LW Browning - Krystile Warriors 01 - Warlord's Honor

by LW Browning

  "Limits?"

  "Pita, you are hunted. I am pledged to protect you. I cannot have you wandering about unguarded."

  His obvious omission hurt. He had not said he cared about her, only that he was pledged to protect her. His honor dictated that he watch over her. He had been kind, in his way. Was she misinterpreting his actions because she wanted more from him?

  "And the Prophecy?" She asked.

  "The Prophecy is ancient. It is long and involved. It is supposed to come to pass during my time as Warlord Leader. It is foretold that my generation, the warlords and myself, will find our mates far from our home. They will not be quite human, but they will not be as we are either. The mates will have abilities that will merge and meld with our own."

  "That is the prophecy?" Claire said. "You want to mate with us? That has been your goal all along? You need broodmares for your warlords. You – by the fates you – you are a savage!" She clenched her fists. "We do not – propagate."

  Koda nodded. "It is my duty to keep our race strong. Yes, I believe that my warlords will mate with the MX. It will give strength to our offspring and it will fulfill the prophecy."

  Claire stared at her bare hands. This could not be happening.

  Koda's expression did not change. "Our holy ones came to me some time ago. They believe the MX are destined to be our mates. I have watched the Facility and their program carefully. I saw signs that the program was to be ended along with the MX. I thought it best not to tell you these things until you had time to adjust."

  When Claire continued to sit, dumb with shock, Koda continued.

  "Experiencing so many emotions that are foreign to you has been difficult for you. Without the drugs the Facility gave you, your empath and other abilities have increased. You are very brave, pita. You are doing well. This has been difficult for you."

  "MX are – we are infertile," Claire stopped. Her heart was sinking. "We are not – we do not have sex and – we do not propagate."

  "You were given drugs to suppress your emotions – and your hormones. The Facility kept you infertile with drugs."

  Realization hit. She put her hand over her mouth. "Like animals. They..." Claire's voice trailed off as a hundred thoughts raced through her mind. Disgust rose up in her and she feared she would throw up. She had known it. In her heart, she knew what Koda said was true. It was just so, horrible. All the MX had been a science experiment.

  "They prevented us from breeding, but now you want to force us to breed. How are you any better than them?" Claire whispered. She was still in shock, still struggling, and still hoping it was not true.

  "Pita, I took you under my protection as I will all the other MX. When they are mated, their mates will care for them. I did not plan to force you. When a warlord takes a virgin, he is honor-bound to mate with her. It is the warlord’s duty to protect her, to claim her, and to care for her for the rest of her life."

  There it was again. Duty. He had to protect his honor and take her as a mate because of one mistake in his tent that first night.

  She sat up straighter. "I neither want nor seek your pity, Warlord Leader. I have neither the need nor the desire for your charity." In truth, she did need his help, but she would die before she admitted that to him.

  "Pita, I will always protect and care for you."

  "It seems a high price to pay for one mistake."

  Koda’s voice softened. "According to the prophecy, our race will be enhanced, stronger with the aid of the females who have the special powers and abilities. Those who mate with them will be the leaders of the race and their offspring will become a mighty force. When the mates are found, a sign will be given. Stars will fall from the skies."

  Claire’s face was pale. "The meteor showers," she whispered.

  "Yes, pita, according to prophecy the meteor showers are a sign that we have found our mates."

  "And you expect the other MX to mate with your warlords and make you more powerful."

  "Yes, Pita."

  A sob tore through Claire before she gained control of herself. She sat for a long time, stunned, too weary even to lie down.

  "Is it so bad, pita?" he whispered.

  “That you want us for broodmares to your warlords?” Claire said with tears in her eyes. “At least now I know what I must do to survive here.”

  She had no more words. When her breathing slowed, he pulled her down on her pallet and watched over her until she fell asleep.

  ***

  She walked the grounds with Mardalane the next day, but found it difficult to concentrate on their conversation. Claire was frustrated. She was faced with a very difficult and important decision and little time remained for her to make it.

  Trust Koda. Could she? He presented the only chance to save the others. There was no choice to be made. She was forced to take any chance available to her to save the other MX.

  Before the midday meal, they returned to camp. Claire retreated into the dark coolness of the tent to rest. She thought a nap might help her mild headache, but her sleep was disturbed by unsettling dreams that followed her to wakefulness. What if Koda decided he did not want to help the MX after he knew the truth about them?

  Claire walked beside Koda as he visited the booths and contests of the gathering. They were a warrior people and proud of their prowess with weapons as well as their strength and agility. Claire was glad they used wooden swords to keep the bloodshed to a minimum.

  His people loved and admired him. Claire read that from every person they encountered.

  Koda paused at the area where warriors displayed their skill. The crack of the whips made her jump. A low whimper escaped her as she turned her face away. Koda's strong hand was on her arm, he led her away and they sat on a bench until she stopped shaking.

  Claire felt interest toward Koda from many females as they passed. She boosted her shields just in case any of them had been Koda's sex partners.

  They passed a stage where females danced. Their tattoos and lack of clothing marked them as pleasure females. A group of males drank ale and watched them dance.

  One of the females came out to greet Koda with a big smile. She was a beautiful tall female with long blonde hair. The pleasure tattoos around her blue eyes gave her an exotic look and she had added jewels to accent the tattoos. Claire did not have to be an empath to know that she lusted for Koda. The female greeted him as an old friend. Claire received an onslaught of thoughts and emotions from the female, who spared her only a glance filled with disdain. The female slipped her hands around Koda's other arm and caressed his huge bicep. She shot Claire a mocking look that spoke volumes. Claire had never had jealousy directed at her, but she felt her own jealousy and recognized it for the ugly beast it was.

  Claire moved away from Koda. She had no claim on him. He was welcome to this female. He could have any female he wanted. All of them. She was a body to bear his children, nothing more. Since the attack, he no longer even approached her for sex. She willed herself not to care, refused to give her power away to Koda or to the female who now rubbed her breasts against his bare arm.

  Summoning all the dignity she had, Claire was careful to keep the impassive look on her face when she turned and started back to their campsite. Dren was beside her. The warlords moved with incredible speed when they wanted to. "You should wait for Koda," Dren said.

  "Ah, but the Warlord Leader looks as though he might take some time. I do not wish to intrude upon his – social time," she said.

  Ache caught up to them. "Where are you going?" He planted himself in front of Claire. "You do not leave the Warlord Leader." He was angry.

  Claire bolstered her shields. Ache could have his mood, but she did not want to feel it. She stopped and took a step closer to Ache so that her lowered voice would be heard by him alone.

  “I care not what you think of me. Far more evil and destructive than you would see me dead, indeed have done what they could to try and achieve my death. How can you think your disapproval of me will ca
use me any concern at all? I have never asked any person for protection even though many hunt me and my kind. Were Koda to abandon me to my death that would be his prerogative and I would not have a bad word to say about him. I neither want nor need anything from any person. The Warlord Leader is busy. I am his mate but I will not stand and watch him with... her!" Her eyes sparked with green fire. She stepped aside and walked past him.

  Ache was in front of her again, barring her way. “Most of the bounty hunters in and out of the Conglomeration hunt you. Foolish girl, respect and obey your Warlord Leader."

  When she walked around him, he added, “You are wrong, little female. You do need our assistance to survive.”

  Claire knew he was right, but she ignored him and made her way toward their camp area.

  Ache joined Lodi and Dren and followed her.

  "As for where I am going, I hope I am returning to our camp, although I am not positive of my direction," Claire said. She was relieved when she came upon the flag that was Koda’s in their area of the gathering.

  Claire stopped in front of the tent with her back to them. "Am I expected to spend the night elsewhere? Will Koda need this for...?” She sighed and got control of her emotions. “I am unfamiliar with your customs and although I am an empath, I cannot foretell the future, nor read your minds."

  She stopped. "Sometimes, people must speak to me of what is expected of me so that I may avoid harming your delicate sensibilities by ignoring your customs of which I remain mostly ignorant. If Koda will use this shelter to entertain others, am I expected to find another place to sleep? If so, will you be so kind as to tell me where I will go for the night?" Her voice broke at the end. She took a deep breath, ashamed that they saw her pain.

  Dren took a step back. Lodi held his ground and Ache started back to Koda.

  "You are Koda's mate. He will bring no other to this tent. Sleep here in peace, sister," Lodi said.

  He called her sister. She knew the goodness in Lodi and almost cried from the kindness she felt in him.

  "Thank you," she whispered with sincerity. Tears threatened to fall as she hurried inside.

  Claire had to admit she wanted Koda. In spite of his deception and his mercenary ways, even though he did not want her, she wanted him. She took a deep breath to relax. Perhaps meditation would help her wounded heart. A sudden flash took her breath away. Koda... three renegades approached him. They were hidden in shadow, their swords drawn.

  Claire burst from the tent. "Koda!" Was all she managed to say before she ran back the way they had come. They were not going to reach him in time. She gathered herself and sent a concentrated projection of 'danger' to Koda.

  Lodi was ahead and Dren behind her when they arrived. Both shouted for Koda. Vix made ready for whatever trouble came when Lodi and Dren rushed toward him. They drew their swords and searched the area for signs of a threat. When Claire rounded the tent and caught sight of them, the other warlords had arrived at a tent behind the dancing stage.

  Koda was standing outside the tent over two dead and one dying, his bloody sword hung down from his right hand. Blood trailed from a long cut on his upper left arm and dripped into the dirt.

  Koda pointed with his sword. "This one is alive. I would hear from him."

  He wiped his bloody sword on a rag. Koda was like ice, cold and distant, at least that is what Claire received from him.

  "Of course," she said. Koda had not spoken to her, but she removed her gloves and knelt beside the male who was still alive. Before she reached him, Dren stepped on one of the male's outstretched wrists and Lodi stepped on the other to keep him pinned to the ground.

  She put her delicate hands on the exposed skin of the male's forearm. Strong emotions flowed from him and caused her to flinch. Koda tried to lift her away from the male whose blood now soaked the ground beneath him. He bent and touched the mate bite on Claire’s neck. "Will you not allow me to help? I can heal you." She sat back and sighed. "His hatred is too strong."

  “No need to heal this one,” Koda said.

  The dying male gasped for air and coughed blood out of his mouth. "You bring a stain to our race, foreign whore," he grated.. "It is you who needs to die. Koda should kill you himself, rillia???????. They used you like a farm animal, Ramil..."

  Claire jerked as if he had slapped her. She turned away from the stark hatred in his eyes, but she wanted to receive from him. It was the job Koda expected her to do. She touched him again. His emotions and thoughts flowed into her, drug her down as he died.

  Koda pulled her away and forced her face to his. He bent down and whispered to her. "Let go his mind. Do not look at him. Let him be, pita."

  Claire disengaged her mind from the male. Koda nodded to Lodi. She heard Lodi say, "You will not be speaking to her like that." Then the male was gone.

  Koda pulled her face against his chest and held her while he stroked her hair.

  Claire wanted to stay forever in the shelter of Koda's arms. She wanted to cry, to scream, to run far away and never have to see any of these people again, but her empath abilities were the reason Koda had bought her from Calks. He expected her help and she did not know what else to do except her job.

  "He was... Ramil commanded him and some of the others," Claire managed.

  "Why do you remember him, pita?" Koda's voice was soft as if he sought to calm a frightened animal.

  "He was there," Claire hoped Koda did not make her go into detail in front of everyone.

  "With Ramil?"

  Claire nodded.

  "How many others are here?"

  "There are many. Small groups of three or four."

  Claire buried her face in Koda's chest and stood with her hands on his bare chest. She pushed back and looked at his face as horror dawned in her own. He knew. It was in his eyes. His hand was on the mate mark on her neck. He felt what she received from the dead male, the emotions and the thoughts. Koda had read her.

  Koda saw the scene from the dying male. He felt her shame when Ramil and the others attacked her. He saw it as the dead male had seen it, as Claire had read it. He felt it as Claire had experienced it.

  "How many are in the camp now?" Koda's question reminded Claire that he still needed information.

  "He knew only of these," she whispered. Her mouth open in a silent ‘O’. Dren and Lodi and the others closed in around them in a circle. "There was something... He was anticipating another attack. I do not know which night. Is there going to be a ceremony of some kind at night? Something related to the sky?" Claire struggled to assimilate the information she had gleaned from the male who lay dead.

  "That is good, pita. We will be ready," Koda assured her with a gentle voice.

  When her knees buckled, he supported her.

  Pirea, the female who had rubbed herself against Koda earlier now stood beside them. Var shook his head at Koda.

  Claire tried to step back, but Koda held her close in the cage of his arms. Shame ripped through her. She shook with the effort to maintain control and avoid blasting her emotions to the entire camp. Claire took calm strength from Koda and knew that he felt her doing it.

  What she had received from the dead male had been too brutal, too raw. His vivid memories triggered some of her repressed ones. Now that Koda knew, how was she to face him?

  There was something else. A buried memory now remembered from when Ramil touched her. Ramil had killed Koda's parents. He had caused the rock slide. She saw the scene as she read it from Ramil that night. Koda saw it too.

  "I wish to leave," she whispered. She moved unsteadily to pull herself out of Koda's grip. He was reluctant, but let her go with a nod to Lodi and Dren.

  She started back to their camp, Lodi and Dren on either side of her. Lodi uttered what sounded like curses in a language she did not understand. As soon as she was out of sight of Koda, her knees buckled and she went down. Lodi helped her up. "I would carry you, sister."

  "Thank you, but I will walk," she said.

  The crow
d parted as she passed through them. She looked at no one. Koda's knowledge of Ramil's attack on her was unbearable. Koda had read everything she received and remembered about Ramil's attack when he had touched her tonight.

  Claire stopped in front of the tent. Without looking back at Lodi or Dren, she whispered, "Thank you."

  ***

  Inside the tent, she fell to her knees and moved her sleep pallet close to the side of the tent far away from Koda's mat. She undressed and pulled on a gauzy yellow gown. She brushed her hair and let the emotions come back to her. She kept her shields tight and let the emotions out, slowly, carefully. She lay down facing the tent before she let the sobs come. There was so little left to her that was private.

  Claire cried for the naïve girl she had been, the childhood memories she did not have, and the family she had never known. She cried for her MX sisters and Calks' betrayal. Great wracking sobs shook her. She cried for Koda. He saw her as a property he owned, an asset that brought him power, a duty required for his honor. In spite of it all, Koda was kind to her. She wanted more from him. He had read from her all that she read and remembered from the male she touched tonight, yet he gave no indication of his thoughts.

  She heard Koda greet Lodi and Dren outside the tent. He had acquired her because he was a shrewd leader and it was an advantage to have her abilities. He claimed her because he hoped to breed with her. She was like some prize farm animal to him. Now he knew the shame and fear she felt when she was attacked. He could never love her. Love. Was that what she wanted from him?

  His plan made sense to her if he believed the prophecy. At least she knew what he wanted from her and the others. She would help him find the other MX. There was no other choice for her. Just as there was nothing else between her and Koda. The vision of the beautiful female who had approached him tonight flashed across Claire's memory like a cold hard knife being driven through her heart.