The Pirate Prince (Pirate's Booty Series, Book Five) by Temple Hogan

an errand.”
    “Yes, Your Highness.” Hestia bowed and, with no sign of hesitation, left the room.
    It occurred to Azara that Hestia had already made valuable contacts in the short time they’d been here. Obviously, she was no ordinary serving woman. Azara pushed away the swell of trepidation. She must trust her father and Hasna. In the strange world of intrigue, which ruled every court, every movement, they wouldn’t leave her to depend on a woman who was unreliable. She must trust her father’s wisdom.
    But what of Rajak? Was she not to trust him? She had given herself to him too readily, believing she had no other choice, but she hadn’t been prepared for what happened to her heart. She clenched her fist against her stomach, willing away the emotional pain that was worse than any physical hurt she’d ever known. Was she falling in love with him? Hadn’t she halfway fallen in love with him when he came to negotiate for her as Mohan’s bride?
    She remembered his fiery touch, the heat of his passion and she longed for him. Impatiently, she rose and paced her room. Malika and the other women came to attend her, but she gestured them away. Quietly, they left her, their faces troubled. Only Oma remained.
    “You are in distress, princess,” she said soothingly. “What troubles you so?”
    Azara turned to her old nanny, comforted by the caring she found in her gaze, by the gentle touch of her hand. She threw herself into Oma’s arms.
    “I don’t know what to do,” she sobbed. “He has grown tired of me now that he has returned to Madacasgar and his former lover. The servants say that he goes to her every night.”
    “You don’t know that,” Oma said. “He has many visitors late at night. They come and go silently, but when they are here, they talk in quiet, angry voices. I believe he is getting ready to reclaim his throne then think of it. You can be the wife of a powerful Mogul Shah. It is fitting for you.”
    “But what if he doesn’t choose to wed me? He’s turned away from me.”
    “It is your place to make him turn back to you.” Oma tapped her on the cheek. “You have seen this other woman. She is nothing.”
    “She’s very beautiful.”
    “So are you,” Oma stated firmly. “But the world is filled with many challenges. Nothing is promised to us. You must fight to win that which you desire.”
    “I don’t desire him,” Azara said quickly and choked on any further words of denial.
    “Oh, my child,” Oma said, her words chiding as they had long ago when Azara was stubborn and wouldn’t do as she was bid. “It does you no good to deny what your heart feels. Fight for him, little princess. He is a man to believe in and fight for.”
    Azara remained silent and, with a nod of satisfaction, Oma drew away, crossing to a chest that held the finest of silk garments and exotic, sweet smelling oils.
    “Come, I have ordered a bath for you. You must make yourself very beautiful, so for a short time, he will think of nothing else but you.”
    As if summoned on cue, her attendants arrived with a fine tub made of gold and inlaid with gems. It was quickly filled with tepid water and scented with sweet oils.
    “Come,” Oma said.
    But Azara shook her head. “Call Hestia. I must speak with her.”
    “But princess,” Oma said patiently. “You have no time for this.”
    “I must speak to Hestia. I must tell her I’ve changed my mind.”
    “You will have to tell her later, princess. She took a horse and rode away with only a servant to guard her.”
    Heart quickening in its beat, Azara ran to the balcony and looked down the moon-lit road. There was no sign of Hestia and she had no idea where the maid would have gone. Deeply troubled, she disrobed and stepped into the water. It rose around her, the scent of jasmine and other exotic perfumes filling the air. She took no pleasure in the leisurely bath. She thought only of how she must undo the damage and how she might win back Rajak’s affection. Not