A King's Revenge: Warlords Series Book 2

by Michelle Howard

  Kapsun gave a formal bow and opened the door. Tarik had been assigned to a smaller group this year thankfully. He scanned the conference room and noted ten of the seats around the large square conference table were already taken. A small white placard held the Sabarn and Desani designation in front of one of the two remaining empty seats.

  Looks like he’d arrived close to last. No one stared at his entrance, too involved with hand held units and monitoring the activity on their home worlds. Tarik sat and waved Mati and Hensel off to a side grouping of tables where other guards and advisors sat with refreshments.

  The door whooshed behind him and Jovan Onei, King of Pakar entered with a harried expression. Two guards in blue livery turned to the left and joined the others without waiting for direction from their king. Jovan dropped into the seat next to Tarik with a grunt. “Damn space travel.”

  Said in such a put upon tone, Tarik had no recourse but to chuckle. “It’s good to see you here, Jovan.” The two had formed a friendship of sorts during these alliance meetings.

  They both lived on Taka and ruled their countries by fair practices but hardly had time to socialize and make the trip to visit one another.

  Jovan offered his hand to shake. “You as well, Tarik. My regrets on the loss of your Queen.” They gripped palms tightly, the King of Pakar’s eyes blazed with sincerity.

  “Thank you.” Tarik expected to receive many similar condolences during this trip. He’d missed a couple of meetings due to Maliya’s death and while many here had attended her journey home ceremony, there’d been little time to talk. Grief had consumed him during that five day span. Mati had submitted his votes via proxy.

  “Everyone, may I have your attention.” Senior Commander Everett Green stood at the head of the table signaling to the room. His black uniform with its red braided trim was impressive without the scowl on the Senior Commander’s face.

  The room quieted as all twelve delegates spun in their leather seats to face the front, Tarik included.

  “We will begin today’s meeting with discussions on the recent attacks by the Rekabians.”

  Talk started immediately but Green raised his hands. “Listen, listen. We don’t have much intel yet. They’ve attacked two non-military vessels in the neutral zones killing all passengers and launched a failed attempt to overrun Space Station Orin.”

  “Ridiculous. This has been going on for months.” Councilor Jarvis spoke in the Standard tongue, gold eyes blinking rapidly. “When is the United Alliance going to address the issue?” In conjunction with his upset, his scaled skin glowed bright red.

  “We are looking into the matter now. Once a decision has been made, everyone will be made aware of how the situation will be handled. Right now this meeting is to focus on the agenda provided for today but we’ll make time to cover the Rekabian threat in more detail over the next few days.”

  Tarik glanced at the tablet in front of him. Words began to scroll across the brightly lit screen. The Senior Commander needed help on how not to start a meeting. Adjusting the thin circlet on his head, Tarik redirected his attention.

  “First,” Green stated, standing military straight, “We need to review our prior notes. As you’ll see nothing’s changed from the previous meeting with the exception of the two new treaties.”

  Tarik did a quick read and most of the information compared to what had been sent to him via secure vid scans. He’d proxy voted on all of it. With a swipe of his thumb he advanced passed that screen.

  Green’s voice rambled on in the background. Jovan leaned in his direction and murmured, “I tell myself I’m needed at these things yet every time these meetings occur, I’m hard pressed to understand why we must spend half the first day reviewing old news.”

  Tarik kept his head down and bit his inner cheek to keep from laughing at the put upon tone. His fellow sovereign was right but unless someone spoke up, the nature of the way these meetings were conducted would never change.

  “The second day isn’t much better,” Jovan continued. “Fortunately my son enjoys standing in my place at home when I’m away.”

  At this, Tarik straightened. He’d been to Pakar and enjoyed meeting Jovan’s family. “How are your sons?”

  The older man’s smile split his face. “Danir does well and I’m proud to call him heir. My younger son, Emorys, is creating quite a name for himself as a battle commander onboard the Roman ZII.”

  Good news indeed. Rys made no secrets of his love for his life in the military. “Congratulations on your fortune.”

  “And you, Tarik. How goes matters in Desani?”

  “The treaty with Kaban is complete. In addition, Vaan’s mate is Su Su to a Raasa stronghold and has committed on their behalf.”

  Jovan’s eyes brightened. “The Raasa border the land between Kaban and Desani.”

  Tarik nodded. The circumstances were fortuitous and if Mikayla Galip had her way the treaty would extend to the other Raasa compounds making theirs a powerful force for any enemy to reckon with. “I’m glad to call them ally.”

  “It’s a good thing what you two have done. I’ve always respected the Overlord. Bad business what his uncle tried to do to him. I’m glad to see him back in his rightful place in Kaban. A more honorable warrior I’ve yet to meet.”

  Tarik agreed. Vaan Galip was a hard man but none could doubt he stood by his word.

  “Now, if everyone is caught up,” Green interrupted, “I’d like to go into the next topic on the agenda regarding members. As it stands we recently introduced a new world into the United Alliance. Granu-Al consists of four bi-pedal humanoid races currently living on the planet. They follow a government ruled structure composed of several houses. This information and further detail regarding their finances and culture has been uploaded as well.”

  Jovan interrupted, “Are the life forms on Granu-Al aware and in agreement with the non-threat policy toward members of the UA? This seems to have moved rather fast and if we’re not careful we’ll face another situation similar to when we inducted Rekab into the Alliance and those Rekabian bastards would sooner gut you than be upfront.”

  Tarik snorted and several others chuckled. All knew that when it came to the UA they were more concerned with increasing funds in the galactic empire pockets rather than investigating a world’s true intent when requesting admittance into the powerful ruling body for their part of the universe.

  Senior Commander Green cleared his throat and adjusted the hem of his uniform jacket. “I assure you all, care has been taken. The Alliance understands the concern with the Rekabian threat and takes the concerns of all of you under serious consideration.”

  “That and a handful of credits will buy me a drink.” This from General Ara as he rolled all three of his eyes.

  General Ara had visited several years ago and Tarik learned that the blue creature with the three green eyes could drink his weight in alcohol. Which was a lot since a Tregite weighed more than two hundred kilos. The downside to that was their aggression. Once they were under the influence, they liked to fight. Tarik had ended up with a demolished library as proof during the visit.

  “Anything will buy you a drink, General Ara.”

  Moro’s words agitated the General who pushed back his chair as if to rise. Moro braced his four hands on the table prepared to meet the General head on but the Senior Commander approached the table with a smile and cautious eyes.

  “It might be best if everyone continues with their notes in their quarters and allow time to refresh and relax from the journey here.”

  Tarik stood so fast, his chair scooted back. Ignoring Jovan’s muffled laugh, Tarik chimed in. “I think that’s a great idea.”

  The others around the table got to their feet slowly. A few even looked disappointed to have the potential fight avoided. Didn’t matter that each of them held a lofty position on their own worlds, sometimes the nature of the strong was to test themselves continually and prove their worth against others.

  A fight w
ould do just that but Tarik had no interest in such pissing contests.

  Chapter 8

  “Maliya.”

  Lea stopped mid-sentence when she heard the voice.

  “Maliya.”

  Kord reached out and gripped her arm above the elbow rushing them toward the transport lift at the end of the corridor. Lea frowned up at him since he never hurried anywhere.

  “Maliya, stop. Please.”

  The desperate plea contained a trace of pain too hard to ignore. Lea jerked to a halt and looked behind them. A small crowd dispersed from a room at the end of the hall. Heavily armed guards surrounded the male and female dignitaries exiting.

  She remembered these were the delegates visiting for the United Alliance meeting. The thought was fleeting because her attention caught on a man with blond streaks dressed in richly appointed robes of black and gold. He struggled to get pass a Tregite dressed in a brown loincloth who blocked half the hall with his girth. She didn’t recognize any of them.

  “King Tarik. Wait, Sire.”

  Another guard, she assumed by his black and gold uniform, walked toward the frantic man. In frustration, he pushed against the Tregite’s bulk and managed to squeeze through the corridor. Lea glanced around wondering who the man wanted so desperately but the corridor only boasted a few space travelers and none of them female.

  “Come, Lea. We should return to our rooms. The repair men will need us to perform a systems check early tomorrow morning and the hour grows late.”

  Kord had managed to maneuver her around the corner toward the transport lift doors and jammed a finger on the glowing red button. Turning away from the man with the unusual lavender eyes, Lea faced him.

  “What has gotten into you? Don’t you think it was strange to hear another person with the same name?”

  The metal doors slid open stalling his response. His rough handling shoved her forward and Lea stumbled before catching herself on the wall. “Kord!”

  Again, his finger stabbed at the button for their floor. “My apologies. I’m merely tired.”

  As the doors slid shut, Lea’s last sight was of the tall man rounding the corner as he struggled with his guard. Typically she wouldn’t have paid such an occurrence much attention. She’d seen worse on space stations but what bothered her most was that she never saw the other Maliya he frantically called for and he never broke his stare away from her. Crazy.

  ***

  Tarik paused in the middle of his conversation with Senate Leader Jamison from Atta to stare at the couple going down the hall. Pasal. The scent so strong and familiar tugged at his senses. Down the hall the woman’s hands fluttered in the air in animated conversation as she spoke with the man by her side.

  “Maliya?”

  His pulse sped up and hearts beat in tandem. It couldn’t be. Wasn’t possible. Yet his gaze couldn’t pull away. Red hair shorter than he remembered, a tall slender frame dressed in a blue one piece jumpsuit appeared all too familiar from the back. Tarik sped up only to have his way blocked by General Ara.

  “Maliya.”

  Did she pause? The man reached for her arm directing her. Tarik growled overcome with the possessive urge to rip the stranger away from her. The distance increased as they got further down the long corridor. If anything the thought of losing sight of her sent him into a panic and Tarik forcibly pushed Ara to the side to get around him.

  “King Tarik. Wait, Sire.”

  At the end of the hall she looked up meeting his gaze and Tarik froze. The woman wore a black visor hiding her eyes from view but he knew as sure as he knew his lineage that the orbs would be bright, glowing white pupils and matching irises. Pain sharp and stinging pricked his chest.

  Her face. Sharp cheekbones, aristocratic nose and curving lips. Slightly different but he’d know those features if he lost his vision today or tomorrow and only had his hands to guide him over the contours. Not possible, his mind shouted.

  The two finally turned at the end of the hall disappearing from view.

  “Is everything all right, King Tarik?” Jamison’s voice annoyed him.

  Tarik glared and curled his fingers in his palms. “Move.”

  Unable to control his emotions, Tarik rounded the corner in the direction the woman had taken only to have his guards come forward and block his path once more.

  The woman entered the lift and the doors began to shut. Tarik stared at the man behind her leaning against the back wall. Did he glare in his direction?

  Tarik gave Mati his attention and caught his guard’s expression. “Did you see her, Mati?” He had to ask. Perhaps, his mind played tricks on him after today’s strenuous travel.

  “See who, Sire?” Mati and Hensel exchanged concerned looks.

  “Maliya. The woman,” Tarik quickly corrected, increasing his pace. “She walked with a tall man at her side. Both wore a uniform of some sort.”

  “Sire, you are overtired.” Mati’s announcement relaxed the others who accompanied them toward the transport shafts.

  Tarik realized how he must appear to them. He’d come to a complete stop in a busy hallway and broke off his words to Jamison to gawk at a strange woman.

  He inhaled deeply and placed his hands behind his back and straightened his posture. His sanity could not be questioned. “Yes, you’re right. I’ll return to my rooms now before resuming the afternoon talks.”

  Their group headed back to his assigned rooms but all evening Tarik’s thoughts circled around the woman who looked enough like his wife to be her twin. He barely focused on the afternoon meetings and rushed back to his room. It didn’t make sense.

  A tentative knock disturbed him in the private bedroom suite.

  “Enter.”

  Tarik resisted a sigh when Mati crossed the threshold, a concerned expression darkening his features.

  “Sire. Tarik.”

  Rising to sit up on the large bed, Tarik prepared himself for a speech.

  Mati cleared his throat and faced him squarely. “I speak as a friend when I say this. It’s time to let her go.”

  Tarik laughed. Short and ugly. “I don’t have her, friend.”

  “You know what I mean, Tarik. It’s been three years since her death and you’ve mourned greatly. None could deny your commitment to the Queen but you must let her go. Allow her memory the peace it deserves and open yourself to love again.”

  Tarik climbed to his feet. He heard similar statements from Baylor, his Captain of the guard, from Hensel his personal guard and now Mati. Did any of them even understand what they asked?

  “There is where you’re wrong. I don’t want love again, Mati.” Tarik had no intention of ever letting himself suffer such pain for another woman again.

  “Sire,” his advisor gasped, easily resuming his role in the life of the King of Desani. “Consider the throne. You must have an heir.”

  He couldn’t do this. Not with the memory of seeing a woman who looked enough like Maliya that he ached down to his bones. “I’m going out.”

  The moment he said the words aloud, Tarik realized he needed exactly that. The station boasted an entertainment corridor for visitors. He’d take advantage of it and while his hearts wouldn’t look for love perhaps, he could drown himself in the arms of an unknown woman who wouldn’t care if he kept his eyes closed throughout the night.

  Ignoring Mati’s frazzled look, Tarik undressed quickly and replaced his Sabarn robes with a simple outfit of black pants in a rough leather and a loose shirt in a simple white material that was loose enough to hide the two sheathed knives in the waistband of his pants. He slid his feet into a pair of black boots and added a sharp dagger in the small protruding loop at his calf.

  “I’ll get Hensel.” Mati turned to leave.

  “Alone, Mati. I’m not taking Hensel. I’m going by myself.”

  His advisor’s eyes narrowed. Tarik could almost hear the thoughts spinning. Not that it mattered because he every intention of leaving the rooms. Alone. Finally, Mati nodded. “Of course,
Sire. Do be safe.”

  Tarik’s lips curled upward. “I plan on it.” And if he ran into a certain red headed woman. Well, he couldn’t be held responsible for his actions.

  Chapter 9

  Lea stirred the melting ice in her fizzling drink. Her head had barely hit the pillow when her mind trapped her in the vortex of the past. Masculine pleas, breathless feminine cries and then the sounds of a battle followed by pain. Fear and panic had sent her to the lower entertainment deck in hopes of outrunning her demons.

  Usually the alcohol relaxed her after a bad nightmare. She’d even managed to convince Kord that she didn’t need his company. Now Lea wished for his companionship. Anything to keep her morose thoughts at bay.

  “Can I join you?”

  The deep tones came from behind her. Lea schooled her features into bland disinterest. Several male life forms of indeterminable species had already approached her tonight. She turned over her shoulder with the intent to blow off this new intruder.

  Eyes that were the most unusual shade of lavender peered down from his great height at her. Gold streaked his brown hair like it had been personally kissed by the sun. Lips with a slight fullness created a sexy smile awaiting her answer. Stars above.

  “Are you going to make me stand here or answer?”

  The playful note in his voice intrigued her. No anger or annoyance at her delay in responding.

  Lea recognized the man who had shouted in the hall earlier when Kord had ushered her back to her rooms. “Are you sure you want to? I’m not great company.” She might as well be honest with him.

  “Neither am I.”

  He walked around so that she no longer had to crane her neck and took the seat opposite her in the small booth.

  Long legs bumped against hers beneath the table. When Lea jerked and pulled her own back she found him staring.

  Not the lingering look of a man intent on seduction but a pain filled glance containing so much longing, she had to turn away or else let tears dampen her own eyes.