A Warlord's Heart (3 page)

His words did not have the desired impact.
Balal’s tanned features leeched of color. “What if there are two?
Is it a Raasa condition? How will she manage?”

Vaan took a moment to listen to Balal’s fear,
observed Keil’s panic and Ramar’s humor before making his decision.
He walked away.

***

The evening meal should have been a calm
affair. Instead his youngling turned it into a battle. One without
weapons leaving Vaan at a lost. Sensing his growing frustration,
Vesa came over with a determined stride.

The Raasa female’s green eyes danced with
mirth. “You’re missing our Su-Su, Overlord Vaan?”

All knew this, so Vaan didn’t bother to
answer. He had not made his displeasure a secret.

Vesa pulled Arane’s hand from her cup with a
stern look and pushed her bowl back in front of her. “Eat.”

She turned to Erana and brushed at the bits
of vegetables in his daughter’s hair. “Eat.”

Arane’s bottom lip trembled and Vaan prepared
for the ear piercing screams his youngling was known for but she
surprised him by picking up her wooden utensil and eating without
complaint. Erana giggled and slid closer on the bench toward her
sister. The two whispered to one another in their mixed babble of
Kaban and Raasa that only they seemed to understand. Soon both were
laughing and cleaning their plate. A feat Vaan had yet to manage
since the two days of Mikayla’s leaving.

Balal sitting directly across from him
smirked. Assa tapped her mate on the head as she walked by and he
rubbed her flat belly in response. It was Ramar’s reaction that
caught Vaan’s attention. His Warlord’s dark gaze followed Vesa as
she made her way around the room, filling mugs with cider and
transferring empty trays for full ones amidst the overflowing
table. Occasionally her nose would crinkle at something said, her
smile staying in place.

When a male Raasa came in and ran a hand over
the sleek fall of her black hair, Vaan thought Ramar would lose it.
Instead, his Warlord’s mouth tightened and the hands on the table
gripped the edges hard until his knuckles turned white.

Vesa jerked in surprise and Vaan missed what
she said to the male. Whatever it was pleased Maen because his
fangs became visible as he threw back his bald head and laughed
before taking a seat at the far end of another table.

Ramar shoved his half-filled plate aside and
started to rise but Erana stopped him.

“Ram Ram stay. Eat, pease.” She held up a
handful of crushed nuts.

Ramar sat and stretched across the table to
accept the treat. “My thanks, Lady Erana.”

Not to be outdone, Arane offered her
half-eaten nuts, soggy and all. Ramar grimaced but added them to
the pile in his hand.

Balal snickered.

“For you, Bal.” Arane’s voice chirped as she
passed him soggy, half-eaten nuts.

Vaan waited to see how Balal would handle
this. He hid his wince when Balal took the nuts and tossed them in
his mouth, chewing with enthusiasm as if the youngling had not
drooled over them. He should have known. Kavan and Balal more than
his other Warlords had direct responsibility for helping to care
for his youngling.

Arane giggled and held up her hand.
“Again.”

Balal almost managed to hide his pained look.
Vaan snorted. Served him right. His gaze strayed to Ramar who once
more stared at the Raasa female now bent over the table to stack
mugs. The blue of her dress pressed tight along her hips where
Ramar’s gaze appeared focused. When she finished, she straightened
and made her way back in their direction.

Her gaze briefly met Ramar’s before passing
over him. His Warlord glared. Vesa paused beside Vaan and his
youngling. She glanced at their plates and frowned at him.

“Does Mikayla know you’re still doing this?”
Her mouth curled in a wide grin and Vaan could see why Ramar found
her appealing.

He snorted at her question, knowing she
referenced the meat he continued to slide on their plates when his
mate wasn’t looking. As if he’d stop. Still Vaan gave her the
answer he would give any who questioned his actions where his
youngling were concerned. “They are half-Kabanian.”

Chapter 4

Miki relaxed the moment they left Harol’s
home. The Su-Su had been as obnoxious as possible during the
morning meal. The Warlords had not hid their pleasure at leaving.
They were half-way to their next location when she broached the
subject on her mind. Adjusting Hapani’s reins, she faced Kavan, who
rode to the right of her with Merik, Carog and Eatan on her flank.
“You might as well tell me.”

Kavan barely spared her a glance. “What do
you speak of, Mikayla?”

She shot him a glare but his lips merely
twitched at her dark look. “I know you went back inside to have a
word with Su-Su Harol.”

“It was hard to miss since I asked you to
wait.”

Miki bit back a laugh. Now was not the time
to be amused with the usually stoic Warlord. “Just tell me if I
need to be prepared for his anger later.”

Kavan twisted in the saddle and met her gaze.
Dark eyes blazed with fury. “If any dare to take their displeasure
out on you they will suffer my wrath.”

Miki groaned, his reaction a sure sign that
he had done something. “Is Vaan going to need to kill anyone?”

This caused the other Warlords to chuckle.
Surprised at their humor, Miki spun in the saddle. “I’m only
half-joking.”

Merik spoke up, mouth still smiling. “The
Overlord would not see you in danger.”

“I’m not in danger,” Miki protested.

“He upset you,” Carog chimed in, increasing
his speed until he rode to the left of her.

She couldn’t deny the truth of Carog’s words.
Harol had upset her with the story of her Noan and Vaan’s mother.
If she believed him, Miki needed to speak with Vaan and wasn’t
looking forward to it.

“To answer your question,” Kavan added.
“Overlord Vaan does not
need
to kill anyone but he may
want
to.”

Miki sighed and slumped in the saddle. She’d
worried that would be his answer.

“Tell us again of the next Raasa we visit. We
do not wish to have you spend another night in a home where you are
not welcomed.”

The others grunted in agreement at Kavan’s
demand. Miki took a deep breath and gave them the details about
Genisa and Sendal. “They just welcomed their first youngling and
it’s a special visit because they asked for me to come.”

Su-Su Sendal and his mate Genisa had lost a
previous youngling in birth so Miki could barely contain her
excitement at this blessed time in their life.

“Do all Su-Su invite strangers to see their
youngling so soon after birthing though the namings already been
done?” Carog asked. The often quiet Warlord wore his hair in a
warrior’s knot and had the typical dark eyes of a Kabanian. He was
quite handsome, though not as handsome as her mate, Vaan.

“The birth of youngling is cause for
celebration. A new life to take the place of the old.”

Carog blanched. “You would kill the old when
a young is born?”

Miki chuckled then realized the other
Warlords had the same look of disgust on their faces. “No. Not at
all. It’s just an old saying.”

None looked as if they believed her. Miki
shook her head. Some things were hard to explain to warriors who
came from a hardened culture like Kaban. Only the most trusted and
closest were allowed around Kabanian youngling so they wouldn’t
understand. “Anyway, they want me there and I’m honored.”

Kavan started to ask a question when shouts
and screams came from ahead. They all unsheathed their swords and
surrounded Mikayla. Not far off smoke rose in the air in a single
column.

“That’s Sendal’s compound.” She kneed Hapani
and took off like a shot.

“Mikayla, cease!”

She ignored Kavan’s orders. The thunder of
hooves behind her let her know the Warlords assigned to care for
her stayed on her heels. Miki leaned forward in the saddle, urging
her hapfe faster. Fire scented the air, sending her heart careening
in her chest. Within minutes she was in sight of the Raasa
household they were to visit. Unlike her home, no gate protected
those inside.

Miki’s thoughts immediately went to the Su-Su
and his mate with their new young. Nothing could happen to the
little one. It would devastate Genisa.

“There!” Merik pointed with his sword far to
the west where a dust trail could be seen leaving Sendal’s place.
“A large group of riders on hapfe.”

Miki twisted in her saddle to face Kavan. “Go
after them. They attacked the home of the S’Asigi’s.”

Eatan looked eager to pursue the fleeing
invaders but Kavan used his mount, Raj, to shoulder Hapani and
block Miki from riding after them. While Carog and Merik circled
her, Kavan leaned over, grabbed her leads and pulled her to a
complete stop.

“Kavan. We have to do something. They
attacked Sendal,” she pleaded.

His stare brooked no refusal. “No. You will
not chase after those we do not know. My Sire has tasked us with
maintaining your safety. Have you no fear for those around you?
Vaan will slaughter all in his path if something happens to you and
there will be no treaty among anyone.”

Chest heaving, Miki tried to calm herself.
She knew what Kavan said to be true. Her mate would not tolerate so
much as a stubbed toe during this trip. Her hands fisted in her lap
at the urge to catch those responsible but now that fear didn’t
drive her, more rational thoughts settled in. “Alright. But can we
hurry? I’m worried for them.”

Kavan nodded to the other Warlords. “Stay
close to her. One of us is at her side at all times.”

The warriors grunted their assent. Miki
didn’t care as long as her friends were well.

***

Burning wood assailed her nostrils the moment
they were close enough to see the damage. At the visible evidence
of the destruction, Miki’s heart stuttered. One half of what she
knew to be the shed was missing. The stables had been completely
burned to the ground and hapfe milled around at a lost. Cries could
be heard over the crackle of dying flames.

The only bright spot for Miki was seeing the
main house still standing untouched save for black ash and smudges
staining the outer, stone walls. Raasa males hurried about helping
those in need. She didn’t see any females present and hoped all was
well with Sendal and Genisa.

Mikayla waved at familiar faces, a sense of
relief reassuring her. The front door opened and the bald male
carrying a bow over his shoulder paused when he caught sight of
her.

“Sendal!” She rushed forward.

“Mikayla,” Sendal gasped at her approach. His
green tunic and tan pants were torn and stained.

Miki ran toward him in relief and hugged him
tight. “Genisa, the youngling, is everyone well?”

His hands stayed at her shoulders as he
pulled back. Green eyes glittered with tears but his smile, though
shaky, reassured her. “They are well. We hid all of the females and
youngling in the lower level when the attackers approached.”

Miki heaved a sigh. “What happened? Do you
know who would do this?”

Carog, Eatan and Merik came to stand behind
her and Sendal dropped his hands immediately. “My apologies,
Su-Su.”

Miki glared at the Warlords and turned back
to her good friend. “Don’t worry about them. I want to know who
attacked you in your home. I promise my mate will take care of
this.”

“They were Kabanian.”

Kavan’s voice caused Miki to jump. Carog
stepped aside to let Kavan through and the Warlord who had just
started to show his humor was full of rage.

“Kabanian,” Miki gasped. Why would Vaan’s
people do this?

“Rebels,” Kavan continued. “Saran warned
Argan of a band of Kabanians attacking villages along the Kaban
borders. He worried they would attack on Desani or Raasa land and
endanger the treaty. It would seem Saran had good reason for his
concern.”

Sendal’s bald head nodded. “I’m sorry,
Mikayla but he’s right. They were Kabanian warriors. At first we
welcomed their approach thinking it was you with guards. All know
the Overlord is protective of his mate. There were so many of them
that we hesitated and then they tossed the first fireball.” He
choked on the last statement.

Miki reached for him again but Kavan bumped
her shoulder hard and Carog slid in front of her to block the
move.

Miki hissed. “Stop. I can soothe a
friend.”

Carog looked down at her from his taller
height and frowned. “The Overlord would not approve of you
soothing
others.”

She didn’t care what the Overlord wanted and
if Vaan was here, she’d tell him the same. “Stand aside, Warlord
Carog.”

Sendal gazed on in puzzlement, brows creased
as his fangs worried his bottom lip.

Carog didn’t move, leaving her no choice but
to resort to serious tactics. “I’m sure the Overlord will be
pleased to know that I was saddened during this trip.”

Carog flinched but maintained his position.
“Saddened, my lady?”

She resisted the urge to stomp her feet.
“Yes, so saddened that I couldn’t possibly sleep with him for all
the crying I’ll do when I return home. I’d have to sleep in the
room with Erana and Arane as not to disturb his rest.”

Carog stepped aside.

“Mikayla,” Kavan warned but she ignored him
and hugged Sendal.

“Let’s go inside.” Noting the stained blood
on one shoulder, she wrapped her arm around his uninjured one. “I’m
anxious to see your youngling.”

Entering the main house was like entering a
place run amok. Injured Raasa lay stretched across all available
floor space, servants scurried about with food and drink. Miki’s
nostrils flared as she came to a complete stop. The Warlords
glanced around gazes narrowed on the chaos.