Vengeance Born (The Light Blade #1)

by Kylie Griffin

  Kalan curled his fingers around the curve of her cheek, his own teeth bared as if he too felt the flames. He moved faster against her, heightening their pleasure until all she could feel was the inferno overwhelming them both.

  With a swirl of her tongue over the wound, she swallowed one last time then pressed his hand to the bed next to his head. One hunger satiated, and with a need to satisfy the other, she leaned over him. It changed the angle of his thrusting and the deeper penetration made her cry out.

  Kalan eased back on the force, but not the speed, of his strokes. She shivered, so close to her release, touched heart and soul by the incredible awareness this man had for her needs. The rapid thump-thump of her heart made the flames twist higher, burn brighter. Biting her lip, she smoothed a hand over his chest, and felt the pounding of his heart beneath hard, damp flesh.

  She brushed her lips over his, heard the softest of groans then he kissed her. Too late she realized her mistake. Tears filled her eyes as his tongue traced her lips and darted between them to play with hers. He would taste himself and she waited for him to pull away. Annika thought her heart would stop as he groaned then deepened the kiss.

  “There’s nothing I don’t love about you, Na’Chi.” His guttural, whispered words sent her over the edge. White-hot pleasure tore her apart. Her head swam as she heard him cry out and felt him shudder beneath her as he spilled his seed inside her then she collapsed on top of him. Tiny shock waves drew out her release. She was so sensitive, just their ragged panting ignited them. All she could taste and feel and smell and sense was him, inside and out, touching her skin, her heart, her soul.

  Kalan didn’t believe she was worthless. He wasn’t repulsed by her. He didn’t push her away when she needed solace. He made her feel wanted and special and loved.

  She would always be Na’Chi, neither human nor demon, yet the best of both resided within her. He’d taught her that. She still couldn’t believe the way he felt about her but it was becoming easier and she was sure that if she took the time she’d discover many more heart-gifts given to her by this man. She knew without a doubt there was nothing she wouldn’t do for him.

  He had claimed her. Tenderness and warmth encircled her heart. It left her feeling weak yet strong at the same time. She wasn’t aware of her tears, not until Kalan began kissing them from her face and brushing them away with the pads of his fingers. He made soft, soothing sounds and just held her, comforting her.

  His compassion and endless love tightened her throat even further and it was a long time before the tears stopped. Then, as she calmed and her mind drifted through the myriad of new memories, she understood the strange emotion inside her.

  She loved him.

  Her heart beat so hard she wondered if Kalan could hear it. For long minutes she lay there in his arms, content to hold onto the incredible sense of peace and satisfaction the knowledge gave her. When Annika raised her head she found him watching her. A gentle smile curved his lips as she ran her fingers across his cheeks and stubble-roughened jaw.

  “Are you all right?” He caressed the side of her face with the back of his hand.

  “I love you, Kalan.” Her whispered declaration shocked her as much as him. She swallowed hard and spoke in a more confident voice. “I love you.”

  His eyes closed and she wondered at the pained expression that flickered across his face. The intensity of his green gaze seared her when his eyes opened again. “Your love humbles me, Annika. I’m truly blessed.”

  Chapter 30

  THE inner chamber was as full as Kalan ever remembered seeing it. Nearly sixty people had walked through the doors this morning, all invited to see the induction of the new Councilors. The Blade Council’s reputation and honor had been badly damaged by Davyn and the others. The open invitation was his attempt to rebuild everyone’s trust.

  Light Blade Commanders and their Seconds gathered as a cohort at the back of the room. Varian, Lisella, and several other Na’Chi sat with Annika while small groups of crafters who worked within the compound filled the remaining seats.

  Kalan seated himself at the table and it was the signal for those on either side of him to convene. Kymora took her position to his right, Candra and Benth to his left. Five empty chairs remained at the table, two more than usual and another deliberate effort to restore confidence in the Council. He hoped the gamble would pay off.

  “I welcome you all to the first meeting of the new Blade Council.” Kalan made sure his voice carried clearly to every corner of the room. Conversations ceased and silence followed. “Temple Elect, would you please open the session with a prayer.”

  As Kymora began the traditional benediction, Kalan added his own petition to the Lady for strength and guidance. A lot rode on the issues being discussed. He wondered just how many present would realize the decisions they made today would determine their people’s future.

  When Kymora had finished he nodded to Benth and the silver-haired Councilor stood, a sealed parchment in hand.

  “Today the Blade Council calls on the following provincial leaders to take up the responsibility of leading all our people,” he said. With a flick of a thumbnail, the seal was broken and he unfolded the piece of parchment. “Rellyn Nyon.”

  The warrior who rose from his seat near the front of the crowd stood a head taller than those around him. He was known for his deliberate decision-making skills.

  Beside him Candra made a soft sound in the back of her throat. Kalan’s glance flickered to her. Her dark eyes sparkled but her expression remained serious. He wondered if it would change when she saw who else had been selected. She’d wanted younger, more energetic leaders and he’d considered that during the selection process.

  “Jho Elamm.” A small waiflike woman in her middle years from their southernmost province stood. Her strength lay in her connections with the outlying crofters. Benth greeted her with a nod. “Ophesius Witham.”

  Rising from among the Light Blade ranks, the older Commander was highly respected by warriors and city workers alike. Kalan hoped his knowledge of both communities would serve the Council well.

  “The Lady’s Chosen has also included two new tenures and these positions will be filled by members from the Guilds,” Benth an-nounced. “Master Weaver Shellana Lin and Master Trader Ilon Evel.”

  Both were well into their seventies but Kalan knew neither would have risen to their present positions within their own Guilds without developing the skills needed to serve as Councilors.

  Benth turned to face Kymora. “Has the Temple Elect presented these candidates to the Lady of Light?”

  She inclined her head. “I have and She’s given Her blessing.”

  Kalan wasn’t surprised when clapping and several cheers erupted from those gathered. All were well liked within their own communities. Each new Councilor pledged their oath to serve the Lady and their people with faith, integrity, and honor then took their seats at the table.

  Annika was aware of Varian shifting impatiently and had to agree that most of the business discussed in the first hour was less than riveting even though Candra kept the pace of the meeting flowing.

  Leaning closer to the scout she whispered, “Kalan said he wanted the new Councilors to feel comfortable in their new roles.”

  “If Evel was any more comfortable he’d be snoring,” Varian replied dryly.

  Annika glanced at the Master Trader’s heavy-lidded gaze and relaxed posture then bit her lip to smother her smile.

  “Councilors, I’d like to discuss an issue affecting our current situation.” Kalan’s opening had Annika straightening in her chair. Varian leaned forward, his gaze intense as the problems of the Na’Chi’s living arrangements were presented and a possible solution suggested. It drew several favorable murmurs from the new Councilors.

  “You say the caverns are a distance from the nearest crofters?” Master Trader Evel inquired. “If the Na’Chi would feel more comfortable then I have no objection to them moving there.”


  “If you’ll pardon me for saying so, Chosen,” said Witham, the ex-Light Blade Commander. “Their request to move is advantageous all round. It could encourage those warriors who left to return if they knew the Na’Chi were settled elsewhere.”

  “So, it’s out of mind, out of sight?” Varian murmured.

  His sarcasm wasn’t lost on Annika. “Kalan’s not finished speaking yet.”

  “Regular supplies would need to be delivered to the Na’Chi,” Kalan stated. “It would require the cooperation of some of your members, Guild-leaders.”

  “I’m sure some sort of arrangement could be made.” Lin inclined her head but a frown creased her brow. “But I’m curious, Chosen, who would monitor them?”

  Varian snorted, none too softly, and several heads turned in his direction. Kalan narrowed a warning glare in the young scout’s direction. “The Na’Chi don’t need monitoring, Councilor. They’ve been granted sanctuary.”

  “But…”

  “Your question raises another point of discussion,” Candra said, with the barest of smiles as she cut the new Councilor off. “We should consider an alliance with the Na’Chi.”

  There was a murmur of reaction to that statement and Annika sensed sudden tension. Scanning the faces closest to her, she discovered several wore scowls. Varian must have seen them too as his posture changed to one of coiled readiness as if he expected an attack.

  “Why?” Nyon’s simple question was accompanied with a folding of his brawny arms.

  “They have fighting and scouting techniques that would benefit our warriors.” Kalan leaned forward to meet the older man’s light-eyed gaze. “Any advantage in the war with the Na’Reish should be welcomed.”

  “Agreed.” The word was spoken in a deliberate manner. “But is that reason enough to suggest an alliance?”

  “Not at all. Varian, you might like to address the Council on this matter.” Kalan’s invitation had the warrior rising from his seat in less than a heartbeat.

  “The Na’Chi would freely teach your warriors our skills, Chosen.” He glanced around the room. “We’ve spent the better part of twenty years learning how to avoid the Na’Reish, and to some extent, the human-slaves they kept at the fortress. Our skills are highly specialized, designed for a smaller group so that they can deal with or avoid a larger one, their age notwithstanding.”

  “Quite applicable considering our diminished numbers, don’t you think?” Candra asked of the table in general.

  “I’m proposing we send volunteers with the Na’Chi when they go.” Kalan leant forward onto the table. “A trial exchange of sorts.”

  Varian spoke up. “We’d request no more than a dozen people during the initial exchange.”

  “Why not send as many who wanted to go?” Nyon asked. His chair creaked as he shifted his heavy weight around to speak directly to him.

  “For the original reason the Lady’s Chosen has outlined. Both our peoples need time to adapt.”

  “You raise a valid point, Na’Chi,” Elamm spoke up for the first time. The diminutive woman tapped a finger on the table. “Your plans are certainly ambitious, Chosen, but surely you can see we all need more time to get used to the idea of having the Na’Chi among us. Letting them all settle outside the city is a good idea but rather than rush into a hastily devised plan we should wait. Maybe in several months we could revisit this issue—”

  “Nothing was said of relocating them all, Councilor Elamm,” Kymora said, gently interrupting her. “Annika is staying with Kalan.”

  The woman shook her head, seemingly taken back by her words. “Why? Wouldn’t she feel more comfortable among her own people?”

  Varian’s soft chuckle wasn’t pleasant. His violet eyes flashed black as he met Annika’s gaze. “And now we see their true colors.”

  A shiver worked its way along Annika’s spine as Lisella admonished him in a whisper.

  “Annika’s choice and reason to remain is her own. You should all know though that I intend accompanying the Na’Chi when they leave,” Kymora stated. “In her wisdom, the Lady has asked that I undertake my fourth Journey with them—”

  Protests rose up from around the table, the Councilors’ voices drowning hers out. Beside her, Annika noticed Varian reseating himself, a startled expression on his normally serious face.

  “Who would replace you as Temple Elect?” Kalan seemed surprised by the news.

  “Too many changes.” Again Elamm shook her head.

  “It’s too soon, too fast, Chosen, Temple Elect,” Witham agreed.

  “You see?” Varian’s cynicism carried only as far as Annika’s ears. The coldness within Annika spread.

  With a frown on her face, Kymora rose from her seat and banged her staff on the stone floor to regain order. “Have you no faith in the Lady?” she asked, her tone scathing. “Am I to refuse to follow the path She’s set me? What sort of leader would I be to ignore Her wisdom just because I was afraid or felt it too hard a decision to make? If we’re to survive then it’s what I’ll do for the good of us all.”

  “Survive?” Witham’s heavy eyebrows shot high on his forehead. “We don’t need help from the Na’Chi to survive in this war against the Na’Reish. Our warriors—”

  “Our ranks are shrinking in numbers!” Candra’s biting comment matched her angry gaze. “Or haven’t you been listening to everything this Council has been told?”

  “The Na’Reish outnumber us, Councilor Witham.” Kalan’s calm voice restored a modicum of civility to an escalating situation. “What we must address is our survival.” His gaze swept the room, taking in everyone. “This Council once hid from the facts and now we’re all paying for it. Have the respect to face the events that led us here rather than deny them, and let’s consider the options before us.” He paused a moment to let his words sink in. “Candra and the Temple Elect are right, we can survive with help from the Na’Chi.”

  There were protests from Elamm and Nyon, and the brawny warrior even leapt to his feet to argue Kalan’s point. A few of the Light Blades in the room joined in. The cold feeling that had crept along Annika’s spine settled at the base of her stomach. It saddened her to see that the Council were still unwilling to accept the truth. She wondered if Kalan had anticipated this level of opposition to his plans.

  “They’re not interested in surviving,” Varian muttered. “They still think they can take on the Na’Reish alone.”

  “Change is never easy,” she replied, meeting his gaze.

  “And do you think if these leaders reject change that Kalan will ignore their wishes? Look around you. He has few supporters, Annika. Not enough to effect and secure the future he sees for his people. If he ignores them now how long do you think he’ll remain as their leader? Once he’s gone will the safety he promised us exist anymore?”

  Annika rubbed her arms, trying to dispel the grim picture he painted for her as the arguing continued. She could see Kalan trying to restore order to the room, his hands raised, a frown on his drawn face as the Councilors ignored his efforts.

  She closed her eyes. His people needed him, now more than ever. It didn’t matter that they were still afraid of the Na’Chi, of her. The greater threat came from the Na’Reish and any attack her father might initiate if he ever got wind of this unrest. Kalan needed to focus on that.

  Perhaps she could go with the Na’Chi, give everyone the time they needed to cope with their new situation, maybe Kalan could convince the new Council of his plans later. But even as she considered the idea, she knew he’d be unlikely to agree, not when she relied on his blood for her survival. He’d have to choose between her and his people. She knew what his heart would decide and that was something she refused to let him do, not when it would cost him everything he held dear. She couldn’t do that to him.

  Annika clenched her jaw tight as tears burned in her eyes. For the first time in her life she’d found true acceptance and love and now circumstance was forcing her to choose between happiness and the survival of a peopl
e.

  Annika stared at Kalan across the room, her heart aching so hard she thought it would break. He’d given her his friendship, acceptance, and a thousand memories she’d always cherish. Letting him go would mean watching her own dream die but she was willing to sacrifice that for him. She loved him too much not to. But Lady’s Breath, why did it have to hurt so much?

  The consequences… well, she’d survived withdrawal once. Perhaps, with the Lady’s blessing, she’d succeed again.

  Swallowing hard, she linked gazes with Varian. “It’s time the Na’Chi left.” Her voice sounded as hollow as her chest felt. “Let’s go.”

  His eyes narrowed at whatever he saw in hers but made no comment. He spoke quietly to Lisella and the other Na’Chi then as one they headed for the door.

  Tears made their way down Annika’s face as she followed them. She looked neither left nor right, nor back toward the man she loved more than life itself.

  Had she, she doubted if she’d have had the strength to leave her heart behind.

  Chapter 31

  ANNIKA was gone. So were the other Na’Chi. The voices around Kalan faded as he stared at the empty seats where they’d sat. How long had they been gone? Heart pounding in his chest, he glanced toward the doorway and saw only the two warriors standing guard. Where were they? What were they doing?

  One possibility occurred and it sent a wave of fear shooting through Kalan. The blood drained from his face and he shot from his chair so fast it kicked out from under him to scrape across the stone floor.

  “Mother of Mercy, no!”

  Kymora turned in her seat to face him. “Chosen, what’s wrong?”

  There was no time to waste.

  Kalan slammed his fist against the table. The sharp sound drew the attention of every Councilor, new and old, seated there. His action also silenced the arguments from the Light Blades to his left.

  Without a word he unbuckled the belt around his waist then gently set the leather-sheathed dagger in the middle of the table.