by Linda Mooney
Reaching out to him, she touched his clasped hands with her fingertips. “I know you did,” she admitted gently. “I remember what happened when you and your men invaded Wallis. I saw firsthand what they did. But you changed. We both changed. You’re not that man any longer.” She gave a little tug on his thumb. “Why are you telling me something I already know?”
“Because it’s occurred to me that I may know some of those battle lords when we get to Corado. Atty, I’ve traveled a lot farther north than you may think. I’ve dealt with men who find petty sport in killing and maiming Mutah.” He captured her fingers and squeezed them. His blue-gray eyes were silvery with unshed tears.
“I’m worried. No, I’m terrified what might happen to you up there. But I cannot do this, I cannot confront these men, and try to get them to change their decades-old beliefs, without you beside me. My life and yours are intertwined to the point where everything I do, everything I say, I must consider what you’ll think or say before I act. These treaties came about in the first place because of our love. Because of a promise I made to you that night in the clearing, when we were on our way back to Alta Novis. After I’d rescued you from Collaunt’s dungeon.”
She nodded, smiling. “I remember. You promised me you’d make it your life’s mission to see if harmony could be restored between our peoples. I thought it was a nice thing to say. More like wishful dream. I never thought we’d actually see it come to pass.”
“We haven’t. Not completely, Atty. We’ve only managed to change the minds of a small pocket of humanity. We—”
They were interrupted by a knock on the door. Yulen got up and opened it to allow the ladies bearing buckets of water to fill the tub halfway, leaving another bucket with a ladle to use to rinse with. Atty didn’t miss the women’s appreciative stares at her husband’s torso. Regardless of the scars, he was an imposing figure with his muscular frame and fit physique. Ever since Rafe D’Jacques’ failed attempt to take over Alta Novis, Yulen had maintained a strict training regimen to keep himself honed, and it showed.
He stayed by the door until the servants departed, shutting and locking it after they left. Atty took the moment while his attention was diverted to walk over to the tub, shedding her pants and top along the way. When he turned toward her, she was stepping into the warm water.
“Ha-ha, beat you to it,” she teased.
“Oh, you think so?” He quickly dropped his breeches and joined her. “Scoot over, woman.”
She moved aside as much as possible to allow his bulk to go under the water. He submerged himself all the way, rising to a sitting position before reaching out to draw her into his embrace. Lying against his wet chest, their legs intertwined, he threaded his fingers through her dark blue hair where it splayed across her back.
“Yulen, are you afraid of what I’ll see when we get there? Or are you more concerned for my safety?”
“It’s about twenty-five seventy-five. While we’re on the road, I’ve ordered Warren to enlist two others to keep you guarded at all times, whether you’re with me or not. Even when you have to pee.”
She chuckled, then grew serious again. “But that’s not all of it, Yulen. There’s more you’re not telling me.”
His caresses and the warm bath were making her drowsy, but she was determined to end this mental blockade before they went to bed. If only for their peace of mind. There couldn’t be any secrets between them. Not when their lives and their love depended on it.
“Give me a few more days, Atrilan. Just a couple more days. Right now, I want to bathe you, then I want to make love to you.” He kissed the top of her head as he trailed his fingertips down her back and side. She could already feel his arousal nudging her thigh.
“Yulen.”
“Shh.” Reaching under her chin, he tilted her face toward his and kissed her. And every protest she had melted under his lips.
He would eventually tell her. It may not be tonight, or tomorrow, but eventually he would let her know the rest of it. Whatever was plaguing him, he needed more time to work things out. He’d given her his word, and he’d never broken his promise.
Leaning back, she smiled up into his loving gaze. He shifted, placing her between his legs until her back rested on top of his chest. Rather than use a cloth, he lathered his hands and reached for her breasts. Gliding the suds over her shoulders and chest. His touch was gentle as he lifted the swelling globes, flicking his thumbs over her nipples until they grew taut.
Atty sighed and closed her eyes. He was a wall of strength behind her. A protective barrier of love and courage. His erection jerked, alerting her to where it nestled between her buttocks, and she wriggled her hips to tease him.
Yulen growled in response. “If you want this bath to last, you’ll need to sit still.”
His fingers curved over her swollen belly. One digit playfully prodded her disappearing navel. “Is it my imagination, or are you not as big this time around?”
She nodded. “I was huge around my fifth month when I was pregnant with Mattox. I’m not so much this time. But you have to remember how thin I was when I carried him. I’ve gained weight since his birth.”
“It’s weight you needed, my love. You were malnourished. Almost sickly. It’s a miracle you managed to survive that borash poisoning when Karv tried to kill you.”
She snaked an arm over her head, finding the back of his neck, and guided his face down so she could kiss him again. Yulen took advantage of leaning over her to slip one hand between her thighs.
“Mmm. Wanna take bets on whether or not you’ll get yourself soaped down before we take this to the bed?” She laughed lightly. Already, the water was getting hotter as his fingers stroked her clit. She felt a digit slide inside her, and she shivered with expectation.
Suddenly, the battle lord pushed her away and got to his knees. She stared at him in surprise when he picked her up and leaned her over the tub, her hands resting on the opposite rim.
“What?”
“You win,” he muttered, spreading her legs as she knelt in front of him.
“We’re going to get water all over the floor,” she commented, remember past times when they’d gotten hot and heavy in the tub.
“The floors probably need a good scrubbing anyway,” he remarked and slowly pressed inside her.
He rode her gently. The water sloshed around her breasts and belly like a second pair of loving hands as his gripped her hips. In the beginning, his thrusts weren’t powerful, but they gradually grew more forceful as his rhythm increased. She felt his heavy sacs slapping against her lower lips with every lunge, making her tingle with each stroke.
Gritting her teeth, she closed her eyes to savor his lovemaking. Keeping her thighs spread to give his pelvis room to maneuver. He filled her, his thickness sending ribbons of pleasure throughout her body as his erection ground into her. The bulging veins scraping over the sensitive nerve endings within her channel. She gasped from the rich sensations ripping through her, and she curled her fingers over the tub’s rim to keep from sliding.
Hearing her, Yulen slowed. “Am I hurting you?” he asked with concern.
“No, no! I’m fine. Keep going. It feels…so good.”
He adjusted his grip, bent slightly over her, and began pounding into her. The friction on her clit was too much, and her orgasm ignited seconds later. Atty moaned, a high keening sound leaking from her throat as she forgot to breathe under the onslaught of pure pleasure. Her arms gave way, and she slid down into the tub until she rested her cheek on her hands that still managed to clutch the metal rim.
Behind her, Yulen jerked with his own orgasm. His soft grunts filling the room in the aftermath. Inevitably, he drew his arms around her and pulled her back with him as he sat down. Atty nestled against his chest once more, and the room grew quiet except for the sound of the crackling fire.
She had no idea how long they laid there while the water cooled. At some point, he reached over the tub to empty the extra bucket over them.
It didn’t make the water warmer. Reluctantly, she started to rise when he caught her arm.
“I’m starting to feel chilled,” she answered his unspoken question.
“Then let me get out first and fetch you a towel.”
She watched him rise and step out of the tub, to grab a towel off the bureau. He shook it open and brought it over to where he could wrap it around her. Taking care not to slip, she held out her arms. Yulen drew the large towel around her and pulled her against him. She embraced him with a happy sigh.
“My Atrilan.” His voice was muffled in her hair. “Atty?”
“What?”
“I have to tell you.”
That moment had come.
She didn’t move, didn’t dare to say anything as she waited.
A minute passed. Her feet were beginning to feel the cold. She lifted a leg to try and tuck it under the towel, when his arms tightened.
“I spoke the truth when I said I’ve never been to Rocky Gorge, but I’ve met Alton Highcliff. Once, many years ago, when I was on a cleaning mission with my father. That’s how I met Tosh Karv, the man you had to kill to save me. He came from Corado.”
Chapter Seven
Invitation
They made good time over the course of the next four days. The weather remained consistently cold, but the storms seemed to have abated. Paxton moved up next to Atty to remark about it. “Think it means an early spring?”
She shook her head. “Don’t let it fool you. You know there’s always one last big snowfall before it starts to calm down. I just hope we don’t get caught in the middle of it before we arrive at the compound.” She shifted in her saddle to help alleviate the pressure on her bladder. She’d discovered that long hours of riding weren’t conducive to being pregnant, and she’d been forced to make several pit stops along the way. Every time she did, her second appeared as if by magic to guard her as she relieved herself behind a nearby tree before hurrying to catch up with the troops.
“How are the hemorrhoids?” he asked, half-jokingly, seeing her squirm.
“Those are fine. I’m also fortunate in the fact that the little one seems to enjoy me being on the horse.”
“That’s due to all the constant swaying,” the man replied.
Yulen wasn’t making them keep a fast pace. He had allotted enough time for them to reach their destination to enable them to take it slower. Atty knew part of that decision was due to her condition.
She motioned toward his stomach area. “You doing okay?”
Paxton placed a hand on his tunic, over the scars resulting from when he’d been attacked by the raccoon. “I’m fine. No problems.”
“That’s not what I meant,” she gently chided him.
Her second gave her a wan smile. “You’re asking if I’m mentally ready to take on this challenge? Atty, I wouldn’t be here if I wasn’t.”
“Oh, that’s bull crap, and you know it,” she told him. “This is the first time you’ve ventured away from Alta Novis on a mission since you and the others went looking for me when I disappeared, and you almost died as a result. You know we could encounter heaven-knows-what out here. And you could suffer again if we were to go into battle.”
“I know that.” The man nodded. “But that comes with being a soldier. That’s part of my duty. It’s what’s expected of me. To serve you, to serve the battle lord, and to serve the compound. And that’s what I intend to do. It’s what I want to do. What I need to do.” He gave her a steely look. “I’m ready to do what I must, Atty. Count on it.”
She sighed and flashed him a grateful smile, turning her attention forward. A few yards ahead, Batuset and Yulen conversed. On occasion, a word or phrase would float back to her. Since his confession to her, her husband seemed less stressed and more resigned. Able to think and plan, now that his conscience was clear. There was more she wanted to ask him, but she reconciled herself to the fact that he would let her know when he was willing to talk again.
Mastin and Paas were directly to Yulen’s rear. The couple were inseparable, which she could understand. Upon the woman’s initial arrival at Alta Novis, Paas had requested to join the battle lord’s military guard, enabling her to fight beside the man she’d traveled a great distance to be with. Knowing Yulen wouldn’t allow the woman to become a soldier, Atty convinced her to become one of their hunters. Telling her that she would better serve the compound in that capacity, as well as put her skills to better use. At first, Paas had balked at the request, but quickly realized that Atty’s suggestion was much more doable. Not only did it free up the woman to come and go as she pleased, but there were many times when she was able to join Mastin when he was in the company of the battle lord. In the days and weeks that followed, Atty taught her about compound life, knowing it was very different from Paas’ own tribe. And as she helped her new friend adjust, Paas provided female companionship whenever they went on a hunt for game.
Turning around in her saddle, Atty glanced behind her. Thrasher had seemed to have attached himself with riding alongside Renken and Fortune, who rode about a dozen yards back. The rest of the troops were in double ranks, with the supply wagons situated in the center.
“Atty?”
She shifted her focus to her husband.
“Come up here, would you?”
Nudging her heels into the mare’s ribs, she urged her horse forward to join him. Paxton remained beside her, as was his duty.
“We’re coming up on the cutoff to Wallis,” Yulen informed her.
“Are you asking if we should stop there?” She glanced upward. “It won’t start getting dark for another couple of hours. We could get a few more miles under our belts if we keep going.”
“But I want to see if they’ve heard of this summit conference. Zane and I are wondering if any Mutah compounds have been included.”
“Or if Highcliff is even aware those compounds exist,” Batuset added.
She agreed. “Good point. And if they have no knowledge, what then? Are you planning on asking them to tag along?” she jested.
Yulen’s face remained stoic. “That’s exactly what I plan to do.”
“Yulen! Do you think that’s wise? I mean, considering how reluctant you were to include me?”
“This conference is about treaties between Mutah and Normals,” Yulen stated.
“If that’s the real purpose of this talk-fest,” Batuset interjected, adding a snort.
Yulen nodded. “I don’t know if there will be any Mutah representatives there, but wouldn’t you agree it’s only right that some were? Plus the fact that Wallis was the first to sign a treaty with me makes it that much more imperative they attend, don’t you think? So they can tell the other battle lords how they’ve been affected?”
“Also, if there are other Mutah representatives there, they can exchange information about what to expect,” Batuset pointed out.
Atty made a face. “You’re right. They need to know. And it’s only right some of the council attend. How much farther?” She glanced around, trying to find a landmark she recognized.
“Another half hour,” Yulen speculated. “And if the council needs to convene to discuss the issue, I wouldn’t object to us staying the night and hitting the trail fresh in the morning.”
She reared her horse, letting the battle lords forge ahead. Once she resumed her position in the convoy, she glanced at her second, noticing his furrowed brow.
“What ‘cha thinking about?”
“I’m thinking about why you left Mattox behind,” he confessed. At her raised eyebrow, he ventured, “You didn’t want to bring him in case something happened to you and Yulen. That’s the real reason why you left him in Madigan’s care, isn’t it?”
“It’s… You’re right, Warren. Yulen and I didn’t discuss that fact in great detail, but deep down, you’re right. He’s the battle prince. The rightful heir to Alta Novis. If something should happen to me and Yulen, Liam and Madigan and Tory will see to it that he’s raised and trained to
take over running the compound. I’m amazed by your astuteness.”
The man blushed from her compliment and honest praise, but didn’t reply. Instead, he muttered a quick excuse to retreat down the line to check on the soldiers, turned his horse around, and trotted off. Atty watched him go until he was out of sight, then swiveled around to stretch her legs in the stirrups.
It was a good thing they would be arriving at Wallis within the hour. She’d finally be able go to the bathroom in private, without having nearly a hundred pairs of eyes watching over her.
Chapter Eight
Merger
“Halt! Identify!”
Yulen pulled up his horse and stared in the direction where the shout had originated at the top of the tall, wooden barrier. “I’m Yulen D’Jacques, Battle Lord of Alta Novis, and guardian of of the Mutah compound called Wallis. My company requests entrance and a consultation with your Council of Elders.”
There was a moment’s pause. When the voice returned, it sounded less forceful. “Is Atty with you?”
“I’m here. Who is that? Fohregard?”
The ponderous gates began to open before she was finished. Once there was enough room to enter two-by-two, Yulen turned to Mastin. “Have the troops remain out here before you follow.”
The second nodded and went to advise the soldiers. Atty led the way into her old compound, her husband and second flanking her.
People began filling the streets as the news went out about the battle lord and lady’s arrival. Many of them noticed Atty’s little bulge and yelled their congratulations. Most, if not all, followed the group to the center of the compound.
Yulen stepped forward and helped her down from the saddle. Atty noticed Fortune being pummeled with hearty slaps to the back and shoulders by old friends and family. Until one young man raced in to throw the man into a bear hug.
