Read Young Jaguar, The for Free Online

around his neck, pulling
him closer. He put her down carefully on the wet earth and reclined beside her,
not caring about her plants, nor about the slaves that would be appalled at
such savage behavior.
    The journey, the Palace, the dying Emperor, even his
son’s trouble faded away, melting in the warm afternoon sun, in the gentleness
of her touch, the softness of her skin, the love in her large bottomless eyes,
open for most of the time, radiating her elation and warmth.
    Exalted and fulfilled, they lay on their backs and
stared at the cloudless sky. A slight breeze rustled in her plants, those that
were not rumpled under their bodies. He felt her stirring and gathered her in
his arms.
    Her laughter trilled.
    “So, this is how you, warriors, take the women you
conquer?” she asked, snug in his embrace.
    He ran his fingers through her messed up hair as she
moved her head closer, placing it comfortably upon his shoulder. “This is how
we, warriors, take the women we love.”
    Her fingers slid down his chest. “I didn’t expect
you before nightfall. I was just about to take a long bath and dress in
turquoise to make myself as pretty as I could for you. I can’t believe you
caught me so unprepared.”
    “I see you all beautiful and groomed all the time.
This was a nice diversion.” He chuckled. “When I saw you like that I couldn’t
help but remember the way you were working the fields of your people.”
    She giggled. “Oh, I do remember how aroused it would make you. That first time, when you were resting by the spring and I
was sent to bring you back to the town.” She laughed and raised her head,
peering at him with such an amused reproach, he wanted to laugh. “Your eyes
were reflecting everything that you wanted to do with me, even if your
self-control enabled you to stay calm.”
    “I should have taken you and headed back for
Azcapotzalco that very evening. It would have saved us much trouble.”
    She laughed and smoothed the embroidered cotton
skirt down her beautiful legs. “The servants will be appalled.”
    He shrugged. “Let them.” Then another thought
occurred and he hurriedly rearranged his loincloth. “The children are nowhere
around, I trust.”
    “I think not. Flower should be in her rooms,
spinning most probably. She is such a good girl. Not like her mother at all.”
Her wide smile was free of any guilt. “As for your son, he is most probably out
somewhere, getting into this or that trouble, as usual.”
    The word “trouble” hit them simultaneously, and they
jumped to their feet, their happiness evaporating. Atolli!
    “Tell me everything you know.” He helped her up and
began rearranging his mud-smeared loincloth once again.
    “I don’t know much.” She stared at him, helpless,
voice trembling. “The old Askatl came this morning. He told me to let you know
that Atolli was in trouble and that you should see him as soon as you come
home. I asked what happened, but he just told me Atolli might be expelled from
school. He insisted you have to visit him. Then, later on, Tecuani came from
running around the city–when I told him not to!–and he said it was all over the
marketplace. Atolli and Mecatl broke into one of the temples. They drank octli and attacked a girl of the royal blood.” Her shoulders sagged helplessly. “I
can’t believe it to be true. Atolli is not like that. I would sooner believe
Tecuani did some of those things at the same age. But not attacking the girl!”
    Tecpatl felt his face draining of blood, his lungs
unable to get enough air. “If he was drunk he could do all sorts of stupid
things,” he said, busying himself with brushing the mud off his richly
decorated cloak. “Come on, let us get into the house. Even if half of it is
true, he is in grave trouble, and I’ll have to see more people than just old
Askatl this afternoon.”
     
     
     

Chapter 4
     
    The cubicle was small and airless, crammed with
baskets and empty pottery jars. Stretching, Atolli