threw herself at him, sobbing.

  "What happened?" she asked at last, calming down.

  "I had a nightmare," he said, trying to piece together the events of the previous night and understand why she was so upset just because he had overslept.

  "It was no nightmare!" she exploded. "Look at you!"

  She helped him up and he saw his torso scratched – a flash of nails painted red hit him. Jaya! The sex-crazed princess who had drugged him to try him before the wedding.

  "And your back is even worse!" Rhea continued. "What kind of human tiger did you wrestle with? You slept for two days afterward, and there was no way to wake you up!"

  "Then it was real," he realized. "The princess of Akkora is one crazy woman."

  Rhea's horror was obvious, but Prem felt relieved. He had been released. Maybe Jaya really only wanted to have fun. She had used him and let him go. Well, used his body, once more. It all went back to his looks.

  "Prem?" Rhea sniffed.

  "I'm fine," he said, lying down again. "Tell the servants to get ready, we leave for Rajendra now."

  ***

  The scratches on his torso were still visible when he reached Argantael, capital of Rajendra. Prince Roshan was his age, and they got along fine, talking about that business of finding a suitable bride. The Rajendran prince would start his own tour as soon as Prem left, traveling to Gajendra with him. Roshan looked forward to see some of the world.

  "So how was it so far?" Roshan asked, curious. "Any chance of finding a northern bride for you?"

  "No, no offer from the northern kingdoms," Prem answered with a sigh. "They obviously don't want to mingle with us."

  "Is it true you have a lover?"

  "Yes, but I don't love Rhea. She's very devoted, but..." Prem shook his head.

  Roshan nodded. "She's not of royal blood," he said knowingly. "What about the princesses you've met so far?"

  "I'd stay away from Lakeshi, if I were you. Kareena of Amrendra is pretty but dull. Jaya of Akkora is obsessed with sex, she'll have you before the wedding, even if you end up refusing her, like I did."

  "Gross!" Roshan was shocked by the unconventional behavior. "It's because her father is dead and her brother doesn't care, you think?"

  "I don't know, she's probably too spoiled for her own good. I can't speak for my family, since you're going to meet them soon anyway... which reminds me. Aren't you supposed to have sisters of marrying age too?"

  "Uh, yes..." Roshan looked embarrassed. "Nisha is looking forward to meeting you, and my father doesn't think Ashrita will ever find a husband."

  "Why?"

  "Because she's blind."

  Surprised, Prem insisted to meet her. If she was really blind, she wouldn't be swayed by his looks. She could learn to love him for what he was instead of adoring him mindlessly like Rhea and the other women he had met so far... Nisha was just like the other princesses, but Ashrita was different.

  ***

  When Prem finally returned home, Roshan accompanied him. Prem went to his father's private chamber alone and told him about King Vijay. His father concurred with his recommendation to stay away from the Lakeshian court – not only for twenty-year-old Prem, but also his sister Priya and his younger brother Dilip.

  Then Prem talked about Roshan's sister. Ashrita didn't behave like a blind person and was pretty. Not beautiful like Jaya, or lovely like Kareena of Amrendra, but there was something else about her. And he wanted to marry her. Hence he had already requested her hand, and they were now betrothed. He only needed his father's permission to proceed with the wedding.

  "Prem," his father sighed. "I don't even know why her father bothers to marry her off! She'd be useless as a queen."

  "Why? She looks good enough to me."

  "But how will she oversee the palace life, if she can't see?"

  "She might surprise you," Prem grinned. "Send for her, father. And her brother, Prince Rosham, should meet Priya – I think they'd be the perfect match."

  "You really want this alliance with Rajendra, huh?" his father grumbled, but he wasn't really unhappy.

  Prem nodded, smiling, and went back to his rooms. He'd introduce Roshan to Priya that evening and see if they got along. He needed some time on his own, first to settle in and prepare for his own wedding. He was happy to be home. And glad he'd found a good match for himself.

  Then Dilip came to ask him about his travels. The younger prince had blossomed into a smiling sixteen-year-old, well underway of becoming another charming young man, although he hadn't yet lost all of his childhood features.

  "I want to be like you!" Dilip told Prem. "I'll have the most beautiful women at my feet, just like you!"

  "You'll get bored soon," Prem replied. "Behind those pretty faces there isn't much, usually."

  "Who cares, I'll get laid anyway!" Dilip's enthusiasm seemed unbreakable.

  "Don't you ever have enough?" Prem asked. "We've been under scrutiny since birth..."

  "I want to be like you!"

  "You'll never be like me because we're different and we like different things. I hate being at the center of the attention; you love it. Thus, you don't really want to be like me, or you'd behave differently."

  He'd managed to tone down Dilip's enthusiasm.

  "I know I'll never be king," Dilip's smile faded away. "But what about love?"

  "We are not supposed to fall in love, Dilip. I'll be king, I will make an alliance. And I might have to ask you to do the same, or our father could."

  "And what about Rhea?" Dilip knew her well – she was his age and her mother had been his wet-nurse as much as his brother's. He'd grown up with Rhea, and knew that even though she wasn't the prettiest maid of the Gajendran court, she was allowed to warm his brother's bed.

  "I'll marry a princess and she knows it. Maybe she'll accept being my concubine instead."

  "Oh." Dilip looked disappointed, but Prem knew it wouldn't last.

  Sometimes he wished he could retire from public life and become a hermit, but couldn't do that to his father who had put so many hopes on him. Prem felt overwhelmed by everybody else's expectations and wondered if he'd ever be able to do something just for himself instead of always for family or country.

  ***

  The bride came by sea and up the river to Godwalkar, accompanied by a host of servants and ladies-in-waiting. Priya gladly took Ashrita in charge as soon as she arrived, and then her brother Roshan guided her to her groom for the wedding. Prem thought she was the most beautiful bride he had ever seen, in spite – or maybe because of – her fixed stare.

  After they exchanged
the vows, he guided her to their cushions for the wedding banquet.

  "Stop staring at me," she said, blushing.

  "How do you know?" he wondered.

  "You have very piercing eyes, my lord," she smiled.

  "I can't believe it."

  "What?"

  "That you're blind. You have such beautiful eyes..."

  She giggled.

  "I was born blind," she said. "So I had to learn other ways."

  "Like what?"

  "Like listening. Or smelling." She sniffed his shoulder. "You smell good, my lord."

  He put two fingers under her chin and pulled her face up.

  "I'm so glad you can't see me," he whispered.

  "Oh, but I do know of your great beauty, and wisdom, and wealth, and everything, but mostly of that beauty sang throughout the southern kingdoms. For me, though, it's more about your gentle voice and warm hands than the thought of the future king of Gajendra winning a beauty contest," she teased gently.

  He stiffened at the compliment, but then he relaxed. "Aren't we smart, my lady?" He grinned.

  "I might be blind, but my other senses are heightened as a result," she answered with a giggle. "Although I will need help at first – until I figure out the new environment," she added, a little worried. "I've noticed there isn't much furniture in my rooms, but I'll still need to learn my way inside the palace."

  "My sister will gladly guide you and instruct your ladies-in-waiting," he assured. "And she might pester you with questions about your brother while she's at it."

  He had noticed Priya looked smitten by the bride's brother, who seemed to be equally attracted to her. In fact Prince Roshan had waited for his sister at the Gajendran court and didn't seem too keen to continue his tour and meet the other royal families. Priya seemed to be exactly what he was looking for – and apparently she agreed.

  "I can hear Roshan's laughter, who is he talking to?" Ashrita asked, excited.

  "Priya," Prem answered, amused.

  Ashrita giggled. "My father will happily accept your sister, since your father was so kind as to welcome me in his family in spite of my blindness."

  "I requested you, Ashrita. My father sent for you because I asked him. I want to be your eyes for the rest of my life."