LustingtheEnemy (3 page)

She gnawed her lower lip. She’d been prepared for his
arrogance, his ruthlessness, not this softer side she’d uncovered.

“Happy?” he asked.

She let out a little shriek when he lifted her high and
placed her on the edge of the pool. She managed a nod, only too aware her
nipples were pebbling hard beneath his sweeping gaze.

“Then let’s make that smile even wider, hmm?”

She gasped as he spread her thighs apart. His eyes glittered
as he looked up. “Relax, angel. Lie Back. Open for me.”

“Again?” she squeaked.

“You’re complaining?”

Never.

Excitement and shock coalesced into an urgent need that
swept over her as if a tidal wave. She lay back, thighs falling apart. The
marble floor of the bathing room pressed into her spine. Uncomfortable. Hard.

She barely noticed.

His wet tongue lapped across her flesh, gently scraping her
entire pussy—except her clitoris.

She wiggled, panting. If he didn’t lick there soon she’d—

His tongue scraped hard across her clit, amazingly rough.

Holy shit.

She jerked, gasping when a climax immediately hit, causing
her toes to curl and her hands to clench as spasms rocked her from the inside
out. Leaving her feeling as if, bit by bit, Judas was unfurling her defenses.

He didn’t feel like a stranger anymore. Not. One. Bit.

And how had he done that with his tongue? With one touch
she’d imploded. She abruptly giggled. Her father had been right. Judas really
did eat girls like her for breakfast.

Judas arched a brow and her giggles subsided as she said,
“At least now I know why you like your girls to be plucked of all pubic hair.”

“Actually, I preferred you just how nature intended—if it
didn’t arouse suspicion.”

“Arouse suspicion?”

He raked a hand through his hair. “It’s a long story.” He
stepped back. “Come, let’s get you clean.”

Aren’t I supposed to serve you, my king?

The words didn’t make it past the lump in her throat.
Instead she allowed him to tug her back into the water with him, allowed him to
wash her hair and soap her skin, all the while feeling languid and hopelessly
smitten.

I must surely have been numb before I met Judas?

This wasn’t what she’d planned. The king was supposed to
fall for her, not the other way around. Not that she was really falling for
him—of course she wasn’t. It was his charm and delight in everything she did
that had her feeling…strongly. Add the fact her hormones were going crazy at
withholding the beast, and of course she’d imagine something deeper than what
there actually was.

After years of practice, only the eldest shifter could
abstain from shape change for any length of time. But always strong-willed,
Akeisha had come to discover she too was adept at restraint.

Yeah, but for how much longer?

Judas kissed her throat, his lips then brushing gently
across hers. “You’re going to turn into a prune,” he said with a smile.
Climbing the steps out of the pool, they dried off with the towels hanging on
hooks. With deft hands he wrapped her towel snugly around her before securing
his in a knot around his waist.

“Come,” he said, “breakfast will be waiting for us.”

The dining room of his private quarters was simple yet
stunning. A large alcove showcased the rare cedar timber of a two-seater table
and twin velvet-cushioned chairs. Windows on three sides revealed the private
orchards and vegetable gardens, swarming with servants. Silver dishes with lids
awaited them. Judas pulled out her seat and then took his own before lifting a
tureen lid. Steam billowed out and the scent of jasmine and beef assailed her
nostrils.

“Hungry?” he asked.

“Starved,” she admitted.

How long since she’d last eaten? Long before she and the
other girls had been taken by a trio of big horse-drawn carriages to the
palace. As a shifter, sustenance was even more important to maintain her
out-of-control hormones and regenerating body.

She helped herself to a little of each from the dishes, feeling
somehow decadent eating in nothing but a towel. She gulped the food down, aware
the textures and flavors were unbelievably good, if she’d allowed any time to
appreciate them. Instead, she gave into the demands of her ravenous body to
refuel.

Judas chuckled, looking less like a king and more like an
indulgent lover every moment she spent with him. “I take it you like?”

She flushed. “Sorry. I guess I’m hungrier than I realized.”

“Don’t apologize. It’s…refreshing.”

A knock sounded. “Your Majesty, may I enter.”

Judas and Akeisha turned to see the captain of the guards in
the doorway. The king sighed, then gestured him inside, “Yes, Raffia. Come in.”

The captain strode into the room and bowed. “Do you wish me
to inform the people you will be late in your duties today?

Judas frowned. “That won’t be necessary, Raffia.”

The captain nodded with a relieved smile—until Judas added,
“You will be delegated the role of judge, jury and diplomat in my absence.”

Raffia’s eyes rounded, mouth pulling into a taut line. “Your
absence?”

“Yes. The next few days are mine to enjoy.” Judas reached
for Akeisha’s hand. “Ours.”

The captain’s eyes hardened a little as they brushed over
her. When he faced the king once more he didn’t bother to conceal his
disappointment as he said reluctantly, “As you wish.” Then bowing once more, he
pivoted and stalked to the door.

Akeisha turned to Judas with an arched brow. “Is having time
out against protocol?”

Judas shook his head. “No. My people are just used to me
being available at all times.” He shrugged. “I’ve never seen a need to have it
any other way…until now.”

Akeisha stared, heart thumping. Could the greatest king of
all time truly have such feelings for her? Feelings he didn’t even try to
disguise.

Elation was doused with a good measure of remorse. Saving
her people was her only objective, but deceiving Judas didn’t sit right with
her. Not when he’d been nothing but up front and considerate with her.

Honesty. Integrity. Sincerity. They were all qualities the
larakytes
lived by—the same qualities Judas had in spades.

Though she hated that to save her people she was the one who
had to neglect their most fundamental behavior, she knew that sometimes those
qualities weren’t enough. Sometimes guile and a need to atone was all one had
left.

“Eat,” he said, indicating the spread of food, “before it
grows cold.”

When she was replete and all but glowing within, Judas
pushed back his chair and, acting more like a gentleman than any king she knew,
he pulled her chair out too. “I have another little surprise for you,” he said.

Her pulse fluttered, but it was less to do with whatever he
wanted to show her and everything to do with him being so close. He was so very
tall and vital, a fact emphasized by him standing behind her. So very aware of
him now, she’d probably pick him out in a crowd, blindfolded.

Back in his
mandeolo,
the garments lying on his bed
of cushions immediately drew her eye. She put a hand to her mouth, eyes growing
wide.

“What do you think?” he chuckled beside her.

The almost sheer black pants and bra top glittered with a
fine sweep of jewels as though stars in a midnight sky. Black calfskin
ankle-boots with a throw of tiny jewels at the instep, completed the ensemble.

“They’re beautiful,” she whispered.

As a
larakyte
princess she’d worn amazing royal
garments on occasion, but nothing like the extravagance before her. Not by a
long shot.

Then again, her father and his people had had to leave
behind all but their most essential items. The famous
larakyte
jewels,
the exquisite royal furnishings. Even the once beautiful palace itself had been
pillaged. Rumor had it not even a stone had been left standing.

His pleasure at seeing her pleasure was obvious. “I’ll have
one of my servants help you dress while I attend to my own attire.”

“No, that’s not necessary.”

“I insist,” he said huskily. “I want to see your hair
dressed as beautifully as your body.”

She nodded. “Okay.” She wasn’t about to make an issue out of
it. Besides, she just might learn a tidbit or two from a servant’s slip of the
tongue.

She swallowed, drifting toward the king without volition,
the palms of her downward facing hands skating over the fine ripple of his abs
and under the knot of his low slung towel. She looked up, into his eyes that
were blazing hot at her touch. She smiled and breathed, “Hurry back.”

Chapter Three

Akeisha looked into the round mirror with something close to
awe. The austere Fontaine might not have given anything away about the king,
but she’d done an amazing job with her hair.

The elder woman had brushed out her silver tresses until
they’d shone. She’d threaded diamonds into triple strands at either side of her
face and pulled the bejeweled hair back into some sort of intricate braid,
leaving the rest of her hair to free-fall down her back, a silver cascade against
midnight, glittering black.

The effect was…sublime. She’d too often seen her beauty as a
flaw, something people didn’t look past to the person she was beneath. But
right then she was proud of what she saw…more than proud.

I hope Judas likes what he sees
.

She closed her eyes. Damn. This obsession with the king had
to stop. She needed to be in control. Be in control of him. Breath shuddered
from her lungs. It was the way things had to be if she wanted to save her
species.

She wouldn’t—couldn’t—fall in love with the
Zaneean
king. Besides, was it even possible to feel that way about someone in such a
short time?

“You look beautiful, angel.”

Her eyelids flickered open and she spun around. God, he had
the silent tread of one of her own kind. Even in her big cat form she’d have
been lucky to hear his approach. She tried not to stare at him as she touched
one of the jeweled strands with an unsteady hand. “Fontaine is very clever.”

Judas strode toward her. “Mm. But then she had great
material to work with.”

She flushed, ridiculously flattered. “Thank you.”

He kissed her on the brow, his breath warm, his gaze
lingering. She unobtrusively breathed in his spiced scent. Dark. Delicious.
Exotic.

Just like him.

In his traditional
rakkia
robe with his sword and
double fighting rods hanging from the belt at his waist, the gold cuffs on his
forearms somehow enhancing his strength, he looked every inch a king. And more.

“I thought you might enjoy some sightseeing of the markets
outside the palace.”

She smiled, delighted. Being seen with the king was the
highest honor afforded to anyone. She wasn’t going to refuse. And despite the
palace being huge, she craved the outdoors—even if it was within the great rock
wall that barricaded the humans inside against potential enemies.

Minutes later she was stepping into a carriage pulled by
four big grays. The horses’ heads tossed, pink nostrils flared and manes flowed
as they jigged on the spot.

She wasn’t surprised to find the carriage flanked by
soldiers protecting their king. Something within ached for him. Despite her
royal status, she’d been much luckier, blessed to have lived in relative
freedom.

She turned to Judas. “Do you ever tire of guards shadowing
you wherever you go?”

He shrugged. “There are those out there who wish me harmed.”

She shivered. Yet another reason the
larakytes
shouldn’t
leave the
Scantia
forest. With humans so far only breaching the fringes,
their kind could go about their business without fear of what Judas must face
every single day.

But if the humans were braving the forest border, how long
before they delved deeper? Was that her father’s concern?

She sucked in a breath that didn’t quite reach her lungs as
the horses’ hooves clattered loudly on the cobbled street leading away from the
palace. She had to talk to Judas about her people at the first opportunity.

Before it was too late.

The road quickly narrowed until small wooden houses either
side were easily within arm’s reach, wooden shutters tightly drawn. Everything
was neat and clean, but claustrophobia pushed in at her from every side.

Terror constricted her chest and she shrank back in the
carriage seat, inching ever closer to the shelter of Judas’ hard heat. She’d
never liked small spaces and big crowds. It was yet another reason her father
had given her a freedom that few princesses experienced.

For most of her life she’d lived with her father in a
simple, but large sprawling home in the forest. More often than not she was
outside, avoiding the scattering of other
larakyte
houses and exploring,
hunting and breathing in the open spaces, the crystal clean air pungent with
the scent of pine.

Judas put an arm around her shoulders. His hand that
absently stroked her upper arm kept most anxiety at bay, but even so she fought
against the churning in her belly, her mind. She refused to allow him to see
her one paranoia. Besides, if she let anxiety get out of control—any
emotion—she mightn’t find the strength of will to restrain the beast already
stirring within.

Smokey cooked bacon and open fires assailed her nostrils as
the carriage clattered into the crowded market place, where vendors in little
tents sold their goods. The noise as they shouted out their wares even while
buyers quibbled over prices, goat and sheep herds bleating with fright, was
almost overwhelming.

“Are you okay?” Judas’ dark eyes searched her undoubtedly
taut expression.

“Of course,” she lied. She wouldn’t let his being nice tear
down her defenses. But when she took in his poised, calm expression, all sense
of false bravery faded away. Her voice cracked, “Just stay close.” Please.

His eyes glinted, perceptive, knowing. But his smile was
easy. “I won’t be letting you out of my sight, believe me.”

That’s what I’m afraid of
.

As much as she wanted Judas’ possessiveness; counted on it,
one slip up in front of his sharp stare and she could forget about helping her
people. Her deceit might very well cause the
larakytes
more harm than
good.

She put a hand to her mouth, stifling an alarmed gasp of
dismay. It might well be her actions that finished them all off.

Judas wrapped a protective arm around her waist. “Relax,
angel, I won’t let anything happen to you.”

Won’t you?

Yet, soon enough his touch calmed her frazzled nerves. Soon
enough she even began to forget about all the “what ifs” and enjoyed the festive
air, the camaraderie of the humans who seemed all the happier for seeing their
king. Though everyone clearly sensed his ruthless side and remained respectful
at all times, none appeared to fear him.

They welcomed him.

She leaned closer still to his hard strength.

He really is a great king
.

Even the soldiers trailing some yards behind faded into
oblivion as she lost herself in the array of markets. The stores were
fascinating, the vendors selling everything from boiled fish eyes, cakes
sweetened with honey, to squawking chickens in reed-woven cages and the most
intricate of gold and silver jewelry behind sealed glass cases.

Diamonds dazzled from one of the wealthier stalls. The
vendor’s apathetic stare widened, his be-ringed, veined hands clapping together
when Judas steered her toward him. “Your Majesty!” The man bowed his head,
clasped hands pressing against his lined brow.

“Vasilous,” Judas said with a wry smile.

Akeisha hid a smile of her own at the man’s almost pompous
display of deference. But she was somehow unsurprised by the fact the king knew
many, if not all, his people’s names.

“What do I owe the pleasure of the king’s company?” Vasilous
asked.

Judas’ arm tightened around her momentarily, before he
commanded, “I’d like to tempt Akeisha with some of your best work. I’m sure you
have a piece or two hidden away?”

The older man turned toward her with a beguiling smile. His
lips abruptly thinned even as his eyes widened, a flare of
surprise—shock?—registering in his stare.

Shit.
He didn’t recognize her real self, did he? No,
he couldn’t. The beast was at rest, for the moment accepting its restraint. And
though her silver hair and irises were a dead giveaway, few people knew that
fact and even fewer linked the two together.

The vendor’s eyes clouded over and a grin spread across his
face, revealing crooked, overly large teeth. He turned back to Judas. “What
perfect timing, sire. I’ve been working on a pendant from a large diamond—fresh
from the
Tikal
mines.”

Akeisha stiffened, forgetting all about his reaction on
seeing her. She’d heard horrified snippets of conversation about the mines that
were just outside Judas’ realm. She couldn’t withhold a glare as the vendor
bent and lifted a small, locked strongbox.

He paused, hands lovingly cradling the varnished wooden
chest when she asked, “You mean the mines where young children are forced to
work?”

Vasilous peered up at her, evidently mystified by her
reaction. “Surely a woman of your,” his eyes swept up and down her jeweled
garments, “refined distinction, wouldn’t think beyond her own beauty?”

Everything sensible dissolved at this greedy old man’s
assumptions. “You dare judge me?” Her voice came out sharp, brittle. “You
should feel nothing but shame growing rich from blatant child slavery.”

The vendor’s eyes glinted. “Yet your clothes are awash with
diamonds?”

Her breath snagged. She turned to Judas. It hadn’t crossed
her mind that he’d use diamonds from that…place. Surely it wasn’t true?

Judas stared down the other man. “Those diamonds came from
my royal coffers, sifted from the sands of the
Helbelzcha
desert.”

Vasilous looked suitably chastened. “Of course, Your
Majesty. Please forgive me for my inference.”

At the king’s fierce expression, Akeisha put a hand on his
forearm. The vendor had left a sour taste in her mouth, but she didn’t want it
to ruin Judas’ good mood too. “The stall nearby looks lovely—”

Judas didn’t budge. “You will apologize to Akeisha for your
insolence.” A muscle jerked in one taut cheek. “Now,” Judas added with quiet,
deadly intent.

Vasilous nodded jerkily, his head looking for all the world
as if it were pulled by a dozen strings. “Of course, Your Majesty.” He turned
to Akeisha, bowing his head to conceal scornful eyes, his be-ringed fingers
once again touching his brow “Forgive me, for my disrespect.”

She frowned. She’d seen behind his mask. His words were
cheap, meaningless. In her world,
larakytes
would expect men like
Vasilous to atone in a way befitting their sins. Why should things be different
here? Her mind whirred. “That diamond you spoke of,” when he nodded, she
continued, “what’s its value?”

His eyes narrowed, uncertain of where the conversation was
heading and clearly not liking it. “At least two thousand
mecs
.”

She looked up at Judas’ tight face. That sort of money would
be enough to feed a few thousand people for a year—and Judas had been willing
to spend that on her? The very idea was…incredible. Astounding.

How much did he really care about her? Was her worth
measured beyond diamonds and
mecs
?

She turned her attention back to the vendor. Her chin
tilted. “If it pleases the king I would like to purchase it.”

Vasilous’ breath hissed out in eager anticipation.

“But only if half of those
mecs
are used to support
the children working in the mines.”

Vasilous’ eyes bugged from his head. “That’s ridiculous,” he
sputtered.

The hard lines of Judas’ mouth softened. “What an
exceptional idea.” He gestured to the captain of the guards to come forward.
Evidently as witness when Judas informed Vasilous, “I hereby appoint you as
official guardian and representative of the children at
Tikal
mines. You
may start the first day of next week. I will assign a worker to take your place
and sell your jewels.”

Vasilous’ face was a bright, mottled red. “But—”

“I expect you to report to me once a week on your progress.
I will, of course, endeavor to oversee much of your charitable work.”

Vasilous was tight-lipped and seething with apparent
injustice when Judas left him with Raffia, who was to take care of the
pendant’s transaction and delivery.

As they walked away, Akeisha had to bite her bottom lip to
stop the sudden mirth bubbling up from inside. She looked up at the king.
“Thank you,” she managed.

“No, thank you for coming up with the perfect solution.
Vasilous grows bitter and disenchanted with his lot in life. It’s past time he
found joy in helping others.” He shrugged. “And as he has no wife, no children
of his own, this will be just the diversion he needs.”

“I hope you’re right.”

He squeezed her hand. “I’ll be keeping an eye on him, I
assure you.”

Oh god. Her lungs constricted. And for the first time she
knew without a doubt…she was halfway to losing her heart to the human king.

But she couldn’t dwell on it, couldn’t examine her feelings
here, under Judas’ perceptive stare. She’d think on it later.

They stopped at a stall where hundreds of glass baubles
dazzled under the sun. Large and small, clear and frosted, and with every color
imaginable. She plucked a jade bauble from one of the many rows, admiring its
depth of tone that reminded her so much of cats’ eyes. So much of her own
people.

Judas smiled down at her. “You prefer these to the diamonds,
don’t you?”

She bit her bottom lip and returned the bauble back to its
slot. Should she pretend she’d prefer the diamond pendant—sight unseen—that’d
cost him a king’s ransom? Should she pretend to be just like the other women
he’d undoubtedly known so as to look more human?

“Truthfully,” he added, his smile dissolving.

She nodded. “I think these are…nicer.”

He let out an approving chuckle, humor restored. “Then I
shall see that my own jeweler makes you something special from some of these.”

It was her turn to smile. “You’d do that for me?”

His eyes glinted warmth. “And more,” he murmured huskily.
“Much more.”