The Cadi woman's face fell. It echoed what Providence was feeling as a lump formed in her throat.
With the way Dagaa had looked at Providence and treated her, Providence thought that Dagaa was truly interested in her, as more than just an obligation. But the way he spoke to the woman in the garden, it had Providence thinking she was just that, an oath to be upheld.
That was what Kagan meant when he asked Dagaa if he understood what making the oath to protect her meant. Why had Dagaa stood up if it kept him from mating?
And what was he doing with her earlier if he had a girlfriend or whoever this woman was to him?
Providence stepped back inside and quickly went upstairs to Madhava's room. He was dark and wounded, but he had opened up to her, and she felt certain his interest was genuine. Then again she'd thought Dagaa was equally interested and obviously had been wrong.
Providence crawled into Madhava's bed and curled up on her side. Thankfully he was still in the shower. At the moment Providence really didn't want to face him either. She was clearly in way over her head.
"We need to go shopping." Giselle declared after Providence located her following breakfast.
"I hate shopping." Providence cringed, she was in no mood to go shopping.
She was still feeling out of sorts today. Her feelings were hurt, and she didn't like feeling used by Dagaa. She also hated that she caused the men to fight. She didn't know what she was going to do about her strange situation.
"Oh. I was thinking we could find a seamstress to make us some bras. My boobs are starting to really bother me." Giselle suggested.
Providence could only imagine. Giselle's girls had to be getting a little too full to be comfortable, being pregnant and all. She could use a little support herself.
"I do need a few things to wear, and a bra would be nice, but I thought Kagan grounded you."
Giselle gave Providence a look that said 'really.' Providence couldn't help the laugh that came out. Just saying the word 'grounded' to a grown ass woman sounded ludicrous.
"He did, but that just means he has to go shopping now too." Giselle led Providence through the manor, to hunt down Kagan. "I'd feel bad for what I'm about to do, but Kagan has been working a lot and needs to take a break, plus he's got the credits." Giselle wagged her brows at Providence.
Providence had completely forgotten about money. This just kept getting better and better.
"I can't be a mooch. We have to find something for me to do." Providence insisted.
Giselle laughed and raised her eyebrow at Providence. Considering Providence knew next to nothing yet about Cadi society, it was highly unlikely she was gonna go right out and find a job.
"Ugh." Providence groaned. "I feel like I'm becoming more trouble than I'm worth."
"Hang in there, we'll figure something out." Giselle encouraged as they found their way into a large room that looked like a gym.
Kagan and Madhava were training with the warriors. Madhava was swinging a sword looking positively delicious as his muscles rippled and flexed, dripping with sweat.
Providence looked around for Dagaa but he wasn't in the room. She sighed in frustration. He'd been up and gone before she awoke this morning. She'd been hoping to see him after all that had happened yesterday. She needed to talk to him and try to sort some things out.
"To what do I owe this honor my lovely Pet? Hello Providence." Kagan greeted them.
"Since I am grounded, you my big man are taking us shopping." Giselle said cheekily.
"Jeezelle we are in the middle of training."
"Look buddy if you ever want to touch my boobs again you will take me to find something to strap these puppies up." Giselle shoved her tits out, taunting Kagan.
Kagan held up his hands in surrender.
The more Providence saw Kagan and Giselle together, the more she noticed how cute the couple was. Kagan was domineering and Giselle pushed his limits, but then both of them gave in and mooned over each other like a couple of teenagers.
Madhava jogged up with a smile for Providence. It transformed his face. Providence found herself caught up in the way his eyes twinkled, the tilt of his mouth, and the dimple in his cheek. He had her smitten.
An image of Dagaa entered her mind and Providence groaned.
Providence felt like a dog chasing its tail. How did she get herself in these messes?
"Providence, Giselle."
"Hey." Providence smiled back at Madhava.
"Madhava you mind handling things today? I'm apparently going shopping." Kagan asked Madhava.
"Not a problem." Madhava replied with a bow of his head.
"Let me wash up I'll be out in a few minutes." Kagan said to the two women before heading off to take a shower.
"Here I have something for you." Madhava went over to a bench along the wall and rummaged through his cloak before jogging back.
Providence couldn't help but admire him coming and going.
"Here." Madhava handed Providence a device the size of a cell phone.
"What's this?"
"It gives you access to credits. Get whatever you want."
"Thank you." Providence didn't know what else to say. She wasn't used to this sort of thing.
Madhava wrapped his arm around her back and pulled her in. He didn't seem to mind that everyone in the room was watching as his lips descended on hers. Madhava was new to kissing, but he'd taken to it like a fish to water. His tongue peeked out teasing her mouth followed by a little nip and a rumble in his chest as his kiss deepened. Providence practically melted in his arms. She had to grip him to keep from sinking to the floor. When he released her, she was breathless.
"Have fun fiery warrior." Madhava said with a grin before returning to his training.
Giselle stood staring at her with an open mouth.
An hour later Providence found herself standing with Giselle trying to explain what a bra was to an elderly Cadi seamstress while trying not to laugh.
"No Marita this is how they usually are." Giselle pointed to her breasts "And they're only going to get bigger, the more pregnant I get." Giselle explained to the woman who was sizing her.
"Oh I see." The seamstress replied. “Well I'm sure I can make something. If you two want to go into the sitting area, I'll pull out some different material for you to pick." The seamstress said as she left the dressing room.
"Okay so this isn't the worst shopping trip I've been on." Providence chuckled when they were left alone to get dressed.
"Good." Giselle smile. "I almost peed when you suggested we just buy the kids clothes off the rack."
"How was I supposed to know Kagan felt like some sort of pervert or pedophile when you dressed in kid’s clothes?" Providence threw her hands up. Kagan had looked horrified. "I can't really see what's so wrong with them."
Whatever the fashion nuance was, Providence hadn't figured it out yet.
"I know. It's not your fault." Giselle snickered. "When he first admitted it creeped him out, I kind of went too far. I might have taunted him to spank me and called him daddy."
"La la la, I don't want to hear any more." Providence declared as she plugged her ears.
"Okay so now give me the scoop. What's with you and Madhava?" Giselle demanded.
"The guys were giving me a massage and well one thing led to another." Providence admitted her cheeks burning at the memory.
"Did you...? With both of them?" Giselle's eyes widened.
"Ugh, not really. Those guys are huge! I don't think I can talk about this." Providence groaned. "Hey, I do have a question."
"Shoot."
"Well last night after we fooled around the guys got into an argument and Dagaa stormed off. Then I saw Dagaa hugging some women in the garden, and I overheard him tell her he couldn't mate her because he'd made an oath to be my protector. I just don't know what to think, and I refuse to be some sort of obligation."
Providence unloaded all at once.
"I don't know." Giselle frowned. "I
'm pretty sure Dagaa wasn't planning on mating anyone before he met you. For as long as I've known him, he's been a bit of a ladies man. I've never seen him with any girl for long."
"I don't know if that's comforting." Providence replied with a dead pan stare at Giselle.
The thought of Dagaa being a man whore wasn't any better than the thought he was trapped with her out of obligation.
"Sorry. If it's any consolation, I've never seen Madhava smile so much."
Providence smiled. That was nice to know since she had a crush on him too. She just really thought there were sparks between her and Dagaa as well. Providence shook her head. She didn't know why she was having such issues. Back on Earth she never would have entertained the notion of dating two men at the same time, literally.
Giselle and Providence exited the dressing room to find Kagan sitting patiently.
"I got you two something." Kagan said as he showed them a pair of small communicators like the one Madhava had given her. "I don't know why I didn't get you one sooner."
"Cause you've been up to your eyeballs." Giselle patted Kagan's arm.
Kagan showed them how to use the device in between picking out fabric for their new clothes. The ingenious thing was like a smart phone, it did nearly everything. Kagan even helped them load icons that would make it easier to contact Kagan, Dagaa or Madhava since she didn't read the Cadi language, and Giselle was still learning it.
They ate a late lunch at a little outdoor cafe at the far end of the market district before heading back.
"Do you mind showing me how to drive this vehicle?" Providence asked as they loaded into the hover craft. The vehicle intrigued her.
"Sure, the rota is pretty simple." Kagan said and then pointed out the controls as she got into the driver's seat.
Clearly her days of changing tires were over.
The transport was slightly larger than some of the other rota zipping around the street, but it was definitely a nicer model, befitting Kagan's station. There were two bucket seats in the front and two in the back, with a cargo hold in the rear much like a car. The rota had a clear canopy that contracted when they entered, like a convertible.
The driver's seat instantly adjusted to Providence's smaller size making it easier to reach the controls and see over the dash. It had a joystick and controls much like the starships. When Providence moved into traffic she was surprised at how nice the vehicle handled. It didn't take nearly the coordination a car did back home, let alone the planes she was used to flying. There was a lot to be said for alien technology.
Dagaa
Dagaa's attention had been anywhere but on his meeting with the committee of regents, that he headed up. In the last few months they'd been sending beacons into deep space in an attempt to communicate with species they'd once been in contact with many generations ago. The Cadi had to resume some sort of trade with others now that they'd banned the Jurou Biljana. They recently received word back and were communicating with a species that called themselves the Agurtzane. He should have been paying close attention to the details of their recent message, but his thoughts kept drifting.
Last night when he'd come home Providence was in Madhava's bed, because she certainly wasn't on the settee or asleep in Dagaa's room. Madhava's door was shut and Dagaa wasn't about to barge in.
A twinge of disappointment speared him.
Granted he'd been prepared to step aside and let Madhava take over the role as Providence's Prime protector. But when Dagaa walked into the training room to see Madhava passionately kissing Providence, something primal surged forth inside him. Dagaa hated feeling like he was on the outside looking in. He couldn't let Providence slip through his fingers so easily. Not a single one of the reasons Dagaa gave himself stood up against the desire, need, hunger and deep, deep longing that reared its head, sending him spiraling.
Dagaa approached Madhava after Providence left with Giselle and Kagan.
"Where is Providence going?" Dagaa asked.
"She's going shopping with Giselle. Kagan is taking them. I gave her credits to use."
It was petty but Dagaa would have been happy to give Providence the currency she needed to go shopping, but of course Madhava had taken care of it already.
"Do you think it's wise to send our Daimio out alone with two females to guard? What if they are met by some angry mob of protesters?" Dagaa demanded.
"Kagan can handle it, I'm sure." Madhava replied with chagrin.
"You should have discussed it with me. We are both Providence's protector." Dagaa insisted.
"So where were you last night then?" Madhava snarled. "Did you get so drunk that I have to remind you what you did to the female you are supposed to be protecting?"
"Do you seriously think you are the only one who has Providence's best interest in mind?!" Dagaa snarled back.
"Perhaps I do." Madhava countered.
Dagaa growled then tackled Madhava.
Providence
It took a bit longer to get back to the manor but Providence drove the whole way and even parked the rota without incident. She was getting pretty good at piloting a variety of foreign vehicles.
As she walked back to the main house from the garage with Kagan and Giselle, they were greeted by a horrible commotion in the garden.
Providence stood in horror as she watched Dagaa and Madhava fighting in the yard. They weren't sparring or training. She'd witnessed that before. No, this was different. The men were armed with daggers as they grappled on the lawn, sweat mixed with blood covered both of them. Providence looked at their numerous scrapes, abrasions and shallow gashes. Dagaa's lip was split, while Madhava had a busted eyebrow.
"What in the name of Kali is going on?" Kagan bellowed.
The warriors watching looked up in surprise. Why weren't they stopping this nonsense?
Madhava and Dagaa glanced their way, but rather than stopping they only went at it more ferociously. This crap had gone on long enough. Providence moved forward but Kagan grabbed her shoulder.
Providence was sick of men telling her what to do.
"Take your hand off me." Providence gritted out.
Kagan must've seen the angry determination in her eyes because he reluctantly let her go.
Providence marched up between the circling males uncaring of the fact they were armed with sharp blades.
"What the hell are you two doing?" She demanded.
Providence had a feeling she knew the answer to that question. No doubt this was the continuation of the harsh words she'd overheard the men share the night before.
Dagaa and Madhava looked from Providence back to each other, and then tried to go at it again.
"Don't you fucking dare!" Providence growled.
She reached out and grabbed the blades from each of their hands, slightly shocked the men relinquished them. But they did since she could've easily been injured if they hadn't.
"Daimio you need to decide here and now who Providence's Prime is and who's her Second." Madhava snarled while staring Dagaa square in the eyes.
Providence couldn't believe they talked to Kagan as if she wasn't right in front of them to speak for herself. Providence looked to Giselle for help. She was standing looking concerned as she shook her head in sympathy and aggravation with the two idiots.
"By rights I am her Prime." Dagaa insisted.
"By what right?" Kagan demanded.
"I have pierced her." Dagaa replied.
Madhava punched Dagaa sending him backwards.
"Without her permission and you hurt her, you son of a metcor!"
"I did not intentionally hurt her. You were there, you know that. You are looking for any excuse to have Providence all to yourself." Dagaa snarled as he lunged for Madhava.
Providence stood stunned. She couldn't believe this was being shouted for everyone to hear.
"This should have been decided before something like this happened." Kagan rubbed his hand over his face in frustration, then looked at Providence. "Provide
nce you need to decide which warrior is your Prime and who is Second."
Providence looked from Dagaa to Madhava as they stood huffing angrily. Madhava opened up to her and was proving to be a wonderful man, despite his dark past. But he also was over protective. He twisted the situation to make it sound like Dagaa had raped her. Of course that had a lot to do with the things he witnessed as a youth. But it was still not the case.
Dagaa was more of a conundrum. He wanted her one minute and was devastated when he hurt her. Then she saw him with another female groping and lamenting that he was pledged to protect Providence, like she was a burden. Now he fought, insisting he was her primary protector, because he poked his cock into her a few inches. The way he looked at her had Providence confused. Something simmered in his eyes that she couldn't quite name. Dagaa was normally so confident, but what she saw looked more like fear.
Providence liked both of them, but at the moment she was equally pissed at both of them too.
"I'm not picking either of you." Providence yelled as she pointed the daggers at the two men.
"You must have a Prime and a Second. If you don't choose this will continue." Kagan cajoled.
"I request a formal challenge." Madhava said.
"See!" Kagan threw out his hand. "Fine tomorrow in the arena. But if either of you continue this here and now, I'll find another warrior as Providence's protector." Kagan growled.
"I don't need another fucking protector." Providence huffed under her breath.
So the foolish bastards were going to challenge each other again tomorrow. One would win and the other would lose. She wasn't a damn bone to fight over. This was going ruin Dagaa and Madhava's friendship, if it hadn't already. The thought broke her heart. Dejected Providence turned and started following Giselle inside.
"Where are you going?" Dagaa asked.
"I'm staying with my friend for the night, and I dare you two to say otherwise." Providence yelled.
Providence threw the two daggers into the dirt at the males’ feet before storming inside.
"I don't know what is wrong with them." Giselle said with a shake of her head as Providence plopped down on her bed in the manor.
Warriors' Providence (Cadi Warriors Book 2) Page 13
