She hurried her pace causing the two men on her heels to quicken. Argan groaned when she approached. He raised his palm toward her before she could speak. “The answer is no, my lady.”
“What are you talking about?” She gave him her nicest smile.
“Whatever madness you seek, my answer is no. The Overlord punished all of us with daily practice one on one with him for a week after your little escape.”
Her smile drooped. Miki fairly steamed. “I did not escape. I am Su-Su.” She resisted stomping her feet. “I merely went riding.” Miki held up a finger. “Once and Balal in addition to Kavan accompanied me.” Which followed Vaan’s orders.
Argan sighed and waved for Ramar to take over the training session. She’d interrupted training each time someone refused her request to let her out the gate or ride. Miki held her ground but Argan grasped her elbow and gently pulled her back from the listening crowd. Miki frowned at all of them until they busied themselves in mock sword battles.
“My lady, you went riding without telling Vaan.” Argan clarified.
“But…”
Argan stopped her with another hand palm up. “Balal and Kavan did not agree. You threatened to go alone, leaving them no choice but to go with you. You took Tolan sweets from the kitchen so he’d open the gates. Serel fears you and rightfully so.”
“I was being nice to all of you.” Miki didn’t address all of his claims. There was no need. Tears welled but she refused to let them fall. “I can go where I want. I’m safe with fifteen Warlords watching my every move.”
Miki stared at the Warlords who made no effort to pretend they weren’t listening. “Telling him my every move.” She added a frown in their direction.
Argan snapped and threw his hands in the air. “You fell, my lady.”
Miki flinched. “I’m fine.”
Argan clenched his hands into fists and leaned toward her. “This time you were fine. Next time may not be so fortunate.”
Balal came forward and pushed Argan back. Argan gave a hard look at the young Warlord and though Balal swallowed thickly, he did not back down. “You should not yell at her.”
“She. Fell.” Argan repeated as if that explained everything. “You were responsible for her.” With that statement, Balal looked as if he’d be sick.
Kavan pulled Miki to his side and slightly behind him. Miki blew out a breath. Kavan’s protective stance almost outweighed Vaan’s. “We will ask the Overlord,” Kavan declared.
Miki rolled her eyes and folded her arms over her full chest. “I don’t have to ask Vaan for permission to ride.”
Kavan patted her on her back roughly. Miki glanced at the ground to hide her smile. Kavan tried to calm her but his ability to act affectionate was worst than Vaan’s and his rough touch unbalanced her.
“Blessed One.” It was Balal who caught her by the shoulders and settled her back on her feet.
Miki pushed them all away. “Enough. Vaan has yet to wake. I want to ride now.”
“No!” they all yelled at the same time.
The denial combined with her current emotional state tipped her over. Fat tears spilled over and she started to cry.
“She cries again.” Balal stated the obvious.
It was Kavan who offered a solution. “We will bring in a hapfe. You can ride within the courtyard.”
“Madness, Kavan. He will kill us all,” Argan protested.
Miki brightened, her tears drying. “Really?”
Kavan grimaced as if realizing what he’d done. “Hapani only, my lady.”
Miki didn’t care. She smiled and hugged him. Kavan kept his arms to his sides and jerked his chin far from her face. Miki released him and grinned. He hated when she touched him. She dabbed at her remaining tears. “Go get her now.”
Kavan ruined it with his next words. “But you must ride double with Balal or I.”
“What?” She’d been riding by herself since she could walk.
“In case you unbalance. My lady, a bad fall could have deadly results. The Overlord would be devastated. You do not want this, yes?”
He appealed to her love for Vaan. Miki thought on how worried and scared Vaan had been when Balal carried her in from the last fall. “You are right, Kavan.”
The Warlord looked smug. He whistled at Tolan who nodded. Serel caught and latched the gate. It slowly opened. Miki hurried forward but Argan caught her wrist. “You will wait for Balal to fetch your mount.”
Balal strode away quickly. Miki frowned, frustration beating at her. “I can’t walk to the stables?”
“My lady, you will not so much as cross the threshold of that gate again unless the Overlord himself is at your side.” His words were deadly serious leaving Miki no choice but to give up. Vaan believed danger waited at every corner for her.
Moments later, Tolan and Serel worked together opening the gate. Balal came in leading a feisty Hapani. Kavan touched Miki‘s shoulder to keep her from running toward the animal. When Balal neared, Miki reached out and petted the pretty mount.
“Who will ride with me?”
Balal hesitated. “Are you sure, my lady?” He actually appeared nervous.
Miki eyed the upright position of the hapfe. Her fall last time hurt a lot. Maybe she was getting too big to ride.
Argan threw his hands up and eyed the three of them. “It will not matter, since we will all be dead by morning.”
Kavan barked out a surprised laugh. “I will mount up first. Balal will hand you up and we will take one turn around the yard.” He gave Miki a harsh stare. “Is that clear?”
She nodded but still hesitated when Balal led her closer. Kavan swung his leg in the saddle and settled his weight. Hapani pranced lightly in a circle before the Warlord got control. Kavan extended his hand to her.
Her belly thumped. Miki’s hand went to her middle. Another solid thump.
“Is anything amiss, Mikayla?” Only Balal occasionally slipped and called her by her name. Right now, all three Warlords looked beyond frightened.
“I am well.” She stroked her large middle, soothing the little one. “I do not think the youngling wishes to ride.”
“Then my son is the only one with any sense among my Warlords.”
Vaan’s voice behind her startled everyone. Argan cursed in Kaban and followed it in standard with. “We are all dead.”
Kavan dismounted and smacked Hapani on the haunches. She ran off but Miki didn’t worry since she couldn’t leave through the gate. No one could apparently. Miki turned to face her mate who frowned at his Warlords.
“Were you seeking to ride after the last time?” Vaan’s black eyes heated and the controlled rage in his tone made Miki flinch.
“I merely thought to exercise.”
“You will not ride until our son is born.” He glared at his Warlords. “I made this clear after she fell and bled.”
Argan said a particularly virulent curse and stormed away. Kavan and Balal boldly met Vaan’s stare. “Yes, sire.”
Vaan rocked back on his heels and his hand caressed the dagger on his thigh. “Then explain.”
Miki pushed her way past the two Warlords who tried to protect her from Vaan’s wrath. “It was my idea.” She stroked her burgeoning belly and the move as usual, pulled Vaan’s gaze lower.
“How is he?” Concern laced the question. He constantly worried that she grew too big for the youngling but she reminded him of the differences in their sizes. Any child of theirs was bound to be large.
“A fighter.” Miki smiled. “You are so sure I carry your son?”
Vaan waved Balal and Kavan off. “He will be a Warlord.”
Miki rolled her eyes. “Since you won’t allow me to ride, you must walk with me. I feel the need to stretch.”
He wrapped an arm securely around her waist. “A short walk and you will cease your need to worry me, she’ma.”
Miki laughed. “At least you only have a few weeks left until the birth.”
Vaan leaned down and kissed the top of her hair.
“You are a good mate.”
“I love you, too.”
His lip twitched as he battled a smile. “You would have me say it, yes?”
Miki dug her shoulder into his side. “Vaan!”
He stopped them in the middle of the yard and cupped her cheek. “I love you, Mikayla. There will never be another for me.”
Acknowledgment
As always I have to give a shout to my Crazy Writer Chicks, Lori and Judy. Thanks for listening and offering feedback when I brainstormed a scene.
Honor Bound has a special spot in my heart since it was my nano project. I have to thank fellow author Jacy Oliver for accepting the nano challenge with me. If not for her constant demands of "more," I might not have stayed on track.
About the Author
Michelle Howard enjoys a crazy life that involves wild kids, a loud dog, and a husband who tolerates the madness. Like many authors, she’s dreamed of writing since reading her first romance novel many years ago. She loves paranormal and contemporary romances and is a fan of the classic romances, such as Judith McNaught and Julie Garwood.
I love to hear from fans so please reach out to me if you like the book and if you feel like it, leave a review on Amazon or Goodreads.
Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @mhowardwrites
Website: www.michellehowardwrites.com
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