"No, she is an Indian princess. I would have her take the name of your mother, Tamera. Would that please you?”
Tajarez swallowed hard at the tightening in his throat. "It would please me greatly, Mara. Now sleep, beloved, and dream of me."
Mara felt loved and protected as she easily gave in to the desire for sleep.
The next morning Mara was awakened before sunrise by two hungry babies. The camp was already astir, as the men made ready for the day's journey home. Tajarez was nowhere in sight. The smell of roasting meat made her mouth water. She had not realized how hungry she was. Mara did not see Tajarez approach, she was so engrossed in nursing the twins.
Tajarez felt his passion fan into a flame as his eyes fell on the gentle swell of her breast and her beautiful face glowing in the soft light of the campfire. Tonight, he thought, I will have her in my bed where she belongs.
Mara laid her daughter down beside her. She had been fed and now slept contentedly. Picking up her son, she began to feed him. He grabbed a tress of her golden hair. Mara tried to pry her hair from his tiny fist, but he would not relinquish it.
"Who do these extraordinary children belong to? Surely they are above average in looks and intelligence."
Mara smiled at him. "These are the children of the mighty king of the Seven Cities. I am told he is also above average in looks and intelligence."
He sat down beside her. "This man, this king, do you also belong to him?"
She looked into his eyes. No longer playing their little game, she spoke softly: "He is my love. He is brave and fearless, and I have the great honor of being his queen."
Tajarez's eyes grew dark as he reached across her, his hand brushing her exposed breast. He loosened his son's fingers from her hair. "It would seem my son has a fascination for your hair as his father does." He scooped the baby, Hamez, into his arms. "Enjoy your mother feeding you today, my son, for when we reach home, we shall find a suitable woman to perform that duty. You see, I have plans for your beautiful mother, and they do not include you or your sister." He laid the baby down and rose to his feet and offered Mara his hand. "Come, it is time you had something to eat. Then we will be on our way home."
Mara saw Palomas station himself nearby, watching over the sleeping babies. Home, how good that sounded.
When they reached the city, the people lined the roadway to greet them. Many of them rushed forward, wanting only to tell Mara of their happiness that she had been found. The love she saw on the faces of the people of the Lagonda, her people, reached out to her. She had truly come home.
When they reached the stone steps that led to the palace, Tajarez lifted his sleeping daughter from the basket and handed her to Mara, while the people watched and waited to hear their king speak.
"Behold, my people, your princess, Tamera, who your queen is holding."
The people shouted in unison, welcoming their new princess.
Sagas appeared at Tajarez's side and peered at the prince, who was wide awake, his green eyes fastened on the old man's face. Sagas looked at the baby Mara held in her arms. Then he looked down to the infant in the basket, his eyes wide in wonder. "Hmm, I did not see this," he said.
Tajarez raised his son over his head, and a hush fell over the crowd. "Behold, the prince, Hamez, prince royal," he said proudly.
There was a loud uproar from his people. There had been much grief of late—the death of their king, and the abduction of the Golden One. But now there was happiness. There would be a double celebration tonight. Not only was their queen home safely, but there were two royal births to celebrate, and one of them was that of the prince royal.
Mara reclined in the scented bath with her eyes closed, feeling very contented. She thought of the joyous welcome she had received when they had entered the city. The people's warm welcome had gladdened Mara's heart, and their joy at the sight of the young prince and princess had caused an uproar that could be heard long after the royal family had entered the palace. There had been a tearful reunion with Sasha, and even Sagas had shown his joy at Mara's safe return.
Mara stepped out of the bath and dried herself. She slipped into a sheer white nightgown that Linda had given her as a wedding gift. She had never worn it before, thinking it was too immodest, almost indecent. She smiled to herself as the soft fabric caressed her body. The babies had been safely tucked into their beds in a room that had been hurriedly prepared for them. Sasha, with her usual efficiency, had found a woman to feed them; in fact, the woman was Palomas's sister, and she was delighted at the honor of caring for the royal infants.
Mara walked out to the balcony and leaned against the railing. The night was warm, and a gentle breeze stirred her hair. She hoped Tajarez would not be too long. She had not seen him since their return. He had not eaten the evening meal with her, but knowing the many duties that faced him, she had not been surprised.
She stared down into the garden below. The warm breeze brought with it the aroma of the many flowers that were in full bloom. For a moment she thought of her mother's garden. It would also be in bloom now.
How long ago and far away St. Louis seemed to her now. This was where she belonged, with her husband and children.
When her thoughts went to her tall, dark husband, she felt her body tremble in anticipation. Tonight would belong to them alone.
Tajarez climbed the stairs. He felt excitement stir within his body. Pausing at his bedroom door, he knew she would be waiting for him. It flashed through his mind that he was living his dream. He shook his head, trying to clear his mind, trying to throw off the dream-Opening the door, he searched the room. Then he saw her standing on the balcony. Her white skin glistened in the soft moonlight. Her golden hair spilled down her back to her waist. Her face was so lovely. Her body was plainly visible through the white transparent nightgown.
Everything was exactly as he had dreamed so many times. A feeling of reliving a moment out of time surrounded him. Once more he tried to throw off that feeling. His pulse quickened as he walked slowly toward her. He held out his arms. She ran into them, and he held her tightly against his body, feeling the silkiness of her skin.
"I have been waiting for you," she said breathlessly.
Lifting her in his arms, he carried her to his bed and lay down beside her. His hands moved over the soft curves as his body trembled with yearning. He buried his face in her golden hair.
"My beloved, my beloved," he whispered.
"Tajarez, my love," she answered.
Fear, so strong he could not control it, shook his tall frame. It was at this point in his dream that she always disappeared.
Mara was startled as his arms tightened about her painfully. He held her so tightly she could scarcely breathe.
"Do not leave me, beloved, I need you. Do not go," he pleaded.
Mara's arms went around him, and she saw the tears that sparkled in his dark eyes. "I will never leave you, Tajarez. I love you so much, nothing could ever induce me to leave you," she said, not understanding the reason for the words he spoke, or the urgency in his voice.
His eyes moved over her face and settled on her parted lips.
Nor did she understand what he meant when he touched her face and looked deeply into her eyes.
"No, this time you will not leave me. This time you will stay," he said as his lips covered hers.
When the Golden One comes there will be peace
and plenty,
The past will be revealed to the few and the
many.
One man will die; another shall weep,
There will be love where the Golden One sleeps.
Table of Contents
Title Page
Copyright
Dedication
Forward
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Cha
pter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Four
Chapter Twenty-Five
Chapter Twenty-Six
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Chapter Thirty
Chapter Thirty-One
Savage Desire (Savage Lagonda 1) Page 42
