Only a fool would
willing ingest deadly venom. Vaan was no fool. His men were all alert for the
first signs that she’d poisoned them with her efforts to bring them from the
deep sleep. Vaan would dwell on what this meant for them later. His heart
pained him if he thought overly long on the knowledge that his mother had saved
his life and that of his warriors, only to pass unto the hills without him
there.
She’d made a new
life with her sister after Vaan’s father’s death. Became another man’s bride
and raised her second son in the content family structure. A brother Vaan never
got the chance to see again while he fought for Kaban and her people. A fight
he’d have to start again if this Raasa female spoke truth.
Chapter 6
Miki decided her
mate was insane. “You want me to do what?” Her outraged question caused those
standing around to tense.
Eran cleared his
throat but Miki paid him no mind. The Ba’asi had finished the True Union prayer
and she and Vaan were officially mated, but Vaan’s next actions caught her off
guard. He’d pulled his long black tail of hair over his shoulder and offered it
to her with his scary sharp knife.
Vaan held the
length of his beautiful hair she’d yet to touch with one hand and his blade in
the other. “Cut it. The Kabanian woman I chose would have received the honor of
shortening my hair so that all may know I am no longer open for invitations. I
extend you the same courtesy.”
“Invitations?” She
swallowed. She had an idea of what he spoke but Miki refused to take the knife
and she absolutely had no intention of cutting his hair.
“Sexual
invitations are plenty. I am Overlord.” Vaan stated this as an irrefutable
fact. “My hair will serve as a visible sign that I have a woman.”
“No. Absolutely
not.” Her mating with a non-Raasa meant a chance to explore the differences
between them and that included the hair on his body, which wasn’t present on a
Raasa male. “You can tell them you have a mate and if that doesn’t work, I will
make them wish they hadn’t offered any
invitations
.”
Argan stepped
forward. “I would do it if you wish, Overlord. She dishonors you with her
refusal.”
This was absurd.
Vaan’s overloud sigh voiced his frustration. “It is an honor. One that should
not lead you to react like this.”
“I
like
your hair,” she blurted out, glad of her golden skin tones for keeping her
blush from being vivid. “It’s beautiful and I have never seen the like. I will
not cut it.” Miki turned to Argan and glared. “And if you let another cut it, I
will think of a fitting punishment for the offender.”
Her announcement
brought all chatter to an end. Her people ducked their shoulders preparing for
the worse. Vaan’s men shuffled their feet in anger. A few placed their hands on
the hilt of their swords. A common practice it seemed.
“She threatens me,
Overlord.”
Miki really hated
Warlord Argan and his glare returned the sentiment.
The Overlord
released his hair in order to raise his hand palm out toward his warriors and
studied her expression. Miki tried not to flinch from his black eyes. As the
minutes ticked by, she considered what she’d do if he forced the issue. Hair
was not worth this discussion. It wasn’t like he was asking her to shave it off
completely. She’d still have a chance to run her fingers through the silken
texture of the hair remaining.
“This means much
to you?” His head cocked to the side while awaiting her answer.
Miki didn’t know
if his gruff words were question or statement but nodded anyway.
“Agreed. My hair
shall remain uncut as a gift to my bride.”
“Mate,” she
corrected.
“Mate,” he
acknowledged without complaint.
Miki didn’t need
to turn to know his agreement displeased his warriors. She’d dismissed a core part
of their cultural values. Concessions needed to be made. “Is there another
custom of the Kabanian joining that we could use?” she called out.
His big body was
already in motion to get back to his important map reading and guard schedule
but he paused. “You are interested in Kabanian rituals?”
Not really, but
she’d never voice the thought. “We’re in this together, Vaan. A life cycle is a
long time to be with someone and not meet them half-way.”
He turned to face
her. “Then you would barter the kutthra?”
Miki frowned and
repeated the unknown word. Standard didn’t always have translations for some
terms. “Kutthra?”
He roughly pulled
on his pony tail. “Hair cutting.”
“No,” she gasped.
“It’s mine. You gave it as a gift.”
His full lips
twitched. Miki waited and wondered if he’d actually smile but after a moment,
she got nothing.
“You have what you
wanted, why would you offer?”
“Because.” Anger
flashed through her. Why must he be so persistent?
“You seek to
bargain?”
“Fine, yes.” If
all he understood revolved around negotiations then Miki would negotiate.
Vaan searched the
group for a servant. He pointed at Assa. “You, fetch bread and honey.”
Assa jumped to do
his biding. Miki worried her fangs and hoped she’d not made a mistake. There
couldn’t be anything too bad with food involved.
***
How wrong she was.
Miki tapped her fingertips together and paced a few steps. “You want me to eat
a piece of bread from the hand of every warrior?” It made no sense. “Argan
doesn’t like me.”
“They are
Warlords, Mikayla. This is a higher status than mere warrior. You will address
them properly and Warlord Argan has not given you permission to call him so
familiar.”
She needed more
cider. It was too early in the day to deal with such and not have drink loosen
the limbs and relax the mind. “Warlord Argan hates me.”
“This is not the
case. He has no feelings for you.”
Miki ceased pacing
to gape at him. She’d heard stories of men who’d lost the Blessed Ones favor.
It was told they ran about without clothing and talked to people no one could
see. Was it possible her new mate suffered a similar affliction? Miki shook her
head. She wouldn’t continue that line of thought. She wanted younglings and
would not have them weak in the head. “My apologies.”
Assa returned,
bearing a tray laden with two loaves and a knife. Vaan directed her to slice
until fifteen slices lay on the plate. Miki watched with fascination. He
instructed Assa to layer a thick coat of honey on each. Miki hated honey. It
was good that she’d missed the afternoon meal because it looked like she’d be
taking her fill in sweetened bread.
All those present
at the ceremony waited to observe what would happen next. Vaan’s Warlords
seemed to know what to expect. Or they hid their expression. Miki leaned toward
the latter.
Vaan curled his
fingers and waved Miki over. When she stood in front of him, he lowered his
head to the side of her face. “Do not move. Do not break the circle and do not
shame me.” With those ubiquitous words, he backed away.
The Warlords took
this as a sign and moved to surround her on all sides. They gripped their hands
on their swords. Her noan remained silent and watched with curious eyes. Only
Tesai thought to protest.
“What are they
doing? Miki, move way from them.”
Miki didn’t have a
chance to soothe her friend. Vaan pulled the knife from his thigh sheath and
yanked Tesai close. He laid the sharp edge of the blade to Tesai’s nose. “If
you call her by this name again, I will cut your nose from your face. If the
lesson is not learned and I hear you call her thus again, I will remove your
eyes while you scream for mercy.” Vaan trailed the knife to Tesai’s eyes and
pressed the tip to the corner of his pupil. Tesai’s face paled. “Do you mistake
me?”
Tesai shook his
head frantically and Vaan withdrew the weapon. Miki released the breath she
hadn’t realized she held. Vaan’s Warlords didn’t let the interruption distract
them. All fifteen warriors maintained a perfect circle around her. Vaan nodded
at his men. “Behold the circle of honor. The circle symbolizes my Warlords willingness
to stand between my bride and my enemies.”
Miki searched for
Argan. He stood slightly behind her and to her left. His dark eyes revealed
nothing. Vaan murmured in Assa’s ear and the woman came to stand beside a
Warlord holding the tray out.
Miki’s two friends
joined the gathering. Sera and Vesa served in the kitchens, and Assa must have
told them to come out. The women had their black hair coiled up in a bun. Their
simple black tunics sported stains from the meals they’d worked on. Their arms linked
at the elbow while they looked on fearfully.
Vaan spoke over
the hush quiet of the hall. “Eating the bread is a sign of trust from my bride
that she accepts my Warlords will provide for her on my behalf.”
The first Warlord
unsheathed his sword and placed the tip at her throat in a move so fast Miki
had no time to prepare. Her people gasped and from the corner of her eye the
Ba’asi took a step forward. Her noan gripped his gold robes and the holy man
stopped. Vaan allowed the move thankfully without threatening to remove any
body parts. Miki breathed easy. They did not need a threat to the Ba’asi and
offending her people.
Her mate’s focus
remained on her and the ritual about to unfold.
“I vow to protect
you when my Overlord can not,” the Warlord holding his weapon to her throat
yelled out the words.
Assa held the
bread aloft. The Warlord chose a slice without looking and held it to Miki’s
lips. “I vow to provide for you if my Overlord is not able.” He held the bread
between two fingers and waited.
Miki hesitated and
risked a glance at Vaan. He stared. Miki bit into the thick crust and the sweet
topping. She chewed slowly and swallowed. Her nerves jangled as everyone
watched. “Thank you?”
The Warlord
continued to hold the bread forcing Miki to eat it all from his fingertips.
Only then did he remove the sword from her throat. The Warlords each took one
step to the right and the next Warlord raised his blade to Miki’s throat and
nicked her flesh. She gasped but didn’t move. The Warlord’s eyes glittered with
malice as he reached for a piece of bread. Miki sought Vaan with her gaze but
he only stared back, face blank. She focused on the Warlord as he placed the
bread at her mouth with more force than necessary.
He repeated the
words and Miki ate the whole slice without prompting. She wanted him to move
away from her as soon as possible. Another Warlord took his place and barely
touched her with his blade. After she nibbled on the bread, he popped the rest
in his mouth. Miki frowned in surprise but he winked and moved on.
The sword at her
throat and offer of bread went on until the last Warlord moved in front of her.
She couldn’t eat another bite. Her stomach heaved and verged on emptying its
contents right here on the floor. Argan smirked, whipped his sword out and
placed it against her throat.
The pressure
caused her to wince. He placed the last slice at her lips. “I vow to protect
you when my Overlord can not. I vow to provide for you if my Overlord is not
able.” Miki had no choice, she ate the bread. She only prayed for a chance to
excuse herself later in case her belly revolted.
Another moment
passed before Argan reluctantly withdrew the weapon and sheathed it in his
chest harness.
“I, Overlord Vaan
Galip, am honor bound. I accept you Mikayla S’Apul as my bride.” He spoke in a
clear booming voice so none could miss their meaning. His words stirred a
strange emotion in her chest. Miki hadn’t expected to feel anything from the
odd ritual or about him.
“The Overlord has
chosen. “Argan’s voice rang out in response. “Warlords present.”
In perfect
synchronization, all fifteen dropped to one knee and bowed their heads toward
Vaan. The formation created a small aisle. A path opened between the men on her
left and right with Vaan at the end. He extended his hand to her.
Mikayla was
stunned.
It was barbaric.
It was different.
It was beautiful.
She stepped
forward through the opening created.
“The Overlord’s,”
the kneeling Warlord announced.
Miki hesitated but
Vaan curled his fingers impatiently for her to continue. His dark frown warned
her to not hesitate.
“The Overlord’s,”
another murmured.
“The Overlord’s.”
“The Overlord’s.”
She heard again and again until she reached the end of the line.
When she met Vaan,
he clasped her forearm. “Mine.” Her fingers sizzled from the contact. The warm
press of his fingers bit into her skin within his firm hold. Their eyes met but
Miki couldn’t read the glow from his midnight stare. He looked as if he would
speak but then wiped what little expression remained from his face, the moment
lost.
Vaan released her
abruptly. He walked passed her as if she didn’t exist. Passed his rising men
who clapped him on the back. Miki stared, unable to believe he’d left her
standing alone. On the official day of their joining no less. Vaan accepted the
well wishes but didn’t pause until he approached the lone warrior off to the
side.
Miki recognized
him as the one who’d accidentally cut her. She reached up to her neck. The skin
felt tender but no blood flowed. To her horror, Vaan pulled back his fist and
punched the Warlord in the mid-section hard enough to cause him to bend over at
the waist. While the man coughed and wheezed, Vaan said, “I trust you will have
a care next time if you are to stand for me and protect my bride, yes?” Menace
pulsed from his command.
“Yes, Overlord.”
The words came out muffled as the Warlord managed to straighten to his full
height.
Vaan punched him
again and the force of his blow dropped the warrior to his knees. “Tomorrow you
will make amends and show her your commitment to the vows you took today, yes?”
Miki didn’t think
the Warlord could speak but even she heard his raspy. “Yes, Overlord.”
No one could doubt
the sincerity conveyed. Or that she belonged to the Overlord.
***
Kavan was lucky
Vaan’s mood was a peaceful one. If not, he’d have taken more of Vaan’s fist for
his malicious actions against Mikayla. No one harmed those under his protection
and no one touched his bride in violence without recourse. The Raasa all
gathered to stare at he and his men. More looks of outrage but Vaan paid them
no mind. They would learn his way as well. As promised, Mikayla signaled one of
her guards to bring in her other men for Vaan to scrutinize.