Dragon Lords Books 1 - 4 Box Set: Anniversary Edition (79 page)

“Shower cold,” he mumbled to the shower. The shower instantly sprayed cold water onto his heated body. It didn’t help. “Shower freezing.”

As the cold took effect, his head cleared enough to recall how she relaxed a little when taking care of him. Looking at his wound, he’d dug at it to get the gash to bleed.

P
ia looked
at her naked body in the bedroom mirror. Her skin was damp from the shower. Her short hair clung to her face and she pushed it back. She tried her best to be objective, but she didn’t see anything worth looking at.

Closing her eyes, she felt shame. She knew what she looked like. Even before the fire scarred her body, she’d been a gangly child. Now, she was a gangly, ugly woman. How could he even look at her like that? How could he kiss her with such sweetness?

Touching the long scar on her side, her finger traced over the wet path Zoran had made around it. She couldn’t understand why he picked her for marriage. Sure, her skin was improved thanks to the doctors. But now she was back to being the unattractive girl all the boys on her training base home had made fun of. Her face was narrower, but her eyes were the same wide hazel. Her body had filled out, but she was still too muscled and too skinny.

Pia shrugged, having long ago learned to live with her imperfections. Not wanting to get caught naked by Zoran, she hurried to the closet and grabbed some pants and a shirt. Eyeing the bra the doctors had given her, which she was still trying to get used to, she threaded it on under her shirt.

Zoran came into the bedroom, a towel around his naked waist, to the sight of Pia struggling underneath her shirt. A smile lit his face at the scene.

“Do you need rescuing?” Zoran asked with a good-natured laugh. He held the up.

Grumpily, she said, “I’ll...ah...never understand...ugh...the need...oh...for these stupid contraptions...ah, got it.”

With a heavy sigh, she weaved her arm though her sleeves. Registering that he was standing wrapped in the towel, she hurriedly forced her eyes away. “Sorry, I didn’t think that you’d be out so quickly. I’ll get out of here.”

“Actually,” Zoran said in his low spine-tingling voice. “If you wouldn’t mind, I’d appreciate it if you’d take a second look at my arm. It started bleeding again.”

“Oh,” Pia said, instantly coming forward to look at it.

“It doesn’t hurt, but I have to work tomorrow—”

“Are your hours always so long or are you covering shifts?” She tried not to sound dejected by the news but she didn’t want to spend another day alone and trapped.

“I work every day.”

“My father was the same way, so it’s perfectly fine. I mean I understand. It’s just...”

“What?” His voice again dipped and her breath caught in her throat.

“You’re too tall, come sit on the bed so I can see what I’m doing,” Pia said, changing the subject.

Zoran nodded and obeyed. He handed her a bandage he’d brought with him. As he sat down, she took an edge of the bandage and tried to wipe the blood from his wound. She was firm but gentle in the task.

Studying the gash, she said, “You got hit with a knife blade, huh?”

Zoran’s brows furrowed at the obviousness of her statement. “Yes.”

“The blade depth isn’t bad, too shallow for a sword unless it was done on purpose with the tip.” Pia bit the corner of her lip, trying to figure it out. “The angle is strange. Was the man taller than you?”

“No,” Zoran said, watching her carefully. She concentrated on the wound.

“I have the answer,” Pia smiled brightly, as she achieved victory. “The man fell, you reached to catch him and his blade nicked you.”

Zoran’s eyes widened in surprise, as he asked, “How did you guess?”

Pia shrugged, slightly embarrassed. “It’s just this game we used to play. It’s not hard. You just have to be observant and logic your way backwards. Then you’ll see how it happened.”

“Guessing at knife wounds was a game you used to play?” Zoran watched her face for changes so she made her expression completely blank. “Where exactly did you grow up? In a prison complex?”

Pia stiffened. This conversation was getting too personal and she didn’t want to go there. Her eyes dipped down over him, realizing how intimate the situation had become. He was sitting before her on the bed with only a towel between his naked body and her. She made quick work of wrapping up his arm.

“You shouldn’t have any problems with this,” she said. “I know it might itch, but don’t scratch at it anymore. That’s why it was bleeding.”

Zoran gave her an idle grin.

“There, you’ll be fine.” Pia tied off the end and turned to leave.

“Wait.” Zoran reached out to grab her hand. Pia blinked in surprise, turning around to study him. There was a lot he wanted to say to her. She could see it in his eyes, but he held back. “Is there anything you need? You seemed...concerned that I was going to be working.”

“Oh, no, it’s fine,” she answered. His brow rose in disbelief. “Well, it’s just that I’m not used to being trapped in a house all day and there isn’t a lot of food in the kitchen. I don’t wish to be a burden and, since I don’t plan on staying married to you, I’m more than willing to get a job to pay my way until we can get this mess fixed...”

Pia let her voice die off. His face had darkened with her effortless denial of their marriage.

“Pia,” Zoran said. His jaw was very tight and worked against his flesh as he clearly tried not to yell at her. He took a deep breath, standing to tower over her. “I’ll only tell you this one more time. You are my wife and that’s the end of it. If you need something, I’ll provide it for you. If you need food, I’ll buy it. If you desire new clothes, I’ll buy them. If you want to leave the house, I’ll take off early tomorrow and show you around so you don’t get lost. But, make no mistake. This is your new home. I’m your husband and there will be no divorce.”

“That’s what you say,” Pia said. There was a distinct finality to his words and she felt like she was a soldier being given a command. She wrinkled her nose in distaste. “I’m sorry, but I will convene the royal council. It’s nothing personal—”

“Nothing personal?” he bellowed in disbelief. “You talk of divorcing me and you say it’s nothing personal?”

“Zoran.” She tried to keep her tone soft, though there was a definite edge to her words. “You are a very nice man and you will make someone very happy—”

“You have no grounds for divorce,” he declared, cutting into her placating speech with a slash of his angry hand. “To even bring it up to the council will dishonor us both. I can provide for you. I can give you sons. What will be your reason?”

“I... “Pia hesitated. How could she explain when she wasn’t sure herself?
I’m scared of you and how you look at me. I think you’re too handsome and strong and I want a wimpy husband who doesn’t have such a striking voice, or a devilishly wicked grin. I want a man who can’t give me children because I’m scared of being touched or looked at.

“Well?”

“I,” she tried again. Her eyes dotted with moisture.

“Out with it!” Zoran yelled, waving his hand through the air.

“You are just impossible,” Pia screamed at him instead. “You’re nothing but an overgrown child who has to have his way. You don’t want me, and you’re only mad because I don’t want you. Well, get over yourself. I’m getting a divorce and there is nothing you can say or do to stop me!”

Pia stormed away.

“
W
hat about your contract
?” he asked, as a last effort.

Pia stiffened, stopping in the doorway.

“I received a copy of it,” he said. In fact, he’d requested it. The way she’d referred to it in the tent, he’d been curious to know what the corporation had on her to make her follow him regardless of how she felt at the time. It’d been clear she wanted to leave the tent, but was too scared to.

Pia’s breath deepened with long pants of air. She didn’t look at him.

“You’ll owe them a lot of money if you leave me.”

“I can pay it back,” she lied, her voice trembling.

“If you could have, you wouldn’t be here,” he said.

“I can go on another trip,” she said, sounding more desperate with each sentence. “I can find a different husband to settle my obligation to Galaxy Brides.”

“Maybe you should read the fine print,” Zoran said. “Since I chose you, you can’t leave unless the wedding isn’t finished. If you leave me and I complain, you will have to pay them back for breach of contract.”

Pia spun to him in dismay. Her eyes rounded and her voice was barely audible, as she asked, “Why would you do that?”

“Because you are my wife.” His jaw was stiff. It was a shallow victory, but he would take it. “You belong with me.”

“I have no choice, do I?” Pia asked. “You’re serious.”

“Very.”

Pia gasped for breath, stricken by his decree. Her lips trembled and her eyes became moist. The tears didn’t fall.

Pia slowly nodded. Sighing in resignation, she said, “You win, Zoran. You win. There will be no divorce.”

As she turned to leave him, Zoran didn’t feel like he’d won anything. Her shoulders pressed proudly back. She didn’t cry or pout over her fate. She handled it with dignity.

He was sorry it had come to this. He’d never wanted to force her hand, but if she kept speaking of divorcing him someone would eventually overhear her. It would dishonor him and his family. The divorce would never be granted. As a prince, one of the votes was his and he would never allow it. But, the shame of going through the trial would undermine his authority with the men and embarrass everyone involved.

“Pia,” he called, not knowing what he could say to bridge the gap between them. He only hoped that time would mend it. She stopped, waiting. “Thanks for taking care of my arm.”

At that, he heard her give a short, humorless laugh. “Of course. What else is a wife for?”

Z
oran left
his home at dawn. Pia was fast asleep on the couch, curled into a ball beneath the blanket. He felt terrible for forcing her to stay with him, but was proud of how well she accepted her fate. She didn’t cry or whine. She honored herself well.

Standing, arms crossed, he shouted commands to the young soldiers. He couldn’t slack in his duties. But as hard as he’d pushed the men lately, he would call off early in the day, and give them a break. He wanted to extend a peace offering to Pia, maybe escort her out of the house.

Seeing one of his brothers, Olek, striding toward the field, Zoran gave a wry chuckle of self-amusement. His brothers had been most lax in their training since getting married. Ualan had joined him for a little while during the swamp battles, but other than that, the princes had been scarce.

Olek’s features were drawn into a tight scowl and he stomped as if he were being chased by demons. When Olek’s troubled eyes lifted from the surrounding village, he nodded solemnly at his commander brother. Zoran answered with a devilish smile in return and sternly nodded back. He knew just what his little brother needed.

Lifting his arm to the men, he motioned to Olek and yelled, “First wave, attack!”

Olek jerked in surprise, but grinned as he swung his sword up from his waist. Zoran watched in brotherly mischief as the whole of his first battalion rushed forward and tackled the bravely fighting Olek to the ground.

“
H
ere
.” Zoran stood before his wife, sweaty from work, but not covered in swamp muck. In his extended hand he held a bunch of flowers. He’d pulled them up by the roots and red dirt still clung to them.

Pia looked up in surprise from where she lounged on the low cushion next to the short table. She’d been flipping through a weapons manual, probably looking at the pictures. He doubted she understood the words.

Pia eyed him and his wilting flowers unenthusiastically. “You’re off early.”

“I thought,” he began. “Here, take these. I’m trying to...ugh.”

Pia arched a brow. Standing, she set the manual aside and took the flowers.

“Ah, thanks,” she mumbled. “What do I do with them?”

“I’ve seen men give them to their wives.”

“I guess I should get them in some water?”

Zoran resisted the urge to smack the side of his temple, as she turned to walk the sorry bouquet to the kitchen. He’d known it was a stupid idea when Olek suggested it. Olek seemed so sure his own wife liked plants from the forest and assumed maybe all women did.

Following her to the kitchen, Zoran watched as she grabbed a knife and cut off the roots. She then filled a goblet with water and stuck the flowers in it. As she swept the roots into the trash, he said, “Come on. I got you some things.”

Pia eyed him suspiciously.

“Just,” he frowned and grumbled, waving her to follow. “Come on.”

Pia joined him in the main hall. She hadn’t noticed the packages he’d placed on the floor. “What’s all this?”

“I thought, well, you looked like you might need some stuff. So I went shopping for you.”

“Okay,” Pia allowed carefully.

Zoran leaned over and picked up the largest bag, handing it to her. “I got you clothes. I know they aren’t what you’re used to, but it’s our fashion. I purchased the most comfortable items I could find.”

Zoran had gone to the dressmaker, grabbing a random woman off the street who appeared to be about Pia’s size. The woman was shocked beyond belief to have the overlarge Captain of the Guards, and a prince at that, yank her into the dressmaker’s shop. But, after realizing what the big bad warrior was trying to do, she took pity on him and helped him out. She even went so far as to make him a list of everything he should consider getting. Zoran had gotten most of the items off her list—at least the ones he could understand. For the life of him he couldn’t figure out what eyeliner and a blush tinter were. When he’d asked the baker if he knew, the man had just shrugged.

Zoran then ordered the old dressmaker to give him everything she had that a wife might have need of. She’d only been too happy to comply, insisting that he bring his wife back to the shop so she could measure her for a dress. Instead, Zoran told her to send one of her assistants to the palace to take the measurements. He hated to admit that he was still disturbed by her hair and not ready to bring her out in public. Not that he thought she wasn’t ravishing, but that the rest of his people would assume he did it to shame and humiliate her. The Draig would never believe a woman had purposefully done it her herself.

The seamstress’ helper would be arriving any minute. Zoran had picked out a few dress designs and materials he liked. Then, he’d given leeway to the woman to make Pia whatever else she saw fit, before leaving the shop.

Zoran frowned when his wife didn’t speak. “You aren’t pleased.”

“No,” she rushed. “It’s fine. I don’t think I need all this. Aside from something to do during the day, and food… I mean, there’s just so much of it.”

“I can’t take it back,” he lied. “So you might as well go through it and pick out what you want.”

Pia nodded. She took the bag and sat with it on the front hall floor. Carefully reaching in, she dug out several pairs of cotton slacks. The material was soft and flowing. They came in all colors, most predominantly black. One even had a red dragon embroidered on the front hip. She smiled.

Zoran saw her look and relaxed some. “So you’re not going to throw them in the fireplace?”

Pia looked up at him, clearly not knowing he was teasing. “I’m sorry about that. I shouldn’t have done it. I didn’t sleep the night before and I was—”

“It’s fine. Forget it.”

Pia nodded, but she still looked guilty.

Zoran lifted up a couple of bags, and began walking to the kitchen. “I’ll put the groceries away. And the eyeliners will be in the fridge.”

“Eyeliners?”

“Meat, for when your eyes swell like after a fight.” He paused, sure he’d correctly figured that item out.

“Oh, ok.”

“And if you don’t need it, we’ll eat it. The meat’s fresh,” he finished. “The rest is yours, go ahead and put it wherever you see fit.”

P
ia swallowed nervously
. No one had ever gotten her anything like this before. No one had ever brought her flowers. She didn’t care how sorry they looked. To her they were the most beautiful flowers in the galaxy.

Without Zoran watching her, she dug into the sack with shaking fingers. She found several cotton shirts, with built-in support. Reaching to scratch where her bra rubbed her side, she held her breath in excitement. These shirts would be so much more comfortable.

She heard Zoran rummaging around in the kitchen. She leaned back, trying to get a peek at him. She couldn’t see him from her place on the floor.

In one of the smaller bags contained several perfumes. She wondered if he’d even tested them, or if he’d simply walked along and plucked them randomly into a bag. She smelled a couple. Most were exotic flower blends and not bad. One, a very decorative bottle encrusted with fake gems, was awful and she capped it immediately.

“You’ll be decoration,” she said to the offending fragrance, setting it apart from the others.

There were socks, leather boots, and a low pair of shoes perfect for exercising. Lifting them up, she slipped the low shoes onto her bare feet. They fit perfectly.

“I thought you could use those if you wanted to work on your kicks,” he said from behind her.

Pia was in too good of a mood to take offence. It was just like a holiday—or what she imagined a holiday would’ve felt like. “There’s nothing wrong with my kicks. I hit you, didn’t I?”

They both instantly remembered their little fight in the tent. Zoran’s eyes lit with the memory. Pia turned quickly away to hide her blush.

“I let you hit me,” he said. “I took it easy on you, you know, because you’re a woman.”

Pia’s mouth dropped open at his presumption. “Hey, I’ve been in a lot of fights. I can hold my own.”

“I’m sure with a weaker, less skilled opponent, you could,” Zoran said, clearly provoking her on purpose.

“Are you saying I couldn’t take you down?” she asked, hands on hips. “I’ll have you know that I’ve taken down creatures twice your size.”

“Have you?” he smirked, not believing her.

“Yeah, I have,” she stated. “In fact, once in the Sollure System I took on two yehtis and their droid companion from—”

“Yehtis are slow, cumbersome creatures,” Zoran broke in, dismissing her words with a toss of his hand. “Anyone with half a brain could outwit them.”

“I was thirteen,” she said darkly.

“You could have just gotten lucky.”

“You’re impressed. Admit it.”

“Fine, two yehtis are impressive for a thirteen year old. It doesn’t mean that you don’t need to work on your moves.”

“My moves are just fine,” she countered. “I’ll take on any man you put in front of me.”

“Is that so?” he asked, taking a step forward.

“Yeah, that’s so!”

Zoran stepped directly in front of her, crossing his arms over his chest. “All right, then.”

Pia blinked up at him.

“Well?” he questioned, with an arrogant raise of his brow. “You said you could take down any man I put in front of you. So, what are you waiting for? Take me down.”

Pia narrowed her eyes. Instantly, her hand darted out for his neck and she turned to sweep him down over her hip. Zoran ducked out of her way and grabbed her from behind as she spun. Pulling her hard to his chest, he said, “I’m sorry, were you not ready? Would you like to try again?”

Pia grumbled as he let her go. Backing up, she eyed him. She came forward to fake a kick and punched toward his jaw. He dodged her fist, lifting his hand to catch it in his large palm.

Pia flinched, as he squeezed her fist lightly in his grasp without really hurting her, showing her how easily he could have broken her hand. She jerked away from him with a loud growl of frustration. Zoran smiled. “Are you done playing around?”

Pia shook out her hand and circled around him. Zoran lowered his arm to his side and didn’t move to watch her.

“Ow,” Pia cried out breathlessly, as if in pain.

Zoran instantly turned to check on her. It was a mistake. She grabbed his arm in mid turn and bucked him over her knee. He landed on his back with a thud and she jumped on top of him, pinning down his arms with her knees.

Smiling victoriously, she said, “You military guys are all the same. It doesn’t matter who you are, if you hear a womanly cry for help you’re all over it.” She shook her head, her short hair brushing up against her jaw. “I’m sorely disappointed, Zoran.”

Z
oran grinned
. He was anything but disappointed. He could’ve gotten out of her hold if he wanted to, but the view was too great to disrupt. He had an eyeful of her breasts right above his face and if he were to lean his head in he could nuzzle her inner thigh. Too bad she wouldn’t take her clothes off. This game would be much more entertaining if they were naked.

“Do you give up?” she asked.

“And relinquish this view?” he said playfully, giving a meaningful nod to her chest. He licked his lips. “Never.”

Pia gasped, instantly trying to stand. Zoran pushed up from the floor, bending straight over so she straddled his lap. Whipping his straightened legs to the sides and then around on the floor, he pinned her down with his body, fitting himself between her thighs. His body pressed into hers.

“Though, this view isn’t bad either,” he said naughtily. Looking down at her breasts beneath his face, he asked, “Do you mind if I just take a closer look?

“Ah!” Pia’s mouth fell open in outrage.

He took the opportunity to place a swift kiss on her lips. She jerked in response beneath him. She squeezed his waist with her legs, trying to get him to back off.

“Get off me, you gigantic oaf,” she ordered. “Don’t you dare touch me!”

Zoran chuckled and rolled to the side. She shot to her feet. Suddenly, a knock sounded on the door. Pia blinked looking down at her husband who was lying on his back, eyeing her from the floor.

“That would be the dressmaker’s assistant here to take your measurements,” he answered her unasked question. Kicking his feet into the air, he hopped to standing with little effort. He winked at Pia as he passed by. “I know you hate it, but you do need to have a few formal dresses for special occasions.”

P
ia was too
weak to answer. She liked the graceful way his body moved and flexed, it was strange to see a large man so nimble. The way he could so easily overtake her did something to her insides. She watched him, her mouth dry, as he went to answer the door. It was as if he had no idea the effect he had on her. Her heart hammered in her chest, pounding wildly.

In the tent, when they’d fought, he hadn’t moved as swiftly and surely as he had just now. Pia realized he’d held back that night. He’d let her think she had him matched. Now, watching him with new appreciation, she understood that he was trained well beyond her years of experience. She might get a few lucky shots in, but in the end he would always be able to defeat her. A small part of her wanted to beg him to train her. The other parts of her beat that small part up.

Pia peered over Zoran’s shoulder. A man stood in the doorway, looking at her with an expression akin to horror. She blushed, suddenly realizing he must have heard them from outside the hall.

“
Draea Anwealda
,” the dressmaker’s assistant said, turning to address Zoran with a slight bow. The man glanced at Pia’s hair and motioned to her with a look of compassion, asking Zoran something in their shared language.

Zoran glanced back at Pia before answering in kind.

The assistant motioned to her and then to his own longer locks. She self-consciously touched her hair as she watched him. When he looked at her again, it was as if he pitied her. The man shook his head sadly.

“What?” Pia asked, turning expectantly to Zoran to translate. “What’s he saying?”