A King's Revenge: Warlords Series Book 2

by Michelle Howard

  Lady Saia in her foolishness continued to speak. “Aren’t you afraid of being back again? All those accidents. You’d have been better off staying away.”

  Was that a warning? Lea narrowed her eyes. “What could be better than being Queen?”

  Dark blotches of color appeared on Lady Saia’s cheeks. Mikayla snickered drawing Lady’s Saia’s attention. The look she leveled the Raasa female did not bode well. Lea tensed.

  “And you…Mikayla I believe? You’re with the barbarians from Kaban.”

  Mikayla stuck her tongue out on a hiss at the offensive comment and Lady Saia jerked back. “I’m with true Warlords and my mate the Overlord.”

  Lady Saia had the grace to flinch on hearing Vaan’s title but she recovered quickly and tipped her head to the side. “How interesting. I’ve heard they don’t trust women and sleep with weapons close by. Do you ever worry being with him will accidently get you killed like the poor Queen?”

  Lea’s mouth dropped. Mikayla flashed her fangs and leaped toward the woman with her fingers curled. Lea had enough awareness to catch the Raasa around the waist and keep her from attacking.

  Lady Saia paled and scurried away as fast as her trailing blue dress would allow.

  “You should have let me scratch her face at least,” Mikayla protested making no attempts to keep her voice low.

  If anything, Lady Saia’s steps quickened. A few guests stared, more whispered. Lea pretended to straighten Mikayla’s hair. A glance over her shoulder showed Vaan glaring at the fleeing Lady Saia then looking back toward Mikayla.

  Lea finger waved in what she hoped appeared reassuring. She failed if the flexing of his upper arms meant anything. “Uh… no fighting at my party and I think it’s a good idea to look really happy right now before your mate decides to use that sharp knife he’s caressing on his thigh.

  Mikayla jerked away from Lea’s patting hands to confirm her words. “Oh, that wouldn’t be good.”

  Her point exactly.

  Mikayla cupped her palm and blew a kiss in his direction. Vaan grimaced but his hand slid away from his weapon which was most important. Lea couldn’t imagine how Tarik would feel if an all out battle starting in the ball room.

  Marek and Ramar caught up to them. Ramar glared at Mikayla. “Kavan and Balal are correct. You will find trouble anywhere. It is best Marek and I keep a closer eye on you.”

  Mikayla grinned. “I didn’t start it this time.”

  Lea danced several more times with people who wanted to know where she’d been and how she felt with no memories of her time there. She stuck to general answers and pretended to not understand the more rude questions.

  Chapter 20

  Moments from the ball played over and over in Lea’s mind as Chelle helped her undress. Once Mikayla and Vaan left with their Warlords, she’d found herself at odds with what to do and who to speak with. She must not have covered her reaction well because Tarik chose that moment cut in on her latest dance partner and kept her by his side for the rest of the ball.

  He’d asked if anything was wrong but Lea needed time to think before she shared her thoughts and what Braic told her. From her interactions with Tarik there was no doubting his love for his wife but now Lea wondered what her own feelings on their marriage had been. Were they not as happy as she was led to believe?

  Tarik tried his best to recapture the camaraderie between them of earlier but Lea’s thoughts ranged from fear to doubt and back again.

  The only one she could trust and talk to was Kord but his bias against Tarik didn’t guarantee an honest response to her questions.

  “Are you alright, my Queen?”

  Lea chewed her bottom lip. The young girl held out a beautiful silk robe in a deep shade of rose to match the nightgown Lea wore. Lea allowed her to slip the garment over her arms and belt it. “I’m fine.”

  “Will you need anything else?”

  Lea debated for all of a second and then made her request. “Will you please ask the guards to send Kord to me?”

  Curiosity darkened Chelle’s eyes but too well trained to question, she acquiesced with a curtsy. “I will have him brought immediately.”

  Lea sat on the edge of the bed and fingered the belt of the robe. She’d never owned anything as beautiful. Then she gave a rueful snort. Obviously she did because this was her former home. Her gaze roamed the room she’d been given. The décor boasted colorful artwork on the wall, hand carved wood furniture and white carpet thick enough for her toes to dig deep.

  Yet it was not the royal suites. Her stomach twinged at the random thought and Lea rubbed her sleeve just as Kord came in and closed the door behind him.

  She came to her feet, hands knotted in the fabric of the swaying robe. “Tell me the truth, please. Would I have ever left the King?”

  Kord stopped mid-stride before he reached her. His eyes widened and her breath eased out at the surprise on his face. “What nonsense is this?”

  Lea let out a shaky breath. “At the ball one of the guest expressed an interest in me if or when I left Tarik. Was my marriage as happy as everyone’s portrayed?”

  Kord folded his arms over his chest, blue eyes steady. “You know I didn’t live here at the castle with you.”

  She nodded and chewed her bottom lip. “But you would know the state of my marriage.” Lea would bet credits on it. Kord was not the type of protector to let something like that slip by him and she knew he took his vow to her father serious.

  “No,” he declared firmly. “You would have never left the King willingly. At public appearances I witnessed the two of you together and the love was easy for any to see.”

  Lea sighed, her shoulders easing and the rolling sensation in her stomach settled. Braic had sounded as if he had a chance but then as a distant relative he would hardly know the details of her marriage.

  “Which guest said this to you?” Kord’s brow creased while he awaited her response.

  “Braic.” Lea couldn’t recall his last name. There had been too many introductions in a short time. She barely remembered the guards Tarik assigned to her. Four seemed a bit much.

  Kord nodded. “He’s the King’s cousin. We’ll add him to the list of suspects.”

  Lea didn’t know they’d started a list. Thinking of the poison someone managed to slip in her specific wine glass she asked, “Who else should I worry about?”

  “Everyone. Do not take this matter lightly, Lea. Everyone here is to be suspected.”

  Lea shivered and ran her hands up and down the silk sleeves of her robe. “Do you know where Tarik is now? I should let him know about Braic’s claim.”

  Kord placed a hand on her lower back and pushed her toward the wardrobe. “Get dressed and I’ll take you down. I believe he’s questioning the kitchen staff.”

  The robe and nightgown covered her as well as any dress in her closet. “This is fine. I want to know what’s going on.”

  Kord pinched his nose and exhaled. “We should never have returned.” Before they left the room he stopped her with a hand to her shoulder. “Are you angry with me?”

  The answer popped instantly in her mind but she thought it over clearly before speaking. “No. No, I think you did what you thought best at the time.”

  He didn’t disguise his relief. “And how do you feel about all that you have learned so far?”

  That was harder to answer. “I’m trying to accept what I’ve been told.”

  He squinted. “You have feelings for the King.”

  It was more a statement than a question. Lea flushed. “I’m attracted to him and there are times when,” she pressed a hand to her stomach. “There are times when I ache here. And here.” She moved her hand to her chest. “I used to feel like a vital part of me was missing and now I feel like I know why.”

  Kord lowered his hand to her back and opened the door. “Then I apologize for whatever pain my actions contributed to an already difficult time for you.”

  ***

  There were twel
ve servants who’d had the opportunity to come in contact with Lea’s drink. Tarik steamed at the small group lined before him. He’d questioned each of them but the men and women all denied seeing someone unknown enter the kitchen. In the midst of the excitement none of them could be certain who’d prepared the drinks for the King and Queen.

  The boy who’d handed the glass to Maliya practically shook with fear. His black hair curled about his face and his brown eyes never shifted away.

  Tarik directed his next question to him. “Jano, who handed you the tray of drinks you served to us?”

  The color drained from his young face and his eyes reddened with the start of tears. “I would never hurt the Queen, Your Highness.”

  Tarik pounded his fist into the nearby wall. “That’s not what I asked you, Jano.”

  Jano’s shoulders trembled beneath his fitted uniform. He’d only been with the castle for three months. “I-I didn’t see. It was on the counter waiting to be taken out. The serving tray bore the royal crest.”

  Making it a simple matter to identify who would receive those drinks. For formal affairs Maliya had commissioned matching wine glasses with their initials engraved on them. Anyone would have recognized the large gold T and M etched in swirling lines.

  They wouldn’t use them any more. Tarik refused to make this easy for whomever in his household helped to plot against him. His guests had not handled the drinks but they didn’t mean one of them wasn’t responsible for getting a member of his staff to act on their behalf.

  “Did anyone see anything else?”

  Negative head shakes and a few tears from a couple of the women who worked here during Maliya’s time. Tarik wanted to believe they were innocent. How many times had he found his wife in the kitchen laughing as a meal was prepared?

  Tarik sighed. “Thank you everyone.” He waved his hand in dismissal and left the kitchen.

  Hensel and Mati followed. “Any news of the poison’s origin?”

  Baylor had left to check on the results from the herbalist. His Captain was disturbed by the seamlessness of the attempt.

  “Nothing yet,” Hensel answered, frustration glinting in his eyes. Tarik shared the feeling.

  Mati’s frown was more intense as they turned the corner and headed in the direction of his offices. Once behind closed doors, his advisor exploded. “What in the Goddess is going on, Tarik?”

  Tarik dropped in to his chair with a weary sigh and rubbed his gingers across his forehead as if he could rub away the strain of the last few hours. “You saw what happened, Mati. Someone attempted to poison my wife.”

  Mati folded his hands behind his back and faced Tarik gravely. “You suspect that the Kabanians are trying again?”

  Tarik leaned back and stared at the ceiling. “The Overlord is a better man than that, Mati. He would not attack me this way.”

  “But one of his people, Sire. There could be more discontent with his refusal to take his seat in Kaban and letting his brother lead in his absence.”

  Discontent. A pleasant way of describing what Vaan had gone through at the hands of his former Warlord and Uncle.

  “I’m not sure our problem has anything to do with Kaban this time.” Actually he was certain of it. How much to say? Trusting the years of friendship, Tarik added, “Someone in Desani wants Maliya dead.”

  Hensel and Mati wore matching looks of stunned disbelief. He was about to give them Kord’s supposition when his door slammed open and the whirlwind of his wife entered the room followed by Kord and the sheepish expression on the four guards with them.

  Tarik rose to his feet struck by Lea’s casual grace. She swept into his office unmindful of the shocked stairs aimed her way. Kord took up post along the rear wall with his legs crossed at the ankle and hands in his pockets. The hem of Lea’s rose colored robe swirled around her…bare feet when she halted in front of his desk.

  Serin walked up next to her. “Sire, she insisted on seeing you.”

  The guard shot a glare at Lea before facing Tarik once more. “You did not give us orders to keep her in her room.”

  He waited for Tarik to issue such an order now but instead Tarik absorbed the pretty image she made wearing one of his favorite robe and gown sets on her. All of her former clothes were pressed and cleaned waiting in their adjoined royal suites. Only a few items had been sent down to the guest room she currently used. At the time, the decision on separate sleeping space seemed prudent but he wished he could sweep her in his arms and send everyone out.

  “We need to talk.” Despite the dramatic entrance, she spoke in a calm tone.

  “Can we do it later?” His desire to usher her straight to their room battled with his need to wait for Baylor and the poison results.

  Lea slid her hands into the deep pockets of the robe and glanced at the number of people in his office. “I think now is better. Without an audience.”

  Tarik sighed. As much as he would love to be alone with his wife he couldn’t leave yet. The type of poison used could give some hint to the traitor in his home. “I can’t right now.”

  Serin looked satisfied and nodded to the three guards with him. All four were under strict orders to never leave Lea’s side. “We will take her back to her room, Sire.”

  Lea glared when Serin reached for her arm. “Is he allowed to force me?” she asked Tarik without taking her eyes from Serin.

  The guard stiffened.

  “No.”

  “And I am the Queen? With as much say and authority as you, right?”

  Tarik sensed where this was going but gave her the honest answer. “Yes.”

  She turned her back on Serin. “Then I’m not leaving and we need to talk.”

  Her ire lit his already smoldering desire. Cheeks flushed and lips pouty, he wanted to pull her into his arms and kiss her.

  “Everyone leave.” Tarik declared.

  Hensel and the others responded immediately. Only Mati thought to protest. “But, Sire-”

  “Not now, Mati.”

  Tarik approached Lea making no attempt to hide his intent. Even Kord had exited which surprised Tarik. He hadn’t expected him to leave Lea. Mati didn’t move.

  Tarik paused a mere step away from his wife. He lifted his gaze to his personal assistant. “I know you are concerned, friend. Trust me.”

  Their gazes clashed and the furrow between Mati’s brows deepened. “I will see you in the morning,” he finally conceded and bowed toward Tarik on his way out.

  As soon as the door closed, Tarik faced Lea and cupped her jaw. Blonde tipped lashes lowered and her mouth pursed in a subconscious plea he refused to ignore. He placed his other hand at her silk covered waist to hold her steady and kissed the plump pink lips offered.

  The first touch took him back to two strangers meeting in the bar of a space station. He lightly ran his tongue over her bottom lip until she tipped her head back giving him further access. His tongue stroked against hers. She gripped the ends of his hair, fingers clenched tight.

  Tarik groaned from the tingling sensation at his scalp. He caressed her jaw, her neck, finger strumming along the rapid thump of her pulse as he brushed it over the smooth column. Carefully, he firmed his hold at her nape holding her immobile as he plundered her mouth.

  Lea pressed her lower half against his. The hard jut of her nipples stabbed his chest. His body reacted to the intimate contact. If he didn’t worry about being discovered, Tarik would toss her on his desk and push the flimsy robe aside to feast on her delectable body.

  Instead, he soothed his raging need and edged her closer until every lush inch of her frame met his. He could have kissed her for an eternity and still not had enough of her sweet taste.

  When he at last pulled back, her eyes opened. “I thought I imagined how good it was between us.”

  Tarik smiled. “Me too.”

  “We need to talk though.”

  She sounded serious. Was she worried about her safety?

  “I’ll know the poison results tonight
.”

  Her hands eased from his hair to land on his shoulders. Tarik already missed her hands petting him.

  With a firm push she stepped away. “I need to ask another question about our marriage.”

  Tarik reluctantly released her. “Anything. I have more holo images and a couple of vids.” He wouldn’t admit to how many times he’d closeted himself in their suite and played them over and over the first weeks after her alleged death. Tarik turned to his desk to search for the one he kept in his drawer in a locked file.

  “Were we happy?”

  She dropped the question in the middle of his ramble. He gripped the silver disc in his hand and let his breath out on a one two count. When he calmed his hearts’ thundering pace, Tarik straightened. “What did you say?”

  Lea wrapped her arms around her middle clasping her elbows. “Someone at the ball mentioned something and it made me wonder.”

  “Who?” He didn’t care how sharp the demand came out.

  She debated whether to answer. Her eyes filled with doubts and questions. Tarik crossed to her side but resisted the need to touch her. “Who Lea?”

  “Does it matter?”

  It took every bit of his concentration not to blow up. He cursed. Then again for good measure. “It matters, Lea, because it worried you.”

  He opened his palm to reveal the vid he’d retrieved from his desk. A light tap from his thumb started the recording. The three dimensional image played out on his hand.

  Chapter 21

  Lea’s breath caught. A slightly younger Tarik with a mischievous grin lay stretched out on the ground chin propped on his hand.

  “Do you really need to record this, Maliya?”

  Laughter and then the holo image of her. She joined him by lying next to his tall frame. Her head rested on his chest and Tarik’s free hand brushed through her long red hair.

  “Yes. No one would ever believe that the mighty King of Desani actually relaxes once in a while.”