Defiance (Rise of the Iliri Book 3)

by Auryn Hadley

  "You're a healer?" she asked, surprised. "Thank you. Thank you, very much, cousin. Dru vau kanna?" She begged for his name in Iliran.

  "Wroogr," he said, as he reached her side. There, he squatted and reached out for her hand. Understanding, she pulled off her mail gloves and let him take it in his near-paw. His eyes slipped shut, and he exhaled slowly. Sal felt her face tingle and closed her eyes as the vertigo hit. When Wroogr released her, she crumpled, falling to her rump beside the King.

  "Sal?" he asked, struggling to sit up.

  "Don't move, Dom," she told him sternly. "It causes dizziness. That's all. Just give me a second – and thank you Wroogr."

  "What did he do to you?" Dom asked.

  When her world finally stopped spinning, she turned to him, exposing the side of her face. The cut from before was gone. "He heals. The problem is, sire, we still have to get that bolt out."

  Dom's eyes searched her face. She knew he was looking at the blood smeared on her skin. Then he nodded. "This is going to be bad, isn't it?"

  "Yeah, it really is. What armor do you have under that coat?"

  "Ringmail." He groaned, realizing what she planned to do.

  "Then this is really going to hurt. Wroogr?" She turned to the grauori. "I'm already in maast. If I try to harm him, please stop me?"

  The male searched for signs of her honesty, inhaling deeply. "Roo may kill him, but roo no want to?"

  "Exactly. If he screams, I'm not completely sure I'll be able to stop." Sal closed her eyes, struggling to push her body's demands for more death away. "Humans are my prey, too, but this one cannot be."

  "I rill stop roo, Kaisae. Roo rill not kill this man today."

  Jase, Roo, Hwa, Sal called in her mind, our friend is going to heal the King, but first I have to remove the arrow. He will scream. Do not let Jase help us.

  I'm na that foolish, Kaisae, Jase replied, his passions leaking to her. Hwa and Roo are fine, it's only us in the maast.

  Good, she sent, and closed the link before his passions could affect her more.

  Then she stood, placing one foot beneath each of his arms, straddling the King's body. "Ok, Dom," She wrapped both of her small hands around the shaft of the bolt tightly. "On three, ready?"

  Dom closed his eyes tightly, trying to brace against the pain he expected.

  "One," she counted, "Two..." and then she pulled, using her entire body. The bolt sliced muscles as it slowly slipped from his skin. The King's body arched beneath her, but he did not scream. Sal clenched her teeth against the snarl. If a human could hold it back then so could she. With a sucking pop, the tip slid free, lodging against the ringmail. Sal held herself still, the arrow so close to the human's flesh, and heard Wroogr growl softly beside her. Slowly, the pale grauori reached his muzzle toward her, tilted his head, and opened his mouth around the shaft. With her fingers clenched on the end, he bit down, severing the wood only centimeters above Dom's clothing. When she still didn't move, his eyes raised to hers.

  "Roo are Kaisae," he told her. "He is Kaisor."

  Sal nodded, looking away from the blood soaking the King's shoulder. With another deep breath, she moved back to his side, glancing at his face as she knelt beside him.

  "You ok, Sal?" Dom whispered.

  "Better than you, I'm sure." She licked her lips and carefully bit the lower one as she forced her heart to slow.

  Wroogr pressed his hand onto the King's and reached across for the human's face with the other, resting his stubby fingertips against Dominik's cheek. The King nodded his assent, and the grauori sucked in a deep breath. When the beast exhaled, Sal watched the King's eyes track to the side repeatedly.

  "Close your eyes Dom. It's easier," she said, and his eyes snapped shut.

  Wroogr paused, panting before he took another deep breath and repeated the process. While they were busy, she worked on getting the arrowhead from beneath the King's mail. Her fingers slid against his chest. Feeling the wet blood of the wound, she pulled at the armor, exposing it. Wroogr panted again, and Sal checked the progress. As he exhaled slowly for a third time, she watched the torn flesh straighten, and the wound became more shallow.

  "That's enough Wroogr." Sal stopped the nacione before he made the fourth attempt. "I'm sorry Dom, but the huntsman saw you get shot. We can't repair you completely without more questions than either of us want."

  Dom's eyes were still closed, his face pale. "Yeah, we don't need grauori kept as slaves for their talents. I get it Sal, but damn. How long does this last? I'd rather not spill my guts in front of you."

  She laughed, just like he'd probably intended. "Breathe deeply and it should be over in no more than six breaths. It will pass."

  He nodded, and she counted his breaths with him. On the fourth, he cracked his eyelids opened and sighed. "Thank you Wroogr," he groaned. "Thank you so much."

  "Roo saved mah lyfe, Kaisor. I owed roo. Ree are even, ya?"

  "No," Dom told him. "I owe you, my friend. I did not save your life, I merely righted the wrong done to you by another. I already was in your debt for having allowed the trap to be there. I still owe you, Gerus Wroogr."

  Wroogr looked up at Sal and smiled. "He is a Kaisor. Roo spoke da truth. I rill tell da pack." He paused and flicked his ears up. A moment later, Sal heard the sound, too. Hooves thundered against the ground.

  "I think it's time for you to go, Wroogr. Not all humans are like this one."

  He nodded at her then loped away without another word, making a straight line for the trees.

  Sal, get that grauori out of there. Guards are coming, Jase warned.

  He's gone. The King is well enough, but not so well that we'll have problems later. Wroogr also fixed me up. Did you learn anything? she asked

  No. They saw the crossed swords on yer armor and knew we're from the Conglomerate, so assumed the King was compromised.

  He is, Sal reminded him.

  I know, but the man felt like he was in a hurry. There was some deadline where he had ta make a decision, and if they could na, he was to be assassinated.

  She looked over the mostly healthy king. Which means Terric is about to be desperate. What the hell are they going to try next?

  Jase didn't try to guess. I killed him, kitten. I need ta leave.

  Take the grauori, have them secure the guards, and meet me in our rooms. I won't be far behind. Stay away from the humans, Jase. I mean it.

  I know. Stay strong, kitten. Remember ta breathe, Jase told her as he ran for his horse. Sal watched him swing into the saddle and glance back, his need written on his face. Letting her eyes close, she sighed. It was hard not to just follow. When she opened them, he was riding away fast with the mutts running at his side, heading the opposite direction of the guards.

  A large man led the group, twisting to look back at Jase but never slowing. It was Ilija. He pulled his mount in hard and jumped from the saddle, landing solidly to run toward her.

  "Walk!" Dom yelled, and Sal realized she was snarling.

  "Your Highness?" Ilija sounded confused.

  "Trust me, soldier. Now is a good time to walk." The King laughed, looking up at Sal.

  She was tracking his movement, unable to help herself.

  "Are you ok, sire?" Ilija asked him, kneeling across from Sal.

  "Yeah. I'll live. Can't say the same for the Terran envoy, though. Sal, did the Ahnor leave yet?" Honest concern showed on his face.

  "Yes, sire. I sent him to secure the last two men, their guards."

  "Ah," Ilija said. "So that's why they were in a rush. We already got them, Kaisae. Sire, I brought a physician."

  The King nodded. "It's only a small wound, I believe. The fall from the horse likely did more damage, but the Kaisae refused to let me move."

  Ilija accepted the half truth easily. He and Sal stepped away as the physician reached the King. They moved out of earshot, but she watched the man probe the wound, waiting for some sign that he'd know what had really happened. The whole time, Ilija stared a
t her. Without warning, his massive hand closed on her shoulder, turning her to look at the blood across her face. Sal yanked herself free. The snarl came too easily to her lips.

  "Don't touch me," she growled at him.

  Quickly, he dropped his hand, taking a step back. "I'm sorry, Kaisae. I thought you were injured."

  Sal rubbed at her brow, reminding herself to breathe deeply. She sucked in a lungful of air and released it in a shuddering breath. The sweet smell of blood tainted everything, and only her will held her in control of her desires. She tried not to think of it, focusing on the situation before her.

  "Sal?" Ilija whispered. "Are you ok?"

  She shook her head. "No, I'm really not. Why are you here? You're supposed to be off duty today."

  The big man chuckled and shrugged. "The huntsman came into the stables yelling at the top of his lungs that the King had been killed. I sent the off-duty men to secure the guards – so the Ahnor will have little to worry about – and made my way here."

  "Why?" she pressed him.

  "The truth? Sal, this is what I do. I like this king, I think he's good for the country and soldiering is what I do."

  She nodded, understanding what he meant. "Are you scared of me, Ilija?"

  "Kaisae, I respect you, but...yeah. Sometimes."

  "Then get me out of here. Find me an excuse to leave."

  "Why?"

  "Because the bloodlust has me, man. I'm in nearly a full berserk."

  He did not move away, merely nodded. "So that's why I was told to walk. The King knows."

  "Yes," she admitted.

  "Sal, you're the Kaisae. Just leave. They won't ask. I got this. I'll tell them you're cleaning up before the council meets. It will meet, you know?"

  "I do."

  He shifted to stand between her and the rest of the rescue group. "Can I help?"

  "No, my friend, you cannot." She walked away, raising her voice to the men around her. "Sergeant Ilija Vayu is in charge here. Search the bodies and get the King back to the Palace."

  Without pausing, she made her way to Arden, the mare plucking at the winter grasses. Sal glanced back at Ilija once, and he nodded at her before she pulled herself into the saddle. Behind her, the big guy began to shout orders. That was all she needed. Sal turned her horse toward home.

  Jase, she whispered, I'm coming, but things are about to get really busy.

  Arden's hooves flew, the mare pushing hard. It was mere moments before she skidded to a halt before the barn and threw her reins on the ground. Stable hands ran toward her, and Sal brushed past them striding quickly for the stairs.

  She snapped over her shoulder, "Tack her down and cool her out well. If she's lame tomorrow, you all will pay for it," before she climbed the stairs two at a time. She began unbuckling her armor before she even reached her door.

  Chapter 23

  The water was red, their own blood mingling with that of the humans as it twirled down the drain. Sal sighed, satiated, as she dried her hair and wrapped the towel around her body. Behind her, Jase pulled her damp locks from her neck and kissed her gently, careful to avoid the mark he'd left.

  "Ya need ta get ta the council, kitten," he reminded her.

  "I know, killer. Come with me?" She leaned into him.

  "Ya will be fine without me, ya allus are."

  "Not like that. I'm going to need a read on those guards," she said, reaching up to kiss the side of his face.

  Jase cupped her face. "Fair 'nough, but I'll get the read, then head ta the meeting. I do na have the mind ta sit and listen ta them fools fer too long, ya know."

  "Ok, then just read them and send to me. If Dom's there, he'll follow my lead, I think. If not, I'll need some backup."

  Jase nodded, so Sal made her way into the main room. Their clothes were strewn across the floor, blood staining the rugs beneath. Sal picked up her curiass and tossed it on the couch as she walked past on her way to the wardrobe. She'd just opened it when a knock came at the door.

  "Kaisae?" Ilija called through the thick wood.

  "Come!" she yelled back.

  The big black man slipped in the door, looking towards her. Their eyes met for only a moment before he looked to the ground, and Sal laughed.

  "I'm sure you've seen a naked woman before, Ilija."

  He chuckled, and lifted his eyes back to hers, carefully avoiding looking at her body. "Human women, Kaisae. Not iliri. I came to see if you're suitable for the council. Dom's well enough, and he's called them together."

  "Yer safe, man," Jase said, walking out of their bathing chamber with only a towel around his waist. "And she's almost presentable."

  Ilija's eyes widened as he looked at him. The lithe man was covered in fresh wounds. Jase smirked back, amused at the human's reaction.

  "Yeh, Ilija," he said, "we tear the shit outta each other." He pointed to his face and the scratches there. "Jayel got those." Then he pointed to his bloody lip. "But that's one a Sal's fav's. Anythan below the neck was Sal."

  "Shit," Ilija breathed, glancing over to see her wounds for the first time. "You both are like this?"

  Sal dropped her towel. The soldier quickly glanced away, but not before seeing the rest of her wounds. "I told you Ilija. Bloodlust. We call it maast. So long as we're able to kill, you're pretty safe." She laughed as she pulled on a shirt. "I'm covered, boy, you can look."

  "I'm sorry, Kaisae. I don't mean to keep doing this. I feel like every time I'm in your rooms..." Ilija shrugged, letting the sentence die unspoken.

  "You'd better get used to it, then," she said, kicking through the clothing on her floor. "Jase, seen my boots?"

  "By the door, kitten. Ya kicked 'em off when ya came in."

  She walked past the hulking guard, and snagged a boot from the corner, speaking as she did so. "When that door closes, Jase and I get our only moments alone. So if you plan to come in here, you should probably get used to looking at the floor." Sal grabbed her other boot and patted him as she brushed by again. "Or stop being so chivalrous."

  Jase just shook his head, chuckling to himself while she sat beside her curiass and pulled the tall boots on her feet. "She lived with just men, Ilija. Trust me, we all got an eye full and lived ta tell 'bout it."

  Ilija blushed brightly making Sal take pity on him. "I keep telling you. I'm a soldier. Speaking of that, how've the whores been?"

  Guilt flashed across his face. "We were inundated last night, but how did you know that?"

  "Oh, I ran into one and made it known that they're welcome. You might want to drop the word to the men. Subtly?"

  "Looking for a bit of favor from them, or something?" he asked.

  "It doesn't hurt. That, and I know they'll be better for it. No sense in forcing them to break rules they can't keep. If they hurt the girls, though, there will be punishment."

  "Sal, some get paid extra fer that," Jase reminded her.

  "That doesn't count. Anything outside of what they paid for. I think Ilija knows what I mean."

  "I do, Kaisae. I'll make sure a few words get whispered."

  "Good. Then let's go play with the nobles. Killer, if you're not going with me, I'm taking Ilija."

  "Have fun wi' that. Oh, and do the thing while yer there? I gotta start putting 'em together soon," Jase told her cryptically.

  "Good idea," she agreed. "He just gave me the excuse I need, too. Ok, big guy, let's go." Sal turned for the door.

  "Kaisae?" Ilija stepped in front of her.

  Sal looked up, and he smiled as he tugged her collar higher at the back of her neck. "Keep your hair loose. You won't convince anyone that's anything but a bite." Behind them, Jase just chuckled, his head buried in the closet.

  "Thanks," she said. "You're a good man, Ilija. I wouldn't have expected it from our first meeting, but you're going to be great." Then she grabbed his wrist and tugged him through the door. He didn't try to resist.

  Together they walked through the halls, and Ilija kept his silence. The council room sat nex
t door to the King's chambers, only a few strides from her suite. Without knocking, she pushed the door open and stepped in with Ilija at her heels. Seated before her was Cillian Tor and Marcu Piet.

  "Kaisae," Cillian greeted her warmly. Lord Piet simply grunted, the noise dismissing her presence.

  "Lord Piet," Ilija said, "it's typical to greet the Sergeant at Arms more politely than that."

  "And you truly think that," he waved a hand at Sal, "is a true Sergeant at Arms?"

  "Not only I, my lord, but most of the soldiers here do. The Kaisae is more skilled than any man in Anglia that we know of, and our ranks have excelled because of her training. The Ahnor as well. I'm sorry you disagree, my lord."

  Lord Piet glanced away in disgust. Too many years thinking of women as inferior could not be erased so easily. Sal knew it wasn't the man's fault. He simply didn't know anything else.

  She claimed a chair beside Cillian and propped one foot on the seat, her knee bent against her chest. Ilija placed himself at ease beside her. The room waiting in an uneasy silence until Bjan Arvo arrived with the King right behind him. When Dominik entered the room, they all stood respectfully.

  "Please, be comfortable. We're waiting on Otso again?" he asked as the councilors returned to their seats.

  "Yep," Cillian said. "He'll have a good excuse, I'm sure."

  Dom nodded, flashing an understanding smile as he turned to his counter for a bottle. "The usual?" he asked around the room, "And that's mead for you, Sal?"

  "Yeah, thanks," she said. "And I have something that doesn't truly require the full council."

  "Go for it," Dom said, passing her the drink.

  Sal took a small sip and gestured behind her, "I want to promote Ilija Vayu here to at least Major. Colonel would be my choice."

  "What?" Ilija gasped, standing straighter. "Kaisae?"

  "Shut it, soldier," she teased, smiling over her shoulder to show him she wasn't offended.

  "Ok, Sal. Why?" Dom asked.

  "He was the first to arrive at your side today, sire. What you didn't know was that he was off duty and still organized the men in the barracks to secure the guards. He put together the necessary information and acted on it without requiring a ranking officer's orders. I can give you a few other examples of such actions. He's the one responsible for pacifying the Terran envoy when they demanded your immediate attention last night. I've reviewed his record, and it's glowing. His superior actually sent it to me requesting a promotion, with a note saying that this man is too skilled for his rank."