Savage Desire (Savage Lagonda 1)

by Constance O'Banyon

  "How did you get Hamez's consent so I could marry Sasha? I am told he can be very formidable, yet in the space of one afternoon, you seemed to have charmed him."

  Mara smiled. "He is a wily old fox, but very dear. I believe I love him already."

  "Whatever means you used on him, little sister, you have succeeded in making me a happy man."

  "Jeffery, you are quite sure you will be content living out the rest of your life here? You have always craved excitement. Suppose you become dissatisfied and wish to return to St. Louis?"

  "Mara, had you asked me a year ago if I would find the one woman I could love, I would have laughed at you.

  But I love Sasha, and want no more than to spend the rest of my life being with her. As for excitement, nowhere in the world could be more exciting than this hidden valley. I went to the city this afternoon with Sagas. It is truly an amazing place. There are marketplaces bustling with activity. There is a goldsmith, a tanner of leather; you can purchase fish and meat. They have vegetable stalls where they have corn, potatoes, tomatoes, squash, as well as a few vegetables I have never seen before. I stirred up a lot of excitement by going among the people. They stared at me and were plainly impressed by the fact that I am your brother. The word is out that you are marrying Tajarez, and the people are preparing for a great celebration. I am still in a state of shock over the existence of the Seven Cities. How a culture like this can exist in this wilderness, as it obviously has for perhaps thousands of years, is a mystery to me. Sagas took me to see some truly amazing sights. There is a temple, Mara, where they worship their God, and when Sagas explained about their God, I believe they worship the same God we do. He told me about a great flood that once destroyed the earth, and I was reminded of Noah. This place is truly a paradise. Sagas tells me there is virtually no crime, and there is no such thing as hunger. This year the crops in the field are the best they have ever had, and never have they had so many new calves, and the foals of the horses are double what they have ever been. Sagas says that it is because of you that they are having such bounty."

  Mara leaned forward and rested her head on her hands. "All this talk of my being the 'Golden One' is very unsettling to me, Jeffery."

  "Do you not find it odd, Mara? I know of no one but yourself who could transcribe the hieroglyphics. I almost believe that you are the 'Golden One' myself."

  Mara shivered. "Let us talk of something else. Tell me more about the city."

  Jeffery picked up a stone and tossed it into the pond. "Well, they have a very sophisticated irrigation system that cannot be rivaled anywhere in the world. The river feeds the crops. There are farms and places where they raise cattle, sheep, and horses. I saw a shop where they had fine cotton cloth. You saw the pyramid-shaped structure? Sagas told me that is where the kings and members of the royal family are buried."

  "You are thinking what I am, are you not, Jeffery?"

  "You mean that some time in the distant past, a group of Egyptians found this continent and made it their home?"

  "The evidence is overwhelming. I am most anxious to start work on the hieroglyphics."

  "I wish I had paid more attention to father when he was teaching you all about Egypt. Then I would be able to help you."

  "You will be able to help me, Jeffery. You can take notes for me and keep the accounts," she smiled. "Who knows, you might even learn something. Jeffery, why do you suppose the people here dress so differently from all other Indians?"

  "I think you have already stated the reason. They dress a lot like they did in ancient Egypt, with a few changes undoubtedly a result of the Indian influence. It would seem that over the centuries they adopted the best of both worlds and combined them. Most probably over the years they began to marry among the Indian tribes, and today the Indian factor is the dominant one."

  "I think you are right, Jeffery. It will be an exciting mystery to unravel."

  "Yes," he paused and looked at her. "Do you think you will be happy here, Mara?"

  "I cannot imagine living anywhere else. I feel as if I have come home after a long absence."

  Jeffery frowned. "In what way?"

  "I do not know; it is hard to explain. I just feel this is where I belong. It is like somewhere inside I knew that I did not belong to the other world, and I was just waiting for Tajarez to find me and bring me home."

  "You scare me when you talk like that, Mara."

  She gave him a slight smile. "It scares me a bit also."

  "Sagas told me that in two days Hamez will perform a ceremony that will proclaim you a princess. Did you ever in all your childhood dreams imagine you would grow up to be a real live princess?"

  Mara laughed. "No, I cannot say I did. I hope you will show me the proper respect when I am raised to such an exalted station in life," she teased.

  "Oh, for sure, little sister. I promise never to put frogs in your boots or ants in your pocket like I did when we were children."

  Mara laughed. "Palomas would never allow you to do such a thing, anyway. Look at him; he is always there. I have the feeling that when I am old and gray, hobbling along on my cane, he will be hobbling right behind me."

  Jeffery smiled as he noted Palomas standing not twenty paces away, alert as always, standing as tall and straight as a statue.

  "Jeffery, one thing has always puzzled me. Why does Tajarez never seem to worry about my being alone with Palomas? No man is allowed to touch me with the exception of you, Hamez, or Sagas. Tajarez is not even allowed to be alone with me, yet he trusts Palomas completely. Why is that?"

  Jeffery shifted his weight and looked uncomfortable. "Tajarez told me why. He wanted me to know you would be safe with Palomas."

  "What did he tell you?"

  Jeffery avoided her eyes. "Palomas cannot perform as a male."

  "I do not understand, Jeffery."

  "When Palomas was chosen for your personal guard, a small operation was performed on him that rendered him . . . ah . . ."

  Mara's eyes widened in horror as she realized what Jeffery was trying to tell her. "That is horrible! Oh, poor Palomas."

  "Exactly my reaction when Tajarez told me, but it seems that Palomas felt honored at being chosen, and did not mind giving up his manhood."

  "Jeffery, I think it is truly barbaric, and it makes me angry. He will never be able to have a wife and family. He is a loving man; it is such a waste."

  "To you and me it seems barbaric, but to Palomas it meant pledging his life to you. You are the center of his world. As Tajarez explained it to me, Palomas's whole reason for being is to protect you."

  "Well, I do not like it. I would like to tell Tajarez how displeased I really am."

  "Mara, you are going to have to accept many things that may go against what you believe. It is what you took on when you agreed to marry Tajarez."

  "But Jeffery, I feel such pity for Palomas."

  "I believe Palomas does not regret what has been done to him. He did not have to accept being your bodyguard. He knew what it entailed, yet he gave his consent."

  Mara looked at Palomas with new respect. He had given up much on her account, and she would never take him for granted, she vowed.

  Later that afternoon in her bedroom, Mara listened as Sasha instructed her on the ceremony that would take place in two days. The ceremony would consist of Hamez's taking Mara as his daughter, thus making her of royal blood so she would be worthy of the prince.

  Sasha had brought many robes in delicate, soft material for Mara to choose from, and she told her she would be required to wear one of them at the ceremony.

  Sasha helped Mara into a blue one. It felt soft against her skin. It draped over one shoulder, leaving the other one bare, and it clung to her like a second skin. Her face turned red as she saw her reflection in the polished silver sheet that served as a full-length mirror. "I cannot wear this, Sasha. I wear more than this when I go to bed."

  Sasha giggled. "I know that you do. I was startled when I first saw that you dress up to go
to bed, while I myself undress to retire for the night."

  "Nevertheless, Sasha, I will not wear this." Mara slipped out of the thin robe and threw it onto the bed.

  "You must, Mara. It is part of the ceremony that you accept our laws, our way of life, as well as our manner of dress."

  Mara sighed as she looked through the different-colored robes. Picking up a light green one, she tossed it to Sasha grudgingly. "I will wear that one, but I will feel naked."

  "You will look lovely in it, Mara. After tomorrow, you will be a royal princess and be allowed to wear the gold."

  "What do you mean, Sasha?"

  "Only the king and his direct family are allowed to wear the gold. Have you not noticed that only the king and prince wear the yellow metal?"

  "Yes, I suppose I did, but I did not understand the significance."

  "If you will notice the different headbands and armbands it will tell you much about the person wearing them. The silver and turquoise Palomas wears means he is in service to the king. You will notice all of the king's guards wear silver and turquoise, while Tajarez's servants and guards wear only silver. My father, who is the king's brother, wears the bronze, which is what I, too, wore until I became servant to the prince. When you go into the city, you will notice many colors of headbands. Most of them are made of cloth, and the color proclaims the wearer's trade. The silversmith wears a black one, while the farmer wears brown. See how easy it is?"

  "It does not seem easy to me, but in time I suppose I will get it all straight."

  Sasha knelt down in front of Mara and took her hand. "Mara, I am glad that I will be your sister. I love you very much."

  "I, too, love you, Sasha, and I wish you and Jeffery every happiness."

  "I cannot yet believe that the king, my uncle, is allowing us to be married. Jeffery told me how you got my uncle to consent, and I am very happy."

  Mara hugged Sasha. "It would seem that you and I are both fortunate, Sasha. Now sit beside me and tell me more about the ceremony that will make me Tajarez's sister."

  Mara brought one of her father's books downstairs with her. After dining with Hamez, Sagas, and her brother, she sat on a sofa with Sagas, showing him some of the sketches her father had made in Egypt. Tajarez had not been present; Mara wondered where he was. She was a little hurt that he did not want to be with her.

  She watched as Sagas thumbed through the pages of her father's book, his old eyes bright with excitement. She showed him pages of hieroglyphics and told him what the writings said.

  "How soon will you be able to read the writing on the wall?" he asked.

  Standing up, Mara walked over to the wall and studied it for a moment. "It will take some time. I will have to compare the hieroglyphics with the ones in my father's journals, searching for similarities. Some of it I may never be able to translate. These drawings are interesting; I believe I have them figured out already."

  "Tell me what you think they mean," Sagas said, his eyes flashing excitedly.

  "This picture, the first, with the people in the boat, indicates a sea voyage. See the size of the waves and the size of the fish? I am sure that indicates the ocean."

  "You mean the great water?" Sagas asked.

  "Yes, it is called the Atlantic Ocean."

  Sagas watched her, waiting for her to continue. "That is obviously the king and queen and the royal family." Mara moved on to the next carving. "Here the boat was smashed on the rocks. I believe it to be this continent. See the Indian concealed behind this rock? And in the next one," she said, moving further down, "the royal family is being welcomed by the Indian chief. And this one shows a journey, most probably it took many years. See how the king and queen have aged, and the children have grown to adulthood? And here they have arrived at this valley. There is the mountain. It is a wonderful story; if only we knew more."

  Sagas rubbed his hands together. "Do you know what you just did? You have given me the story so that the Lagonda will know their heritage. For many years the drawings have been a mystery. Wise men over the ages, myself included, have tried to read the drawings, and you, who have seen only seventeen summers, reveal the long lost past in one day."

  "There is much more to discover, Sagas. This part was easy; the rest will be more difficult."

  "But you will do it, will you not, Mara?"

  "I will try, Sagas, but I will need your help."

  "I will spend every day with you. We will work from early morning until late at night until together we learn the secret."

  "What is this?" Tajarez said, standing with his arms folded across his broad chest. "Did I hear you planning to steal Mara's time from me?"

  "She has revealed the secret to me, Tajarez," Sagas said, hardly able to contain his excitement.

  "Tell me," Tajarez said, catching some of Sagas's enthusiasm. "But, wait. I want my father to hear this."

  Soon all three men stood beside Mara, listening to her as she told them what the drawings indicated.

  "This is truly a wonderful day," Hamez said, staring at the pictures with new understanding.

  Tajarez looked down at Mara from his great height. "I will not allow you to take up all of her time, Sagas. I have equally important plans for her."

  "What could be more important than learning the secrets of the past?" Sagas asked.

  "Producing an heir for the future," Tajarez said, smiling at Mara.

  Mara's face flamed in her embarrassment. She would never become accustomed to the easy way the Lagondas talked about matters that Mara felt should be discussed only between a husband and wife, and then only in private.

  "Ah, to be young again," Hamez said.

  "To be merely old," Sagas said, laughing, "instead of ancient."

  "Look at the way my son touches Mara with his eyes, Sagas. He cannot touch her with his hands, but his eyes make love to her."

  Tajarez saw that Mara was feeling uncomfortable. White women were brought up very differently from the Lagonda maidens. He had often noticed that Mara was embarrassed by references to the natural love between a man and woman. His heart raced at the thought of teaching her the love they would share. He reached out his hand to touch her golden hair, then withdrew it. Until she was his wife, he was forbidden to touch her.

  Mara, seeing the look in his eyes, felt a longing, a love so strong it cried out for release.

  "From the looks of it, Hamez, you had better keep those two apart until you perform the ceremony."

  Mara blushed once more. "I am very weary. If you will excuse me, I will say good night," she said.

  "I will walk with you to your room, Mara," Tajarez told her.

  As they walked across the huge room, Palomas fell in step behind them; Mara waved good night to Sasha and Jeffery, who were sitting together on one of the couches. She wished she and Tajarez could enjoy each other's company as Jeffery and Sasha were allowed to. They needed no guard to stand over them, and they were able to show their affection openly.

  Sasha stood up, ready to accompany her, but Mara indicated that she was to stay with Jeffery.

  Mara turned to Tajarez at the door of her bedroom. "Will I see you tomorrow?"

  "No, it is not allowed. But I will see you the next day when you become my sister, and then the next you will become my wife."

  Mara smiled. "Is it usual among the Lagonda to marry a sister?"

  "Not if they are of the same blood," he told her. "It weakens the strain; it is forbidden."

  "Of course," she said, matter-of-factly. "I will wish you a good night, Tajarez," she said, reluctant to leave him.

  "My room is just next door. I will think of you lying so close to me. Will you also think of me?"

  "Yes," she whispered.

  "Look at me, Mara," Tajarez said in English, so Palomas would not understand what he was saying to her. "You have turned a grown man into your slave. I want to reach out and touch your soft skin. I want to feel you lying beside me with no wall to separate us. I want to kiss your sweet lips, and so much mor
e."

  Mara felt herself tremble as he made love to her with words and with his eyes.

  Palomas stepped between them, for although he did not understand the words, he knew well the danger to Mara and his prince.

  Tajarez shrugged his shoulders. "Sleep well, my beloved. I doubt that I will be able to close my eyes."

  Mara did not sleep well at all. She was conscious of Tajarez sleeping in the room next to hers; she felt feverish and restless. Her body ached for his, and it was a long night.

  AS IT SEEMS TO ME WORTH RECORDING HERE WHAT THIS INDIAN, SENT TO ME BY ESTEBAN, SAYS ABOUT THE COUNTRY, I SHALL PROCEED TO DO SO. HE SAYS AND MAINTAINS THAT, IN THE FIRST PROVINCE, THERE ARE SEVEN VERY LARGE CITIES, ALL UNDER ONE RULER, WITH LARGE HOUSES OF STONE AND LIME. THE SMALLER ONES ARE ONE STORY HIGH WITH A TERRACE ABOVE; OTHERS ARE TWO AND THREE STORIES HIGH, AND THE RULERS HOUSE IS FOUR STORIES HIGH; THESE HOUSES ARE ALL JOINED IN ORDERLY MANNER. HE SAYS THAT THE DOORWAYS TO THE BEST HOUSES HAVE MANY DECORATIONS OF TURQUOISES, OF WHICH THERE IS A GREAT ABUNDANCE, AND THAT THE PEOPLE IN THESE CITIES ARE VERY WELL CLOTHED.

  —Friar Marcos

  21

  There was a light tap on the door, and Mara opened it to find Sasha with her breakfast tray. Sasha placed the tray on a small table. There was fresh fruit and a kind of pancake made from corn, slices of meat that were tender and tasted delicious, but Mara found she was unable to eat more than a few mouthfuls.

  "I do not want any more, Sasha. You can take the tray away."

  "You must eat. Today will be very tiring for you."

  "No, I could not swallow another bite."

  "Shall I have Mahina come in now? I told her you would see her after you had eaten."

  Mara stood up and stretched her arms over her head. "If she is bringing more gowns, you can tell her I have more than I need now. Sit down for a moment, Sasha. I want to talk to you. The woman can wait for a while longer."