Warlord's Flame (Krystile Warriors Book 2)

by Owner

  The remaining guards fell back to regroup. They cast distressed glances at each other. Several of them called out commands and curses, but no help came. Everyone was too busy avoiding Var’s wrath to give aid to another. Helpless, they watched the whip strike and bite like a flaming serpent.

  Every time Var’s whip kissed one of the men, his clothing and usually his hair burst into flames.

  She watched in awe as Var made the fire whip dance. The men continued to attack Var. Why didn’t they run away? Bess watched in disbelief. Why didn’t they refuse to carry out their king’s order?

  “Stay down,” Var said, his voice low.

  The raw emotions flowing off the Warlord frightened her. What he felt as he fought for their survival left her breathless. She felt pain too. Var’s pain. Why?

  Bess let out a hiss when she saw Var’s burned hand. She’d been sloppy when she burned the ropes that held him to the post.

  He ignored the pain from the burn, snapping the fiery leather to keep the king’s guards at bay. Var was a sight to behold. His long blond hair had been cut while he was in the dungeon. Now it fell just past his shoulders. The muscles of his chest and arms looked like art in the dancing firelight of the whip. His face remained fixed in fury as he faced his attackers.

  The guards fell back further. Their mission to kill Var had spiraled out of their control and was now a survival situation for them. Except for the shouting and screaming of the burning men on the sandy arena floor, most of the witnesses who remained in the stands froze in stunned disbelief.

  More guards came.

  Bess felt their horror as they stood helpless and watched their companions suffer. The dying bellowed their anguish as they were reduced to singed meat. The smell of burning flesh was more than Bess could bear. They cursed and shouted, but no weapons could match the whip of fire that snaked through the night sky touching and destroying one after another of them.

  The prisoner they had thought helpless was far from it.

  Var reached down and grabbed a handful of her hair. She stood and moved with him as he advanced on the hapless guards until fear finally won out and they ran for their lives.

  Bess glanced up to see the king rushing away with Myra a step behind him. Myra stopped and turned to look at her. Even at this distance, Myra’s hatred hit Bess hard. Bess knew her eyes glowed violet and her long red hair flowed freely as if a strong wind blew it. Let Myra wonder about that.

  Bess heard a familiar voice and turned to see Mack riding a rangy black horse, swinging his sword at the guards as they ran from the courtyard. He had the reins of a second horse for Var.

  The big warlord let the whip lie on the ground behind him. When the flame sputtered out, the silence was deafening. Even the moans of the injured sounded far away and surreal.

  Var mounted and pulled her up in front of him. The horses raced out of the courtyard of the castle. It felt like a long time before they slowed the horses.

  Mack winked at Bess. He pointed to a bag on his saddle and grinned at Var before speaking. “I got your clothes and weapons. Always leaving your things lying around. Here I am, getting your sorry carcass out of trouble. Again.” Mack grinned at Bess. “And him running around almost naked. The shame of it!”

  “I would know why you waited so long,” Var ground out.

  Mack laughed. “You had everything well in hand and I did not want to interrupt the impressive demonstration with the fire whip. You have been practicing. Showing off for our guest, no doubt.” Mack nodded to Bess and smiled. “Hello again, little MX. Var does not know how to show a female a good time. I cannot teach him anything!”

  Var’s grunt was his only answer.

  “She can ride with me if you cannot manage.” Mack offered with another wink in her direction.

  “She will ride with me.”

  “I guess that is settled then.” Mack laughed at Var.

  Chapter 35

  When the horses stopped Var cared for his mount, Mack came close to her and leaned in, “Nice trick with the fire.”

  She allowed Var to guide her into a shelter. The small confining space held wooden benches and scattered chairs with a single warming fire-pit in the center.

  A man almost as tall as Var and just as blond as he and Mack sauntered into the room. Were they all related? The blue eyes and body type said possibly.

  “I am Foord, the new man introduced himself.”

  Rel, with a happy grin on his face, and the dog beside him stood with the new man who took a seat and watched them intently. The dog lay down at Rel’s feet.

  Foord glanced at her before directing his attention to Var. “I tracked you, a day or two behind until the king captured you. We made the ranch house ready for your escape.” He paused, looking closely at Var. “They worked you over, warlord.” He turned his attention to Bess.

  “You took your bloody time,” Var said.

  Foord ignored Var’s comment.

  They all focused on her until she could no longer bear the silence. “I am Bess,” she choked out.

  Foord moved his chin to the right and narrowed his left eye at her. “Are you injured?”

  “No,” Bess whispered.

  Foord turned his attention to Var. “How bad are you?”

  An old scar ran along the right side of Foord’s jaw bone. Another trailed along his right shoulder to his elbow. His light blond hair was braided into several strands and all of them held in a queue at his nape.

  “I am sound,” Var replied. “Most of the blood is old. They did not inflict serious injury tonight.”

  “I believe their plan to bludgeon you to death might have worked if the MX had not saved you,” Mack said from behind them.

  Var nodded toward Bess. “She healed me.” Var held out his hands which showed no signs of damage.

  The piercing blue eyes of all three warlords focused on her.

  “I th-thought it the best thing to do,” Bess said, wringing her hands. It was impossible to sort what she read from them. The night’s many emotions along with the deaths that tried to pull her into the blackness left her drained of her empath abilities. She’d lost energy and the long ride here had taken a toll, but she did not heal Var’s hand. His burned hand showed no sign of the injury she was sure had been there. How did that happen?

  “Who let you in to see me the other night?” Var asked her.

  “K-someone helped me.” Too late, she realized she’d already glanced up at Mack.

  Var sat and swigged down water, his big body covered only by the loin cloth and his scars. He and Mack passed a knowing glance between them.

  Bess tried to study the ground, but mostly stared at Var’s chest.

  Mack handed him clothes and weapons, then directed his attention to Bess. “You sneaked in to see him.”

  Bess nodded.

  “I would know why,” Foord said.

  “I-I just...” Bess was surprised Foord didn’t melt where he stood from the look Var gave him. Var’s ferocity was palpable.

  Mack laughed. “You took a great risk to see him.”

  Bess felt curiosity from Mack and Foord and something else from Var.

  “Well, we know it cannot be his looks.” Mack winked at her. “Gutsy move, little MX.

  “She healed me.” Var’s clear blue eyes pierced her.

  Foord glared at Var and then her, but she knew he was assessing her.

  Bess shrank back, barely able to sit still. She wanted to fidget or even worse, run. Her emotions were in turmoil and her chin shook uncontrollably. It had already been a difficult night. She did not like to be the center of attention at any time, but with such intense males focusing on her, she wanted to melt into the floor. The warlords were intimidating in the best of circumstances. Their gazes were not unfriendly, but they were powerful. “Was that the wrong thing to do?” Bess asked Var. “Is that why they tried to kill you tonight?”

  Var narrowed his eyes at his friends. “You will not frighten her.” When he turned back t
o Bess, his face relaxed. “No, they would have scheduled my execution whether you helped me or not. The king wanted to strike a blow against Koda. He thinks the Conglomerate will be impressed if he kills a Kryst Warlord.” His eyes softened. “Healing me helped me.” Var jerked a thumb back at the other two warlords. “Since these two took so long to come to our aid, I was glad you helped me.”

  Mack laughed, his arms crossed over his chest. “I met a female I want to ask you about.”

  Var leaned forward with his forearm propped on his sword. “I saw a female wearing a veil, sitting beside the king. I would know who she is.”

  Bess had a sudden sinking feeling. Had Mack seen Katy? She spoke softly to answer Var’s question. “Myra.”

  Mack frowned. “I would know how you came by that knowledge.”

  “I read her. Everyone gives off a different energy signal...” she stopped. Too late, she’d already said too much.

  Mack gave Var a look. “Myra knew nothing of our plans.”

  “I would know why Myra sat with the king,” Var said.

  Bess shook her head.

  She thought Var almost smiled, but he turned his face so she wasn’t certain. “You are an empath and a female,” he said. “I would hear what you know.”

  “Sh-she wanted to be with a strong man.” Bess hesitated. “And she chose the king since you did not want her. Myra craves power.”

  Foord crossed his arms in front of his massive chest and leaned against the wall. “Typical female.”

  Mack glanced between Bess and Var, but directed his comment to her. “You should have shared that information with us. Perhaps this could have been avoided. Koda does not take it well when people try to kill his warlords.”

  Bess felt her face heat. He was right. She should have warned them, but what if Var had not believed her? Empaths were not like normal women. She knew this for a fact. How could she explain that to them?

  Var said something in that language Bess did not understand.

  Mack grinned. “And you as well, brother.”

  “I would hear more about you being able to identify people without seeing them,” Foord said.

  Bess hid her trembling hands in the folds of her wide leg pants.

  “You terrify her,” Mack said.

  She scanned the room. There was no way to escape Foord’s intense gaze.

  Var spoke. “Back off, Foord. She has been through a lot.”

  Foord ignored the comment. “Tell me about the fire whip demonstration. I would know how you managed that.”

  Again Var turned his blue gaze on Bess.

  Bess fidgeted. “Someone helped me. They gave me the whip. It was the only weapon I could find.” She spoke in a whisper. Foord’s emotions were difficult. He was filled with distrust and he didn’t like females much. Maybe he didn’t like anyone.

  Mack stared at her. “They also gave you a lighter.”

  Bess had no idea what he meant.

  “To set the whip on fire, whoever helped you gave you a lighter.”

  Bess nodded her agreement and felt herself pale. They knew she lied.

  “I want to ask you about another female, not Myra,” Mack said.

  “Enough questions for now,” Var said.

  Chapter 36

  Var stood up. “Come with me.” He motioned to Bess.

  Her heart beat fast. There was no way to tell what he planned to do to her. They were collecting empaths, but they didn’t really understand what the empaths could do. Knowing too much might change their minds.

  Foord looked at her closely, then turned his attention to Mack “Var has not claimed the girl.”

  “He is in denial,” Mack replied with a shrug.

  “She has spots on her face,” Foord said.

  “They are called freckles.” He winked at Bess as she passed. “Var likes them.”

  Bess felt good will from Mack and it helped her compose herself. It was difficult enough to read someone when she was calm. She was far from calm right now. When agitated like this, usually she could read only the most strident emotions.

  Var entered a large bath chamber, stripped off his loin cloth, and walked into the large shower.

  Bess turned her back as he so often did for her. Would he catch her if she glanced? What she saw of his body was amazing. Bess thought his backside very nice and wondered about his front.

  She could not concentrate with Var’s big, naked body just a few feet from her. The lights in this chamber gave the room a soft glow. Did she dare look?

  He stood under the water, soap suds glistening as they slowly ran down the muscles of his body. Water sluiced over his broad shoulders. She admired him from behind. The scars on his body enhanced his masculinity instead of detracting from it. When she healed his back in the dungeon, some of the old scars healed also. She did not know that could happen.

  “Come here,” Var said. He kept his voice soft, but she heard the order in it.

  Bess jumped. He caught her looking at him. She responded to the authority in his voice and moved to him, all the while wondering if it would be worse to die of curiosity or embarrassment.

  “Undress. Wash.” Var reverted to using one word commands, she thought as she removed her clothes. At least he turned his back.

  When he moved out of the stream that fell from the shower, she stepped in and let the water cascade over her. She kept her back to him while washing. When she stepped out and picked up the towel, she felt the heat of his body behind her. Bess dried quickly and pulled wrapped a towel around her.

  He moved away. “You can turn around now.”

  She turned. Var, wearing only a towel around his waist, sat on a wide bench with his back to the wall. His damp hair hung down to his shoulders, and he propped one foot on a short stepping stool. His forearm lay across his thigh, his hand relaxed. Var’s hands were fine with long, elegant fingers.

  “Come here.”

  Bess hesitated only a moment before walking to him. She stopped just out of his reach. A shiver ran through her. Her insides were melting from the look in his eyes.

  “Closer,” he said.

  Bess took one step to him.

  He reached for her hand and gently pulled her down between his spread legs so that she sat on his muscled thigh. She reacted to the heat of his body.

  “Do not fear me. Never fear me.” He sighed and continued to hold her hand. “I would know if you were harmed.”

  Unable to speak, Bess shook her head.

  His eyes softened and his mouth moved in what was probably his version of a smile. She lit up with his emotions. His hand felt hot on her skin. “You helped me in the arena. I would know if you sought my protection if I defeated them.” Var’s low voice melted her insides. She reveled in the intimacy of being here like this with him.

  She felt his heartbeat through her body. Bess read that he was unsure of her motives. He wanted her to feel something for him, but worried she helped him only because she thought he would keep her alive. He was more open to her, right now, than he had ever been.

  “I can read you much more clearly when you are touching my hand.” She stared at the rise and fall of his chest. His attention focused on her with nothing to distract him. Breathe, she reminded herself.

  “I would know what you read of me, little MX.”

  Bess shrugged. “It is not fair for me to read you and you know nothing about me.”

  Again his eyes softened. “I do not play fair.” His voice came out in a soft growl. Primal. It weakened her, body and soul.

  “I will tell you what I know of you, little mouse. You are afraid right now. I smell your fear. Your heartbeat is much faster than it should be for sitting still. You are in danger of hyperventilating. Even in this low light, I see the blush on your skin. I would know the reason for your distress.”

  Perhaps they were fairly matched after all.

  “You risked yourself to help me,” Var continued. “That is a serious thing, girl. I would know why.”

&nbs
p; “You saved me many times. I only wanted to return the favor,” she managed. Bess wanted him badly but, was unsure how to share her feelings with him. Being this close and having all his power and attention focused on her was overwhelming. She yearned to touch him, to run her hands over his bare skin and feel him stroke her hair, pull her against his chest, let her feel safe in his arms. Bess could not bring herself to tell him.

  He said nothing for long moments.

  The silence sucked all the air out of the room so that only her heartbeat was left.

  He studied her as if he had all the time in the world.

  Bess’s nervousness ramped up.

  “You can touch me. Anytime you like.”

  She realized her mouth was open in shock.

  “We can come back to this,” he said.

  His hand on her arm was big, strong, and so warm.

  “I helped you because you have helped me. I thought it was the right thing to do.” She lifted her chin.

  “I would know how you set the whip on fire.” His voice was soft and she felt nothing of alarm or anger from his touch.

  She looked down, unable to meet his eyes. “I had help. The um-the person who gave me the whip gave me a lighting device.” Did he know she lied to him even now?

  He held her small hand in his much larger one and tilted her face up to his. “Your projection is not strong, but I feel it. You are distressed. I would hear about this.” He waited. “I will not harm you, little mouse. You can tell me what I want to know.”

  Her heart melted down through her body to a place deep inside her center. The way her body reacted to him scared her.

  Var let go of her hand.

  Bess felt her face burning. Did he feel her sexual arousal? Her yearning? She turned her eyes away.

  He waited with no expression on his face. Abruptly, she felt nothing from him. Bess knew he wanted an answer. In an effort to steer him away from who gave her the whip, she said, “I am so sorry that it burned you, but, they were going to k-kill you.”