Savage Desire (Savage Lagonda 1)

by Constance O'Banyon

  "Nothing will ever be the same again, Linda," Mara said wistfully.

  Linda was brushing an imaginary wrinkle from Mara's wedding gown, which hung on the wardrobe door.

  "My dearest little friend, nothing ever stays the same. But I have seen the love Tajarez has for you, and I think few, if any, have ever had a man love them with such depth. It is a beautiful thing. I will tell you a secret. As much as David loves me, he could never show that love as openly and sincerely as your Tajarez does. In a small way, I envy you the happiness that you will find with him. I believe your love will overcome your differences in background and customs."

  "You did not always feel that way, Linda."

  "No," Linda admitted. "At first I had my doubts. But when I met Tajarez, I knew he would do all in his power to make you happy."

  "I love him so much," Mara whispered.

  Linda laughed lightly. "One would never guess."

  There was a light tap on the door, and Linda opened it to admit the young girl who helped Tess with the housework. "Tess says I'm to prepare you a bath, Miss Mara," she said, sailing into the room followed by George, who was carrying a large hip bath.

  Later in the morning, Mara sat before her mirror, dressed only in her petticoats, while Linda arranged her hair on top of her head. Sasha watched, hoping she would be able to perform the complicated hairstyle for Mara once they left the Golden home. After the task was completed, Sasha and Linda helped Mara into her mother's wedding gown. Linda buttoned it, and they stood back to admire the results.

  The gown was made of yards and yards of delicate lace that fit snugly about Mara's tiny waist and fell to the floor in a long train. It was sewn with hundreds of tiny seed pearls. Mara looked beautiful.

  Linda secured the veil to Mara's head with a tiny tiara that was made up of large seed pearls. There was a knock at the door, and Linda opened it to admit David. She motioned for Sasha to follow her so they could leave the brother and sister alone.

  "You are lovely, Mara," David said, feeling at a loss for words. He took her hand and squeezed it. He was not as good at expressing his feelings as Jeffery was. "If you have any doubts, voice them now, Mara. Afterwards will be too late."

  "I have no doubts. I will go wherever Tajarez leads me. I will miss you, David," she said, hugging him tightly.

  "Mara, you have always been the sunshine of my life. When you were born, and I first saw you, I thought you were the most beautiful baby I had ever seen. As you began to grow, you were always kind and considerate of others, and everyone loved you, but you were always special to me. When you were abducted by the Indians, it was as though the life went out of our family. We feared never to see you again. It is a little like that now, Mara. When you leave, you will take the sunshine with you."

  "Oh, David," she cried, "no girl could have had a finer, more loving brother than you. Tajarez has said that I can visit, and I will, I promise."

  He wiped a tear from her cheek. "Come, little sister, your bridegroom awaits." He led her down the stairs and into the sitting room, where the wedding would take place.

  Tajarez stood beside Jeffery, feeling very out of place. He was dressed in the new clothes that he and Jeffery had shopped for in St. Louis. The blue suit fit his tall, muscular body to perfection. The white shirt was a startling contrast to his bronze skin. His ebony hair was pulled back in a queue. He was totally unaware of how handsome he looked. He only knew that he was uncomfortable and wanted to remove the confining clothing as soon as possible. Knowing how important this ceremony was to Mara, he hoped he did not forget the words he was to say. Jeffery had assured him that it would be a simple ceremony, and that he would stand at his side until it was over.

  Sasha stood beside Tess, wearing one of Mara's gowns. Linda had arranged her ebony-colored hair on top of her head. Tess put a comforting arm about her waist, knowing Sasha was feeling out of place.

  The Reverend Michaels, who had the week before joined David and Linda in holy matrimony, stood stiffly before Tajarez, wondering who this foreigner, this stranger was who was marrying Mara. The man, Tajarez, appeared to be a gentleman, but when the reverend had asked what country the man was from, Jeffery had told him it was a small place that was not on any map.

  Tess opened the heavy double doors, and Tajarez saw Mara enter on the arm of her brother David. The white gown she wore was lovely, and the white veil, barely concealing her face, floated about her as she walked.

  Tajarez had never seen anyone so lovely. He wanted to keep the image of how she looked at that moment imprinted on his memory for all time.

  As she approached, he took her hand in his. It was not a lengthy ceremony, and the wedding was over quickly. The stern man dressed in black said they were man and wife, and Linda raised Mara's veil.

  Tajarez stood looking deeply into her eyes. His lips brushed Mara's lightly, and it was all over. According to white man's law she belonged to him.

  They were surrounded by the family with hugs, kisses, and best wishes. There was no music or dancing as there had been at David's wedding, nor were there any friends to congratulate them, and all too soon it was time to say good-bye.

  Mara had changed into a gown of cream-colored silk, with a bonnet to match. David and Linda walked them to the veranda. Mara threw her arms around David and wept. It was hard to say good-bye to him. She felt pain in her heart at leaving him. Tess cried and hugged her, and even George had a hint of tears in his eyes. Linda kissed Mara on the cheek, and wept openly. "You are going to be happy, I just know it," she whispered.

  Mara rode beside Tajarez, while Sasha, Jeffery, and Palomas followed behind. Just before she entered the woods, Mara looked down at her bridal bouquet of red roses. "Tajarez, there is something I must do. Will you come with me?"

  "What is it that you wish to do, Mara?"

  "I want to go to the place where my mother and father are resting. I wish to place my bridal bouquet on their graves."

  "I will accompany you," he said solemnly.

  Tajarez told Jeffery and Sasha to ride ahead to the camp, then he waited for Mara to lead the way to where her mother and father were buried.

  Mara heard the sound that told her they were being followed. She did not have to look back to know it was the ever watchful Palomas.

  They rode up the hillside, then Tajarez helped her dismount. Kneeling down beside her mother's grave, she bowed her head in prayer. Closing her eyes, she prayed that her mother's and father's souls were at rest. Unwanted tears fell from her eyes, and when she opened them, she saw that Tajarez knelt beside her. His face was raised to the heavens. Her heart swelled with love for this beautiful, sensitive man who was now her husband.

  He sensed that she was watching him and turned his face to her. "I asked the Great Father to take special care of your mother and father, and to let them know that I will love and care for their daughter for the rest of my life."

  New tears spilled down her face. "You would have liked them, Tajarez, and I think they would have liked you, as well."

  "Your mother, what was she like, Mara?"

  "She was lovely. Her whole world consisted of my father and my brothers and me. It is partly because of me that she is dead." She felt comforting arms go about her, and she relaxed in his arms.

  "Jeffery told me how you blamed yourself for your parents' deaths, but you are mistaken. I believe that when the Great Father decides to take a life, no one can prevent its happening, and I think perhaps your mother did not want to live without your father, and the Great Father, being compassionate, and seeing your mother's pain, took her to be with your father."

  She laid her head on his shoulder. "I never thought of it that way. I would like to think that is just what happened."

  He raised her face and kissed the tears away. "I believe at this moment they smile down on you, beloved."

  Mara rose to her feet. She divided her wedding bouquet and placed roses on both of the graves. Then she turned to Tajarez. "You are a very wonderful man with g
reat insight into people's hearts. You have helped me feel better about my mother and father. Have I told you today that I love you?"

  Tajarez did not touch her, but instead worshipped her with his eyes. Mara was so young, but she brought out the best in him, protectiveness, unselfishness, love. "Never let a day pass, beloved, without telling me of your love." He reached for her hands, and they stood together beneath the overcast sky. A rainbow arched itself across the western sky.

  Mara looked down below at the house where she had lived with her family, then she looked at her tall, handsome husband. There was sadness in her heart at what she was leaving behind, but there was happiness as well. She would follow this man with no regrets. He was her love.

  From out of nowhere Palomas appeared and helped her to mount her horse, then the three of them rode in silence until they reached the camp. Mara saw many Indian warriors lined up before a huge white tent. Their dark eyes rested on her face. She clasped Tajarez's hand tightly. Two Indian women stood in the background. One of them was very beautiful, and she looked so long and hard at Mara that it made her feel uncomfortable. She smiled at the woman, but received no smile in return. The other, older woman, however, gave her a smile so wide it showed her to have two front teeth missing.

  The one thing that immediately impressed Mara was the cleanliness of the Indians, who all appeared well groomed and very neat.

  Tajarez took her by the elbow and steered her to a spot just in front of the big white tent; then he spoke in a commanding voice, in words that she did not understand.

  "My people, I present to you the Golden One, and your future princess royal."

  Mara was surprised when the strong, fierce-looking warriors went down on one knee before her. She looked at Tajarez for some explanation, for she was truly at a loss as to what to do.

  "They pay you homage, Mara," he told her.

  "Tell them for me that I am honored to be among them, and look forward to meeting each of them individually."

  Tajarez translated for her, and she could have said no words that would have endeared her more to the fierce fighting men who had traveled far with their prince, just on the hope of getting a glimpse of her. She did not understand the looks of adoration that were plainly written on all the faces that were raised to her. All except for one. Tanka felt bitter hatred for the beautiful Golden One. It did not please her that Mara was indeed as beautiful as she had been told. In fact, Tanka assessed Mara with a most flattering realization. Here was probably the most beautiful girl Tanka had ever seen. Her green eyes were truly wondrous to look upon, as was her golden hair. Her white skin was pure, and extremely delicate in color. But this did not endear her to Tanka. Indeed, it made her hatred burn that much deeper.

  There were other eyes that watched Mara, those of Anias. But where Tanka felt hate for the tiny goddess, Anias felt something akin to adoration. It made him feel good just to look upon her. His heart quickened when she looked in his direction and smiled at him, nodding her head in recognition. He noted the possessive hand of his cousin that rested on her arm. He wanted to force Tajarez to remove his hand from the one who had taken his heart. Looking past Tajarez, his eyes met and locked with Palomas's. The message he read in those dark, hostile eyes was all too clear. Palomas knew that Anias would stop at nothing to possess the Golden One, and the look he gave Anias told him that, while he lived, Anias would not succeed.

  Anias arched his eyebrow, showing Palomas he was not intimidated by his silent threat.

  As the Indians rose to their feet, Tajarez steered Mara into his tent, where they found Sasha and Jeffery waiting for them. There was a table laden with what looked like enough food to feed all of the men outside the tent and still have some left over.

  Mara looked around the interior of Tajarez's tent. She had been told by her family what to expect, but the beauty and splendor still took her by surprise. She was startled by the wealth Tajarez possessed.

  She was impressed by the cleanliness, for although the ground covering and cushions were white and would be hard to keep clean, everything was immaculate. Mara doubted there was a speck of dust in the whole tent.

  "Shall we dine, Mara?" Tajarez said, as he led her to one of the white cushions. They were waited upon by Sasha and the other two women. Mara paid little heed to the taste of the food that had been prepared in her honor. The plate she ate from was made of gold, as were the flagons from which she drank. Mara found the flagons extremely heavy to lift.

  The deer meat was roasted to perfection and was seasoned with some unknown herbs and spices. There were no utensils to eat with, so she followed Tajarez's lead and ate the meat with her fingers.

  After the meal was over, Tajarez stood up and offered her his hand. She looked at him, wondering what would take place now. Jeffery excused himself and bid them good night, saying he would see them in the morning, and Sasha had disappeared, leaving only the two women, who were clearing the table.

  Mara turned to the two women and smiled. Maga grinned widely in answer to her smile, but Mara could not fail to notice the malice directed at her from the other woman. Mara drew in her breath and looked quickly at Tajarez, who did not seem to be aware of the woman's hatred for her. When Mara looked back to the Indian woman she had turned her back, and Mara thought she must be mistaken.

  "Come," Tajarez said. "I will walk you to your tent."

  The night was dark, but the many campfires gave off a friendly glow against the overcast sky. Lightning streaked across the sky, and the first drops of rain began to fall as Tajarez led her to the only other white tent, which, though much smaller, was not unlike the one he occupied.

  "Can I not stay with you?" Mara asked wistfully, dreading being parted from him. She knew Tajarez did not consider himself her true husband as of yet, but everything was so strange to her, and she longed for the comfort of his presence.

  "Unfortunately, Sasha will have the great honor of sharing a tent with you. I wish it were otherwise."

  Mara noticed Palomas had fallen in step behind them and had stopped a few paces away as Tajarez led her to the entrance of her tent.

  "I want to stay with you," Mara said in a small voice. "Could we not be together as we were in the cave last spring:

  Tajarez reached out his hand to touch her, then let it drop helplessly to his side. "Do not make this harder on me than it already is, Mara. It is a long way to my home. One of us must be strong."

  "But by the law, we are man and wife."

  "By your law, Mara, not by mine. I have told you this before."

  She shook her head. "Stay with me, Tajarez."

  "Mara, do not continue," he said harshly. "I must leave you now."

  "Tajarez, could you not kiss me good night?"

  "Mara, I am the prince royal. It would not be wise to be seen in a public show of affection. There are many things you must learn if you are to be my wife, and the first and foremost lesson is that you must appear above displays of affection in public."

  His words, although spoken softly, stung, and had the power to wound deeply.

  "Is it permitted for me to wish you a good night, then?'1 she said, her voice clearly showing her hurt. She did not stay to hear his reply, but turned away from him and entered the tent. She did not see the answering hurt in his eyes, nor was she aware that he stood outside her tent for long moments. But Palomas saw. He thought this would be a long journey for his prince, and if he was to follow his king's orders, a journey where he would be called upon to stand between his prince and the Golden One to prevent their coming together.

  Palomas looked toward the heavens and felt the raindrops fall on his upturned face. Yes, he must make sure the Golden One did not become too much of a temptation for his prince. If the king was going to join them in marriage, he must guard her well and make sure she remained a maiden. He watched as Tajarez walked the short distance to his own tent, thinking that the rain that now fell in sheets might serve to cool the prince's ardor.

  The next morning,
Sasha shook Mara gently to awaken her. As Mara dressed in her green riding habit, preparing for the day's journey, she noticed it was still dark outside the tent.

  Sasha served Mara her breakfast, which consisted of fluffy yellow corncakes with honey, wild strawberries, and a cup of coffee.

  "Sasha, where did you get the coffee?" Mara asked, between bites of the delicious corncake.

  "I told my cousin that you always drank the coffee and tea, and he had Jeffery purchase a large supply of both, so you may continue to enjoy it."

  Mara smiled. "He is the most thoughtful man I have ever known."

  "He is most anxious that everything be just right for you, Mara. I believe he likes to do things that will please you.

  Mara was thoughtful for a moment. "Sometimes I do not understand Tajarez. He is a very complicated man."

  "Yes, "but then, he is the prince royal. It is not necessary to understand him; it is enough to know one must obey him."

  Mara finished her breakfast and stood up. "To obey one blindly is not always wise, Sasha. I would never allow anyone to order me about, if I did not agree with what he asked of me."

  "Is it not that way with your king or prince royal?"

  "We do not have a king, Sasha, but a president. He is elected by the people, and it is his job to do the will of the majority of the people. The office of president is not a lifetime appointment, so therefore our president is not absolute ruler. He is a servant of the people."

  Sasha looked thoughtful for a moment. "Mara, I do not understand. How many presidents do you have? It would take many men to serve the people, would it not?"

  Mara smiled. "I do not mean he waits upon them, Sasha. What I meant is he does what is best for the people and for our country. And we only have one—at a time, that is. He is elected for a four-year term."

  "I am afraid I will never understand, Mara. It is comforting to the Lagonda to know that the ruler is someone who has been trained since birth to look after their best interests. My uncle, the king, is a very wise man, and the people love him above all else. It is comforting to know when the king dies that Tajarez, who has also been trained since birth to rule, will become king. When your son and Tajarez's is born, he will be trained to rule the Lagonda. It has always been so; I hope it will continue to be."