“Thank you.” Vadyn let out a deep breath but didn’t know where to go from there. Inspiration came from past meetings. “If there is no other business, I suggest we retire to dine.” No one brought up the Xeetag’s demise or Dalhum’s destruction, so he wouldn’t either.
“Wise decision, honored Councilor. I second it,” Ometz, the Calaxian leader, grumbled as he rose ponderously to his feet. In Kasara’s atmosphere, Ometz’s large girth moved with awkward slow response while on Calaxia’s thin atmosphere he flowed with the grace of a fluid, formidable fighter, an honor to their race of thieves. “I was beginning to think you would never feed us.”
“Perish the thought, Ometz. You would faint dead away, and who would get your generous body back to Calaxia?” the Lupidorian representative grumbled and slapped Ometz’s back.
The massive multi-wolf-headed Lupidorian and the large Calaxian were the best of friends—for the present. Who knew when worlds would differ in opinions, and the winds of fate changed direction. For now, the two laughed good-naturedly and followed Kasara’s guards to the dining hall. The blood-drinking Valtarie would be dining elsewhere since they might offend. Vadyn laughed to himself at such foolish thoughts.
Breathing a sigh of relief, he sat down with a thump. His new strength had suddenly deserted him. Cyclemintus gracefully sank down next him, the Valtarie’s wings unfolding gently with a soft rustle to rise in a glowing arch above his head. The music in his voice trilled. He was certainly a spectacular male. Again a twinge of jealousy sparked before he pushed it aside. “I wish to apologize in person, honored warlord. I should have known to look deeper into the Xeetag’s dealings before giving in so easily. I ask your forgiveness.”
“I have already given it.” Vadyn gazed at the swirling blue lenses. Who knew what lay in that darkness? “Is this the reason you cast your vote in my favor?”
“No, honored lord, I have ulterior motives.” He leaned closer as if to sing in confidence.
Vadyn waited, silent for the Valtarie to continue. Cyclemintus rustled uncomfortably on the seat as he formulated his thoughts, his wings twinkling with their faint luminous light. “I met your ly’teal today, a gracious female.” Another surge of anger stirred, and he hoped the creature didn’t catch the way he had to unclench his fists one finger at a time. Fortunately, the Valtarie kept speaking over his discomfort. “She expressed a concerned interest in our race’s dwindling number. And she offered Kasara’s help. I was hoping to have her visit Valtar sometime soon. I would like our people, the Valtarie and the Kasar to be allies; in friendship although we may not be Alliance allies. I will miss the Alliance but—”
The Valtarie’s eyes went cold, harder to read behind their dark lenses, but Vadyn heard the sincerity in the melodic words. The leader didn’t want to leave; something drove him to withdraw. The jealousy that had first burned him with the thoughts of Cayla speaking with another male died. This Valtarie was truthful and only had his peoples’ welfare on his mind. He could be no less. “I would like to visit with you on Valtar someday, too. My people are free to go where they wish, but Cyclemintus, remember they are my friends and subjects. I value their safety.”
The Valtarie bowed his head in acknowledgement. “To be entrusted with the friends of Kasara’s el’kota is a great honor.” Suddenly, Vadyn mourned the ambassador’s retirement. The Alliance would certainly be less without his membership.
“The ly’teal awaits you, el’kota,” a sleek bronze Kasar messenger informed him even though Vadyn knew the moment Cayla stepped nearer. Well, she was obviously not where she was supposed to be! Bowing in farewell, Cyclemintus left the room. Vadyn rose to tower over the short messenger. “Show her to my chambers,” he snapped. “And gather my guards.”
“JUST WHAT IN all the known hells did you think you were doing, warriors? Flagrant disobedience of orders. Desertion of duty. Need I go on, lieutenants, or do you understand why I am angry?”
The humbled three stood at attention with their heads bowed, waiting for their leader’s anger to die. Cayla stood near, silent but trembling beneath his obvious rage. He felt her anger spike. It is my fault we stayed and disobeyed your orders, el’kota. She lifted her head and looked him square in the eye. I will not be parted from your side again. Ever. After a few moments when neither budged, nose to nose, chin to chin, she cleverly diverted him, speaking of an entirely different matter. It’s very hard for our warriors to look repentant, isn’t it, warlord? Her mocking mind laughter filtered through her statement and lifted his spirit. They were their warriors. She spoke the truth—she was the reason for their betrayal. She shared the reason with Vadyn through their link.
All of them had followed after her, pleading when she refused to leave the palace. None would force her into anything. Not after she, in truth and deed, had become their ly’teal. Quickly, with the three lieutenants on her heels, she had gathered all the servants and placed them under the guarded protection in a room deep in the palace’s bowels. And then the three had loyally followed the last orders they had been given by him—orders to protect the ly’teal. That meant wherever she stayed, they stayed, standing guard. Now, the bowed twin warriors kept looking up out of the tops of their eyes in entreaty to her. Batla just glared ahead with his thick arms folded over his barrel chest. Vadyn found it difficult to contain his laughter. He fought it with a deep scowl. His inner thoughts were for Cayla, alone.
Yes. Well, if they think I’m going to let them off easily just because they followed your orders instead of mine, they’re—He took a moment to compose how to proceed. Well, they’re probably right. But I’ll still punish them for disobedience. The least they could have done is consult me!
They probably wanted to protect you from further distraction with the Council.
Well, sitting there and being worried about losing more loved ones didn’t help me concentrate. His golden brows came together in a deeper frown. His gaze was flashing blue every time Cayla spoke in mind-link, and seeing the rapid flickering but not knowing if they argued, the twins dropped their gazes back to their shuffling feet.
“El’kota,” Batla growled, clearing his throat several times. “I ask permission to speak.”
“Granted.”
“I accept full responsibility for this disobedience. I ordered Popi and Lairdi to stay with me to fulfill our guard duty to the ly’teal. She wouldn’t leave the palace so I take the responsibility for the twins’ disobedience.” He stopped their protest by speaking over their growls and slicing the air with a big hand for further emphasis. “I felt it was my duty to protect her even when she refused to leave. I believe her exact words were that ‘she would never, ever leave your side again. That the very pits of the darkest hells would freeze over before she ever left you.’” His mouth twitched with what looked suspiciously like humor.
“Yes, yes.” Vadyn waved a hand. “I understand all that loyalty crap, but I’m sure you didn’t twist their arms to make them disobey my orders.” He raised his brows and tried to look stern and formidable. “Orders I expected to be obeyed without question.”
Turning back to stand at shoulder straight attention, Batla looked him square in the eye, his growl low as if private. “Do what you wish with me, but I warn you, sire, do not hurt the twins.” Vadyn was astonished. Never had the old warrior placed himself in the point of blame for anyone’s sake. And his words were a near threat to his commander.
An identical gasp escaped from the lieutenants, but he didn’t change his expression. He circled the three, his steps measured and slow. His suspicion was confirmed, but he wanted to carry the game a little further before letting anyone off the hook.
“You warn me? Kasara’s el’kota?” His snarl echoed low in the chambers. “Not to do harm to my own lieutenants? Mine to do with as I wish?”
Cayla stepped forward and placed her hand on his arm. Enough, already. Please, beloved, stop this charade a
nd let us go somewhere that we may ‘ah, speak’ in private. A wealth of sexual heat echoed in her undertones, and she had called him beloved. She sent more vivid pictures of just what she wanted to “talk” about through their link.
He felt a deep flush creep up his neck. It burned over his cheekbones. He grew so hard he didn’t think he could even move his eyebrows. “You are dismissed,” he growled a roar that rose to his next words. “Get out.” Cheers from the twins echoed before he raised his hand for quiet. “But tomorrow—you will all serve round the suns’ watch duty for failure to consult your el’kota before obeying the ly’teal.”
“What?” Cayla squeaked. “Are they or are they not my guards?” Her brows rose haughtily.
“No, my dear. They are not yours. They are mine—uh, ours. I will think about assigning you your own staff.” He grinned wickedly. “Tomorrow, I will ask for volunteers for such strenuous duty.”
Low groans came from the twins before duplicate smiles lit their faces at Cayla’s wink. She slipped her arm around Vadyn’s waist, and heat again rose at her touch. Her questions were even hotter.
Are you ready for me, el’kota?
Ready for you?
Oh, yes. You see, I have a lot of plans for you. Are you well enough for lusty sex?
Lusty sex?
Are you going to answer me with a question every time I ask, or are you going to say yes?
Yes.
Epilogue
HIGH-PITCHED SQUEALS of boisterous youngsters echoed throughout the stone walls. The royal keep was also crowded with the Kasar villagers who came to share in the celebration of spring. The castle breathed with the joy of new life. And the royal heirs, at two years of age, gleefully led their brown nursemaids on a merry chase, hiding among the revelers, who came from all over, Kasara’s clans as well as the many Alliance visitors.
“Tyrei! Elizabeth! Come here this instant!” Obedient to the stern sound of their mother’s voice, the two mischievous siblings ran to join her. Meek and mild in face and manner, they confronted her, but Cayla wasn’t fooled. She held her firm countenance as long as she could before throwing her arms open in welcome. She never could resist her twins’ disarming smiles and mischievous antics. Their shining, golden curls danced as they ran toward her. Her son’s blue eyes echoed her own, but her diminutive daughter had inherited the golden glow of her royal father’s. Their combined species showed in the nakedness of their golden skin, their tilted eyes, and their more than normal agility.
Only a narrow strip of velvet covered their backs, from their neck to the base of their spine. Time would tell if they had inherited the natural fighting teeth and claws of Kasara’s warriors. Cayla could swear she felt the beginning knots of growing claws in their chubby finger joints, but Vadyn, wisely, cautioned her to wait before explaining anything to them. Everyone in the keep had their hands full just dealing with their normal sibling disagreements. There was no need to give them more weapons to use on each other.
As their boisterous exuberance bowled her over, Cayla rolled on the tapestry-covered stone floor with them, shouting laughter while she tried to tickle both at once.
Not very dignified, my royal wife. Vadyn watched the three, his heart swelling with pride and love. He smiled at the stirring picture they made as he held out a helping hand to Cayla who fought to regain her feet and smooth her silken robes amid the clustered children. Her flushed royal countenance was ruined since they all still giggled. His mate’s lovely, flaming hair flowed wild about a face dusted with soft freckles. The sight tore at his heart. He had found so much happiness after so much grief. His eyes feasted on the slight swelling of her stomach, and he prayed again for the safe delivery of their next offspring. The twins had surprised them but delighted them, too. Perhaps, the next would also be twins. What better way to repopulate Kasara?
“Speak for yourself, husband.” Cayla read his thoughts but spoke aloud. “I’d rather not do all the populating by myself, thank you very much. The only consolation I have is that you get to share all the pain of delivery with me.” She smiled radiantly. If the Alliance’s Council members saw her now, they wouldn’t believe their eyes. Even he didn’t know why some of them feared her. But the Council members had learned early on that together Vadyn and Cayla ruled Kasara and that they had better not irritate her. Her red hair had led to tales of flaming anger. Such lies, she snickered.
Vadyn pulled her into his arms, kissing her thoroughly on the mouth, his heart feeling so full of love. “Don’t forget, I also get to share all the twinges and back pain as you carry them around inside you, too.” She socked him in the chest, and he tried to appear wounded before he hurried to finish his speech.
“I am not without sympathy for you, my beloved.” He nuzzled her ear. As always, her unique scent affected him. He had hardened and was already looking for some quiet, private place. “I do just love making heirs with you, my lady.” He drew in a deep breath filled with her soft fragrance. Mine, for always. He held her loosely as they both looked down in affection at their two offspring who had given up wrestling and were falling asleep, arm in arm, on the thick castle rug.
Tyrei was a chubby warrior with golden hair and vivid blue eyes. And Elizabeth, whose burnished gold curls gleamed red-bronze in the dim light, had strange amber eyes circled in faint blue. Even at only two turns of age, she had already captured many a warrior’s heart. Batla even became her own personal riding mount wherever she wanted to go. The old veteran had officially retired to do personal guard duty. He was not as agile as he used to be, and it appeared that some things would always haunt him. Cayla had caught him in the Heroes Hall several times, just staring at Tyrei’s name, lost in memories. But, now was the spring, time of new beginnings.
“They are beautiful, are they not, my lord?” she said of their offspring.
“Yes. They are the most beautiful things I have ever seen—next to their mother.” He stroked one finger down her throat. Her gaze darkened, and he felt her internal yearning for more of his touch—in a lot more intimate places. Her voice grew husky.
“We have done well, el’kota. Our people are on the road to healing.”
She was so right. The healing had taken time, just as it had taken time for his battle talons to grow back. And the warriors who had died fighting the Xeetag were slowly being replaced with the new ones. The honored dead were remembered by the naming of the new warriors who were being born more frequently now that peace had returned. The only thing that would make everything better was to see Tallas and Sean’s return. Worry clouded his thinking. They had been gone a long time.
“Everything will be fine, love, you’ll see.” Cayla’s soft breath tickled his throat, and her clever fingers played in the hair on the back of his head before she pulled him closer. “They’ll come back. I believe in the strength of their love. As we made it, so shall they.” She licked his neck and nuzzled near his ear. He shivered, but not from a chill.
“So you say.” He grinned down at her upturned face and hugged her closer.
“Yes, so I say,” Her blue eyes smiled as gently as her lips that parted. He didn’t pass up the invitation.
Much later, Cayla caught Vadyn’s hand in hers as they stepped outside into Kasara’s star-filled night. He drew her back to his front. His arms clasped under her breasts, his thumbs circling her sensitive nipples. His growl vibrated through her. “Love me, hummm?” His soft purr stirred her hair. He nuzzled her ear again and pressed her against the stone wall that still held the warmth of the suns. At her back, she felt his hardened member throbbing against her. It was so easy to read his thoughts these days, even if they hadn’t been so tightly in tune with each other. It was also hard to believe that once they had to live through the coldness of their estrangement and his captivity.
“Yes,” She turned and breathed into his mouth, bringing his massive head down to hers. She knotted her fis
ts in his soft hair, inhaling the barsa wood’s spicy scent. “Yes, I love you, my savage warrior. And, I believe in us, in our love.” His mouth was warm on hers. She touched his sharp teeth with her tongue, thrilling to the hint of danger. He was her savage warrior, her fierce slayer of foes, her lover, her friend, and her mate.
And, they were forever connected, forever one.
(Please continue reading for more information about L.F. Hampton)
About the Author
L.F. Hampton is a Southern California writer living with her husband and three rescued furbabies. She has worked in a variety of careers ranging from library clerk to a California major city’s first female business license inspector to a nail shop owner. But her passion is creating new worlds filled with intrigue and romance. She has a deep love of anything mystical, and her love of writing is only surpassed by her love of reading. Thanks to ImaJinn Books, she is finally living her own fantasy.
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