Dance With the Enemy (6 page)

Chapter 9

The introductions were followed by a short tour before a casual lunch on the patio off the main garden. Elenya enjoyed the fragrant color pallet so different than what she’d experienced back home. They had their own scents and sun-painted landscapes: a soothing array of blues and greens mixed with the browns of the beach – there was no comparing the two.

She did enjoy the way the Sharanis compound seemed centered around the gardens with many of the individual quarters having the added luxury of their own smaller, private gardens. She thought of the roses in her bathwater and could not help but smile. She ventured a tentative look in Tahruk’s direction, the sight causing her breath to hitch and the smile to fade away on a dreamy sigh.

“What has prompted your amusement, my lady?” When she didn’t answer, Tahruk leaned toward her. “Shall I tell you what would amuse me?” His eyes settled on the soft mound of her breasts peeking from the neckline of her gown.

Elenya nearly choked trying to swallow her last bite.

Tahruk laughed as he stood, amused by his new playmate. “Come. I wish to have you to myself for a short while.”

Hesitating a second longer than she should, Elenya finally reached for the offered hand, her tongue darting out to moisten her lips as she rose. She cut her eyes to look toward Nema, unsure exactly why. Nema merely nodded and smiled. The older woman’s words echoed in her head. She must stay calm and do nothing to irritate her lord – a task that would be difficult as irksome as he could be.

“Settle,” he commanded as he slipped her hand through the crook of his arm. “We haven’t much time before my father’s return. Not nearly enough. I only wish to walk. With you.
Alone.”
The final words were spoken to reseat a handful of family members who had begun to rise when they’d heard
walk
.

Elenya did her best to settle down, as bid, yet her legs refused to still their quiver as he led her from the sanctity of the family gathering.

“Where are you taking me?” Nerves caused her voice to squeak.

Tahruk patted the hand clinging, vice-like to his arm. “You need not worry so much. No yet.”

Elenya tried to pull away, only now he held her hand to his arm so she could not.

“You would do well to treat me with the respect I deserve, my lord. You act as though you’ve forgotten who I am.”

“And who would that be?”

“I am the fulfillment of prophesy and my blood is every bit as royal as yours.” She paused, turning fiery eyes on him. “I am chosen.”

“Perhaps it is you who has forgotten. You do remember that it’s
my
blood that runs through your veins, right? You are
my
chosen.” He quirked a dark brow at her and spoke his next words with slow emphasis. “
You
are
mine
.”

Heat crept quickly to stain her cheeks, Tahruk’s words and subsequent laughter serving to silence her. He squeezed her hand slightly as they continued in the same direction.

“I’d like to take you beyond the wall, though I wonder… Should I be concerned you might run again? I can think of better ways to expend my energy with a fair maiden than chasing her through the woods.” His tone held a definite warning as he continued. “Should you run, I will catch you and no Master, not even the God above will be able to protect you.” They stopped before a large wooden door in the compound wall.

Elenya contemplated him for a moment before she shook her head. “No, my lord. My actions last night were most unwise.”

“Ah! Intelligence does reside beneath that lovely mass of curls.”

Elenya tried to pull away again, fighting offense, though his eyes held only mirth.

No. Not
only
mirth. She could see the tempered desire there as well. He kissed her quickly then opened the heavy door and pulled her through. Elenya was quite certain she would have been unable to budge the wooden barrier, though the warrior had opened it with little effort. Impulsively she squeezed the muscle beneath her hand, her fingers gliding over the rippling mounds.

Tahruk gritted his teeth and stilled her caress. “Do not press my need, Little One, lest I quickly take what I should have taken in the forest last night.” He pressed her against the outer wall, forcing her to look up at him as his body molded against hers. He ran his hands down her arms, gently, so as not to aggravate the scrapes. His hands clasped with hers and he brought them to his chest which was pressed against hers.

Her sharp intake of breath as his fingers rakes across the top of her breasts only served to propel him onward. Unable to fight the marking, Elenya welcomed his caresses, her lips parting willingly when his mouth covered hers.

Cursed marking! It caused her to behave like a wanton animal. She seemed unable to control herself, writhing against him, welcoming his hands on her, attempting to help as he tried to gain access beneath her gown.

Cursed dress! She remembered the feel of his lips on her neck and wrenched her mouth from his to press his head down.

“Good Lord in Heaven,” he murmured, his mouth against her throat.

“My lord. Release me from this anguish. Please…”

Her words must have surprised him as much as they did her because he pulled away. His breathing heavy and labored, he searched her face.

“Tonight,” he whispered before again devouring the sweetness of her soft, pink lips.

“My lord. My lord! Pardon. Excuse…” The young man stopped a few feet away from the couple. Bent over, hands on his knees, he gulped air.

“Well?” Tahruk growled, his annoyance at having been disturbed obvious. He stepped away from the wall yet kept Elenya against him with the gentle press of his hands on her back and neck. His lips continued to explore with soft kisses between temple and ear. His gingerly manner with her contrasted greatly with the glowering look he gave the runner.

“Begging your pardon, my lord. I was told to inform you of your father’s early return.”

“Early ret… Hell and damnation!” He tensed, thrusting Elenya away from him and grabbing her hand. “Come. We must hurry.”

“My lord. One more detail.” The runner raised his voice to make sure he was heard by the couple already several steps ahead of him. He straightened to follow. “He entertains a guest. Master Daruh.”

“Daruh! What business does
he
have here?” He looked at Elenya, a vision of her clinging to the Master’s legs flashing into his mind.
That’s
what he wanted.

Elenya cried out as his hand clamped even tighter around hers.

“Send Nema to my quarters,” he barked at the runner. “Tell her to be quick.”

“Your corisan has already been dispatched…”

“I said to send Nema!” Tahruk bellowed.

“Yes, my lord,” the young man called to the swiftly moving couple before beginning his own journey in another direction.

Tahruk didn’t slow down when Elenya stumbled, tripping after an attempt to look back at the runner.

“You will do well not to allow your eyes to wander.” He kept her upright with a hand slipped hastily around her waist and met her scowl.

“And you shall do well not to assume nor accuse falsely!” She broke away, beating him to his quarters by only two or three steps, enough to have completely missed the surprised smile that lifted the corners of his full lips.

Nema was right. This sometimes docile woman-child had a spunk that enticed him beyond the pull of the marking. In that, the Masters had chosen well for him. Perhaps her spirit would help maintain his interest once his
responsibilities
were fulfilled.

She turned to him at the door and he caught her jaw between his fingers and thumb. “I think it is you who must not forget who you are, Little One. Regardless of whether our bodies have yet to become one, you carry my blood. You are
mine
already!”

“Is that how you treat your belongings? Unhand the lass, young master, lest she grow fearful of you. She is not your enemy.”

Elenya’s brows shot up when Nema’s words cut through their moment. She reached for his hand, pulling it from her face where it fell hard against her chest. Her heart beat fast against his palm.

“Is that the feel of your enemy, my lord?” She shook her head.” “How can that be if we truly are one?”

Tahruk scowled down at her, his emotions fluctuating between anger and lust. His jaw tightened, causing his cheek to twitch. Her eyes unlocked from his, going to his cheek, then to his lips and back. Even his drawn brows and thinned lips did not cause her to flinch this time. Instead she pressed his hand tighter and moved closer to him. Her face remained turned up to his.

Nema cleared her throat. “Your father, my lord.”

The corners of Elenya’s lips twitched. The fire burning bright in her eyes.

“Vixen!” he growled at her, taking a kiss before he pushed her away. “Prepare her, Nema. I’m sure we have little time.”

“In that you are correct, my lord.” The older woman nodded her head at the flustered young man before taking the hand of the equally muddled maiden.

Chapter 10

Elenya frowned at her own behavior. She was becoming someone even she didn’t recognize, her feelings intensified by the increased tension that seemed prevalent since the master’s return to the house. There was an edginess that crept in whenever he was mentioned, especially when coupled with her name and their impending meeting. Could he be that bad? Surely he could be no worse than his son.

The thought of Tahruk’s mother and her sweet countenance brought a smile. If her husband was the ogre these people’s actions led her to believe he might be, surely the woman’s nature would not have been so genteel. She hadn’t seemed overly affected when his return was discussed during the noonday meal. Even Nema chuckled a bit when she talked about
the old bear
.

“Your belongings have arrived, miss,” Nema told her before directing her down an unknown hallway. “Let’s get you into a dress more fitting the occasion, shall we?”

Elenya glanced down at the silk gown she was wearing. She had fine dresses, though Aleone’s finest obviously didn’t compare to that of Zanak. She bit at her lower lip wondering how to explain that the dress she wore was as lovely as any she’d ever possessed. And to confess such to a … to a servant? Was Nema actually a servant? She had served Elenya, and yet she’d sat at the family table during the meal. And in a position of authority. She called Tahruk
young master
and
my lord
and yet spoke so boldly to him, almost as a mother might.

“What is your position here, Nema?”

Nema surprised her by answering with a cackle. “Ah, lass. It’s complicated. Something to discuss another day. For now it must suffice for you to know I am here for you.” She stopped before an ornately carved door, pushing it open with the palm of her hand to expose an exquisitely decorated room. “Your chambers,” Nema told her, motioning for her to go inside. “Your lord has been awaiting the arrival of his chosen with great anticipation, though he’d never admit to such.” She laughed again. “Don’t let him fool you. He has his father’s bite and brawn, yet carries his mother’s heart just as much. Give him time and you’ll see.”

Much of Nema’s comments went unheard. Elenya was too lost in the beauty of her surroundings, even ignoring the voice that told her the rooms were only hers because she was Tahruk’s chosen, not because he had prepared them for her personally. Still, they were hers. He didn’t have to care
for
her to take care
of
her. Love seldom played a part in these matters. They had one purpose and one only and that was to assure the strength of the royal bloodlines. That was why she’d been born – to fulfill that honor, and these beautiful rooms were part of her reward for being chosen.

A moment of sadness filled her heart. She thought of the bottle carrying her dreams that she’d thrown into the sea. Secretly, she’d also harbored the hope she’d find love.

“My lady?” Nema waved a hand before Elenya’s face, pulling her back. “The dress?” she inquired when Elenya continued to stare blankly.

“The dress. Yes. I, uhm…” Her young shoulders drooped. She looked at the floor and sighed. “I’m unsure I have anything so fine as to fit the occasion any better than what I’m wearing….”

“Have I inherited a beggar then?”

Elenya spun toward the door at the sound of Tahruk’s growl of annoyance.

“My lord!” Elenya and Nema chimed in unison, though Elenya’s voice was laced with shame where Nema’s carried clear anger.

“Even if you had, you are without lack, possessing abundance enough to care for whatever needs she may have. It’s your duty besides.” The older woman pointed her bony finger at the warrior, her eyes narrowed as were her lips. “Leave us so I may tend to your chosen. Go!” She had crossed the floor while she spoke, and with her palms against the massive chest, she pushed. He didn’t budge immediately, his eyes on the maiden who stood, head still bowed, in the center of the fine room. With a last grunt, he turned and walked away, his heavy footsteps and mumbles echoing in the hallway. Only one word was clear to Elenya. Aleone. It was spoken with disgust.

“One should not question the wisdom of the Masters,” Nema muttered. “Now let’s see those gowns.

Elenya shook her head. “It doesn’t matter. I shall remain as I am.”

She missed Nema’s frown as the old woman moved to stand before her.

“Lass.” The softness of the older voice brought Elenya’s head up at last to where her tear filled eyes met Nema’s. “Oh! No, love. Do not be saddened by the young master. His tongue speaks what has been fed into his head, not what he feels in his heart.”

“What does he feel, Nema? Lust brought on by the scent created by my sharing his blood? I am nothing more than breeding stock to him, and once that job is done, then what? He’s being forced to mix with a people he despises. He’s a man used to being in control and that has been removed from him.” She sniffed back her tears. “What he will feel in time, if he doesn’t already, is resentment. He’s right. I am a burden that he is bound to by someone else’s choice. A poor choice none can change.”

Nema was shaking her head even before Elenya finished. “Your road may not be easy, but it’s one you can walk, and you will. You are wrong about the choice and your lord’s ability to care.” She cupped the youthful face in her aging hands, pushing away the tears with her thumbs. “You are everything he needs, not only for him, but for your people and his.” She paused for a long moment before pulling Elenya into a hug. “Now let’s get you ready. What do you have that we might use to wow that old bear that lords over this family?”

Elenya closed her eyes, her head still against Nema’s shoulder, her thoughts shifting quickly to the apprehensions she felt knowing she would soon meet this bear. She’d begun to wonder if he would make her warrior seem a kitten and feared he would be a wall to her and Aleone, even if she could break through with his son.

Nema worked on the maiden, both physically and psychologically as she hastily prepared her for the presentation. By the time she was ready, Elenya exuded something of a more confident air. Whether she actually felt that or simply seemed to, it would serve her well in coming face to face with Renaine.

The older woman smiled, feeling her own confidence that if anyone could settle the old bear into accepting this union it would be this young beauty who had already captured the heart of her enemy warrior, whether she realized it or not. Nema was certain. She’d lived enough years to see many a mighty man fall to a fair maiden.