Honor Bound (12 page)

Then Balal had the
right of it. With one last look at the mess, Vaan dismissed them to spend the
rest of the evening how they wanted and headed to the upper level. He didn’t
like the discomfort in his chest. His steps slowed when he heard the murmur of
voices from the next room.

‘Is it so hard to
love me?’

Vaan heard his
mate’s voice when he approached the opened door. He leaned his back against the
wall and listened further.

“You’re wonderful,
Miki. Anyone who has the chance to know you, loves you.”

Vaan recognized
Eran’s voice. He didn’t know why he’d followed Mikayla’s path. He could have
left with his men who more than likely would start a game of Dilek. Balal’s
frown fed his guilt. The Warlord constantly showed Mikayla the respect and
courtesy she deserved without prompting.

Vaan feared he’d
not been so gracious with his actions and words.

“What if I made a
mistake?”

Vaan stiffened and
peered around the edge of the doorway. The old Raasa held Mikayla in an
embrace. The view of her clothing from this angle showed the material dipped
low on her back, almost revealing the curve of her buttocks. If any other male
dared to touch her in a similar manner, Vaan would have gladly run them through
with his sword.

“Do you regret the
joining, Miki?”

Vaan’s breath
stalled as he awaited her response. So far, he’d only considered his feelings
and that of his men. They’d lost so much due to Thenl and Dakar‘s betrayal.
They had no place to call home until they took care of the traitors. But
Mikayla had lost as well. She’d bound her life to a stranger to save her
people.

“I don’t know.”

“If you could have
another, would you?”

A long silence and
then... “No.”

Vaan exhaled. He
wasn‘t sure why her answer mattered, only that it did. He eased away from his
position. There was much for him to think on. His lips curled, though he’d not
let her wear that ever again.

Chapter 11

His bride stood to
his left. She’d ignored him all day and the day before. He actually missed the
kisses she managed to press to his cheeks and temple in the mornings. He’d
begun to deliberately stall over morning meal, awaiting her appearance. She
walked by him and took her meal in the kitchen with the cooks and servants
around her.

This evening, he’d
make amends. He waited until Mikayla returned and approached the table to hand
a cloth to the servant filling one of his Warlord‘s mug. She avoided eye
contact and made no effort to speak with him. Assa, seeing his determined
intentions, moved aside. “Tell me again of this kissing.”

Mikayla jerked in
his direction and Assa, hearing his words, spilled the cider. The servant
flushed and grabbed the cloth to mop the table.

“Leave us,” Vaan
ordered. When they were alone, he shifted his leg to straddle the bench. “Sit,”
he ordered his bride.

Mikayla’s pert
nose hiked in the air as she reluctantly sat. “I’m not sure what you’re
asking.”

He propped his arm
on the table and leaned his weight forward. The move put him in close, invading
her personal space. The flesh of her bare arms pebbled but she refused to lift
her head from the table. His proximity unnerved her. “You did something to make
the food unappetizing.”

Her shoulders
tightened. Vaan placed his palm over hers unsure how to convey his lack of
anger at the knowledge. “My Warlords noticed immediately, though I was slower.”

She remained
quiet. Her silence confirmed her guilt. From what he discerned, Mikayla liked
to voice her opinion. Argan’s assessment seemed to be correct. “Tolan says it
is a woman’s way so I will leave it but my behavior the other night caused
unwarranted pain. What would you have me do to make amends?”

Green eyes peered
up at him. The past two nights they’d been wet from tears when he climbed in
bed. She slept with her back turned to him and he’d not disturbed her. Vaan
reached out and tucked the sleek hair behind her ear to better see her face.
Touching her was becoming an addiction and not just because he enjoyed their
bed play.

“Make amends?”

“You wanted kisses
in exchange for the food tasting better.“ He grimaced at that bit of nonsense. “I
care not for that. I would make amends for the other, though.” He’d never lower
himself to barter for decent meals. “The kissing is sufficient for my actions,
yes?”

She thought it
over, her face turned away. He actually feared she’d refuse but then she nodded.
Vaan relaxed, glad that she would not sustain her grudge with him.

“You were angry
when I dismissed you for the way you dressed, yes?”

She reached for
her cider and took a sip. “Not angry. Hurt.”

“Hurt?” He probed
and scooted closer on the bench until their legs touched. Vaan reached out and
took the mug from her. He sat it beside his untouched plate. He would have this
matter behind them. He missed her casual touches. Hurting her had not been his
intention.

Her lips pursed
and she studied his face. “Yes.”

“And kissing will
assuage this hurt. Tell me.” The female had done nothing to warrant negative
treatment from him.

“All my life, I
dreamed of the loving relationship I’d have with my mate.” She eyed him but
Vaan had no words for her womanly feelings. He’d never bothered to concern
himself with females. Perhaps, he would revisit his thoughts and pay more
attention to the way of it. She sighed and continued. “True Unions bloom from
intimacy between mates. Kisses encourage the intimacy to grow. Your refusal
means you hold no interest in furthering the relationship we share.”

He reminded
himself of his promise. Kabanians did not have the intimacy she spoke of. “You
will explain this intimacy and if it is reasonable, we shall do your kissing.”

She burst into
laughter in his face. Her neck arched back and her eyes closed while the sound
poured out. Glad to have her anger behind him, Vaan felt a grin tug at his
lips. This Mikayla was the one he was used to. Her humor a delight to witness.

When she finished,
she leaned in his direction and placed her cool palm on his chest. Vaan tensed
but held still. He would show her his trust in this one thing.

“I promise it is
not bad.” She pursed her lips and pressed them to his before pulling back.
“See?”

Not at all. But he
liked her body touching him. His toque hardened. “Show me again.”

This time she
closed her eyes when she moved her lips against his. Her tongue licked his lips
and the unexpected stroke had his mouth parting. Her tongue took advantage of
the opening and slid between his lips. Vaan stiffened but her other hand came
up to wrap around his neck.

Her fingers
caressed the sensitive skin of his nape and gripped his hair. Vaan bit back an
unexpected groan but her moan vibrated along his mouth. He enjoyed her busy
hands and mentally renewed his vow to never cut his hair if she liked its
length this much. The tip of her tongue ran over his, the forked end entwining
with his and releasing. The texture felt different. Bumpy and slightly rough.
When she pulled back, her eyes were glazed and his hands gripped at her waist
holding her close.

“Agreed. We will
commence this kissing.”

Her pleasant laugh
warmed him. Vaan stood and picked her up. She squealed and her arms went around
his neck. Liking the sound, he headed for the stairs and heard Balal ask, “did
he make amends?” Someone ordered him to shut up.

Mikayla muffled
her laugh against his throat. Vaan nodded at the Warlord he’d assigned to the
stairs leading to the upper level. In their bedroom, he slammed the door shut
and without putting her down, latched the lock.

“The evening meal
is not over,” she protested.

Vaan laid her on
the bed and despite her words, her smile greeted him. “This will not last
long.” He removed his harness, pants and boots.

Mikayla pushed up
on her elbows and grimaced. “I’m afraid of that. More kissing, then bedding.”

Vaan had no need
to think on this. He was full to bursting. Not relieving himself with her body
next to his had been painful. “Agreed.” He rubbed his hand down his length and
joined her in the bed. “Remove your clothes. I want to see you.”

For once, she did
not argue. Her tunic landed on the floor and Vaan managed to wait until she
slid her leggings off. “We will kiss.” He mashed his lips to hers, only to have
Mikayla push on his chest.

“Allow me.”

Vaan hesitated but
for a moment then reclined on their bed. Her body slid sinuously along his and
he restrained himself from touching. Her lips glided up his neck, her tongue
adding a hint of wetness. He flinched.

“It’s fine. I
won’t hurt you.”

His toqa burned
but she seemed not to notice and raised her legs to bracket his hips on both
sides. She placed her kisses on his jaw, his nose and again brushed his mouth
before nipping. Vaan jerked and grabbed her by her arms. “You will not give me
your sakar.”

Mikayla frowned
but shook her dark head. Her diamond pupils dilated. “No venom. Just kisses.”

He wagered the
truth of her words before releasing her. His dagger rested under the pillow. He
could reach it in time and stab her if she sought to attack him.

Soft hands reached
up and stroked his chest. Her head bent and placed kisses there as well. He
could not take much more. The delicate touches of her mouth created burst of
pleasure wherever it landed. “Enough kissing. I have need of you.”

He flipped them
and reached down to align his toqa with her opening. Wetness greeted his
finger. He frowned at the unexpected occurrence but her hips arched beneath him
and he could think no further. Vaan placed his rounded head along her slit and
thrust forward. Her responding moan pleased him.

Coldness soothed
the burn of his manhood. He pumped faster and swelled within her center. Her
core clasped him tightly. When her legs lifted, he reached down and gripped one
tight to his hips. More wetness soaked his shaft, causing him to groan. “You
pleasure me well, Mikayla.”

Her hands buried
in his hair and tugged. Vaan felt the familiar curl up his spine and the
pressure below as his sac lowered. He drove forward one last time and his seed
spilled from him.

His head landed on
the pillow and he ignored her tiny fists as they thumped his back and she
cursed. He sensed her annoyance with him but tingles traced his toqa and he
could only shudder above her as he hardened once more. “Again,” he growled.

Vaan began with
the kisses she wished and stroked slow and steady as her resistance melted. Her
hands touched his shoulders and her nails lengthened. The scrape of claws down
his back made Vaan shiver. His hips reared back and he slammed into her harder.
Release boiled quickly and his seed burst from him before he could catch his
breath.

“Vaaan!” she
wailed but his eyes closed in sleep.

  Chapter 12

“It is time for
your guard selection.”

They were sitting
at the evening meal and Mikayla had expected this. Her personal guards now
worked as archers and she’d been confined to the hall and courtyard but never
beyond the gate for the last two days. Miki shrugged her shoulders. She liked
her old guards, yet knew her mate would do as he pleased. The Kabanian Warlords
would sooner see her carted away in pieces than protect her. Vaan didn’t seem
to realize this. Aside from the frustration boiling from the lack of
improvement in their bed play, she didn’t have many complaints with the way
he’d managed things.

“I have assigned
Balal as your personal guard.”

She perked up.
“Balal at least, likes me.”

It was the wrong
thing to say. Vaan’s brows lowered and his face darkened. He paused in his
eating, which should have warned her. “Does he?”

“No?” She nibbled
her bottom lip.

“Balal?”

Blessed One, would
he make an issue of such a small lapse. “Warlord Balal, I meant.”

One brow hiked
higher than the other. Miki wished he didn’t have the stupid hair above his
eyes. The two hairy slants enabled him to say more with his facial expression
than with his words.

“Warlord Balal,”
Vaan called without breaking Miki’s gaze. She shivered and knotted her hands in
her lap, her appetite suddenly gone.

“Yes, Overlord.”
Balal approached the table and stood behind Vaan’s shoulder where Miki could
easily see his face.

Vaan reached up
and cupped her jaw, turning her back to meet his dark gaze. “Do you like my
bride, Balal?”

“No, Overlord.”
Not even a pause after the question.

Miki flinched but
Vaan wasn’t finished.

“Who is she to
you?”

“She is my
Overlord’s.”

“Leave us.”

Miki waited until
the warrior’s steps faded. “You are cruel.” Her chest hurt. The pain spread and
her breath hitched but she forced the tears back. Kissing had changed nothing
between them. After the nights they’d shared, she’d hoped he would soften in
his manner toward her. More fool she.

“You are mine.” He
released her chin and resumed eating.

Miki hissed and
picked up her stemware. She pushed the fruit around on her plate.

“Kavan will be
your new personal guard as well.”

“No Vaan, he hates
me.” She shoved her plate to the side and made to stand.

Vaan gripped her
wrist. “Sit woman.”

“You go too far.
Do you want me to hate you?” Her voice rose with each word. People began to
turn their way. Why was he doing this? Of all the Warlords, he chose Kavan?

“Sit, Mikayla.” A
sharp tug accompanied the order. She reluctantly resumed her seat.

“You must trust
that he will bleed for you willingly if ever it is needed. The only way to
believe this is for him to guard you. First Blood could not give back the trust
he rashly took away from you.”

“I’m never going
to trust him. He placed a sword at my throat in anger.”

“Then I will kill
him because a Warlord who can not be trusted serves me no purpose.”

Miki’s jaw
dropped. “You jest. He is your man. You trust him. What matters that I do not?”

“What matters is
that you are mine. We are mated for life. If you can not trust a man I set to
guard you then you will not listen when he seeks to guide you and this could
place your life in danger. If your life is in danger then I have failed you.”
He started to eat then stopped and sighed. “I will not always be by your side
to protect you. It is the purpose of the circle of honor. You must trust that
my Warlords value your life as much as I do.” 

Vaan leaned toward
her and placed his hand on her thigh. “Do you understand now why his actions in
the circle were so wrong? You have lost faith in him and if it can not be
restored, I have no need of him.”

His way was a
harsh reality. One in complete opposite of the life Miki had always known.
Would he even be hurt by killing one of his loyal Warlords?

“Yes, I would be
hurt. But they all understand the consequences of their actions.”

She must have
spoken aloud. She would not let a man’s life be on her hands. “I accept him as
a guard.”

He stared at her a
moment longer. The hand on her thigh tightened before he spoke. “I will not ask
if this is because you believe you will come to trust him. I know you will
lie.”

Miki bit hard on
her tongue. To protest would give credence to his words, so she remained silent
and accepted his decree. He pressed closer and caught her off-guard with a
kiss. Not a deep intimate kiss but a gentle touching of lips. Miki allowed the
soft touch to soothe her ire and smiled. “A frivolous gesture, Vaan.”

“You looked in
need of a sign of affection.”

She laughed.
Tension slipped away like water gliding from a leaf. Her mate proved there was
more to him than the tough warrior. Their beliefs and philosophies differed but
nothing they couldn’t overcome. Vaan finished his food. Assa was there to
collect his plate and smiled warmly. Even the servants were losing their fear
of him.

  “I need to go
into Luall, today.” The village boasted the best fresh fruit daily and she
wanted more cloth and leather material for the sewers to provide Vaan and his
men more clothing. None of the store of leggings and tunics they had,
adequately fit the Kabanians tall frame. The washers complained about the
effort to remove the grime and blood from their current leathers.

“What is Luall?”
He allowed the subject of guards to drop and reached for a piece of fruit,
taking a large bite.

“The neighboring
Raasa village. It is a half a days ride each way by hapfe and we are in need of
supplies.”

He tossed the core
on the table and stood. “Send a servant.”

Miki rose to her
feet. “I want to go.” She reached for his arm before he could walk away. His
Warlords finished their meal and were getting to their feet. Miki lowered her
voice. “Vaan, I have been limited to the grounds far longer than I am used to.”

“No, Mikayla. I
can not spare any Warlords to accompany you today. I need Balal and Kavan
here.”

Argan interrupted
them without sparing Miki a glance. “Are you ready, Overlord?”

Miki stared as her
mate turned his back on her. She gritted her teeth, unwilling to end their meal
on a negative note. Not with the connection they were creating. She wanted to
move forward in the relationship. “Vaan, wait.” She caught up with them at the
door. Argan glared with impatience but the other Warlords walked around them
and left.

Miki stretched on
her toes and kissed her mate. “I will need to go to Luall soon, so make time to
leave a Warlord for me in the next week or I will go alone.” She spun on her
heel and headed to the kitchen. Agreeable and no arguments. She’d wait a day or
two and then if her mate didn‘t provide an escort, she’d find someone who’d
take her.

***

Miki felt a surge
of pride for getting in the last word. Sera and Vesa cleared the dishes from
the table. Miki rushed to help them. Assa came out with a wet cloth and began
scrubbing the spills from the table.

“How goes it,
Miki?” Assa’s smile spread across her face and she winked at Miki.

“All is well.”
Miki stacked the dishes in a neat pile for Sera who carried an overloaded tray
to the kitchen.

Vesa snickered and
Sera returned with an empty tray which they placed more dishes on. Another wave
of giggles occurred until finally Miki sat down the mug she’d grabbed. “What is
with you all?”

“Come on, Miki.
Tell us.” Assa put the tray on the table and sat on the bench her expression
eager.

Sera and Vesa
joined her and both nodded. “Yes, tell us what it is like with the Kabanians.”

A slight flush
warmed her cheeks. “I’ve not been with the Kabanians.”

Assa waved her
hand. “We mean your mate. How is he between the sheets? We want to know.”

“You can’t be
serious?” Miki fiddled with the hem of her tunic. Were they attracted to the
Warlords?

“They are so
different. Not at all like we imagined. At first, I was scared to stay in the
room and serve them. But this morning one of them smiled at me.” Assa admitted.

“Yes,” Sera
agreed. “We are not the only ones to notice they do not growl at us as much
anymore.”

“Our males hate
it,” Vesa piped in.

“Tesai hates it
most,” Assa said with a roll of her eyes.

Miki sat beside
her friends. What they said made no sense. “Why would Tesai hate them? Have the
Warlords singled him out?”

It was Assa, as
always, who spoke first. “Tesai hates the Warlords but he really hates the
Overlord.”

“What has Vaan
done to Tesai?”

“You can not be
this blind, Miki. Tesai has always wanted you but now he can never have you. In
fact, the Overlord has made it very clear that if Tesai so much as breathes in
your direction, he will grind his face in the ground.”

 Sera and Vesa
gave a dreamy sigh. “It is very telling, his feelings for you.”

Tesai wanted her?
Not true. They were good friends since childhood and never once had he given
her reason to think his feelings encompassed anything more than friendship.

“And,” Assa put
in, “your Overlord put him on the gate as a guard on the over night rotation. I
thought Tesai would shoot venom, he was so angered.”

“Now tell us, how
is he in the bed? Does he give you pleasure until you can not walk?”

Something like
that
. Instead, Miki said, “I should speak with Tesai.” Leaving them to
finish cleaning, Miki went in search of her friend. It wasn’t hard to find him.

Tesai stood in a
circle of men. They laughed and joked with one another while watching the
Warlords train with those Raasa who showed skill. The number had increased to
twenty when Vaan realized her people would never match his in experience. As
soon as Miki approached, they straightened and bowed slightly. All except Tesai
but then she had long since not required him to bow to her. “Su-Su.”

Tesai reached for
her then pulled his hands back sharply. He searched the yard and Miki followed
his gaze. Vaan stood not far away, his eyes on them. A shiver rolled down her
spine but Miki ignored her mate and turned to Tesai. “How are you?”

“Do you really
care how we are?” His cold tone gave her pause.

The others
shuffled their feet, avoiding her gaze. Miki maintained her composure. “I
wouldn’t ask if I didn’t care.”

Tesai rolled his
eyes and smiled. “My apologies. The day has been a busy one. All is well.”

Miki relaxed. “I
heard you have moved to the gate. I will talk to Vaan this evening. You’re one
of our best guards and should fight with the others when Thenl returns.”

Tesai frowned and
hunched his thin shoulders. Had they always been thin or was it because she now
compared everyone to her mate’s large frame? “I don’t need you to speak on my
behalf,” he snapped.

“Tesai, you speak
to the Su-Su,” one of the men corrected and glanced fearfully over his shoulder
toward Vaan who continued to stare and make no effort at discretion.

“All is well.
Tesai and I are friends.”

The silence became
awkward until Miki dismissed the men. When they were gone, she leaned close.
“What is it, friend?”

“Are we friends,
Miki
?”
Tesai’s tone was sharper than she’d heard before, and his green eyes filled
with anger. His behavior showed a pronounced change since the Warlords joined
their home. This marked the third time he’d snapped at her. Once he’d gone so
far as to glare at her. Many things had altered. Miki needed to make
allowances. Her people continued to adjust.

Miki wanted to say
more but Tesai pushed past her with a shoulder, ending the conversation.
Watching him go, she bit her bottom lip and replayed their words. None of it
sufficient enough to explain his irrational anger. She’d talk to Vaan. See if
he’d change Tesai’s position. Tesai took pride in his duty as guard. This had
obviously been a blow to his image.

She glanced around
but her mate was no where to be found. Later. Later, she’d talk to him about
moving Tesai.