The Omaja Stone Page 29

  “I can’t believe you like my breasts.”

  He looked up at her face. “Why?”

  “I don’t know; I’ve just always been self-conscious about them being too small.”

  “Look.” He moved her hand back to his throbbing penis. It was straining up flat against his belly. “Does this seem to be a sign of disgust?”

  “Um…no.” She stroked his velvety hard length. To her delight, it surged against her hand.

  He held her waist and lavished attention on her breasts, licking and kissing her nipples until she thought she’d scream. Then he moved lower to trail kisses over her belly and thighs. He bent her knees and gathered her legs over his arms, opening her up and then pleasuring her with his mouth as he had the night before, stroking and gently penetrating the slick entrance to her vagina with his finger. Jiandra cried out as a climax even stronger than the one he’d given her in the Emperor’s tent racked her body.

  “Let me do that to you with my mouth,” she begged as he moved up to take her into his arms. “Please.”

  He chuckled, his chest vibrating against her. “No need to say please, Lahdli.” He leaned back against the pillows and guided her hand to his cock. “I’m all yours.”

  Jiandra sat up and leaned over, closed her eyes, and placed the tip into her mouth. It tasted salty and sexual, and she rubbed her tongue against the underside.

  “Ohh…” he groaned, his body stiffening.

  “Should I suck, or lick, or…?”

  He chuckled, with a little difficulty. “Both. And grip me a little tighter.” He showed her with his hand.

  Jiandra showered attention on him the way he had so generously done to her, thrilled to hear the moans escaping his throat. He touched her hair as she kissed him and sucked him, his breathing labored and his hips straining up slightly to meet her. And just before he climaxed, he moved her mouth gently away to catch his ejaculation in his hand. He reached for the towel on the night table to clean up and pulled her into his arms under the covers.

  Jiandra’s head rested on his firm shoulder, and she hugged his muscular flank, smiling up at him in the darkness. His warm skin smelled deliciously masculine, the clean soap fragrance now mingled with the scent of sex.

  “Did I do well?”

  He stroked her hair back from her face, smiling. “Yes, Lahdli. Very well. I would ask where you learned to do it so well, but a man shouldn’t pry into a lady’s business.”

  “I learned it here, in this bed with you,” she giggled. “But I had heard tell of these things before, from the rich neighbor kids when I was a young girl. They saw a couple of their servants doing it in the basement, and they filled our incredulous heads with all the lurid details.”

  “Divines bless the rich neighbor kids,” he murmured, stroking her hair and cheek. “You should sleep now, my love. I’ve kept you up far too late.”

  “Brute.” She punched his arm softly.

  “Ow.” He feigned injury, then pulled her in closer to his body and nuzzled her neck. “If you don’t go to sleep, I may be forced to make love to you again.”

  “Tyrant.” She was extremely tempted to take him up on that, but they only had a few hours to sleep before Solange’s ten o’clock breakfast party, and she knew he was exhausted as well. She relaxed and lay still in his arms, until sleep claimed her drained, satiated body.

  THIRTY-SIX

  After breakfast, Jiandra went with Yajna to the stables to get Sunil. The stable boy brought him out, prancing and snorting, refreshed and ready for his morning ride.

  Yajna pulled her into his embrace.

  She hugged his strong neck, heart breaking in two. “I don’t want you to go,” she whispered against his chest, tears clogging her throat. “But I know your country and your brother need you.”

  He hugged her tightly to his torso, caressing her back under her hair. His voice was rough with emotion when he spoke. “I will send word as soon as Yavi and I have buried our father and settled things a bit at the palace in Darpan. I want to make sure I have a comfortable home for you.”

  She kissed his stubbled chin. “I love you so much.”

  He covered her mouth with his and kissed her hungrily. “I love you, my brave, sweet little warrior.”

  Jiandra smiled through her tears, staring up into his silvery eyes.

  “I swear it won’t be long. Be strong for me, Lahdli.” He stroked her arms, then mounted Sunil.

  Once he was seated in the saddle, Jiandra laid a hand on his leather-clad thigh and peered up at him. “Gods be with you, Yajna.”

  “I swear it won’t be long,” he repeated, reaching down to squeeze her hand. She saw tears in his eyes too, just before he released her hand and rode away.

  #

  In the weeks that followed, Elio built a couple of small rooms and a fireplace in the back of the barn to make it more habitable for himself and the farmhands while they worked on rebuilding Stovy Farm’s cottage. Jiandra stayed at Castle Villeleia with Gracie and Rafe, soothing her younger brother when his vivid nightmares took hold of him at night. She hoped Rafe simply needed time to adjust, to forget, and heal, but the nightmares came with increasing intensity, until the boy hardly slept at all. He grew thinner and paler with each passing day, dark circles ringing his eyes. At times he would wake up with his eyes glowing red, crying out for Jiandra, and she would go to his room and gently rock him back to sleep.

  Solange and Jiandra summoned Zafira to the castle for help with Rafe, and she began visiting frequently with teas, prayers, and incense to minister to the boy. Her medicines and incantations seemed to help, and Jiandra prayed that he would be back to himself again soon.

  Three months passed, and she had thought of Yajna almost every minute of every day. At last, royal couriers arrived from Nandala bearing sacks of coin for Villeleia’s treasury as reparation for the damage done to Caladia.

  They also brought a personal message for Jiandra.

  “Emperor Yajna sends his warmest regards.” The messenger bowed and held out the roll of parchment to her.

  Jiandra opened it to read:

  My dearest Jiandra, accept these gifts as tokens of my love. Beautiful one, come to Darpan with your family and guests to our marriage celebration, and make my happiness complete. Yours, Yajna.

  She glanced up at the messenger, who extended a wooden box to her. She took it, opened the ornately carved lid, and stared at the opulent jewelry that lay inside on a velvet cushion: a glittering diamond-and-sapphire necklace, bracelet, and earrings.

  “What answer will you send to my lord, milady?”

  Jiandra sighed happily. “Tell him yes, I will come to Darpan as soon as I arrange things here. I will summon you tomorrow afternoon and give you a message to carry back. The castle steward will see to your party’s needs tonight.”

  #

  That night, Jiandra went to bed feeling joyful and melancholy at the same time. She was thrilled to finally be with Yajna, but she would miss her farm, her friends, and her country, not to mention Zehu. She slept for a couple of hours, dreaming of riding Otto through the fields and villages along Caladian Road, seemingly seeking something just beyond her reach.

  Rafe’s cries in the middle of the night awakened her, and she sat up to pull on her robe and shove her feet into her slippers. She hurried to his room.

  The red glow from his eyes cast an unearthly, eerie light about the dark room. Jiandra took his upper body into her arms and stroked his hair. She rocked him gently until his heartbeat slowed a bit.

  After a moment, his eyes changed back to their normal green, and he spoke. “I had a different dream this time, sister.”

  “What was it?”

  “He called me his son.”

  “Who did, dear?”

  “The demon. Lord Ujagar.”

  She pressed her lips to his damp forehead. “I think it’s time we ask Zehu for help. He will know what to do.”

  “Why did you save me, Jiandra?”

  “How muc
h do you remember?” she asked, tears stinging her eyes.

  “I remember nothing after Gerynwid stabbed me with her knife, but the demon talks about what happened inside my head. I know I was undead.”

  “Rafe,” she choked. “I saved you because I couldn’t leave you in that state. I just couldn’t. I don’t know if I did the right thing or not, but I couldn’t let you go.”

  “Do you think I will ever be free of him?”

  “I don’t know.” Her tears streaked down her face, wetting his hair. “I don’t know, but we will certainly try. I promise you that. I will never give up on you, baby boy.”

  #

  The next morning, Jiandra knelt beside the hidden waterfall and pushed her hood back away from her face. She removed the Omaja with its new silver chain from around her neck and dropped it into the pool. The water swirled with pulsating violet light, changed direction, and swirled again. She held her breath until the waterfall stopped.

  He was there, gazing down at her from the surface of the rock.

  “My Lord Zehu. It’s so good to see you again.”

  “Yes, it’s good to see you as well.” His voice was soothing and beautiful. She had forgotten how much she loved hearing it.

  “I’ve missed visiting you.”

  “You have been very busy with all sorts of matters, not the least of which is helping Villeleia find a stable path. I am proud of you, Jiandra. You have done well.”

  Jiandra sighed. “Zehu, Rafe is not well.” Her eyes misted over. “Do you know of his condition?”

  “I do.”

  “He suffers much. Is there any way to quell the demon’s voice inside his head?”

  “There is a Tylvani monastery in Nandala, north of Darpan. I know that you do not wish to part with Rafe, but the sages there will be able to calm him, to care for him with compassion and understanding. They can teach him to master this demon.”

  “Thank you. I will do as you say as soon as my wedding to Yajna is done. My Lord, do you have any advice for me in my marriage to him? Words of wisdom or warning?”

  “You have my blessing. He is faithful and true, and he loves you very much. You will bring great honor to the throne of Nandala, precious one. Nandala needs your guidance and care.”

  “Am I to continue carrying the Omaja, Lord Zehu, after leaving Villeleia? And will you still help me use it for good?”

  “Yes, dear one. You are the one I have chosen to carry the stone, and no other.”

  “Thank you, Zehu.”

  “You have much to do, sweet girl. You should go.”

  “Will you appear to me again, when I return to visit Villeleia?”

  “As long as you have the Omaja, I will show myself. I will be here waiting for you always.”

  “Zehu,” she choked, burying her face in her hands for a moment before looking up again. “I will miss you.”

  “I will be with you, Jiandra,” he repeated.

  Jiandra bowed in farewell, scooped up the pendant, dried it on her skirt, and placed it around her neck. The waterfall resumed its course, and she mounted Otto, turning him toward the path leading out of Cobbleton Wood.

  #

  Yajna sent a royal coach with a detachment of soldiers on horseback to escort Jiandra, Gracie, Rafe, and Zafira to Nandala. Solange and Elio followed in her private coach with her own guard detail.

  After several days of traveling they arrived at Darpan, the ancient city of Nandala’s emperors, just before nightfall. The city was originally constructed mostly of white granite, the main street lined with tall white buildings and towers. Jiandra noted the emptiness and disrepair of the once-glorious city, the boarded-up houses and shops, and the filthy slums as they rode through town. Tattered, destitute-looking townspeople meandered here and there, and beggars lined the main thoroughfare. The citizens stared as Jiandra’s coach passed through, some of them shouting excitedly in Nandalan. Soon, crowds gathered to watch the coaches pass by as they made their way to the white palace.

  As they approached the magnificent structure, Jiandra peered up at the palace’s impossibly tall towers and spires, stretching up into the heavens. The ornate gates swung open, and their coaches halted inside the courtyard. A coachman opened the door to help Jiandra and her sister out of the coach. The two girls stood staring at the palace’s massive white staircase leading up to a high, arched entrance.

  “It’s so beautiful, Jiandra,” Gracie murmured. “I’ve never seen anything like it.”

  “Nor I, sister.”

  The palace doors swung open, and the twins appeared, wearing polished black leather armor. Yajna hurried down the steps toward her with Yavi close behind, wearing the ruby pendant.

  Beside her, Gracie released a dreamy sigh. “Oh, Gods, are they handsome!”

  “Close your mouth, sister,” Jiandra whispered.

  “Why can’t I have the other one?”

  Jiandra chuckled and shushed her.

  Yajna came to stand before her, grasping her hands in his. He brought them to his smiling lips for a kiss. “Livnath, Jiandra. My love.”

  She moved to hug him, and he folded her into his embrace.

  Yavi came up behind him, and Jiandra and Gracie curtsied to him. He took Jiandra’s hands. “Welcome, Mahitha. My soon-to-be sister.”

  “Thank you, Yavi. I’ve missed you.”

  He turned to Gracie and captured her hand, bringing it up to brush his lips against it. “Welcome, Graciella.”

  Gracie looked as if she was going to pass out. Her beautiful hazel eyes beamed up at him. “Thank you, ah…Emperor Yavi.”

  Solange and Elio approached them.

  The twins bowed to her. “Nandala welcomes the lovely Queen of Villeleia,” Yavi said.

  Solange curtsied. “We are pleased to attend your brother’s wedding, Emperor.”

  Yajna shook hands with Elio. “Welcome, my brother.”

  Yavi pulled Rafe forward from behind Jiandra’s skirts and crouched to greet him eye to eye. “Welcome to you as well, brave little man.”

  Yajna caressed Rafe’s hair and greeted Zafira with a handshake and a smile. He turned to issue instructions to the coachmen and soldiers, and then he and Yavi led everyone up the stairs and ushered them inside. Servants appeared in the entryway to take Jiandra’s tired guests to their rooms.

  “Dinner will be served in a couple of hours in the dining hall. Please join us,” Yajna told them before they left, holding onto Jiandra’s hand to keep her back.

  He turned to her once they were gone. “I want to show you the palace.”

  Jiandra nodded, thrilled to be alone with him.

  The inside of the palace was clean but barren. The assembly hall and throne room contained no furniture at all save an elaborately chiseled and carved throne made of white stone.

  “We sold all of Thakur’s furnishings and collections to open a kitchen to feed the poor and the returning refugees here in the city, as well as buy land for planting crops,” Yajna explained as they walked through the cavernous room.

  “It looks like there are many starving souls in the city,” she said.

  “Yes. Yavi and I have restored Darpan’s temple to Tejeshwar, and we are seeking him daily on behalf of our people and our land. When we plant the crops this spring, we are praying for his blessing on the harvest. The palace’s treasury is down to almost nothing, so we have our work cut out for us. But I believe we can restore Nandala’s prosperity, if we work hard.”

  “Yes, I do too.” She smiled up at him. “I will help in whatever ways I can.”

  He turned to grasp both her hands, turning her to face him. “It is so good to have you by my side. I missed seeing your beautiful face, Lahdli.”

  “I missed yours too.” She laughed softly. “Emperor.”

  He pressed a kiss to her fingers. “We shall marry in the temple tomorrow afternoon, if that is agreeable to you.”

  “Seems like a long time to wait.”

  “Yes, suddenly it does.” He laughed, caress
ing her cheek. He stared at her lips, then bent to kiss them.

  She had forgotten just how sweet and sensual his lips could be when they were brushing across hers. She wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed herself closer to him.

  “Come,” he said after a moment, breaking off the kiss. “I’d better show you the rest of the palace before this gets out of hand.”

  She smiled and linked her fingers through his.

  He showed her the kitchen, the armory, the servants’ quarters, the sitting rooms and wide balconies, and finally took her upstairs to show her his and Yavi’s private quarters. They occupied opposite wings on the upper floor, and there was a library in between. It was a large, elegant room with vaulted ceilings, the walls lined with tall ebony bookcases filled with books. There was a sitting area in the center with two overstuffed settees, two wide armchairs, and a low table.

  “We didn’t sell the books. These tomes and volumes have belonged to the palace since long before Thakur’s time.”

  “Amazing,” Jiandra breathed, staring up at the enormous collection. “This is my favorite room so far.”

  He led her down the hall to his quarters. His room was enormous but very sparsely furnished. A bed with a tall, intricately carved headboard stood against the far wall, covered with a plain blue quilt and flanked by two small tables. On one side of the room he had an armoire and a table and chairs, and there were a couple of thick brown wool rugs on the stone floor, one on each side of the bed.

  “I’m sorry it isn’t fancy,” he said. “We sold everything in the private quarters. Neither of us wanted to sleep in Thakur’s bed or use his furniture. The place was filled with very young male and female concubines when we arrived. We sent them home, and had the entire place emptied out and cleaned. I had an artisan from my hometown make this bed for us.”

  “The bed is lovely. I don’t need fancy things, Yajna. I grew up on a farm. I’m definitely not royalty.”