“You were rude to
Tesai.”
Vaan accepted the
subject change. Since she was a woman, he best get used to her inability to
focus on topics. “The male wants you for his own.”
Color flagged her
cheeks and she pushed away from the window. His shoulders loosened and he
realized he feared she’d fall through. Her frail form would not survive the
damage. He’d have the opening sealed in the morning. It would eliminate a
secondary access point for his enemies anyway.
“Tesai does not
want me. He is a valued friend and one of my guards.”
“No more. I am
assigning two of my men as your guards. Kabanians warriors will stand by my
Kabanian bride.”
Her small feet
took flight and she walked from one end of the room to the other. Her fingers
tapped along a stand alone dresser in her wake. On her pass the second time,
she randomly picked up trinkets from the dresser before setting them back down.
“Tell me about the
gate. It is a smart defense for your home but not effective if it is not kept
secure,” Vaan asked.
She looked
surprised and stopped in the middle of the room. “My father’s idea. He wanted
our home protected. Men worked for weeks until the structure surrounded the
entire compound. The only entrance is the main gate.”
“Which has no lock
either.” Vaan snorted at that bit of stupidity.
Her eyes narrowed.
“It’s clear we have a lot to discuss.”
“Agreed. It is a
fact that there will be plenty for you to learn to be a proper bride.”
“Mate,” she
hissed, eyes flashing. “We will be mates in a True Union that will be unto our
death.”
Death? He’d heard
of the ancient practice of staying with one woman for life. Kabanians did not
follow this custom. “And if we do not suit?” He was curious how she’d respond,
though he fully planned to bond himself to her in the way of her people.
She bared fangs at
him and stopped her trek across the room. “If we don’t suit, prepare to be
unhappy until you die.”
Again the urge to
smile battled fiercely with his need to hold his composure. What an unusual
affliction he was developing around her. He decided it best to only respond
with a grunt.
She must have
accepted this as a sufficient reply but pointed a finger at him. “Whatever may
come of our relationship, if there are younglings, you will love and honor them
as if they were full Kabanian by blood.”
Younglings. Yes,
he would get heirs on her. “Agreed.” He would not cast his younglings aside. A
warrior honored his children and the woman who birthed them.
“Are there other
matters you wish to discuss? If so, air them now. Otherwise, you will wait
until we are alone in these rooms for questions you may have. I will not
tolerate disrespect in front of my men.” Such acts were punishable offenses.
Her green eyes
flashed but her voice stayed civil. “I am sure there is more but not right
now.”
“Good. Then we
will speak of the True Union.” He used her term for joinings. “Is there someone
here who can perform the ritual?”
Her nod defined
abrupt. Perhaps, she expected another male to react differently but it was best
she understand how matters stood with a Warlord and his woman.
“We will take care
of this matter first. I will strategize with my men. You will inform me of all
those with warrior training. Your guards included. Starting immediately, my
Warlords will patrol the gate and no one enters without my express permission.
Your people will address me as Overlord and my men as Warlord unless given
permission to include their names.”
Vaan crossed his
arms behind his back and continued to list his rules. “They will also not touch
your person with such familiarity.”
“No.” Her green
eyes flashed.
It was the first
time she protested. “Why?”
“They are my
family not just servants. My parents died when I was a youngling. My noan
raised me and this house helped him. I will not treat them as if those years
don’t matter.”
Vaan understood
and considered her explanation sufficient. “Agreed. But not the males. They can
not touch you but the old man Eran has my permission unless I withdraw it.”
“That’s not fair.”
Her eyes narrowed in defiance. She would need a lot of training.
“Your body belongs
to me and touching it is a pleasure for me alone. If I must be with you until
death than I will have all of you and not share it with others.”
She took a moment
to absorb his decree, her mouth opening and closing. “Fine,” she snapped.
He accepted her
agreement if reluctantly given.
Chapter 5
Miki regretted her
choices already. Her choice to find the legendary Warlords, her choice to take
a Kabanian as mate and her choice to bring the Overlord into her Raasa
household. She regretted all of it. Sitting at the end of the long wooden
dining table, she listened as the male she’d chosen as her mate spoke
expansively with his warriors.
Occasionally, they
spoke in standard, at other times in Kaban. She understood every few sentences
and none of it included her. Her noan came over to whisper in her ear. Vaan
paused in his speech to eye them suspiciously. His men noticed his distraction
and all turned to the end of the table where she sat. The temptation to respond
in a childish manner rode her hard.
“Remember a
sweetened nut gets more than a bitter fruit.”
Eran’s words made
her roll her eyes. The old saying didn’t apply to her situation. “He is a hard
minded warrior, noan.”
“And it is a
woman’s way to soften it.”
Miki smiled at his
persistence and invited him to sit with her. Once Eran took the space on the
bench next to her, Vaan returned to his orders and plans. His men followed
suit, Miki no longer of interest to them if she was of no interest to their
Overlord. Her lips curled downward. The Warlords made it very clear that they
did not hold women in high regard. Or perhaps it was just her they hated as a
Raasa and not the Kaban woman they expected him to join with.
“Think carefully,
my little Mikayla.” Eran patted her on the shoulder. “Guard your tongue with
this one.”
She turned to the
only parent she’d ever known. “Do you think I made a mistake?”
His fangs popped
out with his broad smile and he switched to their language for privacy. “Are
you giving up at the first sign of challenge?”
Miki snorted and
reached for her warm cider. She needed the potent drink to relax her nerves.
“Ashaya made them seem…“ She tried to think of the right words. “Bigger than
life. Warriors betrayed by those they trusted. Honorable men with no chance to
prove their innocence.” The thought of spending her life with such a male
enticed her.
Eran leaned back
as a servant came over to place a steaming plate of vegetables and a mug of
cider in front of him. When the female chanced a glance at the Warlords seated
just a few feet away, she scurried off in fear. “Has something happened to
change your thoughts?”
“Yes,” she snapped
and then regretted her instant answer. “No.”
Eran chuckled and
scooped up his food with the wooden utensil. “How will you know the kind of men
they are if you judge them as harshly as others have? Look at them.” He nodded
his bald head to the right. Someone provided the Warlords with maps and some of
the original drawings of the lay-out of Miki’s home. They studied them
intensely and made markings on them. “They focus on a way to make your home
defensible when their thoughts must be on the friends and family they’ve lost.
They will never regain the years stolen from them. How many males do you know
who would not still rage hours later after such a discovery?”
Her noan was right
as always. She wrinkled her nose at him. The bond among the Warlords was not
hard to miss. They deferred to their Overlord but it was more. Mutual respect
resided between them. Her gaze strayed to
him
. Vaan Galip would soon be
hers until death severed the connection.
The Overlord wore
his long black hair back in a single tail. The other Warlords left their hair
to fall about their shoulders. Miki admitted to a fascination with the wavy
lengths. It was unusual to see a mature male with hair. It should have appeared
feminine but it added to their savage image. She liked it and wanted to touch
it again. Her brief touches in the cavern hinted at the softness amidst their
hardness.
“I have misjudged
them.” Miki hated to feel this way. She considered herself fair in her dealings
but her actions with the Warlords at this point reflected the ways of a blinded
female.
“Possibly.” Eran
finished his meal and raised his eyes to hers. “Or possibly you wish to force
them to act as Raasa when they are Kabanian no matter where they choose to
reside.”
“You speak truth
and your words are full of wisdom. I shall treat him as my most honored mate
and gently guide him in the way our True Union should be.”
His eyes crinkled
in merriment. “Let’s not ask for amazing feats in such a short frame of time.”
Miki slapped his
arm playfully. “You jest, noan.”
“I believe the
Overlord has met his match.”
Indeed he has,
Miki thought, once again allowing her eyes to rest on the man she’d chosen. His
head bent as he described what he wanted and tapped the papers before him. Her
servants had offered serviceable tunics to them but the frowned responses conveyed
the Warlords thoughts on that article of clothing clearly.
Not that Miki
minded. The lack of a shirt gave her the opportunity to enjoy the masculinity
on view. While her female servants made a wide berth around them, Miki noticed
the lingering glances. Fine, firm male flesh on display, unlike the thin chest
of a Raasa male, was hard to ignore. The communal bathing rooms provided a
great chance to see males and females unclothed but this was better.
In her teen years,
Miki giggled with the other females her age when they witnessed a male’s body
for the first time. The dangly parts between their legs had drawn much
commentary. None of them understood how a man’s toqa would fit a woman’s toque.
Thankfully, her noan answered her questions patiently and Miki shared her
knowledge with her friends for their parents were not as open and concise.
Now those same
females held the experience and the advanced knowledge. Her two closest friends
Sera and Vesa took sexual partners whenever the mood struck them, believing it
would help them select the best mate to join. Miki reserved her innocence. She
wanted more, craved more and until she’d read Ashaya’s journal about fierce
proud warriors, Miki hadn’t known what that more was.
“While you spin
your thoughts, has anyone given them food?”
Miki gasped at
such a basic necessity. There were no dishes in the places on the end of the
table where the warriors gathered. Surely they were hungry and this was a
perfect chance to show the Overlord how amendable she could be. Miki signaled a
passing kitchen server.
Assa smiled and
walked over. “What would you like, Su-Su?”
“The Warlords,
have they eaten?”
Assa’s smile
dropped. “No.” She darted a look over her shoulder then jerked her head back as
if the men would sense her stare. “They are frightening.”
Miki agreed but
she must show her people by her actions that they couldn’t avoid the simple
courtesies for a guest because they were afraid. “Please bring out several
platters of everything. Mugs of cider, too.” Miki couldn’t imagine their
thirst, yet they’d asked for nothing in the hours since their awakening.
Assa turned to
head to the kitchen when a thought crossed Miki’s mind. “And meat.”
The servant’s
mouth made a moue. “Meat, Su-Su?” Raasa preferred vegetables and only
occasionally sampled food made of animals.
“Yes.” If trays of
vegetables only were given to the Warlords, Miki could imagine their disdain.
She’d inform the cook to prepare more meat with each meal going forward to
satisfy the Warlords.
Within moments,
four servers came out from the kitchen their trays piled high. Miki’s stomach
growled from the fragrant aromas but she stayed seated. Assa placed a stack of
dishware near the Overlord’s elbow with wooden utensils for their use and bowed
low. He never paused in his conversation but he lifted his gaze to Miki and
their eyes connected. Would he thank her? Acknowledge the kindness in her act?
The Overlord
lowered his head back to his map with no response. Her heart dived and the
place in her lower belly twinged. Why did she let herself hope for more? She
dreamed of life spent with a loving mate. Those dreams were ashes now.
Then Miki
stiffened her shoulders. It was too soon. Eran was right. She needed to try
harder to understand where they were coming from. The transition to find a
common ground between all of them would be difficult but it was doable. Miki
needed to lead by example.
Tesai entered the
main doors, his expression mirroring his dislike of the duty he’d been asked to
perform. Miki couldn’t help comparing him to the Kabanian warriors. As one of
her guards, Miki spent a lot of time in close contact with the Raasa male. They
got along well enough and he didn’t force her to limit her time outside her
home. If she wanted to go to a bazaar for goods, he’d accompany her, whereas
the other guards would insist on a servant performing the errand.
The females in her
home considered Tesai a good mate for a True Union. He lived within his means,
held a notable position as guardsmen and treated those he interacted with in a
respectful manner. His body was acceptable and well maintained. The tan tunic
and leggings fit his lean frame with no room to spare. His bald head gleamed in
the light of day. Many admired its roundness and perfect symmetry. Miki
supposed his facial features were attractive as well.
Behind him walked
the Ba’asi in his bright gold ceremonial robes. The heavy clothing draped down
to his ankles with darker braided rope in gold across his shoulders. The
Ba’asi’s stooped figure walked with prestige. His bald head sloped at the top
and the diamond of his eyes slanted in the corners. A solitary position, the
Ba’asis did not mate and lived their lives alone giving worship to the Blessed
One.
Miki appreciated
his haste in arriving since she’d disturbed his praying hours with her request.
No one touched the lone figure as his slow steps brought him closer to the
table.
Miki stood out of
respect and met him half way. She didn’t touch him when she closed the distance
between them. Bowing, the formal words fell from her lips. “Greetings and
welcome, Ba’asi. I give thanks that you would perform my humble True Union.”
The Ba’asi
extended a shaky hand in her direction. In surprise, Miki placed her lips on
his knuckles in a soft kiss. It was an honor to bestow a kiss of faith on the Ba’asi
if granted approval.
His skin had a
chill to it more so than was common. When Miki straightened, she realized that
the holy Raasa had to have more years on him than her noan. Death surrounded
her on many fronts. She must not dwell in it. A new dawn hovered on the
horizon.
“It is a pleasure
to be asked.” Even his voice sounded thin and wane, the hiss and clicks no
longer melodic.
Vaan rose to his
feet and came to her side. “Is this your holy man?” He dwarfed the Ba’asi but
the man nodded formally to the Overlord. Vaan inclined his head.
“Yes.” She
wondered how to warn him that no one could touch the Ba’asi.
“Where do we
perform the True Union? The sooner we have it taken care of the sooner I can
return to my men. We must finish more important matters regarding the outer
wall and your security. I will not spend a night of rest under these
conditions.”
Miki pulled in a
deep breath. As far as she was concerned becoming mates was the most important
thing he had to do today but she reminded herself of her plan to tame her
future mate. “You are right, Vaan. If it would not offend the Ba’asi, we can do
it now, right here so you can return to your warrior stuff.”
His brow hiked,
showing he’d caught the edge of her sarcasm but he didn’t call her on it. “You
will call me Overlord or Overlord Vaan, if it pleases you.”
Blessed One do
not let me kill my mate on such an important day in our lives
. Miki closed
her eyes and murmured the prayer quickly under her breath. When her eyes
opened, the Overlord folded his arms over his chest. His men gathered around
them, forming a half circle behind him. Remembering his warning about public
discord, she grabbed Vaan’s arm by the elbow and tugged, seeking a small
distance from all the listening ears.
Her noan seemed to
enjoy her struggles and openly laughed.
Sweet Miki, be sweet.
Unable to
budge Vaan’s solid weight, Miki gave up and hissed, “I am not calling the
father of my young by his proper title. You may also call me Miki.”
Vaan rocked back
on his booted heels and Miki thought he’d demand she address him formally. At
last he spoke, “Agreed. You may call me Vaan but I will call you Mikayla.” A
crease appeared on his forehead. “I do not like this Miki.”
Grumbled the way
he said it, she wasn’t sure she wanted him saying it anyway. Instead she pasted
a bright smile on her face until it ached. “Thank you for understanding, Vaan.”
They could make this work. She’d show him how compromise formed the basis of a
happy union.
***
Mikayla. The name
was unusual but he liked saying it. He’d hidden his surprise when servants
presented food and drink on the table for him and his warriors. Until the smell
reached their noses, they had not realized their hunger and thirst. Her
thoughtful action deserved a peace offering and it was the reason he’d given
permission for her to use his name. Vaan Galip was ever reasonable.
Vaan ignored the
glares from his men. His Warlords considered her their enemy. They did not want
the woman greeting him in the familiar by using his birth name. It was a small
concession for Vaan and one that seemed to meet with her approval since she was
smiling overly bright. The action brought her fangs in sharp relief. He thought
he’d find the sight disturbing but instead he felt a stirring in his lower
region.
Not a warrior to
shy away from differences, Vaan knew of the rumored mating practices of the
Raasa. It was said the women sent the men from their bed with scratches and
bites on their body. Such animal like behavior stood as the main reason other
races did not mix relations with Raasa. There was also talk of them using their
venom to create a bond to enhance the feelings they expressed for one another.