Warlord's Flame (Krystile Warriors Book 2)

by Owner

  Bess repeated the words back to him, but she felt strange. The bite changed her somehow.

  Var pulled her up as he stood to wrap a blanket around her before he lifted her in his arms. He was so careful, so gentle, but panic overcame her as her empath abilities began to shut down.

  “Wait! Something is wrong.”

  “Shh, mouse. I will claim you before all.”

  He carried her down the back staircase and into the garden. Torches burned around the perimeter of the garden with a large fire in the center. The warlords were there looking solemn, but the empaths were there also. Var carried her up to where Reaf and Koda stood.

  When he set her down on her feet, her knees gave way and he bent and placed his hand on her head to keep her there before going down on one knee in front of her. “Bess, I claim you before all after our mating. You are my mated and claimed female. Obey me and serve me even as I provide for all your needs and honor you as my claimed and mated female.” He leaned forward and whispered, “You can pledge yourself to me if you will.”

  Bess struggled to find her voice. Her thoughts had never been just her own. Even though she was not a strong empath, there had always been a buzz in her head, an indication that others were close. Now that buzz was fading. She stammered, “I pledge myself to you, Var.”

  “As your true and rightful mate,” he whispered.

  “As my true and rightful mate,” she repeated. Why were her empath abilities doing this? Perhaps so that her pledge would be only hers.

  Koda approached them with a red hot branding iron. Var looked into her eyes as Koda pressed the branding iron to his upper left arm. The smell of burning flesh threatened to make her gag. Dren read words in a language she did not know.

  Finally, Koda removed the brand from Var’s arm and she nearly wept with relief. After returning the brand to the fire, Koda came back with a knife. Koda sliced across Var’s extended forearm so that his blood ran into a silver chalice. Var took the chalice and held it to her lips. “Drink. Only a small amount is needed.”

  Bess sipped and was shocked to find Var’s blood tasted sweet to her. She was even more shocked when everything disappeared from her empath senses.

  Dren continued reading as they returned. When she felt like herself again, Var nodded and Dren finished his reading. Looking at those gathered, Dren spoke, “It is done. Warlord Var has mated and claimed Bess, an empath.”

  Var carried her to a gazebo where she dressed. Bess got into the dress as fast as possible considering how badly she was shaking. Claire had told her that no one would look at her while she was naked. It was considered impolite. She was relieved to know that.

  Walking back into the garden with her hand in the crook of Var’s elbow, they were met with mostly smiling happy faces. Bess felt lots of happiness. In fact, she was filled with positive feelings from everyone. One after another of the warlords and empaths stepped forward to congratulate them on their mating.

  Bess looked into Var’s eyes certain that the sense of well-being they shared would sustain her through whatever trials lay ahead of them.

  Chapter 45

  Lodi and Var were the last two warlords to file into the War Room. Koda waited on Var and Lodi to get settled.

  Dare leaned on the table that held his communication cube. Var made his way to Koda’s right side and sat there. Lodi took up a position in the back of the room with Reaf.

  Revi stopped to concentrate on blowing a pink bubble. He and Vix each straddled a straight-backed chair. Dren sat in front of a small table on the side of the room his attention on a book.

  Foord sat cross legged on a pillow on the floor and studied his reflection in the blade of one of his knives.

  Lars leaned against the far wall and caressed the handle of his battle ax.

  Ache sat in an arm chair with one leg thrown over the arm and a bottle of something held on his knee.

  They waited expectantly. Koda began. “We have been told of another MX.”

  Mack spoke, his eyes shone from — something. “Is it the one called Katy, the one who can change her appearance?”

  Koda shook his head. He had never known Mack to care about any particular female at all, but he surely wanted information about the one he’d met at King Messerat’s castle.

  “No.” Koda said. “There is an MX in the cold lands. She is working in a brothel. It is said she has a handler who is acting as her pimp. He has made a deal with the owner of the brothel and receives a nice profit from her work.”

  “Scum.” Vix muttered.

  “A brothel,” Lodi said. “That seems – unlikely.”

  Koda nodded, “Nevertheless, I have received confirmation. She is there. Revi, I would like you to go after her and bring her back.”

  Vix chortled, “Good call! If anyone knows females and brothels inside out, it is Revi.”

  Laughter spread around the room. Revi smiled and placed his right hand over his heart. “I am always ready to sacrifice for the people of Kryst and my warlord brothers.”

  Lodi laughed. “Oh yes, Revi, we know how much and how often you sacrifice yourself in brothels.”

  Koda looked at each of them.

  “I do not understand how she can work in a brothel. The MX are so sensitive to touch,” Dren said with a frown.

  “We will continue to be amazed at what they can do,” Mack said.

  “Take Vix with you,” Koda said.

  “Are you sure that is a good idea.” Mack asked. “Vix and Revi. Dangerous combination.”

  Koda ignored that comment. “I have asked Claire, but she is not sure which MX could be working at a brothel. She and the other empaths are as shocked as we are, so we have no help or insight there. Maybe when you get closer to her, Anna might see something.”

  Chapter 46

  Author’s Note

  You’re welcome to visit www.cpd-inc.com for blog posts and information on upcoming new releases in The Krystal Warriors series.

  First in this series: Warlord’s Honor.