Ramar nodded. “As you wish, Overlord.”
Argan’s bride, the Shadow Queen, had gifts beyond his comprehension and Vaan trusted his best friend would see to his mate’s safety. Argan would understand more than anyone the driving force behind Vaan’s desire for Mikayla to be home within reach of those who would give their life for her.
As Vaan and his men thundered off, he turned to his youngest Warlord riding to his left. Though pale, Kiel met Vaan’s gaze. “Whatever you need, Sire.”
“Track them. Find my enemies.”
Kiel didn’t hesitate. “Of course, Overlord.”
The youth raced ahead. Kiel had an uncanny ability to follow the smallest detail on a trail. Vaan placed his trust in those instincts now as he kneed his hapfe faster.
***
Miki gave the youngling, Ora, an extra cuddle then handed her to Genisa. Sendal smiled at his mate and youngling before shifting his gaze to Miki.
“We thank you for coming, Mikayla.”
When the stable master brought the hapfe over, Miki grabbed Hapani’s leads and nodded. “I’m just sorry for the events of the last day.”
Sendal’s green eyes darkened as he took a step toward Miki. All four Warlords clustered around her, preventing Sendal from touching her. Miki tossed them a frown as she shoved Merik in the side for a clear view of her fellow Su-Su.
Sendal’s lips quirked up at the corners. He looked lighthearted for the first time since her arrival. “Rumors of the Overlord’s care for you are true.” Genisa chuckled at his side then Sendal became serious. “What happened here wasn’t your fault or your mate’s. The blame is on those who refuse to accept peace.”
Sendal waved an arm at their surroundings from the steps of his home. “All of this can be rebuilt. Your True Union has given the rest of us faith. Worries of continued war between Desani and Kaban are a thing of the past and all because of your courage.”
Miki flushed at his effusive praise. “I didn’t do anything.”
Sendal curved an arm around his mate, drawing her closer. “You did what the rest of us were afraid to do. Fought back.” His shoulders straightened as he continued. “It won’t happen again. If you or the Overlord ever need us, the S’Asigi household will stand by you.”
Miki’s fingers tightened on the leather in her hand and she absorbed his commitment. “Thank you Sendal and you, Genisa.”
“Su-Su Mikayla!”
Miki turned. Running across the open courtyard was one of Sendal’s people. Steel rang behind her as Carog drew his sword. Kavan eased her behind his back, keeping one arm at her waist. The Raasa male came to a halt, gaze darting from the Warlords then back to Miki. Or as much as he could see of her around Kavan’s bulk.
“Miki,” he called.
Miki craned her neck and couldn’t stop her bright smile when recognition flared. She dropped Hapani’s leads in her excitement. “Arlis.”
He offered a small bow and took a step closer. This time all four Warlords moved to create a wall between Miki and the Raasa male. She sighed internally then broke Kavan’s hold and ran to hug Arlis. His arms eased around her waist in a comfortable embrace as he rubbed his face against the top of her head.
“It’s been ages,” he murmured in her ear.
Miki gently pulled his arms from her then slid her hands up to his shoulders where she gave a firm squeeze before letting him go. His crooked grin revealed shortened fangs that had never developed all the way as a youngling.
“It has been some time, Arlis.” They’d developed a friendship years ago and Miki had hoped her feelings for him would grow deeper but they hadn’t although she knew he still had hope.
“Miki,” he said her name again and ran a finger down her cheek.
The touch held more intimacy than the hug. Miki sensed the Warlords’ anger and shifted away until Arlis’ hand fell to his side and his lips turned down. “I’d heard you have a True Union.”
He would have had to be buried under a rock not to know but Miki softened her response. “Yes. Youngling as well.”
His green eyes glanced toward the warriors at her back before their gazes met. “His guards for you. Doesn’t he trust you?”
A low rumble started behind her but Miki didn’t bother checking to see which Warlord would be glaring at Arlis. Instead, she clasped her hands in front of her and kept her tone even. “Vaan and I trust one another completely. The Warlords are for my protection. One would think after yesterday you would understand the need.”
Arlis had the grace to blush and Miki reminded herself that he had made no secrets of his affections and his desire to pursue her as a mate. In a moment of sentiment, she reached out and grasped his forearm. “You will make an honorable mate when you meet the female for you.”
His shoulders drooped beneath the black tunic as his head tipped down to stare at the ground. When he lifted his head up, his lips curled with a rueful twist. “I should have made my move sooner.”
Miki’s chuckle caught her off guard. Before she could let his arm go, Arlis captured her fingers and kissed the tips lightly, tongue flickering. Her eyes narrowed but he merely laughed and released her.
“May the Blessed One give you many years of happiness, Miki.”
“We must leave, my lady.” Kavan’s brusque tone cut in on the conversation, surprising Miki that he’d lasted as long.
She turned and accepted the leads for Hapani, preparing to mount.
Arlis cried out behind her. Over her shoulder, Miki caught a glimpse of him sprawled on the ground on his back, a hand holding his face. Kavan cupped her elbow when she would have gone to Arlis and forced her into the saddle. “Come, we must return to warn the Overlord.”
Miki twisted in her seat but the other Warlords, now on hapfe circled around her.
“What did you do, Kavan?” Miki demanded as Carog slapped Hapani on the rear to get her moving.
Kavan maintained his pace beside her and glanced over. “Nothing my Overlord would not have wanted.”
Considering the dark frowns on all of their faces, Miki decided not to ask further questions but she nudged Hapani closer to him and pinched Kavan’s side. To her annoyance, he didn’t even flinch.
Miki remained silent for the first leg of the journey, their pace too fast to allow for comfortable conversation. The dry terrain of Raasa stretched before them and the sun shifted its position in the sky. Occasionally a mild wind would kick up dust from the ground over well-trod grass on the path they used.
After a while, the grim expression on the Warlords’ faces eased, tempting Miki to get over her pique with Kavan enough to ask about something on her mind. “Do you think everything’s alright at home?”
He raised a brow. “Why would it not be?”
The more distance they covered, the more the ball in her belly bloomed. Miki tried to shake off the feeling of trepidation. “I don’t know. Something’s off.”
“We will make haste on the ride,” Merik said.
Kavan, Merik, Carog and Eatan exchanged looks Miki couldn’t interpret but the pit in her stomach widened. Without comment, each of them kicked their hapfe faster until they were all racing, the animals straining their necks ahead with front paws cupping the air to increase their speed. Miki hefted her hips forward and leaned over Hapani’s neck, blowing at the strands of the dark brown mane slapping in her face.
Their frenzied speed didn’t stop her mind from whirling. What caused her feelings of disquiet? Could it be Vaan? Had something happened to her mate? Her heart clutched at the thought of losing him. Or her youngling? She pictured their smiling faces, tiny fangs and inquisitive, green eyes shadowed by thick eyelashes inherited from Vaan. Miki almost retched and pulled hard on the leads, sending the hapfe careening into each other. Kavan clicked his teeth and slowed his mount down but it was Eatan who reached out and grasped the leads from Miki’s slack grip as she gagged.
“My lady?” Eatan inquired as they all drew to a halt.
Miki buried her fac
e in Hapani’s neck, gasping as the taste of bile filled her mouth.
A warm hand touched her back lightly. Miki sniffed loudly and scrubbed at her eyes. Her vision blurred and she blinked rapidly to clear her watery sight.
“Mikayla? Are you well?” Kavan’s voice.
The firm contact of his hand had the strength to ground her. Miki sat up to find all four Warlords eyeing her with concern. She tried a weak smile but knew the edges trembled. Another sniff. “I had this sudden feeling that something was very, very wrong.”
Kavan sat back in his saddle and shifted his weight to stare behind them. They’d covered a great bit of distance and Sendal’s home was no longer visible. He twisted around, scanning the horizon for hidden danger.
“Do you worry the rebel band of Kabanians will ambush us?”
Kavan’s question had the other Warlords anxiously looking around even as Merik unsheathed his sword.
Miki couldn’t pinpoint the reason for her unease. “I don’t know.”
Kavan stared at her a moment longer, mouth compressed in a grim line then nodded. “I will send Carog ahead to scout the way. No harm will come to you.”
It wasn’t herself Miki worried over. She started to thank the protective Warlord for his concern when a shadowy mist appeared mere feet from them. Kavan and the others were off the hapfe, swords drawn in a flash as they assumed positions of defense in front of her.
“Armor up!” Kavan snapped and the green indestructible armor covered their torso in a slick rolling motion from neck to waist.
The hard shell created from the symbiotic connection to the coccar bug beneath their skin still had the ability to stun Miki. She’d worn the protective armor once when Kavan saved her life and remembered the warm sensation of being covered in silk lined steel.
In front of the Warlords, dark tendrils separated, forming a tall column before parting to reveal a familiar face, arms and body dressed in black leather pants.
“Argan!” Miki dismounted to run toward the Warlord and the red-headed woman standing next to him as the grey fog disappeared.
Kavan hooked an arm around Miki’s waist, stopping her flight. A smile curled the corner of Argan’s mouth. “And still she does not heed danger.”
His fellow Warlords lowered their weapons, Carog going so far as to grin broadly and bow to Argan.
“She would see me dead with her actions this week,” Kavan muttered in reply.
Argan chuckled, causing the woman at his side to frown in his direction. Miki had to adjust to the sight of Vaan’s best friend without his waist length hair. He looked happy though and more important, he looked at peace.
“The little Raasa has the courage of a Kabanian Warlord,” Argan stated, his warm gaze on Miki.
“In this you speak truth,” Kavan agreed, releasing her at last.
Miki took that as approval to move and she crossed to Argan, arms going around him in a hug. To her surprise, instead of stiffening as he often did with her affection, he returned the embrace. They parted when the woman beside him hummed under her breath.
Argan cast Miki a sardonic look. “My lady I have not introduced you to my bride. Shaina C’Err, Queen of the Olak’din.”
“Which apparently is no longer a secret,” Shaina said with a roll of her eyes at Argan.
Miki knew of Argan’s bride through Vaan. Shaina was Queen of the Shadow Warriors, a people long thought dead and Argan was now their King.
Argan eased behind the woman and slid his arms around her middle. He rested his chin on the top of her red waves. “Shaina, my Overlord’s mate, Mikayla.”
Both women took the measure of the other. For Miki’s part, she couldn’t get past Shaina’s skin hugging leather pants in a rich rust color with a matching leather vest that bared a flat belly and a good amount of cleavage. At her waist she wore a double-belted harness with a sword on each hip.
“A warrior, Argan? I’m surprised.”
Argan shot Mikayla a glare.
Shaina looked up over her shoulder at Argan. “I already like her. I thought you said she was trouble.”
Argan kissed Shaina’s temple, shocking Miki further. “She is.”
“I’m pleased to meet her.” Miki said but her unease returned. Brow creased, she asked, “What are you doing here, Argan?”
Argan’s brown eyes darkened and his mouth tightened. “Vaan sent me with news.”
Then the Warlord shifted his stance and switched to Kaban to speak to his brethren. Miki could tell by the harsh grunts and growls it was not good news but Kavan’s reaction had her stumbling back. He roared, neck strained skyward, every muscle tense. When he used both hands to ram his sword into the ground, Miki reached for him wanting to sooth whatever caused his anger.
Argan pulled her away. “Stay back.”
Miki’s pulse sped up. She didn’t like the way he wouldn’t meet her eyes. “What’s going on, Argan?”
He faced her, mouth drawn and Miki curled her fingers until her nails pricked her palms. She didn’t want to hear whatever words he had to share.
Kavan’s loud snarls and curses in Kaban almost made her miss what Argan said. She paled as denial filled her. “Say it again.”
Shaina came over to stand by Argan’s side, silver eyes sympathetic.
Argan repeated the devastating phrase. “Rebels have taken the youngling.”
Miki screamed and lost it. She fell to her knees, fingers digging into the ground as the pain and fear of her earlier premonitions assailed her. Arms came around her shoulders but she struggled and shoved to her feet. Bands of steel clasped her waist as she choked back a sob and fought the hold.
“Listen to me, Mikayla. You know Vaan will get them back.” Argan whispered the vow in her ear, shaking her.
Breath choppy, she stopped fighting as his words sunk in.
“You know him. My Overlord will not let this go. Vaan will seek retribution and they will pay. You know this.”
And she did. Miki trusted her mate with all her heart but it didn’t stop the aching pit in her stomach from spasming. “My youngling. How did this happen?”
They should be safe. All they knew was safety in those around them.
Argan’s slowly released her. “I do not know the whole of it. Vaan sent word that I bring you home quickly. He wants you protected.”
“I’m fine.” Miki steeled herself. A wave of calm rolled through her. Vaan would bring her girls home. She had faith in him. Those who took Arane and Erana would suffer when her mate caught them. Of that she had no doubt.
After Miki had herself back in control, Argan nodded. Kavan had ceased cursing and pulled his sword from the ground to sheath it in his chest harness. Miki shivered at the way his dark eyes glowed and the waves of retribution rolled from him.
“I must get back, Argan.”
Merik gathered the leads on all the hapfe. Hapani used her head to butt Miki’s shoulder sensing her distress.
“Shaina and I will take everyone to the Raasa compound,” Argan stated.
Miki frowned. “How?”
This time, Argan’s bride spoke. “The shadows of course.”
Chapter 10
Vaan shifted impatiently as Kiel stopped his hapfe in the middle of the path they’d been tracking and went to one knee on the ground. The longer they took the longer his youngling were in danger. When Kiel’s fingers pried at the grass and held up a dirty strip of green, air seized in his chest. Vaan easily recognized the cloth from the dresses Erana and Arane had worn.
The Warlords with him seethed in anger.
“How far, Kiel?” Vaan asked.
“Up ahead. They have stopped to make camp.”
Kiel rose and leaped into the saddle, urging his hapfe into a full-blown gallop but it wasn’t fast enough for Vaan.
“They are mine,” Vaan warned.
His Warlords’ eyes glowed with the passion of Fenal but they inclined their heads in agreement. Vaan wasn’t certain they could hold to the promise. All of them rode
the wave of battle rage, suppressing it until they could get his youngling back.
Janak eased forward, bringing his hapfe next to Vaan as they slowed to a canter, stealth more a factor than speed at this point of the hunt. “Tell us what you need, Overlord.”
“Blood,” Vaan spat.
Janak thumped a fist against his bare chest. “Amrod and Balal took care of two. We would help you with the others.”
Vaan was unsure of the number they faced but considered Janak’s request. Saran had warned that rebel bands of warriors filled with discontent were attacking villages. Vaan trusted his brother would deal with them and had not thought they’d be bold enough to cross Raasa land where it was known he made his home among them.
To take his youngling was a blatant insult and one he’d not ignore. Just the thought had the edges of battle rage blurring his vision. Vaan wanted to decimate the warriors who moved against him with this deliberate attack. There was no doubt they took his youngling for ill purpose to draw his attention.
Now they had his full attention. Their actions sealed their death even if the use of fire hashi had not already done so. Worry for his youngling stayed the command he wished to issue that they destroy the encampment on arrival. Sulon nudged his hapfe until all three Warlords gathered close.
Thinking hard on his actions, Vaan said, “Save the leader who planned this for me. The others are yours. My enemies will never seek to take action against me again when we are done.”
“It will be as you say. We vow it,” Janak affirmed.
The others chimed in with their vow in unison.
In that moment Vaan slipped deeper into Fenal. “Show them no mercy. Make it painful,” he demanded.
“Yes, Overlord.”
Vaan tightened his hands on the leads and clenched his teeth. Soon. His vengeance was coming.
***
Vesa
Vesa’s tears had long since dried as the day wore on without word of Vaan and the youngling. She’d helped Assa with the care of Balal and Amrod, although they’d been unable to keep Balal in bed despite his injuries. The Warlord blamed himself and refused to leave the main hall where he’d taken a seat, shoulders slumped. Knowing he’d killed two when he was outnumbered hadn’t stirred him.
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