Savage Desire (Savage Lagonda 1) (17 page)

"I stood in the garden and watched Sasha and the Golden One. They were laughing, and seemed to feel easy in each other's company."

"This pleases me. Tell me, Palomas, now that you have seen Mara, do you regret giving up your manhood on her behalf?"

Palomas's usual stoic expression did not change. “I will serve her to the death. I have no regrets."

"You may go now," Tajarez said, dismissing him. "But do not let your guard down. Stay near Mara. I have told her to expect to see you."

Tajarez waited until Palomas left, then he removed his breechcloth and lay down, staring into the darkness. Seven days and he would be able to start his journey home.

THIS PUEBLO HAS A FINE APPEARANCE, THE
BEST I HAVE SEEN IN THESE REGIONS. THE
HOUSES ARE AS THEY HAD BEEN DESCRIBED TO
ME BY THE INDIANS, ALL OF STONE, WITH
TERRACES AND FLAT ROOFS, AS IT SEEMED TO
ME FROM A HILL WHERE I STOOD TO VIEW IT.
THE CITY IS LARGER THAN THE CITY OF MEXICO.
AT TIMES I WAS TEMPTED TO DESCEND, TO FIND
THE PUEBLO, BECAUSE I KNEW I WAS RISKING
ONLY MY LIFE, AND THIS I OFFERED TO GOD THE
DAY I SET OUT ON THIS JOURNEY. IN THE END,
REALIZING MY DANGER, I FEARED THAT IF I
DIED NO INFORMATION WOULD BE OBTAINED
REGARDING THIS LAND.

—
Friar Marcos

10

The next morning, when Mara awoke, she found Sasha in the kitchen with Tess, having a bowl of fresh fruit and a glass of the strawberry milk. It seemed Tess had taken a liking to Sasha and had decided to take her under her wing.

Although Mara usually had her breakfast in the dining room, she sat down at the kitchen table, and Tess placed a bowl of fruit before her, along with a cup of steaming coffee.

"Sasha has been telling me about her life at this valley, or whatever it is," Tess said. "Ifin one has to live with Indians, it don't sound too bad a place," she admitted grudgingly.

"You could always go with me, Tess, to find out for yourself,'
1
Mara told her between mouthfuls.

"Thank you, no. Much as I hate to have you go from me, I don't fancy myself among wild ... I have grown used to my comforts."

Mara smiled at Sasha, who was trying to scoop up a bite of strawberry on the strange tool Tess had told her was a spoon.

"What would you like to do today, Sasha?"

"I await your command."

"Tell me, Sasha, Tajarez said the man Palomas would be nearby. Why is this? I need no protection in my own home."

"Palomas was sent by the king to look after you. He is in your service, and belongs to you, as I do."

"It is not right that a person should belong to anyone other than himself," Mara said, troubled by Sasha's revelation.

Sasha shook her head. "If you were not pleased with me, you could dismiss me, but only the king has leave to dismiss Palomas, and no one disobeys my uncle, the king."

"It is all so confusing, and more than a little frightening."

Tess clicked her tongue. "All this talk of kings and cities of gold fairly has my mind muddled. What's this world coming to? Time was when an Indian was an Indian. They knew it, and we knew it, and they did not come knocking at the door demanding the daughter of the house go away with them."

Sasha looked at Tess with a hurt expression on her face.

Tess, seeing this, spoke softly to her. "You are to pay no attention to my ramblings. Sometimes my tongue wags faster than my brain can think."

Sasha shook her head, not understanding.

"What Tess means, Sasha," said Jeffery, coming into the kitchen, "is she rules the roost around here and thinks she can bully everyone, which she can." He slipped an affectionate arm about Tess's shoulder. "She has us all under her thumb.
1
'

Tess pushed him away from her. "Would that I did, but nobody ever listens to me anymore." The words sounded harsh, but Sasha caught a hint of a smile on the older woman's face.

"Where are you going, Jeffery?" Mara asked, finishing the last of her fruit and pushing the bowl aside.

"As it happens, I am going to see Tajarez. He promised to show me around his camp, and we are going hunting later."

"I suppose that means Tajarez will not be coming to see me today," Mara said, feeling a little hurt that Tajarez would choose to spend the day with her brother instead of her.

Jeffery smiled at Sasha. "How are you this morning? Did you sleep well?"

Sasha looked up at him shyly, pleased that he would care about her comfort. "Yes, thank you. I slept very well."

"Come, Sasha," Mara said, rising and placing her napkin on the table beside her empty bowl. "Let us walk in the garden while the morning is still cool. It looks like it will be a very warm day."

"Any message for Tajarez?" Jeffery asked.

"Yes," Mara bristled. "Tell him that I hope he enjoys the hunting."

Jeffery laughed. "Until later," he said. He left the room, knowing his sister was feeling neglected. It would do her no harm to have a man who did not run after her like an obedient lap dog, he thought.

Mara and Sasha went into the garden, where a cool breeze rustled the leaves on the trees. As they walked, Sasha would point out many different objects and tell Mara what they were called in Lagonda. She laughed delightedly at how quickly Mara learned.

Later Sasha watched as Mara tried on her mother's wedding gown. It was a bit short, but Tess promised to lengthen it. Then Mara went through her wardrobe, discarding gowns that she no longer wanted, and showing Tess what she wished to have packed to take with her.

It all seemed unreal somehow. Two days ago, Mara had been in the depths of despair, and now she was planning her wedding to the man she loved.

After a light lunch, Mara decided she and Sasha would go for a ride. There was not much she could do about packing until George brought the trunks down from the attic, and it was beginning to feel stifling inside the house.

When the two girls got to the stables, George was nowhere in sight, so Mara saddled her own horse, while Sasha watched.

"Is it very comfortable to ride with the seat on your horse, Mara?" she asked.

"It is the way I have always ridden a horse, Sasha. I have nothing to compare it to. You ride bareback, do you not?"

"Yes. I do not think I would be able to ride the way you do."

"I wish I could ride astride like my brothers, Sasha, but in my society, a young girl must conform to the rules of what is acceptable."

"That must be very hard to do sometimes," Sasha told her.

Mara laughed. "Sometimes it is a bit of a burden." She led her mount over to the mounting block and hoisted herself into the saddle. She straightened her riding hat and smiled at Sasha, who had also mounted her horse.

"Sasha, the last one to the river is the loser," Mara challenged.

Both girls raced toward the river, feeling young and carefree. They were beginning to feel a strong bond of friendship for one another. Mara found Sasha kind and loving, and eager to win her approval. She thought that as time passed, she could ease Sasha out of the role of servant into that of trusted friend and companion.

When the river was in sight, Mara heard a rider just behind them. Looking over her shoulder, she saw the Indian Palomas. He did not draw even with them, but kept them within his sight.

When they reached the river, the two girls dismounted, and Mara saw that Palomas also dismounted. She watched as he seated himself on a huge boulder, his dark eyes ever alert, watching for any danger.

Sasha had removed her moccasins and was dangling her bare feet in the mud-colored Mississippi River. Laughing, Mara quickly removed her boots and pulled her long riding habit to her knees as she sat down beside Sasha, splashing her bare feet in the cool water.

Palomas observed the two young girls. One would not have known it to watch him, but his keen ears picked up every sound, his eyes noted every movement. Hearing a rider in the distance, he jumped from the rock and faded into the foliage.

Mara and Sasha were unaware they had a visitor. Sasha was busy teaching Mara new words.

Anias dismounted, and Palomas appeared beside him.

"What do you want here, Anias?" Palomas asked, his eyes boring into the intruder.

"It is nothing to you, Palomas, but if you must know, I have come to see my sister," Anias said angrily.

"The prince would not be well pleased if he knew you were here, Anias."

"Do you rush to tell him, Palomas, like some old woman carrying tales?" Anias said scornfully.

"Do you not think I have seen your face when the prince talks of the Golden One, Anias? If the prince knew you desired his woman, he would kill you."

"You dare speak to me in such a way? You forget who you are speaking to."

"If you touch the Golden One, I will kill you," Palomas said softly. "You may have the prince fooled with your pretense of friendship, but I have watched you for a long time. I have seen the jealousy and hate that burns in your eyes. You want all that belongs to the prince."

Anias reached for the hilt of his knife, but Palomas was quicker. He had his knife unsheathed and at Anias's throat before Anias could react.

"Tell me that you do not desire the Golden One," Palomas hissed as he applied pressure to the knife. Anias felt the sharp blade at his throat, and knew Palomas would not hesitate to drive the knife into him. Anias was no coward, however.

"Everything Tajarez possesses would be mine except for an accident of birth that made his father older than mine. I tell you this with no fear that you will repeat it to Tajarez, and if you did, he would not believe you. You had better kill me now, Palomas, because if you let me live, I shall one day be your king, and the Golden One will belong to me as well."

Palomas released the pressure on the knife and slipped it into his sheath. "I will not kill you, Anias, but soon the prince will know you for the false friend you are. Watch your step, for one wrong move, and you are a dead man," Palomas warned.

Anias fingered the hilt of his knife. "Watch your back, Palomas, for when you least expect it, I will be there."

Palomas smiled. "I watch my back, Anias, with you and the rabid skunk. You both strike without warning. It will not be long until your true nature will be revealed. Hate and envy are the two things one cannot hide for long. But heed my warning, the day you touch the Golden One is the day you die."

Sasha, recognizing her brother, called out to him.

Anias waved to her, and replied to Palomas, "Your mistake was in not killing me when you had the chance, Palomas." He walked down the embankment, his eyes fastened on the beautiful face of the Golden One. He found himself wanting to touch her golden hair. He wanted to feel the creamy white skin. The day before, when he had sat across the room from her, he had been unable to take his eyes off her.

Mara rose to her feet as he approached, feeling very foolish for being caught acting like a child by Tajarez's solemn-faced cousin.

"Anias, what are you doing here? Did the prince send you?" his sister asked.

"Can I not seek out my little sister? I wish to see how you are faring."

"I am well," she said, puzzled. Anias had never shown any interest in her well-being before now.

Anias watched as Mara pulled on her boots and straightened her green riding habit. There was a muddy smudge on the skirt, which she tried to cover with her hand, wondering what Tajarez's cousin was thinking as he stared at her. Did he disapprove of her childish antics? Did he think her not worthy of Tajarez?

"Tell the Golden One that I think her beautiful, Sasha."

"No," Palomas said, stepping between Mara and Anias. "Anias, you will leave now," he ordered.

"Tell her, Sasha," Anias ordered, ignoring Palomas.

"Anias, I cannot do as you ask. The prince would be angry."

"Who do you owe your loyalty to, Sasha, your brother or Tajarez?"

Sasha shook her head. "I love you, my brother, but my loyalty, as yours, is placed with our prince."

She saw a spasm of pain cross the handsome face of her brother.

"Even you, my little sister. It seems he has the whole world, and I nothing."

She watched as he turned his back and walked away, not understanding his words or his manner.

Mara watched the exchange of words in confusion. She knew they had been discussing her, but she could not make out the meaning.

"Sasha, have I done something wrong?" she asked.

Sasha was plainly troubled. "No. It was a matter between Palomas and my brother."

Palomas watched as Anias rode away. At least the enemy was now out in the open, and he would watch him closely. Anias had been right when he said Tajarez would not believe any words spoken against him, for the prince loved Anias as a brother.

"Let us return to the house," Mara said. She felt the disagreement between the two men had something to do with her, and it had spoiled the spirit of the day. She rode home feeling very distressed. Sasha had refused to tell her what the quarrel had been about, and Palomas rode silently beside them. Soon they reached the stables, and by the time Mara had dismounted, Palomas was nowhere to be seen.

That night, after dinner, David and Linda withdrew upstairs to the master suite, while Mara, Jeffery, and Sasha migrated to the sitting room.

Sasha seemed to have lost most of her shyness with Jeffery, Mara noticed, but no woman was immune to his charm and good looks for long.