Epilogue
Miki made it as
far as the gates this time. Tolan refused to look in her direction. Miki
gripped the hem of her tunic and growled. “I won’t ride far,” she promised. The
Warlord kept his back to her.
Miki looked up and
around. She recognized the Raasa patrolling the top of the gate. Serel froze
when she made eye contact.
“Please, I can’t
open the gate.”
Miki ignored his
plea. “I am Su-Su.”
He inclined his
bald head politely. “Yes, but the Overlord forced me to clean the animal pens
when I let you out last month.”
Let her out!
As if she needed permission. Miki growled under her breath. This made the
fourth time she’d been denied. Turning on her heels, she stormed across the
yard. Men and women scattered, no one willing to make eye contact.
“My lady, he
worries. Can you not wait a few more weeks?”
Miki stopped and
glared at Balal who walked a few steps behind her. “You can’t talk to me.”
Balal was responsible for her latest imprisonment.
Kavan smirked at
Balal’s downcast expression.
Miki frowned. “You
can talk to him, Kavan.” The idea pleased her the more she thought about it.
“He’ll trust you if you promise to keep me in sight.”
“No,” the Warlord
flatly refused. “Save your sad eyes for the Overlord, for I will not take you
through the gate.”
Miki spun in
frustration and continued her determined trek. The first face she spotted
belonged to Argan. “Argan.”
She hurried her
pace causing the two men on her heels to quicken. Argan groaned when she approached.
He raised his palm toward her before she could speak. “The answer is no, my
lady.”
“What are you
talking about?” She gave him her nicest smile.
“Whatever madness
you seek, my answer is no. The Overlord punished all of us with daily practice
one on one with him for a week after your little escape.”
Her smile drooped.
Miki fairly steamed. “I did
not
escape. I am Su-Su.” She resisted
stomping her feet. “I merely went riding.” Miki held up a finger. “Once and
Balal in addition to Kavan accompanied me.” Which followed Vaan’s orders.
Argan sighed and
waved for Ramar to take over the training session. She’d interrupted training
each time someone refused her request to let her out the gate or ride. Miki
held her ground but Argan grasped her elbow and gently pulled her back from the
listening crowd. Miki frowned at all of them until they busied themselves in
mock sword battles.
“My lady, you went
riding without telling Vaan.” Argan clarified.
“But…”
Argan stopped her
with another hand palm up. “Balal and Kavan did not agree. You threatened to go
alone, leaving them no choice but to go with you. You took Tolan sweets from
the kitchen so he’d open the gates. Serel fears you and rightfully so.”
“I was being nice
to all of you.” Miki didn’t address all of his claims. There was no need. Tears
welled but she refused to let them fall. “I can go where I want. I’m safe with
fifteen Warlords watching my every move.”
Miki stared at the
Warlords who made no effort to pretend they weren’t listening. “Telling
him
my every move.” She added a frown in their direction.
Argan snapped and
threw his hands in the air. “You fell, my lady.”
Miki flinched.
“I’m fine.”
Argan clenched his
hands into fists and leaned toward her. “This time you were fine. Next time may
not be so fortunate.”
Balal came forward
and pushed Argan back. Argan gave a hard look at the young Warlord and though
Balal swallowed thickly, he did not back down. “You should not yell at her.”
“She. Fell.” Argan
repeated as if that explained everything. “You were responsible for her.” With
that statement, Balal looked as if he’d be sick.
Kavan pulled Miki
to his side and slightly behind him. Miki blew out a breath. Kavan’s protective
stance almost outweighed Vaan’s. “We will ask the Overlord,” Kavan declared.
Miki rolled her
eyes and folded her arms over her full chest. “I don’t have to ask Vaan for
permission to ride.”
Kavan patted her
on her back roughly. Miki glanced at the ground to hide her smile. Kavan tried
to calm her but his ability to act affectionate was worst than Vaan’s and his
rough touch unbalanced her.
“Blessed One.” It
was Balal who caught her by the shoulders and settled her back on her feet.
Miki pushed them
all away. “Enough. Vaan has yet to wake. I want to ride now.”
“No!” they all
yelled at the same time.
The denial
combined with her current emotional state tipped her over. Fat tears spilled
over and she started to cry.
“She cries again.”
Balal stated the obvious.
It was Kavan who
offered a solution. “We will bring in a hapfe. You can ride within the courtyard.”
“Madness, Kavan.
He will kill us all,” Argan protested.
Miki brightened,
her tears drying. “Really?”
Kavan grimaced as
if realizing what he’d done. “Hapani only, my lady.”
Miki didn’t care.
She smiled and hugged him. Kavan kept his arms to his sides and jerked his chin
far from her face. Miki released him and grinned. He hated when she touched
him. She dabbed at her remaining tears. “Go get her now.”
Kavan ruined it
with his next words. “But you must ride double with Balal or I.”
“What?” She’d been
riding by herself since she could walk.
“In case you
unbalance. My lady, a bad fall could have deadly results. The Overlord would be
devastated. You do not want this, yes?”
He appealed to her
love for Vaan. Miki thought on how worried and scared Vaan had been when Balal
carried her in from the last fall. “You are right, Kavan.”
The Warlord looked
smug. He whistled at Tolan who nodded. Serel caught and latched the gate. It
slowly opened. Miki hurried forward but Argan caught her wrist. “You will wait
for Balal to fetch your mount.”
Balal strode away
quickly. Miki frowned, frustration beating at her. “I can’t walk to the
stables?”
“My lady, you will
not so much as cross the threshold of that gate again unless the Overlord
himself is at your side.” His words were deadly serious leaving Miki no choice
but to give up. Vaan believed danger waited at every corner for her.
Moments later,
Tolan and Serel worked together opening the gate. Balal came in leading a
feisty Hapani. Kavan touched Miki‘s shoulder to keep her from running toward
the animal. When Balal neared, Miki reached out and petted the pretty mount.
“Who will ride
with me?”
Balal hesitated.
“Are you sure, my lady?” He actually appeared nervous.
Miki eyed the
upright position of the hapfe. Her fall last time hurt a lot. Maybe she was
getting too big to ride.
Argan threw his
hands up and eyed the three of them. “It will not matter, since we will all be
dead by morning.”
Kavan barked out a
surprised laugh. “I will mount up first. Balal will hand you up and we will
take one turn around the yard.” He gave Miki a harsh stare. “Is that clear?”
She nodded but
still hesitated when Balal led her closer. Kavan swung his leg in the saddle
and settled his weight. Hapani pranced lightly in a circle before the Warlord
got control. Kavan extended his hand to her.
Her belly thumped.
Miki’s hand went to her middle. Another solid thump.
“Is anything
amiss, Mikayla?” Only Balal occasionally slipped and called her by her name.
Right now, all three Warlords looked beyond frightened.
“I am well.” She
stroked her large middle, soothing the little one. “I do not think the
youngling wishes to ride.”
“Then my son is
the only one with any sense among my Warlords.”
Vaan’s voice
behind her startled everyone. Argan cursed in Kaban and followed it in standard
with. “We are all dead.”
Kavan dismounted
and smacked Hapani on the haunches. She ran off but Miki didn’t worry since she
couldn’t leave through the gate. No one could apparently. Miki turned to face
her mate who frowned at his Warlords.
“Were you seeking
to ride after the last time?” Vaan’s black eyes heated and the controlled rage
in his tone made Miki flinch.
“I merely thought
to exercise.”
“You will not ride
until our son is born.” He glared at his Warlords. “I made this clear after she
fell and bled.”
Argan said a
particularly virulent curse and stormed away. Kavan and Balal boldly met Vaan’s
stare. “Yes, sire.”
Vaan rocked back
on his heels and his hand caressed the dagger on his thigh. “Then explain.”
Miki pushed her
way past the two Warlords who tried to protect her from Vaan’s wrath. “It was
my idea.” She stroked her burgeoning belly and the move as usual, pulled Vaan’s
gaze lower.
“How is he?”
Concern laced the question. He constantly worried that she grew too big for the
youngling but she reminded him of the differences in their sizes. Any child of
theirs was bound to be large.
“A fighter.” Miki
smiled. “You are so sure I carry your son?”
Vaan waved Balal
and Kavan off. “He will be a Warlord.”
Miki rolled her
eyes. “Since you won’t allow me to ride, you must walk with me. I feel the need
to stretch.”
He wrapped an arm
securely around her waist. “A short walk and you will cease your need to worry
me, she’ma.”
Miki laughed.
“At least you only have a few weeks left until the birth.”
Vaan leaned down
and kissed the top of her hair. “You are a good mate.”
“I love you, too.”
His lip twitched
as he battled a smile. “You would have me say it, yes?”
Miki dug her
shoulder into his side. “Vaan!”
He stopped them in
the middle of the yard and cupped her cheek. “I love you, Mikayla. There will
never be another for me.”
Acknowledgment
As
always I have to give a shout to my Crazy Writer Chicks, Lori and Judy. Thanks
for listening and offering feedback when I brainstormed a scene.
Honor
Bound has a special spot in my heart since it was my nano project. I have to
thank fellow author Jacy Oliver for accepting the nano challenge with me. If
not for her constant demands of "more," I might not have stayed on
track.
About the Author
Michelle Howard enjoys a crazy life
that involves wild kids, a loud dog, and a husband who tolerates the
madness. Like many authors, she’s dreamed of writing since reading her
first romance novel many years ago. She loves paranormal and contemporary
romances and is a fan of the classic romances, such as Judith McNaught and
Julie Garwood.
I love to hear from fans so please
reach out to me if you like the book and if you feel like it, leave a review on
Amazon or Goodreads
.
Email:
[email protected]
Twitter:
@mhowardwrites
Website:
www.michellehowardwrites.com