Dragon Lords 4-Warrior Prince (20 page)

"Ah," Pia said, nodding in instant understanding. "It proves that we’re unafraid of him to invite him openly to our home. Smart."

Zoran wondered at her cunning perception. He was about to ask when the servant came back and switched Pia’s wine with juice. Pia blinked her surprise.

Zoran leaned to whisper in her ear. "I’ll make a standing order in the kitchen not to serve you wine."

Pia shivered as his breath hit her throat. All thoughts of Var intrigue left her as she breathlessly turned her face to Zoran’s. His lips were really close. Her eyes dipped, unwittingly inviting him to kiss her.

Zoran’s heart lurched. Glancing up, he noticed his father’s eyes on him. The king urged him with a nod to kiss his bride. Zoran smiled wryly, turned his gaze back to his wife.

"Thanks," Pia said, leaning back when he didn’t move closer. She swallowed nervously, again becoming aware of the crowd, though her eyes couldn’t focus on them and her ears couldn’t hear them. Her heart was beating erratically in her chest. She inched to reach under the table to touch Zoran’s leg.

"You’re welcome," Zoran murmured, pulling back from her. He had the insane urge to haul her onto his lap and start kissing and groping her incessantly. Shutting his eyes, he took a calming breath. He needed a freezing cold shower. Hell, he needed to dip his overheated body into a river of ice.

A shout of laughter resounded over the hall in front of Pia. Pia blinked, turning her dazed attention to the sound that dared to break into her turbulent thoughts. Leaning forward, she saw a young boy limping to his feet from the floor. A group of Draig warriors were laughing at him. One foot turned in slightly and started to drag. Pia’s face fell in horror. Without stopping to think, she jumped up from the table and rushed down to the floor to help him.

Zoran tensed as Pia flew past his back. Instantly, his eyes turned to the table of Var warriors, thinking she meant to go there. He stood, intent on chasing after her. Then, to his surprise, she turned and went down to where Hienrich was trying to prove his worth to the soldiers in an effort to be admitted into their ranks.

Several large Draig warriors chuckled as they watched the slender, sickly boy from the nearby table. Zoran knew that the boy wanted more than anything to be a soldier. He’d even dared to hound him at the practice field on many occasions. But, being that the orphan was born with a deformed foot that turned in when he walked, he wasn’t the most likely candidate.

The boy, who was climbing back to his feet to do whatever trick the drunken Draig warriors had good-naturedly bid him to try, blinked as Pia sidled next to him. Hienrich paled to see the Princess watching him and tried to bow. The boy’s position was precarious and he stumbled before righting himself.

Zoran saw the protective looks on his men’s faces as she approached the boy, though they kept them guarded. Sure, the warriors gave the orphaned boy a hard time, but they were trying to make him strong of character. If he was going to fight with his deformity, he would have to have nerves of steel.

"Leave him be!" an angry Pia demanded to the table of stunned warriors. Zoran frowned at her forceful words. But, even as he watched her, he couldn’t help thinking how beautifully defiant she was. Besides, it was nice to see her turning her fire onto someone else for a change--even if that someone was some of the highest ranking men under his command.

"What do you want with Hienrich, my lady?" Stot asked, a burly soldier with a beard. The soldier’s face was hard, but he didn’t raise his voice as he tried to protect Hienrich. Zoran knew the man often cared for the boy, letting him sleep over with his sons and taking him camping with his family to teach him how to be a proper man. Orphans were the responsibility of the entire community. And, whereas they didn’t have a stable, permanent home, they were never left wanting. "Does he offend you? I’ll have him removed."

Zoran watched, enthralled, as Pia’s body shook in irritation. Standing up to some of the most fearsome men under his command, she declared, "He does not offend me! You, however...."

"I don’t think your wife understands that Hienrich is being put through the paces to prove his worth as a soldier. Perhaps you should stop her and explain before she makes a scene," Yusef broke in at his side.

A grin threatened the side of Zoran’s mouth, though he hid it well. Turning to Yusef, he said, "Perhaps you’re right brother."

"My lady," the confused Stot defended, not understanding what he’d done wrong. "He knows we mean no harm. Don’t you lad?"

Hienrich dutifully nodded his head. He understood perfectly well. He too was confused as he looked at the Princess.

"See," Stot said.

"Yeah," another added, drunker soldier with a pock marked face. "He thinks to become a warrior, don’t you boy?"

The men laughed good-naturedly. Zoran stood, stepping leisurely around the table to fetch his loud wife. He was too aware that the hall was studying him for a reaction.

"Well, I’m a Princess," Pia announced, "and he’ll by my personal warrior."

The hall was stunned. Hienrich’s mouth almost fell to the floor at her declaration. Yusef took a drink, trying not to laugh at the mischief Pia caused. Zoran came up behind her, crossing his arms over his chest and said nothing.

Stot glanced at Prince Zoran in confusion of the declaration.

"If my lady wishes for a warrior," the bearded man said when he could finally talk. "Let us battle for the position. Do not insult us by naming a boy."

"Let us have a tournament," one of the Draig warriors called. A shout of agreement came for the men eager to do battle for the Princess’ notice.

"Do you dare to question a Princess?" Zoran called with authority over the hall.

The onlookers fell instantly silent in respect. The warriors growled and looked darkly at the boy whose chest was puffing up with his new authority over them. Zoran sighed. He was going to be in for a headache of complaints after this incident. The men wouldn’t take kindly to his wife publicly slighting their ability in favor of an untrained boy.

Pia turned in surprise to see Zoran behind her. As he saw her face, he didn’t care how many grumpy men he had to deal with. Her open look of pleasure and gratification made it all worth it. She looked as if he’d just handed her a pile of stars.

"He’s my warrior too!"

Zoran turned around to see Nadja standing next to Olek, looking very defiant.

"And mine as well!"

Zoran glanced to Ualan, who looked amused. It was his wife, Morrigan, who spoke.

Zoran glanced at his father and shrugged. The King merely gestured his fingers lightly, urging him to put an end to it. They could well deal with the ramifications of the wayward Princesses later.

"There you have it," Zoran announced to the hall. "You cannot deny the wish of three Princesses. Hienrich is now under royal protection and will be treated accordingly to his new station."

The three Princesses glanced at each other, a silent camaraderie building between them. Pia nodded her thanks for their support. The stunned hall picked up its celebration once more.

Zoran lifted his hand and motioned the musicians to start playing. Pia told Hienrich to come to the high table to join them. The boy nodded his head, his chest lifting with pride as he saw some of the nearby boys looking at him in respect and awe.

Pia looked expectantly at Yusef and then to the empty seat beside him. The boy beamed. Yusef glanced at Zoran, shrugged, and moved over so the boy could sit beside Zoran’s seat. Pia waved a servant to bring the boy a plate.

As soon as the servant left, Yusef stood and went to join the musicians. They handed him an instrument and he began playing, paying more attention to the livening crowd than to his task.

Zoran saw Pia looking at him from the corner of his eye. She shifted slightly closer to him. He hid his smile, taking a long drink.

Chapter Thirteen

The feast was cleared and after dinner drinks were poured aplenty. The Draig were much freer with their affection than most humanoid cultures. They openly kissed and caressed their lovers as if it were no big occurrence.

After the commotion died down, Zoran glanced fully at his wife. She was staring at him. Her hazel eyes were wide in what he could only guess was an emotion akin to respect or adoration.

Pia bit her lip and leaned forward. Zoran tensed, feeling her hand hesitantly creep onto his thigh, her long fingers curling lightly around to the inside. Leaning her head down, she whispered to him, "Thank you for saving the boy. I couldn’t stand to see them treat him so poorly just because he’s different."

Zoran wanted to chuckle, but held back. Hienrich had been treated exceptionally well, being as he was even given attention by the burly men. He had a feeling that, after his wife’s intervention, the boy wouldn’t be so well received by the bitter warriors who were insulted by Princess Pia’s actions. Undoubtedly, he’d have to front the money for a tournament and have a real warrior picked amongst them. He wondered if he would get permission from his father to compete.

However, as he felt her willingly touching him and saw the very tender, almost vulnerable way she was looking at him, he didn’t care. Let her have her delusion. He would gladly suffer any number of her public misconceptions and faux pas in order to keep that soft look on her beautiful face.

The musicians kept playing. The quiet Yusef strummed with them on a guitar looking instrument and proved himself quite up to the task. Someone sang in the Qurilixen language. It was a beautiful sounding ballad.

Zoran glanced down to where the couples were beginning to dance. He reached over, lightly touching her cheek. Instead of answering, he said, "Dance with me."

Pia tensed. She shook her head in denial. "I can’t dance."

"It’s all just movement," he urged, taking the crown from his head and setting it on the table. He took hers off as well. His eyes dipped over her red dress and his tone lowered. "I’ve seen you move. You’ll do fine."

Before she could again protest, his hand met hers on his leg. Standing, he pulled her up and led her around the table to the dance floor. The villagers turned to watch the royal couple with pleasure before turning back to their conversations.

Zoran turned, bowing slightly to his wife. Her head didn’t move, but her eyes looked nervously around to see if any stared. Still holding her hand, Zoran lifted it to the side, cupping her fingers around his, and drew forward to wrap his hand about her waist. Pia shivered beneath his warm fingers.

"Put your hand on my arm," he whispered, his slight grin hiding what he was saying from the crowd.

Pia obeyed. She wrapped her fingers around his large bicep and she was pulled slightly closer to his chest so she felt the press of him brushing up against her breasts in whispering caresses. Her lips parted with a quick intake of air.

"Now just move lightly. Follow my lead, as if you were trying to sneak across the floor unheard." Zoran’s eyes dipped to her mouth, tempted but restrained.

Pia nodded. That sounded easy enough.

Zoran began to slowly move. He was a wonderful instructor, leading Pia easily in the steps. Pia stared into his eyes, becoming oblivious to anything around them. She was amazed that a man his size could move with such grace and perfection. Her heart beat wildly. She was completely captivated by this giant of a man who held her.

Zoran grinned, dipping her back. He was pleased when she didn’t tense, trusting him to hold onto her. Pia relaxed completely into his arms. Zoran pulled their extended arms in close and slowed his steps by a small degree, though still keeping time to the music. Pia felt weak. Zoran’s arm ran up her back, urging her head to fall forward to his shoulder as he held her closer. To them, there was no one else in the room.

King Llyr looked meaningfully at his Queen, nodding to Zoran and his wife with pleasure. The Queen smiled to see them.

"They’ll be the first to give us grandsons," the King said knowingly to her.

Zoran suddenly caught Yusef’s look from the corner of his eyes. Following his brother’s stare, he turned Pia around to look at the head table. King Attor was there with his Var warriors addressing his father. He danced closer, trying to hear what was said. Pia snuggled into his arms, sighing contentedly, completely unaware.

"Many blessings on your unions," King Attor was saying. "May your reign be long."

"As may yours, King Attor," his father said. King Llyr stood to show a respect Zoran knew his father didn’t feel.

Zoran turned his wife again. Pia looked up in surprise at the sudden shift of movement. Zoran winked at her and dipped her across his arm. When she came back up she was smiling at him.

Pia’s smile fell to see the serious look on his face. Zoran was looking after the departing Vars. She glanced over his shoulder, seeing the blond warriors walking out the side door.

Yusef ended his part of the song early and passed his instrument back to its owner, who took up immediately where the Prince had left off. No one noticed the change as the dancing continued. Yusef followed the warriors out of the common hall.

"You can go if you want," Pia said softly, watching Zoran’s face.

Zoran turned back to look at her. A wide grin came to his lips as he swept her into a spin and brought her crashing lightly back into his arms. Leaning over without missing a step, he kissed her throat beneath her ear causing her to shiver. Murmuring against her hair, he admitted, "What I want to do is to dance with my beautiful wife."

Pia stiffened slightly in his arms at the compliment. Zoran drew back only to see her gaze had once more guarded itself against him. The song ended. Pia stepped back from him.

"Maybe we should go sit down," she said quietly.

Zoran was unwilling to let her leave the dance floor. There was nothing he could do about it. Though, he did guide his hand to her lower back to lead her to her seat.

As Pia sat, she saw the Queen smiling at her. She nodded stiffly and turned her eyes down to her plate. She rested her hands in her lap. For a moment, in Zoran’s arms, she had almost felt like she was beautiful.