Taryn let go of Kajala's hand and waved a hand in dismissal. "Leave Kason to me. He may be big and grunt a lot, but I can usually change his mind."
Kalahn jumped in. "I sure hope so because that's the reason I asked for your help."
Taryn looked between them. "Don't beat around the bush, Kalahn. Tell me what's wrong."
"Well, not wrong exactly, but Kason wants to meet Jala soon."
Taryn quirked an eyebrow. "And?"
Kajala spoke up. "And I'm not married. I don't wish to disappoint him."
Taryn's expression turned serious. "He would never be disappointed in you, Kajala. If anything, he wishes to better know his family and try to be a different father to our daughter."
Placing a hand on her belly, Kajala murmured, "You're kind to say so, but I fear for my son."
Taryn stiffened, no doubt imagining the worst-case scenario of the Jasvarian doom virus taking away Kajala's son. "You're having a boy? Have you been monitored closely?"
"Yes, and so far everything is fine. I know the dangers of carrying a male baby on this planet, but it was the only choice I had if I wanted to keep him."
Kalahn growled. "And that, right there, is why we need you on our side, Taryn. I know changing the laws back on Keldera will take time, but something has to be done about the colony. If Jala risked her son's life to come here, she should be guaranteed a future free of fear or shame simply because she had a child without marriage."
Taryn crossed her arms over her chest. "There is a balance, but I think I can manage it. Give me two days with Kason and we'll have you over for dinner."
Kalahn could all but see the wheels turning in Taryn's head. "What do you have planned?"
"That's my little secret. But trust me on this, Kalahn. And thanks for asking for my help. I never want you to hesitate with me." She uncrossed her arms. "I have to leave for an appointment in about fifteen minutes, so let's make the most of it. I haven't had a chance to talk to you since the video conference. How are you holding up?"
She glanced at her sister. "Fine, but when will we have enough energy to have another one with my father, Taryn?"
"Probably by tomorrow or the next day at the latest. Why?"
Kalahn motioned toward Kajala. "Because Jala needs to talk with Father before it's too late." She sat next to her sister. "We can have it just with Father and your mother, Jala. There's no need to involve Keltor and the others."
Kajala touched Kalahn's arm. "Thank you, but as soon as I tell Kason of my secret, I should trust Keltor as well. He is the king of Keldera after all."
"More than that, his female will have sway with him, too," Kalahn stated. "He and Azalyn may not be married yet, but they soon will be. It's best to involve all the brides if we want to accomplish as many things as possible."
A skeptical looked filled Kajala's eyes. "I find it hard to believe things will change so easily. My mother is a strong female, but that didn't make a difference with our father."
"I'm sure your mother would have changed things if she could," Kalahn replied. "But the difference is that Kason's bride is a human warrior leader and Keltor's worked for a merchant. Both already symbolize change, so in a way, it's inevitable more will come."
Taryn clicked her tongue. "You're better with politics than I would've given you credit for, Kalahn."
She shrugged. "Well, when my father paraded me in front of potential lords, I spent a lot of time inside conference rooms filled with politicians and diplomats. There was nothing else to do but listen to what was going on. At the time, I wondered why he would want to give me to any of those males, but the experiences have come in handy after all."
Someone knocked on the front door, and Kalahn asked the others, "Were you expecting anyone?"
Kajala and Taryn both shook their heads. Before she could go to the door, Ryven's voice came through it. "It's me. Let me in."
As she walked, Kalahn shouted, "Me could be anyone."
"Kalahn, open this door."
Reaching it, she yanked it open. To her dismay, Ryven stood with his markings a dark blue. She'd have to try harder to unsettle him.
He spoke again. "I have permission to train you. You can either come now or wait until the day after tomorrow."
"What about Jala?"
"Jala?" He echoed with a frown.
She rolled her eyes. "Oh, come on. Kajala is Jala. That shouldn't be so hard to figure out."
"So are we calling you Lahn now, then?" he asked, amusement dancing in his eyes.
"Call me Lahn again and I'll slam this door in your face. It'd be a shame if I accidentally grabbed your hand and your arm got caught in the process."
The corner of his mouth ticked up. "You talk the big talk, but you won't feel so confident soon enough."
Taryn came up behind her. She answered in CEL, "Give her time to win against you. After all, I've bested Kason. I'm confident Kalahn can do the same with you eventually."
Ryven looked at Taryn, still speaking in Kelderan. "I have no idea what she said, but she must understand us to comment. How can she?"
Taryn pointed to her ear, and Kalahn explained, "Taryn has a translation device in her ear."
He grunted. "So what did she say then?"
Kalahn grinned. "That given time, I'll win against you. She's beaten Kason sparring before and believes I can do the same."
He raised an eyebrow. "Kason was distracted by his half-naked bride. Are you going to play dirty, too?"
Taryn leaned forward a fraction and replied in broken Kelderan. "I play fair. Dresses are bad."
Ryven's gaze met hers again. "Please let me be there when you tell your brother that you're going to wear one of the skimpy female warrior outfits."
Taryn rolled her eyes. "Warrior outfits useful."
Kalahn jumped in. "How about we stop discussing my wardrobe? I just want to start my training." She peered at Ryven. "Provided you got Jala permission as well."
Ryven nodded. "I did."
Kajala joined them. "You go, Kalahn. I still have work I need to do today. We can go over my schedule later and find a time when we can do it together."
Kalahn knew her sister wasn't rubbing it in on purpose that she had a job, but it still stung.
Ryven spoke before anyone else. "That will work out since I can't teach Jala hand-to-hand combat and defense moves for several months yet because of her condition." He turned around. "Follow me and try to keep up, Princess."
As Ryven started walking, Kalahn glanced at Taryn and Kajala. "We'll talk soon."
Not waiting for an answer, Kalahn half jogged to keep up with Ryven. If she didn't have to wear a blasted dress, she probably could've run and surpassed him.
But since walking around in trousers—let alone the revealing warrior outfits used by the human females—would probably land her in trouble with Kason, she saved the idea for a later date. For now, her goal was to take in everything Ryven taught her and find a way to beat him as soon as possible. Because just imagining his look of disbelief lifted her spirits. She just had to make it a reality.
Chapter Four
Ryven used the walk to one of the secure training areas to meditate as best as he could and prepare his mind for the upcoming session.
Yes, he still needed to ensure Kalahn could keep her markings a dark blue to hide her true feelings. However, an introductory sparring to test her reflexes and skills would provide him with not only the truth of her abilities but also give him the chance to display his own abilities. Because while having Kalahn defy him in front of the Jasvarian leader wasn't the best situation, he didn't want her to do so in front of ordinary colony members or soldiers.
In other words, Kalahn needed a reminder that he was a warrior and not just her brother's friend. Especially since Ryven was staying on Jasvar, he needed to maintain his reputation.
They reached the room Ryven used with the soldiers, opened the door, and waited inside for Kalahn. He'd ensured the room would be empty, so it was merely him standing in a
room with a padded floor and the mysterious glowing plants on the walls that served as low-lighting for the Jasvarians.
Kalahn shut the door and stopped a few feet from him. While the slightly greenish light from the walls should make her appear sickly, it instead made her white dress glow brightly.
He wondered if certain food stuffs would do the same and glow in the light. It would be fun to trace a female's markings and slowly lick it off her skin.
His eyes zeroed in on the marking peeking out from Kalahn's neckline. He imagined it winding down to her breast.
Kalahn cleared her throat, and he barely resisted flushing like an adolescent boy.
He most definitely needed to train Kalahn as quickly as possible so he could focus on other duties and forget about her.
Standing tall with his shoulders back and his arms at his sides, he merely stated, "Charge at me."
She raised her brows. "What happened to 'You need to control your markings before I do anything else'?"
"Charge at me and I'll explain."
She took a few steps closer and began walking around him. "I feel as if your order is a trap."
Clever female. "I will reveal nothing until you charge at me."
"Oh, is that so?" She lightly ran a hand across his left shoulder blade and back again, the featherlight touch sending a jolt of electricity through his body. "Then it gives me time to assess my opponent and try to find any of your weaknesses."
Ryven had only one weakness, but not even Kalahn would be bold enough to touch him there.
He repeated, "I will reveal nothing until you charge at me."
Her soft fingers traveled down his spine and up to his other shoulder blade. While he knew it was ridiculous, the contact felt as if she'd left a new brand on his skin.
"Then let me finish and I'll do as you say," she murmured.
As she placed her warm palm against his lower back, he clenched his jaw and willed his markings to stay neutral.
Her hand moved around his side and to his lower abs, the touch light yet confident. He wondered if she knew exactly what she was doing to him. When she traced the marking on the right side of his stomach, he stopped breathing. A few inches lower, and she'd find his weakness. Not even he could keep his wits about him if Kalahn's silky fingers touched his cock.
As if on call, he grew semihard, but Ryven quickly recited the army code inside his head to tame it.
However, rather than move away from his little problem, Kalahn stilled her hand and stared at his lower abdomen. He only hoped she hadn't seen his brief slipup of self-control.
For the first time, he hated the tight trousers that all Kelderan warriors were required to wear.
Yet despite how she affected him, decades of instinct and conditioning couldn't be ignored. He sensed she was trying to unnerve him and make a move, so he dug his nails into his palm to come back into focus.
Kalahn took a step to the right, but then turned and attempted to knee him in the balls. However, Ryven saw the move, grabbed her leg, and flipped her onto her back. Quickly covering her body, he pinned her hands above her head and kept her legs in place with his own. "I commend you for taking your time and trying to outsmart me. However, it will take more than that to beat me, Princess."
"So now I'm a princess?"
"You're always a princess."
Searching his gaze, she lifted her head an inch. "What does that mean?"
As her warm breath danced against his chin, he was tempted to tell her the harsh reality of her situation—Kalahn would have few choices when it came to finding a lord that had both status and the ability to protect her. No matter what she wanted, Kason was determined to marry off his sister.
But it wasn't Ryven's place to share the information. That role belonged to Kason.
Not that he wanted her for his own anyway. He had many other responsibilities to take care of, and watching over a free-spirited female who lived to test boundaries wasn't one of them.
He focused on Kalahn's eyes. "All it means is that you need to learn how to protect yourself. And I couldn't do that without gauging your skill level."
"So the test is over?"
He wanted to scream no and take a few more minutes to revel in the feel of Kalahn's soft body under his. "Yes."
He released her arms, and they instantly went to his shoulders. Ryven froze.
Kalahn smiled slowly. "I don't think so."
Before he could say anything, she met his mouth and kissed him.
He might've been able to resist if she hadn't probed his lips with her tongue as she dug her nails into his skin.
Whatever restraint he'd been holding onto snapped, and he opened his mouth and quickly accepted her tongue. Kalahn was sweet, hot, and demanding, and completely unlike any female he'd ever kissed before. When she groaned and pulled his body down against hers, Ryven forgot everything but stroking the inside of Kalahn's mouth.
One of her hands went between them and slid down his chest. He moved to stop her, but at that second, she nipped his bottom lip to distract him.
Something primal inside of him roared forth and he lowered his lips and teeth to her neck to lightly bite and soothe the sting.
That was when Kalahn gripped his cock and balls through his trousers and yanked. Hard.
He tried to roll away, out of her grip, but she held on even when he made it to his back. Only when his shoulder blades were on the ground did she release him, but only to put her knee where her hand had been. Leaning all of her weight on him, Ryven moaned in pain.
Kalahn smiled slowly. "So what's my skill level now?"
~~~
Kalahn wasn't overly experienced with males, but she'd seen enough trysts in the gardens or in the dark corners of the various celebrations inside the palace to know that kisses and touch could drive a male crazy.
She hadn't been sure if it'd work with Ryven or not; attraction played a small part in causing a man to lose all rational thought. While he'd kissed her in the past, Kalahn had never figured out if it'd been because he'd wanted to or as a ruse to distract her.
But when she reached down to grip his genitals, his hardness told her that he was at least somewhat attracted to her.
And that had given her more confidence to continue her plan, even as he rolled onto his back. She silently apologized as she replaced her hand with her knee and leaned her weight into him. "So what's my skill level now?"
He managed to get out, "I think you've been practicing with the human female warriors."
"That still doesn't answer my question."
In the blink of an eye, Ryven had her facedown on the ground, holding her arms behind her back, with his full weight on top of her. He murmured, "You have a few tricks, but that won't be enough to protect yourself. At least, not until I've trained you properly."
For a few beats, he merely lay on top of her, his hot breath dancing across her ear. She should be annoyed and demand for him to release her.
Yet there was something right about Ryven's hard, muscled body pinning hers. She didn't like to yield often in her life, but she just might do it for Ryven.
No. She couldn't think of him like that. And not just because Ryven was her brother's best friend, either. Kalahn didn't have time for males. They were a distraction she couldn't afford or she'd never see through her dreams in the end.
Putting every bit of royal arrogance into her voice she could muster, she ordered, "Let me up."
Ryven didn't move.
She growled. "I see your point. There's no reason to squish me, Ryven. We're both busy people and don't have time for this."
"I'm trying to make a point. After all, an attacker isn't going to move because you tell him to. How would you get out of this situation?"
She should be thrilled at a lesson, but given how much heavier Ryven was than her and the fact she had no weapons, she didn't want to try. "I can't, okay? Is that what you want to hear?"
Ryven stood, and Kalahn instantly missed his heat and firm body.
Pushing the feeling aside, she sat up and glared up at him. "Well? Are you going to gloat now?"
"No. One of the most important lessons in any sort of defense training is to admit your limitations. Cocky individuals end up dead."
She rose to her feet. "So is that what I'm to expect, then? Lots of time on my stomach with you on top of me, learning my lesson?"
Something flashed in Ryven's eyes that she couldn't identify. His voice was gravelly as he said, "You need to avoid speaking so carelessly without thought. A lesser male would see that as an invitation."
It took her a second to take his meaning. Her cheeks flushed, but she forced her chin high and hoped her markings were staying dark blue like Ryven’s always did. "And some would say that a warrior like yourself shouldn't mention such things in the presence of a princess."
He took a few steps toward her, but Kalahn held her ground. "You're either a princess or you're not, Kalahn tro el Vallen. If you truly want to become strong and stand on your own, you need to stop hiding behind your title."
"I would if I could," she murmured.
Moving even closer, he asked, "And if you could, what would you do?"
Kiss you again. What? No. Absolutely not. Ridiculous.
Instead she said, "I would train to be a starship pilot and roam the galaxies."
The corner of his mouth ticked up. "I envision you more as a space pirate captain. You wouldn't be able to follow the numerous rules and regulations required on a formal ship."
"I can follow rules if I must." He quirked an eyebrow and she added, "I can. After all, I never threw drinks at any of the males who attempted to grab my behind over the years."
Ryven's gaze turned fierce. "Tell me their names."
She tossed her hair over her shoulder. "No need. I'm an extremely clumsy dancer and broke a few toes. By accident, mind you. It's purely coincidental that they were the same males trying to claim liberties with me."
Ryven laughed. "There is more to you than meets the eye after all, Kalahn. Just imagine what you could do if you listened to me and worked hard at honing your skills. You have a good instinct, but you need strength and focus to round it out."
The Forbidden (Kelderan Runic Warriors #4) Page 4