“She’s looking for Prince Rajak,” Kamilah said.
She had followed behind and now Azara found herself caught between the two of them. She fought down a sudden twist of unreasonable panic.
“I have a message for him that’s most important,” she said, edging her way around Boghos. She was surprised at how easily he allowed her to maneuver herself to the entrance.
“I’ll tell Rajak that you came looking for him,” Kamilah said. “I will tell him you said it was most important and that you didn’t come out of jealousy.”
Azara opened her mouth on an angry retort, but looking into Kamilah’s face, she knew anything she had to say would only add to this woman’s pleasure. Biting her lips, she turned away.
“I hope you find him.” Boghos’ snide words followed her back to her carriage.
The driver helped her inside and, climbing into his seat, took up the reins.
“Take me back to the palace,” Azara said, understanding now how unwisely she’d behaved in not taking an escort.
The driver nodded and whipped the horses into a trot. Azara glanced back and saw Kamilah and Boghos standing on the portico, watching her. A chill shivered down her spine. She’d be happy to get back to the safety of the palace, but first she must warn Rajak.
But how could she if she couldn’t find him?
Halfway back, when she’d finally started to relax, she heard the clatter of hooves following them. Four men rode abreast on the road behind. Boghos was one of them. In no time, the men overtook the carriage and surrounded it. Boghos pushed his big horse close so he could look at Azara.
“The beautiful bird of paradise has left her cage and now she is mine,” he said and laughed harshly.
“You wouldn’t dare. Leave me alone or Rajak will kill you.”
“If he can prove it is I who has taken you,” Boghos replied. He nodded to one of his men. “Kill the driver and hide the carriage so no one can find it.”
“No,” Azara cried.
But one of the riders clambered into the carriage and carried out Boghos’ bloody command. The driver had time only to cry out hoarsely before his throat was neatly cut. Blood spewed everywhere. Azara screamed as well, drawing back, looking for a way to escape this trap of her own making. No one would ever know what had happened to them.
Laughingly heartily, Boghos grabbed her arm and hauled her out of the carriage and over his saddle. In those terror filled moments, she had the presence of mind to loosen her veil and let it flutter away on a breeze. No one seemed to notice. At once, they whipped their horses to an all-out gallop and retraced their steps to Port Dauphin.
Don’t panic, Azara told herself. Rajak will find you. She prayed that would be so.
Chapter Eight
“Where is she?” Rajak raged, stalking about the room.
All the servants were lined up along one side, even Azara’s serving women. Oma stood with the corner of her veil pressed against her mouth, fighting back sobs. The youngest woman, Rajak recalled her name was Malika and that she was Azara’s favorite, comforted the old woman. Hestia stood apart from all of them, her head high, her manner defiant.
“Did she say nothing to you?” he asked again.
“As I’ve told you, Your Highness, she said only that she needed a carriage,” Basa said. “When it came, I was busy making arrangements for an escort, but she got into the carriage and went away without a guard.”
“What about the driver?”
“Jahnu is a very reliable man,” Basa said. “He would give his life to save the princess.”
“That’s what I’m afraid of,” Rajak snapped. “Kalari, have you sent men out to search for any sign of them?”
“You know I have, Rajak. I sent them out immediately when I heard she had not returned. They’re still searching along with men from the village. We’ve done all we can for now.”
“Not all, or else we would have found her,” Rajak growled and grabbed up his riding crop. “We’ll search every road between here and Port Dauphin.”
“We’ve already done that, Rajak,” Kalari said. “We’ve found no sign of her or the carriage.”
“We’ll keep searching,” Rajak said and took a step toward the door when there was a commotion in the entry hall and several men rushed inside.
“Well, have you found her?” Rajak demanded upon seeing them.
“No, Your Highness, we have not found the princess, but we found the carriage.”
“Where is it?” Rajak demanded then drew up short. “What is that you’re carrying?”
“It was on the high road from the town,” the man answered, holding out the bit of silk. “From there, we found where the carriage had been hidden. We brought the carriage back with us. It’s just out front.”
Rajak snatched the bright piece of cloth from the man’s hands and hurried outside. The carriage was heavily damaged. For a moment, Rajak wondered how they’d managed to bring it back until he saw the blood-covered upholstery and all other thought fled his mind. His knees buckled under him, and he gave a cry such as a creature in great pain makes just before his heart stops. Clinging to the side of the carriage, Rajak stared at the blood and tried to tell himself that the blood was not that of Azara. There was so much of it. A small body such as hers could never hold that much blood. A spirit, as lively and intelligent, couldn’t be snuffed out just like that.
Kalari came to stand beside him and wrapped a supportive arm around him.
“Come away, Rajak,” he said sympathetically. “The deed is done and can’t be undone.”
“She’s not dead,” Rajak said stonily.
When Kalari opened his mouth to reason, Rajak turned on him.
“She’s not dead. I would know it, in here.” He clutched his tunic over his heart. Wildly, he looked around the circle of men.
“Search for her,” he commanded. “We won’t stop until we’ve found her.”
Without protest, the men gathered their arms and torches and rode away into the night. Rajak watched them go then forcing strength back into his legs, he moved to his mount.
“Rajak.” Kalari followed him. “You’re tired and distraught. You must rest and take some nourishment.”
Rajak turned on him, gripping the front his tunic. “Do you think I can sleep or eat, knowing that she’s out there without protection? Go eat and rest yourself, if you must, but stay out of my way.”
He pushed his friend away from him and mounted. The rest of his men followed suit and gathered around him.
Kalari’s face was pale. “I think only of your well-being, Your Highness,” he said stiffly, clearly offended.
“Then mount and ride beside me, good friend,” Rajak said.
Without further words, Kalari leaped into his saddle and took his place at Rajak’s side.
They searched every road, every ravine, every clump of woods and brush. They searched the streets and alleys of Port Dauphin. The sun rose and the streets began to fill with people, tradesmen, drunkards making their way to ship or home to sleep off the night’s imbibing. They questioned every man, woman and child they saw and came away with no clue.
Rajak studied the ships anchored in the harbor. Could she be on one of those ships? With Allah’s help, he’d board every one and search every bilge.
Kalari rode up beside him. “We have a witness who saw her carriage waiting in front of Kamilah’s abode.”
“Kamilah? Why would she have gone there?” Rajak asked.
“You know how jealous Kamilah is. Perhaps she sent a message to Azara.”
Rajak’s lips tightened at Kalari’s words. He set off at a gallop through the town and to the other side, straight to Kamilah’s door.
“Rajak, how wonderful to see you,” Kamalah replied upon seeing Rajak. She looked as if she’d just risen from bed and thrown a silken robe over herself, or else she’d worn it to seduce him. It hung open to reveal tantalizing glimpses of her breasts and long, tawny thighs.
“Where is Azara?” Ra
jak demanded without preamble.
“Azara?” Kamalah feigned surprise, arching one eyebrow. “Has your little princess taken flight?”
“I know she was here,” Rajak said harshly. “Her carriage was seen here yesterday afternoon before she disappeared. It will do you no good to lie.”
“Why should I lie to you, Rajak?” she asked with some amusement. “I no longer have to answer to you.”
He stepped forward and grabbed her arm in a bruising hold. “You’ll answer to me if you’ve done anything to cause harm to her.”
She cried out as his grip tightened then meeting his gaze, she smiled and slid her body along his.
“I give you my pledge,” she said, breathing the words. “I have done nothing to your little princess.” Her gaze met his, challenging and enigmatic. “Have you tried Boghos? I understand he developed a passion for her.” Her gaze slid away from his face.
“What do you know?” Rajak cried, shaking her slightly.
She laughed and brought her face to his as if to kiss him, but kept her lips a scant inch from his. “When you grow tired of looking for her, come to me, Rajak. I can soothe your soul as she never could. I have learned many new ways to please a man, and I want to show them to you.”
Rajak flung her away. “If I find you’ve had anything to do with this, I will kill you myself,” he raged and stalked out of her dwelling.
Kamilah’s laughter followed him even as he rode away.
With a full regiment of men, he rode to Boghos’ villa sitting on one of the high hills overlooking the port. Outlooks stopped them long before they reached the gate to Boghos’ property and escorted them the rest of the way. Boghos came out on the portico to greet them.
“Welcome, Prince Rajak,” he called, his palms together in the traditional gesture of hospitality. “I am pleased you’ve come to my humble abode. You’ve not done so before.”
“This is not a social call, Boghos,” Rajak said. “I’m looking for Princess Azara. I understand she’s here.”
“Where did you hear that?” Boghos demanded, his jovial attitude fading.
“Kamilah has told me so.”
“Ah, well, everyone knows she lies. Look what she’s done to you. How she’s betrayed you.”
“Then you won’t mind if my men and I search your property?”
“Not at all. Be my guest,” Boghos said genially, waving his hand in invitation that they dismount and search to their satisfaction.
Rajak’s heart sank. The pirate and self-proclaimed lord of the island wouldn’t be so agreeable if Azara were here.
“Do you know where she is?” Rajak asked, knowing whatever Boghos said would be a lie.
“Ah, Your Highness,” Boghos bowed elaborately, “I would tell you if I could, but I cannot. She could be anywhere on the island or perhaps she has fled in one of the other pirate ships.” He laughed. “Maybe she did not find you so pleasing.”
“Hear me about this, Boghos. If you’re behind her disappearance and if you harm one hair on her head, I’ll gut you and hang you in the square until your flesh is eaten away by the crows.”
He didn’t stay to hear Boghos’ reply. The fat pirate’s words were lost in the thunder of hooves as Rajak and his men rode away.
* * * *
Exhausted beyond all description, Rajak stood at the verandah window and stared, unseeingly, at the lush tropical gardens beyond. He hadn’t slept in three days, nor eaten. He hadn’t bathed or shaved. The lower part of his face was covered by a short, black beard. Absent-mindedly, he rubbed his hand over the stubble then tossed back the whiskey in his glass. It burned a path through his tired body and exploded in his belly. For a moment, its effects roused him from his fierce desperation then it returned, worse than before.
Azara was gone and he feared he’d never get her back. They’d searched the island over and over without finding her. Now he was forced to put out pamphlets offering a reward for any information. He didn’t mind the gold involved. He hated the waiting while someone decided whether the kernel of information he had might be worth a reward. In the meantime, where was Azara? Was she alive? Was she being tortured or worse? Was she dead?
Rajak hadn’t the courage to continue on that thought line. He couldn’t imagine the world without Azara in it. In a few short weeks, she’d ingratiated herself into his life so completely, he couldn’t be happy without her. He loved her, he realized, a love that he’d never imagined could exist. He had to tell her that. He had to make it clear to her that she wasn’t a pawn, a way of infuriating his brother or regaining his throne. He was no longer whole without her. Part of him was missing. How could he rule without her beside him? Such a prospect seemed dismal.
He had ordered Kalari to take men and keep track of Boghos’ every movement. He didn’t trust the man. He wished he’d taken him up on his offer to have his house searched, but his willingness to do so had convinced Rajak that Azara wasn’t there. But where?
She must be on one of his ships, but which one? The one that Boghos went to visit in the middle of the night, Rajak thought. Galvanized by the conclusion that finding Azara could be that simple, Rajak called to his men, mounted up and urged his horse toward Port Dauphin. They spread out along the quayside, taking care to stay concealed in shadows and bushes as much as possible then settled down for the wait. The moon rode low above the black ocean, leaving sharp contrasts of light and shadow. And still they waited. Finally, when dawn was just a promise on the horizon, Boghos came, slinking like some reptilian monster, glancing this way and that to ensure his secrecy.
Rajak signaled to his men to remain hidden until the portly man walked out onto the dock and clambered into a rowboat. Silently, they watched as Boghos made his way out to an eighty-foot, three masted, square rigged carrier of European design. The Bird of Paradise was a lean vessel with fine lines testifying to her speed. She’d not be caught at sea.
“Allah, guide us,” Kalari said at Rajak’s elbow. “You’ve anticipated me, Rajak. I sent a message to the palace for you to come, but you’ve figured out where Boghos is keeping the princess.”
“I hope so,” Rajak said between gritted teeth. “Did he see you following him?”
Kalari shook his head. “My men and I are very good at what we do.”
“I have no doubt of that, my friend.” Rajak clamped him on the shoulder. “Are your men close by?”
“Ready and waiting.”
“Then let’s follow the rat.”
Rajak waved his men forward. Quickly, they found rowboats, piled in and began rowing toward The Bird of Paradise. Once there, they silently boarded the ship. Boghos had set heavy guards, but Rajak and his men took them out, silently, so there was no warning cry. When he was sure the ship was secured, he went below to the captain’s cabin where Azara would be kept if she was here. He heard her voice long before he reached the cabin and relief washed through him. She was alive!
“You are despicable,” she said with such disgust that Rajak almost smiled. “When Rajak finds what you’ve done, he will kill you.”
“You forget, my little bird that Rajak has no time to think of you. Soon, Mohan’s navy will be here and Rajak will be taken prisoner and hanged for treason. Have you forgotten that, since it was you who set it all in motion?”
“I acted impulsively,” Azara cried. “I would never have betrayed him to Mohan if I had known…” She hesitated. “I don’t know how to make you understand that my betrayal was done out of pride because I thought he no longer loved me.”
“Will it matter to Rajak?” Boghos asked. “You have betrayed him to his worst enemy, his brother. You are lucky that I kidnapped you. You will be sold back to your betrothed for a handsome sum, Rajak will be seized and hanged and I will claim his booty and ships as my reward for helping to capture him.”
Rajak heard the emotions in her voice when she spoke again.
“Then you will have to find another place to live because no pirate will ever trust you again. You’ll be drive
n away from this island, in fact from this very ocean. Is what you’re about to do worth that? Please let me go. I must warn Rajak.”
“Aye, for a moment, I thought the little bird was worried about me.” The rotund pirate laughed mockingly. “But I see her concern is for her pirate prince. I wonder. Will Mohan want you now that you’ve given yourself to his hated brother? Perhaps he will kill you, too.”
“I don’t care,” Azara cried out.
Rajak thought he heard her stamp her foot. He eased forward so he could peer into the cabin.
“If Rajak is killed, I want to die with him,” she said softly and tears slid down her cheeks.
Rajak wondered in what way she had betrayed him as Boghos had accused. Azara would not be so duplicitous. It was not her nature. Love swelled in his heart so he had to draw back and calm himself. Then he motioned to his men and together they entered the room.
It was a simple thing to subdue Boghos. He looked around for his guards, even called out to them then threw up his hands and surrendered. Immediately, he began to weave a tale of how he’d taken Azara to protect her from Rajak’s enemies. Rajak didn’t even acknowledge him. He only had eyes for Azara. She made no move toward him, but stood trembling, waiting. He crossed to her and took her into his arms, lifting her feet off the floor. She sobbed and buried her face against his shoulder. When the trembling had stopped and Boghos had been ushered out of the room, she drew back and looked at him. Her face was flushed and tearstained when she met his gaze.
“Thanks be to Allah, you have found me,” she whispered. “I was trying to find you to tell you that your brother, Mohan, is on his way here with his navy ships to take you prisoner. You must flee, Rajak, while you can.”
“And how do you know he’s coming?” he asked gently, smoothing her hair from her dampened cheeks.
“Because I sent for him,” she answered in a low, choked voice.
“Rajak, watch out,” Kalari yelled.
Rajak looked over his shoulder as Boghus surged back into the room, a knife clasped in his hand. His expression was murderous as he aimed straight for Rajak.
The Pirate Prince (Pirate's Booty Series, Book Five) Page 8
