Warrior's Paradox (Cadi Warriors Book 3)

by Stephanie West

  “Now I know why mated warriors are so crazy sometimes. I’m sure if I insisted you return to Sargon, you’d just sneak aboard the cruiser,” Tytus conceded with a shake of his head.

  “Smart man. You learn fast.”

  June leaned over with puckered lips. Tytus grinned as he ducked low, while keeping an eye on the road. June kissed his cheek.

  June might refuse to return to Sargon, but there was one thing he could do to care for her, should something happen to him. Tytus hailed Madhava on his handheld.

  “Who are you calling?” June asked.

  “Madhava.”

  “Tytus, greetings,” Madhava answered instantly. “I heard what you did. Congratulation,” the warrior laughed.

  Word of his misadventures had obviously spread. No doubt Giselle was having a good time gossiping about it.

  “Thank you. Madhava, I have an important request. Since you are familiar with humans, would you be willing to be June’s Second?”

  “Second? My second what?” June asked looking confused, as she listened to the conversation.

  “You haven’t talked to your mate about this yet, have you?” Madhava replied.

  “Talk to me about what? Tytus what’s going on? Who is that?”

  “June, on Cadi every female has a Prime and a Second. I am your Prime, but if something happens to me, your Second will make sure you are cared for.”

  “Like two husbands? Tytus I am not marrying another man,” she screeched, attracting the attention of the warriors on the other three rota nearby.

  Tytus looked at June’s horrified expression and realized he might have made another error. June was not Cadi, she had no clue what a Second was.

  “Who’s marrying another man?” Providence plopped down beside Madhava and peeked into the screen.

  “Tytus asked me to be June’s Second,” Madhava replied to his mate.

  “A Second like you and Dagaa are my Seconds?” Providence’s brow rose.

  “No,” Tytus growled.

  He closed his eyes in frustration, then remembered he was piloting the rota. This situation had quickly gotten out of hand.

  “Tytus, start talking fast,” June demanded.

  “June, I don’t want you to mate Madhava.”

  “What she said certainly implied I’d have two husbands.” June gestured to Providence onscreen.

  “Crap, I didn’t help, did I?” Providence grimaced. “Tytus, let me try to explain.”

  Tytus passed his handheld to June. He hoped Providence could help, since he’d already made a mess of things.

  “Hello. I’m Providence. You’re June, right?”

  “Yes,” June replied warily.

  “You’re relatively new to Cadi, so I’m sure there’s been some culture shock.”

  “You could say that. What is all this Second business about?”

  “It’s Cadi tradition that mates pick another man as a Second, in case something happens to him. It came about because so many men were lost during the war. Sometimes the Second mated the widow, but not always.”

  “Did I misunderstand? I thought you said Madhava and Dagaa were both your Seconds,” June asked suspiciously.

  “Don’t freak out, but yes, I am mated to two men. Our situation is a bit unique. It’s not frowned upon on Cadi, but not common either. Cadi warriors are generally too possessive to share that way. But the warriors also adore their women, and it kills them to leave them unprotected.”

  “I’ve noticed.” June nodded.

  “If you agree to having Madhava as your Second, there’s no way it’ll be anything more than a title,” Providence stated emphatically. “He’d be like your brother-in-law.”

  “I’m starting to realize how little I know about their society and laws,” June said, while worrying her lip with her teeth. “This is weird.”

  “I know. Don’t stress. Cadi takes some getting used to, but it’s a good place, filled with some very awesome people,” Providence encouraged.

  “So, what if something does happen to Tytus, god forbid?” June asked with a frown.

  “You’d come live with us, like one big happy family, minus any hanky panky.”

  “Who’d be one big happy family?” Tytus heard Giselle ask, as she joined Providence and Madhava on the other end. “Oh, hello June. How are you?”

  “Good, confused,” June replied into the handheld.

  “Tytus asked Madhava to be June’s Second, and there was a little misunderstanding,” Providence replied.

  “Oh jeez, I can only imagine. June don’t worry about it. Madhava’s a good guy,” Giselle said.

  “Let me hold that sweet little babe. You females always monopolize her,” Madhava insisted.

  “Is that your baby?” June asked, a grin spreading across her face as she stared at the screen.

  Tytus sighed when June’s shoulders relax from the tense position they’d been in.

  Disaster averted.

  “This is Graca.” Giselle held Graca up to the handheld screen, before passing her off to Madhava.

  “She’s adorable,” June cooed into the handheld.

  “Now about the Second thing. Are you okay with it?” Providence asked.

  “Yeah, I guess,” June replied.

  “Madhava, what’s your answer,” Providence hollered to Madhava.

  “Of course,” Madhava replied.

  “Woo hoo. Welcome to our big strange family,” Giselle crowed.

  June giggled at Giselle’s response, making Tytus smile.

  “Tytus is a catch, but don’t let him get wrapped up in work, or you’ll never see him,” Providence informed June.

  Tytus laughed. The females knew him too well.

  “June’s an engineer, just like Tytus. She’ll probably be cooped up in that lab all the time with him.” Giselle’s assessment was valid. “Hey Madhava, stop doing that with my baby. She’s not a little monkey.”

  “Oh, my god. I didn’t know Graca could hang by her tail like that,” Providence exclaimed.

  “That is shocking,” June added, her eyes wide as she stared at the screen.

  Tytus snickered at the females’ banter.

  “I know. The first-time Kagan did that with Graca, I nearly fainted. Then I wanted to strangle him,” Giselle groused.

  “I guess she’s supposed to be able to do that, right?” Providence asked.

  “Yeah, but I don’t have to like it. How are things with the mission, since I talked to you this morning? Cyprian isn’t giving you shit, is he?” Giselle asked.

  “He’s such a hard ass. Man, I’m so jealous you’re on a mission,” Providence said with a pout.

  Tytus laughed at his friend’s sour expression. Providence was a wild female, who kept her two warriors busy. She had been an actual warrior in Earth’s military.

  There was a time, Tytus would’ve laughed at the idea of a female army. That changed after seeing these brave females in action. It had been Giselle’s strategy that won the final battle, ending the civil war; and Providence had organized, and aided in the Toufik mass rescue. There were few males on Cadi who could boast such feats. Based on the way June sabotaged the rota and bargained with Kagan, she was equally impressive, not to mention sexy.

  Tytus smiled at June, and she smiled back.

  “Things are much better now, especially since I’m not being smuggled around in a giant body bag.”

  “Seriously!” Tytus heard the other females exclaim in surprise.

  “Yeah,” June laughed. “The guys have been pretty cool. Although we’ve been riding since morning, so it’s not like I’ve talked to them much. At least Cyprian’s using my name, instead of calling me female. I think we’re almost to Thietmar, so we’ll see.”

  “Good. You take care of those men. Don’t let them run rough shod over you. They can be a little full of themselves sometimes, but they’re all good guys.”

  “Hey, one of those males is standing right here,” Tytus declared, feigning offense.

 
“Will do,” June replied wearing a broad grin. “Oh, I have some personal questions. Do you mind?” June asked with a sideways glance at Tytus.

  “Ask away,” Giselle said.

  June headed to the back of the rota with the handheld. Tytus couldn’t hear the murmured discussion, but was happy June was making friends. June’s occasional giggle brought him more pleasure than he could’ve imagined.

  The large salvage yard came into view as the rota rounded the next bend. From what Tytus could see, there were several hectares of scrap and machinery that were still in decent shape.

  There’s a lot here I can work with, he nodded appreciatively.

  From the small villa and garden at the front of the salvage yard, it appeared the owner lived here. Tytus pulled up next to his companions and cut off the engine. Cyprian hopped off his vehicle and approached an old Cadi warrior working in the garden.

  “Rark?” Cyprian called out to the male.

  “Yes,” the old warrior replied. He wiped his dirty hands on his cloak, as he approached them.

  “I’m Cyprian. I inquired about the Zaxes cruiser.”

  Tytus could see the vessel sitting near the front of the lot. It looked better than he expected.

  “And I informed you it wasn’t for sale,” the stern warrior replied with a frown.

  “Compensation is not a problem. Name your price.” Cyprian showed Rark a portion of the credits they’d brought.

  “The answer’s still no,” the old warrior grumbled and turned back towards his garden.

  Tytus was surprised by the unexpected hurdle. He thought acquiring a ship from the salvage yard would be the least of their worries.

  The muscle in Cyprian’s jaw flexed in frustration. Scrappers were shrewd negotiators when it came to valuable salvage. Undoubtedly the general assumed seeing the credits would take care of the yard owner’s hesitance to sell. But Rark was adamant in his refusal. This wasn’t some ploy to drive up the price.

  “What’s wrong?” June asked.

  “The male doesn’t want to sell the cruiser,” Tytus replied as he helped June out of the rota.

  “Well that sucks. Do you think he’ll let me use the bathroom?”

  Tytus held June’s hand as he approached the grumpy old warrior in his garden.

  “Rark, do you mind if my mate uses your facilities?” Tytus asked.

  The male turned aggressively, then paused when he saw June. His wrinkled eyes widened a bit then went blank again.

  “Of course, but then you all need to leave.” He waved June towards the side entrance of the house.

  “Thank you so much. These flowers are gorgeous,” June exclaimed as she headed towards the door.

  Tytus admired the way June’s curvy behind sashayed as she walked. It was quite a view, capturing his attention every time. He realized he was wearing a goofy grin when he turned to see the old warrior staring at him with a smirk.

  “I heard there were foreign females showing up on Cadi. So, you mated one, huh?” Rark asked.

  “I did,” Tytus replied. “Since you don’t want to sell that particular cruiser, do you have anything similar, or know where we can get one?”

  “Nothing in as good a shape,” the old man replied as he continued pulling stray foliage.

  “That’s okay. I’m pretty good with machines.”

  Cyprian strode brusquely into the garden. Tytus could see he was in a mood. The general didn’t appreciate Rark turning his back on him. He was too used to warriors falling in line when he gave an order.

  “I hoped I wouldn’t have to do this,” Cyprian growled. “Rark, as High General of the Anzac Guard I am commandeering the vessel we discussed. You will name your price now.”

  Rark stiffened and stood up straight, dropping the weeds he was holding.

  Mother of Kali, Tytus cursed to himself. The day had been full of one confrontation after another.

  “Name my price. Is that the deal?” Rark snarled. “Then I want its weight in palladium.”

  Tytus nearly burst out laughing at the warrior’s absurd reply. That much palladium would buy half the province and everything in it.

  “You are testing my patience,” Cyprian gritted his teeth. “Do you wish to have your liberties removed?”

  “You named the conditions of the bargain, young warrior,” Rark growled in reply.

  Tytus closed his eyes and shook his head.

  I miss my lab.

  June

  June smiled as the conversation with Giselle and Providence replayed in her mind. It was going to help having them as friends. They were very informative about sensitive subjects.

  She hustled into the cottage, happy to have a bathroom instead of a bush to do her business in. Movement caught June’s attention and she turned to see someone standing in the kitchen. The woman was covered from head to toe, which was odd, since most of the Cadi women she’d seen preferred short skirts and sleeves.

  “Excuse me. Rark said I might use your bathroom.”

  “It’s at the far end of the hall,” the woman replied as she continued to work.

  “Okay. Thank you.”

  June did her business, grateful for the hospitality.

  Dear god, I need a hairbrush, she cringed when she noticed her reflection, and combed her fingers through her hair.

  June admired the ornately carved wooden furniture, as she headed back towards the kitchen. She liked how the Cadi favored natural materials, making the room look warm and inviting. There was a vase of freshly cut flowers sitting on the dining table. The gorgeous blooms filled the cottage with a pleasant aroma.

  “Thank you again. I really appreciate it.”

  “My pleasure,” the woman replied.

  The Cadi woman paused abruptly and set down the knife she was using to dice vegetables.

  “Did you cut yourself?”

  June rushed over. She felt awful for distracting the woman.

  “No. I am fine.” The woman glanced at June and her eyes widened.

  June was also surprised. The woman was terribly scarred; one marred her lip, with another across her forehead. June looked down to see the older woman’s gnarled hand was frozen in a cramp.

  “That looks painful. I hate it when I’ve been working too long and my hands do that,” June commented. “I’m June by the way.”

  “Pleasure to meet you. I’m Vivina. You are a human, but you don’t look like the image I saw of the Daimio’s mate.”

  “I’m not his mate. I’m traveling with my mate, Tytus. He’s the Daimio’s Principle Technical Advisor. We’re here to buy the big spaceship.”

  “Ah. Rark will never part with that ship.” Vivina shook her head with a frown.

  June had a feeling Rark was holding onto the ship for personal reasons.

  “I gathered that. So, he’s pretty attached to it?”

  “Yes,” Vivina replied.

  The expression on her face was so sad it broke June’s heart. There were people that wore their emotions on their sleeve, and Vivina was one of them.

  “Do you have any oil or skin lotion?” June inquired, as she recalled a piece of wise advice about finding yourself by serving other.

  “This oil is good for cooking and dry skin.” Vivina gestured to the bottle on the counter.

  Like olive oil.

  June poured some into her hand and slathered it around.

  “Do you mind?” June asked as she reached for the woman’s cramped hand.

  Vivina’s brow furrowed, but she hesitantly reached out anyway. Something about her sweet, reserved nature drew June in.

  “It just needs a little massage to work the cramp out.” June smiled as she gently rubbed the woman’s clenched palm.

  “They were broken years ago, and never healed right. Now they rebel all the time,” the woman replied while staring at her other gnarled hand.

  Vivina had been in a horrible accident. June could feel several improperly healed bones in her hand. She also noticed more scars disappearing be
neath her sleeves. It was a wonder the woman had use of her hands at all.

  “Thank you. That is much better,” Vivina said, as she pulled away and started cutting the vegetables again.

  “You mind if I help, while the men are doing whatever it is they’re doing?”

  Rark had said she should go to the bathroom then leave, but Vivina was the first Cadi woman she’d met, and it looked like she needed help. Also, for some reason it felt good standing in the bright and airy kitchen, talking with the woman.

  “That’s not necessary.” Vivina shook her head.

  “Oh,” June frowned in disappointment. “I like your house. I was trying to figure out why, besides it being nice. I think it’s a mix of things. The way the sun’s coming through that window, the carved wooden table, the smell of flowers. It all sort of reminds me of my parent’s home.”

  June stared at the silhouette of Vivina, recalling the last time she saw her mother, dressed up in her sari.

  “Thank you.” Vivina smiled a genuine smile. “I heard your people were taken from their world.”

  “Yes. With good intention, but without my permission,” June replied as she attempted to dispel the homesickness that had suddenly struck her hard.

  “I am sorry. It is never easy when someone strips us of our will to decide.”

  “No, it’s not,” June said as she stared out the window at the serene garden.

  She was surprised by the gentle hand on her arm.

  “It will get easier in time,” Vivina encouraged. “I was attacked long ago. That is where all this comes from.” Vivina gestured to her face and pulled up her sleeves exposing her scarred arms.

  “I am sorry. I shouldn’t complain. The people who took me have at least been kind.” June felt foolish in comparison.

  “Don’t apologize. It’s okay to be angry. They stole you from your family.”

  June nodded.

  “My only young was stolen from me. Killed. So, I understand.”

  “I’m sorry. Was that when you were hurt?” June asked.

  “Yes. My son was home, on leave from the battlefront, and Rark was away on business, when the enemy raiding party descended. They planned to steal from the salvage yard.” Vivina shook her head. “Kai refused to give them the access codes for that blessed ship, and he died because of it.”