Dark Prince (15 page)

Olena watched him. He drew his hands down her pants. They were followed by his lips as he kissed one hipbone and then the other. Qurilixen garments did not use underwear and so he met with little resistance. Kissing and licking a hot, wet path, he crawled his way down her legs and drew the pants off her ankles.

"Tell me you want me." His chest heaved. His eyes devoured her.

She stubbornly refused, shaking her head violently against the pillow. She couldn’t speak. Her breath rasped out in heavy pants. Her throat worked as she tried to swallow.

This time when he touched her, his hand pressed more firmly to her skin. He ran his hand up her inner legs to her stiffening thighs. A slight moan came from her throat and she bit her lips to keep from screaming as his caress ran up her body. He moved around the curves of her breasts, ignoring the straining nipples.

Yusef’s worked his legs in between hers. His erection strained to be free of his clothing. Sweat glistened on her body as she tried to deny them both. Her knees bent to weakly rub along his waist.

His mouth near her breast, he said, "Tell me."

"No. I don’t want you."

Yusef took her nipple in his mouth, biting the tender nub and then licking it. Her back arched. Spasms of pleasure jolted through her body at his every touch. Her muscles tensed. He moved his hand to her thighs, stroking boldly up to her center heat.

"Tell me," Yusef growled, insistent.

"No." Olena’s hips bucked into his hand and he let her rub against his palm. She was ready for him--wet and hot. He kissed her other breast, giving it the same bittersweet torment. This time she did cry out.

His eyes flashing, he rose up on his arms. It would be so easy to take her like this. Their breaths mingled. Their eyes locked in battle. His erection begged for freedom, pulsing and reaching to her.

"Why won’t you say you want me?" Yusef asked in manly frustration. He thought that this torture was surely harder on him than her. "I can see that you do."

Her body worked restlessly beneath him. Her arms pulled, the muscles bunching as they wrenched against the ties.

"Because I’ll never want you!" Olena screamed.

"Damn it, but you are a stubborn woman!" Yusef pulled away from her, his eyes tormented. His arms tensed as if he wanted to strike her, but he knew he never could. He couldn’t touch her like that, could never harm her, and he wouldn’t force her body if her mind still refused.

Yusef turned, angrily digging through his dresser drawers. He pulled out a formal black tunic jacket and matching breeches. Next, he grabbed a silver belt. Keeping his back to her, he threw off his shirt and put an undertunic on in its place. He changed his pants. Olena watched his glorious body as it was unveiled and then veiled once more. Slipping a jacket over his shoulders, he tied the cloth belt around his waist.

"Where are you going?" she asked, breathless.

"I was going to take you to a celebration tonight at the palace. But seeing as you have no desire to be my wife, I’ll have to leave you right where you are."

"What?" This time the ties were too short and she wouldn’t be able to chew her way loose. When she looked at him, she saw that he knew it too. She wasn’t going anywhere. "You can’t leave me like this, Yusef."

"Then admit that you want to be with me," Yusef said. Unable to keep looking at her body, he grabbed her pants and jerked them back over her hips. Grabbing the covers, he threw them over her naked chest. He sat next to her and tenderly touched her cheek. "Come with me tonight as my wife."

"I can’t. Why can’t you understand that? I can’t want anyone."

"Then why did you marry me?" The question was hard and loud, as he tore his hand away from her soft skin. He stood, glaring down at her in frustration.

There was a deafening silence. Olena’s eyes narrowed as she looked at him. Her lips twisted cruelly.

"Because I had to! Because I need to disappear for awhile. I need to find a ship and my crew. Don’t worry, as soon as they come for me I’ll be out of your life forever. I never intended on staying here with you, Yusef. You’re just some superstitious fool I’m biding my time with on this godforsaken planet until I can hitch a ride out of here."

Yusef looked as if she’d ripped out his heart and stomped on it. There was so much agony in his dark gaze that she instantly wanted to take the confession back. Slowly, he nodded at her--a stiff, regal nod. Without saying a word, he left her tied to the bed.

Olena held deathly still, listening for a sound. She got one. It was the front door closing as he left her.

"That should just about do it, Olena." She closed her eyes. A bitter laugh escaped her lips. "He won’t want you after this."

Where she should have felt joy, she only felt excruciating pain. It was a loss much deeper than she’d expected. For the first time in her life since being sold into slavery, she began to cry. It was a wretched, awful sound that poured out of her heart. "I hope you’re happy with your little pirate, Jack. I hope you’re dancing in your grave."

* * * *

Yusef stormed out of his house as if chased by evil spirits. A hollow pain dug itself a comfortable home in his heart, eating away at him. He hoped it killed him. Anything would be better than the centuries he now faced alone. Without Olena, the organ was useless to him.

Keeping a mask over his dark features, he did not give anything away. He delivered curt nods and stiff smiles to passing villagers. Seeing Agro, the giant man fell into step next to him. Agro instantly sensed his sour mood, despite the drawn expression on the Prince’s face. "The Var?"

Yusef nodded. "Olek says they are to be here tonight. He wanted them to witness our happy unions."

"And the firebird?" Agro noticed how Yusef’s eyes narrowed into slits at the word ‘happy’. He nodded grimly, sad for his friend.

"Burning in hell for all I care," Yusef said bitterly, storming ahead to the castle gate.

* * * *

The main common hall of the Draig mountain palace had steep, arched ceilings with the center dome for light. The red stone floor was swept clean. Banners of the family crest decorated the walls, one for each color of the family lines--purple for the King and Queen, black for Yusef, green for Olek, red for Zoran, and blue-gray for Ualan. Each banner had the silver symbol of the dragon boldly woven into it.

Lines of tables reached across the floor for dining, filled with villagers and attended to by servants who carted out endless pitchers of various drinks and set them out on the tables. Their murmuring voices could be heard all around the hall as they excitedly awaited the start of the festivities. All of them striving to get a good look at the Princesses sitting at the head table.

Yusef sat alone at the royal table, much to the onlooker’s contemplation. The Queen’s maids were eager to inform that Yusef’s bride was sick, as they were told ‘in secret’ by the distressed Queen. Yusef had to bow to the cunning of his parents.

He sat next to his brother, Zoran. Zoran was a fearsome man, decked in a red oriental style tunic. He was the Capitan of the Guards, in charge of training the soldiers and leading them in battle. His face was grim, a normal expression for the man, as he was a serious, hard-working person. Next to him was his wife, who Yusef had learned was named Pia. She was a quiet woman, who merely nodded at him upon introduction.

In the center were his parents, both regal as they spoke to each other. Beside the King was Nadja, Olek’s wife. She was reserved and by the looks of her perfectly positioned hair, she was high maintenance. His younger brother Olek was the Draig ambassador. He had an easy way about him, a quick smile and ready laugh. Any peace they had with the Var was of his doing.

Next to Olek was the oldest brother, Ualan. Ualan was the future King. He had a heavy responsibility on his shoulders but he wore it with ease. His wife, Morrigan, had proclaimed herself a slave to purge her honor. It was suspected she also did it to keep her husband’s sexual advances away from her. Though, when she looked at Ualan, Yusef saw that she didn’t entirely dislike his brother.

Seeing Morrigan glare absently at him as she spoke to Ualan, he returned her dark frown. Then, glancing to his side, he sighed. From what his father said, all Princes were cursed with angry women and unhappy marriages. Yusef knew that none were as cursed as he. At least his brothers could bring their brides with them tonight, proclaiming them as their wives for all to see. He had to leave his frustrating wench tied up at home. It was the only way he could assure she wouldn’t run away from him.

The Princes, the King, and the Queen all wore silver crowns of simplistic design atop their heads as a symbol of their sovereignty. The three attending Princesses had just received their crowns. He had been given Olena’s for her. It sat on the table in her absence. He would have it delivered to his wing in the palace.

Yusef turned his dark eyes ahead, ignoring the plate of food set before him. He had picked at it absently, but found he had no appetite. Focusing on the real reason he was there in an effort to occupy his time, and to keep his thoughts from the fiery Olena, he turned his attention to a distant table in the back.

A group of silent, blond Var sat solemnly, ignored by most of the hall. Only one servant approached them, hesitatingly filling their goblets. The visiting noblemen held still as the timid man worked.

The largest at their table, King Attor, turned to stare at the royal table. He ruled the Var Kingdom to the south. The King’s gaze lingered on the three Princesses as he studied them. Yusef picked up his drink, taking a sip of the wine. The Var King snarled in anger, though the man reigned in his emotion well. Yusef’s nostrils flared, not liking the man’s treacherous presence in his family’s home.

He knew that this night was a necessity. It was a show of power to their people to prove the Princes were happily married and thus would produce many royal heirs to secure their lineage. It also showed they had no fear of the Var, daring to invite them into their keep on such a joyful occasion.

A shout of laughter sounded, drawing Yusef from his thoughts. He glanced down and saw the young boy, Hienrich, limping over the floor. He had been born with a bad foot that turned in as he walked. The deformity would keep him from ever being a soldier, so naturally it was what the boy wanted more than anything in the world. Hienrich should have known better, as he bravely approached a table of drunken Draig soldiers. Yusef shook his head, knowing what was going to happen before the boy even spoke.

The men laughed, bidding the boy to do some trick to prove himself. The eager boy hopped on his bad leg, falling over, much to the amusement of the men who only chuckled louder. The boy climbed to his feet to do it again. Suddenly, he felt Pia brushing past his back. Yusef blinked in surprise to see her rush to the boy’s aide.

Turning, he glanced at Zoran. His brother silently watched his wife.

Hienrich blinked to see a Princess before him and instantly bowed. His position was precarious and he stumbled before righting himself.

"Leave him be!" Pia demanded to the table of stunned warriors. Yusef sat back, crossing his arms over his chest as he watched in silent curiosity.

"What do you want with Hienrich, my lady?" a burly soldier with a beard asked. "Does he offend you? I’ll have him removed."

Yusef watched Pia’s body shake. "He does not offend me! You, however…"

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

Yusef saw a grin come to the side of Zoran’s mouth, though he hid it well. "Perhaps you’re right, brother."

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

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

"See," the man said.

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

The men laughed good-naturedly.

"Well, I am a Princess," Pia announced. Zoran had stood, stepping leisurely around the table to fetch his wife. "And he will be 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. Now here was a woman he wanted nowhere near Olena. With Olena’s creative mind and Pia’s temperament, the entire kingdom would be in trouble. Thinking of his wife tied to the bed, his laughter died in his chest and the grin left his dark features.

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

A shout of agreement came from the men eager to do battle for such a coveted position.

"Do you dare to question a Princess?" Zoran called with authority over the hall. The onlookers instantly fell silent in respect.

"He is my warrior too!"

Yusef flinched. It was Olek’s wife Nadja.

"And mine as well!" Morrigan said.

Yusef sighed. He was suddenly very thankful Olena wasn’t there. He wasn’t sure he wanted her around any of these crazy females. She was already crazy enough without company or encouragement.

Zoran glanced at his father and shrugged. "There you have it. You cannot deny the wishes of three Princesses. Hienrich is now under royal protection and will be treated accordingly to his new station."

The warriors growled and looked darkly at the boy whose chest was puffing up with his new authority over them. Yusef shook his head. Zoran was going to be in for a lot of trouble after this incident. Seeing the men’s faces, he hid a smile. There might even be a small rebellion later that night.

Zoran lifted his hand and motioned the musicians to start playing. Pia told Hienrich to come to the table. She looked at Yusef expectantly and then to the empty seat beside him. Yusef glanced at Zoran, shrugged and moved over so the boy could sit beside Zoran. Pia waved a servant to bring the boy a plate.