A King's Revenge: Warlords Series Book 2 (15 page)

“No. Please, Sire,”
Mati turned the weapon toward Tarik. “Don’t go near her. I don’t want you
hurt.”

Tarik took another
step, gaze never leaving Mati. “I’m not going to let you hurt her again. Ever.
Lower your weapon and we can get you help.”

Kord had his eyes
pinned to the mad man as well. Their eyes met briefly and Lea expelled a breath
softly. Whatever happened, Mati wasn’t walking out of here. Kord planned to end
this here and was only giving Tarik a chance to talk his friend down.

“Mati, you know you’re
my friend. Please. If you hurt Lea you hurt me.” Tarik had both hands up in
supplication as he maneuvered until he completely shielded Lea.

Lea moved to the side,
annoyed at his protective stance. She didn’t want anything to happen to Tarik
while she stood by idle.

As if realizing how
the situation had changed Mati’s face flushed bright red. He glared at Lea.
“You’re right. Nothing will be the same. I didn’t want you to learn of any of
this. Just like I never meant for your father to die when I slipped the Queen’s
hapfe a dose of
nettle
.”

Tarik blanched. Lea’s
heart sank. Obviously Tarik hadn’t come in early enough to hear that part of
Mati’s confession. Nettle stirred up the blood and would have stimulated the
poor animal until it went mad.

“You killed my mother?
You’re the reason my parents are dead?” Tarik dragged the questions out in a
stunned voice.

The silence was
deafening. All of them waited, allowing Tarik a moment to digest such
devastating news. When he raised his blond streaked head, he faced Mati with a
blank face. “I can never forgive you for taking everything that mattered away
from me.”

Lea sensed the moment
Mati realized all was lost. His lower lip trembled and his eyes actually
watered. She never saw his finger twitch but Tarik roared right before his body
hit hers.

Lea slammed back into
the door of the stall behind her. Sorka trumpeted loudly and kicked at the
wooden barrier. Lea blinked but the heavy weight atop her blocked her vision.
Her hands pushed and shoved until a loud groan sounded above her.

The body pinning her
to the ground shifted and Tarik rolled to the side. Mati screamed, back arched
as Kord aimed his spread palm at him sending a burst of light shooting forth.
The King’s advisor simply disappeared. Not even his clothes remained.

Lea sat up and gasped.
He was gone.

“Lea?”

Her attention darted
to the prone figure of Tarik pushing up to all four. She’d never wanted him to
discover the truth like this. Armed with her memories, Lea remembered how she’d
wavered when she’d found the incriminating papers. “Tarik, I’m sorry.”

When he didn’t answer
she crawled closer to his side but he collapsed before she reached him.
“Tarik!”

Lea pushed at his
shoulders rolling him over only to be met with the sight of a bright red stain
spreading over his shirt.

Her hands pressed down
his chest instantly soaked in blood. “No. No. Please.”

Tarik’s lavender dull
gaze wavered. “Alr-right?” He choked.

She pushed back the
hair from his forehead, one hand remaining on the bleeding wound. Lea leaned
close and kissed Tarik’s face and anywhere else she could reach. “I’m fine. I’m
alright.”

Kord knelt beside her
shoving her hands aside to see the damage.

Tarik cupped her face.
Fingers trembled over her cheek. “It’s…over.”

Lea sniffed, tears
burned her throat. “Don’t die. Don’t die,” she pleaded.

His mouth twitched as
he managed a half grin. “Never. Not when I finally have you back.”

Relief poured through
her. She brushed tears from her face and managed a smile. When Tarik’s eyes
rolled back and his head hit the ground she screamed.

“Don’t worry, Lea.”
Kord shot her a look as he placed his hands over Tarik’s chest. “He’s too
stubborn to die.”

His hands started to
glow. White light pulsed around Tarik’s wound. Kord’s eyes closed as he worked
over her husband.

Hensel and Serin came
over. Serin touched Lea’s shoulder. “I’m sorry I failed you. I didn’t expect
the King’s man would attack me. Mati’s been with the Sabarns…” He broke off the
words and shook his head.

It was a lot to take
in.

Kord leaned back on
his haunches and opened his eyes. “He needs to be taken inside.”

Lea hesitated. “He’s
fine?”

Kord smiled and
caressed her hand. “He’ll be fine when he awakens. Be glad your King has two
hearts because the one had already stopped.”

Lea swallowed thickly.
They’d come too close to losing one another again.

Epilogue

“I don’t think you can
hide it any longer, my heart. We should make the announcement at dinner.”

They were having an
annual winter ball and ceremonial candle lighting as a tribute to the Goddess. Lea
pursed her lips and rubbed a hand over her swollen middle. She was far into her
pregnancy. Further than any of the others at five months. The medical healers
assured all was well with the baby. Unfortunately with her memories, her
feelings of worry and fear based on her previous pregnancies returned. Some
nights she woke in a terror that it was a dream and she couldn’t possibly be
this happy.

Tarik came up behind
her and wrapped his arms around her growing middle. “What’s wrong? If you
really don’t want to say anything tonight I’m willing to wait longer.”

He massaged a knot
formed by an elbow or baby foot with unerring accuracy. Lea relaxed into his
hold. “I don’t think either of us has to say anything. It’s pretty obvious
although everyone’s been too polite to mention my weight gain.”

Tarik nuzzled her neck
and placed a soft kiss on the sensitive skin. “I like your weight gain. I also
like the reason for it.”

Lea laughed, tipping
her head to the side to give him better access. He smiled against her neck then
nipped. Lea jerked and his warm breath puffed along her shoulder as he chuckled
and moved back.

“No one would dare say
anything if you chose to keep this between us a little longer.”

Lea turned away from
their reflection in the mirror. The rich black gown draped her burgeoning
figure without a hint of the curves beneath. The one strap design held up by a
twisted gold braid drew the eye to her bare shoulder and a mysterious hint at
full cleavage.

Her lips twisted
wryly. Her breasts had grown by leaps and bounds long before her stomach popped
out.

“No. You’re right. I’m
being paranoid.”

“For good reason.”

With their history,
Mati’s machinations, and her return as the Desani Queen they’d both gone
through a lot. The first few weeks after Mati’s death proved difficult for
Tarik despite all the man had done. When he went too deep in his grief, Lea
sought to lighten his burden and distract him by going riding together.

She loved taking Sorka
out.

“No,” Lea adjusted the
stand up collar of his all black formal jacket. “No more hiding. Besides, I’m
tired of pretending.”

Lea believed her
guards, who Tarik insisted she keep, already knew of the upcoming birth. Kord
made no secret of his knowledge by glaring at anyone who came within two feet
of her as if they posed a threat.

She patted Tarik’s
chest and stepped back to admire the fine figure of her husband. Handsome as
always.

Tarik kissed the top
of her head, careful of the elaborate curls Chelle spent hours creating. Her
hair now reached her shoulders and though he never mentioned it, Lea knew the
length pleased Tarik.

“We’ll announce it at
dinner and I’ll have Olan prepare an official statement release for all of
Desani.”

“I think that’s an
excellent idea.”

In a surprising
gesture, Olan had come forward and expressed his interest in filling the role
of personal advisor to Tarik. With his background and relationship with Tarik
the move allowed for an easy transition. Not only did he handle everything
Tarik gave him without flinching, Olan loved and respected Lea which made the
decision easier for Tarik.

Gretel also returned
to live at the castle to be close to her husband and Lea planned to ask the
woman to be a caretaker after the baby’s birth. If she could handle raising
Tarik she would be an asset in raising the next little prince or princess.

“Have I told you how
much I love you, King of Desani?” Lea asked as he smoothed the simple gold
crown on his head. Alain would have a fit when he realized Tarik ignored the
heavy cape and decorative sword laid out for tonight.
 

“Not since you let me
help you bathe.” Tarik smirked and curled his arms around her waist.

Lea leaned back secure
in his hold. “Shame on me. I love you, Rik.”

Lavender pools
darkened and the arms around her waist tightened as he lowered his head and
growled, “You did that on purpose. You know we have to leave now to greet our
guests.”

It was the first time
she’d used the nickname since rediscovering her memories. “Hmmm.”

“I love you.” He
kissed the tip of her nose before releasing her. “And you’ll pay tonight for teasing.”

Lea laughed and
entwined her arm with his as they left their room to greet their guests.

A Few Words

I want to first thank all the readers who sent emails
wanting more of the Warlord series. I read and respond to each one. Your
questions and excitement about my books motivate me when I’m in my writing cave
glaring at the walls. While Tarik is not exactly a Warlord I hope you fell in
love with him as I did. My vision of the King of Desani was one thing and he
turned into another but I don’t regret the final product. His love for his wife
was beautiful and watching the two of them love again still makes me teary.
Special thanks to Sally and Beth for keeping me on track with the world I’ve
created. You ladies rock!!

I have so many stories to tell. My nano project really
pulled at me. My goal will be to clean it up and have it ready for early 2015.

As always thanks for taking the journey with me and I’ll
hopefully see you at the end of the next book.

Michelle

About the Author

Michelle Howard enjoys a crazy life that involves wild kids, a loud dog, and
a husband who tolerates the madness.  Like many authors, she’s dreamed of
writing since reading her first romance novel many years ago.  She loves
paranormal, sci-fi and contemporary romances and is a fan of the classic
romances, such as Judith McNaught and Julie Garwood.

I love to hear from fans so please reach out to me via email if you have
questions. All reviews are greatly appreciated and help me know what you like
and who you want to read about next.

To get the latest news, sneak peek at covers and early excerpts, sign up for
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[email protected]

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Website: www.michellehowardwrites.com

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Books by Michelle

* Honor Bound
(Book 1 Warlord Series)

* The Overlord’s
Heir (Book 1.5 Warlord Series)

* A King’s Revenge
(Book 2 Warlord Series)

* Project Genesis
(Alpha Squad)

* No Reason to Run
(A Harmony Novel)

Coming Soon 2015

* Torkel’s Chosen