Honor Bound

by Michelle Howard

  The Warlord regained his footing as Vaan came to a halt before him, mere feet separated them. The Warlord had not faired well through the years. His face bore a long slash across his temple to his chin. His body around the middle sagged with a paunch.

  If he still trained under Vaan, he would never have fallen into such bad shape. “Give it up, Thenl. You have lost.”

  The blond spit on the ground. “I have not lost. All is never lost, Overlord.” He sneered and backed up a step, his sword gripped tight in his fist. “You will fall as did your uncle and the Raasa will follow my lead.”

  “Your plan is a weak one. You will never lead them with me standing in the way. The Desani will crush you, Thenl. My uncle chose his ally poorly.”

  “Your uncle,” Thenl blustered, “would not let me lead. If not for him and the Council, I could have ruled all of Kaban.”

  “You killed Dakar because you are cut from the same cloth. Evil can not reside and work together.” Vaan’s taunt hit its mark and the Warlord swung wildly with his sword.

  Van parried the blow and smiled. “Your training is lacking. You must not have stayed on level with my standards.”

  Thenl reacted with anger and attacked. Back and forth, their swords met. Metal screeched and clanged. “When I am done with you, Vaan, you will wish you stayed dead.”

  Vaan chose not to respond. His arm swung in a controlled arc and cut deep into Thenl’s thigh. The Warlord’s scream satisfied something deep within. Battle rage bubbled to the surface. This Warlord sought to take Mikayla from him. Thenl would destroy her tender spirit without a care as he almost had.

  “I am going to destroy you, Thenl. Your time is at an end.”

  Thenl’s eyes lit with rage. He lunged and Vaan blocked the blow. Thenl swung back muttering curses when Vaan’s sword met his every attempt.

  “I will kill you, Overlord.”

  “You can try.” Vaan followed the taunt with a powerful swing and ducked low. Thenl blocked but Vaan shoved an elbow into his soft belly and dodged back.

  Thenl staggered back, his hand massaging his mid-section. Vaan went on the offensive his sword a blur of motion. The other Warlord served as no match. In a flurry of moves, Vaan pinned Thenl to the ground. Lying on his back, breath coming in pants, Thenl’s glare burned a hole in Vaan’s chest.

  Vaan kept the tip of his sword at Thenl’s throat. “Your time has come to an end. You have defiled the title of Warlord.”

  Thenl’s lips curled in a grin full of malice. His blue eyes alight with an inner fire. “Kill me, Overlord, if you dare.”

  “Do you hear that sound?” Vaan asked, tipping his head to the sky.

  Thenl tried to mask his confusion but curiosity won out. “I do not hear anything but the sound of battle. My warriors will not give up the fight.”

  “Odd, I hear the sound of your men dying. I hear cries of satisfaction from the men and women of Anane, Sokal and Mulei.” Thenl sneered but Vaan continued. “Your death will not be mourned.”

  Thenl pushed his neck against the edge of Vaan’s blade. “Be done, Overlord. I will be remembered. I destroyed any chance of an alliance with the Desani.” A laugh sounded. Broken and mixed with gloating happiness. “The Queen’s death served a greater purpose and I regret not my actions. The Desani will never unite with Kaban now.”

  Those words sealed the Warlord’s fate if Vaan had been tempted to spare him. Queen Maliya Sabarn deserved better than death by this mad man. With a mighty thrust, Vaan’s blade sliced through Thenl’s throat. The Warlord’s eyes rolled and he died instantly. “The Blessed One would not welcome one such as you.” Vaan murmured and stepped away.

  Argan dispatched the warrior he’d engaged and ran toward Vaan. He spared a dismissive glance for Thenl’s dead body and spit on the former Warlord.

  Argan slapped Vaan on the shoulder, his eyes bright and face flushed. “It turns friend.”

  Vaan nodded, unwilling to concede defeat. “I will not fall.”

  Argan shook his sweat dampened head. “No Vaan, you mistake me. The new warriors fight with us.”

  “What?” He studied the battles around them. The invaders struggled to maintain their hold. Slowly, the new warriors, not tired from fighting, pushed them back. Men fell with screams and none of them Vaan’s.

  Vaan tried to decipher their leader. He focused on a dark haired man swinging his sword enthusiastically and laughing. “Who is he?”

  Argan lowered his weapon until it pointed to the ground. “I believe it is Saran.”

  Impossible. “What? Why would you say this?” Vaan continued to study the young man. The invading warriors started to retreat. Their numbers reduced to ten and no match.

  “He entered the gates with his battle cry. A kala fir Galip randala!”

  All fear a Galip warrior. His little brother. “Signal the men,” Vaan ordered. “Let them know, no harm to the newcomers.”

  Argan nodded and took off yelling Vaan’s message. Vaan noticed the Raasa aiming their bows. He shouted drawing their attention. “Stand down.” Their puzzled frowns met his gaze. When he didn’t look away, they lowered their weapons, trusting his guidance.

  Quiet seeped through the air. The sudden silence loud in the absence of fighting. The last of Thenl‘s warriors escaped while a few of the new warriors broke off and gave chase. It was over. The tall warrior, Argan identified as Saran, walked boldly toward Vaan.

  Vaan hesitated before sheathing his sword. If this indeed was his brother, Vaan hadn’t seen him since he was a youth and his mother had gone to live with her sister, severing her ties to live a nomadic life.

  “Saran?”

  The man smiled and extended his arms. “Well met, brother.”

  Vaan could only stare. Fenal waned slowly as the reality of his victory set in. With a grunt, he pounded his brother‘s back. “Saran, is it really you?”

  Black eyes met his and the warrior grinned. “Yes. It is good to see you again at last.”

  Vaan wanted to say more. He had so many questions but faltered on where to start. His Warlords gradually made their way over. The looks on their faces clearly showed they‘d all received the news. The expressions ranged from neutral to doubt. Vaan could not blame them.

  “Let us go in the hall and continue this conversation.” He wanted to assure himself of Mikayla’s safety and needed time to adjust to this news.

  Saran raised his arm high and shouted to his warriors. Laughter soon poured forth and there was much back slapping and roars of victory. A smile tugged at Vaan’s lips.

  ***

  Mikayla paced nervously in the hall, twisting her hands. She ignored the shooting pains in her knee and glared when Kavan tried to force her to sit. Her throat locked when Vaan entered, followed by his Warlords and men she didn’t recognize.

  A few of her servants froze in place. Assa ran near Balal. Mikayla could care less. She hobbled toward her mate, relieved to find him unharmed and alive. “Vaan.”

  He caught her in his arms and lifted her high against his chest. “You and I will talk later of your penchant for ignoring orders regarding your safety.”

  Mikayla shivered. Though he kissed the top of her head, his words were threaded with anger.

  “Allow me to introduce you to my brother, Saran Galip.”

  Mikayla frowned at the younger version of her mate. The warrior crossed to her side and bowed low. “Sister,” he murmured as he straightened.

  She remembered Ashaya’s journal and mention of another son. “Welcome.” She wanted to ask questions but noticed the weary warriors. The smell of sweat and blood scented the hall. Glancing around, she took a mental tally of the increased numbers. Blessed One, she had nowhere to put them all.

  Miki tugged her mate’s wrist. “Vaan.”

  He leaned in her direction even as he laughed at a jest by one of his men. “There aren’t enough beds.”

  Saran heard her frantic whisper.

  “Do not worry, little sister. We stay not.”

>   A dark frown creased Vaan’s brow. “Where are you headed?”

  Lips identical to Vaan’s curled and Miki couldn’t help noticing his appeal. “We go to your compound to reclaim it in the name of the Overlord.”

  An unexplainable look crossed Vaan’s face and faded. “You honor me, Saran.”

  Saran wrapped an arm around Vaan’s shoulder and whispered. “Mother would be proud.” He stepped back and announced, “We ride to Kaban. All must know the Overlord lives.”

  The hall erupted in cheers and shouts. Miki winced and Vaan picked her up to cuddle close. She sighed against his neck, relieved for so many reasons but most importantly because her mate held her in his arms.

  Chapter 21

  Vaan waited patiently until his mate drifted off to sleep in his arms. Carefully, he angled from the loving hold she had on him. It took more work to remove her fingers from their grip in his hair. A crooked smile graced his face when she grumbled and rolled deeper into the covers.

  Balal and Kavan met him on the other side when he closed the bedroom door behind him. “Stay until I return, Kavan.” Vaan received an abrupt nod and turned to Balal.

  “I have him in the basement in an unused storage room.” Balal answered the question Vaan couldn’t force through his lips.

  His steps marched without hesitation behind Balal as they headed to the basement. Argan stood outside the wooden frame, his sword at the ready when they arrived. He stepped aside to allow Vaan to enter. Argan followed Vaan in, leaving Balal to assume his position as guard outside the door.

  Vaan entered the dimly lit storage room. Unused shelves and crates sagged in the middle from their place against the wall. Vaan inhaled deeply and centered his emotions. The sight before him should have brought pleasure but instead it ignited a small kernel of anger. Tesai’s arms stretched high above his head in the bindings Argan used to suspend him from the sturdy ceiling beam. The lack of a shirt left his torso bare.

  Tesai’s upper half bore multiple knife wounds across his torso and abdomen. Blood streaked his middle from the deep gashes. Wounds, Vaan’s men made in retaliation for the Raasa’s betrayal of Mikayla. Vaan grunted at the sight and walked closer. It seemed his Warlords ignored his instructions to leave Tesai unharmed but Mikayla made an impression and they all cared for her.

  When Vaan neared the center of the room, he grimaced at the sour odor emanating from the coward. A glance down revealed a large wet spot on his tan pants where Tesai had pissed himself. Fitting. Vaan withdrew the knife from his thigh sheath and the Raasa jerked in his bindings.

  Green eyes widened. “She will never forgive you if you harm me.”

  The crack in his voice on the end of the boast proved Tesai lacked assurance on how Mikayla would respond to Vaan’s actions. Argan leaned back against the wall in a casual stance in clear view of the Raasa. He’d let Vaan lead the questioning unless he sensed his Overlord faltering.

  Vaan would not falter. “Mikayla need not know. You think I would let her suffer for the betrayal you have dealt her this day?” Because come morning she would replay the events of this day and her heart would tear in two.

  Tesai paled and scrambled on his toes as much as the slack in his wrist would allow. For once, fear darkened his green eyes and he shifted his bald head in Argan’s direction. “I didn’t do anything.” Sweat dotted his forehead.

  Argan sneered at Tesai but remained silent.

  “You opened the gate to those that would bring harm,” Vaan countered, drawing his attention back on him.

  “You’ve no proof of this. Anyone could have done it.” Tesai twisted left and right seeking escape.

  Vaan slashed his blade across the Raasa’s side. “You stink of lies.” The cut drew more blood in a deep diagonal line ending at the waist of his pants.

  Tesai screamed but it gave Vaan no pleasure. This man who professed to care for Mikayla brought enemies within their gates. Betrayed her without a care and dared to attack her.

  “You raised a blade against her.” Vaan’s knife flashed again leaving a gash on Tesai’s straining torso. Blood ran from the new cuts to blend with the earlier ones.

  “I tried to protect her,” Tesai screamed. Tears ran down his eyes and his lower lip trembled.

  “Enough with your lies, hapfe dung,” Vaan roared and got up and close in Tesai’s face. He pressed his knife to the Raasa’s straining throat. Digging deep enough to cause a thin trail of blood, Vaan demanded, “tell us why.” Vaan wanted to know what it took for this piece of hapfe dung to sell Mikayla out.

  Tesai choked and begun to snivel. “Thenl promised to set me up in my own house. The plan wasn’t to harm Mikayla. She would have been fine with him once you died.”

  Vaan snorted. “My mate deserved a better friend in her life than you. It is because of her that I will make your death a quick one.”

  Tesai’s eyes widened. “No, no, no, please.”

  Vaan pressed his blade deeper until Argan interrupted, “Overlord, allow me. Think of Mikayla.”

  Vaan paused and lowered his head. Breath escaped in heavy pants. He wanted to drag his knife deep and watch death take the coward but Argan’s words held truth. His mate would be hurt enough by her friend’s actions. Vaan would not add to the pain by ending this fool himself.

  He stepped back and the Raasa’s head slumped to the side, his pleas turning to meaningless cries. Thoughts swirled through Vaan’s head from this night. He knew what needed to be done. Had planned for it before Mikayla’s head ever hit the pillow.

  “She will forgive you. Her heart belongs to you.” Argan came up on his side and placed his hand on Vaan’s shoulders.

  Argan’s words did not bring peace to Vaan. His mate was ever sensitive and she liked the foul Raasa. “Mikayla will not understand.”

  “Trust in her,” Argan countered and Vaan nodded again and turned for the door.

  “Wait! Don’t leave me, Overlord. Stop!” Tesai began to shout obscenities.

  Vann closed the door on the meaningless words. The scream he heard in his wake was silenced a beat later. Balal bowed in his passing. Vaan made his way back to the bedroom with heavy steps. He didn’t regret his actions but he regretted how his mate would respond.

  He dismissed Kavan from the door.

  “Vaan.”

  Mikayla’s cry caught him off guard. He spun on his heels and caught her in his arms. “Why are you not in bed?”

  She ignored his question to wrap her arms around him. Vaan stiffened then slowly relaxed in her embrace. The woman in his arms had the power to bring him to his knees. “You should be resting,” he murmured though he reveled in her touch.

  The need for the intimacy she spoke of grew within Vaan every day. Moments like now, he savored the scent of her, the feel of her and the sound of her gasp as she pulled back to stare at him.

  “I woke and you were gone. Kavan wouldn’t let me leave the room.” Her defiant glare warned that she would address his Warlord later.

  Vaan felt his mouth twist up in a smile. Her ire and odd ways were part of the reason he cared for his mate. Her affectionate nature and love made up the rest. “I will be sure to commend him on following through on my orders.”

  She snuffed and green eyes rolled in his direction. When she tried to stomp away, he caught her wince and lifted her in his arms. Instead of protesting, she curled into his chest and rested her head there. His heart predictably softened. Vaan carried her to the bed and lay without loosing his hold on her.

  She shifted to her side and ran a stroking hand through his hair. “Tell me what darkens your eyes tonight. Thenl is defeated and your brother has returned.” Her hand paused and slid to cup his jaw so he had to face her. “Tell me.”

  Vaan sighed and pressed his forehead to hers as he told her. “Tesai is dead.”

  A deep shudder rocked her frame and then she placed her face in the crook of his neck. The dampness from her tears tore him in two.

  “Mikayla…” He ran his hand up and down h
er back, unsure how to proceed.

  “Shhh.” Her hand reached up and covered his mouth. “I understand.” Her mouth touched his neck in a soft kiss and it was Vaan who fought a shudder.

  “You honor me,” he murmured in her hair and held her as she mourned her friend. This was but a small hurdle in their life together. With his sword and strength behind her, Vaan would do everything possible to prevent Mikayla from ever hurting again as she did this night.

  Gradually her tears waned and her whispered, “love you,” soothed his soul.

  Epilogue

  Miki made it as far as the gates this time. Tolan refused to look in her direction. Miki gripped the hem of her tunic and growled. “I won’t ride far,” she promised. The Warlord kept his back to her.

  Miki looked up and around. She recognized the Raasa patrolling the top of the gate. Serel froze when she made eye contact.

  “Please, I can’t open the gate.”

  Miki ignored his plea. “I am Su-Su.”

  He inclined his bald head politely. “Yes, but the Overlord forced me to clean the animal pens when I let you out last month.”

  Let her out! As if she needed permission. Miki growled under her breath. This made the fourth time she’d been denied. Turning on her heels, she stormed across the yard. Men and women scattered, no one willing to make eye contact.

  “My lady, he worries. Can you not wait a few more weeks?”

  Miki stopped and glared at Balal who walked a few steps behind her. “You can’t talk to me.” Balal was responsible for her latest imprisonment.

  Kavan smirked at Balal’s downcast expression.

  Miki frowned. “You can talk to him, Kavan.” The idea pleased her the more she thought about it. “He’ll trust you if you promise to keep me in sight.”

  “No,” the Warlord flatly refused. “Save your sad eyes for the Overlord, for I will not take you through the gate.”

  Miki spun in frustration and continued her determined trek. The first face she spotted belonged to Argan. “Argan.”