The Omaja Stone Page 27

  “Our intentions were not to seek the throne, General Binnaj,” Yavi replied. “We only sought Nandala’s good.”

  The general of the Assassin Army stepped forward then, kneeling on the carpet before them, placing his fist over his heart as well. “I swear my loyalty to you, sons of Zulfikar. You are the finest assassins the Black Army has ever trained, and I know well your courage and your loyalty to Nandala. May your rule prosper.”

  “Thank you, General Manck.”

  Thakur’s second then knelt before them, bowing his head. “Mahajin, though you may doubt me, I am truly glad to be free of Thakur’s tyranny. I feigned loyalty to him in order to survive, as did many others. As his second-in-command, I do not know what fate you will decide for me, but I accept it. I swear my loyalty to you no matter what you decide.”

  Yajna turned to Jiandra, who sat next to him. “Is Pavan loyal to us?”

  Jiandra was already using the Knowing power to read Pavan’s thoughts along with everyone else’s who came into the tent, out of caution. “He is, Mahaj.”

  Yajna flashed her a weary smile. “Mahaj? Are you learning Nandalan?”

  “Doesn’t it mean ‘milord,’ or something along those lines?”

  Yajna turned to Yavi. “Beautiful and intelligent. Don’t be too jealous, brother.”

  “You are very lucky, my brother.” Yavi laid a hand on Yajna’s shoulder, his words spoken with tiredness and a sincerity Jiandra hadn’t heard in his tone before.

  Yajna addressed the second. “Pavan, we will spare your life in exchange for your service to us. We can make use of your knowledge and experience.”

  Yavi agreed. “And the Black Armies must leave Villeleia as soon as possible. Villeleia’s Royal Army will arrive here seeking to do battle with us in another day or two. When they see what Thakur has done to Caladia…may Tejeshwar grant that they will not cross the mountain range to retaliate. Wasting our few precious resources on defending this ill-advised invasion when we should be rebuilding our own nation is reckless and foolish.”

  “Agreed.” Pavan glanced at the two generals, who nodded their assent as well. “We can be ready to march at dawn.”

  “One last thing, Pavan,” Yajna spoke up. “See to it that the refugees who came with us are provided warm clothing, a meal, and a place to sleep tonight.”

  “Yes, Sire.”

  Yavi dismissed the generals and turned to Jiandra and his brother. “What do we do now?” he asked tiredly, running a hand over his hair. “All of this is so surreal.”

  “Father is dead, Yavi.” Yajna’s eyes welled up with tears.

  Yavi placed a hand on his shoulder and hung his head.

  Jiandra moved to kneel in front of their seats and took each of their hands in hers, forming a circle with them. “Yavi and Yajna, I am so sorry.”

  They squeezed her hands, and cried bitterly for a long moment.

  Eventually Yavi swiped at his tears with the back of his hand and turned to Yajna. “We must make plans for the morrow. I will return to Nandala with the Black Armies and carry father’s body safely home, and you can escort Jiandra back to Kingston. Find General Toledano on the way and tell him Thakur is dead and the Black Armies are retreating. Persuade him to turn around and return home. Tell him we will send what resources we can to help rebuild Caladia.”

  Yajna took her hand and linked his fingers through hers. “Jiandra, do you agree to this plan?”

  “Yes, but…now that I have the Omaja, I am protected from all harm. You don’t have to escort me. You two are the rulers of Nandala now, and you have many important matters to attend to, including your family loss.”

  “Jiandra.” Yajna lifted her hand to his lips and kissed it gently. “We owe you our lives, many times over. Without your help, we would not have been able to heal those refugees in Caladia nor defeat Thakur. I can’t send you off to make that journey alone. My father would have understood.”

  Yavi spoke up. “Mahitha, he’s right. It’s the least we can do.”

  “All right.”

  Yajna turned to address a servant that was standing near the door. “You there—what is your name?”

  The servant bowed. “I am Tor, my Lord.”

  “Tor. Is there a maidservant that can help Lady Jiandra bathe and find something clean to sleep in?”

  “Yes, my Lord. I will run to the servants’ tent now.”

  “And Tor,” Yajna halted him before he left, “My brother and I need to bathe as well.”

  “Yes, Sire. We will bring baths for you right away.”

  THIRTY-FOUR

  When Tor was gone, they wandered into the back of the tent to investigate the private quarters. There were two large sections, one for the emperor and another for a guest, each side containing a fluffy pallet laden with blankets and furs. There were two girls on the emperor’s side who looked to be a little younger than Gracie. They were dressed in sheer, revealing nightgowns, and rose when Jiandra and the twins entered. One of them stepped forward and asked Yavi something in Nandalan.

  Yavi shook his head and replied in Nandalan, gesturing toward the door. The girls bowed and left.

  “What was that about?” Jiandra asked.

  “Thakur’s concubines,” Yavi replied.

  “Those little girls? But they were children!”

  “Yes.”

  “What did she ask you?”

  Yavi didn’t answer, so Yajna spoke up. “She was offering their services to the new emperors.”

  Jiandra’s stomach churned a little. “Thank you for sending them away, Yavi.”

  “No problem. I don’t share Thakur’s taste for adolescent girls.”

  Yajna cleared his throat and changed the subject. “Jiandra and I will take the servants’ quarters if you wish, brother. You can have this room.”

  “No, you take this room. The bed is bigger.”

  Yajna looked at her. “Is that agreeable to you, Jiandra?”

  She was relieved that he wanted her to sleep with him tonight. She didn’t know if she would have much more time with him before they would have to part again. “Yes. Er, could we ask for a change of blankets, perhaps?”

  Yajna looked at the bed. “I’m sure we could. Good idea.”

  Servants arrived with two tubs, setting one up on each side of the curtain dividing the private quarters and quickly filling them with heated water.

  Jiandra was left alone to bathe in the emperor’s quarters, and Yavi went to bathe on the guest side while Yajna waited in the main room. Female servants appeared with a cake of soap, a comb, a clean shift, a robe, some slippers, and a towel. They questioned Jiandra in Nandalan.

  She hesitated. “Oh, I don’t…”

  Yavi’s voice came from the other side of the heavy curtain. “They are offering to help you undress and bathe.”

  “Oh…ah…I think I can manage?”

  Yavi said something in Nandalan, and the servants bowed to her and left.

  She sat down to pull off her boots, then stripped off her cuirass and breeches, draping them over a wooden chest to air out. Then she unbraided her hair and sank into the warm water with a sigh. Once she had finished bathing and washing her hair, she dried herself and dressed in the shift, slippers, and robe, and combed out her wet hair. Then she peeked out from the curtain into the main room.

  Yavi was seated at the table, bathed and dressed in loose pants and a robe, drinking wine from a goblet. “Join me, Mahitha.”

  Jiandra stepped into the room, a little self-conscious about her robe and wet hair, and offered him a half-smile. He poured her a goblet of wine as she approached the table.

  “Don’t let my brother keep you up tonight.” He smiled as he handed it to her. “We rise in a few short hours, before dawn.”

  She sipped the wine. Yavi was eating a little of the bread and smoked meats on the table, so she broke off a small piece of bread for herself as well.

  “Try this,” he said, setting a bowl near her. “It’s a Nandalan specialty—ro
asted eggplant, oil, and spices. We eat it with bread.”

  It was cold but delicious, and she realized how hungry she was when she started eating it.

  Yajna joined them in his robe, gaze raking over Jiandra with an appreciative look.

  “Here, brother.” Yavi handed him a goblet of wine as he seated himself next to her.

  Yajna drank, then smiled at her. “You’re trying the Lekkis? How do you like it?”

  “Mm, it’s delicious,” she said with her mouth full. She sipped her wine to wash it down.

  “This was one of my mother’s signature dishes.” He broke off some bread and scooped it into the bowl of eggplant. “It’s one of my favorites. Yavi, did you give her some Talún?”

  Yavi looked around the table and grabbed up a plate of something that looked like meatloaf. “Try this, Mahitha. It’s made with lentils.”

  Jiandra cut off a slice and passed it to Yajna. She tasted a bite. “Oh, that’s good too.”

  The twins made her sample a couple of other dishes, obviously enjoying introducing her to their cuisine. Jiandra was relieved to see them smiling and eating. They all needed this break from the past few days’ events.

  After they ate, she asked them about the ruby. “What was that pendant Pavan took from Thakur’s neck?”

  Yavi fished it from the pocket of his robe and held it up by its broken chain. “This is the ruby of the throne of Nandala. The house of Zulfikar once possessed it.”

  The huge gemstone glowed orange-red in the firelight. “It’s beautiful. What are you supposed to do with it?”

  Yajna answered. “The emperor wears it at all times. Yavi will wear it since he’s firstborn.”

  “But we will rule together, brother. Don’t think you can leave me to do this difficult task alone.”

  “Yes, my brother.” Yajna grasped his twin’s forearm, and Yavi returned the gesture.

  Jiandra excused herself from the table and moved near the fire to finish drying her damp hair, combing through it to separate the strands while Yavi and Yajna talked quietly in Nandalan over a second goblet of wine.

  Eventually servants arrived to clear away the food and start packing up for the trip home. Yajna came up behind her and encircled her waist with his hands. He bent to speak near her ear.

  “We should retire.”

  Jiandra nodded, and he took her hand to lead her to their side of the private quarters. He pulled the curtain aside for her to enter first. Candles illuminated the space. The opulent furs that had been on the low bed had been replaced with a soft quilt.

  Yajna shrugged out of his robe, baring his torso to her view, and her breath caught at the sight of his muscular chest and arms, the rows of muscles lining his abdomen. He came near and untied the belt of her robe.

  She looked down at his hands, not sure she was ready to be seen fully naked by him.

  He read her perfectly. “Nervous with me, Lahdli?” he whispered.

  “Um, yes, sort of,” she whispered back. “What’s ‘lahdli?’”

  “It means ‘my love.’”

  “Oh.”

  He leaned forward to brush his sensual lips along her cheek. “What are you nervous about?”

  “You…seeing me naked, I guess.”

  He stroked her arms, nuzzled her cheek and jawline. “You have nothing to be ashamed of, Jiandra. You’re beautiful all over.”

  “So are you,” she found herself saying, as his touch and his words sent shivers all through her.

  He parted her robe, slipped his hands inside, and slid them over her hips, pulling her against his body. The shift was no protection at all from the searing heat of his firm torso against her breasts. His hands caressed her waist, then moved down to cup her buttocks through the thin fabric.

  Liquid desire surged through her veins, and she stretched up to wind her arms around his neck, wanting to feel him, hold him. He stared at her lips, then brushed his mouth over hers, gently at first, lightly tasting her with his tongue. Jiandra kissed him back and ran her hands over his shoulders, his thick arms, and his firm chest. It was too glorious for words, caressing a magnificently beautiful male body like his. His nipples hardened as her fingers brushed over them, and she broke off the kiss to press her lips to a bulging pectoral muscle.

  He responded by gently pushing her robe off her shoulders, and pulled her with him to the pallet. He threw back the quilts to reveal soft sheets underneath, and nudged her to crawl in first. He blew out the candles and joined her, pulling the covers up over them before wrapping an arm around her waist and leaning over her in the darkness.

  “We’ll have to be quiet,” he bent down to whisper near her ear. “I don’t want my nosy brother to hear.”

  “Yes. He said not to let you keep me up,” she whispered back, smiling.

  “He’s just jealous. And I don’t blame him.” He stroked her cheek with his fingers, kissed her lips hungrily. He caressed her bare arm, then slid his hand down to her waist under the blankets, setting fire everywhere he touched.

  Jiandra wound her arms around his neck and kissed him back.

  After a moment, he moved to speak into her ear again, nuzzling it. “In my culture, there are rules about making love to a virgin. I have to stretch you gently, slowly. There are special herbs and oils for it in Nandala. We don’t have those things, or enough time, and this isn’t the place for that intimacy.”

  “Oh. Um…really?”

  “Feel this,” he whispered, pulling her hand down to his swollen erection.

  Jiandra’s pulse sped up as she eagerly wrapped her fingers around him through his pants. “It’s huge,” she whispered. “I see what you mean.”

  He pushed himself against her palm, groaning softly. “I shouldn’t be touching you tonight,” he breathed near her ear. “We’re both exhausted. My emotions are raw from my father’s—from what happened.”

  “Yajna…we can just rest, if you want.”

  “No, I don’t want.” He buried his face against her neck, his breathing a little ragged. “Is that what you want?”

  “Rest?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Ah, not really.”

  He reached up to untie the strings holding her shift together over her breasts, unlacing it and pulling the fabric away to bare her tight nipples to the night air. The Omaja stone glowed with a faint blue light, illuminating her breasts as well as his face as he stared down at them.

  She glanced down at herself. “I’m really small.”

  “You’re beautiful.” He covered one breast with his hand and stroked her nipple with his fingers and thumb, brushing his lips against hers while he caressed her. Eventually he moved a little lower to do exactly what her body was begging him to do—take the nipple into his mouth. He sucked it gently, teasing it with his tongue. His touch sent shivers all through her body, and there was another area begging for his attention as well. Lower.

  He shifted to her other breast, licking and sucking it into his mouth as well. Jiandra arched her back, stifling a moan in her throat. He’d said this wasn’t the time or place for lovemaking, so she prayed he wouldn’t stop and decide to go to sleep, leaving her aching for him like this.

  His hands slid down over her hips and found the hem of her shift at her knees. He moved the fabric up, caressing her bare thighs along the way. Jiandra held her breath as the gown moved all the way up to her waist. He positioned himself low enough to kiss her belly, caressing her hips while he licked the heated, sensitive flesh of her lower abdomen and the inside of her hip bone with his tongue. She pushed up against him slightly, and he reached around to cup her buttocks, massaging them in his hands.

  And soon moved even lower, Gods bless him. She felt him bending her knees, pulling her legs up and apart. And then he was kissing her inner thighs, driving her mad with little licks of his tongue. Those open-mouth kisses trailed closer to her center, which was so wet for him by then that she feared he’d notice and abandon his plan. Instead, he parted her with his fingers and used that
fluid to stroke her, then gently pushed the tip of his finger into her vagina. Tentatively, as if he were trying not to cause discomfort or alarm. Holding his finger inside, he bent his head to brush his lips over her most sensitive spot, and she thought she’d die. Of pleasure.

  “You’re so tight,” he whispered as he pushed his finger inside a bit farther. Then he kissed her sensitive spot hungrily, alternating between sucking and licking until she thought she’d go completely mad trying not to cry out. Her orgasm hit her full force, and she pressed her lips together to avoid making noise, arching her hips, squirming. Her vagina contracted tightly on his finger, and when the contractions subsided, he withdrew it and planted kisses over her thighs before moving higher to pull her into his arms.

  She wrapped her arms around his muscular neck. “Gods,” she breathed near his ear, her heartbeat pounding in her chest. “I can’t believe you can do that.”

  He chuckled and kissed her neck.

  “Show me how to do it to you.”

  He stripped off his loose pants and tossed them aside. Jiandra placed a hand on his chest and kissed his pec muscle. He moved her long thick hair aside to stroke and massage her neck, her bare shoulder. She slid her hand down over his flat, muscular abdomen, and then lower.

  He reached down to help guide her fingers to his thick shaft. He made her rub her palm over the wet tip to moisten it, and then wrapped her hand around the base. “Stroke up and down,” he whispered unsteadily, guiding her with his hand.

  She followed his lead, eagerly stroking his velvety-hard length. The Omaja stone’s glow illuminated his gorgeous male physique, the planes of his muscular torso, hips, and thighs. He continued to guide her with one hand while his other hand strayed back up to caress her hair. His hips moved in synch with her strokes as he pushed himself into her hand. And after a few moments it happened: his entire body stiffened, he groaned aloud as if he didn’t care what Yavi heard, and warm liquid poured over her fingers.

  Jiandra marveled. It was so thrilling to do that to him, and such a turn-on to see and hear his reaction.

  He reached over the side of the pallet for a towel so they could clean up, and then he pulled her into his arms, cradling her head against his shoulder. They lay still for a while, just holding each other. Slowly Jiandra’s pulse returned to normal, as she lightly traced his muscular bicep up and down with her fingers, sighing happily against his warm chest.