The Overlord's Heir (9 page)

Pride soared and
Vaan’s shoulders straightened as his Warlords handed his daughter down the line
and repeated the vow.

Assa approached
and handed him his second daughter who squeaked at the transfer. Noisy like her
mother. Vaan grinned and kissed her forehead. “May my daughter be as fierce as
her namesakes. Arane Fenala Galip.” Vaan lifted her high to another round of
cheers.

“All hail the
Overlord’s heir! Arane!”

His men pulled
their swords free and once more drove the points into the floor. Argan returned
to reach for Arane. Another ten minutes were spent while his Warlords offering
his youngling the kiss of protection. Vaan wished Mikayla stood by his side.
Her absence sat like a dull ache in his chest.

Chapter 12

“The Ba’asi has
left.”

Argan’s statement
brought relief but did not make him hesitate in his actions. Vaan carefully
pushed back the covers and lifted Mikayla into his arms. With measured steps,
he made his way to the window in their bedroom and stopped where he had a full
view of the outer yard.

“Is there any more
you need of me, Vaan?”

Vaan shook his
head as his friend took his leave, closing the door behind him. Each day Vaan
held Mikayla at the window, allowing the warmth of the sun she loved to touch
her tender skin. Each day, hope dwindled that she would awaken from the sleep
caused by the birthing.

In a fit of
annoyance, the Ba’asi had proclaimed that Vaan delayed the inevitable with his
round the clock care of his mate. The tired argument had pushed Vaan too far.
With a subtle head tilt, he’d signaled Argan to
gently
send the holy man
on his way.

Rubbing his nose
in the sweet scent of her hair, Vaan reminded himself that his Mikayla was
still with him. He had not lost her yet. His eyes closed on the thought. Losing
Mikayla was not an option and so he began as he did everyday.

With words.

Words he hoped she
heard. “If you die, I will raise our youngling to be fine warriors.”

Nothing.

“They will have
nothing lady-like in their manner for it would make them weak. The daughters
you gifted me shall be strong.” Vaan considered his next words. “Stronger than
their mother who seeks to leave them behind.”

The words were
harsh. Unlike what he’d whispered over the last few days but Vaan knew not what
else to do.

Her fine lids with
traces of blue beneath did not stir. “Mikayla,” he pleaded and his grip
tightened as if by force he could keep her from joining the Blessed One in the
Hills. A Galip did not plead but Vaan did. He pleaded for the Blessed One to
hear his words and take mercy on him.

“Mikayla, stay
with me.” He buried his face in her hair allowing the depths of his pain to bleed
through.

Never had the
Overlord suffered defeat in battle yet in this one thing he could not win.
Despair closed in and the sobs he had contained in the last weeks broke
through.

“Too tight”

Vaan froze.
Wishing but not daring to hope, he pulled back to see her face.

Mikayla blinked
and slowly shards of green came into view.

“Mikayla,” his
hoarse cry rasped free.

A smile curled her
lips. “You’re really home.”

Home. Vaan choked.
“Yes, I am home, mate. As are you.”

Epilogue

Vaan’s gaze did
not stray from their moving daughters. His vigilance was a constant source of
amusement.

“Should they move
around so much?”

Miki held back a
grin. The girls scooted along the floor in play, their matching pink tunics making
them indistinguishable to others but not to her. At nine months, they
progressed at the normal rate for Raasa youngling. Based on her mate’s
reaction, she assumed this was not the same for a Kabanian youngling.

Arane reached her
sister’s side and licked her cheek, causing Erana to squeal with laughter.
Erana pushed up into a sitting position with a giggle. Vaan took a step in
their direction, panic on his face. “Is it safe for them to do that? Will they
harm one another with sakar?”

At his concern
that the girls would poison each other, Miki smiled fully. “No. The venom sacs
will not develop for several years and they will understand the need for
caution by then. For now youngling…” She searched for the right word in
Standard. “Drool. The drool is safe.”

Vaan looked
doubtful but nodded none the less. “I will trust you in this, mate.” His gaze
brightened when he turned to face Miki. “But we will not tell Argan thus, yes?
He believes the drool is poison and flinches each time a drop hits his chest
when he is holding one of our youngling.”

Caught off guard
by his sense of humor, Miki laughed and came to her feet. “You tease him.” She
crossed the room, stepping carefully over toys and what looked like the remains
of smashed Zanni berries.

As soon as she
reached his side, Vaan pulled her in close and kissed her forehead. “I would
spend time with you,” he murmured and nuzzled the shell of her ear. “Without
our youngling about.”

Miki shivered from
the promise in his voice. They rarely had uninterrupted time alone anymore. “I’ll
get Kavan and Balal to watch them.”

Saran had reluctantly
left to hold Kaban on Vaan’s behalf but made the trip to Raasa so much he might
as well have lived there. Kavan and Balal used every opportunity to be with the
girls. Guarding them, they stressed when Miki questioned their dedication. But
it was love shining back from their eyes whenever either of them held her
daughters and for that Miki was ever grateful.

She broke away
from Vaan’s hold, ignoring the way his hands lingered at her waist before
releasing her. His touches came more frequent since the birth of the girls.
Each kiss lasted longer than the one before. For now, Miki chose not to mention
the events from her birthing. She never wanted to see the dark look on his face
again from the last time she’d broached the subject.

Arane crawled over
to Miki’s leg, distracting her. She leaned over and scooped her daughter up in
her arms. Chubby hands latched onto Miki’s hair and shoved the strands into her
mouth using tiny fangs to chew. A hard knock at the door interrupted the
moment.

Vaan circled
around Erana who puckered her face at the loud noise. Undoing the lock, he
admitted Kavan. Miki hid her grin in her daughter’s neck. Vaan’s protective
instincts were worst with the youngling about.

Both girls
squealed loudly at the sight of one of their favorite Warlords. The tough
warrior flushed but made no attempts to resist as Erana crawled over to him and
begged to be picked up. Holding the youngling, Kavan managed to look serious
and calm as her daughter patted his cheeks, leaving berry smears on his face.

“Overlord, a
package has come from the Desani King.”

Vaan frowned and
Miki noticed the brown wrapped box on the floor in the doorway to their
bedroom. “What is it?” Vaan asked, making no move to retrieve it.

“A gift, sire. For
the birth of your youngling.”

Miki eased closer,
curiosity overruling caution.

“I will open it
downstairs.”

“Vaan,” Miki
hissed, knowing he once more tried to protect her. “No secrets between us.”

Kavan lowered
Erana back to the floor. Lower lip trembling, the youngling protested as tears
glistened on her eyelids. For once Kavan proved strong and did not reach for
her daughter, even though Miki knew the tears would soon lead to full-blown
crying.

“I will return,
Mikayla. I but seek to speak with Kavan.”

Miki sighed and
let the matter go. Arane, however let out a loud cry when she realized her
father planned to leave the room without her.

“Hurry,” Miki
warned for her youngling was
very
attached to Vaan and not afraid to let
all know of her displeasure with unending cries. Vaan claimed it a sign of her
warrior spirit.

***

Vaan grabbed the
heavy, rectangular box as he left. During the walk to the lower level where his
office was located, Vaan broached the subject much on his mind.

“I would ask you a
question, Warlord.”

Kavan lifted his
gaze. “Speak, sire and I will answer truth.”

“Those months ago,
you saved Mikayla that day in the woods.” Kavan frowned and turned his head to
the side as if he could avoid the topic but Vaan continued. “You risked much in
giving her your coccar.”

Kavan’s head
snapped around, eyes blazing. “I risked nothing. I pledged my life for hers.”

Vaan nodded. “Many
give the vow but few are offered a day to prove their words. In giving her the
coccar, you provided the armor that kept Morid from striking her down.”

Vaan paused but
Kavan remained quiet. Silence sat comfortably between them. “Tell me truth,
Kavan. How did you know the coccar would allow the transfer? Others have tried
and failed.”

A harsh sigh and
Kavan bowed his head but Vaan heard the words clearly. “I did not know,
Overlord. I prayed that the Blessed One would let me make amends for my actions
that day in the circle. The coccar does not speak to me as your other Warlords
have experienced. I had only my hope that my sacrifice would be deemed worthy.”
Kavan tipped his chin up to add. “I have never regretted my actions. Mikayla is
all that is wonderful. A fitting mate for the Overlord.”

“In this, I agree.”
Vaan laughed and clapped his Warlord on the shoulder, the somber topic dropped.
“We will not tell her often, yes? She would seek to rule a Kabanian warrior.”

Kavan’s expression
lightened. “Truth.”

Kavan closed the
door, ensuring privacy once in his office. Balancing the gift, Vaan hesitated
for only a moment and then ripped through the covering.

What he revealed
stunned him and before he could resist, his laughter spilled out. Kavan stepped
closer and his eyes brightened at the sight of the gift.

“What do you make
of it, Overlord?”

“Amends.”
Satisfaction filled him. “Tarik and I will make amends.”

Kavan kneeled and
retrieved a small slip of paper that had fallen to the floor. Vaan read the
note and inhaled. This was good.

“The Council will
be relieved.”

Vaan’s pleasure
dimmed. The Councilors had filled Dakar’s position with someone Saran assured
him would handle
the role competently. On his
word, Vaan approved the selection but the Council continued to pressure Vaan to
return to his seat in Kaban where his youngling could be raised safely.

“What is it,
Vaan?”

He turned toward
the door to see his mate leaning against the opening. He should have known
Mikayla would never allow him to hide something from her.

She tapped her
feet in silent warning. Sensing she would not be amused, Vaan held up the box
and aimed it for her to see. Green eyes widened and her mouth curled down in a
frown. “Who would think sending toy swords for a youngling an appropriate
gift?”

This time, Kavan
joined Vaan in the laughter at Mikayla’s question. Many a warrior gave a new
father such gifts upon the birth of their male youngling. Tarik’s gift for
female youngling made it all the more amusing.

Vaan handed the
box containing the swords which he had every intention of using to Kavan.
“Place these among the other gifts for the youngling.” They’d had to set up one
of the hall closets as storage since gifts continued to come in from those who
respected the Overlord and the many who loved Mikayla.

Kavan accepted the
box with a slight bow and left, closing the door behind him. Vaan approached
his mate and grasped her hips tight enough to pull her in close. “Who has the
girls?”

“Balal was not
hard to convince to watch them. He and Assa love an opportunity to spoil Erana
and Arane.”

It warmed
Mikayla’s heart that his Warlord and her friend were together. Or at least this
is what she told him whenever the two were off in a corner snuggling and
kissing. Argan had once remarked that perhaps Kaban did not know what they were
missing by excluding affection and pleasure between a warrior and his woman.

“It would seem we
have our time alone.”

She slid him a
glance full of the mischief she often caused. Vaan kept his expression stern
and waited to see what she would do. Mikayla often surprised him and after
almost losing her, he wanted to enjoy every moment they managed together.

“What do you think
we should do with our time?”

Her hands were
already cupping him beneath his leathers. Vaan thrust lightly against her stroking
fingers. “I am open to my mate’s desires.”

“Hmm.”

Then she leaned on
her toes and gave him a kiss that left Vaan destroyed. “You are a good mate,”
he whispered along her temple when she allowed him to pull back.

Her hand tightened
on his toqa, green eyes narrowed.

Vaan laughed and
reached down to pull her hand away while offering the words she demanded. “I
love you, Mikayla. You will never have to doubt this.”

Her grin was worth
saying the words a thousand times. “I love you, Vaan.”

Vaan entwined
their fingers together, marveling at the contrast between them. She was all
that was soft to his hardness. Mikayla used her free hand to ease into the
waist of his leathers. His body reacted predictably and stirred.

“If you do not
cease your teasing, matters will be over soon.”

Mikayla smirked as
she lowered his leathers enough to release his toqa. “Mmm. Then we will begin
again.”

Vaan caught her at
the waist when she sought to go to her knees. “I wish to see your eyes while I
love you.” After watching her sleep for weeks, what gave him the most reward was
watching the shining pleasure in her green eyes. Eyes, he never thought would
open again.

“My fierce
warrior,” she teased as she pulled her tunic up and tossed it to the side.

Vaan made no
attempt to muffle his groan. His mate’s body had returned to its graceful lines
but with the addition of curves he fully appreciated. “Overlord,” he corrected.
Vaan cupped and massaged the fullness of her breasts. Plump and full but
without the nipples he’d grown to enjoy during her pregnancy.

Kicking off her
pants, Mikayla hummed under her breath and stepped closer. “My Overlord. My
Vaan. Mine.”

Vaan smiled and
leaned down to brush his mouth against hers. Sweet lips parted as she angled
her head and kissed him back deeply. “I can not wait for you.”

“Then don’t,” she
murmured.

Taking her at her
words, Vaan shifted her hips upward and entered her in one deep thrust. They
moaned simultaneously. Liquid coolness gripped him and sent his pleasure
soaring.

“Hard and fast,
Vaan.” Mikayla’s plea urged him on.

Vaan quickened his
thrust and practiced his warrior’s cadence in hopes he lasted long enough to
see to his mate’s release. She gasped and he shifted her weight, lifting
higher. Her legs went around his waist and her arms tightened about his
shoulders.

“Now, Vaan. Now!”

He let go and bit
back a harsh groan as she screamed. Gasping, Vaan stumbled back until his hips
hit his desk. Mikayla slumped in his arms, her face tucked in the crook of his
neck.

“It’s never
enough.”

The quiet words
had Vaan smiling. He agreed. Never would he get enough of being loved by this
woman. “Let us dress and return to our room.” Where he planned on having her
again.

***

Vaan awakened when
he heard his daughter’s cry. Arane was loud and determined when she wanted.
Easing away from Mikayla, he carefully removed her fingers from his hair. She
rolled over to her side allowing him to unwrap her legs from his. His little
mate was a like a weed. Hard and difficult to separate when she curled around
him. Once free, he made his way to the nursery and eased the door closed behind
him.

Arane sat up her
face pressed at the bars of her sleeping bed while Erana slept on beside her.
How his other daughter managed her rest with the loud cries of her sister was a
mystery to Vaan. As soon as she spotted him, Arane sniffed and raised her arms
high.

Vaan leaned over
and picked her up. She snuggled into his chest, chubby fists clenching onto his
hair. He smiled. So like her mother. Taking the over-sized chair Mikayla used
when she fed them, Vaan leaned back and ran his hand over Arane’s back. “You
should be asleep little one.”

She gurgled and
chirped. Warmth flooded his heart and Vaan cupped the back of her dark head
with his large palm. His youngling amazed him. Their growth differed from
Kabanians and while tiny, they seemed to advance so quickly. Crawling about the
floors, charming all of his Warlords and securing the heart of all who lived on
the Raasa compound, the girls wanted for nothing.

Vaan closed his
eyes and tried to envision what his life would have been like with a Kabanian
woman. The image would not appear for he could think of no better life than the
one he lived. Time drifted by but Vaan continued to cuddle his now quiet
daughter.

“Did she wake
you?”

Vaan opened his
eyes, his heart thumping. Not because he was surprised. He always knew when
Mikayla neared. Instead, his love overflowed whenever in her presence. So
easily he could have lost her. “No.”