Read Online The Pirate Prince (Pirate's Booty Series, Book Five) by Temple Hogan - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Temple Hogan
Tags: Romance
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Boghos, swinging him around before landing a fist on his fat chin.
“Get into the carriage, Azara,” he ordered and she quickly complied.
Boghos backed away, eyeing Rajak cautiously.
“Rajak,” he said, rolling the name over his tongue in a mixture of fear and respect. “This is your woman?” When Rajak didn’t answer, the man shrugged. “May I compliment you on your good fortune. She is exquisite.”
“You have dared to accost a woman in my keeping,” Rajak said, “and you’ve looked upon her face against her will. In my country, we kill a man for less.”
At this, Boghos frowned and straightened his stance as if readying himself for battle.
“I have apologized,” he said in a conciliatory tone. “Let us be reasonable about this. In my country, we do not kill a man for a mere woman unless…” He paused, looking first at Rajak, then at Azara where she sat in the coach. “Unless she is very valuable. Who is this delectable creature you’ve captured?”
“That is no business of yours,” Rajak said. “Just be sure that you never approach her again, or you will feel my blade slicing through your neck.”
“You forget who you’re talking to, Prince Rajak. Here, on this island, you do not rule.” Suddenly, he laughed, a loud grating sound that spoke of evil. “You do not rule anywhere. You’ve lost your throne. Here on Madagascar, I am the Lord, the ruler. You would be wise to remember that.”
“You would be wise to remember this is a title you’ve taken upon yourself. You haven’t got the men to support your claim should anyone challenge you. Stay away from me, Boghos, and from all who are mine.”
“I will try to remember your words,” Boghos said, backing away, “ but the next time we meet, my friend, I fear words will not be our only weapon.”
Boghos stalked away and was soon surrounded by his men who’d waited a short distance away. Azara wondered why they hadn’t sprung forth to help their friend when she noted the band of Rajak’s heavily armed men who surrounded them.
Rajak saw to Basa, who had recovered and struggled to his feet, then he gave orders to Kalari who stood nearby. The orders were relayed, and the men scrambled to mount up on sturdy island ponies. When all the riders were in place around the coach, Rajak climbed inside. The coach lurched forward. Four horses carried them swiftly away from the wharf and into the countryside. When they were well away, Azara lowered her veiled and looked at Rajak.
“Who was that woman?” she asked.
For a long time, he didn’t answer and she thought he meant not to. Then he sighed and turned to her, taking one of her hands in his.
“She is of no consequence. Let’s not speak of her again,” he said firmly and stared out the window.
Azara was hurt by his answer. She well knew who the woman was, had not her father been notorious for his women, but she wanted Rajak to convince her that the woman no longer mattered and that he’d never see her again. Unexpected tears filled her eyes, and she turned away so he wouldn’t see.
Her sadness dissipated as they rode through the tropical forests and up winding roads to a hillside, where a fortress-like structure sat with armed guards in attendance at the heavy gates. As the coaches drew near, the gates swung open so they were able to enter the compound without slowing. Inside the fortress walls, the grounds were filled with tropical trees and bushes. Tropical flowers abounded along the drive, and the air was filled with bird song. Azara was enchanted with glimpses of brightly hued birds flitting among the trees.
Then she caught sight of Rajak’s palace. He’d been modest in his remarks about it, but now Azara saw the true nature of his dwelling. Made of pink marble, it sat like a jewel in the midst of such tropical greenery. Rounded columns held up a wide portico, and marble steps led to a door made of gold and decorated with gems. Servants, dressed in spotless white livery,
“Get into the carriage, Azara,” he ordered and she quickly complied.
Boghos backed away, eyeing Rajak cautiously.
“Rajak,” he said, rolling the name over his tongue in a mixture of fear and respect. “This is your woman?” When Rajak didn’t answer, the man shrugged. “May I compliment you on your good fortune. She is exquisite.”
“You have dared to accost a woman in my keeping,” Rajak said, “and you’ve looked upon her face against her will. In my country, we kill a man for less.”
At this, Boghos frowned and straightened his stance as if readying himself for battle.
“I have apologized,” he said in a conciliatory tone. “Let us be reasonable about this. In my country, we do not kill a man for a mere woman unless…” He paused, looking first at Rajak, then at Azara where she sat in the coach. “Unless she is very valuable. Who is this delectable creature you’ve captured?”
“That is no business of yours,” Rajak said. “Just be sure that you never approach her again, or you will feel my blade slicing through your neck.”
“You forget who you’re talking to, Prince Rajak. Here, on this island, you do not rule.” Suddenly, he laughed, a loud grating sound that spoke of evil. “You do not rule anywhere. You’ve lost your throne. Here on Madagascar, I am the Lord, the ruler. You would be wise to remember that.”
“You would be wise to remember this is a title you’ve taken upon yourself. You haven’t got the men to support your claim should anyone challenge you. Stay away from me, Boghos, and from all who are mine.”
“I will try to remember your words,” Boghos said, backing away, “ but the next time we meet, my friend, I fear words will not be our only weapon.”
Boghos stalked away and was soon surrounded by his men who’d waited a short distance away. Azara wondered why they hadn’t sprung forth to help their friend when she noted the band of Rajak’s heavily armed men who surrounded them.
Rajak saw to Basa, who had recovered and struggled to his feet, then he gave orders to Kalari who stood nearby. The orders were relayed, and the men scrambled to mount up on sturdy island ponies. When all the riders were in place around the coach, Rajak climbed inside. The coach lurched forward. Four horses carried them swiftly away from the wharf and into the countryside. When they were well away, Azara lowered her veiled and looked at Rajak.
“Who was that woman?” she asked.
For a long time, he didn’t answer and she thought he meant not to. Then he sighed and turned to her, taking one of her hands in his.
“She is of no consequence. Let’s not speak of her again,” he said firmly and stared out the window.
Azara was hurt by his answer. She well knew who the woman was, had not her father been notorious for his women, but she wanted Rajak to convince her that the woman no longer mattered and that he’d never see her again. Unexpected tears filled her eyes, and she turned away so he wouldn’t see.
Her sadness dissipated as they rode through the tropical forests and up winding roads to a hillside, where a fortress-like structure sat with armed guards in attendance at the heavy gates. As the coaches drew near, the gates swung open so they were able to enter the compound without slowing. Inside the fortress walls, the grounds were filled with tropical trees and bushes. Tropical flowers abounded along the drive, and the air was filled with bird song. Azara was enchanted with glimpses of brightly hued birds flitting among the trees.
Then she caught sight of Rajak’s palace. He’d been modest in his remarks about it, but now Azara saw the true nature of his dwelling. Made of pink marble, it sat like a jewel in the midst of such tropical greenery. Rounded columns held up a wide portico, and marble steps led to a door made of gold and decorated with gems. Servants, dressed in spotless white livery,
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