Someone cleared their throat behind them and Tarik turned with her. King Jovan’s eyes twinkled as he greeted Tarik. “It’s fates way to have us come together again so soon, Tarik.”
He clasped Jovan’s hand warmly. “Thank you for coming when you had little time back home after the meeting.”
Jovan waved his thanks away, his gaze straying to Maliya with a puzzled frown. “My wife was eager to come to Desani. It’s been some time since she had the pleasure of your company.”
Jovan’s wife was a rather plain woman. She wore her brown hair back in a smooth simple knot. Matching brown eyes met Tarik’s evenly. For what she lacked in looks, Raelle made up for in personality. She was a sweet woman who loved her husband and two sons fiercely.
“Greetings, Raelle.” He leaned forward and kissed her offered cheek.
“How are you, Tarik?”
“Goddess above,” Jovan gasped.
There was no use pretending with his friend. While others might speculate, Jovan recognized her immediately. “I’m hoping you will keep this to yourself until my announcement, Jovan.”
Maliya shifted at his side and tugged on his hand. Tarik refused to let go. He enjoyed the warmth of her touch after years without it.
Jovan and Raelle stared and another guest arrived behind them. Tarik would have the same issue with them as well.
“We’ll talk more of it later, my friends.” It was the best he could give them.
Jovan recovered first and led his reluctant wife down the stairs.
Maliya leaned into him. “They know me.”
Tarik took the chance to brush a kiss across her temple. “They were good friends despite the distance of their home Pakar from Desani.”
“This is not what I expected when Mikayla insisted we show but ever am I grateful for the sight before me,” the deep voice claimed.
Maliya inhaled sharply at the words and both of them faced the group who entered. Vaan had his arms wrapped around his mate’s waist, her back to his chest. His bare chest.
Tarik’s lip curled upward. The Overlord didn’t put on airs for anyone and he had not expected him to.
“Maliya, allow me to introduce you to the Overlord of Kaban, Vaan Galip and his mate Mikayla. Mikayla is Su-Su to her Raasa stronghold.”
Vaan offered Maliya a formal nod.
Tarik continued with a smirk. “The men behind him are his…guards. Warlords who have been by his side for years.”
Vaan flashed dark eyes in his direction.
Fortunately the Warlords in question chuckled. “I think I like him more each time our paths cross.”
Tarik recognized Warlord Ramar. He turned to the Overlord. “Did you bring your girls this trip, Vaan?”
Maliya would have loved to see the babies.
Mikayla shook her head. “We left them with their protectors Kavan and Balal. They teethe and are having a tough time of it.”
Mikayla turned her attention to Maliya. “I’m sure there is more to your appearance but may I say it’s wonderful to have you back.”
***
Lea instantly warmed to the Raasa woman. Her green eyes reflected nothing but open friendliness and her lack of fear for the huge warrior behind her spoke volumes. “I’m sorry I don’t recall you. Were we friends?”
Mikayla laughed. “No, but we ran into each other once when you snuck away from your guards.” She hiked a thumb over her shoulder. “My mate doesn’t like for me to do that.”
Her husband grunted and leaned down to kiss the top of her dark head.
Lea sensed a story there and wanted to hear more but now wasn’t the time. “Maybe we’ll have a chance to talk later.”
“I’d love it.”
The Overlord escorted his mate down into the ballroom, the four powerful men staying in step with them the whole way. Lea eyed the sheathed swords on their backs.
“Are we expecting trouble?”
Tarik chuckled. “No more than what was discussed. The Kabanian warriors are very protective of Mikayla. Vaan takes every care with her safety.”
Lea’s heart melted more for the soft hearted Overlord. That he had no shame in demonstrating his love and care for the woman in his life was more powerful than the sword she bet he wielded with precision.
Baylor stepped around them and closed the doors as planned. Tarik wanted no interruptions when he announced Maliya’s return. Most of the guests were here now.
Mati approached Tarik calmly. “Shall I signal the musicians, Sire?”
“Yes.”
Tarik wanted all eyes on them. Their position looking down on everyone else placed them in a calculated strategic focal point.
Light music played in the background from the five men who made up the royal quintet. Despite the vids she’d managed to watch on Desani, Lea was amazed that there were musicians who only played for the Sabarn family.
Mati made a motion with his hand and the well trained men finished the last note with a flourish. The silence gave way to a growing buzz, its implication obvious. Almost in sync, one hundred stares turned in their direction.
A tremor racked Lea’s body. Tarik shifted his hold from around her arm to her waist where he gave a reassuring squeeze. His touch warmed her middle.
Lea bolstered her nerves. Kord and Tarik had discussed the plan they devised in detail. Once it was made known that the Queen had been resurrected Lea planned to be seen out and about Desani over the next days and weeks to come. When the attempts on her life resumed which Kord fully believed would happen, they would begin the intricate process of tracking the traitor.
Murmurs in the room escalated to shock gasps as people started to recognize her. Without landing on any particular person, she let her gaze search the curious faces turned in their direction.
Tarik lifted a palm for silence, his rich voice booming out. “I know many of you are excited to hear of news regarding the recent alliance with Kaban and Raasa.”
More chatter and murmurs.
“But first I want to let all of my closest know first hand that I have more joyous news to convey.”
Lea’s cheeks burned despite her attempts to remain unaffected. A few of the stares had turned to glares from richly dressed women without escorts.
Tarik nudged her chin up. Her breath caught at the love shining in his eyes. “It is my pleasure to inform you of the miracle of Queen Maliya’s survival.”
Voices rose to a crescendo. Footsteps shuffled as the four guards assigned to her moved closer behind her and Tarik.
“I know many of you have questions and let me assure you,” he finally turned to face the crowd, releasing Lea from the heat of his intense stare. “I will find the answers.”
Servers emerged from the back rooms to hand out wine filled glasses. She and Tarik received one from a young boy in uniform. The bright smile on his face glowed with awe when he passed Lea hers. When she returned the smile he turned beet red and hurried off.
“For now, I ask you to lift your glasses and wish me blessings from the Goddess for my fortune,” Tarik continued.
“Blessings!” Shouted a middle aged couple, who grinned as they hugged each other tightly.
Lea checked Tarik’s expression. He glanced down and offered a wink. “My care givers from my youth.”
That explained their enthusiasm. They were clearly happy for him.
“Blessings.” Tarik lifted his glass and took a deep swallow. The smooth hollows of his throat moved with the simple action.
Dimly she heard cries of “Blessings!” as the crowd picked up the cheer and applauded.
Her gaze drifted lower to his tanned neck bared by the deep vee of his clothing. Once more his dress as the sovereign of Desani displayed a lavishness that his simple pants and shirt in the bar lacked. The all black sleeveless robe reached his booted feet. Parted down the middle the garment provided glimpses of the startling white tunic beneath. In gold thread the Sabarn crest had been stitched over the chest area. Fitted black pants hugged his powe
rful thighs. She couldn’t deny the appeal of seeing his handsome physique in the elegant clothing.
“Maliya.” Tarik cupped her elbow, his look one of concern.
Heat burned her cheeks when she realized he’d had to work to get her attention. Her grip tightened on the glass as she tipped the stem ware up for a sip to relax her.
“No.” Kord’s order snapped out stopping Lea as the glass touched her lips.
Tarik frowned but Kord came closer so only they would hear his next words.
“She eats and drinks nothing without testing.”
Lea paled, his meaning sinking in.
Tarik growled low. “Are you serious? You think her wine poisoned? No one had the time.”
Kord raised a brow. “You thought her safe before. Are you willing to risk her life again?”
The question infuriated Tarik. His lavender eyes lashed at Kord and his teeth clenched when he bit out, “What do you suggest?”
“May I?”
Her friend placed a hand over the rim of Lea’s glass without waiting for her answer. His palm brightened with that odd gold light from when she’d witnessed his true form in the gardens. Black swirls tinted the clear liquid of the wine in her glass.
Chapter 17
Tarik hissed out a curse and snatched it from her hand. Hensel came over his brows dipped in concern. Tarik shoved the glass at him. “Do not let anything happen to this. I want it tested by an herbalist immediately.”
Hensel didn’t hesitate. He tipped his head to Tarik and offered Maliya a slight bow before rushing off. Mati inched over.
“Sire, what is the concern?”
Tarik fought his instinctive desire to share with his long time advisor. A man who’d been at his side since his father’s reign but they needed to stick with the plan. Everyone was a suspect. Running a hand through his hair, Tarik said, “Have the musicians and dancing start.”
Mati hesitated.
“Now.” Tarik stared long and hard.
“Of course.” Mati signaled the musicians who struck up a lively tune.
Fortunately no one noticed their odd behavior. Uncaring of who watched, Tarik pulled Maliya fully into his embrace, arms wrapped securely around her. His palms flattened on her back and pressed her as close as possible while he lowered his head to touch hers.
Poison. Someone had tried to poison her and she’d only been back one day. How could this be possible? Who among his staff would have had time to prepare? What if she’d drunk as heartily as he had naïve to the risk to her life? He could have lost her after just getting her back. A shudder rocked him at the very thought of living through her death again.
“It’s alright,” she murmured, hands stroking his back lightly.
The guards had moved away enabling them a semblance of privacy. Tarik wanted to laugh. Nothing about his life was private as evident by the fact someone had tried to kill his wife for years and dared to try on the day she’d returned. What could be the motivation? It didn’t make sense.
“Betrayal never makes sense.”
He must have spoken aloud but her answer served as well as any.
“You’re right in that.”
Though it cost him, he released her from the embrace that provided more comfort to him than her. “Are you alright?”
Here she attempted to soothe him when she’d almost ingested poison.
Her mouth quirked up, the enchanting curve of her lips as familiar as the white eyes watching him carefully.
“I’m fine but I think you have a ball to manage.”
Tarik chuckled. Once more her humor revived him. Maliya had always been one for practical jokes and the bright tones of her laughter often filled the castle when she managed to pull one on him. He’d missed the tinkling sound. Stars, he’d missed his wife.
Couples partnered on the floor dancing. A few waited at the bottom in hopes of speaking with them or renewing Maliya’s acquaintance. They had yet to know of her memory lapse. He’d start referencing it to lull the traitor into a sense of security.
Clasping her hand in his, he performed a rigid bow in all its crisp formality. Olan would be proud. When he stood tall before her, Tarik asked, “May I have this dance, lady wife?”
Her eyes continued to sparkle. “Yes.”
He led her to the dance floor and placed his hands at her waist while she hesitated only slightly. “My shoulders,” he prompted in case the dance was one she didn’t recall.
Her mouth tipped up in the corner as her hands settled on his shoulders. “Thank you.”
He moved her gracefully around the floor weaving among their guests. She followed his lead so well he had to ask, “Is this familiar?”
Excitement glowed from her white eyes. Tarik stared as a wave of tenderness overwhelmed him. Maliya’s joy reminded him of the wonderful small things he missed from her absence in his life. He hadn’t taken time to enjoy a lot. Now that she was back, Tarik made a vow to do so more.
“I don’t remember exactly but if I don’t think about it my feet seem to know the steps.”
He wished for a different answer. One small kernel to give him hope that her memories of them together would come back.
The first few times a man attempted to cut in, Tarik whirled them away.
Until Maliya teased, “The goal is for me to interact with those here. If you keep refusing to let me go it will look suspicious.”
“If anyone doubts my pleasure at having you back they are not as close to me as I thought.” However she was correct.
Another laugh rang out and his body responded to the sound by hardening. Fortunately the few inches between them kept her from noticing. He glanced down at the pretty flush on her cheeks. A few curls fell around the delicate edges of her lobes.
Tarik fingered the soft swirls as he remembered its former length. “I thought you beautiful before but this style suits you as well.”
The shorter cut flattered her features. There were still the subtle differences which brought to mind a question. He cupped her chin in his and angled it upward. “There are other changes besides your hair. Your face is thinner, your nose not the same and-” He broke off the last unsure how to phrase it.
“Please don’t stop now, Your Highness.”
She wasn’t the least offended by his observations. “Rik.”
Maliya stumbled in the dance. Tarik tightened his hold until she had her balance. He loved having the weight of her in his arms. Full breasts to his chest, the floral scent of her in his nostrils.
“What?”
Tarik snapped out of it. “Rik. You called me Rik.” And he longed to hear her use it again.
Her mouth turned down as she pondered his words. He wondered what thoughts crossed her mind. Before knowing who he was she called him Tarik. He’d settle for that. Never would he let her use his title.
“What did you call me?” She asked. Her hands absently rubbed the padded shoulders of his robe. He ached to feel her touch directly on his skin.
Maliya tugged on his hair to get his attention. “Hey.”
What did he call her? My heart. My love. My air to breath. All those things and many more. Tarik didn’t think Maliya was ready to hear any of that though.
“Maliya. We were comfortable with one another and our marriage was one of…love.” He would not lie.
She looped her arms around his neck. “I prefer Lea if it’s okay with you.”
“Lea,” he agreed. It would take some time for Tarik to get used to it. But perhaps he needed to stop thinking of the wife in his past and start thinking of the wife in his present.
“Good. Now you will stand aside when the next man asked me to dance. Tarik.”
Disappointment weighed on him at her choice but he accepted it. There was a bigger goal at hand here besides what name she called him. Someone wanted her dead. Someone in his home. Tarik took a deep breath and released it slowly. “You’re right.”
Her fingers toyed with the ends of his hair. If she didn’t stop, he�
�d have to tighten the belt of his robe to protect his dignity.
“Hmmm. I like hearing that. I might like being married after all.”
Tarik stopped dancing and stared down at her in amazement. Then to his surprise and that of the people around him, he laughed. Laughed until his hands dropped from her waist. Maliya always wanting to be right. Some things didn’t change.
“Now tell me how else I’m different.”
She continued the thread of their conversation. Tarik ignored the embarrassment heating his cheeks and resumed their dance. “Your…top is different. Smaller.”
“You would know.” Lea arched a brow at him.
Tarik had never been more uncomfortable.
“I lost a lot of weight in recovery. The head injury was more severe than initially diagnosed. The doctors shaved my head, put tubes in my nose.” She fingered the thin bump. “I needed surgery to open the passage because I had trouble breathing. I guess…they didn’t put me back together exactly the same.”
Tarik thought her beautiful regardless. “I’m grateful you’re alive. You can’t fathom how grateful.”
Her head turned to the side as she asked, “Do you mind?”
“Mind?” He’d lost the thread and had no idea what she asked.
“The changes. Do you mind?”
His Queen wife was crazy. Tarik gave her a subtle hip thrust so she’d take note of his growing arousal. “Does this feel like I mind?”
Her cheeks warmed and when she lifted her white eyes to him, Tarik leaned forward and brushed his lips softly against hers. She gasped.
Olan and Gretel chose that moment to approach. Ever the affectionate one, Gretel separated them and squeezed Lea into a warm hug. Tears pooled in her eyes when she leaned back. “How is this possible?”
Olan kept his arm over his wife’s shoulder but his gaze remained on Tarik in question. Tarik pulled himself together. It began now. Though it pained him to not reveal all to people who were like second parents to him.
“There was a mix up during the attack. A maid servant lost her life. The Queen suffered a head injury that kept her away. She’s lived off world with no knowledge of her rightful place until now.”
Gretel gave Lea sympathetic glances.
A King's Revenge: Warlords Series Book 2 Page 10
