Hadaen [The Marujan Brothers Series] Book One Read online

  "I believe you."

  * * *

  He pulled up his trousers and buckled his belt, the torch-light dancing across the dark room. He liked his place dreary. Dark. He enjoyed the smell of death; the sweetness of bloodshed. After all, his strength grew greater with every victim.

  The cigar he had placed down on the ashtray had finally burnt out. But he was not content.

  He felt uneasy.

  Angry, to a point for his men had failed him on their quest to destroy Hadaen Maruj and his wretched brother. Damn infidels!

  He would have to do it himself if he was to acquire the results he sought after; he wanted to boast the entire Marujan dynasty, their heads on a platter as is trophy. Casting a glance at the lifeless body of his latest victim laying face-down and naked on the floor, he sneered and grabbed up his cloak.

  The unknown whore had been the last of his conquests: the women he had spared from the last massacre only for his own enjoyment. Deorci smiled to himself. Fools they were, if they had thought he'd let anyone he'd let anyone with the most dilute of Marujan blood live. He had to admit, they had all been good fucks. But surely not good enough to spare.

  Running a hand through his thick golden locks, he stormed from the bedchamber and into his study. He was halfway towards his desk when a brisk knock came at the door.

  "What?" Deorci bellowed and dropped himself in his chair. He was irritated. Pissed, but irritated nonetheless.

  "It's Malakai, Sir."

  He sat down a little straighter. "Come."

  The tall buff fellow stepped inside strapped in steel armour. Malakai was now his first in command now that Xavier was...gone.

  "I come with news, Sir. News you'd very much like to hear."

  Interesting. Deorci met the boy's eyes intently. "Speak."

  "There seems to be a girl."

  Malakai looked uneasy as he spoke and Deorci was beginning to regret his decisions on appointing the lad. He did not need a fidgety leader to his men.

  "Out with it boy!"

  Malakai cleared his throat. "We managed to make a scan of the final traces of Xavier's memory minutes before he died. There is a girl. We do not know who she is but she appears to have some connection to the eldest Marujan brother."

  Deorci’s mouth turned up in a sly smile. "Very interesting. What else?"

  Malakai nodded, seeming pleased with himself. "Xavier probably hadn't realized but from what I observed, the woman seems to possess a very rare power."

  Deorci scoffed. "How so? She can't be any different than the others."

  "Her energy glows blue, Sir."

  Now that caught his attention. His head flew up immediately, all smugness wiped from his expression. "Is that right?" He got to his feet and frowned, deep in thought. "All Marujans... their energies glow red. That's impossible. Are you certain?"

  "Positive, Sir."

  Deorci reached for a cigar, lit it and sucked hard. Thick puffs of smoke emanated from his nostrils. Who was this girl Malakai spoke of? And what connection did she have to Hadaen Maruj?

  "What else?" he prodded, sensing the tension in the lad.

  "We--some of the men and I--could all sense a very strange energy around her while we studied Xavier's memories. It was...very strong, Sir."

  "How strong?" Deorci’s hand shook as he pulled the cigar from his lips.

  Malakai paled, taking a wise step back. Then two more. Three...

  "Very...very strong."

  Deorci moved quickly, slamming the boy against the door that it almost broke from is hinges. Malakai's eyes widened to saucers and he coughed as Deorci breathed the harsh cigar smoke in his face.

  "I said, how fucking strong?"

  "S-s-stronger than I've e-ever s-seen, S-sir."

  Deorci growled and swung the doors open, flinging the boy savagely from the room. His pupils flooded black and dark, very dark energy swirled around his body in a thick stench-like fog.

  He'd find that girl.

  And when he did, Hadaen Maruj would watch her perish at his hand...

  just before he ripped him and his brothers to pieces

  and burnt his beloved kingdom to the fucking ground.

  * * *

  The shadows castes from the blazing candles danced across her face. Hadaen could barely concentrate on what Elder Marlak and Elder Joséah were saying.

  He was mesmerized.

  The thick fist of muscle some called a heart throbbed hard against his chest. His cock swelled in his pants as sweat beaded at his temples. He could not find any reason for him wanting this woman so badly. Either he was losing his mind... or he really was losing his mind.

  She was prophesized as his intended mate.

  But The First help him, he could barely contain the raging need he had for her at the moment. If it weren't for his concrete self-control--which was just hanging by a thread by the way--he'd clear every damn thing off this table and spread those lovely thighs extra wide to accommodate him.

  Everything about her fascinated him, kept him mentally drooling after her like a starved dog. The scent of her hair, the way she tilted her head to the side...drawing him into the depth of those cock-swelling blue eyes. He found himself liking the way her eyes squinted whenever she was concentrating, even the way she nibbled on that juicy bottom lip when she doesn't know he knows she's nervous. Even the way--

  Damn it, man! You're turning into a love-sick fool!

  Love. Hadaen gave himself a mental shake. If he could, he'd draw himself up by the collar and knock a few teeth out too. Love? Heavens, no! He was incapable of such things. He liked, of course. Adored, maybe. But love? Not a chance. That one required strings...responsibilities...duties; too damn much. So he'd stick to lusting. And after he officially made Amelia his wife, he'd continue lusting after her straight into eternity.

  "But what does it mean?" Hadaen caught her words just in time as he abandoned his reverie.

  Elders Marlak and Joséah exchanged glances. The two men looked about a thousand years old (no exaggeration). And possibly more. Deep wrinkles were set into their faces like huge crevices, the hair on their heads white and thinning.

  Elder Marlak's eyes were a crisp green while Elder Joséah's were a soft light blue. But all in all, the only thing really youthful about the men were their voices.

  "I'm sorry, dear." Elder Marlak cleared his throat. He pointed a bearded chin out in Hadaen's direction. "This one's—with all due respect, my lord—rather colourful thoughts have been distracting me."

  Hadaen stiffened subtly as five pairs of eyes narrowed on him. Amelia's brows rose skeptically while Esyth simply stared at him as if he was some insolent child. When did anyone ever had the audacity to look at him in such a manner? Gideon, on the other hand, burst into a fit of laughter.

  "I can place a hefty bet on that one!" he cackled, slapping his knee. Esyth gave him a scolding look. "It's true. You all know he could only be thinking abou--"

  "Never mind that," Elder Joséah interjected, his eyes beaming with obvious amusement. "I'm sure Lord Hadaen's thoughts are none of our business. Elder Marlak apologizes, my lord."

  Hadaen gave the slightest of nods and glanced sideways at Amelia who was apparently still staring at him. She then looked away quickly, her face heated with blush.

  This time Esyth spoke. "You were saying, Elders?"

  "It appears Amelia Kunar's abilities are not restricted to the physical realm," Elder Marlak pointed out. "It could possibly have been a premonition, most likely."

  "A premonition?" Amelia sat up straight. More alert. "So you mean I might be able to predict the future?"

  "Well, not exactly 'see' the future, dear child," he went on. "But view...signs which could tell what future events will be like. The dark clouds, for example, could mean a storm on the surface. But beneath, it could very mean very dark times ahead."

  The tent fell quiet for a minute.

  "Is there any possibility that Deorci knows about Amelia?" Hadaen decided to ask. It was hi
s biggest concern, of course.

  "We don't know," Elder Joséah sighed. "But we must never underestimate Deorci’s abilities. He is very powerful and dangerous man."

  "How do we defeat him?" Gideon asked, his eyes sharp. "'Cause it's about time we started doing some real ass-kicking."

  The Elders once again exchanged glances. And both looked at Amelia with a strange unreadable expression on their faces. Hadaen stretched his arm over the back of her chair and waited for their response. Esyth looked about ready to chew her entire mouth off.

  Gideon bobbed his head and grinned, obviously picking up something they all were not getting.

  Elder Joséah stared directly at Amelia, his pupils almost dancing.

  "Only she knows."

  Chapter Eleven

  The Heavens was cleansing the earth.

  Once more before hell broke loose, perhaps.

  Rocks glistened beneath the light rain, leaves and branches swaying in the tender breeze.

  Amelia pulled her jacket closer, zipping all the way up to her chin. Rainwater trickled down and over branches overhead, dampening her hair. But she refused to move.

  She needed this solitude.

  ...very dark times ahead.

  ...a premonition, most likely.

  …only she knows.

  The Elders' words rang in her head, invading her dreams for the last three nights. If she were to really know how to defeat Deorci, then why didn't she actually know? She tried as best as she could to dig deep within her mind...to discover even the tiniest of hints on how to do that but all she ever ended up with was sweat-ridden palms and blank mind. Nothing.

  Responsibility was burdening her shoulders. Centuries ago, the most she had ever thought about was one day forming a family of her own; creating a loving unit with a loving husband and their beautiful children. To somewhat make up for all she had lost. She knew nothing could ever compare to the love her parents had shown up to the their last days. But she was willing to be happy for once again.

  The Marujan kingdom was looking to her for salvation. So were the occupants of the Hub of Lensai. If she were to die, so would they...eventually. Deorci would wipe the slate clean off all Marujans and their links. He would destroy the Marujan dynasty.

  Gideon...Faolan...Hadaen. They'd all be gone.

  Hadaen. Amelia rested her head in her hands, forcing back the tears that welled up to her lids. She did not know for sure her feelings towards him but she knew it was somewhere between like and love. She wanted him. Maybe even need him as well. Hell, her thoughts never failed to stray towards the most erotic of images whenever he was near. If it we're for her stubbornness and independent nature, she would've sworn she was falling in love with him.

  But she couldn't.

  Hadaen Maruj was still the man she had known seven centuries ago. The same man who had torn her dress down the neckline and intended on ripping her virginity from her as if it held no value at all. He was still that man who had acted on the feeling on his groin rather than the common senses in his head.

  He was incapable of love. If fate had promised them together for eternity, then she had no control over her future.

  But he was also the man who had taken a stab wound to the gut for her sake. The same man who had brought her to a sexual climax, only hours later, so beautiful she cried...so sultry and hot, the memories were bound to be burnt into her mind forever.

  But he could not love her and she would force her heart not to mingle. She would not love him either. Heartbreak is best kept at bay that way.

  A twig snapped behind her. Amelia's head sprung up immediately, her hands swatting at her wet face.

  "Don't stop because of me." Esyth. "Are you alright?"

  Amelia sniffled and eased back against the trunk of the tree, watching as the last few inches of rain fell.

  "I'm fine. Just thinking..."

  "It seems that's all we can do now." Her blonde hair was caught in a ponytail, highlighting her high cheek bones. She was really beautiful; simple and tender radiance.

  "Did you follow me here?"

  Esyth took a seat on a stone next to Amelia, a strange expression on her face. "I'm scared, Amelia. I try not to be--and as your protector I know I should be stronger--but I'm scared."

  Amelia looked around at the woman. Her Protector. The woman who had shielded her from harm for twenty-five years. The woman who had single-handedly fought off numbers of Kankul soldiers in her lifetime. A woman who had accomplished so much without even a scar to prove. Of course, Protectors could live into eternity as the Marujan nobles; but they could also be killed as easily any mortal.

  "I'm scared too. Terrified. I don't know...how to do this, Esyth."

  "You must find a way," she said, humbly. "Search deep inside--"

  "I have!" Amelia jumped to her feet, her boots squishing in the mud. She was angry. Angry because she could not find it. She could not figure out the way to defeat Deorci. "But I just can't...And I feel..." She broke into a sob. "I feel all this burden and I just can't ..."

  She could not hold back the tears. They came spilling over her cheeks heavily, her nose burning with emotion. Esyth's hand came down on her shoulder...comforting and supportive. Calming.

  "It's alright," she murmured, giving Amelia a tight hug. "However it turns out, it will be alright."

  "No... It won't. I cannot allow our people to endure another blow from that monster's hand. They have bearer enough." She sniffed and blinked away the tears. "I'll try harder. I won't allow Deorci to win. Never again."

  Esyth nodded, a proud smile touching her lips.

  "Good. Lord Hadaen been looking for you."

  * * *

  Today was not his day.

  Where the hell had he put his boots? And where was his damn belt? Damn it, he'd go mad if he stayed another second in this tent. He wanted to see her and he knew for a fact that she was purposely avoiding him. Ever since that night they had gone to see the Elders about her alleged 'premonition'. Amelia had none but sprints off from Elder Marlak’s tent an hour later and then verbally banned him from entering hers.

  "If you enter this tent, be prepared never to utter another word to me again!" she'd yelled at him.

  Of course he had no doubt in his mind that she could never have kept up with that charade but he wasn't stupid. He could read between the lines. Not that he really needed to. She'd have spoken to him again, alright. Have sex with him? That was a whole different arena. He could not have taken that chance and even when she became his wife, she still had the liberty to deny him.

  Stupid Marujan laws! Who the hell came up with that one anyway? He'd make sure to have that specific one Burt from all existing scrolls.

  A shuffle came from the flap of his tent and he spun around quickly, half-expecting Amelia to appear. But it wasn't her and his mood fell from excited to downright irritated.

  "Elder Marlak," Hadaen greeted.

  The old man stepped inside, sniffing around like a dog following a scent. His hands were folded at his back, his rounded belly sagging heavily against the fabric of a plaid long-sleeved shirt.

  "Lord Hadaen." He gave a half-bow. "With all respect, my lord, I must say you look terrible."

  If he were a child, Hadaen would have rolled his eyes. He knew his hair was a bit over-grown from its usual length. He knew that his shirt looked as if it was just thrown on him savagely. And his eyes were baggy with the dark circles around them because he hadn't slept in three damn days!

  Lack of sex does that to a man.

  Hadaen buttoned up his shirt an regarded the Elder. "Is something wrong, sir?"

  "Oh no," Elder Marlak said, still peering around the tent as if he was looking for something in particular. "I came to assist you with your...personal problems."

  ...personal problems?

  Hadaen chuckled. "All right." H could not break the poor man's spirits. "I'm listening."

  Elder Marlak move about gracefully and sat himself down at the table on the east cor
ner of the tent.

  "I see Amelia has improved greatly in her training. Sienna had informed me of what an absolutely astounding pupil she has become."

  Hadaen fought against stewing up his face. Of he heard one more word of that woman--

  "Yes." He looked around subtly for his boots still. "She’s excellent, actually."

  "Good. Good. I can only imagine how the girl's feeling right now. All that responsibility... But if she defeats Deorci--"

  "She will." Hadaen's eyes narrowed on the man. "Even if we don't kill that bastard, I'm pretty we'll give him a sound beating he won't ever want a second of."

  Elder Marlak smiled. "Optimism and determination. They are two peas in a pod, you know."

  Sighing, Hadaen decided to give up on locating his boots. For now. Taking a seat before the Elder, he crossed his arms and simply waited.

  "What personal problems?"

  "You love the girl." This man must have gone mad

  "Amelia is my intended. My eternal mate."

  "And it doesn't mean you must love her. Inserting that emotion is purely your choice and your choice alone."

  Hadaen scratched his head irritably. "I don't love her." Elder Marlak sat still for a good ten seconds, looking him over with a deep intensity Hadaen knew all too well. "And I do not appreciate you reading me."

  "You lust after the girl like a dog in heat." The Elder chuckled deeply. "I daresay, my lord, you are in your prime."

  "I'm seven hundred an twenty-eight years old. I think I'm way past my prime, Elder."

  "So you say," he muttered. "You were about to go see her just now."

  "I was looking for my boots." And my belt...

  "To go see her, of course."

  "What's your point, Elder?"

  "You must confess your feelings to Amelia. You do love her."

  "I do not love her." Hadaen shook his head with every stated word.

  "Yes, you do!"

  Elder Marlak's pupils shook with indignation. Hadaen could not understand where exactly this conversation was heading. All he knew was that the old man was wrong. He just refused to believe it.

  Hadaen could not love Amelia.