A King's Revenge: Warlords Series Book 2 Read online

  A King’s Revenge

  Warlord Series

  By Michelle Howard

  Published by Michelle Howard

  Copyright © 2014 by Michelle Howard

  Cover Design: www.estrellacoverart.com

  License Notes

  This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. The eBook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this novel with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you're reading this eBook and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please buy an additional copy for each recipient.

  No part of this book may be distributed in any format, in whole or in part without the express written consent of the author.

  Thank you for respecting the author's hard work.

  This is a work of fiction and is not a reflection or representation of any person living or dead. Any similarity is of pure coincidence.

  Chapter 1

  Tarik strode down the hall, his boots thumping loudly. For once he paid no mind to the entourage of guards behind him. Instead, his thoughts strayed to the date. A date that pounded on the core of his nerves. He entered his private chambers at last and allowed his shoulders to slump. Two guards followed him while their peers remained outside to bar the outer door to would be trespassers.

  “Sire?”

  Tarik ignored the concerned voice and headed straight for the hand stained antique desk and the bottle he’d ordered earlier. A well meaning servants had left the clear bottle on the cart with a crystal cut glass etched in a red glaze around the rim. Pouring a healthy portion, he threw back the golden liquid welcoming the burn as it blazed down his throat and settled in his belly.

  “Sire, are you well?”

  Tarik paused in pouring his second helping and glanced over his shoulder at his personal advisor. Mati’s blue eyes narrowed in dismay. Tarik swallowed before speaking. “I’m fine, Mati.” Or would be after he drunk himself into a stupor and pretended today didn’t exist. He’d waited all morning for his meetings to end so he could seek the oblivion of alcohol and forget what today represented.

  Someone knocked on the outer door. Tarik sighed and waved a hand at his personal guard. “I don’t wish to be disturbed, Hensel. Get rid of whoever it is.”

  Hensel didn’t hesitate. “Of course, Sire.”

  Grabbing the bottle, Tarik turned from his desk and braced himself. Every morning, every evening and every Goddess dammed night, he forced his feet to move forward to the connecting door. He took a deep breath and turned the knob. To others, the room appeared like any sleep chamber. A large bed elaborately covered in the finest silks and gold sheets, thick carpets on the floor and a custom wardrobe in wood. To him, it was the embodiment of what was missing in his life.

  A familiar scent though light lingered in the air. Tarik closed his eyes and inhaled deeply. Pasal. The room smelled of her favorite perfume. Allowing himself a moment, Tarik wallowed in the memory of the woman whose presence stamped itself on the large space. From the light colored window coverings to the dresser with its feminine accessories scattered across the top, all of it reminded Tarik of her.

  Footsteps sounded behind him. Tarik opened his eyes and used his booted heel to slam the door shut barring anyone from entering. He needed no witnesses to his complete and utter misery. Directing the bottle to his mouth, he drunk heavily.

  With a deep sense of sadness, Tarik walked toward the dresser and fingered a jeweled comb. Strands of red hair clung to the teeth. His thumb looped through the silken thread as a lump formed in his throat. Last year, there had been more hair. Soon there’d be nothing left of the fiery strands he adored. He dropped the comb abruptly but his attention caught on the aged letter at the edge of the dresser.

  Tarik considered walking away. Considered ignoring this familiar part of the ritual he played out each year on her birthday but his trembling hand already reached for the paper. Swallowing thickly, he walked to the bed and sat. With his head bowed, he read the smudged words.

  ‘My Dearest Tarik,

  I am so excited to share this news with you. This time things will be different. I felt my womb quicken. We will welcome a child in our arms at last, my love. Tonight, we.’

  Tarik closed his eyes but the lone track of a single tear rolled down his cheek to hit the page and added to the other long dried stains. The letter ended as if she’d been interrupted. A smile curved his lip. Or distracted. She often lost her train of thought, her mind constantly filled with all the possibilities of tomorrow.

  Except there were no tomorrows for her any longer. His eyes burned and his throat closed but Tarik managed to hold back the sob as he rose to his feet. Across the room, the black draped portrait teased. He made his way closer and took another healthy drink. The alcohol worked quickly and already his steps wobbled. His hand lifted to pull the cloth down and Tarik almost retched.

  The silk covering slid gracefully to the floor revealing the image mounted in the heavy gold frame. The smiling visage drove Tarik to his knees. Her beautiful white eyes crinkled at the corners. Some inner joke she refused to share. Tarik choked unable to look away. He missed her. Missed her so much he carried the ache in his twin hearts every day.

  The portrait captured the essence of its audience. Red hair trailed over shoulders made bare by the formal strapless gown. Its deep amber color flattered her curvy figure. Full, plump breasts exposed by the low bodice, reminded Tarik of why she’d posed and offered the unknown artist the rare opportunity to paint a member of the royal family.

  Tarik’s gaze drifted lower tracing the lines of her slim arms as they cupped the small swell. Slight enough to remain hidden beneath her clothing but round enough to send her into gleeful giggles. Tarik sniffed and wiped his eyes.

  Like the other two before, she’d lost the little one in the early stages after they officially announced her pregnancy. He got to his feet and cursed. It did nothing to ease his anger. Tarik threw back his head and roared out his rage at the unfairness of it all.

  “Sire, please open the door,” Mati pleaded and banged on the solid frame.

  Ignoring his advisor, Tarik cocked back his arm and hurled the bottle at the wall. It shattered on impact spraying amber liquid everywhere. The sound satisfied him and he wished for something else to throw. His eyes darted around the room. A row of silver frames depicting the same smiling face drew his attention. One after the other, he smashed them onto the floor by his feet. Glass and metal created its own sweet symphony.

  The pounding fists on the door escalated until one of his guards, Hensel probably, discovered the override key and opened the door. Tarik dropped his head to his chest and lowered his arms. His hearts thundered in his chest. “Don’t ask if I’m okay.”

  Tarik felt the burn of their stares on his back. He was far from okay. “Find someone to clean this.” He hesitated then ordered, “Replace the frames and put them back. Please extend my apologies to the servants for the mess.”

  Tarik strode to the connecting door on the opposite side of the room and closeted himself in the master bedroom. His head thumped back against the door. A room he’d never used until he’d lost the one thing that meant the most to him.

  How could anyone expect him to go on without Maliya in his life? She represented all that was good and Thenl, a cruel Kabanian Warlord, had taken her away in his bid to control Desani.

  Chapter 2

  She and Kord should make time to visit this space station more often, Lea thought as she smiled at a ship’s captain with his arms around two women while they stumbled down the hall. Her tenth such sighting in several variations. This
was obviously a popular place for random hook-ups.

  One of the women, a blonde, grabbed the man’s dark head and pulled him down for a tongue stealing kiss. Earning Lea’s admiration, he groped her rear with a firm squeeze while not losing his hold on the other woman. Shaking her head at their antics, Lea kept heading straight per the pictured signs on the corridor wall pointing out the direction for the interior floating gardens. Aptly named for some of the plant life that didn’t stay rooted in the rich soil provided.

  Lea pushed through the sliding door only to be hit with the wonderful heavy aroma of several different flora and fauna at once. She crossed the threshold and inhaled the rich scents. Flowers were a weakness of hers. Lush pink blossoms with their petals lined in blue floated passed her face. A large yellow trijon dangled over her head, its triangular shape standing out amongst its round counterparts.

  Lea headed down the path toward the left and followed it under a vine covered archway. The over brush grew thicker in this section. Taking her time, she gazed at any flower she didn’t immediately recognize. Each bloom fascinated and caught her attention on the stone strewn pathway.

  The elaborately designed path came to an abrupt end where a huge tree reached up toward the dome ceiling. High above the black starless night set a mood more fit for strolling lovers. Lea stared as her mind tumbled over the events of the last couple of years.

  Years in which she yearned to recall the void in her memories. Kord said it didn’t matter. He claimed that after her time in the academy she had no longer desired to serve in a military capacity. Lea could accept that. She just wished she remembered. Her life up to the point of graduating the academy was crystal clear and then after that a two and a half year gap that doctors blamed on her accident. Unless she’d become a loner during that time someone should have at least had some form of information on her.

  Lea continued on and walked around the magnificent oak. Familiar black pants and a gray shirt lay crumpled on the ground near a metal bench. Beyond the clothing she stumbled to a stop, her mouth parted at the vision in the center of the garden. Surrounded by a star burst of colors blazed a column of light at least ten feet in height.

  Something about the apparition gave the impression of a sentient being.

  “Kord?” Her friend had asked her to meet him here before they headed to dinner together.

  “Have no fear, Lea. Allow me a moment to resume my physical shell.”

  Kord’s voice echoed in the open air filling the garden with his dulcet tones. He sounded the same. In order to still her panic, Lea reminded herself that this bright entity was the man who’d befriended her despite the fact she’d never seen him in this form before. What was he?

  Lea watched the massive glow diminish in size. Arms, legs and a torso followed until he finally compressed himself into a familiar humanoid structure. Seconds later Kord Dane stood before her. Six feet of solid naked male.

  Casually and in no rush, he reached for his clothes and dressed without a hint of modesty. Lea’s cheeks warmed and she aimed her gaze at the clear dome ceiling with its view of the never ending blackness of space until he finished.

  When his footsteps neared, she met his gaze. “Amazing. I never knew.” She hesitated to get closer to him after his startling revelation.

  Kord tipped his head to the side. He watched her reaction as well. “I’m from Croati. A being of light.”

  He’d never shared that with Lea during their time together. And she’d never heard of Croati.

  “Croatans don’t often choose to travel from our mountain home.” Kord seemed to read her mind.

  Lea studied his brown hair and blue eyes. All of it recognizable as the man she’d worked side by side with over the last three years. Curiosity got the better of her. “Do others know what you are?”

  His mouth curled up in the corner. A dimple flashed. Lea relaxed further. “Some have guessed. We don’t shed our skin for the curiosity of others.”

  Lea flushed. Of all the stupid questions. “Sorry. I didn’t mean-”

  Kord shook his head. “Please, I’m not offended.” He waved his hand toward the exit. “Let’s return. It’s time for us to go soon. The royal visitors and other delegates will arrive soon for the Alliance meeting.”

  Lea rolled her eyes before sliding her dark shades from her hair to her face hiding her own questionable anomaly. “I’m in no hurry to meet any of the prissy senate leaders and royals.”

  Kord frowned. “It would not be a good idea to meet any of the attendees.”

  Lea nodded. The space station went under high alert for the huge multi-planet convention. Dignitaries from all over flew in to confirm the alliance during a week long conference. Usually she and Kord managed to avoid the delegation during their occasional trips to trade but their ship had thruster issues and they’d been forced to land at the nearest station for repairs.

  “How long until the ship is ready?” It never took this long. They’d been here for two days already.

  He revealed his annoyance with his grumbled reply. “Three days.”

  Lea skipped to keep up when Kord’s stride began to outpace her. Leaving the garden behind, she realized he was leading her to the station cafeteria. Her stomach growled earning her a raised brow from Kord. Refusing to be embarrassed, Lea elbowed him in the side all thoughts of his true form forgotten.

  When they reached the transport lift, he slowed not allowing her to enter until he checked it first. She couldn’t control her smirk. Despite her record of being military trained and a damn good pilot to boot, Kord’s every move remained protective toward her.

  His blunt finger hit level four and the shaft dropped suddenly causing her stomach to dip. Instinctively, she reached for the silver bar mounted along the walls to brace her weight.

  Kord leaned along the wall opposite her, arms crossed over his chest as he maintained his balance effortlessly.

  “Show off,” she snipped. It was just like him. Throughout their time together, she’d never seen the man caught off guard or bothered. Stars knew a silly transport shaft would never trip him up. If he had any emotions outside neutral, she’d never witnessed them.

  He inclined his dark head at her insult. Lea felt a grin tug at her lips. That, too, was his usual response to her complaints about his unlimited stoicism.

  The lift eased to a smooth halt and the doors opened with a seamless whoosh. Once again, Kord made her wait while he checked the corridor before they exited. This hall was busier than the others due to the cafeteria’s location on the same level as the space station entertainment rooms.

  She and Kord walked in companionable silence while ship crewmen on day passes or extended leave bustled through the halls. Long used to the variety of interplanetary differences, Lea didn’t even blink at the two dark blue males wearing black loincloths and talking with their extended snouts.

  When a woman with a second set of arms bumped into her, Lea merely smiled and walked around. As soon as Lea and Kord entered the eating area, loud talk, boisterous laughter and music assaulted her ears. Out of the corner of her eyes, she glimpsed Kord’s wince.

  Had she ever paid attention to his reactions prior to her discovery of his true form in the gallery? Perhaps, he didn’t hide his feelings well and she’d just been blind to his minute cues. A pang of guilt hit her. Kord was her closest friend. Only friend, honestly.

  They worked together trading and selling recycled parts and metal using their cargo shuttle to transport for credits. The job alone required a certain amount of trust. Many two man crews ended in fights or worst…death. She didn’t worry about that with him. Outside the medical staff on the Terra V moon, Kord alone knew the details regarding her life threatening accident.

  If not for his assistance and claiming knowledge of her identity her rehabilitation would have gone much worse. In fact, her treatment became five star when they pulled up her military record. Injury in former service members guaranteed a fast track to the front of the line. Even those
who didn’t actually serve like her.

  After release from the medical center, she’d been at loose ends. Her parents dead, no possibility of going active with her memory gap, Lea struggled to put together a plan. She’d had no credits to her name and cursed at the medical staff whenever thoughts of her empty future loomed before her. Kord had come through by offering the partnership in his trade venture. They’d been together ever since.

  Lea made a mental note to pay closer attention to him. She owed Kord her life.

  In mutual agreement they made their way toward the winding line at the overcrowded buffet. Lea’s stomach growled again but this time the noise of the cafeteria blocked the sound from curious ears. One good thing about their occasional stops here, as her taste buds could attest, was the food.

  “Will you get your usual or let me suggest something different this time?” Kord handed her a blue synthetic tray as he asked the question.

  Lea snorted and hit the wall mounted dispenser for an empty small food dish. The plate slid out of the narrow opening and she added it to her tray. “No thanks. Not interested in eating anything I can’t spell or pronounce.”

  Kord loaded up on various dishes in colors and textures that made her nauseous to look at. His repeated attempts to lure her with exotic foreign fare would be amusing if she remotely had an interest in the dishes. Which she didn’t. Her hand grasped a serving utensil and wisely chose several slivers of beef and a dark green plana vegetable that was her weakness.

  She loaded up on a fat spongy cake with fruit drizzled on top and a healthy scoop of cream. Kord’s groan drew her attention.

  “You could at least make an effort to eat healthy if you won’t try something new.”

  “No, thank you.” Lea liked what she liked. She had enough adventure in her life not remembering the holes in her past. Food eased her.

  Spotting an empty table, she pointed and nudged her hip against a multi-eyed Tregite. All three green orbs glared at her but one look at Kord and the creature quickly stepped aside. Lea followed Kord’s long strides as he cleared the distance to the available table. His warning glare kept a group of young uniformed soldiers from even thinking of sitting there.