"I was very clever, Tajarez. They think that I am you and you are me. I told them that you were trying to take my wife from me. They believed this to be the truth. It was easy since you and I look so much alike. I told them that you would try to convince them that you were me. I even had them stand guard over Mara, telling them to keep my queen safe. Very complicated, do you not agree?”
Tajarez's eyes narrowed to pinpoints. "Where is Mara? Have you harmed her?"
Anias met his gaze steadily. "I would never harm Mara, Tajarez. She is made to give a man pleasure. Why would any man want to harm what he loves?"
Tajarez felt sick inside at the thought of Anias touching Mara. She was his. No man had the right to touch her. Hatred caused his tall frame to tremble. He clenched his teeth. "Is she safe then?"
"She is safe, which is more than I can say for you."
Tajarez looked at him dully. "Do what you will with me. I will not beg you for my life. Death holds no fear for me.
"I know that, Tajarez. That is why I have decided to let you live."
Tajarez looked at his cousin through half-closed eyelids. "What are you planning, Anias? Where is Mara?" He felt fear so strong he was having a hard time hiding it from Anias. It caused his stomach to tighten in a knot. "I will kill you if you have touched her with your filthy hands. This I swear."
"I told you before I would not harm Mara."
"You will set her free?"
"No, I will not do that. I find I cannot live without her. I believe those were the words you once spoke to me concerning Mara. She is everything a woman should be, is she not?"
Tajarez strained against his bonds. He prayed for the strength to break free. His eyes gleamed dangerously.
Anias was enjoying himself. He liked seeing Tajarez humbled before him. How long he had waited to have his proud, arrogant cousin at his mercy. He knew he had the power to destroy him completely, and Mara would be the lovely tool that would help him accomplish that objective.
Rising to his feet, he walked slowly toward the tent opening. "Tanka, bring Mara to me. Then a little later you can bring our little surprise."
Mara entered the tent on shaky legs. Her heart was beating so rapidly she could hardly catch her breath. Her hair was pulled away from her face and fell down her back in a single braid to her waist. She wore a fawn-colored dress, and high-top moccasins.
Tajarez's heart pounded at the sight of her slight figure. He swallowed a lump in his throat and felt pain in his heart.
Mara waited for her eyes to become adjusted to the dim light in the tepee. When she saw Tajarez on his knees, bound hand and foot, with blood all over his face, her heart ached and she wanted to go to him and throw herself at his feet. But his safety pushed that thought out of her mind. She could not condemn him and their children to death. It was not in her to watch them die unless she were allowed to die with them, and she knew Anias would not allow her to die.
Tajarez watched as the play of different emotions washed over her beautiful face. He saw her struggling with herself, and finally she was able to give him a weak smile.
"Well, Tajarez. So nice of you to pay Anias and myself a little visit. I hope you are enjoying our hospitality."
Tajarez noticed she avoided looking into his eyes. He frowned. What was this game she was playing? He felt confused. This could not be his beloved, so cold and unfeeling.
Anias held his hand out to her. "Come and sit beside me, my beloved," he said, purposely using the endearment he had so often heard Tajarez use when speaking of her.
Mara gritted her teeth as she took Anias's hand. She hated what she was doing to Tajarez. Even if he did not love her it had to be humiliating for him to watch his wife with the man who had slain his father.
"Our guest does not look well, Anias. Perhaps he would like a little refreshment."
"But, Mara, he cannot drink. His hands are bound," Anias said, smiling tightly.
"Then I shall have to help him," she said, feeling Anias's hand tighten on her fingers. She brushed him aside. "We would not want him to return home and say he had not been well treated, Anias."
Tajarez remained silent. He could not believe that Mara was acting on her own. Anias had some hold over her, most probably the child.
Mara wet a cloth and bent down beside Tajarez and began washing the blood from his face. She dared not look into his eyes or she would be lost. Holding an earthen jug for him to drink from, she kept her eyes on Anias.
"Mara, look at me," Tajarez ordered. She closed her eyes to the pain she heard in his voice. When she opened them, she looked into his deep brown eyes and saw torment. "Beloved, let me hear that you love me, or at least say you forgive me for all of my past mistakes."
Mara felt Anias's hand on her arm, and he drew her up beside him, sending the water jug smashing to the ground.
"Mara has such a kind heart, she cannot stand to see anything suffer," Anias said cuttingly. "That is one of the things I love about her."
Tajarez could not stand the sight of Anias touching Mara. His heart cried out in protest. "What trick are you up to, Anias? You would have me believe that Mara loves you?" His voice was full of disbelief.
"Do not ask me, Tajarez. You would not believe anything I say. Let Mara talk for herself."
Tajarez's eyes went to Mara's flat stomach. She was doing this for the child. Anias had threatened the baby. He had to believe that or he would go crazy. Mara would never betray him to his enemy.
"Come, beloved. Show Tajarez where your heart lies," Anias said, putting pressure on her neck and drawing her face close to his.
She looked into his eyes, pleading silently with him not to shame her in front of Tajarez. She knew Tajarez would be humiliated. Her face burned as his lips touched her, and she felt tears sting her eyes. Mara wished she could die rather than bring dishonor to herself and Tajarez.
"Do not touch her! Take your filthy hands off my wife," Tajarez said through clenched teeth.
Anias raised his head and looked at Tajarez with a mocking frown on his face. "My, he does have a temper, this husband of yours."
"Mara, do not let him touch you again," Tajarez pleaded. "I cannot bear it. I would rather he killed me."
Anias whirled on Tajarez. "That is what you would like, but you will not find death at my hands, cousin."
Mara felt as though a thousand sharp knives ripped her heart apart when she saw tears sparkle in Tajarez's dark eyes. She knew he would rather die than let Anias see how badly he had wounded him. Tajarez really did love her. The proof was in the tears that rolled freely down his face.
She wanted to run to him and kiss away his pain and tell him that she would die with him. She trembled from the intensity of her emotions. Oh, my love, if you only knew that I had to do this for you and our children. I cannot condemn them to death, she thought. Her mother's heart shied away from the thought of her babies' dying when she had it in her power to save them as well as their father.
Squaring her shoulders and giving no sign that she was dying on the inside, she faced Tajarez. "You see how it is between myself and Anias. He is kind to me. You were not. You ignored me most of the time, while he showers me with attention. I love him." Her heart cried out silently at her lie.
Tajarez raised his head proudly and stared at her. "Do not do this to me, Mara. I am begging you for mercy." His voice cracked. "If he has some hold over you, the child perhaps, I would rather the three of us die together than see you in his arms. Do not let him touch you again. Come to me, Mara. We will die together like the king and queen we are."
Mara wavered. She wanted nothing more than to die in his arms at that moment. Anias, seeing her uncertainty, called out to Tanka, who was waiting outside.
"Tanka, bring in the basket now." He knew he had to bring Mara back to his side, and he hoped the sight of her babies would do it.
Tanka entered and set the basket down beside Anias. As she turned to leave, her eyes fell on Tajarez. The sight of him kneeling helplessly before An
ias filled her with rage. She had thought her love for him had died, but as she had stood outside the tent she had become enraged with Anias for degrading the proud king of her people. She hesitated at the entrance, then she stepped outside into the bright sunlight, blinded by tears of pity for the man she loved.
Anias gave Tajarez a wide smile. "As you can see, I am still attracting the women you discard. Tanka has been very useful to me. Would you like to see your child, Tajarez?" He bent down and picked up the tiny girl and placed her on the buffalo hide just in front of Tajarez. "Look at your daughter, Tajarez. She is very like you except you will find that she has her mother's eyes."
Tajarez swallowed a lump in his throat as he looked at his small daughter. She was so perfect, so beautiful. He found himself wishing he could reach out and touch her. He remembered when he had been worried about the color of her skin. How foolish man was in his vanity. Love swelled in his heart for the tiny infant who was so helpless. He felt fatherly love so strong it shook his tall frame. The tepee was silent as the tiny girl turned her head, opened her green eyes, and looked right into her father's heart.
Mara cried inside at the love plainly written on Tajarez's face.
"I see you are pleased with your daughter," Anias said. "Do you not care that she is not a son?"
Tajarez's eyes went to Mara. "No, I do not mind. Nor would I have minded if her skin was white, Mara. Please believe this."
She closed her eyes against the tears she saw in his. Dear God, she prayed silently, let me feel all the pain that he is going through and release him from his anguish.
Tajarez saw heartbreak in Mara's face. He had been right. She was doing it for the child.
"I have a surprise for you, cousin," Anias said. "I think you will find it a pleasant one." He was enjoying himself enormously at Tajarez's expense. Reaching into the basket a second time he lifted up the infant boy. "Mara is an exceptional woman. It seems she has presented you with twins." He lifted the baby above his head and then laid him down beside a startled Tajarez. "It seems you have your son after all. I am told he preceded his sister's birth by only moments."
Tajarez strained against his bonds. He could hardly believe his eyes. He had a son as well as a daughter. Primitive fatherly instinct came to life within Tajarez, instinct to protect his offspring against danger. He knew it would be hard for him not to plead for their lives. He felt a sadness that he could not even touch them or take them in his arms.
Anias withdrew his knife and knelt down beside the infants. He placed the tip of his knife at the throat of the baby boy.
"What color is the blood of the prince royal, Tajarez? Will he bleed red like the rest of us mortals, do you think?"
Tajarez pulled with all of his might against his restraints, wanting to shield his son against danger. He felt enraged, knowing that he could not stop Anias if he were to slay his son before his very eyes.
"Anias, do not hurt my baby," Mara cried.
"Kill me if you will, Anias," Tajarez said, "but spare the babies. They are innocent. It is I you hate."
"But they are of your flesh," Anias hissed. "Your son is the prince royal."
"If you harm him you will have the hatred of the people. They will hunt you down no matter where you go. The rest of your life you will be looking over your shoulder, wondering when they will finally catch you. You know I speak the truth."
Anias could not mask the fear that leaped into his eyes. The importance of loyalty of the people had been instilled in him at an early age. It was a strong feeling that ran deep within his body. The fear of how the Lagonda people would react had a lot to do with his not slaying Tajarez. He knew if he killed one of the royal house he was condemned to a horrible death. But had he not already slain the king, his uncle?
Mara stood frozen into silence. Her heart was pounding with fear that Anias would harm her son. She watched as the hand that held the knife wavered. He moved the knife away from the baby's throat and pricked the delicate skin of his forearm. When Mara saw the blood of her son, she sprang into action. Throwing herself against Anias, she knocked the knife from his hand and picked up her son, cradling him in her arms while she wiped the blood from his tiny arm.
Tajarez watched helplessly as both babies started crying and waving their tiny arms in the air.
"I will do anything you ask, Anias," Mara cried, "only do not harm the babies, please."
Anias rose slowly to his feet. "You have made a grave mistake, Mara. I would not have harmed the child. I merely wanted to convince you that I could kill all three of them if you did not obey me."
Mara gathered her daughter into her arms and rose to her feet to face Anias defiantly. "I will no longer bargain with you for Tajarez's life or the lives of our children. I will do as Tajarez asked and die beside him."
"What about the babies, Mara?" Anias asked pointedly.
She stood before him proud and unafraid. "If they must, then they will also die at the hand of the man who murdered their grandfather."
Tajarez felt pride in Mara. Had any man ever had a wife to equal her? He knew how hard it was for her to condemn him and their children to death. She had sought to sacrifice herself for him, but when the time came, he knew that she would die bravely beside him. He could not bear to think of her beautiful green eyes closed in death, or the babies, who had just begun to live. He smiled bitterly. At least Anias would be cheated of his final victory.
"Put the babies down, Mara," Anias said, his voice deadly.
"No, I will not," she told him defiantly. She turned to face Tajarez. "Forgive me for the shame I caused you. I now know that life is not so precious if it is bought at the expense of one's honor. You have taught me this today." Her voice trembled. "Please say you forgive me."
"Be silent, you little fool," Anias rasped as he struck her hard across the face. Mara's head reeled from the heavy blow, and Tajarez bowed his head and expended all of his strength against the still unyielding bonds.
Mara placed the babies down beside Tajarez and faced Anias once more. "You are a coward. You would harm helpless babies and strike a woman, but I wonder how brave you would be if you had to face a real man such as my husband?"
"I will show you," Anias yelled as he doubled up his fist and struck Tajarez a stunning blow that sent him reeling backwards.
Tajarez quickly recovered, and laughed deeply. "It seems you lose, Anias. You see before you a family that stands united and ready to meet death. I wonder who you will hate when I am gone, Anias. Who will you then find to blame for your weaknesses?"
"As I told you before, Tajarez, you will not die. But you will be forced to watch while the one person you love most in the world dies before your eyes."
"No, Anias," Tajarez whispered, fear gripping him tightly. He felt sweat pop out on his brow as he watched as Anias grabbed Mara by the hair and yanked her around to face him.
"Tajarez, do not grieve for me. I love you," she said just before Anias's hand closed over her mouth.
"You can watch as I make love to your wife before I kill her," Anias said, smiling at Mara's attempt to free herself from his grasp.
"I will kill you for this, Anias," Tajarez said through clenched teeth. "This I swear on the body of my father."
Anias smiled harshly, then withdrew his knife and slashed Mara's dress down to her waist, exposing her creamy breasts. He drew in his breath as his eyes moved over her body. "Such beauty should not be kept for one man alone, but should be shared with many." He let his eyes slide over her, taking in her loveliness. Mara was struggling to cover up her nakedness as Anias ran his hand down her smooth throat. "Such beautiful white skin. How is she in bed, Tajarez? I have not yet had the pleasure. Is she exciting? I almost had her once, remember? How will you like watching me enjoy her beautiful body?" His voice grew heavy with passion as his hands slid over her breasts.
"Do not touch her," Tajarez whispered, tears running freely down his face. "Mara, do not let him touch you."
"Help me, Tajarez. Oh,
God, help me," Mara pleaded as Anias lifted her into his arms and placed her on the buffalo hide.
…WERE NOT THE LANDS WE LEFT BETTER THAN THOSE WE ARE IN AT PRESENT? …WERE IT NOT BETTER TO HAVE DIED THERE, THAN TO LIVE HERE?
—Garcilaso de la Vega, explorer
31
Mara struggled with all her strength. She scratched and clawed at Anias's face as he pinned her body beneath his and laughed at her efforts to push him away.
Tajarez pulled so hard against his restraints that the leather straps cut into his skin and his hands were covered in his own blood. He heard Mara's pleading and Anias's laughter. Looking upward, he prayed aloud: "Help her, Great Father. Give me strength to protect what is mine." He was so intent in his prayer that he did not hear Tanka as she entered the tepee until she knelt down beside him and sliced through the bonds that held him prisoner.
Tajarez leaped across the room and grabbed Anias and pulled him from Mara. A leather strip was dangling from Tajarez's wrist. He took it and wound it around Anias's throat.
Wild terror leaped into Anias's eyes as he felt the strap tighten, cutting off his breathing. Grabbing at Tajarez's hand, he tried to relieve the pressure, but he was no match for his cousin's superior strength.
"What a pity you can die only once, Anias," Tajarez hissed through bared teeth. He watched with satisfaction as Anias's face turned purple and his eyes seemed to bulge out of their sockets. Anias twisted his body in one last feeble attempt to free himself, then his body went limp and Tajarez released him and watched as Anias fell dead at his feet with his face frozen in agony.
Turning quickly to Mara, he knelt down and gathered her into his arms and held her tightly. "Do not weep, beloved. It is over. Anias can never hurt you again."
"Hold me, Tajarez. Hold me tightly," she cried against his broad shoulder.
"I will hold you forever and never let harm come to you again," he vowed, loving the feel of her in his arms. His hand slid up and down her back, trying to soothe her and stop the trembling of her body.
Savage Desire (Savage Lagonda 1) Page 40
