"Yes."
"Is that the only form of punishment she received?"
Reluctantly, Valan said, "Once I spanked her."
"Commander Eirikson, did you spank Lia ad-San because she'd made you so angry you wanted to place your hands on her? The question came from Ruler Arlenson, a lifelong crony of Educator Seligson.
He wanted to say no but knew if he did they would be aware he lied. "Yes." The word gritted out from between his clenched teeth.
Arlenson continued, "There is no possible explanation for her disrespectful and aggressive behavior towards Educator Seligson, so we will let the charge stand as it is, and move on to her position in your home. Is Lia ad-San's position in your home one of a bondmate?"
"She is my bondmate." Valan's answer avoided the real question. He hoped the Ruler would let it go. He didn't.
"Does Lia ad-San wear the gown of a bondmate?"
"She wears what I…"
"You will answer yes or no, Commander. Does Lia ad-San wear the gown of a bondmate?"
"No."
"Is Lia ad-San confined to your home?"
"Yes."
"Has Lia ad-San slept in your chamber, every night, as your bondmate?"
"No."
When the relentless questioning ended, Valan examined the Rulers' grim expressions, and felt a gut-wrenching pain tear through him. His words and actions condemned her! Trying to regain control, he forced his clenched fists to relax and focused his thoughts on the words he would use to plead for her life. He knew, if he showed weakness now, she would die.
"Commander Eirikson, do you want to plead for Lia ad-San’s life?" Ruler Arvidson was already rising from his chair to leave, as he addressed him.
"Yes." Valan's answer rang through the chamber and frowns appeared on the Rulers’ faces as they settled back into their chairs. "Our law says only a warrior may discipline his bondmate. How I choose to do this is my concern, and no others. If I choose to treat her as a kourtisan, I will. If I choose to treat her as my mate, I will. She wears my bands." His voice thundered into the room and echoed around the walls. "No warrior on Zarronia stands in another's place for punishment. Already, plans for a raid on Zhang are being made. Selik ad-San will be brought to Zarronia, and judged for his crime against us." Pausing, he let them think about his words for a moment. "Lia is my bondmate, and she carries my children. Any judgment against her is also a judgment against my flesh and blood." Knowing he'd said everything he needed to say to defend her he stepped away from the mat.
"We will consider your words as we make our decision," Ruler Arvidson said as he and the other three Rulers left the chamber.
Valan moved to stand beside his father.
"I wonder where they got the information about her." Eirik said.
"I intend to find out, and when I do, the person will suffer."
"You did a good job defending her, Son. I think the Rulers were swayed in her favor but don't expect the issue to be dismissed. I'm sure they won't demand her death, but I don't think they will drop the charges completely. Seligson and the warriors won't allow them to."
"I won't allow them to hurt her."
"Don't lose control now. So far, you've done very well. Shaming them for their interference was a good idea, and reminding them about the children she carries was even better. They won't want to demand her death and make an enemy of you." Before he could go on, the Rulers returned and Valan moved back to the judgment mat.
"Valan Eirikson, we have made our decision," Ruler Arvidson announced. "Because your bondmate carries your children, we have decided not to order her death."
A shudder of relief swept through him, only to be replaced by a wave of horror, as he heard the rest of their decision.
"Tomorrow, sixty micro-units after sun rising, you will escort Lia ad-San, leashed, to the warrior’s arena. There, you will use the bands on her for a period of three minutes."
"I will take her place," Valan said.
"No. As you said Commander Eirikson, no warrior stands in place of another for punishment on Zarronia," Ruler Arlenson said.
Clenching his jaw to keep from cursing at them, he shook with rage as the Rulers exited the chamber. Fifteen seconds was the usual punishment. Half a minute was considered harsh. How could he carry out their order?
Eirik approached his son, noting the emotions Valan was feeling flash across his face. Finally, Valan stiffened, and his face settled into an emotionless mask. Only his eyes, almost black with pain, revealed his thoughts, then, they too changed, paling to a light silver.
"Let’s go, Valan." Silently, they left the Council Chamber and walked to Eirik's home. Once inside, Eirik ordered a worker to bring two tankards of ale to his den.
"Valan, we must talk about tomorrow."
"There is nothing to discuss."
"Will you tell Lia what is to happen to her?" Before Valan could answer, the worker entered and served them the ale. Valan carried his tankard over to the window, turning his back to his father.
"No."
"Valan, you can't defy the Council's order."
He knew his father was right. If he defied them, they would come after her, and try to take her from him. He would fight them and die in the process and then she would be at their mercy. The knowledge made him so furious, his hand tightened around the tankard, crushing it and spewing ale onto the window. Indifferently, he dropped it to the floor.
He could tell Lia about the judgment and the decision of the Rulers, but what could he say in his own defense? It was his treatment of her the Educator and the other warriors used against her. Accepting the responsibility for her judgment and punishment, he turned to his father.
"I won't defy their order." Hearing the anguish in his voice, he stifled the pain he was feeling, until, he felt nothing but detachment. "Tomorrow I will take her to the punishment arena, but, I will not tell her what is to happen." His voice choked on the last words, as he thought of how scared she would be and how she would hate him for doing this to her.
"Lia will think you are responsible for her punishment if you don't tell her about the judgment and the Rulers' order."
"I am responsible."
"Perhaps you're right. Better to just get it over with, and then, deal with her anger. Valan, tomorrow don't show hesitation or weakness. If her enemies think you are in control of her they will let the issue go. Do this, until her father is captured and brought for judgment. After he is punished, they will forget about Lia."
Nodding curtly, Valan strode from the room.
***
Lia saw Valan walking up the path to the house and without thinking she ran to meet him, throwing herself into his arms. They tightened around her for a moment, then pushed her away. Puzzled, by his actions, she looked at him and wished she'd stayed away until he solved whatever problem was making him so moody lately. Too late to run now, she thought, and caught his eye and smiled at him. No answering smile lit his face. "Shall I fix dinner for you, Valan?"
"You don't have my permission to leave the house, Lia."
Lowering her eyes, she mumbled an apology. What was the matter with the beast? Ever since she'd gone to him and told him she needed him, his attitude toward her had softened, but now he was back to being the intolerable barbarian. Angrily, she followed him into the house and watched as he disappeared into his den, closing the door with a soft click. Closing her out. She went into the reception room and threw herself onto one of the couches.
Valan brooded in the privacy of his den. The sight of Lia, running to him, glad to see him, had made his chest ache. He'd wanted to grab her and carry her away. He didn't know how he would get through the coming night. He couldn't let the control he was holding on his emotions slip, knowing if he did, he wouldn't be able to carry out the Council's order. But, he also knew if he didn't summon her to his bed, she would come to him.
He had two choices. He could summon her to him, take her quickly then send her away. Or, he could spend one last night of pleasure w
ith her, before she learned to hate him. One last night of love and passion to get them through the coming cycles. He made his decision even as he thought of his choices and went to find her.
He found her in the reception room, leaning against the crystal window, staring out at the garden. He wrapped his arms around her and felt her stiffen at his touch, then relax against him. He nibbled her ear and felt her shiver as he slid his hands over her breasts and across her belly. Turning her in his embrace, he lowered his lips to hers.
***
Valan was still awake as the morning sun crept through the crystal windows. Rising, he left Lia sleeping, dressed, and went to his den. Sitting at his desk, he blocked the past night from his mind, pulling a shield of numbness around him. When he had his emotions under control, he returned to his chamber and woke her.
Lia smiled at him and blinked the sleep from her eyes. Seeing his eyes her smile faded. "Valan?"
"Get dressed, then come downstairs." Seeing her confusion, he felt his control slipping and quickly turned away. "Don't keep me waiting."
"Have I done something to anger you?"
He ignored her question and left the room.
Throwing back the blanket, she rushed into the bathing chamber. Quickly wrapped her hair in a drying cloth so it wouldn't get wet and stepped into the shower. She washed his scent from her body while she wondered what she'd done to make him so angry. Grabbing a drying cloth, she ran it over herself, and brushed her hair. Her hands trembled so badly she couldn't braid it, so she left it loose. She pulled on one of her gowns, adjusted it over her hips and ran out of the chamber and down the stairs.
Valan watched her approach. The ugly gown was shapeless, even on Lia. He'd never noticed before. Her face was flushed from hurrying, her hair lay around her in a fiery cloud. Stopping before him, she lowered her eyes and he felt sickened she was afraid to look at him and by what he was about to do to her.
When he raised his hand and saw her look at the leash with tears glistening in her eyes, he wanted to howl with agony for all he would soon lose. His hands shook so much he didn't think he'd be able to fasten the loop around her neck. A silent groan tore through him when he saw the marks of passion he'd left on her neck.
"Valan, I wouldn't try to run away. I would obey you. Please, please don't…"
"Be quiet." Her words slashed into him, cutting through the control he was trying to maintain. He wanted to pick her up and take her somewhere she would be safe, but he knew they would never make it off Zarronia.
***
Lia felt the leather digging into her skin, but didn't lift her hand to pull it away. Hopelessly, she followed him out of the house and along the path. They walked for several micro-units, until he led her through a door and into a room. The floor beneath her feet was soft and spongy, and she felt herself sinking into it as she followed him. He stopped and removed the leash from her neck, and then walked away. She heard voices whispering her name and raised her eyes. The room was full of warriors. Turning, she realized they sat in a half-circle in front of her, row after row of them rising almost to the ceiling. Her eyes widened with fear and she turned and searched for Valan. She found him, and their eyes met as he reached for the band on his arm.
She only had time to shake her head before a hot, tingling pain spread from her arms and into her body, forcing her to her knees. She screamed his name, as every nerve in her body exploded with pain. It ripped through her, then faded, only to build again. Each time more intensely than the last.
Valan stood frozen, a cry of anguish locked in his throat. Clenching his teeth, he held back the cries of rage and pain fighting to be released. He could feel his control breaking. Sweat beaded on his forehead, and ran down into his eyes. He blinked it away. How many nano-units had gone by? How many micro-units? How much longer could she endure this?
Lia tried to stand. Her legs wouldn't lift her. Sobbing, she tried to crawl away from the pain tearing at her. The agony receded, and then began again. She screamed. Then, screamed again, and again. She was lost in an endless abyss. Dark fire ran through her, surrounding her. She fought it, but finally, exhausted from the struggle, she collapsed and let it take her.
Valan stepped towards her but his father grabbed his arms and held him back. "You can't go to her. You must not!"
The warriors, at first gratified to see the daughter of Selik ad-San punished, were horrified by her screams. Watching her suffer, she stopped being their enemy's daughter, and became a small, defenseless female. Valan Eirikson's bondmate. Casting guilt-ridden glances at him, they saw his father restraining him. As long as they were there to witness the punishment, it couldn't be stopped. A warrior stood and left, followed by another, then another. Any warrior who hesitated was pulled away by his companions. When the last one had left, the Council Rulers filed out, leaving Eirik, Valan and Lia alone in the chamber.
Valan deactivated the bands and pushed his father’s hands away and stumbled to Lia. He dropped to his knees beside her and pulled her into his arms. The violent tremors flailing through her body were transferred to him, shaking him and loosening his hold on her. He tightened his arms and pulled her closer, begging her to forgive him, his voice rough and hoarse with grief. He nuzzled his cheek against her, and closed his stinging eyes as he let her nearness flow into him.
"Let's leave this place, Son."
"Father…"
"We have to get her home, Valan. Borg is waiting for us there."
Valan held her tightly as he rose and followed his father out of the building.
***
Neither one of them noticed the female hiding in the shadows, a malicious smile on her lips.
Morna watched until they disappeared in the distance. Hatred for the female in Valan's arms consumed her. Since returning to Zarronia, he'd ignored her. The one time she'd tried to speak to him, he'd commanded her to stay away from his home. In a rage she'd slipped away to meet one of her lovers, Council Ruler Arlenson. She'd repeated the workers' gossip about Lia ad-San to him, knowing how much he hated all of the Wrothians, but especially Selik ad-San. Now, she hid in the shadows and thought about the screams she'd heard coming from the arena. Lia ad-San would hate Valan after what he'd done to her. When she rejected him, he'd return to her.
***
Valan carried Lia past Borg and up the stairs to his chamber. Sitting on the bed, he held her on his lap. Her face was pale. There was blood on her bottom lip where she'd bitten it. He smoothed his hand over her tangled, tear-dampened hair, and pushed it away from her cheeks. She was so still in his arms that for a terrifying moment he was afraid she was dead. He pulled her up and buried his face in her neck, feeling her pulse slowly beating against his lips. He didn't notice when his father and Borg joined him.
"Valan, lay her down so Borg can examine her." When Valan hesitated, he added, "Now."
Reluctantly, he lowered her to the bed. She looked so small lying there. As he moved to pick her up again, Eirik pulled him away. He watched anxiously as Borg began his examination. When he started to push Lia's gown up over her hips, he growled and lunged for him.
Eirik stepped in front of him. "Valan, stop!"
Reaching around his father, he grabbed for him. "Don't touch her. Don't…"
"Valan, he's only trying to make sure Lia and the babies are alright." Taking his arm, he led him over to the windows. Valan stiffened and forced himself to accept the fact behind him another male was touching his bondmate.
Borg finished his examination as quickly as he could. He covered her and shook his head, then looked at Eirik and pointed towards the door.
"Let's go downstairs, Valan," Eirik said. "I'm sure you could use a drink. I know I could."
Ignoring his father's suggestion, Valan moved back to Lia and took her hand in his. Borg and Eirik exchanged worried glances.
"Valan, Lia won't wake up any time soon, probably not at all this cycle. Why don't you come downstairs and let me tell you the results of my examination?"
&
nbsp; "Tell me now. Is she dying?"
"No, but it would be better if we talked in your den."
"Come along, Borg. Valan, can join us in a minute."
After they left, Valan slid down next to her and held her in his arms. Closing his eyes, he inhaled in her scent and wanted to howl with grief. He let her nearness calm him, then wrapped her up in the fur and carried her to the den. He dropped into a chair with her on his lap. His father handed him a tankard of ale, then settled in a chair next to Borg.
"Lia will be alright, Son, but the babies may not survive."
A shudder ran through Valan and the tankard in his hand shook, spilling ale on the floor. He set it down on the table. He wanted to ask his father what he meant, but his throat was so tight, he didn't think he could speak. Instead, he looked at his father, the question in his eyes.
"Lia is cramping and there is some bleeding. Borg has given her an injection that will help her, and he believes if she doesn't lose the babies during the next cycle they might make it."
Valan cleared his throat then asked, "After that cycle?"
Borg answered. "Every micro-unit after increases their chance for survival. You must keep her quiet and in bed. No more carrying her around with you."
"Why can't you use the med-op?" Valan asked.
"It won't help her, Valan. Not when the cause of her condition is the use of the bands," Borg said.
"Under the circumstances, it might be best if you stayed away from her for a few cycles, Son. Borg knows a nurse who will come and stay with her."
"Olga works at my clinic. She is a fine nurse and would take very good care of her."
His father was right. Seeing him would upset her. "Bring her to care for her."
"I'll contact her and let her know she is needed. She will be here after the sun's zenith."
After Borg left, Valan and Eirik sat in the den, neither speaking. Their thoughts on Lia.
"Don't give up hope, Son."
Valan nodded, not really hearing his father's words.
"You will have to move your things into another chamber."
Valan's Bondmate (Zarronian Warriors Book 1) Page 12