The Perfect Prince (16 page)

 

“Nadja?” he asked, thinking she might be upset about the coronation. He knew she didn’t want this.

 

Instead of answering his silent entreaty, she inquired, “So who are the ambassadors we are trying to impress?”

 

Olek’s face fell, but he nodded slightly towards a distant table. A group of silent, blonde men sat solemnly, ignored by most of the hall. Only one servant approached them, seeming to hesitate as he filled their goblets. The men held still, not looking at the servant as he made his way around them.

 

“Who are they?” Nadja asked. The ambassadors were the only ones not enjoying themselves in the hall. Nadja shivered as one of the largest warriors subtly returned her stare. He almost appeared to snarl at her as if he would like nothing more than to snap her neck between his flexing fingers. She hastily looked away.

 

“The House of Var,” Olek answered evenly, keeping his attention carefully trained on them without appearing to do so. “They are the kingdom to the south. We rule this half of Qurilixen, they rule the other.”

 

“Your family rules half a planet?”

 

“Our planet isn’t so big,” he said modestly, taking a drink.

 

Servants started coming around with plates of food, serving royalty first and the Var guests second. The Vars lifted their hands, silently refusing the meal. The servants moved on, giving their plates over to the next table. The hall became more subdued as the people began to dine. Musicians played soft music in the corner.

 

Nadja tried to keep from staring at the blonde warriors, but it was hard. They drank in silence, rudely taking in everything with obvious displeasure. To her surprise, no one paid them any attention, pretending as if they didn’t exist. Nadja would have thought her husband and his brothers completely unconcerned by the visitors until she heard Price Ualan lean over to speak to Olek.

 

“What are the Var doing here?” Ualan questioned in English. His tone was hard and she could tell he wasn’t happy to receive the Var guests in his home.

 

“They are our guests,” Olek answered. Nadja turned to look up at him. She saw Olek’s jaw tighten to match Ualan’s look. Maybe he was more worried about it than he let on. “See that they are watched,” Ualan said. “I won’t have their deceits in the House of Draig. There will be a big price to pay if we must punish them.”

 

“Yusef is taking care of it.” Olek paused. Then, easing purposefully into their native tongue, he said, “I wanted them to see the royal marriages for themselves.” Nadja frowned. She wanted to hear more of what they said, but Ualan only 
answered his brother in kind. It was annoying, like parents spelling out the bad words so the kids couldn’t understand. She’d really have to step up her practice of their language if she were to learn anything.

 

Nadja realized Morrigan was looking at her, a serious smile on her strained face.

 

Nadja tried to smile to get the woman’s attention, but Morrigan just nodded stiffly and turned away.

 

For the most part she ate in silence. A servant came to take her plate and she let him. Olek occasionally spoke to his brother in their language. Nadja glanced at him, seeing his head was turned from her. She thought of how Olek and Ualan really did look alike, though Ualan’s eyes were blue and Olek’s were the much sexier green.

 

Pia smiled at her and Nadja smiled back. She wished she could switch places with Zoran so she’d have someone to talk to. Seeing her head turned, the King glanced at her and grinned. He turned back to his wife, murmuring softly to her.

 

As she watched, Nadja saw Pia’s face fall in horror. A shout of laughter had resounded over the hall in front of her. To Nadja’s amazement, Pia jumped up from the table and rushed down to the floor. Leaning forward, she saw a young boy limping to his feet. One foot turned in slightly and started to drag.

 

Several large Draig warriors chuckled harder as they watched the slender, sickly boy from the nearby table. The boy blinked as Pia sidled next to him. He tried to bow, but his position was precarious and he stumbled before righting himself.

 

Unconsciously, Nadja’s hand found Olek’s leg beneath the table and began to knead it with her agitated fingers. He tensed as a rush of pleasure shot through his system.

 

He turned to study her.

 

“Leave him be!” Pia ordered the table of warriors. Nadja noticed one of the Var stood up amidst the distraction. The scolded table quieted and looked at Pia in question.

 

“What do you want with Hienrich, my lady?” a burly man with a beard asked.

 

“Does he offend you? I’ll have him removed.” Pia turned red, her blonde hair flying as she spun to glare him down. “He does not offend me! You, however….”

 

“My lady,” the warrior defended. “He knows we mean no harm. Don’t you lad?” Hienrich dutifully nodded his head at the man’s hard look.

 

“See,” the man said.

 

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

 

The table started to laugh louder.

 

“Well I am a Princess,” Pia announced, “and he will be my personal warrior.” The men looked shock, but no more so than Heinrich whose mouth nearly fell to the floor.

 

“If my lady wishes for a warrior, let us battle for the position. Don’t insult us by naming a boy,” the burly man insisted in return.

 

Prince Zoran came around to gather his wife as the soldiers shouted in agreement.

 

“Let us have a tournament,” one of them called. He was met with excited shouts

 

“Do you dare to question a Princess?” began Zoran, his voice booming with an authority they automatically respected. The hall fell deadly still.

 

Nadja shook. She saw Pia’s hard eyes searching over the crowd. Pushing up from Olek’s leg, she yelled to his surprise, “He is my warrior too!” Olek choked on his wine to hear the reserved Nadja shout out in command. All eyes turned to his wife, including his.

 

“And mine as well,” Morrigan piped in, rising to her feet.

 

Nadja looked at Morrigan and smiled. They both turned to watch Pia who nodded gratefully in return.

 

“There you have it,” Zoran said, trying not to laugh. “You cannot deny the wish of three Princesses. Heinrich is now under royal protection and will be treated accordingly to his new station.”

 

The stunned hall broke into a murmur of talk. At Zoran’s nod, the musicians picked up their tune once more. Nadja watched as he led the boy to the head table to sit by Pia in Yusef’s wife’s empty seat. Pia waved at a servant to bring the boy a plate.

 

The dark Yusef nodded at the boy before standing. He went to the musicians who welcomed him good-naturedly and handed him a guitar looking instrument. He began strumming a few tunes with them and proved himself quite up to the task. Someone joined in, singing in the Qurilixian language. It was a beautiful sounding ballad.

 

“That was very kind,” Olek said as Nadja once more settled beside him. His hand skimmed across her lower back and she shivered. “The boy has no family. It is good that you all claimed responsibility for him. It shows you as compassionate in your rule.” Nadja blushed, seeing his pleasure in her. All too aware of being on public display, she eased slightly back from his face, which was dipping closer as if he would kiss her.“Do you play?” Nadja asked, nodding her head toward where Yusef sat with the musicians.

 

“I never really took to it,” Olek answered. His hand moved to her waist, pulling her closer to him. His eyes took in her exquisite mouth, the brilliance of her shining eyes.

 

Her hair was piled perfectly on her head. She was the loveliest woman in the room and she belonged to him.

 

Nadja saw his eyes again dip to her mouth and blushed. She gently pushed his hand from her hip and turned away to pick up her goblet. Olek sighed in loud, groaning disappointment.

 

The King glanced at him. Nadja nearly chocked on her drink. The Queen chuckled at the purposefully wounded look her son was affecting.

 

Nadja turned to Olek. Under her breath, she scolded, “Stop it!”

 

“What?” he returned innocently, his green eyes shining with liquid gaiety.

 

“You know what,” she said, doing her best not to blush profusely as he licked his lips and looked at hers. His brow rose slightly as if considering her taste. “Stop looking at me like that.”

 

“Why?” he feigned a frown, though his eyes still shone.

 

“Because we are in public! It isn’t appropriate!” Olek glanced around to the lower tables. Some wives sat lovingly on husbands’ 
laps. Couples kissed as freely and naturally as breathing.

 

“But--” he began.

 

“No,” she commanded him regally, already knowing what he was going to say. “I am well aware of what everyone else is doing. However, you’re a Prince and you should act with a little more decorum.”

 

Olek leaned to look over her shoulder and winked. To her mortification, the King began laughing behind her. She turned, her stunned cheeks paling.

 

“Ah,” the King said to her. “Well spoken, my dear. I see you have him well in hand.” The Queen punched his arm lovingly and King Llyr instantly leaned over to plant a big kiss on her lips for all to see.

 

Nadja turned her face away. Olek laughed at his parents and no one seemed to notice from the lower tables.

 

“So solarfl--” Olek began hopefully.

 

“Don’t even try it,” she growled, cutting him off.

 

Olek chuckled loudly. Leaning into her ear, he couldn’t help himself as he whispered, “Until later, then.”

 

Olek nipped playfully at her earlobe before drawing away. Nadja just shivered.

 

She was unable to look back up from the table for a long moment. But, hearing a dark voice calling up from directly below her, she forgot her embarrassment.

 

“King Llyr,” the large blonde Var who had snarled at her acknowledged. He bowed and she saw the emblem of a tiger embroidered on his chest where the Draig usually had a dragon. She unconsciously inched closer to Olek, leaning into him for support. Her hand went to his leg beneath the table and rested. His arm was stiff as it came around her side and pulled her closer into a protective embrace. The Var warrior didn’t look directly at her.

 

Nadja couldn’t understand what was being said. She held quiet, studying the man’s face intently. She hoped Olek would fill her in later.

 

“Many blessings on your unions,” the stranger said. “May your reign be long.”

 

“As may yours, King Attor,” the Draig ruler returned, standing to show a respect that didn’t reflect wholeheartedly in his eyes.

 

Olek’s hand gripped on her waist and she shivered in fear. King Attor’s eyes shifted to the side, glancing over the table before he moved away.

 

“What just happened?” Nadja asked, turning to see Olek’s eyes were focused on 
the Var’s back.

 

Without answering her, Olek tilted his head to Yusef. Yusef ended his part in the song early and passed his instrument back to its owner. Nadja watched as he got up and moved to follow the Var out of the common hall.

 

“Is everything all right?” she asked, moving closer to get Olek’s attention. He blinked, breaking his concentration to study her curious face. Unable to stop himself, he kissed the tip of her nose. “Everything is fine, solarflower.” Nadja frowned, not liking his placating tone as his eyes turned once more to the door the Var had disappeared through.

 

The celebration livened up after the Var ambassadors left. The musicians played louder and couples gathered together to dance. Nadja watched Olek from the corner of her eye. She hoped he would ask her to join him on the dance floor, but he seemed preoccupied.

 

Some time after Yusef followed the Var out, a beefy giant of a man came to the head table, speaking first to the King in a soft murmur. He drew the attention of the Princes, who leaned in to hear his words. Nadja watched their faces stiffen and their eyes narrow, but other than that, they nodded and turned back to their wives.

 

“What’s going on?” Nadja asked, turning to Olek. His eyes were hard and his breath controlled. “What’s happening?”

 

“There’s been a little trouble with the ambassadors,” Olek answered, trying to smile for her. “Nothing for you to be concerned about, but I’ve got to go.”

 

“Olek, wait,” Nadja began, wanting him to confide in her. She felt his unease and it scared her.

 

“I’ll have one of the men escort you home,” he said, waving down to a nearby table. Nadja blinked, looking down at the guard. He bowed at her as Olek gave him his orders. Leaning over, Olek lightly kissed her cheek, “I’ll be back as soon as I can.”

 

“But,” Nadja gasped. Her mouth opened to try and stop him. It was too late. He was already down the raised platform to join his brother Ualan. They walked leisurely out the side door, trying not to draw attention to themselves.

 

The King stood and bowed to his wife. “My Queen.” She took up his arms and, smiling, she made her way down the platform on the arm of the King. She lightly took up Zoran’s arm as she passed by him, urging him to join in escorting her out. They acted as if nothing was amiss.

 

Nadja blinked, looking down to where the soldier was waiting for her. He bowed again, offering up his hand to lead her around the table. Morrigan was already being led away by a servant. She looked uncommonly pale.

 

Nadja, at a loss, stood and moved to follow the guard. He was quiet as he took her through the passageways to her home. Once Nadja said the command to open the door, he moved to the side and put his back to the wall, standing guard.

 

“Do you want to come in?” she asked politely. “You don’t have to wait out here.” The guard nodded his thanks to her but didn’t speak.

 

“Goodnight, then,” she murmured. His face turned straight and stiff to the opposite wall. Nadja shook her head and went inside.

 

 

* * * *

 

Olek and Ualan rushed through the castle passageways to the medical wing where Yusef was being delivered. Agro hadn’t been able to tell them much, but that Yusef had been attacked from behind while seeing King Attor out of the keep and off Draig land.

Agro seemed fairly confident that it wasn’t the King and his ambassador’s who dealt the blows, but the Var were not dismissed as suspects in the tragedy.

 

Hearing Yusef’s howl of pain, the Princes began to run. Llyr, Zoran, and Mede were quick behind them. It had been hard not to run out of the hall, but it would do no good to alarm the castle until they knew what was happening.

 

Seeing Agro pinning his brother to a bed as the doctor’s worked, Ualan and Olek stepped in to relieve the man of his position. Agro backed away, his face strained. Yusef fought like a bear, but he had lost so much blood that he was weakening quickly.

 

“They stabbed him in the back. He didn’t have time to shift,” Agro said to Yusef’s family. The King nodded his thanks to the loyal man. Agro was a good friend, having grown up with the four Princes. Speaking low, he commanded, “Agro, gather the trackers and see if they can’t pick up a scent.”

 

“I’ll lead them myself,” Agro stated purposefully. Shifting into his fearsome Draig form, he took off down the hall in lightening speed.

 

“My wife,” Yusef moaned, nearly incoherent.

 

Ualan turned to his father as Yusef finally passed out. He let the man go. Olek followed suit. “We should send someone to the Outpost to gather his wife.”

 

“She’s in chastisement,” Olek said. “Send someone discreet, someone who won’t scare her with Draig. We don’t know how much he’s told her. She might not even know she’s royalty.”

 

Zoran nodded in agreement, looking over from where he spoke with a guard. He waved the man away.

 

“I’ve taken care of it,” Zoran said. “They go to get her right now.” The family turned to where the doctors worked in silence. The faces held tight as they waited for Yusef to pull through. A half of an hour later, Yusef was bandaged up but still unconscious. The doctor told them that, since he hadn’t been given time to shift into Draig and the knife wounds had penetrated deeply beneath the surface of his skin, he was still in danger. But, they were hopeful for a complete recovery.

 

* * * *

 

Olek silently made his way down the red halls to his home. Seeing the soldier he’d sent to guard Nadja still at attention outside his door, he waved the man from his 
post. The guard bowed dutifully and said nothing as he left.

 

Nadja was still wearing her formal gown when he walked in. She looked as if she had been frantically pacing the floor, waiting for his return. As the door slid open, she spun to him, rushing forward.

 

“Are you all right?” she hastened, her face drawn with worry as she looked him over. “What happened?”

 

Olek didn’t wish to alarm her. She hadn’t asked for the burden of their royal life and he didn’t want to trouble her with it. “Everything’s fine, solarflower.”

 

“Then? What was that all about?” Nadja demanded, breathless with relief to see him safe. “Why was there a guard left at the door? I thought we were being attacked.”

 

“Yusef had a small accident. The doctor’s say he’ll be fine.” Nadja took him at his word. She let loose a heavy sigh. “You had me so worried, I was sure something bad had happened with the ambassadors.” Olek’s eyes turned to liquid fire as they dipped over her gown. Nadja saw the look and instantly backed away.

 

“Oh, no,” she declared, pleasure and awareness coming over her at once. “I’m not through talking.”

 

“Who said we had to stop talking,” Olek dismissed, beginning to stalk forward.

 

Nadja backed away, around the water fountain. “I just want to collect on that kiss you owe me.”

 

“What kiss?” Nadja asked, feigning innocence. She batted her eyelashes at him.

 

“Before we left tonight, you promised me a kiss,” Olek murmured. “Here, let me remind you.”

 

Bursting forward, his hands wrapped her waist. Nadja gasped, awed by his speed.

 

His fingers hit a clasp and pushed the overdress’ material aside so his fingers could slide over the cream colored gown to her backside.

 

“I believe we were right around here,” he said, giving her a playful squeeze. “And you promised to kiss me if I didn’t mess up your hair.” Nadja shivered as his body edged closer. His hand firmly pressed at her back, forcing her cleavage to push up against him. His eyes looked down, devouring the creamy globes of her breasts with his hot gaze.

 

“I’m waiting,” he murmured, his breath falling over her bare neck and the top of her chest. “Where is my kiss?”

 

Nadja leaned forward to quickly peck his lips. When she pulled back, he wasn’t smiling.“Naughty solarflower,” Olek growled, shaking his head in denial. His eyes pierced her with fire and need. “That is no kiss.”

 

“You didn’t specify,” Nadja declared. “Not let me go so I can talk to you.”

 

“You talk,” he said, a mischievous grin coming to his features, “and I’ll show you what a real kiss is.”

 

Nadja gasped as his head dipped down to the top of her breast and he instantly began devouring it with his passionate lips. She gasped, weakening into his arms. Her heart pounded beneath his tongue, thundering wildly.

 

When he thoroughly melted her will to his, he lifted his head and grinned. “You don’t speak, solarflower? I thought you wanted to talk.”

 

“I,” she began feebly, trying for the life of her to remember what she wanted to ask him. Nothing came readily to mind.

 

“How about I speak, then?” Olek mused. “Shall I tell you what I have been thinking about all night?”

 

Nadja froze. His hands were growing bolder on her back, working her skirt up her back to expose the backs of her legs.

 

“Should I tell you what I am always thinking about?” he continued passionately, claiming her with his deep gaze.

 

His hand found a firm cheek of her backside and caressed the naked globe roughly in his hand.

 

“Yes,” Nadja panted, not turning her eyes away. Her body was getting moist just listening to his seductive voice. All of a sudden, she was hot--almost too hot--and she was having trouble catching her breath.

 

“I think about you, solarflower, all the time. I think about having you in a hundred different ways.”

 

Nadja panted at the bold admission.

 

“Shall I tell you how I think about taking you?” Olek asked, leaning forward to lick at her neck.

 

“Yes,” she breathed, her eyes fluttering closed. “Yes, Olek.”

 

“I want to make love to you here on the floor, on that couch, in the bath, on the fur rug in our bedroom before the fireplace. Every time I see you, I want to strip you naked and have my wicked way with you. I want to tie you up and conquer you. I want bend you over my office desk and take you from behind. I can barely think straight anymore.” Olek’s mouth grew bolder, licking, nipping, kissing his way along to her collarbone. “I’m always hard. Feel it, feel how hard I am for you. I’m going crazy, solarflower. I need to be inside you. I want to feel your wet, soft….” Olek didn’t wait. He grabbed her hand and brought it to his erection. Nadja gasped at the deep power of him.

 

“This is what you do to me, Nadja.” Olek’s hand went back to her skirt, lifting it up. His fingers edged around from behind, digging to test her response to him. He wasn’t disappointed as he slid into her moist lips. “Tell me you’re hot for me. Tell me to take you right now, right here. Don’t make me wait any longer.”

 

“Ah,” Nadja’s mouth fell open about to scream her agreement.

 

“Draea Anwealda!” came an ungodly high-pitched screech.

 

The shout was followed by a frantic knock on the door. Nadja jolted in alarm, 
blinking heavily.

 

“Draea Anwealda!” a woman’s panicked voice called louder. “Come quickly, you and the Princess!”

 

Nadja blinked again as Olek’s eyes cleared. He let her go. Her body jerked in protest. He wasn’t going to leave her in this condition again, was he?

 

“What is it?” Nadja asked. “What is she saying?” It was hard, but Olek managed to tear himself away from her. His body couldn’t take much more of this painful denial.

 

“She’s saying we need to go,” he answered hoarsely. Oh, but his manhood throbbed and pulsed in a hard erection. His gut clenched painfully. Under his breath, he swore, “Come on.”

 

Nadja righted her gown as Olek yelled for the door to open. He took her hand, leading her forward.

 

“What is it?” he asked the woman.

 

“You are needed in the medical wing,” the woman said, her Qurilixian words coming out fast. “It’s the Princesses, they’ve been poisoned!” The woman ran off to warn the others. Olek turned to his wife. She was pale, trembling as he looked at her.

 

“What happened?” Nadja asked, as Olek grabbed her hand.

 

“Come on, we’ve got to go,” he answered, terrified. Without waiting for her to answer, he began to run, pulling his panicked wife behind him.

 

Nadja saw that Olek was leading her to the medical wing. Her chest heaving from the run, she pulled her hand from his as he slowed.

 

“What’s going on? Is someone hurt?” she asked, following him inside. His family was there. Ualan looked tortured, as he stared blindly at the operating room door. She saw Yusef on the bed in bad shape. His skin was pale and he was bandaged over his entire upper body. Turning to Olek, her brows furrowed in confusion, “You said it was just a little accident.”

 

Olek didn’t have time to answer or explain. Nadja blinked. There was a rush of talk around her that she couldn’t understand. The Queen was there along with the King.

 

Mede was shaking her head, speaking frantically to Olek and motioning at Nadja and Pia.

 

“Olek?” Nadja insisted loudly, confused.

 

Olek turned back to his wife, his face drawn. There was no time to explain what was happening. He took her hand, ushering her forward to an awaiting doctor. Zoran was doing the same with a confused Pia. Nadja trembled. The doctor was covered completely with protective gear, down to his goggles. It didn’t look good.

 

“Go with the doctor, Nadja,” he urged. “We’ll talk as soon as you’re done.”

 

“I’ll go with them,” the Queen said following the Princesses to the back room.

 

But, the doctor turned and motioned that she should stay out. The Queen blinked in confusion but obeyed the man.