Sasha sat down, waiting for Mara to speak.
"Sasha, I want to ask you a question, and I want you to answer me honestly. Do you want to continue to serve me? The reason I ask," Mara said hurriedly, "is that now that you and Jeffery are to be married, would you not like a home of your own where you and Jeffery can be alone together? You would not have time to run your own home properly if you spent all of your time waiting upon me.”
"I would not want to give up the honor of being your servant, unless you are dissatisfied with me."
"No, it is not that, it is just that you will be my sister. I would not like you to feel that I expect you to continue serving me."
"The king, my uncle, has given Jeffery and myself quarters in the palace. They consist of four rooms. He has also given us four servants to take care of our quarters and to wait upon us."
"How does Jeffery feel about this?"
"He is very happy. The prince has made Jeffery the leader of his guards." Sasha lowered her head. "It is an honor that belonged to my brother, Anias, before he shamed my family."
"Jeffery does not mind living in the palace?" Mara said, turning the conversation tactfully.
"He told me that he feels it is a great honor. Mara, my mother and father and two younger brothers will arrive today for the ceremony. I will be so proud for them to see me waiting upon you."
"Sasha, what do they think of your brother Anias?" Sasha lowered her head once more. "They think that he is dead. The prince did not want to shame them, so he has told them that Anias was killed with the others when the Kiowas attacked us. He has sworn everyone to secrecy so my family will never find out my brother's shame."
"I want you to put it all behind you, Sasha. It is over." Mara smiled. "We have two weddings to attend; we cannot have any sad faces around here. Now show the woman in. What does she want anyway?"
"She is here to get proof that you are a maiden still." Mara froze. "How is this accomplished?" Sasha looked uneasy. "There must be proof that the mother of the future kings is pure and untouched." "But I am untouched, Sasha. I told Tajarez this." "It has to be done. Why should you object?" Sasha said, not understanding Mara's reaction.
"It is degrading and disgusting, and I will not allow it. Do you also have to submit to this examination?" "Only if Jeffery wants proof that I am a maiden still." "Evidently Tajarez wants proof. I will not do it," Mara repeated. "How dare Tajarez put me through this?"
"But you must," Sasha said, plainly distressed. "You cannot marry the prince if you do not have the examination."
Mara sank down on the bed. She was angry and hurt. "Tajarez will hear about this, Sasha. I will submit to the examination, but I will never forgive Tajarez." It was evident he had not believed her when she told him she had never been touched by any man, she thought angrily. "Bring the woman in, Sasha. I will allow her to do her worst," she said, lying back on the bed. She blinked the tears from her eyes as the woman performed her examination. Mara would not look at the woman; she was too ashamed and humiliated. She did not listen as the woman talked to Sasha afterwards. She lay on the bed long after the woman had gone, feeling miserable. She did not hear Sasha when she called her name, nor did she hear Sasha leave the room and close the door softly behind her.
Sasha found Tajarez and Hamez in the garden. Hamez smiled at her. "How is Mara this morning, little Sasha?"
"She is very upset, my king. She did not like Mahina examining her. She cried, and afterwards she would not even speak to me."
Tajarez frowned. "Why was she so upset?"
Sasha lowered her head. "I do not know, but she said she would never forgive you, my prince. She said it was disgusting and degrading."
Hamez frowned. "Why should she object unless . . ." his voice trailed off.
"No, Father," Tajarez almost shouted. "Mara says she is untouched, and I believe her."
"What did Mahina, the midwife, say?" Hamez wanted to know.
"She says Mara is a maiden still," Sasha told him.
Tajarez shook his head. "Why should Mara be upset? It is nothing to be ashamed of."
"Perhaps the white man's ways are different from ours, my son. You should ask Jeffery if they do not demand such proof before they marry."
"Sasha, find Jeffery and send him to me," Tajarez ordered, feeling that once again he and Mara lacked communication, and not understanding why Mara would be angry with him.
Sasha bowed her head, and hurried to do his bidding.
Tajarez paced up and down the garden walk until he saw Jeffery coming down the path. He was wearing the doeskin breechcloth and silver armband and headband that showed he was leader of Tajarez's guard. His golden hair, so like Mara's, gleamed in the sunlight.
"Sasha said you wanted to see me, Hamez," he said, smiling at the older man.
"Actually, it is my son who wishes to see you. I will leave you two alone. There is much to do." He turned to Tajarez. "It would seem that you will not have such a peaceful wedding night after all, my son. I will see you both in the anteroom later."
Both men bowed to their ruler as he took his leave.
"What did your father mean, Tajarez?"
"Jeffery, I must ask you something. Why would Mara be upset because she had to be examined by the midwife for proof that she was still a maiden?"
Jeffery's face whitened. "Do I understand you correctly? You had someone examine Mara to see that she was a virgin?"
"Yes, it was necessary."
"Dear lord," Jeffery raged, "how could you put her through such an ordeal?"
"It is not accepted practice in your royal families when they marry?"
"In the first place, we do not have a royal family. We have a democracy headed by a president, and we would never submit a young girl to such a humiliation."
"Why should it be humiliating if the girl has nothing to hide?"
"I would never ask Sasha to go through such an ordeal. If she told me she was a virgin, I would take her word for it."
"You have the right to insist on the examination, if you wish, Jeffery, but I do not have that right one way or the other. It is the law. The woman I marry must be proven a maiden; the people demand it."
"Let me guess," Jeffery said angrily. "It weakens the strain if she is not a maiden."
"Yes," Tajarez said, trying to understand why Jeffery was so upset.
"My sister must be devastated. I must go to her at once."
"No, Jeffery. She is not allowed to see anyone except her serving women today.1'
Jeffery sat down on the marble bench and studied his sandals. "Poor Mara, I know what she must be feeling. She probably thinks you did not believe her about Anias's not touching her."
Tajarez looked up at the sky. "I did not consider that. Yes, that must be why she is so upset."
"Why did you not have someone explain to her that it was required? Your laws are new to Mara. You should have taken that into consideration."
"Jeffery, believe me, I did not think about it."
"Tajarez, my sister is very innocent. I doubt that she even knows what is expected of her on her wedding night."
"Your mother did not tell her?"
"No, I am sure she did not. Had she known Mara was to be married, she would have explained some things to her, but as you know, my mother died."
Tajarez was quiet for a long while. When he did speak, there was much feeling in his voice. "I can see how this examination would have been a shock to Mara. Jeffery, I will be very patient with your sister. I would never do anything that would hurt or frighten her."
"I am glad to hear that, Tajarez, because in many ways Mara is still a child."
Tajarez nodded. "I will take very good care of her. I love her very much, Jeffery. I have never loved a woman before Mara. I want her, yes, but I will be patient. I will not take her until she is ready." He stood up and let his gaze travel to Mara's bedroom, then he frowned. "Come, my father awaits."
The two men, the tall dark one and the smaller blond one, walked down t
he garden path, both thinking of the young girl who lay in her room crying.
Mara looked at herself in the mirror. The green robe she wore hugged her soft curves and tightly molded her breasts. Her golden hair was hanging down to her waist. Leather sandals adorned her tiny feet. It was a stranger that stared back at her through the shiny silver mirror.
She hoped her eyes were not red from crying. She squared her shoulders, ready to face the ordeal that awaited her. Taking a last look at herself, she nodded to Sasha to open the door. She walked through the city streets beside Sasha and Palomas. There was an honor guard wearing Hamez's colors marching in front of her, and one with Tajarez's colors marching behind. The people had lined the roadway, pressing forward to get a glimpse of her. Mara was thankful that it was not far to the temple where the ceremony was to take place.
The honor guard stopped at the bottom of the stone stairway that led up to the temple. The ceremony was taking place on the steps so the people could observe it.
Mara walked up the steps to where Hamez was waiting. Tajarez stood beside him, but Mara did not look at him. The crowd was hushed when Hamez took Mara's hand and raised it over his head.
"My people, I present to you, Mara, the Golden One. She has come to us from a faraway place. As you have already heard, she is to be the bride of my son, Tajarez, but as you know my son cannot marry except to royalty. Therefore, I, Hamez, King of the Lagonda and of the Seven Cities, will take Mara as my daughter. From this day forward, she shall be known as a royal princess."
The crowd roared its approval. Hamez held his hand up for silence, and a hush moved over the crowd. "Mara, do you pledge your word that you will abide by the laws of the Lagonda tribe?"
"I will," Mara answered in a clear voice.
"Do you recognize my son, Tajarez, as my true successor?"
"It is so."
"Do you pledge your life and loyalty to the people of the Seven Cities, putting the good of the people before your own?"
"I do pledge," she responded, just as Sasha had told her to.
"My son," Hamez said, turning to Tajarez and reaching for his hand. "Do you accept Mara as your true and legal sister?"
Tajarez looked at Mara. "I do, my father."
Mara went down on her knees as Sasha had told her to do, and Hamez placed a golden circle around her head. She stood up and he placed a golden armband around her upper arm.
"It is over. You are my daughter. From this day forward you shall call me Father." Hamez embraced her and smiled down at her. "No father ever had a lovelier daughter."
"Thank you, my father. I will try to be worthy of the honor."
Mara walked down the steps on the arm of Hamez. Tajarez and Sagas followed behind. When they reached the bottom, the honor guard fell in behind them. Mara smiled at the many faces of the friendly people who reached out their hands to her. One woman thrust her baby in front of Mara. Palomas stepped forward to remove the woman, but Mara forestalled him. She took the baby in her arms. The baby was round and chubby. She kissed the child on its smooth cheek and handed it back to its mother. The crowd roared its approval.
Hamez leaned forward to whisper in her ear. "Very wise, Mara. The crowd loved the sight of the Golden One holding the child. They will talk of little else this day."
"The people are so friendly, one cannot help but respond to them."
"They will all be your willing slaves after today, little daughter, as I am."
Mara smiled at the idea of Hamez's being anyone's slave. They walked back to the palace, stopping ever so often to speak to some of the people along the way. Mara did not show the hurt she was feeling. Tajarez should be proud of me, she thought, I am learning not to make a public display of my feelings.
When they reached the palace, a great feast had been laid in the huge dining hall.
Mara was glad there were so many people present; Tajarez could not seek her out, and she did not wish to speak to him. Once she looked at him and found he was watching her. Mara deliberately turned her back on him.
When the feast was over, she was glad to seek the safety of her room.
It was Mara's wedding day, or rather her second wedding day. She remembered the other time, when she had been so excited at the thought of becoming Tajarez's bride. So much had happened to her since that morning. She was no longer the young girl with the dreams of love and fulfillment. She had known pain and sadness, and now disillusionment.
She had not seen Tajarez since the feast yesterday. He had not dined with them at the evening meal, and she had been glad, she was still too angry with him. She would marry him today, but she would make him pay for what she had had to submit to two days ago. Oh, how he would pay.
She did not see the look of apprehension in Sasha's eyes as she looked at Mara's reflection in the mirror. Mara had been so quiet, and there was no happiness in her heart. Sasha knew she was still upset about the examination.
Mara looked at her reflection. She was dressed in a gown made of shimmering gold. It draped over one shoulder and left the other one bare. It outlined her beautiful body, and on her feet were tiny golden sandals to match. Her hair hung free to below her waist and was encircled with the golden crown Hamez had placed on her head the day before.
"You are very beautiful, Mara," Sasha said softly.
Mara's eyes gleamed dangerously. "I hope Tajarez will think so, Sasha. I want him to see what he cannot have."
With that she swept out of the room, leaving a bewildered Sasha to follow.
She walked slowly, purposefully down the steps and through the anteroom while Palomas and Sasha followed. The wedding ceremony was being held on a raised dais on the palace steps, so the people could witness the marriage of their prince, as they had witnessed the ceremony the day before. Mara walked hesitantly now. Jeffery joined her on the steps, and led her to where Hamez and Tajarez stood. When the crowd saw Mara, there was a deafening uproar. She did indeed look like the Golden One.
Hamez was dressed in the regal finery he had worn on the day of her arrival. Tajarez wore a white wrap that fitted around his waist and stopped midway to his knees. It was made of a soft fabric and was edged in gold. He wore golden sandals that laced to his knees, and a wide necklace of thin gold circled his neck and hung halfway down his otherwise bare chest. The crown he wore was of gold and had the head of a cobra.
Mara refused to look at Tajarez; she was still too angry. Jeffery gave her hand to Hamez, who took it and held it over his head.
"I give you Mara, my daughter, who will become the bride of your prince, Tajarez."
The crowd gave its approval with its usual enthusiasm.
Hamez took Tajarez's hand, and a hush fell over the crowd. "Do you, my son, Tajarez, prince royal of the Lagonda and the Seven Cities, take the Princess Mara to be your bride?"
"I do, my father."
"Do you pledge your love and loyalty to her?"
"I do, my father." His voice was deep, his face was a mask, Mara noticed as she glanced at him through half-closed eyelashes.
"Do you pledge that any children that come from your union will be of the royal blood, and the firstborn son will be the prince royal?"
"I do so pledge, my father."
Hamez hesitated. "Mahina," he said, turning to the midwife, who stood beside Jeffery, "do you declare that the Princess Mara was found to be a maiden?"
Mara's mouth opened in protest. The whole world now knew of her humiliation. She looked at Tajarez. His eyes held no expression.
Mahina stepped forward. "I did examine the Princess Mara and found her to be a maiden still. This I do swear, my king."
"Mara," Hamez said, turning to her. "Do you accept my son, Tajarez, prince royal of the Lagonda tribe, as your husband?"
"I do, my father," she said without hesitation.
"Do you accept the role of princess royal, putting the good of your husband and the people of the Lagonda tribe before that of your own?"
"I do accept, my father."
"W
ill you love my son and keep to his bed until there is a son from your union?"
Mara looked at Tajarez, her eyes blazing. "I will, my father."
"Let it be known," Hamez said, facing the people, "that the prince and princess are sworn one to the other. Let neither seek the bed of another from this day forward, for to so do would mean death."
Hamez took Tajarez's hand and picked up a jewel-handled dagger. He cut a slash across his son's wrist and Mara watched as the blood ran down Tajarez's arm. Then she felt a stinging pain as Hamez cut her wrist. She did not flinch, knowing to do so would be a dishonor.
Hamez placed her wrist on top of Tajarez's and bound them together with a golden cord. Mara looked into Tajarez's eyes. She knew a medical man would tell her it was not possible, but she had the feeling that his blood was coursing through her body through the cut on her wrist. Tajarez looked deeply into her eyes and she could not look away.
"As the blood of Tajarez and Mara mingle, let their life together begin," Hamez declared. Hamez removed Mara's plain gold headband and replaced it with the crown of the cobra. Then he cut the golden cord that bound her and Tajarez together. He wrapped each of their wrists in soft white cloth, then he raised both of their hands over his head. "I give you, my people, Tajarez and Mara, husband and wife, prince and princess royal."
The crowd loved it. They shouted and chanted. Mara felt Tajarez's hand close over hers. She tried to pull away, but he held her hand firmly. They stood side by side while the crowd waved and shouted. Finally Tajarez led her up the steps.
"You are mine now, Mara. Nothing but death can separate you from me."
She frowned at him. "So it would seem. I am twice wed to you, and not yet a bride. Maybe I never will be," she said softly.
"Smile, Mara. Do you want your people to think you do not like belonging to me?"
They entered the palace, where a great feast had been laid out on the long table. Hamez took Mara's hand and whisked her away from Tajarez. "There-are people that you should meet," he told her. And indeed, Mara met so many people that her head was swimming, but she was grateful that there was not time to be alone with Tajarez. She was still seething inside and did not wish to talk to him.
Savage Desire (Savage Lagonda 1) Page 31
