Twice Upon a Time

by Olivia Cunning

  “No one will harm you, my love. Not while I am present.”

  “But you leave me here when you must attend to your duties. We have been married but two weeks, do you honestly think that if you ignore this situation, things will get better?”

  “Farima…” Ashar cupped her face in both hands and tried to kiss her, but she rol ed away from him and climbed to her feet. She had planned on storming out of the room, but too much sex had her hobbling like cowboy who owned a cement saddle.

  “Take me to Maisha now or I will find her myself.” She slipped a simple gown over her head and tugged her hair free from the neckline. She gave Reece a look to plead for his support.

  “Perhaps you will be more lucid in the morning,” Ashar said.

  Lara’s nostrils flared. Reece scrambled to his feet. She wasn’t sure if he was aiding her or protecting Ashar from her fury.

  “What harm will it do to al ow her to talk to Maisha?” Reece asked. “They have been in acquaintance for almost as long as we have. How would you feel if someone accused me of something you did not think I was capable of and threatened to execute me without allowing you to hear my side of the story?”

  “But you would never threaten someone out of jealousy, Nasir. I know your character well and would not believe such accusations.” Reece lifted an eyebrow at the governor as he proved his point. Ashar sighed and rose from the bed. “I suppose neither of you will allow me to sleep until this matter is settled.” He slipped into a pair of loose fitting breeches.

  “Would you like me to come with you?” Reece asked Lara. She stared pointedly at the amulet around his neck. The one Ashar didn’t seem to notice. They probably had at least a day left on this leap, but Reece had told her that the duration of them varied, so she did not want to be away from him for even a moment. And not only because she enjoyed his company. She knew he’d protect her if someone tried to get an up close and personal view of her internal organs again.

  “Please,” she said with a curt nod, hoping she didn’t sound too desperate.

  When the three of them left the bedroom, a pair of guards fell into step several feet behind them. Lara wondered if everyone in this time period required guards to follow them around for safety or if Farima was the only lucky one.

  Ashar led them to a part of the palace that made Farima nervous. Lara could feel her uneasiness in her rol ing stomach and the stiffened back of her neck. She drew to a sudden halt and Reece careened into her back.

  “What’s wrong?” he asked.

  “Something bad happened here,” Lara whispered.

  “Farima? Are you coming?” Ashar asked from several paces ahead where he’d stopped to wait for them.

  “This is why Farima is afraid. This is why she ran away with Nasir. This is where it happened,” Lara didn’t know what had happened. She could only feel the fear. The horror. The need to run.

  “What happened?” Reece whispered.

  Lara’s palms were sweating, her breaths came in short gasps. “She killed her,” Farima said, her strong emotions pushing Lara’s consciousness to the back of her mind.

  “Who kil ed who?”

  “The little dog. She snapped its neck with her bare hands and said she’d done the same to the last wife who’d tried to take her station and would do so to me if I didn’t leave. Maisha was there. She told me to run and to take Nasir with me for protection.”

  “Maisha killed a dog?” Reece asked.

  “No. Ashar’s first wife, Roxelana, did it.”

  “Why are you just mentioning this now?” Ashar asked.

  Farima looked up at her husband, her eyes swimming with tears. “I’ve been so confused ever since I was in the desert. I haven’t felt like myself at all these past two days.”

  Reece cringed.

  One of the dark guards spoke. “I’ve heard of extreme heat addling a person’s brains before.”

  “Yes, that must be why,” Reece said quickly, nodding his head in exaggerated fashion.

  “Maisha didn’t mention a dog,” Ashar said.

  “She didn’t?” Farima said, pressing her hand to her temple. “I was sure…” Ashar shook his head. “She took full responsibility for everything. Before many witnesses. That is why I think there is no point in you speaking with her.”

  “Why would she take responsibility for something she didn’t do?” Farima asked and dashed forward, moving past her fear in order to seek the truth. Maisha was incapable of trying to harm her. Farima had to get to the bottom of this. To protect a person she loved who could not protect herself.

  When they reached the small room where Maisha was being held, Ashar asked the guard to unlock the door. The guard held a torch high to bring light to the windowless room. Farima found Maisha huddled on the floor, her dark face tear-streaked, her knees clenched tightly to her chest. She was rocking back and forth slightly and humming to herself. Farima wasn’t sure if Maisha was even aware of their presence.

  “Maisha?” Farima said, entering the room and squatting in front of her friend and lover.

  Maisha lowered her face. “Do not speak to me, Farima. You mustn’t.”

  “Why have you lied to my husband?” Farima asked. “You must tel him what really happened. You are not the reason I ran from the palace with Nasir. You did not attempt to have me kil ed.”

  “You are mistaken, my princess,” she said. “It was I. Please, leave me here to die.” Chapter Twelve

  Lara turned to Ashar and Nasir. “Would you leave me alone with her for a moment?

  I wish to see what she has to say for herself.”

  “She just said that she is responsible,” Ashar said. “Do you have a death wish, wife?”

  “What can she do to me in here? She has no weapon. Bind her hands if it will make you feel better.” She didn’t expect him to actually do it. Ashar removed a sash from his waist and used it to tie Maisha’s hands together. She didn’t struggle, just stared at the floor in misery.

  “We will be right outside,” Reece said. “Call out if you need anything. We will be at your side immediately.”

  Lara looked up at the two men. They were genuinely concerned for her well-being.

  She had Farima’s feelings to go by, however, and she knew with a certainty that Maisha was not a threat. “I will,” she promised, and nodded at the two men to signal she was ready to be left alone.

  When the door closed, Lara moved to crouch in front of Maisha. She lifted her hand to the woman’s face and stroked her cheek with her thumb. “Tell me what is really going on.”

  Maisha shied away from her touch. “Please go, princess. I only wish for your safety.”

  “My safety? I thought you were trying to have me killed.” Maisha blinked. “Yes. That’s what I meant.”

  “Who are you protecting, Maisha? Who put you up to this?” She shook her head vehemently. “No one.”

  “I don’t believe you. You said you loved me. Do you remember?” Maisha bit her lip and shook her head.

  “And I love you. Remember?” Lara pressed. Farima’s heart was breaking, but Lara worked to keep her consciousness subdued so she could push through this difficult task without the excess emotion holding her back.

  “Then you are a fool,” Maisha said. She turned so that her back was to Lara. “Go.”

  “I’m not going until you tell me the truth. Who put you up to this? Was it Roxelana? I know how heartless she is. I was there when she killed that dog. You must remember that. Did she threaten to kill you?”

  Maisha shook her head.

  “Did she threaten to kill me?”

  Maisha shook her head again.

  “Who?”

  “Nasir,” Maisha whispered. “If I accept punishment, she will stop.” Now they were getting somewhere. “Why would you care so much if she threatened Nasir? Do you have feelings for him?”

  Maisha shook her head. “You do. If he dies, you will hurt.”

  “If you die, I will hurt.”

  Maisha turned to lo
ok at her. There were tears in her dark eyes.

  “You don’t want me to hurt, do you?” Lara pressed.

  Maisha shook her head. “I would rather die than see you hurt, my princess.”

  “Sil y woman.” Lara wrapped her arms around her and kissed her temple. “We will set this straight. You will not be punished for someone else’s doing. I am going to leave you here until things are settled. If Roxelana knows that you have revealed her plan, she will target you next.”

  “Do not put yourself in danger for me,” Maisha pleaded. She could not return Lara’s embrace as her hands were secured behind her back, but she leaned against her, her flesh yielding against Lara.

  “Ashar will keep me safe. Do you believe that?”

  “No,” she whispered, “but I believe that Nasir will. These past two days, I have witnessed how much he cares about you. I never recognized how strongly he feels for you.”

  Lara smiled to herself. That would be Reece’s devotion to her that Maisha had witnessed. Lara was so lucky to have him beside her. She knew he would always be there and never do anything to put her in harm’s way.

  “I will find a way to get you out of this,” Lara promised. “Be patient. Don’t talk to anyone but me.”

  Maisha nodded. Lara released the woman and before she could rise to her feet, Farima’s emotional will caused her to lean forward and kiss Maisha’s trembling lips. “I do love you,” she said. “I always have. No man will ever change that.” Tears streamed down Maisha’s cheeks and she sniffed her nose. “You are my everything, Princess.”

  Lara opened the cell door to find Nasir and Ashar watching for her anxiously in the corridor.

  “Well?” Ashar demanded.

  “She wouldn’t tell me anything,” Lara said, knowing that she had to find a way to get Roxelana to confess and Ashar wasn’t the type to be sly. Demand and conquer was his way. “I would like a few days to try to find out more information before Maisha is executed.” She wrapped both arms around Ashar’s neck and plastered her body against his entire length. Reece’s narrowed eyes and stiffened stance did not go unnoticed, but she wanted Ashar to agree to her request. “Will you give me that, Ashar?” She rubbed her lips along his jaw and his arms circled her body. “Please, my love.”

  “I see no harm in al owing her to remain a prisoner for a few more days, but you are not to visit her again.”

  “Do you think I’ll try to release her?” Lara asked. “Don’t you trust me, husband?”

  “I’m not sure,” he said. “You did run off into the desert with Nasir.”

  “I was afraid. You were not here to protect me.”

  Ashar’s arms tightened around her. “I’m here now.” And Lara would need him to get Roxelana to confess.

  Chapter Thirteen

  The next morning Lara waited for Ashar to leave the room before she stopped feigning sleep. She could have slept for several more hours. Her body was exhausted from several additional sexual encounters that had occurred in the night. Not to be outdone by the governor, Reece had insisted on participating, though his body had to be exhausted. She wished Ashar would go fuck his entire harem and give Farima a break. The man was insatiable. Too much for one princess and a faithful eunuch to satisfy.

  When Lara moved to rise from the bed, Reece’s arms wrapped around her waist and he drew her against him, tucking her head under his chin and holding on tight.

  “Don’t go,” he whispered, “we finally have a moment to ourselves.” She tensed. “I hope you aren’t thinking about making love again. I’m sore, Reece.

  Ashar is gentler now, thanks to your coaching, but now it takes him almost an hour—” Reece covered her mouth to stop her words. “Can we pretend Ashar, the well-hung, fuck-al -night governor, doesn’t exist?”

  Lara snuggled closer to the man she loved. “Who’s Ashar?” Reece stroked her hair as she listened to his heart thud rhythmical y in his chest.

  “Carl will be here sometime today,” he murmured. “We need to make sure we stay close to each other so we are certain leap together. I propose we cuddle in bed all day. You can pretend you’re exhausted from all the marathon sex.”

  “Who’s pretending?”

  “And I can pretend I need to recover from my knife wound.” She kissed his chest above the row of stitches. “As wonderful as that sounds, we still have to help Maisha.”

  “Sweetheart, I know like to help, but there isn’t really anything you can do. If she was executed in the past, you can’t change that. And if she wasn’t, it wasn’t anything you did that prevented it.”

  “Maybe,” she said, “but I still want to help. She lied about being responsible because she thinks it will keep her princess safe.”

  “Why didn’t you just tel Ashar that? It would settle everything.”

  “He needs to hear it from the horse’s mouth. His first wife is the jealous cow who’s causing al the problems.”

  “So which is she?” Reece asked.

  Lara’s brows drew together in confusion. “What do you mean?”

  “Ashar’s first wife. Is she a horse or a cow?”

  “Both. She’s also a bitch.”

  Reece’s hands skimmed over the skin of Lara’s back. “I think you should just stay away from her. Apparently she’s some sort of animal.” Lara laughed and melted against Reece’s hard body. “When we first arrived, I thought this was the best leap ever. Luxury and pampering. I thought the only thing Farima had to worry about was how many gold bracelets to wear on a given day and who was going to supply her with her daily quota of orgasms. But al the lying and deceit that comes with this life isn’t worth it. I’m so glad you’re always honest with me, Reece. I could never remain in a relationship based on lies.” Reece stiffened and drew away from her. “If we’re going to help Maisha before we leap, we’d better get busy.”

  “I thought you wanted to stay in bed all day.”

  “I did,” he said, “but holding you is making me horny. If we stay like this much longer, I’ll start thinking you need several orgasms to relax you and you know Ashar will agree.”

  Lara struggled from his grasp and sprang from the bed. “I’m up!” Chapter Fourteen

  Reece followed Lara toward the main room of the harem. He stared at the back of her head, guilt churning in his gut. What she’d said—that she could never remain in a relationship based on lies—made his heart thud with anxiety. Their entire relationship was based on a lie. He’d told her that some religious cult had kil ed her to get the amulet and that he’d found her dead, when in reality he had unintentionally sacrificed her life to activate the damned thing. Had he known that would be the outcome, he would have smashed the amulet to dust with a sledge hammer rather than put her in harm’s way, but it was too late to take it back. He’d seen time and again that he couldn’t change the past and while her death was part of Lara’s future, it was in his past. He couldn’t change it, but he could be with her here. If it was the only way he could keep her in his life, he’d take it. Stil , the lies… He was tempted to clear the air between them and tel her the truth, but worried that she’d stop loving him. He couldn’t bear the thought, so he bit his lip and followed her through the palace with his hand on the hilt of his scimitar.

  When Lara walked into the midst of the harem women, her head held high, Reece smiled with pride. She must be terrified, but his Lara was made of strong stuff and the threat of being ripped to shreds by two dozen jealous women didn’t make her back down. Or maybe she didn’t realize the danger she was in. She walked calmly and confidently to the center of the room and lounged upon a set of cushions that seemed reserved for someone of importance, which was probably not the governor’s newest wife.

  “I require wine,” she said and even Reece was inspired to do her bidding. He stayed by her side ready to defend her life, if necessary. A silver cup was placed in her dainty hand and she lifted an eyebrow at the servant who’d brought it.

  “Assure me this is safe for consumption. It seems ma
ny in this room would like to see me dead.”

  A hush fell over the softly speaking woman and they stared at Farima with interest.

  Reece watched them, looking for any who seemed ready to strike, but he saw no malice in them. Only curiosity. The servant sipped wine from the princess’s goblet and returned it to her hand before moving to stand by the wall. Farima swallowed the wine in delicate gulps. Reece noted that Lara had given in to the other woman’s will and Farima was in complete control. Her confidence spoke of her regal upbringing. Within a few minutes the other women began to move closer. The young girl who they’d met the day before, Safiye, was so bold as to sit on the floor beside Farima’s cushion.

  “How are you today, young one?” Farima asked her.

  Safiye beamed. “Quite well. I am overjoyed that you’ve joined us this morning.” Several of the governor’s wives smiled in welcome and Reece relaxed his stance slightly, but continued to monitor the actions of the women closely.

  “Tell us of your life in Istanbul, princess,” a lovely Persian woman said in halting Turkish. “The palace there is so grand.”

  Farima spoke of her home. She described the banquets and the visitors who came from all over Europe, the Middle East, Northern Africa and Asia to visit with her father.

  By the time she paused to take another sip of her wine, al of the harem women were seated around her collection of cushions listening with rapt attention.

  “Isn’t she beautiful?” Safiye said and lifted a timid hand to touch Farima’s arm. “It is no wonder that father is so taken with her.”

  Farima flushed slightly at the compliment. “I hope to bear him a strong son soon.”

  “He is plagued with many daughters,” one of Ashar’s two dozen wives said.

  There was a twitter of nervous laughter.

  “Will the sultan come to welcome your son into the kingdom?” one of the women asked. “I have always wished to gaze upon the sultan. I hear he is as handsome as he is powerful.”

  “Then he must be blindingly handsome,” one of the women proclaimed.

  The women all looked to Farima for her reaction. When she laughed, they joined her. “You shall see for yourself,” Farima said. “I am certain he will want to meet his grandchild. He has travelled great distances to meet the children born to my elder sisters. He loves babies.”