Everyday near her was worse or far better—Kaizan couldn't understand. He smelled her on his clothes, tasted her sweetness on his palate. His desire to claim her swelled with each passing day. Even now, amongst all the men, the mere thought of stripping her clothes and taking her beneath him wedged between her thighs hardened him as he had been all these days. Lust and desire roared through him like never before and escalated every moment he was with her. And without her—he felt uneasy.
In the days since his marriage with her, his curiosity had burned ever hotter. Last few nights he hadn't slept and had only gazed at her when she slumbered. His instincts screamed to protect her and he suspected that she was his—
Olivia's appearance was… divine. Every feature of hers was enhanced, embellished and beautiful beyond reasoning. Every time he was with her, he almost succumbed to the temptation to slide his hands beneath her clothes and feel that finer than satin skin. Luckily, the sting that she was a woman with whom he had compromised something as important as marriage, kept him clear-headed to fight the desire he felt for her. But then also it was impossible to keep his hands away from her. The feel of her hips cradled against his thighs, the feel of the warm back against his chest and the way she slept against him—everything maddened him. And when she had moaned in her sleep last night when he had drunk too much and came to sleep beside her—it worked its own magic on his desire. She might as well have stroked his cock.
Right now, Kaizan was trying not to look at Aban because the moment he looked at him, he wanted to rip him apart, limb by limb, and then feed his body to the vultures. He was wary of the eldest son of Sarazin, Jograk. Jograk had five wives and a herd of children which included eight sons. He was getting old and his sons were getting impatient to succeed him. And a greater number of wives meant that the man was virile. Often men had to compete with each other to marry women of their choice.
Sarazin gave a cold glare to Aban, but the man was hardly interested in his father's attitude. "Then tonight I challenge you to take Olivia as my wife!" Aban declared, keeping his hand on his heart. Aban was trying to make a statement. By taking Olivia as his wife, Aban would show that not only did he defeat the General of the king's army, but he took a woman of his enemy under him who was his wife.
"Abaaaan!" Kaizan yelled and almost lunged at him when several men stopped him. "You court death!"
Aban was cold when he said, "I know she is unmarked by you, so that leaves her open."
"Go fuck yourself!" said Kaizan and started walking away from them. If he stayed here, he would surely kill the bastard. He wanted to reach his unmarked wife as soon as possible. The possibility of losing her was like daggers in his heart.
However, Jograk stopped him. "If she is unmarked, then Aban can challenge you, Kaizan."
"Then you must be mistaken, Jograk! She is wedded to me and is a part of the peace treaty. You do not mess things under the king's rule!" Kaizan snarled.
"You know very well that the king's rules do not apply here. If Aban has challenged you, you will fight for it." Jograk gave his decision and left along with his son, leaving a very angry and stunned Kaizan.
When Kaizan reached the tent where his wife was put, he was grumbling and had let out a spew of curses. Olivia was already ready and waiting for him dressed in the local attire. She was wearing a scarlet skirt and a pale-yellow tunic. Her hair was open, cascading down her shoulders till her waist. And she looked ethereal. His anger subsided a little. As if on its own volition, his feet carried him to her.
"Is something wrong?" she asked innocently as she craned her neck to look in his eyes.
He cupped her cheek with his hand and rubbed a thumb on her soft skin. "Nothing…" He knew that Aban was going to get killed today and he didn't care. She was worth it. He trailed his finger to her pulse point and she seemed to quiver under his touch.
Kaizan changed his dress without telling her anything and then along with her went to the place where celebrations were being held.
A large bonfire was lit in the center around which men and women were dancing. His gaze went to Jograk who was sitting with his wives and some children. His eyes went to where Aban was. The two held each other's lethal gaze.
The women gathered around Olivia and tugged her to a small group where they were sitting and chatting or eating. Olivia was surprised as to how they were all so friendly with her. She smiled at them as she joined them. Everything was going on beautifully, when a sudden roar sounded behind her. Olivia heard cracking of bones just before Aban flew across the ground, landing some twenty feet away next to a few boulders.
Kaizan's fangs and claws lengthened as he snarled at Aban. Aban got up and then the two started circling each other. They struck each other at intervals with fists that were more like hammers. Olivia flinches every time Kaizan's fist landed on Aban.
She stood up unsteadily. "Don't!" Portia barked from behind, halting her. "Don't even think of getting in between them."
Flustered and confused, she asked, "What is going on? And with the way they are going they will end up killing each other!"
"Aban has challenged Kaizan for you."
"What?" Olivia almost shrieked with revulsion. Her eyes went back to the fight. Disbelief burst into her mind. Kaizan was fighting for her? Oh god! A shudder passed through her body.
The two charged each other, their heavy feet thudding over the ground.. In a rage of fury, Kaizan barreled into Aban, sending them back towards the rocks, the outer layer of which pulverized to dust.
