A Warlord's Heart Page 2

  “Enough,” Kavan snarled.

  Miki placed a staying hand on his elbow and spoke to Harol. “I don’t need the rest. Eran gave me something I can never thank him for. If what you say is true then he led me to the man who is my life. The falo of my youngling. And Eran gave me another great gift I can never repay. His life for mine.”

  Head held high, she followed the servant who came to direct her to her room, Vaan’s men close behind. When she reached her room, the Warlords checked it thoroughly, not that there was much to look over. It seemed Harol thought to offend her by placing Miki in the smallest guest room in his home. The red covers on the bed were threadbare and a single strand dangled from the corner where a small rip was visible. The checkered curtains on the double window appeared faded and worn while the white carpet under her feet had seen better days.

  Kavan stayed behind when the others left. Turning away from the dismal sight of the room, Miki smiled at her overprotective friend. “I’m fine, Kavan.”

  “You are not,” he denied with a knowing look as he propped himself against the closed door.

  Miki sighed and sat on the edge of the bed and plucked at the legs of her brown pants. “It doesn’t matter.”

  Kavan tipped his head to the side. “Then why does it weigh heavy on your mind? Do you think Overlord Vaan would love you less if he knew your noan deliberately led you to him?”

  “No,” she whispered aloud but her mind cried yes.

  Kavan glared at her. “I assure you my Sire does not care how you came to find him. You saved our lives and for that we are in your debt.”

  Miki’s lips curled up in a smile as her heart lightened. “If you don’t stop Kavan, I’ll believe you finally like me despite your constant claims otherwise.”

  Kavan offered her one of his rare grins. “I do not like you but you are amusing to be around.” He bowed low. “Rest easy, my lady.”

  He took his leave and Miki heard the thump against her door after he locked it. She rolled her eyes, knowing the sound meant the Warlord would spend the night sleeping outside her doorway as he did at the previous Raasa stronghold they visited.

  She removed her clothes and slid on a heavy gown to ward off the chill of the drafty room before getting in the bed, springs creaking. Batting at the stiff pillow, Miki laid down and released a heavy sigh. With the thin covers pulled over her, she dwelled on what Harol had shared. She couldn’t help wondering how Vaan would react.

  Chapter 3

  Vaan closed the door to the youngling’s bedroom with utmost care. After several stories of his most notable battles they’d quieted in their beds and drifted off. Erana would rest the longest but it was Arane he had to consider. She slept lightly and annoyed easily when awakened too soon. At times Vaan admired her tenacity and warrior spirit. At others he mourned his lack of the skills Mikayla seemed to wield seamlessly as she managed their youngling.

  “Do they rest?”

  Vaan stiffened and turned. “Quiet.”

  Balal grinned knowingly. “Come. They looked tired and will surely sleep for a bit.”

  Vaan doubted it but accepted Balal’s wisdom. “Tell me of something…not to do with youngling. Blood and foul death is preferred. ”

  Balal chuckled as they headed downstairs to the lower level of the Raasa stronghold. “Mikayla makes it look easy, yes?”

  His mate was touched by the Blessed One. “I am not sure how she knows where they are at all times.”

  After the mock sword battle, Vaan sat them both at one of the long tables to share the mid-day meal. As usual, Arane devoured her vegetables and the meat Vaan slid on her plate with her hearty appetite but Erana had disappeared when Vaan signaled a servant to fetch milk for them. For the first time since he’d fear he’d lost Mikayla, Vaan had felt such all consuming panic that he’d bellowed at the top of his lungs for his Warlords to gather weapons and prepare to storm the yard. Then he’d heard his youngling giggle. The sound had generated from beneath the cloth-covered table where he discovered Erana hiding with a hand full of crushed honey nuts.

  Vaan had scooped her up against his chest, heart pounding and swallowed the knot lodged in his throat.

  Balal’s voice broke the terror the memory still evoked. “It is a concern Assa and I have as well.”

  Vaan raised a brow. Did he need to be worried? “You fear losing my youngling as well?”

  A crease appeared between Balal’s eyes. “No, Sire. I would never.”

  Vaan waited.

  Balal cleared his throat and avoided his gaze. “Assa is with youngling.”

  It took a moment for the meaning of the words to absorb. When they did, a broad grin stretched across Vaan’s face. “I am pleased the Blessed One shines on you.”

  His Warlord Balal had joined with the Raasa female in a True Union and Vaan had never seen him happier.

  Balal accepted his words and ran a hand through his long hair. Like Mikayla, Assa had threatened harm if Balal even considered shortening his hair in the way of a Kabanian. “I worry.”

  They reached the lower level but by mutual agreement headed for the doors outside. Vaan paused by Vesa, a house servant and Mikayla’s friend. Never before would he have considered trusting a servant for the care of his most precious treasure without guards. “My youngling rest.”

  She smiled. “I will watch for them.”

  Outside, Vaan blinked against the glare of the waning sun, the humid air created a sheen of sweat on his arms instantly. He hated the heat of Raasa and missed the cooler clime of Kaban.

  A cluster of people gathered in the grassy courtyard. Vaan stopped at the edge of the crowd where his Warlords and Raasa males trained in hand to hand techniques. “What do you worry about?”

  Balal sighed and Vaan realized his Warlord truly was upset.

  “Assa is concerned that the youngling will be too large and that she may have trouble with the birthing.”

  Vaan grunted. It was true that the Raasa were a lean race, their men and women small of stature. “Erana and Arane are not large.”

  His youngling were smaller than Kaban youngling at this age but they were mixed race, a first between Kaban and Raasa. They had Mikayla’s gold skin, slanted eyes with diamond green centers and fangs but unlike their mother they had delicate arched eyebrows, long eyelashes and a tongue that was not forked. The latter attributes they inherited from Vaan’s Kaban heritage.

  “Perhaps it is a fruitless worry but she has not slept since she realized she carried my youngling. What should I do, Overlord?”

  Vaan’s gaze searched rapidly over his men. He knew fighting moves for every hold and could wield his sword with deadly results but answering his Warlord about…feelings was not something he wished or preferred to do.

  “Sire?”

  At times like these Vaan mourned Argan’s absence. He could have tortured his friend by having him deal with Balal. “You should speak with another.”

  Vaan waved his Warlord Keil over without hesitation the moment they made eye contact. When Keil joined them, chest heaving from his exertions, Vaan explained the issue ending with, “Balal needs help.”

  Envy glinted in Keil’s dark eyes. The Warlord was closer in years to Balal and had deep dimples that won him the affection of many women. “Congratulations, Balal.”

  The usually amiable Warlord paced. “I need to reassure Assa that all will be well.”

  Vaan crossed his arms over his chest. “Tell him, Keil.”

  Keil jerked on the end of his hair in its shoulder length tail. “Why would I know?”

  Vaan shrugged.

  Keil dared to glare at him. “Ramar is the one to ask. He seems to have an understanding of Raasa females.”

  Once more Vaan interrupted the practice to have his Warlord Ramar come over.

  Out of breath, Ramar managed to offer Vaan a bow. “Yes, Sire.”

  Vaan once more explained the situation then said, “Balal needs your help.”

  Ramar studied them all, lips twi
tching in amusement. “How am I to help, Overlord? I have no youngling.”

  “You were with Vesa. She seemed happy,” Balal blurted. “How did you manage this?”

  To Vaan’s surprise Ramar flushed. “I would not speak of that.”

  Balal kicked at the ground.

  Vaan sighed. If not for Mikayla and his youngling he would wish for the days when he and his Warlords spoke of drink and battle. Not of…love. “Balal speak with Assa about her concerns. Mikayla grew overlarge because she carried two. I do not believe Assa will have the same problem at the birthing.”

  His words did not have the desired impact. Balal’s tanned features leeched of color. “What if there are two? Is it a Raasa condition? How will she manage?”

  Vaan took a moment to listen to Balal’s fear, observed Keil’s panic and Ramar’s humor before making his decision. He walked away.

  ***

  The evening meal should have been a calm affair. Instead his youngling turned it into a battle. One without weapons leaving Vaan at a lost. Sensing his growing frustration, Vesa came over with a determined stride.

  The Raasa female’s green eyes danced with mirth. “You’re missing our Su-Su, Overlord Vaan?”

  All knew this, so Vaan didn’t bother to answer. He had not made his displeasure a secret.

  Vesa pulled Arane’s hand from her cup with a stern look and pushed her bowl back in front of her. “Eat.”

  She turned to Erana and brushed at the bits of vegetables in his daughter’s hair. “Eat.”

  Arane’s bottom lip trembled and Vaan prepared for the ear piercing screams his youngling was known for but she surprised him by picking up her wooden utensil and eating without complaint. Erana giggled and slid closer on the bench toward her sister. The two whispered to one another in their mixed babble of Kaban and Raasa that only they seemed to understand. Soon both were laughing and cleaning their plate. A feat Vaan had yet to manage since the two days of Mikayla’s leaving.

  Balal sitting directly across from him smirked. Assa tapped her mate on the head as she walked by and he rubbed her flat belly in response. It was Ramar’s reaction that caught Vaan’s attention. His Warlord’s dark gaze followed Vesa as she made her way around the room, filling mugs with cider and transferring empty trays for full ones amidst the overflowing table. Occasionally her nose would crinkle at something said, her smile staying in place.

  When a male Raasa came in and ran a hand over the sleek fall of her black hair, Vaan thought Ramar would lose it. Instead, his Warlord’s mouth tightened and the hands on the table gripped the edges hard until his knuckles turned white.

  Vesa jerked in surprise and Vaan missed what she said to the male. Whatever it was pleased Maen because his fangs became visible as he threw back his bald head and laughed before taking a seat at the far end of another table.

  Ramar shoved his half-filled plate aside and started to rise but Erana stopped him.

  “Ram Ram stay. Eat, pease.” She held up a handful of crushed nuts.

  Ramar sat and stretched across the table to accept the treat. “My thanks, Lady Erana.”

  Not to be outdone, Arane offered her half-eaten nuts, soggy and all. Ramar grimaced but added them to the pile in his hand.

  Balal snickered.

  “For you, Bal.” Arane’s voice chirped as she passed him soggy, half-eaten nuts.

  Vaan waited to see how Balal would handle this. He hid his wince when Balal took the nuts and tossed them in his mouth, chewing with enthusiasm as if the youngling had not drooled over them. He should have known. Kavan and Balal more than his other Warlords had direct responsibility for helping to care for his youngling.

  Arane giggled and held up her hand. “Again.”

  Balal almost managed to hide his pained look. Vaan snorted. Served him right. His gaze strayed to Ramar who once more stared at the Raasa female now bent over the table to stack mugs. The blue of her dress pressed tight along her hips where Ramar’s gaze appeared focused. When she finished, she straightened and made her way back in their direction.

  Her gaze briefly met Ramar’s before passing over him. His Warlord glared. Vesa paused beside Vaan and his youngling. She glanced at their plates and frowned at him.

  “Does Mikayla know you’re still doing this?” Her mouth curled in a wide grin and Vaan could see why Ramar found her appealing.

  He snorted at her question, knowing she referenced the meat he continued to slide on their plates when his mate wasn’t looking. As if he’d stop. Still Vaan gave her the answer he would give any who questioned his actions where his youngling were concerned. “They are half-Kabanian.”

  Chapter 4

  Miki relaxed the moment they left Harol’s home. The Su-Su had been as obnoxious as possible during the morning meal. The Warlords had not hid their pleasure at leaving. They were half-way to their next location when she broached the subject on her mind. Adjusting Hapani’s reins, she faced Kavan, who rode to the right of her with Merik, Carog and Eatan on her flank. “You might as well tell me.”

  Kavan barely spared her a glance. “What do you speak of, Mikayla?”

  She shot him a glare but his lips merely twitched at her dark look. “I know you went back inside to have a word with Su-Su Harol.”

  “It was hard to miss since I asked you to wait.”

  Miki bit back a laugh. Now was not the time to be amused with the usually stoic Warlord. “Just tell me if I need to be prepared for his anger later.”

  Kavan twisted in the saddle and met her gaze. Dark eyes blazed with fury. “If any dare to take their displeasure out on you they will suffer my wrath.”

  Miki groaned, his reaction a sure sign that he had done something. “Is Vaan going to need to kill anyone?”

  This caused the other Warlords to chuckle. Surprised at their humor, Miki spun in the saddle. “I’m only half-joking.”

  Merik spoke up, mouth still smiling. “The Overlord would not see you in danger.”

  “I’m not in danger,” Miki protested.

  “He upset you,” Carog chimed in, increasing his speed until he rode to the left of her.

  She couldn’t deny the truth of Carog’s words. Harol had upset her with the story of her Noan and Vaan’s mother. If she believed him, Miki needed to speak with Vaan and wasn’t looking forward to it.

  “To answer your question,” Kavan added. “Overlord Vaan does not need to kill anyone but he may want to.”

  Miki sighed and slumped in the saddle. She’d worried that would be his answer.

  “Tell us again of the next Raasa we visit. We do not wish to have you spend another night in a home where you are not welcomed.”

  The others grunted in agreement at Kavan’s demand. Miki took a deep breath and gave them the details about Genisa and Sendal. “They just welcomed their first youngling and it’s a special visit because they asked for me to come.”

  Su-Su Sendal and his mate Genisa had lost a previous youngling in birth so Miki could barely contain her excitement at this blessed time in their life.

  “Do all Su-Su invite strangers to see their youngling so soon after birthing though the namings already been done?” Carog asked. The often quiet Warlord wore his hair in a warrior’s knot and had the typical dark eyes of a Kabanian. He was quite handsome, though not as handsome as her mate, Vaan.

  “The birth of youngling is cause for celebration. A new life to take the place of the old.”

  Carog blanched. “You would kill the old when a young is born?”

  Miki chuckled then realized the other Warlords had the same look of disgust on their faces. “No. Not at all. It’s just an old saying.”

  None looked as if they believed her. Miki shook her head. Some things were hard to explain to warriors who came from a hardened culture like Kaban. Only the most trusted and closest were allowed around Kabanian youngling so they wouldn’t understand. “Anyway, they want me there and I’m honored.”

  Kavan started to ask a question when shouts and screams came fro
m ahead. They all unsheathed their swords and surrounded Mikayla. Not far off smoke rose in the air in a single column.

  “That’s Sendal’s compound.” She kneed Hapani and took off like a shot.

  “Mikayla, cease!”

  She ignored Kavan’s orders. The thunder of hooves behind her let her know the Warlords assigned to care for her stayed on her heels. Miki leaned forward in the saddle, urging her hapfe faster. Fire scented the air, sending her heart careening in her chest. Within minutes she was in sight of the Raasa household they were to visit. Unlike her home, no gate protected those inside.

  Miki’s thoughts immediately went to the Su-Su and his mate with their new young. Nothing could happen to the little one. It would devastate Genisa.

  “There!” Merik pointed with his sword far to the west where a dust trail could be seen leaving Sendal’s place. “A large group of riders on hapfe.”

  Miki twisted in her saddle to face Kavan. “Go after them. They attacked the home of the S’Asigi’s.”

  Eatan looked eager to pursue the fleeing invaders but Kavan used his mount, Raj, to shoulder Hapani and block Miki from riding after them. While Carog and Merik circled her, Kavan leaned over, grabbed her leads and pulled her to a complete stop.

  “Kavan. We have to do something. They attacked Sendal,” she pleaded.

  His stare brooked no refusal. “No. You will not chase after those we do not know. My Sire has tasked us with maintaining your safety. Have you no fear for those around you? Vaan will slaughter all in his path if something happens to you and there will be no treaty among anyone.”

  Chest heaving, Miki tried to calm herself. She knew what Kavan said to be true. Her mate would not tolerate so much as a stubbed toe during this trip. Her hands fisted in her lap at the urge to catch those responsible but now that fear didn’t drive her, more rational thoughts settled in. “Alright. But can we hurry? I’m worried for them.”