LW Browning - Krystile Warriors 01 - Warlord's Honor

by LW Browning

  Osiria sighed. "You are without hope now. I felt that when you – projected. You are Koda's mate. Only time will convince you that you are among friends," Osiria said.

  "I always thought we would have more time," Claire whispered. They had always known the Conglomerate might decide to do away with them.

  "You will have more time. Koda will see to that."

  Claire thought Koda's collection of MX would be a definite advantage when he brokered trade agreements. She wanted to believe he was collecting them just to offer them sanctuary, but he probably had an ulterior motive.

  "Do you know why he wants us, Osiria? If not to sell us or kill us, then why?"

  "It is the prophecy. It is our destiny to provide a home to the MX." Osiria's blue eyes were clear.

  "Prophecy? What prophecy?" Claire asked.

  Osiria sighed, "That is something you must discuss with Koda."

  Claire looked away. She had to decide. Time was running out for the MX. She had precious little information with which to make a good decision. How could she? She had never made a decision in her life until she came here. How was she to put her faith in Koda? She had few options.

  "Why would your society have a prophecy that concerns empaths?" Her frustration got the better of her.

  "It will be better if Koda tells you of this," Osiria said.

  Anger rose up in Claire. "Koda has lied about so much..." Did they expect her to believe Koda bought her because of a prophecy? "I am tired," she said as she left the garden for the coolness of the apartment.

  As she made her way down the hall to the stairs leading to her rooms, a group of warlords entered the door and filled the foyer. She got no air. Panic and horror hit her. They were so big. Ramil was Veck's bastard son. The memory flashed in her mind. Koda had everything Ramil did not. Would never have. Ramil sought only to hurt Koda any way possible. Blackness closed in as she crumpled to the floor.

  ***

  Koda's people prepared for the Gathering while Claire spent her days in the garden or the parlor and did her best to avoid Koda. The panic attacks came further apart now, but they still came. Koda no longer slept in the bed with her at night. He was close. She felt him with her mind. Sometimes, she knew he was there with her, watching her sleep. Several times, when nightmares woke her, she found him sitting beside the bed. He tried to comfort her.

  While drawing in the garden, she looked up to see Koda watching her. He stood with his arms across his chest. She put the paper aside.

  "I did not know that you drew." Koda nodded toward the paper.

  "Only a little."

  "I would have you accompany me," Koda said.

  Claire hesitated and tried to read anyone close by for signs of danger. She frowned, caught herself and made her face impassive again. "Of course," Claire said.

  "I thought we might dine together, pita." Green eyes locked with ice blue for a moment.

  "Of course, Warlord Leader."

  Coming closer, he extended his hand to her. He moved slowly. He was always cautious with her now. Claire looked at his hand as if it might burn her, but she placed her gloved hand in his. They took a path out of the garden beside the little stream that flowed into it. The castle was soon hidden from their view by the trees and the mountain as they made their way up the trail.

  The panorama of the valley took her breath away. The river twisted through the village below, the lake on one side, and the forest on the other. A tinkling stream ran down the mountain here with a small clearing just off the path. Koda put the basket down and spread a quilt on the ground. He motioned her to sit and held her gloved hand until she joined him on the blanket.

  Her heart was beating in her throat. She admired the fluid grace of his movements, his power, the beauty of his hair and eyes. He looked both fierce and confident. Claire opened her mind to find that they were alone. She bemoaned the fact that he still affected her like this.

  Koda smiled at her as he took the lunch out of the basket. He caught her eyes on him like the god she thought him to be. She redirected her attention to the beauty of the picnic area and the picturesque valley below. "This is a beautiful place."

  "I am pleased you like it." Koda passed her a vegetable wrap and some fruit. The day was sunny and just warm enough to be comfortable. The serenity of the place and the majestic scene felt peaceful. She would be happy to sit here and listen to the wind in the trees.

  "Thank you for bringing me here." Claire needed more information from him. Polite conversation might prove useful to her cause.

  "You did not spend time outside as a child." Koda also sought information, she thought.

  "We had exercise periods outside, but the view from our training center was buildings. Nothing green, nothing like this," Claire said, despite that fact that Koda's comment was not a question.

  "You have many friends among the MX."

  Again, not really a question. Now she would hear why he had brought her here. Claire leaned forward so that a fan of her dark red hair fell across her face. She caught a stray thought from Koda. The sunlight that filtered through the trees made it appear as though her hair were on fire. She looked like an avenging angel to him. Strange thought for him to have. Just one more piece to the puzzle that was Koda.

  "We did not fraternize," Claire paused and then continued. "You want to know who I think would be the best of us to collect or who presents the most danger. I want them all to live, but I suppose that will be your decision."

  "No, pita. I want them all, but I would have you help them acclimate to this society. You could make them feel more secure in their new surroundings. We do not want harm to come to them. Some of their abilities might prove dangerous to us and we need to be prepared."

  "I cannot not lie to them to promote your agenda. You want me to make them feel secure, but I cannot give what I do not have."

  He moved closer to her on the blanket. She read a thought that he would reach for her. Claire turned away from him to get up. He moved faster than any person ought to be able to move. Koda caught her arm, pushed her back and rolled on top of her, pulling her hands over her head, he captured them both in one of his large hands. The rise and fall of her breasts caused her hardened nipples to graze against his chest. Shock ran through her that he could cause this reaction in her even after all that had happened. He held her tight, confined her in the steel cage of his arms. She struggled against him.

  "Be still." He grasped a handful of her hair and pulled her head back. Koda took his time with her face tilted up to him, she felt him harden as he watched her struggle.

  Her eyes widened before she closed her eyes and went completely still beneath him.

  With his mouth close to hers, he spoke. "The more you resist, the more difficult it is for me to maintain control. I see the fear in your eyes. You have no need to fear me. Be still. I will release you, but do not run from me."

  Her breathing was fast and shallow. He pushed his body away from hers and let go of her hair and her wrists to sit up on the blanket. Unshed tears filled her eyes. She sat up and straightened her hair and clothing before looking at him.

  "I do not want you to fear me, pita," he said. "Tell me what I must do to make you feel secure."

  "I have no control over my life," she began. "I never have. The only aspect of my life that I can control is how I react to situations. I would have preferred to find out that the MX were being hunted and that I was now a fugitive in some other manner than my chance stumbling into what was obviously a meeting that you wanted to keep secret from me. And, I would have preferred hearing the nastier details of your plans for me from someone other than – Ramil and..."

  Her voice was quiet now, resigned. She continued on in a whisper as she turned her back to him and looked out over the valley below. "I always thought Calks would come back for me."

  "He would have. And he would have turned you over to the STS. He had no way to keep you safe from them except to give you to me." Koda was quiet behind her, once a
gain in control of himself and his emotions. She could not read him.

  "Are they really killing them?"

  "I have it on good authority that is their plan. Yes. The government of your people has decided the MX are too dangerous. They are being rounded up for disposal. Many have been sold on the black market. A lot of males want the power and advantage an MX can give them."

  "Including you," she whispered.

  "Yes, including me. I will acquire all the MX. My people offer them sanctuary. I would have you help me. How dangerous are they?"

  "Will you be ruthless in acquiring them?" Claire turned to look at Koda. His blue gaze was so intense, she drew back from him.

  He nodded. "Yes, pita, I will be ruthless. It is my way. Ruthlessness is necessary to protect my people and insure the survival of my race. When we get the MX, we will bring them here. I would have your help to combat their confusion and assure them they will be safe here."

  "Safe," Claire said.

  Koda was not the only one with secrets. Claire had secrets of her own. She turned to look at him.

  "Would you have returned me to Calks if the MX program had not been terminated?"

  Koda gave a slight turn of his head to the left, then back never taking his eyes from hers. "No, pita. I will never give you to Calks or anyone else."

  "What gives you the right?"

  "Might gives me the right, little one. Warlords take their mates where they find them."

  "Barbarian," she whispered. He had said that to her before. She had to face the fact that it was true.

  "Mercenary barbarian warlord," Koda affirmed. "Again I ask, how dangerous are the MX?"

  "We never speak of it," she said in her soft voice. "Even the MX Facility has no idea. I cannot tell you. Not now."

  "Think on it." Koda said.

  "Warlord Leader, I think of little else," she sighed. "If you deceive me, if you mean harm to any of us, the deal is off." Her voice was soft, passionate. "And –– you must save them all."

  "As I have vowed to my mate, I will do."

  Claire wanted him to say more, to take her in his arms and hold her and make her feel safe, to make her trust him. She had no choice except to help him.

  "I would hear the words, pita."

  "I cannot say them. Not yet."

  He nodded. "I will wait."

  They stayed in the picnic spot until Claire relaxed and began to enjoy the beauty of the place again. Little creatures came up to her. They were cute, furry little things, similar to very small squirrels with short tails. She fed them out of her hand after discovering their hunger overpowered their fear of her. She laughed and enjoyed their antics and thought how very much like them she was. She feared Koda, but her need to help the other MX overpowered that fear. Metaphorically, he had her eating out of his hand.

  When she yawned, Koda gathered up their picnic supplies and helped her to her feet. On their way back, he gave names to the birds and small animals they saw along the trail. Claire was delighted when they came upon a herd of the large creatures with huge horns. Koda whispered they were called "camphor". The animals watched as Koda and Claire continued down the trail.

  When Claire stumbled, Koda picked her up and carried her in his arms. She protested that she could walk, but it did no good. He took her up the back stairway to their room where he laid her on the bed and left with an order that she rest now.

  Alone at last, Claire thought of the other MX. Bess, sweet Bess who had yet to come into her true power. Anna, who saw the future, was calm and wise. Destiny, able to reach into the essence of people. Katerina and the others. Though they had not been permitted to talk with each other, they communicated with their minds. They were always careful. To be caught communicating was to invite death.

  Calks had always done all the negotiating. She had no experience at it. What if she trusted Koda and put the MX in more danger? She could not deny her body's reaction to Koda. Her feelings for him might easily sway her, but if she did not help Koda, might she cause more danger to the others? She went to window, if only the mountain had answers.

  It was one of those mornings when everything looked clear and the world felt right.

  Claire had just finished her morning meditation when she felt Koda's presence and looked up to see him coming toward her through the garden. Her breath caught. She never tired of seeing his form and grace. Sunlight gleamed off his hair, roped muscles worked under his golden skin as he moved. Thinking of the muscles in his thighs brought heat to her face.

  "Good morning, pita."

  "Good morning, Warlord Leader."

  Koda offered her his arm and they left the castle and crossed the road to the Gathering. The field had been transformed into a city of tents. Colorful flags flew from high poles to designate each tribe's symbol. In the center of the field, vendor booths were set up for trade.

  Pavilions were scattered through the field, as were benches and tables. Smoke from dozens of cook fires rose in the early sunlight. They went to the area where tents were set up for them.

  Koda showed her their tent. "I hope you enjoy the gathering, pita. I have duties. I will be back later."

  "We are camping out across the road from the castle?" Claire asked.

  Koda smiled. "We host the event. We camp with all the other tribes. I have asked Mardalane to show you around." He winked at her before turning to leave with some of his warlords.

  Claire looked around. Her stomach still had butterflies from Koda winking at her. She sighed. People gathered in small groups and large to visit.

  Mardalane called to Claire. "It is so good to see you again. This is going to be a wonderful Gathering. Would you like to walk around with me?"

  She smiled her relief. "Yes, that sounds like fun. Thank you."

  Claire was glad she knew someone. She and Mardalane looked at the goods on display and paused to watch some of the events. Their stroll was filled with sights and sounds and pleasant odors from the cooking food.

  There was music and dancing. They made their way slowly around the entire gathering and started toward their group of tents as the sun set. They ate last meal together, she saw no sign of Koda. She and Mardalane enjoyed the music and dancing.

  Emotions from the crowd swirled around her. She looked up to see Koda coming toward her. People moved from his path. She fought the urge to run. He was intense, a predator in search of his prey. Firelight danced off his golden hair and made the muscles of his chest and arms glow. When he reached her, he bent forward, pulled her to him and stood holding her legs. With her over his shoulder, he made his way to his tent.

  She felt the powerful muscles in his lower back as he carried her. Did he have to be such a barbarian? Inside the tent, he set her down on her feet. He was close. The tent was suddenly very small.

  She took a step back from him, dropped her gaze and tried to stop trembling.

  Koda sat down crossed-legged and looked up at her. He offered her a leather pouch tied with silver ribbon.

  Claire hesitated, but took the package and opened it to find the pouch held colored pencils and a pad of drawing paper. She stared at it for long moments.

  "Are these – for me?"

  "Yes, for your drawing."

  "Th-thank you. That is, so kind of you." Unshed tears glittered in her eyes. "I have never had anything so wonderful." She longed to kiss his cheek, but was too shy.

  He looked at her for long moments. "We wake early, pita. I thought you might need your rest." Koda indicated the pallet.

  Not what she expected to hear him say. Not even close. He had made a spectacle and Claire was certain every last person in the camp thought he was ravaging her at this very moment. All of that, stalking and tossing her over his shoulder and carrying her back to his tent like he was some sort of ... and he gave her a gift and wanted her to sleep.

  Claire wanted to touch him. If only she had the courage to touch his hair or... Instead, she knelt down to pull the cover from her sleeping bag. She started to lie do
wn.

  "No," he said.

  She froze.

  "Take your clothes off, pita, and the gloves."

  Claire turned her back to him and slipped her clothes off before she lay down with her back to him. She was aware of him when he moved behind her and lay down. He lowered the lamp until everything within the tent lay in soft shadow.

  "Have you enjoyed the Gathering, pita?" His voice sounded husky. He caressed her bare shoulder with his warm hand down her arm. When he reached her wrist, he moved his big thumb in slow circles over her pulse.

  "It has been very pleasant," Claire managed.

  "Why do you lie to me, pita?" His voice was soft in the near darkness.

  "Why do you think I am lying?"

  "I can smell the lie. I want to know why you are lying to me about something as simple as enjoying the gathering."

  "It has not been awful. I was trying to be polite."

  "Do you think lying to me is polite?"

  Claire sat up, pulled the covers closer to her throat. Her bare back was to him. "I have no control over my life. I never have. I know you expect obedience from me. You did not invite me to this gathering. You told me of it. I am here. I appreciate everything you have done for me. I feel lost." She sighed. "It was the only life I knew. I see the pity in your eyes, all of you, when you look at me. And I feel the guilt that everyone has for me. I do not know if it is guilt for what you have done or what you will do to me in the future. I have not yet learned the rules here. Before, I knew what I had to do to sur..."

  "Survive," Koda finished for her.

  Her voice broke, "Calks was... Until he sold me to you, he was consistent. What if you decide to sell me away to someone else? I don't know the rules anymore. Now I'm just..." She took a deep breath. "I do not want to seem ungrateful. There are so many people here." She hesitated. When had she stopped making sense?

  "Sleep pita. You no longer have to concern yourself with survival. I am responsible for you now." Koda's deep voice was calm behind her.