The Warrior's Pet (Cadi Warriors Book 1)

by Stephanie West

  "Well if you men didn't have such a convenient handle to lead you around by." Giselle teased.

  "Jeezelle" Kagan choked out part laugh part shock.

  "Some people needed an attitude adjustment, and I didn't know any better way." Giselle admitted as she leaned into Kagan. "Besides it wasn't a performance. I just chose not to repress myself."

  "I should bend you over my knee." Kagan husked back.

  "Is that a promise?" Giselle whispered into his ear.

  "We'll discuss later the cause of my warrior's disrespectful behavior. Although I appreciate your attempt to restore my honor, "Kagan wagged his eyebrows at her. "I'm sad to say it will only go so far my little pet." Kagan had smiled as he tugged her onto his lap.

  Giselle wondered what Kagan had to say to her as she recalled the morning discussion. He thought his prowess in the sack wouldn't carry him far, and maybe it wouldn't, but Giselle disagreed to some extent. The warriors wouldn't be able to ignore the fact that Kagan was clearly their alpha. There was something primal about a male showing other males how he dominated a female. It wove its way into the psyche, and at heart they were all animals, subject to the call of the wild. Giselle had just taken the inborn weakness and turned it into a strength.

  Kagan quo Rordan

  Kagan listened to Grainne with growing dismay as he reported the unbelievable devastation in the Fazl Province, just along the border not more than a half days ride from their current location.

  "Repeat that again." Kagan said grimly.

  "Nearly everyone in Nazario is lost." Grainne choked out.

  How was it possible? The bustling city held several thousand Vidya Cadi and just as many Toufik. It was the province capitol where trade is carried out, and where the warriors quartered when the army occupied the region.

  "The attack came so suddenly this morning. The Scelus Cadi ship came over head and we assumed it was the usual attempted air raid and bunkered down. Regent Pirus manned the armaments on the wall with the city's armigerent while I led the members of the manor to shelter. I kept waiting but there were none of the usual noises of assault. I emerged after two hours to get a status update and found absolute carnage. There are next to no survivors." Grainne practically sobbed.

  Kagan had so many questions, like what killed so many people so fast? But he needed Grainne to finish his tale before the male completely lost it.

  "There were only a few shelters with survivors, a hundred people at best. I don't understand it. They're all dead." Grainne whispered into the comm.

  "What killed them?" Kagan asked.

  "Nothing." Grainne said almost hysterically."There are no injured, it's as if their souls were snatched from their very bodies."

  Kagan sat with his head in his hand as he attempted to focus on what had to be done.

  "Grainne by my command you are now the regent of the city of Nazario and the whole of Fazl Province. Secure the city walls. Keep this comm line open I will contact you soon."

  "Yes Daimio." Grainne said as he disconnected.

  Kagan looked up to see Dagaa staring questioningly at him. Dagaa had only heard one side of the conversation but could see the news was grave. Kagan couldn't wrap his head around the magnitude of this atrocity. He didn't even know where to begin.

  "I don't know if I can bring myself to repeat this, so gather Cyprian and my other commanders. We'll open a secure comm channel to the regents from the other provinces."

  Dagaa acted fast and did as Kagan wished. Then Kagan with a heavy heart and mounting outrage retold the bleak tale.

  Giselle

  Giselle ate lunch with the Toufik and the day wore on with various tasks keeping Giselle busy, but as it got later she wandered into the warrior's camp to see what Kagan was up to. She hadn't wanted to hang on his every move, so she let him carry out his duty. Even little Sabin was doing little warrior tasks and didn't need her interference.

  Giselle finally found Kagan surrounded by a throng of his commanders. He looked so dejected as he sat reviewing something with the men. Giselle walked up behind him and stood at his back. Though she got a glance or two the warriors were entrenched in planning.

  Kagan leaned back against her as she placed her hands on his shoulders. He was extremely tense so Giselle rubbed and massaged his knotted muscles as she listened to the strained discussion.

  "I say we attack Vigdis' army. We go in swift and without prejudice." Bram said angrily.

  "Intel says the Scelus Cadi army is stationed on the far side of the swamps." Cyprian pointed at a terrain map. "But we don't have an update and won't with Nazario down."

  "I'm betting Vigdis is even now pulling in forces from several other regions." Dagaa surmised.

  "Then we will immediately send reinforcements from our provinces." A voice over a comm said. "This attack will not be tolerated, we will have vengeance." The voice sounded enraged.

  "Ah but how quick will they arrive?" Kagan rubbed his chin as he considered the dilemma.

  "Hold on we are getting images from Regent Grainne." Dagaa said as the comm beeped. "Pay attention. If any of you recognize the scourge that affected the citizens of Nazario speak up."

  Giselle looked at the projected pictures and nearly became sick. Images of dead men, women and children piled so deep it was staggering. Someone was filming as a handful of exhausted looking warriors collected body after body and piled them up in a clearing.

  Giselle gasped and gripped Kagan tight. He reached up and placed one hand on hers squeezing it for comfort, his and hers.

  There were Cadi and Toufik alike with their sightless eyes staring back, their lips tinged slightly blue. Beyond that Giselle could not see what had killed all those people.

  The Toufik pouring a cup of water for Kagan dropped the pitcher she was holding. Her hands fluttered frantically as she stared at the surreal and way too graphic images of the dead. Giselle knew she'd seen the gesture before but where?

  Kagan reached out and halted the female. "Repeat that." He said to the Toufik who then repeated the hand gestures. "I don't understand of course it's an empty death."

  "Empty death, empty death." Giselle silently repeated. It sounded familiar.

  "We should march on Vigdis immediately and crush his black heart. He's obviously gone insane. We must stop him from doing it again." Bram punched the table with his fist.

  "I don't know what manner of weapon he used but we can't let him use it on the innocent again." Kagan said grimly.

  Something wasn't right. Giselle racked her brain as she looked at their strategic map. Several things were off about the situation. Not only did the fighting formation they planned look archaic, but the terrain was wrong, and that was the least of the problems that swirled in her mind attempting to congeal. Then it dawned on her as she glanced back at the Toufik wringing her hands. "Empty Death." It was not the senseless act but a thing, a weapon. Giselle's fingers tightened on Kagan's shoulders. She had to talk to him but didn't dare in front of these men.

  "I need to speak to you." She whispered into his ear.

  "It'll have to wait." Kagan huffed a little more aggressively than she expected.

  "It's important."

  "Look we are planning to go to war. The concerns of a female pet can wait. Hurry off to the Daimio's tent." Cyprian said.

  Giselle straightened up and looked from Cyprian to the other warriors who also looked annoyed with her. Kagan's face looked conflicted. He didn't seem to appreciate what the warrior had said to her and yet he didn't contradict the male either.

  Giselle debated going to her tent and letting the fools get themselves killed, but then she thought of the faces of all those people who had already died senselessly.

  "Damn your pride!" Giselle whirled on Cyprian and the other warriors.

  "Empty Death, it's not a sentiment but a thing, a weapon." Giselle said.

  "Fine yes I gather Vigdis used some kind of new weapon. Jeezelle let us do what must be done and plan this distasteful campaign." Kagan s
aid in frustration.

  Kagan wasn't a fool, he just didn't know what she knew, and he was too close to the problem to be truly objective.

  "The weapon could only be used once. The Jurou Biljana sold it to the Scelus Cadi. I heard them talking about Empty Death in the auction tent. They made that same hand gesture."

  "Then all the more reason to go in and annihilate them without fear." Bram insisted.

  "NO!" Giselle said adamantly with a vigorous shake of her head. She walked to their table and pointed at the map. "Vigdis is baiting you into coming to him. Look!" Giselle tapped the Scelus Cadi position on the map. "This would position your army so that your back is at the swamp with little or no means to fall back if necessary."

  "Our armies are well matched." Cyprian said looking offended.

  "Even you suggested bringing in more man power and Dagaa thinks Vigdis is as well. What if he already has after all he planned this massacre?" Giselle tried to point out the logic of what she was saying. "When did you last check how much of the Scelus Cadi army was gathered there?"

  "During yesterday's battle." Dagaa nodded thoughtfully.

  "Then I suggest you look into it because I'd bet my right arm there are more men than last time."

  "We cannot." Kagan shook his head. "The drones are manned from Nazario, the recent attack has left us blind."

  "And so Vigdis' attack served two purposes. You should go help take care of the dead. Get the city secured since it holds such an important position. This will only lead to more death. It's a show stopper I guarantee it." Giselle waved her hand.

  "Are we to take the advice of pet and run with our tails between our legs?" Bram nearly growled.

  "Jeezelle, what if you are wrong and Vigdis did not have just one weapon and we miss this opportunity to take him out?" Kagan asked.

  "Weapon or no weapon it is laid out in front of you. You go in fighting as you show here." Giselle indicated the formations of men much like how the British fought during the Revolutionary war, lacking in all stealth or single element of surprise. "The moment Vigdis sees you coming he could easily launch a second weapon if he has it, which I'm almost certain he does not." Giselle reasoned. "Vigdis did the unspeakable and blinded you in the process. He's goading you into an unfavorable position where you think you're equally matched."

  "Jeezelle let us have a minute."

  "Fine, I just wanted you to know what I knew and point things out from an outsider's perspective."

  Giselle turned away from the warriors' recriminating expressions. At least Kagan didn't look at her as if she was a stupid scared female, he just looked conflicted and stressed to the breaking point. She hoped he took her advice as unfavorable as it was.

  Kagan quo Rordan

  "Five contingents will go with me to Nazario, the rest guard the border and await word."

  "I can't believe this!" Bram argued. "You've let that pet go to your head."

  Kagan was upon him lightening fast, his canines bared an inch from Bram's face as Kagan gripped the male's black cloak.

  "Speak again so foolishly and I will have your tail and fangs publicly removed. Are you so blinded by the fact Giselle is not one of us that you cannot see everything she pointed out is true?" Kagan snarled.

  "As much as I do not like the idea of doing nothing. I agree." Cyprian conceded.

  "Who said we were going to do nothing. Do you think me so spineless as to let this stand!" Kagan turned on the other man. "We will not come running because Vigdis snapped his fingers. We will seek retribution but at a time of our choosing. Go make ready."

  All but Dagaa departed. Kagan was ready to throttle someone, anyone. Part of his frustration was due to his men, but part was because he'd forced Giselle to state her case in front of the other warriors and now they questioned him again. She had tried to tell him she needed his attention and just like the other fools he'd dismissed her. In true Giselle form she tore off his blinders without fear of reprisal. It nearly sickened Kagan to think what his anger and pride had nearly led him into.

  "I am honored to be at your side." Dagaa said.

  Kagan halted his mental admonishment and looked up in surprise.

  "Few warriors have the strength to do what you just did." Dagaa added.

  "I can think of one." Kagan's thoughts turned to Giselle. She was surrounded by foreigners who put her beneath even their chattel in status, and yet she persevered. It was staggering. "Where would we be if she hadn't spoken up?"

  "Probably trudging through a swamp getting our tails kicked." Dagaa replied. "What do you think Giselle meant about our formations?"

  "I am not quite sure. Come let us find out just how much my pet knows of war. You go first, I have a feeling Jeezelle is a bit frustrated." Kagan said pushing Dagaa forward in an attempt to lighten the mood.

  "I think I'd prefer to go meet Vigdis in the swamp." Dagaa nudged back as they headed to find Giselle.

  "Dagaa if anything should happen to me, promise me she will be cared for by no other." Kagan couldn't help but ask, his mind returning to the bleak reality of their situation. They may not be fighting today but it was coming.

  "As her owner or her Second?" Dagaa asked.

  Kagan couldn't reply. Dagaa asked a serious question with serious implications. As a pet Giselle would need a new master if anything happened to Kagan. But if Giselle were a Cadi female, she would require a Second should anything happen to her bonded warrior.

  If given the choice Kagan desired the later. Giselle was his and not just as a pet. The fact that he'd been compelled to mark her said it all. But to formally bond with Giselle and have it recognized by his people Kagan would need support.

  Dagaa seemed to accept Giselle's unique nature, he would care for her honorably either way. That was a comfort. However the Second often claimed the widowed female after a period of mourning. Kagan glanced over at his friend not liking the idea at all that the male might claim Giselle in the event of his death. Protect fine, claim not so fine.

  So Kagan couldn't answer Dagaa just yet. Cadi didn't recognize Giselle as more than just a pet it would take time to change that view. Kagan had wanted to try to talk to Giselle about what the conjugo mark meant. However the more he became certain he wished to formalize their bond, the more events pointed to the fact she would not be accepted by his people.

  It would be better to wait, rather than disappoint her by dangling freedom in her face only to snatch it away. He could go against the regents if he chose to, but if the monks denied his request then that was it. They were the final authority before Kali. What they upheld the people would uphold.

  Either way he would keep Giselle by his side, nothing but death would make him give her up to another male.

  A sudden sobering thought entered Kagan's mind. Giselle might just as easily reject him. After showing his tail on more than one occasion she might not even view him as suitable mate material. Kagan's heart stuttered in his chest. Potential rejection alone was a reason to keep his mouth shut on the subject.

  "I'm starting to like the idea of meeting the Scelus Cadi in the swamps." Kagan grumbled feeling snared between a rock and a hard place. Battle seemed far more approachable than Giselle's potential rejection or attempting to change the minds of his people.

  Giselle

  Giselle sat in front of the tent eating last meal which had been brought to her as she watched the warriors around her packing up to move out. Giselle wondered what had been decided. Kagan was in a hard position.

  She hated the way she was viewed by Kagan's commanders. Sure she didn't have all the answers, but she had some and a viable perspective. If any one of the other warriors had pointed out what she did, the men would've instantly agreed.

  Giselle tried not to get frustrated with them or Kagan. He had the weight of not just everyone's life on his shoulders but he had to maintain authority and respect.

  "Ugh" Giselle tossed her head back into the side of the tent. She sat there with her eyes closed and tried to clear h
er mind.

  "What is wrong my pet." Kagan's deep voice washed over her.

  "Just thinking how complicated life is." Giselle replied.

  She couldn't help but smile. Kagan's voice and his scent did something to her, it was like a drug making her desperate for more. Giselle didn't open her eyes as she took him in. She wanted to drowned out everything but her and Kagan. That would simplify things. Alone they fit well together in so many ways.

  Kagan's scent increased until Giselle felt strong arms wrapping around her and lifting her up. Giselle turned into his chest and started kissing his collarbone. She liked the mildly salty, ginger sweet flavor mixed with his musky smoky scent.

  "Jeezelle we are not alone." Kagan said as her hand drifted up to play with his ear.

  Giselle finally opened her eyes to find Dagaa standing beside Kagan looking at her in amusement.

  "Let him watch." Giselle said cheekily.

  "Jeezelle!" Kagan growled.

  "Easy big guy I'm teasing."

  "Jeezelle we have some questions for you." Kagan said as he sat her down inside the tent.

  "Okay." Giselle had a feeling that there were many things that needed to be discussed.

  "How much do you know of waging battle?" Kagan started.

  Giselle thought for a minute. She'd never been in the military but she knew what she'd expressed was sound advice. She didn't know what she should say. She didn't want to jeopardize that truth in their eyes by saying the wrong thing and leading them to think she was ignorant on the matter. These men were warriors, it seemed to be the primary occupation of the Cadi locked in the vicious civil war, yet their tactics didn't scream such even if their advanced weaponry did.

  "Answer a few questions and I will tell you what I know." Giselle began tentatively. "How long have your people been at war against each other?"

  "A few centuries now." Kagan shook his head in disgust.

  "On my planet in my region we had a nasty civil war that pitted families against themselves. It only lasted a handful of years but even at that the devastation was awful. How was your society before?" Giselle couldn't imagine a civil war that lasted for hundreds of years. That would explain why the Cadi people were so entrenched in their war.