Savage Desire (Savage Lagonda 1) (27 page)

"You   still   have   too   much   on,"   she   told   him, unfastening his britches. Soon he was clad only in his breechcloth, and Tanka wore nothing. She wound her arms around his shoulders, and he lowered his lips to kiss her.

Another face flashed through his mind as he felt Tanka's lips open beneath his—a face with golden hair and green eyes. He heard the tent flap open and heard a gasp. He knew before he turned around that Mara was standing behind him, witnessing Tanka naked in his arms.

With a look of horror on her face she stared at them. Instinctively he reached for her. Mara backed away from him.

"My God," she cried out in pain. "My God, please do not let this be happening." She saw the sneer on Tanka's face. Backing through the tent opening, she felt a wave of nausea pass over her.

Mara heard Tajarez call out her name, but she did not stop as she ran from the scene she had just witnessed. She ran blindly, not caring in what direction she went. She heard her name being called, and ran faster. Suddenly someone was beside her and she felt herself being lifted onto a horse. She did not care who it was; she was glad to be on a horse so she could get as far away from Tajarez as was possible.

She was weeping. Sounds were coming from deep inside of her. Agony and heartbreak washed over her. Tajarez in the arms of another woman, and he had sent for her. He wanted her to witness his making love to another. She would not have thought him capable of such cruelty. What was the point of it all?

She recognized Anias now. It flashed through her mind to wonder where he was taking her, but she did not really care. Maybe she could convince him to take her back home. She wanted the comfort that her own home would give her, and David to tell her that everything was all right. She needed to feel loved and wanted.

Palomas took up his usual spot of vigilance. Last night he had slept in front of Mara's tent, and he would do the same tonight. Sasha heard him and came out of the tent.

"Why did the prince want Mara to go to Tanka's tent, Palomas? Do you not find that strange?"

"What are you saying? The prince did not send for her."

"Anias was here. He said the prince sent for Mara."

Palomas felt fear grip his heart. He cursed himself for letting his guard down for one moment. He rushed across the camp and into Tanka's tent and found Tajarez slipping on his shirt.

"Where is Mara?" Tajarez asked.

"Sasha said she was here with you. She said Anias told her you wanted her to come to this tent."

Tajarez ran from the tent. In a matter of moments the whole camp was astir. "Who has seen the Golden One?" Tajarez asked.

One of the warriors stepped forward. "I have, my prince. She was with Anias. I thought it strange, but when I called out to him he did not answer."

"Why did you not try to stop him?"

"I sent Mango to find you. Goleo followed Anias."

"Bring the horses," Tajarez shouted. "In what direction did they ride?"

"In the direction of the rising sun," the warrior told him.

Jeffery was the first to mount. He kicked his horse in the flanks and rode ahead of the others. Tajarez bent down to examine the ground. He was trained to act on evidence, not emotion. When he picked up Anias's trail, he mounted his horse.

His dark eyes stared into the night. His hands gripped the reins. He would kill Anias tonight. The man he had loved like a brother had betrayed him.

Tajarez knew he could not allow his emotions to rule his decisions. He must think as Anias would. He must watch for signs that Anias had left behind.

Tajarez knew that if he gave in to the raging fear that was just at the back of his mind, he would be lost. He checked his horse as Palomas dismounted and looked for signs. He waited while Palomas found proof that they had passed this way. It would be a slow progress, and the night was against them. Hiding in its darkness were the clues that they so badly needed to find his beloved.

Anias had the advantage and he knew it. He would ride hard and possibly double back many times to throw them off the trail, but Tajarez would win in the end, for Anias had made one fatal mistake. He had taken Mara, and Tajarez would never stop until he found her. His mind rejected the idea that Anias might kill Mara. No, he had other plans for her, and to Tajarez, that was almost worse than death.

Was she frightened? Did she cry out for him to come to her? Tajarez remembered his sister's being taken by force and then taking her own life. His hands tightened on the reins.

Jeffery was impatient. He hated the slow progress they were making. He felt hopeless and frightened, but his common sense told him that Tajarez knew what he was doing.

Palomas led the party of men, and he stopped often to find the trail. Hatred burned in his eyes for the man who had dared to take the Golden One. He blamed himself for not watching her more closely. He had suspected Anias, but he did not expect him to try anything so foolhardy.

Palomas raised his hand for the others to stop. He leaped from his horse and bent over the fallen body of Goleo. Tajarez dismounted and bent over his fallen warrior to examine him. Blood flowed from Goleo's chest. Tajarez knew a man could not lose so much blood and live. Goleo's eyes flickered open. His voice was so weak Tajarez had to lean forward to hear him.

"I tried to stop him, my prince. He doubled back and caught me from behind."

"Did you see Mara?" Tajarez asked.

"She was with him. It was she who cried out a warning to me."

"In what direction did they go?"

"I . . . they went . . ." Goleo gasped in pain and his eyes closed. He knew he was dying. He forced his eyes open and looked into the face of his prince. "He told me to tell you that you would never see the Golden One alive. He said that if you follow, he will kill her." Goleo grasped Tajarez's shirt front. "Find him, my prince. Do not let my death go unavenged."

"I will find him, Goleo." But the man did not hear. He died in the arms of his prince.

All night they rode, making little progress. But the daylight came and with it brought new hope. Tajarez knew that he now had the advantage. Anias would have ridden his horse hard, and he was carrying double. Tajarez was able to follow his trail much more easily, but he did not underestimate his cousin, who was fearless as well as crafty.

Tajarez held up his hand as a signal for them to halt. The horses needed a rest. He knew that was not a luxury Anias could afford. Another advantage they had. He would push his mount until it dropped, and then Tajarez would have him.

After a few moments of rest they were once again on their way. It was a quiet group of grim-faced men. They each knew what the Golden One meant to Tajarez and were ready to die if need be to recover her.

After riding all morning they came to a river. It was far too wide to cross on horseback, and the current was much too swift. Tajarez remembered that Mara could not swim.

Palomas dismounted and examined the riverbank. Not twenty yards away he found evidence that Anias had passed this way earlier.

Tajarez looked at the hoof marks made by Anias's horse. "He wants us to think he crossed here," Tajarez said, "but I do not think he did. His horse is too tired to make it across the river. We will split up and ride in opposite directions. Palomas and Jeffery will come with me.

Mara waded through the water beside Anias. She was tired and would have stumbled if Anias had not kept a firm grip around her waist. She knew Tajarez would come after her, but would he find her? At the moment she was not sure she wanted to see Tajarez. If she closed her eyes she could see the scene in Tanka's tent last night. No, she would not let herself think of Tajarez.

She remembered the young Indian Anias had thrust his knife into last night. She had called out to warn him when she realized what Anias had in mind, but it had been too late to save the man. Afterwards Anias had struck her across the face with his open palm. She felt blood trickle from her cut lip.

What did he want with her? And where was he taking her? She felt that she was reliving a nightmare. She stumbled and felt his grip tighten around her waist. He swung her up into his arms and carried her. She tried to speak to him, but could not make herself understood with her limited knowledge of his language—either that or he did not want to speak to her.

The horse they had been riding had fallen down a few miles back and had been unable to rise. The poor animal was lathered with sweat and foaming at the mouth. She had watched in horror as Anias had slit the mare's throat with his knife. She knew it was a killing of mercy, but it had been horrible all the same.

Mara felt his eyes on her and looked up into his face. He was so like Tajarez, yet not nearly so handsome. He placed his finger on her swollen lip and looked at her with the saddest expression on his face. She believed he was really sorry for having struck her.

Mara saw the sorrow in his eyes change to something else. He moved his hands over her body in a caressing way. She felt disgusted by his touch and struggled with all her strength. He seemed amused by her puny efforts.

Wading out of the water and walking up the embankment, he placed her on her feet. She watched as he took a tree branch and erased all traces left by his footprints.

Mara was really frightened now. In her panic she tried to think of something she could leave behind as proof that they had passed this way. Her hand went to her neck and the emerald that was nestled between her breasts. She slipped it over her head, and looked around for somewhere to put it so it would be easily seen. She hated the thought of parting with it, but it was her only hope.

There was a bush nearby. Slowly and cautiously, keeping her eye on Anias all the while, she hung it over a branch. What if Anias saw it? He would be very angry. She must distract him to draw his attention away from the necklace.

He turned and looked at her suspiciously. She knew she did not have a moment to spare. She started running into the woods and heard him quickly pursuing her. She dodged bushes and darted around trees. There was nowhere to go and she knew it. He was much faster and stronger than she was, and it was only a matter of time before he caught up with her. Why had she not run down the beach so she would have left footprints? It was too late now; she could hear him right behind her.

His hand encircled her waist and he lifted her off her feet. She thought he would be angry with her, but there was an amused smile on his handsome face. He lowered her to the ground and followed her down, pinning her beneath him. Mara struggled and clawed at his face, but he merely laughed at her efforts.

He held both of her hands over her head, and with his free hand he unfastened her gown. Mara knew there was nothing to stop him from taking what he wanted. He cupped her bare breast in his hand, and watched, fascinated, as a tear rolled down her face.

Her skin felt soft and silky to his touch. Her body was unbelievably beautiful. He felt his passion fan into a raging flame. He wanted her to feel as he did. Never had he cared for a woman's feelings, but she, the Golden One, had gotten into his blood. She erased all his thoughts of some day being king of the Seven Cities. All he could think of was her returning his love.

His lips closed over hers as his body ached to possess her. Mara felt revulsion as his lips covered hers. She prayed for someone to save her from this man who wanted to degrade her body. She even prayed for death.

THERE WAS A COUNTRY TO THE NORTHEAST,
"WITH GOLD, AND SILVER FABRICS" AND "ABUNDANT AND FRUITFUL IN EVERYTHING."

—
The Turk

15

Palomas spotted the dead horse first. He dismounted and examined the carcass. "They cannot be far ahead now. The horse is not long dead, and they are on foot."

Tajarez stared across the river. It was much narrower at this point. "Anias could have crossed here. We must split up again. Palomas, you and Jeffery swim to the other side and see if you can pick up their trail. I will ride along the river and see if they remained on this side."

Tajarez watched as the two men dove into the water, then he nudged his mount in the flanks. He had a sinking feeling in his heart that he must find Mara quickly. Some unknown instinct told him she was in danger.

His eyes were alert as he scanned the riverbank. He listened for any sound that was out of the ordinary. He knew that time was against him, and he felt a great fear in his heart.

Tajarez reined in his horse and dismounted. Something was not right. He knelt down and examined the riverbank. He picked up a handful of wet sand. It would appear that someone or something had come out of the water at this point. There were no footprints, however. Had it been an animal there would have been tracks.

He rose and walked up the riverbank toward the woods. He was now sure Anias had been here. He could see the brush marks left by a tree branch. Anias had been very clever, but not quite clever enough.

Tajarez was looking about him, wondering which way they had gone, when he saw something in a nearby bush that seemed to reflect the rays of the sun. On closer examination, he found the necklace he had given Mara. There were tracks around the bush—Mara's and Anias's. It would appear that Mara had run into the woods and Anias had followed. He listened carefully, then unsheathed his knife and disappeared into the woods.

The trail was now easy for him to follow, for Anias had abandoned caution. Tajarez felt a sense of urgency as he crept along as silently as the mountain lion.

He could hear them before he saw them.

"Please, no more. Do not hurt me anymore," Mara was pleading.

Tajarez saw her. Anias had her body pinned underneath his. Tajarez felt murderous rage.

Anias was taken completely by surprise as he felt a knife blade at the base of his neck. "Get up slowly, Anias. One move and you are a dead man." His voice was low, hardly above a whisper, but Anias, who knew him so well, recognized the threat and knew that he faced certain death. Fear raced through his body as he slowly rose to his feet.

Hysterical sobs racked Mara's body. Tajarez noted her disheveled condition. Her gown was open to the waist, and the skirt had been ripped all the way down the front, revealing her naked body underneath. He did not miss her swollen lip or the bruises on her creamy white breasts.

"You will pay for this with your life, Anias." In a blind rage Tajarez struck Anias with his fist and watched as Anias crumpled at his feet. "Get up, dog," he said through clenched teeth. But Anias could not comply. He was unconscious. "You will die slowly," Tajarez said as he stared down at the unconscious man he had once loved as a brother.

Mara was safe. Tajarez had saved her as he had the first time she had been abducted. She felt him beside her and looked into his stormy face. Mara's words came out in between sobs. "He ... he put his hands all over me. I . . . wanted to . . . die."

Kneeling down beside her, Tajarez placed his finger gently on her bruised breast. But Mara pulled away from him, avoiding his eyes. He began fastening her gown. When he had it fastened to his satisfaction, he pushed her golden hair from her face and looked deeply into her eyes.

They were both distracted by a sound behind them. Tajarez jumped to his feet. Anias had regained consciousness and was running for the river. Tajarez ran after him. He reached the edge of the woods just in time to see Anias leap on his own horse and ride away. Tajarez could only watch as he saw the man who had ruined all his hopes and dreams ride to safety on his own horse.

Mara tried to compose herself. She was safe, thanks to Tajarez, but she would never be free of the horrible nightmare. She made her way down to the river and did not stop until she was waist deep in the cool, cleansing water.

Tajarez just stood watching her. Such a sadness crept into his heart. He felt his whole world fall apart. If Anias had violated Mara, and he was almost sure by her actions that he had, she would never be his princess. The best he could offer her now was the place Tanka had filled in his life.

It was all his fault. He had been warned by Palomas, and had not heeded his words. He heard the sound of two horses and knew they were about to be joined by Palomas and Jeffery.

When Jeffery saw his sister, he ran into the water and lifted her into his arms. He wept tears of joy, and she allowed him to carry her from the water.

Palomas dismounted and joined Tajarez. "She seems to be all right, my prince."

"She is alive, if that is what you mean."

"What happened? Did he . . ."

Tajarez cut him short. "She has not said, but I believe he did complete the act."

Palomas lowered his head. "It is my fault. Your father trusted me to keep her safe, and I have failed. I will gladly forfeit my life."

Tajarez looked at him grimly. "It would seem that we are both to blame. If you feel you must forfeit your life, then so must I."

"Is Anias dead?"

"No, it seems I failed in that also. He is free, Palomas, and I am a prisoner. The rest of my life I will live with the fact that I let him get away when I could easily have killed him."

"What do we do now?"

Tajarez watched as Jeffery carried Mara out of the water. "We return home, Palomas."

"And the Golden One?"

Tajarez swallowed hard. "I spend the rest of my life without her."

"But you are not certain Anias defiled her."

"I know it in my heart, Palomas. You did not see what I saw. Let us return to camp. I will ride with you. Mara can ride with her brother."

The ride back to camp was long and silent. Mara was once more hurt by Tajarez's treatment of her. When they stopped to rest the horses, he ignored her completely. If it had not been for Jeffery's concern and tenderness, she would have been devastated.

When they reached the camp it was long after dark, but Mara was soon surrounded by happy faces. Sasha hung back, acting shy and withdrawn as Mara prepared for bed.

"Sasha, I know you are worried about your brother, but he is safe, if that means anything to you."

Sasha lowered her head. "I wish the prince had killed him. He brings dishonor on you and my family. I will understand if you no longer want me to serve you."

"Sasha, what your brother did does not change the way I feel about you. You are still as dear to me as you ever were."

Sasha raised her head. "You are so wonderful to me. I thought you would not want to see me anymore."

Mara was weary. "Nonsense," she said, yawning. "I must sleep now, Sasha. We will talk later." She was even too tired to care that when they had returned to camp Tajarez had left her without a word to go to his own tent.

Mara slept through the night and into the next day. The camp was quiet. Tajarez had sent out a body of warriors to try and track Anias. He did not have much hope of finding him, however. Too much time had passed, and Anias would be far away by now.

Tajarez had two of his warriors stand guard at the entrance of Mara's tent just in case Anias was foolish enough to try to recapture her. Tanka had disappeared, and no one seemed to know her whereabouts. It was just as well, Tajarez thought. If she had been there when he returned he would have taken her life. He was sure she was Anias's accomplice.

Was this how it was to end? Had he dreamed of Mara for so many years, to love her, to want her, and now to have her out of reach for him? He considered not returning to the Seven Cities. Then he could keep her as his own. He was tortured by the thought of giving her up. She was his life; without her nothing had any meaning.

His sleep was disturbed by dreams of Mara. He saw her as he had so many times, in a white filmy gown, standing on his balcony. Only in his dream she did not come into his outstretched arms as she had in his previous dreams. This time, she looked at him accusingly. Then his dream turned into a nightmare. He was searching for her, but could not find her. He awoke calling her name.

Sasha insisted on putting some of her healing herbs on Mara's face, which was bruised and swollen, but not quite so painful as it had been. Tajarez had decided they would wait for another day to give Mara a chance to rest.

Mara had decided that Tajarez's love for her had either died or had never existed at all. He spoke to her but little, and when he did, he avoided her eyes. Remembering the scene in Tanka's tent, she wondered why he had wanted her to witness it. She was heartsick over the whole ordeal. Pride ran strong in her veins. She would not easily forgive him. She would hold her head up proudly and show him that she was completely indifferent to him, even if it was far from the truth. She did not want a man who would try to degrade her as Tajarez had when he had gone straight to Tanka after rejecting her.

Tajarez had been mistaken when he said that any man would arouse her passion. The only reaction she had had to Anias was disgust and extreme dislike, along with an overwhelming fear.