A King's Revenge: Warlords Series Book 2

by Michelle Howard

  His warm chuckle followed her claim as he rolled to his back taking Maliya with him until she lay on his chest. Hands roamed over the back of her thighs. Large palms molded to her buttocks.

  Lea gasped at the blatant possessive gesture but couldn’t take her gaze away. The Maliya in the vid folded her arms on his chest and stared into her husband’s face. “I love you, Rik.”

  Rik. He hadn’t lied about that. She used to call him Rik. Lea found it hard to watch herself with him and felt as if she watched a stranger.

  “I love you, my heart.”

  My heart. Lea glanced up only to be caught in the web of his light colored eyes. She bit her lip and returned her attention to the drama on the disk.

  “What if I never give you an heir?”

  She toyed with his shirt in idle play but the video Tarik obviously knew his wife too well. He placed his hands under her chin and tipped her face up. “I did not marry you for the children you could bear. I married you because my hearts beat with love for you. They always will.”

  The holo winked out.

  “Did they have marriage problems?” Tarik asked into the silence.

  Lea didn’t know what to say.

  “Yes,” he filled in. “We did. But we were happy. Very happy and that’s not something you could hide from a partner long term if one person wasn’t.”

  She cleared her throat. “Thank you. For showing me.” It had to be painful each time something like this came up. He was the one in the relationship with all the memories and all the pain that came along with it. Lea was a bystander observing through a looking glass.

  Tarik replaced the disc in his desk and walked back toward her. “You can ask me anything, Lea. I’ll never get upset. This is hard on both of us.”

  Lea relaxed.

  “I’ll go with you back to your rooms.” He cupped her elbow. “And you can tell me who gave you these doubts.”

  She didn’t want to cause any issues with his cousin. “It’s not important.”

  Tarik opened the door and waved her through. “It was important enough for you to come down in your robes to ask the question.”

  He was right on that point. Lea waited while he spoke with the guards, hers and his.

  Kord waved him off with a short, “I can find my own way.”

  Mati hovered nearby, his gaze searching. “Is all well, my Queen?”

  He’d been nothing but gracious to Lea. She squeezed his hand warmly. “Fine. Thank you for your help earlier.”

  “Of course.” The look he cast Tarik was one of indulgence. “Until tomorrow, Sire.”

  “Tomorrow.”

  Alone they made their way through the vast corridors of the castle. Completely lost, Lea let him guide her only pausing when they reached a row of royal portraits. She easily recognized Tarik and the one of herself but ignored them for now. There were at least twenty more nameless men and women along the walls.

  “Wouldn’t it be easy to have plates added at the bottom with each former King and Queen’s name displayed?”

  Tarik waited by her side while she studied a painting of his grandfather King Rajli Sabarn. A man who’d gone through three wives, two princesses and one commoner. It was the commoner who became Tarik’s grandmother and secured old Rajli’s love. Like him.

  “This is a routine test for the heir.”

  She ran her finger over the heavy frame but arched a brow in his direction. “Test?”

  “Hmmm.” Tarik came closer to stare at the handsome man with bright gold hair to his shoulders and gray eyes. “That’s my grandfather, King Rajli. I’m named after him. My tutor, Olan would walk me through this hall once a week and have me name each monarch and their history as Sovereign of Desani. I used to dread coming through here.”

  “How ingenious.” Lea strolled toward another portrait. This one featured a stern faced woman with a head of gray hair.

  “Queen Almyia. Outlived her husband and the first Queen to ever rule alone. Very savvy and the reason the Sabarn name is wealthy without the Desani title. She had two sons and a daughter but only one lived long enough to rule after her death.”

  Lea continued down the hall. Some were quite dour looking. She reached the one and only couple portrait. The man had short dark hair and familiar lavender eyes, his wife had blonde hair and blue eyes. Both smiled.

  Tarik’s fingers traced those smiles. “My parents. King Adan and Queen Arika.”

  He made no attempt to hide his love for them. His voice had softened and a smile played about his lips.

  “Good parents?”

  “The best. They died in a hapfe accident. Racing one another across the hills. Her mount couldn’t stop and went over a cliff. He followed.”

  “I’m sorry.” She faced him fully.

  “Everyone says that.” He motioned her toward the painting but continued to speak. “My father wouldn’t have wanted to live without her. The guards witnessed it all and said he never hesitated once he realized what happened.”

  They stopped in front of the final frames mounted side by side at the end. Tarik in an awful crown that several of his ancestors wore in their portraits and a gold robe. She spent a few moments going over her own portrait. Beautiful red hair in a smooth coil over one shoulder, a blue dress with cap sleeves and a bright smile on her lips. No wonder everyone she met commented on her hair tonight. It fell almost to her waist.

  “And this dashing couple is King Tarik and his beautiful bride Queen Maliya.”

  She laughed.

  “I never tire of that sound.” He watched her with heat blazing from his eyes.

  “What?”

  “Your laugh. It’s exactly the same.”

  Lea didn’t know what to say to that. She cleared her throat. “What do you have to share about them?”

  She’d surprised him. His hand reached up to caress her ear while he thought about it.

  “Tarik is considered the peaceful King.”

  Her eyes widened. She hadn’t heard that. His hand trailed down her neck, fingers lightly touching her skin. Lea stayed in place enjoying the goose bumps left behind. She had to lick her lips before she could ask, “And his Queen. How is she known?”

  “Generous,” he murmured and leaned toward her. “She is considered the generous Queen for her charity efforts.”

  Then Tarik kissed her. Not as he had in his office but like he had in the bar with uncontrollable passion and desire. Lea linked her arms around his neck and moaned. His lips relentlessly pursued hers. Sucking, licking and nibbling at her mouth with a strength that revealed his hunger.

  Tarik’s roaming hand bumped the hilt of her knife. He broke off the kiss with a frown, hand moving up then down. A quick push and her robe parted to reveal the sheath strapped to her thigh. Both brows rose. “This is different.”

  Different for the old Maliya but not the new Lea? She wasn’t sure. “After my accident, Kord encouraged me to keep a weapon on me at all times.”

  “I approve,” came his husky rejoinder as his head lowered to resume the kiss.

  He let the robe fall closed as he curved his hands around her back. They drifted lower to caress the cleft of her butt with a firm squeeze. The thin silk of her clothing provided little barrier. She felt the touch down to her toes. Muscles quivering, Lea leaned into his hold.

  Tarik groaned and both hands hefted her higher. The insistent throb of his erection pressed into her hip. Hard as steel, the firm length reminded her of their night together. The desire to be with him unfurled inside.

  Knife forgotten, Lea whispered. “Tarik, take me.”

  He cursed, hands stroking, touching, until he eased her back to her feet. “Not in the hall. Let’s go.”

  Warm fingers grasped hers and tugged while he led them through the twists and turns she never would have managed on her own. They reached a room bearing the gold crest of Sabarn. Hensel guarded the entrance.

  Without bothering to speak to his man, Tarik dragged her inside and slammed the door behind
them. He spun her into the wall, his body against hers an instant later.

  The thrill of what they were about to do lent a frantic beat to her pulse. Lea laughed, hands grappling with his sleeveless robe then the tunic. Tarik helped remove his clothes and made short work of her robe and gown.

  When he touched her knife, he said, “I almost hate to remove this. For some reason I find it arousing.” With flicks of his finger, he undid the sheath and let it drop to the floor.

  Once she stood naked before him Tarik paused. Eyes simmered as he whispered, “I want you. Right now. Right here.”

  Exactly what she wanted.

  ***

  Tarik slid his hand between her parted thighs. Evidence of her desire soaked his fingers. He stroked slow and easy using her wetness to ease the way. Lea gasped, head thumping the wall behind her. He glanced up to see her face flushed, eyes closed and lips clenched tight.

  “You’re beautiful.”

  She half chuckled and moaned as his fingers kept pace with her thrusting hips. “What you’re doing is beautiful.”

  Tarik growled and launched to his feet. No way he’d take her against the wall their first night back home. He scooped her up in his arms and walked through their bedroom suite. When they reached his bedroom, he lowered her to the silk covered mattress knocking the numerous pillows to the floor.

  Tarik lowered his frame atop hers, hearts pounding. He wanted to take his time. Savor every touch and kiss but knew it to be a futile desire. He adjusted his position and the full weight of his arousal pressed along her center. Lea arched beneath him, her hands curved over his shoulders.

  Tarik’s muscles turned rigid under her questing fingers. The touch sent erotic licks of pain to his loins.

  His head fell back when one hand drifted lower. Past his waist. His hips. He choked when she reached her goal and stroked him in one easy motion. His throat flexed. With tremendous effort he pulled back and eased his way down her torso planting soft kisses.

  When he reached the glistening down of her folds, he glanced up and caught his breath. Stretched out atop his covers, slim torso moving and arms above her head, Lea made his head spin.

  “Don’t stop,” she moaned reminding him of his purpose.

  Tarik glided his fingers through her wet folds, probing, caressing. Her legs clamped around his shoulders. With utmost focus, he lowered his head and tasted her sweetness.

  “Tarik!” She gripped his hair and pulled his face into the heart of her.

  Tarik licked and fluttered his tongue on one side then the other. He added another finger to her tight depths as her muscles clenched tight.

  “I need you. All of you.”

  He was seconds from spilling. Tarik increased his efforts until she moaned and jerked wildly. Waiting wasn’t an option. He lunged up and plunged into her entrance with a groan. Her softness enveloped him. Hot and tight she hugged his length. When he pressed his lips to hers she opened. Their tongues tangled.

  Tarik sucked deeply as she arched up against him loving the skin to skin contact. “Only you,” he whispered. “Only you can make me feel this way.”

  He grunted in time with the brutal pace he set and her loud moans joined him. The room filled with the sounds of their passion, a symphony Tarik couldn’t resist. He cradled her head in the palm of his hands, eyes staring deep into hers.

  “Take all of me, Lea.”

  She cried out, neck tipped back on the pillow. His thrusts intensified as did his breathing. Tarik thought he’d die if she didn’t come in the next minute. As if hearing his mental plea, Lea wrapped her arms around his neck, thighs squeezing his hips and came on a scream.

  Echoes of her passion took form in intermittent ripples that gripped his length. Tarik pumped wildly, heat rushed through his core as his release rushed through him. Remembered ecstasy.

  He buried his face in her neck panting. “Are you okay?”

  Her lips moved. A smile. “I’m better now.”

  ***

  Tarik’s mouth trailed a kiss at the corner her lips before he shifted and leaned over her. “Now you will tell me who filled your head with foolish talk.”

  Lea tried to use the covers to hide her nudity but Tarik deliberately pressed his weight on the sheets. Frowning she rolled to her stomach and folded her arms to rest her head. In this way she didn’t have her breasts bared.

  “Lea,” Tarik drawled as his fingers danced up the curve of her spine.

  She shivered and angled away but one powerful thigh trapped her in place. Lea huffed. “Braic.”

  “Braic!” He jerked back. “My cousin?”

  “Yes,” she faced him to see his expression clearly.

  Disgust turned his lips down. “We were never close but I thought him an ally and friend of a sort.”

  “He implied I could always come to him if our marriage faltered. As in a love interest.”

  At her disclosure, Tarik roared with laughter falling away from her. Lea leaned up on her elbows and let him have his moment of hilarity. When he settled he placed a loud smacking kiss on her mouth.

  “Please tell me you didn’t let that bother you?”

  Lea flushed and refused to answer.

  Tarik’s brows shot up. “You thought you’d consider leaving me for…Braic?”

  Tired of his humor, Lea rolled away and faced the wall. Tarik hovered over her, his hand brushing aside her sweaty hair. “Lea, I know this is all hard for you.”

  He had no idea.

  “I’m pleased you shared your concerns. Don’t ever hesitate to talk with me. We can make this work. I promise to find out who’s behind all of this.”

  Lea turned slightly. Tarik’s hand rubbed her shoulder. A fierce light pierced his lavender stare. “I’ll make them pay for hurting us.”

  She shivered because his threat was not in jest. “I know you will.”

  Chapter 22

  Lea explored the elaborate gardens with amazement and awe. “I created all of this?”

  Mati designated himself as her guide for the day and Lea soaked every bit of knowledge he shared.

  “You didn’t exactly create it, my queen. The King had it designed for you as a present and you added on to it. You also had his mother’s favorite flower imported and now they grow in abundance.”

  Favorite flower? “Where?”

  Tarik’s personal advisor pointed at a row of bushes with pale pink and deep purple petals. She loved flowers. The more exotic the better. Crossing quickly to the blooms, she asked over her shoulder as she squatted, “What are they?”

  “Morning-”

  “Dawn,” she breathed. “Morning Dawn.”

  Lea grasped at the fleeting memory. Holos of Morning Dawn. Surprise and pleasure on Tarik’s face when he saw the new addition to the gardens. Lea jumped up. She’d remembered something else. The few brief flashes she’d had caught her off guard and were small snippets so far.

  “What else?” She needed to see more. Anything that could stimulate her memory.

  Mati wore a puzzled expression, confused by her exuberance. “Beg your pardon, Madame?”

  “Show me other stuff I liked.” Lea clasped her hands together unable to beat back her joy.

  “Of course.” Mati cocked his head to the side. “Hapfe. You liked riding.”

  Perfect. “Take me to the stables.”

  He gestured for her to precede him. Lea practically raced ahead. In the last few days she’d learned to get to her room which she never stayed in and the royal suite where she and Tarik spent their nights in each others arms. She reached the main corridor and hesitated.

  “You’re learning quickly or do you remember?” He sounded sincerely interested.

  Lea shared a smile with Mati. “Learning. This place is still a maze to me.”

  “Ah. This way.” Mati pointed to the left.

  Now that they were no longer in the enclosed gardens, her four guards took up behind them. Lea grimaced. Serin was intense about guarding her but the others were mor
e relaxed. Kord made himself scarce but each night he spoke with Lea and she knew he diligently searched for the traitor in their midst.

  “Don’t ease your vigilance just because there have been no more incidents,” he’d warned recently. The poison in her wine had been identified as nectar from a caci plant. An odorless, colorless fluid that paralyzed its victim while the heart slowed then stopped beating altogether.

  The thought of how close she’d come to drinking the wine had the ability to shake her confidence. She made sure to keep her knife on her person after learning that.

  Their small group garnered attention as they made their way to the stables. Servants smiled and Lea waved back. For the most part the Desani had all been welcoming and those in the castle greeted her with friendliness and good cheer. The castle itself was a huge masterpiece of stonework.

  The grey and white structure with hints of blush held a defensible position butted against a high cliff wall and accessible by very few roads on the outskirts of Desani. One side along the back completely faced the ocean with nothing but pretty green water for as far as the eye could see.

  Lush grass dotted the landscape from the front. A network of buildings connected the castle to a local market and a craft fair selling everything imaginable. Servants walked everywhere under the watchful eye of armed guards.

  The home of the royal family. Her feelings for Tarik no longer continued to be a source of confusion. The affection between them grew naturally and the sex was off the charts but neither of them talked of the future. Or the past. Her dreams continued to occur in longer snippets and with each one she felt close to grasping the mystery of her past. She hadn’t shared that revelation with Tarik fearful of getting his hopes up.

  They walked passed the protective overhang and the afternoon sun beat down on her head. Lea shaded her eyes. Short bronze pavers led the way from the side entrance to an outer bailey. Unusual yet colorful plant life grew all over with minimal effort to hold the foliage back. Even a tangle of purple vines adorned the walls and doors of the stable. Desani from what she’d managed to see was a beautiful country.