A Warlord's Heart

by Michelle Howard

  “You do not belong on Raasa land.” Vaan’s tone cut through the confusion.

  Tylis came forward, hands out to his side. “When we speak you’ll be glad I was in the right place.”

  Not likely.

  “At least allow Zunan to rise,” Tylis continued.

  Vaan stepped back, sword ready. “Get up.”

  The man scrambled to his feet and rushed toward his son. With a sharp thrust of his sword, Janak barred the way.

  Tylis lifted his brow. “Overlord?”

  No one moved. Vaan had given all the concessions he planned to make.

  Tylis sighed. “You’re as difficult and hard as rumors claim.”

  “Best you explain quickly or the blood of you and your warriors will cover the ground this night as you join the Blessed One.”

  Tylis flinched and massaged the ridges on his forehead. “I bring gifts for the Overlord. Kalida, come out.”

  Vaan’s Warlords stiffened.

  The warrior with blue skin and braids of midnight stepped aside and a dark-haired woman with matching skin of blue walked toward Vaan. The light from the fire illuminated a youngling in each of her arms. Shock rocked him back on his boot heels. For the first time in all his years of fighting, Vaan dropped his sword to the ground.

  Ignoring the weapons aimed in his direction, Vaan crossed to the woman quickly and snatched up his youngling. They didn’t wake during the switch and snuggled into his arms. Zanni berries. The scent, mixed with a hint of smoke, lingered on their skin. Vaan almost fell to his knees, so great was his relief to hold them once more. But they did not stir.

  “What is wrong with them?” Vaan snarled.

  “Merely drugged. Not from us,” Tylis added quickly when his Warlords shifted their stance.

  “What of the warriors who took them?” Vaan needed to seek them out.

  “Dead, Overlord. All but one. My men were forced to kill them to keep your children safe.”

  “What do you want, Aerilian?” he asked in a voice gone raspy. This was not done in kindness.

  “Bjorn was a fool,” Tylis stated, naming the now deceased Aerilian Prince. “I only seek to put things to right with the Olak’din but they’ll have nothing to do with me. Shaina C’Err has killed or injured any Aerilian who ventured close without hearing them out. I know you have a connection to them through your own Warlord.”

  There was no price, no price Vaan wouldn’t pay for Erana and Arane’s life. “What would you have of me?”

  Stern features shifted to pleasure. “Speak with the Shadow Queen and her King. Convince her to open talks with me.”

  “Done.” Vaan turned away. He’d beat Argan bloody if he didn’t get his bride to agree.

  “I have another gift, Overlord Galip,” Tylis added.

  Every instinct screamed at Vaan to continue. He had his youngling and nothing was of greater import, except getting back to Mikayla.

  “I thought you’d like to make the one we saved pay,” the Aerilian stated.

  Vaan turned slowly. Sulon was already at his side, reaching for Arane and Erana. Though he hated the thought of releasing them, Vaan handed his young to the Warlord. Arane stirred, her eyes blinking sleepily. The corners of her mouth curved up as she stared at Vaan and the tips of her fangs were visible before her lids drifted closed once more. The sight re-ignited his need to kill. Maim.

  “Where?”

  Tylis pointed in the direction of overgrown shrubs and vines. Vaan smiled grimly and caught the sword Janak tossed his way then headed for the one who’d pay the price in blood. As soon as Vaan moved behind the bushes calmness settled over him. His boots crunched dried leaves and twigs as he crossed the space separating him from the bare-chested man in leather pants.

  Tylis had done him a favor by only tying the warrior’s hands in front of him. The dark head lifted. Recognition flared. When the man blanched, Vaan smiled.

  “Rolon, I did not expect you to commit such betrayal.”

  The sitting warrior shifted to his knees, eyes wide. “Please, Overlord. I beg of you. Things have been different. Warlord Saran is not as tolerant as you.”

  Vaan had never been considered tolerant but if those in Kaban learned to fear his brother equally, then Saran ruled well in his stead. The edge of Vaan’s blade flirted with the hair of Rolon’s tail before slicing through the length. Black coils hit the ground. “You razed villages. Used fire hashi on my home and that of my mate.”

  “It was not my idea, Overlord.” Rolon sniveled and lifted his bound hands. Brown eyes creased and never left Vaan’s face.

  Vaan tipped his head to the side. Perhaps he would seek answers first and then end this hapfe piss. “Do you know of the other rebels?”

  Rolon nodded and wiped at his face with his forearms. “Warlord Saran has sent a contingent of the best warriors to rouse them. Only one group remains now since the Aerilians killed all my companions.”

  Interesting. He’d thank his brother later. “Who are they?”

  “I do not-”

  Vaan cut across Rolon’s bare chest, ending the lie before he finished. Rolon shouted as blood welled from the cut. A minor injury compared to what Vaan wanted to do. “Who. Are. They?”

  “Warlord Kuran, Sire. It has been Kuran who sided with Thenl from the beginning.” Rolon couldn’t get the words out fast enough. “Together they raided Anane, Sokal and Mulei so you would be blamed. When Thenl fell, Warlord Kuran continued his attacks. He wanted your youngling or the Raasa you took as bride to force you to give him Kaban.”

  Vaan lowered his head in order to mask the rage he couldn’t hide. He had called Kuran friend. The Warlord had greeted Vaan’s return from the dead with happiness and drank to his long life. To hear that the Kabanian had worked with Thenl to cause most of his trouble and intended to harm Mikayla and his youngling was hard to stomach.

  When he had himself composed, Vaan lifted his head. “My youngling?”

  Rolon attempted a brave smile, then licked his swollen lips. Apparently the Aerilians had not been gentle in subduing him. “Not to be harmed. Warlord Kuran would have returned them after you met his demands.”

  Which explained why Arane and Erana had been drugged. “Know you his plan for the Raasa female?”

  “Death, Overlord. The Raasa are nothing to us, yes?”

  Those were the last clear words Rolon spoke. Each scream Vaan pulled from the traitorous Kabanian rang like music to his ears. Mikayla was everything to him and all would know it by the message he sent when this night was over.

  ***

  When the clouds of mist faded, Miki glanced around. Their group arrived in the middle of the courtyard of her home, catching her people by surprise. Tolan called out along with a few others. The smell of smoke hit her next. It didn’t take more than a look to note the worry and concern on their faces before she was soon surrounded.

  As she reassured everyone that she was fine, Miki took in the differences. The pen reserved for shep near the storage shed to her home now boasted the jumping forms of her hapfe. Wessel hurried toward her, dragging his leg in a limp. His black pants were torn at the knee where thick white bandages wrapped down to his ankle. Miki shoved her hand over her mouth to hold back a cry of dismay as she spun in a complete circle. Her stables! Gone. Completely destroyed.

  “What happened?” She asked.

  Tolan reached her and bowed. “Kabanians attacked. The Overlord has gone after them.”

  It was as Argan had said. Miki swallowed. “My youngling…has there been word?”

  Tolan’s gaze darkened as he shook his head. Miki straightened her shoulders. She trusted Vaan but the thought of waiting would kill her. “Argan?”

  Vaan’s best friend was at her side in an instant. “What do you need, Mikayla?”

  “Can you…can you find Vaan and bring him home?”

  Argan’s brows lowered and she sensed the denial he was about to speak when the Shadow Queen answered for him. “I can. Traveling through the shadows is st
ill new to my husband. With Argan’s connection to the Overlord, I can help him shift through to find them and we’ll return quickly.”

  Her throat ached but Miki managed a wane smile. “Thank you, Shadow Queen.”

  “Please call me Shaina, Mikayla.”

  Argan and Shaina held hands and dark tendrils covered the both of them until nothing but an empty spot remained where they’d stood. Miki took a deep breath, uncertainty causing her to hiccup as tears burned.

  “Come inside, Mikayla,” called a familiar voice.

  She glanced up and Balal waved at her from the top of the stairs of their home. Bandages and black streaks told their own story. If someone stole her youngling, they would have had to go through this Warlord, who loved and guarded them fiercely. Miki cried and ran to him. As soon as she was close enough, she jumped into his arms and hugged him, grateful that he was alive.

  They stumbled backward as he grunted from her weight but she held on. “Thank you, thank you, Balal.”

  He patted her back hesitantly and the very awkwardness of the gesture had Miki releasing him with a chuckle. Assa stood behind him and Miki hugged her friend next. When Miki settled, she swiped at the tears on her face and followed them inside. She immediately identified the Warlords missing.

  Those present rose to their feet hastily. Kavan and the others entered behind her but Miki had one question burning at the forefront. A question she needed the answer to in order to assuage the well of guilt building inside.

  “Who else is injured, Balal?” she asked, cornering him when he sought to move.

  Assa curled into his side, stroking a hand down his torso but Balal’s wince proved her right.

  Miki worked at the knot in her throat. “Is he dead?”

  “No!” Balal exploded. “Amrod is fine.”

  Relief made her dizzy. Miki had worried that the Warlord Vaan would have assigned to take Kavan’s place, was gone to the Hills.

  She searched anxiously for the friendly Warlord, her gaze going over Ramar, Hason, Lima and Marin. “Where is he?”

  Ramar answered. “Amrod rests, my lady. His injuries were more grievous than Balal’s.”

  Miki closed her eyes and gave thanks to the Blessed One. “Was anyone else harmed?”

  Vesa walked over and wrapped an arm around Miki’s shoulders. “Why don’t you have a seat and everyone can talk? Cook is serving meat pies.”

  The Warlords’ cheering drowned out Miki’s groan.

  Chapter 12

  After much complaining, Amrod had convinced Ramar to allow him to join them in the hall. His face was battered, one eye swollen completely closed, a split lip that bled each time he spoke and his right arm had been secured to his chest in a sling. It was a good thing Vaan taught each of his Warlords to fight with both hands.

  Miki kissed Amrod on the cheek in thanks much to his embarrassment.

  “That kiss has cost me, my lady. Now the Overlord will thank me for my efforts with one on one practice as soon as I recover.”

  Miki chuckled. None of the Warlords wanted to be selected to practice with Vaan except Argan and now that he no longer lived among them, her mate was at a loss for partners.

  The warriors devoured cook’s pies while the Raasa eagerly ate the steamed vegetables and bread placed before them. Miki couldn’t eat. The only distraction from worry that seemed to help was focusing on how odd her friend Vesa was behaving.

  When Vesa passed by her a second time, Miki grabbed her friend until Vesa sat with a thump beside her. “Tell me.”

  Vesa flustered, avoiding her gaze. “What? Tell you what?”

  Miki glared. “Something’s amiss.”

  It was in her friends green eyes, the barely noticeable pink in her cheeks. “I…I”

  The stutter proved her correct. Miki grinned. “Has Maen asked for a True Union?”

  Ramar growled from his seat across the table. Miki turned to him in surprise but the Warlord only had eyes for Vesa. Miki faced Vesa to question her further but caught Vesa’s slow smile in Ramar’s direction.

  “You’re back with Ramar?” Miki gasped.

  “Shh,” Vesa cautioned and worried at the material of her dress.

  “What else has been going on since I left?” Miki had been gone less than a week.

  “Assa is with young.”

  Miki froze. Not because the announcement surprised her. Which it did. But because the deep voice revealing the words had her heart singing. “Vaan!”

  Miki jumped up to race toward the Warlords and her mate standing at the center of the room next to a smiling Shaina and an amused Argan. Miki would tease Argan later about his happiness. She only had eyes for her family. Kavan reached her youngling first and soon held a sleeping Arane and Erana in his arms. Miki flew to Vaan instead and wrapped her arms tight around his waist in a hug she never wanted to loosen.

  She cried, laughed and babbled. It took a few moments for her to understand the words Vaan kept murmuring in her ear as his hands stroked her back in even rhythms. “I can not understand Raasa when you speak this fast.”

  Miki pulled back, uncaring that her face was probably a mess. Black eyes shining with pleasure and love stared down at her. She switched to Standard. “I knew you’d bring them home.”

  A tremor shook his frame but he did not lessen his hold about her either. “Your faith is good.”

  “I trusted you. You wouldn’t fail in this.” Miki cupped his strong jaw and leaned up to kiss him on the mouth. His hands clenched on her waist as he conveyed his own fear and worry in the lips that smashed into hers and the tongue that stroked eagerly.

  At last, Miki stepped back and with her arm linked around Vaan’s hips, approached Kavan. She didn’t even attempt to take the girls from the Warlord whose eyes silently begged her understanding. Miki didn’t need to know all of Kavan’s secrets but she more than anyone else knew what it cost him to be away when the youngling were taken.

  With that in mind, Miki ran a hand over their backs, kissed plump cheeks, content in the knowledge they were home. Safe.

  ***

  Vaan fought the urge to crush Mikayla to his chest again. He wanted to rush her to their bedroom and hold her through the night until he accepted in his mind and heart that she was safe and in his arms. Listening to the Kabanian admit the plans to kill his mate had knocked him off his footing.

  Vaan loved her too much to comprehend a life without her at his side. He glanced down and tears rolled down her cheeks once more as she caressed their youngling. She wanted to hold them but allowed Kavan this moment. Vaan’s heart swelled at further proof of her generosity of spirit. Kavan had lost his sister when she was but a youngling after his mother left him in charge of her. The death had been the will of the Blessed One but his Warlord could not accept this.

  For years Vaan had not understood but now he did. If he had lost his youngling, it would have destroyed Mikayla and sent him on a spiral he would not have recovered from quickly. It reminded him of his promise.

  “Argan, a word.”

  His best friend inclined his head and came to Vaan instantly. He might be the Shadow King but their friendship had no boundaries. “Yes, Vaan?”

  “The Aerilians handled the Kabanians responsible before I could.”

  At the name of the enemies to the Olak’din, Argan’s lips firmed. Vaan pressed forward. He’d given his word. “In return they have asked only that you and your bride hear them out and talk.”

  Mikayla’s fingers pinched his side, her attention fully on the conversation. Vaan hadn’t had a chance to speak with her about any of this.

  Argan ran a hand through his shortened hair, gaze seeking his bride whose attention hadn’t strayed from Kavan. “I almost lost Shaina through Bjorn’s attack. I hold animosity toward them.”

  Vaan would feel the same. But he owed Tylis. “I gave my word that you would listen in exchange for the life of my youngling. No more, Argan. Only listen.”

  Argan’s brown eyes snapped to his. “Con
sider it done, Overlord.”

  Arane chose that moment to wake. Her dark head popped up and she grinned, not looking the least disturbed. Erana woke slower. Vaan held his breath as her lashes fluttered. Green eyes widened and the flash of fear in them had Vaan wishing he could kill Rolon all over again. Mikayla bit off a cry beside him.

  Erana looked up at Kavan’s face. She patted his Warlord’s chest and the fear eased. “Kaf.”

  The Shadow Queen moved closer to Kavan, her silver eyes on his youngling. Argan and his Queen had arrived after Vaan had let the Aerilians go. His Warlords unfamiliar with Shaina had kept a wide wall between her and the youngling. Vaan could not fault them with their recent fear still riding them all hard. This was Shaina’s first time seeing his young clearly.

  “They’re beautiful,” she breathed.

  She reached for Erana but paused when his Warlords tensed around them. Seeing her dilemma, Argan left Vaan and lifted the youngling from Kavan and his intimidating frown.

  “These are the Overlords youngling Arane and Erana,” Argan announced.

  “Mine too,” Mikayla chimed with a wry grin, relaxing.

  A small smile curved Argan’s mouth as he faced his bride. Vaan tried to recall seeing his friend this happy when it didn’t involve death. He couldn’t pull forth any such memory. Shaina stroked the downy-soft black hair of his youngling and Erana giggled as she was want to do, then extended her arms toward Shaina. After a brief glance in his direction and Mikayla’s to make certain they approved, Shaina took the little one from Argan. Erana immediately rested her head on Shaina’s chest and the Shadow Queen’s silver eyes melted.

  When Mikayla wrapped her arms around her waist, Vaan knew she did it to keep from snatching their young away from Shaina. He understood her need to hold them close and never let go. Stepping behind her, Vaan smoothed his hands over her arms and pulled her snug against him.