A Warlord's Heart Read online

  Vesa shrieked and tossed her bow and quiver to the side as she tried to reach the fallen male. Ramar blocked her attempt easily. Intrigued though he usually wouldn’t be, Vaan continued to stare.

  “Move, Warlord Ramar,” Vesa hissed, green eyes narrowed.

  “You have leave to call me Ramar as I have told you.”

  Vesa flung her hands up. “I don’t want to call you anything, now move.”

  Ramar braced his weight and leaned forward. His voice remained calm as he stated, “This I will not do.”

  Everyone present listened to their exchange. Maen rose to his feet and Vaan noted that aside from the dust and grime on his hands, the Raasa remained unhurt by his fall. His chest loosened. He did not tolerate unnecessary injury to those under his protection and more so for the Raasa, who had not the benefit of the coccar armor in extreme dangerous situations. The Raasa could produce deadly venom in their mouth and use it in defense but overall they were a peace loving people.

  Vesa screamed at Ramar’s refusal to move then balled both fists and pushed at his Warlord’s chest. Maen’s diamond, green pupils dilated and his forked tongue flickered as he stomped to Vesa’s side and curved an arm around Vesa’s waist. Vaan tensed as everything in Ramar’s posture changed. His Warlord went from calm to battle rage in seconds. Vaan knew there was no time to warn Maen to step aside.

  “Hold, Ramar!” Vaan shouted.

  Arms bunched and fists knotted but Ramar refrained from taking the next step which surely would have involved serious harm to Maen.

  Vesa glared at Ramar then eased Maen’s arm from around her before going back inside without another word to Ramar. The others were silent for all of a beat then talking resumed. The Raasa conversed in the rapid-fire dialect of their native tongue which Vaan had no hope of following, while Tolan’s eyes widened and he exclaimed, “You have feelings for the female?”

  Ramar flushed bright red and stalked off. To Vaan’s relief, his new right hand headed for the hapfe stables instead of indoors. Tolan faced Argan. “My apologies again, Overlord Vaan. I would not have been as forceful with Vesa if I knew it would offend Ramar.”

  Vaan thought over all the changes he’d gone through since awakening. He’d once considered the renewed treaty with the Desani the most difficult task to accomplish but now he wondered if the most difficult task was not having his best friend and mate around at all times to handle such emotional situations.

  Chapter 6

  The next morning his youngling stared at him with identical green eyes and repeated their request. “Hapfe. Pease, pease falo?”

  Like their mother, Erana and Arane loved hapfe and visited the bi-pedal mounts often to rub furred noses and sneak treats to the animals when they thought no one looked.

  Vaan kneeled, placing himself at eye level. “I will have Balal and Amrod take you but remember what we spoke of?”

  Arane’s chin tipped up but she stayed silent as her eyes shifted from soft to stubborn, reminiscent of Mikayla. Erana, ever eager, answered with a shy smile. “Galip no beg.”

  Vaan’s lips curled up. “Close enough.”

  Vaan rose to his feet and patted the tops of their heads. He signaled Balal who paused to kiss Assa longer than necessary and rub her belly before coming over. Vaan glared but Balal’s grin held no remorse. “My youngling wish to visit the stables and I must respond to a missive from the Desani in reference to setting up a trade agreement. The Council has longed for this, so I will give it full consideration. Take Amrod with you.”

  With Kavan away guarding his mate, Amrod had offered to assist Balal in the protection of his youngling. The Warlord had been at Vaan’s side for less than a year when Vaan’s uncle Dakar and Warlord Thenl had betrayed them. Amrod was not as young as Kiel but as a newly appointed Warlord, the two had the same experience level. What both warriors lacked in battle at Vaan’s side, they made up for with passion and honor.

  All of his men loved the youngling but Amrod showed a decided soft spot for Arane and Erana and would enjoy the extra time around them.

  “Bal!” Arane squealed, her annoyance with her father fading in light of her favorite Warlord. She held up her ever present sword. “Fight?”

  Vaan waited for Balal’s response. His Warlord picked Arane up and propped her on his forearm expertly, his large palm bracing her back for added support. “We will fight later, yes?”

  Vaan could see Arane debating if this was worthy of tears and fortunately for them she grinned and kissed Balal on the cheek. “Yes.”

  Erana stepped closer, her small hand tugging on Vaan’s leather pants. His brows creased as he went back to one knee and caressed her petal-soft cheek. “What is amiss?”

  Her sword hit him on the shoulder as she wrapped her arms around his neck as far as they could reach and whispered in his ear. “Miss mala.”

  At her somber tone, Vaan’s gut clenched. Of course. This was the longest Mikayla had been away from either of them. He made eye contact with Balal and after a moment his Warlord walked away with Arane to give them a moment of privacy

  “I miss her as well.” The truth he spoke increased Vaan’s frustration with Mikayla’s overlong journey. She and his Warlords were due to return in several days if all went as planned. He understood the reasoning behind her decision but promised himself they would not suffer a separation of this length again.

  Vaan straightened with Erana in his arms, feeling his chest expand with the love his youngling brought out in him. “Tonight,” he promised, overcome with the need to fix this problem, “we shall battle one-on-one.”

  Her smile made the decision worth while. During swordplay he allowed his youngling to work in tandem against him. The practice served a dual purpose by teaching them to work with another in battle and also showed them they held equal importance in his heart. But tonight he and his softhearted Erana would fight together.

  Vaan found Balal and Arane waiting outside with Amrod. Amrod broke off his conversation and smiled.

  “Lady Erana, it is my pleasure.” He offered a deep bow, fist to chest, causing giggles from both girls. Vaan lowered Erana to her feet and she shot straight for Amrod, accepting him as a substitute for Kavan easily.

  A stirring of unease chilled his spine at his youngling’s open affection toward everyone. Never had he considered the impact of the peaceful life they lived among the Raasa compared to youngling in Kaban who were reared on tales of battle and death. Erana and Arane witnessed the intense training he conducted daily and had a good time with their sword play but how much of true danger could they comprehend?

  He’d longed for peace but perhaps the benefits were not all good. Vaan promised himself to go over his concerns with Mikayla to assess her thoughts.

  ***

  Ramar

  Sitting next to his Overlord at the mid-day meal, Ramar did his best not to react to the Raasa female who slammed a plate in front of him before serving his fellow Warlord in a gentler manner. Kiel grinned his thanks at Vesa before diving into his fragrant meal.

  “Why do you not speak with her?”

  Vaan’s question jerked Ramar’s attention away from Vesa’s swaying hips as she made her way down the table pouring ale and offering everyone save him a glimpse of her bright smile.

  “Speak with her?”

  His Overlord snorted not fooled in the least. “If you seek to pretend a lack of interest perhaps you should not stare so when she leans over.”

  As Vesa did now when she reached for an empty pitcher. Ramar inhaled sharply and his toqa hardened. Today she wore a slim-fitting dress in black that fell to her ankles. The short sleeves and rounded neck should have made the dress demure but each step the female took revealed a knee-high split that flashed a hint of sleek golden legs. Ramar recalled the touch of those golden legs around his hips when he’d buried his toqa in her toque.

  When Maen neared Vesa to take a container of fruit from her, Ramar stiffened. Neither made a secret of their interest in one another and it
took all of Ramar’s warrior training not to end the Raasa male each time he touched Vesa. At first, Ramar had not noticed the growing affection between them. Ramar tried to ignore them as he’d done over the last year and some for any males around Vesa since his one night of bed play with her.

  The Raasa expressed their fondness and like with overt signs of affection. Their behavior was so different from Kabanians that he and the other Warlords spent many nights discussing it. But lately Vesa spent more and more time with Maen, caressing his bald head or stroking his thin chest. The male’s physical build was lacking compared to a Kabanians’ strong frame. The two exchanged more glances and smiles.

  Vesa’s smile hit Ramar in the gut. Once upon a time she’d smiled at him thus and to his surprise the sight of her fangs alone had caused his toqa to stir. A piece of bread hit Ramar in the cheek, disturbing his thoughts and pulling his attention away from Vesa and the male he planned to kill.

  As soon as he looked across the table, Balal, the offender smirked. “Your eyes tell your thoughts and make me blush, Ramar.”

  Vaan grunted from the right.

  Ramar tossed the bread on the table to the side of his plate. “Worry not for my thoughts, youngling.”

  The lighthearted warrior he called friend continued to smile as he braced his elbows on the table, chin propped on a curled fist. Ramar sighed, not having an interest in where this would likely lead.

  “I would have you share what is amiss between you and the Raasa female.”

  As if he’d tell Balal, the only one among Vaan’s Warlords who told the tales as soon as he heard them. “There is nothing amiss.”

  Assa came over and ran a hand through Balal’s hair. The Warlord wore it loose about his shoulders more often than not, knowing it would draw his mate’s attention and have her stroking it. Ramar rolled his eyes at the obvious ploy and waited until Assa moved on to continue serving the mid-day meal before he spoke. “Your actions are desperate.”

  Balal’s gaze followed Assa then with reluctance faced him. “It is not desperate to enjoy her affections. It pleases her to be free with her touches and it pleases me to please her.”

  Ramar paused at the serious sentiment. None doubted Vaan’s love for Mikayla and she for him, though many of them did not understand the how of it. Recently Argan had left them for an Olak’din woman he claimed held his heart. The Olak’din were Shadow Warriors and his brethren reported that Argan’s bride fought at his side as fiercely as any Warlord. The very thought created curiosity among all of them.

  Ramar found himself asking, “You are happy, though she is not a Kabanian woman?”

  Balal straightened and dropped his arms to the table as he reached for his drink. Ramar waited, tension filling him for some unknown reason. He sensed Vaan waiting and listening as well.

  “I love Assa,” Balal said firmly and with no little pride. His brown gaze sought her again as he muttered, “She is all I hold dear. Sleep in her arms is better than the high of any battle.”

  Stunned, Ramar sat back in his chair. He had expected something big. The Raasa loved hard as evident by their belief in True Unions, which did not allow for couples to separate even if they found dissatisfaction with one another. But he had not expected the strength of Balal’s faith in that love.

  Ramar was deeply moved by the idea. “I thank you for sharing, Balal. You honor me.”

  Balal faced him again and shrugged. “I honor my mate.” Then he leaned forward and knocked Ramar back with his next words. “You should not let doubt rule you. If you have feelings for Vesa it would be wise to speak to her now for there may not be a later.”

  Balal nodded in the opposite direction and Ramar turned. Maen held Vesa, their heads placed close together as they stared into one another’s eyes. Ramar’s gaze lowered to Maen’s hands covering Vesa’s rear. It was enough to sour the portion of the meal he’d consumed. Ramar’s hand dropped beneath the table to touch the hilt of the knife strapped to his thigh.

  “Do not let fear rule you,” Vaan counseled, speaking at last. “The rewards of such courage are without end.”

  And with that, his Overlord rose to his feet and gathered his youngling to set them on their feet. Food crumbs fell to the floor from the matching green dresses they wore. Arane placed her foot over two berries and squashed them, staining her shoes in purple mush. Vaan sighed but his touch remained gentle as he placed his palm on the top of her head when she snuggled against his thigh.

  “More hapfe,” Erana chirped.

  Vaan frowned. “You have need of naps.”

  “More zanni?” Arane bargained.

  Balal jumped to his feet. “I will take them up, Sire.”

  “Not to play,” Vaan warned Balal as Amrod finished his meal in haste and shoved a piece of meat between his lips.

  Balal’s grin was unrepentant. “Of course, Sire. Then the hapfe stables when they wake.”

  “More hapfe,” Erana repeated, bouncing on her feet.

  His Overlord’s lips pressed together as he muttered his agreement, “More hapfe.”

  Ramar covered his mouth to hide his humor.

  Vaan glared at all those seated at the table. “I will be in my office if any have need of me.”

  Balal bowed and held Erana’s hand while Amrod held Arane’s and the small group made their way upstairs. Ramar’s gaze searched for Vesa to see how she reacted to this. Vesa followed her Su-Su’s lead and tried to keep firm control over the youngling but the female who claimed his attention was no where to be found and neither was Maen. A low-throttled growl rolled from his chest.

  Chapter 7

  Vesa

  Vesa eased away from Maen’s passionate kiss. They’d snuck away to the hall leading to the kitchen for a moment of privacy. He opened his eyes at her resistance, smooth brows crinkled in confusion. She found it hard to meet his green stare and tugged in his arms until he released her. Vesa smoothed her hands down the sides of the dress she’d worn with one particular Warlord in mind.

  “I really like you, Maen.”

  His fangs sunk into his bottom lip as he tipped his gleaming head to the side. “But there’s someone else?”

  Vesa sighed. He was so perceptive unlike another who had a head like one of the rocks outside. “Not really.”

  The other person would have to express an interest in a relationship for there to be another. Maen’s finger gently tapped her chin and tilted her face up toward his. “I’ve made no secret about my feelings for you, Vesa. You held me off until recently and I thought you weren’t interested.”

  She flushed and tried to duck her head but his grip on her chin firmed. “It’s hard to explain.”

  The corner of his lips curled up. He really was a handsome male. His bald head was perfect in its even symmetry, the green eyes gazing down at her darkened with passion whenever they kissed and the lean body beneath his tunic contained solid muscles from the Overlord’s work outs and training.

  “You like the Warlord.” His pupils contracted into diamond-sharp pinpoints. “I can make you forget him if you give me one night.”

  His flat statement flustered Vesa and she batted at his hand. Maen dropped his arm to his side but shifted until he leaned his weight against her and braced his palms on the wall behind her. This time when he lowered his mouth to hers, the kiss was anything but gentle. Maen nipped and bit her lips then trailed kisses from her jaw to the vulnerable column of her neck.

  Teeth grazed the soft skin as he sucked hard enough to mark. Vesa shivered, her own hands coming up to feather over his shoulders. His shaft pulsed between her legs and the subtle thrusting he began left little doubt to what he wanted. Vesa pushed lightly. He groaned letting her feel more of his weight. Vesa pushed again and he released her with a muttered curse.

  Maen stepped back and gripped the back of his neck. “I take it you’re refusing my offer.”

  Her hands fisted at her side for causing his frustration. There was only one person to blame for the way she felt an
d it wasn’t Maen. “I’m sorry.”

  He took another step away, placing more space between them. Maen made no attempts to hide the bulge in his pants. He waved his hand between them. “At least tell me what this was about. I deserve that.”

  Heat seared her cheeks as she admitted the truth of her actions. “I wanted his attention. He’s ignored me time and time again.”

  Maen snorted. “The Warlords aren’t known for their interest in Raasa sexual habits.”

  Vesa’s face burned brighter and Maen’s mouth popped open before he closed it. “You’ve been with him?”

  She nodded helplessly. The night in question had been far from great but her attraction to the brawny Warlord continued despite her best efforts to quell the desire.

  Maen chuckled. “Then it’s true they lack skill. Why do you want him?”

  “They don’t lack skill,” Vesa snapped. “Their way is different.”

  Maen folded his arms over his chest and eyed her closely. “I’d almost think you love him but you can’t have been with him in months.”

  “More than a year and some.” Vesa sighed, thinking of the one night long ago when she and the others couldn’t resist their fascination for the Kabanian Warlords and the muscled chests they kept on display by refusing to wear tunics.

  “Perhaps you’re in need of a reminder of what it’s like between Raasa.” Maen came forward and boldly cupped her breasts, hands groping as they swelled beneath his fingers. “Nothing compares to the pleasure to be had when we exchange sakar. The fire in the blood, the rush of desire as fangs bite true.”

  Vesa gripped his wrists and he willingly succumbed to her silent demand to remove his hands. Vesa did enjoy sex with Raasa males. Their people didn’t hesitate to kiss, touch and exchange the special venom that acted as an aphrodisiac on their partners but she knew from Mikayla that Vaan had forbidden her to bite him and use her venom in the bedroom, which meant the other Kabanians would feel the same way. She wished knowing that would push Ramar from her thoughts but none of that mattered, because Vesa’s heart had decided to work against her brain.