“No, not here. In the den.”She tried to move past him to the door.
He jerked her to him and kickedthe door shut. “I won’t be made a fool of by any woman. You’llkeep your pledge and marry me.”
“Never!” She pushed her handsagainst his chest trying to make space between them. “I’ll nevermarry a man who wants to dominate me and use me to control Jaipar.”She drew in a deep breath to calm herself, not wanting to furtheraggravate him. She still hoped to get him to leave Jaipar peacefully.“I’m sorry it didn’t work out between us.”
“It didn’t work out becauseof Fenian.”
“No, even if he wasn’t here,it wouldn’t have worked out. Jaiparian customs are just toodifferent from yours. I’m ruler here and I’ll never give thatpower to a man—even if he is my husband. I’m willing to rulejointly but I’d never let my husband rule alone. It’s becomeclear that’s what you want and expect.”
“You won’t cause me thisembarrassment. Rulers from all over the planet have already beeninvited to our wedding.”
“I apologize if this causes youembarrassment, but neither of us will be happy if we marry.”
“You think this is abouthappiness? About love? You’re naïve.” He gave her a violentshake. “This is about power. I intend to rule Jaipar and you willbe my queen. You can either submit to me as a proper wife or learn awife’s place the hard way.”
“I’m not your wife yet!”Koriann exploded, losing her temper. “Take your hands off me!”
He tightened his grip. “You’remine, Koriann. I warned you what I’d do if I caught you withFenian. I’ll kill your lover tomorrow and tonight I’ll punish youfor your indiscretion.”
A chill shot up her spine “Yousaid the duel was only until first blood and I didn’t betray you.Erling and I have never been intimate.”
“You expect me to believe that!You’re nothing but a harlot! In my country you’d be put to deathfor your infidelity.”
“Fortunately we’re notmarried and we’re not in Haklute!” She was frightened, but didn’twant him to know. “Release me this instant or I’ll call myguards.”
“I dismissed your guards whileyou were gone. I’m in charge of the palace now.”
Koriann glared at him. “I orderyou to leave Jaipar immediately with all your men and never return.If you don’t, I’ll bring formal charges against you before theInternational Peace Council.”
“You don’t want a war betweenour countries. War will weaken Jaipar and make it vulnerable toattack from Samrat Condor. He’ll crush Jaipar. I remain your onlyhope for Jaipar’s safety.”
“Jaipar is a strong country andthe International Council supports us. If you attack Jaipar, you’llhave the Council to answer to.”
He smiled ruthlessly. “I don’tcare if you want me as a husband or not. We’ll be married asplanned.”
“You can’t force me to marryyou!”
“But, I can. I control Jaiparnow! With the right combination of psychic powers and drugs, you’llbe an obedient wife. I plan to keep you locked in my palace onHaklute.” He zipped open the front of her flight suit. “I’mtired of this virgin front while you play the whore with your lover.”
She slammed her fist into his gutand broke away. A sharp knock sounded at the door. “Who is it?”Zanton yelled, as Koriann zipped up her flight suit.
“Tyrin. We have a problem.”
“Come in.” The door openedand one of Zanton’s uniformed guards walked in.
“There’s trouble with CaptainOrneil, head of the palace guards. He says he only takes orders fromthe Queen and won’t be dismissed by you.”
ThankBorko’s double moons that Orneil didn’t trust Zanton, Koriannthought as she started for the door.
Zanton grabbed her wrist,restraining her before answering the guard. “I’ll speak toCaptain Orneil and make him understand that I’m in charge now. Helpme tie up the Queen.” He swung Koriann off her feet.
She fought to break free as hecarried her into the adjacent sleeping chamber. “Let me go! Myguards will throw you out of Jaipar.”
“I’m afraid your first lessonin obedience will have to wait until I get back.” Zanton dumped heronto the mattress and held down her arms while Tyrin stuffed ahandkerchief in her mouth and tied it in place. Then Tyrin picked upa piece of rope off the bed and grabbed her leg. She tried to kickhim with her other leg. He caught it and tied both her anklestogether, while Zanton bound her wrists.
“We’ll finish what we startedwhen I return,” King Zanton said and the two men left the room.
Koriann tugged franticallyagainst her bindings, her stomach tightening with horror as therealization hit her—the rope was already on the bed when Zanton hadcarried her into the bedroom. His actions hadn’t been done in a fitof jealous temper. He’d planned to tie her up and would have doneit even if he hadn’t caught her and Erling kissing. He must haveproposed to her with the intent of ruling Jaipar and when he saw thatshe might break off their engagement, he’d taken advantage of herabsence and taken control of the palace.
Whydidn’t I see he was a monster? Why did I ever agree to marry him? Iwas never comfortable around him and should have paid attention to myinstincts.
17
Trouble at the Marsindi Palace
Toemeka entered the palacekitchen. The enormous room was filled with the latest equipment andkitchen appliances. Erling already sat at a counter with a platefulof food. She got a bowl of vegetable soup from the food dispenser andsat on a bar stool beside him.
She breathed in the wonderfularoma of the soup and swallowed her first spoonful. It tasteddelicious. “You in trouble, too?” she asked, between spoonfuls.
“That’s an understatement.Zanton challenged me to a duel with Borithon swords.”
“What are Borithon swords?”
“One of Zanton’s guards saidthey’re an occult sword used by the upper class in Haklute thatvibrates with energy. There’s a lot of superstition surroundingthem. The guard said no one ever lives who gets wounded by them—atleast not as they were. They may come back as zombies or ghosts.”
The soup in Toemeka’s stomachturned sour. “You can’t fight him! Remember the nightmare I hadwhen I first got here.”
“I’m not backing out ofthis.”
“You have
