Adrienne (18 page)

The door barely closed after Saj before Malik restarted his movements in earnest. Adrienne curled in on herself at her climax. Once they recovered, she swatted him on the arm. He fended her off half-heartedly and laughed at her assault.

“You jerk! It’s not funny. Saj knew.”

Malik pinned her arms and hugged her to his chest. “Calm down, Adrienne. Saj is discreet. And I do believe you enjoyed him watching you. Your climax was much stronger this time than any of the others.”

Adrienne growled at him and struggled against his hold. In the end, she gave up. Her strength didn’t compare to his. “I want a bath.” She wanted to be dressed and out of bed before the breakfast tray arrived. Knowing Malik, he would try this again.

“Of course, my Adrienne.”

* * *

Adrienne and Malik spent four more days holed up in their rooms, enjoying each other. They only left to eat dinner with the palace folk. They never stayed for more than two courses before excusing themselves. One and all found their distraction with each other amusing and promising.

So it surprised some when, on the fifth day, Malik sat on his throne dais alone. Malik hadn’t wanted to bring an end to his fun but his kingdom needed him. Adrienne pleaded to be left out of the proceedings.

She wasn’t confident in her abilities to rule and would probably be a silent observer while Malik continued as he had before he married her. When the time came to sit before the court, Adrienne bowed out of the affair all together. She decided to take a walk with the promise she would be present the next day.

Malik didn’t want Adrienne away from his side but he understood her anxiety. Her goal didn’t involve hiding in their rooms, so he was happy to let her dodge her royal responsibilities.

Adrienne strolled in the main gardens off the dining hall instead of the ones below the royal wing. Mushira was right—they were even more gorgeous than the ones Adrienne had seen before.

Being out in the open didn’t scare her as much as she thought it would. Khursid and Qamar, who walked five paces behind her, helped keep her fear at bay.

She threw comments over her shoulder at them every few steps and Qamar answered, but they made no move to keep pace with her. Adrienne figured her new status was the reason.

It was a beautiful but lonely walk. After an hour, she resigned herself to going to the throne room and sitting with Malik. Ruling made her feel apprehensive but it beat being lonely and bored.

“
May I join you, Adrienne?
”

Adrienne gasped and looked around. She would know that voice anywhere, especially since it spoke in her head. Feyr walked towards her.

“Hello, Feyr. I haven’t seen you in days. Where have you been?”

“
You have not seen me, but I did see you, at the wedding ceremony.
”

“I’m sorry I didn’t notice you, but I was a little out of it,” Adrienne admitted. She glanced back at Khursid and Qamar, who had stopped walking when she had. Actually, it looked as though they stood farther away. “They’re scared of you because Malik uses you to punish people, right?”

“
Correct
.” He glanced over his shoulder at Khursid and Qamar, then looked up at Adrienne. “
Are you scared of me?
”

“No. I have no reason to be.”

They started walking. Now that Adrienne had a companion, she could stand strolling around the gardens a little while longer. She asked again, “Where did you go? I wanted to spend more time with you but you disappeared.”

“
Yes
,” Feyr agreed with a nod. “
My mate’s time was at hand. She gave birth to my cubs three nights ago
.”

“That’s great,” Adrienne gushed. “How many?”

“
Six total: two boys and four girls. A large litter for her first. She was exhausted
.”

“I can imagine.” She gave a little laugh. “Well, I can’t really imagine since I’ve never had children.”

“
From what I’ve heard throughout the palace about your and Malik’s activities of late, that should change soon
,” Feyr said with a wink.

Adrienne didn’t respond. Feyr had just voiced a constant worry of hers. Malik agreed to take her back to her family before their first child but Adrienne hadn’t missed the lack of a contraceptive during their lovemaking. She could be pregnant even now.

Feyr snapped her out of her thoughts when he said, “
My mate says you can choose a cub in one month’s time. They should be weaned by then.
”

“I’d almost forgotten about that,” Adrienne said with a laugh. She looked down at Feyr. “What is your mate’s name? I want to know what to call her when I see her.”

“
She has no name
.
Naming is for kept animals only, such as myself
.”

“Oh.”

“Queen Adrienne,” Rena yelled as she ran towards Adrienne and Feyr. She waved her hand over her head frantically. Her movements dislodged her auburn braid from the top of her head. It had been pinned in the shape of a crown to match Mushira’s. The little girl insisted on becoming one of Adrienne’s maids once old enough. Until then she only dressed the part.

Adrienne called back, “Hello, Rena.” Here was someone else she hadn’t seen in days. She knelt and caught the girl, then hugged her close. “How have you been? Are you eating properly?”

“Yes. Cook said you said I have to eat more vegetables. They taste bad but I eat them because I want dessert,” Rena admitted. She glanced at Feyr. “Hello.”

Feyr nodded to her.

“Rena,” came a frantic shout.

Indivar ran towards them, Bayard and Flavian not far behind. They seemed spooked about something. She looked around, expecting to see an attacker. Khursid and Qamar were relaxed. If she were in danger, they would be the first ones to try to get her out of it. What was going on?

Indivar grabbed Rena and pulled her behind him. Bayard tried the same with Adrienne but she stepped out of his reach.

“What are you doing?” she asked.

Bayard said, “Please come this way slowly, Majesty.”

All of them stared at Feyr. He sat on his haunches and watched them. He looked bored. “
They are trying to protect you from me, Adrienne
.”

“Why?” she asked aloud.

“The cat is dangerous,” Flavian answered.

“No, he’s not. At least, he’s not dangerous to me.”

“You do not know Feyr, Majesty. The cat is dangerous,” Bayard reasoned. He reached for her again. “Please Majesty, I—”

“Stand down, Bayard,” Qamar said, finally coming forward with Khursid behind her. “Queen Adrienne and Feyr have met before.”

“They have?” Indivar asked in disbelief.

Adrienne answered, “Yes we have.” To Feyr, she said, “This is silly.”

“
They only wish to protect you
,” he pointed out.

“And I’m grateful, but—”

“You can speak to the cat?” Flavian asked.

“Yes, yes, I know. Speaking to animals is a rare trait,” Adrienne said. “I’m grateful to you all for trying to protect me but Feyr isn’t going to hurt me.” To Indivar, she added, “He won’t hurt Rena, either.”

Indivar blinked down at his daughter. She smiled up at him. He turned a horrified expression to Adrienne then went quickly to one knee with his head bowed. “I did not mean to consider my daughter before you, Majesty. I—”

“Was concerned for your daughter’s safety, and I totally understand that, Indivar. You don’t have to apologize. I’m fine; Rena is fine. Everyone is fine, and Feyr won’t hurt anyone.” Adrienne smiled at Indivar’s concerned look. “It’s okay.”

“No, it is not, Adrienne,” Malik gritted out later that evening. He paced in front of the bed.

Adrienne watched him from her perch on the edge of the bed. She had told him about the entire ordeal, thinking he would find it funny. Instead he got angry. She hadn’t wanted to get Indivar in trouble, but couldn’t take it back. “Rena is his daughter, Malik.”

“You are his queen, Adrienne. Your safety comes before everyone else’s, including his daughter. Rena should not be allowed in your presence if he cannot remember that.”

“I like Rena,” Adrienne said through her teeth.

Malik stopped pacing and looked at Adrienne. He tried to soften his words. “I did not mean to say you could not see her, my Adrienne.”

“Then what did you mean to say, Malik?”

He sighed. “I do not want you in danger.”

“I don’t want to be in danger either. Believe me. But being with Rena is not a problem,” Adrienne reasoned. She searched his eyes to see if he agreed with her. “Rena has already been denied her mother. Don’t make me deny her, too.”

“As you will, my lady,” Malik conceded.

Adrienne smiled at him. Malik had started his lessons in compromise, and the ordeal seemed frustrating to him. “Besides, Rena is an integral part of my plan to get Hani and Indivar together.”

“Excuse me?”

“Hani likes Indivar,” Adrienne said plainly. “If Rena starts to see Hani as a mother, then Indivar will start to see Hani as a possible wife. Not to mention it’ll get him over that silly infatuation he has with your cousin.”

“Lady—”

“Don’t say her name around me.”

Malik chuckled. He walked over to her and pressed a soft kiss to her lips. He intended to make the kiss brief, but it changed the second he touched her. Suddenly, he couldn’t get Adrienne’s clothes off fast enough.

Adrienne gasped out, “What about dinner?”

“I have been with the court all day. I wish to spend my evening with you.
In
you,” he growled against her neck.

Adrienne put her hand in his way before he could follow through with his plan. “You promised to take me home before our first child, Malik.”

“I will, my Adrienne.” He reached out to move her hand.

“Not if we keep doing this. How do you know I’m not pregnant already?”

Malik could feel her concern. He stopped trying to move her hand and laid a gentle kiss on her lips. “You are not pregnant, my Adrienne. I have used a contraceptive spell every time we have come together. I do not wish you to be disappointed in me, so I have taken measures to ensure I do not go back on my word.”

“Really?” she asked. Her eyes searched his.

“Truly,” he whispered back.

She hugged him close. Malik always thought about her feelings and her safety.

Chapter Thirteen

Adrienne sat on her throne next to Malik the next morning. Feyr sat between the royal couple and enjoyed head scratching from both sides.

Adrienne watched Malik preside over the many problems brought before them. He asked for her input every now and then, but she simply shook her head and remained silent. It was her first day and she wanted to observe. If anyone thought her attitude odd, they kept the opinion to themselves.

Observing went to the wayside when the Keeper showed up. Adrienne knew something was wrong when the man entered the throne room. First the woman announcing people with grievances only referred to the man as “The Keeper”—an obvious title, but the announcer didn’t give the man’s name or what he kept. Second, Malik stiffened, looked at her and then looked at the Keeper. The actions of a man caught doing something wrong.

The Keeper bowed to the royal couple and announced, “Your Majesty, King Malik, the women of the harem are becoming…restless. It’s been some time since you required their services. They have asked if you would allow the men of the guard to seek entertainment with them.” The man kept moving his gaze from Adrienne to Malik and back again.

Malik nodded sagely. “Perhaps this topic would be better left for later, Keeper.”

“Begging pardon, Majesty, King Malik, but this is about as later as it’s going to get. The girls are…” he paused to look at Adrienne and cleared his throat, “…well—”

“Harem?” Adrienne asked. It was the first word she’d said all morning.

Though she asked her question softly, the entire throne room grew quiet. All eyes were on Adrienne, including Malik’s. She only had eyes for the Keeper.

“Well, yes, Majesty, Queen Adrienne. A harem is—”

“Keeper,” Malik interjected in a vain attempt to keep the man from educating Adrienne should she not know the meaning of the word. The heat of her anger beating against his skin told him otherwise.

Adrienne smiled coldly. “I know what a harem is, Keeper. But thank you for attempting to explain.” She moved her gaze from the Keeper to Malik. “I didn’t know
my
husband,” she said, her voice dripping ice, “had one. When did you plan on telling me?”

She didn’t wait for his answer. “For days you came to my room and bombarded me with all types of information about your past and this kingdom. Never once did you mention a harem.” She laced her fingers together in front of her and leaned forward in her seat. “Come to think of it, I was cooped up in my room for four days with nothing but my personal guards and my maids for company. For all the babbling they did, I never once heard anything about a harem. Gardens, foods, the bazaar—yes. A harem—no.”

The five people she mentioned were stationed at the bottom of the throne dais, and each one looked uncomfortable. “Why is that?” she asked no one in particular.

When Mushira would have spoken, Adrienne held up her hand for silence. The woman’s mouth closed with a snap. Adrienne didn’t want to hear any excuse Mushira would give her. In the end this all went back to Malik. Either he told her entourage not to mention the harem, or they felt the need to hide it from her and aid Malik’s suit.

The Keeper chose to interject more news. “The ladies also wanted me to relay their…uh…displeasure at being made to stay in their chambers during the wedding and reception.”

Malik gave the Keeper an icy glare the man blatantly ignored.

“Their chambers, Keeper? Where are the harem girls kept? I assume in the palace?” Adrienne asked calmly.

“The room directly below the royal chambers, Majesty, Queen Adrienne. There is an access staircase in King Malik’s chambers—er, your chambers—so the women can come and go without having to trek all over the palace.”

“Ah.” Adrienne nodded and sat back. “The door to the staircase wouldn’t happen to be hidden behind a tapestry of dancing women, would it, Keeper?”