by Kat Brewer
“Woman, I will not play games with you. If you want to live, you will tell me what your business is and why you are seeking Queen Nera.” Cassie’s temper was flaring, and the woman was very close to having a sword run through her.
The two antagonists stood and stared each other down.
“Perhaps if you tell who I am speaking to, I may feel a little more inclined to share my identity with you,” she said.
“Then, allow me to introduce myself. I am Cassandra, Leader of Queen Nera’s Personal Guard and Commander of the Erlan Army,” she ground out furiously, “and I will be the person sending you directly to hell if you don’t give me the truth.”
Kara, sword drawn, moved next to Cassie, adding her sword to her Commander’s.
Surprise flew over the woman’s face, and her body lost its tension despite the swords held at her throat.
“Lady Cassandra, it is my honor to meet you. Commander, my name is Leandra, Second to Queen Saria of Tayliss’ Commander.” The woman would have bowed if not for their swords.
Kara’s free hand reached out and enveloped Cassie’s sword hand. When Cassie glanced at her, Kara nodded.
They both lowered their weapons. Kara sheathed hers, and the two women clasped each other’s forearms in greeting.
Cassie, still suspicious, slowly put away her sword but rested her left hand on the dagger at her hip.
Leandra pressed her fisted hand over her heart and bowed from the waist to Cassie in the manner of the Erlan warriors, and keeping her eyes locked on her, Cassie inclined her head.
“I must be losing my touch. I didn’t even hear the two of you come down the alley.” Leandra laughed as Kara smiled and introduced herself.
Leandra turned to Cassie and said, “My Lady, Tayliss, and Erla are old allies. Our country is far to the west of Erla, and aside from trading, there has been little contact between our nations in nearly ten years. Our Queens are related by blood, and historically, we have always come to one another’s aid whenever disaster strikes. We received news of the disappearance of yourself and Queen Nera from a peddler, who had recently returned from Erla. I have a division of warriors camped out on the western border of Erla that I offer you command of as well as that of my own services.” She bowed again. “We have come to help liberate your country.”
“Cassandra,” Kara said, looking into Cassie’s eyes reassuringly, “she speaks the truth. Tayliss and Erla are blood-bound allies. I can now see the crest on her saddle, and it is the royal mark of the Tayliss Guardians.” Cassie’s eyes shot to the woman’s saddle.
“Lady Leandra, I am sure you can understand why I am a little less than friendly.” Cassie bowed and Leandra smiled and nodded.
“Yes, and I do not blame you, My Lady. I doubt I would have reacted any differently if it were Queen Saria who was in danger,” Leandra said. “I ask that you take me to speak with your Queen.”
Cassie and Kara agreed, retrieved their horses, and the three women mounted and headed back to the camp.
Cassie was still very leery of the stranger, and Nera was the only one who could calm her fears. They traveled fast, pushing the horses, and arrived at the camp in good time. Dismounting, Cassie left Kara to escort their visitor as she headed to Nera’s side.
She found Nera in the command tent with Darien, Nyles, and Nall. The four of them looked up as she entered and bowed. The men’s eyes immediately dropped to her displayed cleavage, making Cassie growl and roll her eyes.
“Cassandra, I thought you meant to get clothing that fits you properly,” Nera said laughing. The smile soon left her face when she took in Cassie’s strained features.
“What is it? What has happened?” Nera rose quickly.
“Forgive me, Your Highness. Kara and I ran into a woman asking questions about you in the village, and we have brought her here. . .” Cassie’s voice trailed off as Kara and Leandra entered the tent and bowed.
A smile lit up Nera’s face as she recognized the woman.
“Leandra, gods how you have grown! You are such a beauty too! I see by your armlet that you are Second now. How good it is to see you. How is Saria? The last news I had was that she was expecting another child, but that was well over a year ago.”
Nera moved to Leandra and enveloped her in a tight hug. Seeing the warm welcome Leandra received, tension left Cassie’s body. Even so, she continued to keep a close eye on Leandra.
“We are all quite well, Your Highness. Queen Saria was delivered of a healthy girl nearly a year ago. We are all distressed over what has befallen Erla. My Queen has dispatched me with a division and my Commander readies another to come whenever you send the word.”
“May the gods bless her.” Nera declared. “We plan an attack tomorrow, Lee, and we will be more than grateful for your help. Kara will send word to your warriors and have them meet us here. Then we will all march together and take back what was stolen from us,”
“Yes, Your Highness. I shall send orders to Tayliss to have the second division move into Erla from the west. Lady Cassandra, I think it best that the messenger has a small escort for safety’s sake if that suits you?” she asked with a polite bow to Cassie.
“Yes, I agree. Kara, see to it please,” Cassie spoke more easily now having seen the familiarity between Nera and Leandra.
Kara bowed in response, received directions from Leandra, and then bowed again as she left the tent.
In a few moments, they heard the pounding of horses as the messenger’s contingent departed.
“Come and sit, Lee. Are you hungry?” Nera asked. Then, remembering the others, she proceeded with the belated introductions by saying, “I beg your pardon, My Lords. Please allow me to introduce the Lady Leandra of Tayliss. Leandra, this is King Nyles of Serlenn, his son, Prince Nall, and King Darien of Destia.” Leandra bowed low as the royals acknowledged her with warm smiles and regal bows.
Leandra followed Nera to the table and was seated as slaves brought out a plate of bread and cheese along with a cup of Mull. After having placed it all before her, Leandra ate heartily.
In between bites and sips, Lee shared with them all of the news that had reached her since Erla had been invaded.
“Great gods, Your Highness, I do not have the brain of a fig! The most important piece of news I have yet to share with you, and for that, I apologize. Some three days after the invasion, your slave, Quinn, arrived in Tayliss with Princess Danai.”
Nera fell into the chair and sobbed out a very relieved sigh. She had been horribly afraid for her precious daughter, and although she had masked it well, the possibility that her beautiful baby was in the hands of those barbarians had weighed upon her heart quite heavily.
“I believe she is intent upon taking the throne from Queen Saria, and she is being very spoiled by the Princesses. Also, whenever anyone dares to disobey her, she threatens them with the Lady Cassandra,” Leandra laughed.
Tears of joy slipped down Nera’s cheeks, and she wiped them away as she laughed with her.
“Nera, I am so relieved. If anything had happened to Danai, I would have slowly skinned them before I killed them. Quinn is even more courageous than my own slaves.” Cassie said as she forgot decorum and spontaneously hugged Nera in relief.
“Cassandra, you may trust Leandra. I want the two of you to work together on the task of liberating Erla. We will not be defeated.” Nera said.
Cassie turned to face Leandra and smiled her first real smile at the woman, and it was gratefully returned.
“Lady Cassandra, I offer you my sword and the control of all of the divisions under my command. My warriors are now yours,” she said with a bow. “I also want to say what an honor it is for me to fight by your side.”
“I welcome your help, Lady Leandra, and I apologize for my less than warm welcome earlier. I also look forward to fighting beside you and to us becoming friends.” Cassie said, returning Leandra's bow. “I thank you and your people for protecting My Lady Danai. I hope she does not involve me in too many ba
ttles before I can return her to Erla.” Cassie said with a grin, and they all laughed at her words.
They all sat with Leandra and told her of their recent adventures. The men withdrew to ready their own troops and prepare for battle.
“You mean to tell me they rode out to search for you?” Leandra laughed as she, along with Nera, Cassie, and Kara, relaxed on cushions in Cassie’s tent.
After the long hours spent in battle talk, they had finally shifted to talk of the escape and, of course, to Cassie’s slaves, who had ridden to save their Mistress.
“What devotion you inspire, My Lady. Will I, too, fall in love with you?” Leandra asked and the women laughed.
“Please, Leandra! I have enough to keep me busy as it is,” Cassie rejoined with a grin.
They drank Mull and ate food prepared by Aidan as they got to know one another. Leandra’s eyes caressed Cassie’s slaves with appreciative glances as they moved gracefully about the tent, serving the Ladies.
“Your slaves are very pleasing to the eye, my Lady. They must be a joy to bed with,” Leandra said as the women laughed.
“Please, call me Cassie. And, yes, I am very happy with them.” She looked at her men fondly as they continued to efficiently take care of the women’s needs. “Leandra, I would be honored if you would accept one of them to see to your comfort tonight,” Cassie offered, smiling into Leandra’s eyes.
“Thank you, Cassie. Please call me Lee as your Lady does.” She inclined her head to Cassie’s Queen, who smiled fondly back at Leandra.
“I would be happy to welcome one of your slaves into my bed tonight, but, gods above, how can I choose?”
“Let my Queen choose first, that will narrow the choices,” Cassie grinned at Nera, “and, if you like, you may choose more than one.”
“I will indeed take you up on your offer, Cassandra,” Nera said as her lascivious eyes lingered on Kai’s strong physique, indicating her choice.
Kai beamed at the honor and bowed to the Queen, moving to sit behind her.
Cassie motioned for the rest of them to line up in front of the Ladies, and they did with sweet, shy smiles upon their faces. The honor of her offering them to such esteemed women was exciting, though they would all love to stay with their Lady.
“Kara, I insist you choose one to see to you tonight,” Cassie said to her friend.
“You know I always have my eye on that blond giant of yours, but how am I supposed to have any energy left to fight tomorrow if I take him to my bed tonight?” Kara wailed.
Cassie grinned and motioned to Arn, and he swiftly bowed and took his seat behind Kara, who groaned when he began to rub her shoulders.
Mika, Taylyn, Aidan, and Garen stood before Lee, awaiting her choice.
Lee’s eyes swept over each of the men lustfully, and Cassie, seeing her indecision, told them to disrobe. All four women sighed blissfully when they did so.
Lee was just about to choose Mika when she noticed the longing way in that he looked at his Mistress. While she had no doubt he would be a consummate lover and pleasure her greatly, she also knew he would be thinking only of his Lady.
She could tell they all loved their Lady dearly, but it was obvious that this one, in particular, lived and breathed only for Cassandra. For some reason, she felt compelled to give this unknown slave a gift by not choosing him this night.
The next was a beautiful slave with a scar, and while that didn’t put her off, she could see that he was a bit awkward. She considered him and turned her attention to the russet-haired man standing next to him. Despite the red hair, there was something about him that caused her heart to pick up its pace.
She glanced back at the very handsome man with the scar that seemed to only increase his sex appeal, and then back again at the drop-dead-gorgeous red-head. As a pair, they fairly screamed sensuality.
“Cassie, I think I will be greedy and ask for the two on the right,” she said as she indicated Taylyn and Aidan. They were both incredibly handsome and well-endowed, and she knew she would enjoy them. The raven-haired one was eye-catching with his perfect manhood and golden eyes, but these two were not in his shadow by any means.
She smiled at Taylyn and Aidan as Cassie sent them to sit behind Lee.
“Poor Mika. Poor Garen. It looks like you are both stuck with your boring old Mistress tonight,” Cassie teased them.
Their eyes widened, taking her words seriously, and they hastened to assure her of their happiness. Cassie’s hands caressed them as they moved to sit behind her.
“Cassie,” Lee said, “I would be happy to accompany you tomorrow. With my height, I can easily dress as a man and be one of your escorts.”
“Lee, there is no way that you could pass for a man.” Cassie laughed at the very thought of it.
Although Lee was nearly six feet tall, strong and lithe, she possessed lush curves at her bust and hips. Leandra definitely was unmistakably female.
Neither Kara nor Nera, who were Cassie’s height, could pass as men either for that matter. Kara’s rich hair framed a beautifully feminine face adorned with deep gray eyes and full lips. With Nera's remarkable beauty, none of these women could ever hope to pass for male.
“I will be fine. Just don’t be too long in backing me up. I don’t think the Ambrians will be too pleased with me after I kill Ston and Sern,” Cassie said.
“My Commander, you may rely on us being there earlier than you expect,” Nera said. Kara nodded in agreement. “I hope to be there before you kill Ston, so I may have that pleasure for myself,” Nera said, her eyes glittering with hatred.
The women talked for a while longer and then left for their tents, Cassie’s slaves following behind them obediently.
Cassie lay back on the cushions and stretched, feeling a Mull-induced languor. Mika lay down next to her, staring into her face as Garen moved silently, cleaning up the remains of their meal.
Mika’s fingers reached out and caressed her hair as Cassie rolled towards him until they lay on their sides facing each other. She cupped his neck and pulled him closer, kissing him softly, and lingering over his full, sweet lower lip.
Cassie retreated to look into his beautiful, liquid-gold eyes and then delved her tongue into his mouth. Their tongues clashed and caressed, tasting and worshipping each other. Cassie rolled him onto his back and nibbled her way down to his belly button, and Mika squirmed in delight as she tickled and blew on his rippling abs. Her tongue found his navel and swirled around it before her way down to where his loincloth covered his rising flesh.
Mika moaned softly, his body was taut as she rubbed his erection through the cloth. Suddenly a voice calling out from outside the tent stopped them in their play.
Cassie’s head came up, and Mika rose stiffly when she stood. He moved to the tent flap, his manhood painfully erect, and pulled back the opening.
Prince Nall stood outside, wishing to speak with Cassie. Garen sent his brother a compassionate look as both men moved forward to serve.
Smiling, Cassie motioned Nall inside and dismissed Mika and Garen after Nall turned down the offer of a cup of Mull.
Her men went around the silken barrier that cordoned off Cassie’s bed from the rest of the tent and sat on her bed to allow the two their privacy and to await their Lady’s pleasure.
Cassie shook off her arousal and looked at Nall curiously as she waited for him to tell her why he was there. Nall met her eyes and looked into them for a moment before he spoke.
“Lady Cassandra, I wish to tell you how much I have come to respect you since our arrival in Erla. As you know, in our society, women are meeker creatures who live to serve their men. I had no experience with a woman such as you until we came here. To be honest, I did not believe Erla was worth having as an ally since it was ruled by women.” Cassie’s eyebrows rose at this and Nall hurried to continue. “I now know how very wrong I was. I was convinced of my error in thinking the very first day after seeing your warriors train, and now, having had the chance to know them on
all levels, I am happy to have been wrong. As you may know, there are those amongst our troops who have developed close relationships, and I feel that each of us will lose some good warriors to the other.” Cassie nodded.
She had witnessed many pairings that, oddly enough, seemed destined to end in mating.
“I wanted to tell you that I am in love with you. Even here in Erla, you are unique. The thought of you fills me with longing, and it was all I could do not to kill Darien when I learned he had been in your bed. I want you to return to Serlenn with me where we could build a life together. You have changed my perception of what a woman can be. You have made me a better man, and I would one day make of you a Queen,” Nall finished.
He sat with his heart in his eyes as he looked at her.
Cassie was speechless as she had not seen this coming. As she stared at him stunned, Nall took the opportunity to lean in and kiss her, softly at first and then deeply, tongue probing. When she made no protest, he took it for encouragement and laid her back against the cushions, his mouth moving to her neck, his hands caressing her body.
For a moment she allowed her lips to part under his and gave in to the desire for this man that always lay in the back of her mind.
Cassie struggled through the fog that had enveloped her brain and pushed Nall off of her. She rolled and jumped to her feet and Nall stood quickly, reaching out towards her.
“My Lord Nall, I am honored beyond words by your extraordinary offer,” Nall’s smile lit up the tent, and he made to move closer to her, but Cassie held up her hand to continue, “but, I cannot accept. My life is in Erla, and I have no wish to leave it. I am overwhelmed by your proposal, and while I am grateful for your esteem, I cannot join with you.” She bowed stiffly, trying to maintain her composure.
Nall’s face fell, and he turned from her, burying his face in his hands as he fought to control his disappointment. Loss welled up in his chest. For the first time in his life, Nall was in love with a woman, and not just any woman, a woman he respected as an equal. A woman he could not have.
