Savage Splendor (Savage Lagonda 2) Read Online Free PDF Page A

wondered.

 
    3
     
    I need you, I want you. Do not send me away.
    I am begging, I beseech you, allow me to stay.
     
    Mara kissed Hamez and Tamera and handed them back to Vista with tears in her eyes. "Watch over them carefully, Vista," she said turning away quickly and rushing from the nursery before she broke down completely in front of her children. She found her brother Jeffery waiting for her in the hallway and went into his outstretched arms.
    "It is almost April, honey, you should be back by the end of August. Time will pass quickly," he told her, knowing what she was feeling.
    "Jeffery, look after Tajarez for me. He will…he is going to be lonely. Try to see that he does not miss me too much," she told him, leaning her head against his shoulder to hide the tears that blinded her.
    Jeffery tilted her chin up and gave her a reassuring smile. "I will, Mara, there is no need for you to worry about Tajarez, just take care of yourself."
    Knowing that Tajarez was waiting for her, Mara smiled bravely. "I hope I shall be home before Sasha has your baby. I do so want to be with her when the time comes."
    "I am afraid that will not be possible, but hopefully you will be in St. Louis in time to witness the birth of David and Linda's baby."
    Mara's eyes sparkled. "We Goldens seem to be populating the world lately, do we not?"
    Kissing her brother on the cheek she rushed quickly down the stairs and through the huge anteroom where she found Sagas waiting for her. He reached for her hand and placed something in it. Mara saw it was a heavy golden chain with a disk in the shape of a pyramid. The face of the pyramid was engraved with tiny hieroglyphics.
    "What is this, Sagas?" she asked as she read the markings out loud. "It says: 'I will seek where I belong.' What does it mean?"
    The old man looked deeply into her eyes. "Put it on, Mara, and do not take if off for any reason. It will help you find your way home."
    "I do not understand."
    A veil seem to cover his eyes, turning the black circles to smoky gray. "Heed my words and never take it off," he warned as he turned his back on her and hurried away, leaving Mara to wonder about his words. She slipped the gold chain over her head and felt it nestle between her breasts. It felt warm against her skin, almost as if it were alive. Knowing by this time Tajarez would be wondering what was keeping her, she forgot about the chain and walked out into the bright sunlight.
    Mara's heart was warmed as she noticed the people of the Lagonda tribe were lined up along both sides of the roadway to see her off. Smiling proudly, she raised her hand to them and received a rousing tribute. How she had grown to love the people of this hidden valley. This was her home and where she belonged.
    She felt rather then heard someone beside her and did not need to look up to know Palomas, the ever faithful watchdog, was standing near by. He would be with her on the journey, and for that she was grateful. Mara was dressed in white doeskin. The fringe at the neck and hemline of her dress were beaded with gold. White doeskin moccasins fit snugly about the calves of her legs. Dressed as she was, she had a freedom of movement she had never enjoyed in the conventional clothing she had worn before coming to the Seven Cities as Tajarez's bride. She had long ago abandoned her sidesaddle and now rode astride as any Lagonda maiden would.
    The crowd became strangely silent as she descended the wide stone steps that led up to the palace. With one last final wave to her people she joined Tajarez, who was waiting for her at the bottom of the steps. She dared not look at her husband as Palomas helped her mount her horse. Mara did not look back as she rode away with Tajarez at her side, Palomas and the guard following closely behind. She was leaving everything that was dear to her, and she almost resented the fact that Tajarez had given his word to David to allow her to visit him.
    As they rode across the bridge that spanned