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

  “What’s going on?” Tarik asked.

  Baylor exhaled. “I apologize, your majesty. The fifth servant is dead.”

  “Dead?” Lea murmured.

  Kord huffed and gripped the back of his neck with both hands.

  Baylor offered Lea a bow but never broke eye contact with Tarik. “Yes, dead. He succumbed to self ingested poison before we could question him.”

  Tarik cursed. “Who?”

  “Heckor.”

  Not a new servant but one with under two years at the castle which meant he didn’t know Lea prior and had to have been working under the direction of another. “Question them to see if someone gives you anything useful.”

  He wanted this ended. “Report to me the minute you have something.”

  In the meantime, he needed Lea.

  Chapter 24

  Lea only had a second to prepare. Tarik slammed her against the wall the moment they entered their suite. His mouth pressed kisses to her lips, cheeks, down her throat. The intensity of his lovemaking threw her for a loop. He bit, sucked and licked her tender flesh while his hands lifted the fabric of her dress baring her thighs.

  “Tarik,” she gasped, his need fueled her own. Her hands frantic as they tugged at his vest and shirt.

  “Need you now. I could have lost you again.”

  He had her dress up to her waist and ripped her panties. His erection prodded her entrance and her wetness eased the way as he reared back and thrust deep. Lea cried out, clinging to him. She rubbed her aching breasts against his smooth chest and shook from the contact.

  Her nipples hardened to stiff peaks, every thrust from Tarik creating the same arousing friction. His hands spread her legs wider as he kept her pinned to the wall and rocked faster. She glided her hands to bury in the thick texture of his hair unable to get enough. Never enough.

  “I’m not leaving,” she moaned and arched back as his mouth blazed a trail down her neck.

  “I can’t lose you.” He panted the words against her ear before lifting her higher and slamming back into her. “I love you.”

  Nerves singing, Lea screamed out her release.

  “Yes,” he groaned and pulled her tighter onto his shaft. The rough growl was music to her ears.

  Lea’s hands clawed at his shoulders as his insistent attentions drove her up the peak again. Her husky cries rang out in time to his pounding. Her inner muscles clamped down in rhythmic pulses.

  “Lea, Lea. My Lea. I love you,” he roared on the end.

  Lea clenched around him and muffled her moan of pleasure in the broad chest before her. Tarik spun around and carried her into their bedroom.

  Already he thickened in her core. Lea ran her hands in soothing strokes through his hair. He laid her down on the top of the covers and removed his clothes. Lea leaned up on her elbows to enjoy the show but he was too quick and came down on top of her before she could fully appreciate his naked beauty.

  “I don’t care if you remember. I love you, Lea. I always will.” He stared deep into her eyes as he made the pledge.

  “What if I never remember?” It was her biggest fear and he deserved to be loved in return with the same intensity.

  Tarik rubbed his finger down her cheek. “I will love you enough for the both of us until you fall in love with me again.

  The level and faith of his commitment awed Lea. “You are an amazing man, Tarik.”

  “Let me amaze you more,” he murmured and ripped the dress from her body.

  Lea’s laughter spilled out until he made her think of other things besides humor.

  ***

  When Lea awakened she was alone in their bed. She stretched full out and winced as her muscles protested. Tarik was an enthusiastic lover. She hoped her body caught up quickly or there would plenty of hot soaks in the bath in her future.

  Lea took a shower and dressed as fast as possible. When she left the bedroom she entered what Tarik had described as the Queen’s room. Since her arrival, Lea had never slept in the bed with the golden sheets. She paused by a black draped painting.

  The dresser below it reminded her of an eerie shrine and she avoided it at all cost. Curiosity got the better of her and she removed the cloth having an idea of what or rather who she’d see. The painting once revealed stunned her. Lea knew the odds of it being one of her in the past were in her favor but she hadn’t expected the beauty the artist managed to convey in the portrait.

  Her gaze followed her arms to the almost hidden bump and froze. Lea’s hand rose to her flat belly. Tarik said they’d lost babies. Kord said she’d been poisoned. Pain sharp and jagged lashed through her temple. She lowered her head as image after image streamed through her mind.

  The pictures moved so fast it took a moment to realize they were memories. Her memories. Nausea hit next on the heels of the most vivid memory of all as knowledge of the traitor slammed into her head.

  Lea straightened when the slide show ended. Her heart raced as if she’d spent the time running. Every breath huffed from her chest while she tried to calm herself. Her thoughts whirled with what she discovered but more than that the love she bore for Tarik burst forth like an overflowing waterfall. Then fear like never before sent her running from the room.

  There was proof. Lea had found it right before Thenl attacked her party. She’d hid the evidence wanting to break the news to Tarik gently. Instead the traitor had conspired with Thenl and her life had been ripped away from her before she could warn her husband that the man he trusted had worked against them.

  Serin stopped her as soon as she crossed the threshold. “My Queen, where would you like to go?”

  All four guards surrounded her. Lea didn’t know who to trust. Was the person acting alone or could others in the castle be involved? “I’m meeting Kord,” she lied. “The King says I’m fine when I’m with him.”

  The men looked doubtful and exchanged glances.

  “Ask Tarik,” she prompted knowing he was tied up today.

  “Where are you going and we will escort you to your friend?”

  Lea found the energy to smile. None of the guards knew what to make of Kord and there was an uneasy acceptance of him spurred only by Tarik’s orders.

  “I’m only going to see Sorka.”

  Serin frowned. “You’re not to ride the hapfe yet.”

  He’d returned to duty friendlier and more vigilant than ever since the sentil incident. Somehow he’d convinced himself that he was responsible because he’d not been present. Lea rolled her eyes desperate to look for what her memories had revealed. She needed to know if the papers she’d hidden were still there otherwise she’d have a harder time convincing Tarik of her discovery. “I promise not to ride.”

  He nodded. “Then I will accompany you and the others will wait for your friend and bring him down.”

  Lea tensed but forced her fingers to unclench. It was the best she could hope for and if she was wrong she didn’t want to make it easier for someone to attack her. “That would be fine.”

  She waited while he conferred with the three guards and then walked at her side to the stables. Usually Lea attempted to engage him in conversation but her focused remained on her goal. The stable was calm for this time of the day.

  “Where is the stable master?” She asked Serin expecting to see the pleasant man come out and greet her.

  Serin took up sentry by the door. “He may be out in the paddocks in the back if he’s let a few of the mounts out to exercise.”

  “Can I visit Sorka alone?” If she found nothing there, she didn’t want the guard looking at her strangely.

  Serin frowned. “You’re not to be alone. The King…”

  “I won’t be long,” she interrupted. “And you’ll be out here.”

  He sighed and gave in. “I’ll make sure no one disturbs you.”

  “Thank you.” Lea squeezed his forearm and hurried through to Sorka’s stall. Serin must have been right since many of the hapfe stalls were empty but Sorka pranced around wit
hin.

  Lea eased inside and rubbed the silk nose that nuzzled her. “Easy. We’ll visit later. For now, I have something to find.”

  She grabbed a loose halter from a hook and placed it over Sorka’s neck and wrapped the other end back on the hook. With the hapfe out of reach, Lea made her way to the back of the stall and dropped to her knees. If her memories were correct, she’d buried it right around here.

  Lea used her hands to move away the loose straw on the floor. Her hands patted the ground until she found what she sought. One of the boards didn’t fit properly with the others. Lea’s finger dug deep as she pried it open. Tossing it aside, she lifted the small gray case. Exactly as her memory had shown.

  Her hands shook as she flipped the lock and opened it. Stacks of papers. Missives with the Desani seal. She scanned the top sheets to be certain. Even though she’d known what to expect, Lea couldn’t believe what she read. Notes and messages to Thenl, the Kabanian Warlord. Detailed accountings of her schedule and whereabouts. Information only one person would have had consistent access to.

  “I knew if I waited long enough you would lead me to it.”

  Lea spun around the papers clutched to her chest. Mati stared at her with a blaster aimed directly at her chest. “You were behind everything?”

  He sighed and shook his head. “I truly wish you had never remembered.”

  Tarik would be devastated. He trusted his personal advisor implicitly. “But why?”

  “It’s not personal. You were a distraction, my dear. Those last few days you started watching me oddly. I knew you suspected but wasn’t certain how I’d given myself away.” He raised his left hand and wiggled his fingers. “Why don’t you hand me those letters and I’ll destroy them. Thenl insisted on communicating via papered messages. I warned him.”

  Lea stepped back further bumping into Sorka. The hapfe pawed her hair and nuzzled her. “Why would you work with Thenl to ruin Tarik?”

  Even with her renewed memories she didn’t understand what had motivated him to betray a family he’d clearly loved.

  Mati frowned and smacked his palm on his thigh. The blaster in his other hand never wavered. “I would never ruin the King. He was blinded by lust for you. I merely sought a means to remove you from his life so he could focus on Desani and the throne.”

  She had to stall him. Keep him talking as long as possible. Serin would come check on her. He had to know Mati was in here. “How was I a distraction?”

  “Your flighty ways. Always pulling him away for fun and games.”

  He was crazy, she decided. Those were the things that kept a man like Tarik from letting his role consume him. “I was a good wife to Tarik and a good Queen to Desani.” With her memories, she knew that now if she knew nothing else.

  Mati waved away her statement. He lowered the blaster and paced at the end of the stall, mumbling under his breath. “Only someone committed and willing to step back will work for Tarik. You’re just like the other one.”

  “The other one?” Lea slid her hand to the knife under her skirts wondering how long she had to wait for Serin.

  “The former Queen, Tarik’s mother,” Mati answered.

  Lea froze. He couldn’t have admitted what she thought. “What does Queen Arika have to do with anything?”

  “Come out of there, Your Highness. I don’t want to risk shooting Sorka.”

  Because he cared more about the hapfe than her? Lea walked calmly passed the door, hoping for an opportunity to disarm him but he maintained the two feet between them. Given the distance a wound from the blaster would severely injure her and she was too far to use her knife unless she threw it before he fired and her aim was true.

  “Did you have something to do with the Queen’s accident?” Lea probed, bringing him back to his statement.

  Mati’s eyes shifted behind her. “Latch the gate, please. Tarik has a soft spot for Sorka.”

  Had his eyes always looked dodgy? She latched the gate with trembling fingers.

  Mati aimed at her mid-section. “The former Queen was a distraction for King Adan.” Tears welled. “I didn’t expect him to go right over the cliff after her. I only wanted him to focus. If she was gone he could wed a more worthy woman.”

  Lea licked her lips and edged to the side. “You can’t pick who you love.”

  “Which is why I had to help.” His tone pleaded. “They needed me to show them. You should have stayed dead. Everything was perfect.”

  Hurry Tarik, Lea prayed. “It wasn’t perfect. Tarik was mired in grief.”

  “But he focused on his duty,” Mati shouted.

  “Because you left him nothing else. You took away his parents, his wife…you took away his children. Our children.”

  Mati glared. “I hoped you’d stop trying to conceive. That you’d worry about the attacks and not risk a child.” He sniffed. “I’ve only wanted the best for Tarik. His parents trusted me.”

  She forced out a breath to calm her racing heart. “It’s alright, Mati. I’m sure Tarik will understand when you explain.”

  She thought she had him. His expression eased and his eyes brightened. For one brief moment Lea was overwhelmed with relief then Mati’s arm stiffened. Resolve settled in his gaze as he braced his shoulders. “No. He’ll never forgive me which is why I must kill you and make it look like an accident. I’ll destroy the letters you found from that betrayer Thenl and things will go back to how it was before.”

  His finger curled on the laser sensor.

  “No, Mati it can’t.”

  The familiar voice had Lea slumping with relief.

  Mati turned. “Sire!”

  Lea shuddered. She had never been so glad to see someone in her life.

  “Killing Lea won’t solve this.” Tarik stood with Kord, Hensel and a bruised Serin. Blood dripped from a cut on his head.

  “I-I have to. She distracts you.”

  Tarik spared Lea an anguish filled glance. “She’s not a distraction. She’s my wife and I love her. More than life.”

  The laser dipped in Mati’s grip. “Don’t you see,” he pleaded. “She has you spell bound and you can’t think clearly. You formed an alliance with those barbarians. A Desani King would never have considered joining those animals.” He swung the weapon in Lea’s direction. “And it’s her fault. Filling your ears. Preaching peace and unity.”

  Lea sensed Mati slipping further into his delusions. Tarik stepped in her direction.

  “No. Please, Sire,” Mati turned the weapon toward Tarik. “Don’t go near her. I don’t want you hurt.”

  Tarik took another step, gaze never leaving Mati. “I’m not going to let you hurt her again. Ever. Lower your weapon and we can get you help.”

  Kord had his eyes pinned to the mad man as well. Their eyes met briefly and Lea expelled a breath softly. Whatever happened, Mati wasn’t walking out of here. Kord planned to end this here and was only giving Tarik a chance to talk his friend down.

  “Mati, you know you’re my friend. Please. If you hurt Lea you hurt me.” Tarik had both hands up in supplication as he maneuvered until he completely shielded Lea.

  Lea moved to the side, annoyed at his protective stance. She didn’t want anything to happen to Tarik while she stood by idle.

  As if realizing how the situation had changed Mati’s face flushed bright red. He glared at Lea. “You’re right. Nothing will be the same. I didn’t want you to learn of any of this. Just like I never meant for your father to die when I slipped the Queen’s hapfe a dose of nettle.”

  Tarik blanched. Lea’s heart sank. Obviously Tarik hadn’t come in early enough to hear that part of Mati’s confession. Nettle stirred up the blood and would have stimulated the poor animal until it went mad.

  “You killed my mother? You’re the reason my parents are dead?” Tarik dragged the questions out in a stunned voice.

  The silence was deafening. All of them waited, allowing Tarik a moment to digest such devastating news. When he raised his blond streaked head,
he faced Mati with a blank face. “I can never forgive you for taking everything that mattered away from me.”

  Lea sensed the moment Mati realized all was lost. His lower lip trembled and his eyes actually watered. She never saw his finger twitch but Tarik roared right before his body hit hers.

  Lea slammed back into the door of the stall behind her. Sorka trumpeted loudly and kicked at the wooden barrier. Lea blinked but the heavy weight atop her blocked her vision. Her hands pushed and shoved until a loud groan sounded above her.

  The body pinning her to the ground shifted and Tarik rolled to the side. Mati screamed, back arched as Kord aimed his spread palm at him sending a burst of light shooting forth. The King’s advisor simply disappeared. Not even his clothes remained.

  Lea sat up and gasped. He was gone.

  “Lea?”

  Her attention darted to the prone figure of Tarik pushing up to all four. She’d never wanted him to discover the truth like this. Armed with her memories, Lea remembered how she’d wavered when she’d found the incriminating papers. “Tarik, I’m sorry.”

  When he didn’t answer she crawled closer to his side but he collapsed before she reached him. “Tarik!”

  Lea pushed at his shoulders rolling him over only to be met with the sight of a bright red stain spreading over his shirt.

  Her hands pressed down his chest instantly soaked in blood. “No. No. Please.”

  Tarik’s lavender dull gaze wavered. “Alr-right?” He choked.

  She pushed back the hair from his forehead, one hand remaining on the bleeding wound. Lea leaned close and kissed Tarik’s face and anywhere else she could reach. “I’m fine. I’m alright.”

  Kord knelt beside her shoving her hands aside to see the damage.

  Tarik cupped her face. Fingers trembled over her cheek. “It’s…over.”

  Lea sniffed, tears burned her throat. “Don’t die. Don’t die,” she pleaded.

  His mouth twitched as he managed a half grin. “Never. Not when I finally have you back.”

  Relief poured through her. She brushed tears from her face and managed a smile. When Tarik’s eyes rolled back and his head hit the ground she screamed.