Allegiance Sworn (29 page)

He grimaced. Neither of them could leave the room with this unresolved, not when their survival depended on them being a team.

Taking a deep breath, Arek placed a hand on the small of her back, the need to slide his arms around her and comfort her stronger than he anticipated. She stiffened.

Could she scent his intentions? Even if she did, her posture, the silence, the tension radiating off her stopped him from completing the move.

Instead he found the leather pouch at her waist and tugged it free.

“Which gem is appropriate for a bid?” Fumbling one-handed with the drawstring, he shook it open, spilling the gems onto the windowsill. Some were as large as his fingernail, others as little as a grain, and they came in all shades of mesmerizing colors. They sparkled in the light.

“What are you doing?” Ice coated her question, thick enough to make him flinch.

“Which gem, Imhara?” His heart beat hard as her silence drew out beyond what was comfortable. “Please.”

“Any of the smaller blue or green ones.”

He plucked a green one from the collection. “Tell me when to put it into the dish.”

“Arek . . .”

“When my temper rises, my reasoning weakens. I react and end up hurting others.” He spread his fingers wide on her back, a single, careful caress. “Letting my frustration speak for me was stupid. You didn’t deserve my anger.”

“No, I didn’t.” The ice was still there. “You acted like a
jamet’s
ass, Arek.”

He took her quiet censure without protest. “What you do here takes incredible fortitude. . . . Your strength shames me.” He swallowed against a dry mouth. “I’m sorry, Imhara.”

Her rigid posture relaxed, just a fraction.

“You truly mean that.” Her tone thawed a little, enough to ease some of his anxiety.

“I do.”

“If you ever treat me like that again, you will feel the brunt of
my
temper.” A thread of steel in her tone assured him she would follow through.

“Of that, I have no doubt,” he murmured.

Another long silence.

“Then apology accepted.” She plucked the gem from his hand. “I’ll do this on my own.”

“No, you won’t.” More tension bled from him, roughened his voice. “Watching this pains you as much as it does me. But if we do this together, it might make it more bearable.”

Her fingers tightened around the gem, and she released an uneven breath. This time her silence proved more tolerable.

“Hold out your hand.” Imhara placed the jewel on his palm, then closed his fingers around it. She brought them to her mouth, and her lips brushed his knuckles. “Don’t underestimate your own strength, Arek. Especially the sort you lend others.” She leaned into him, finally relaxing. “And you’re right, it does help to share the load.”

Chapter 32

F
IVE
lives.

Four men and one woman for a pouch full of gems.

Imhara pushed aside her disappointment—five was better than none—and signed the bottom of the parchment in front of her, then handed the stylus to Ilahn.

The dark-haired trader bent over the desk and added his florid signature to the document. “You have an eye for fine flesh,
Na
Kaal.”

He blew on the ink, then pressed his House seal to the softened wax in one corner. The stylized
I
surrounded by the interlocking rings made the transfer of ownership official. He handed the document to her with a bow.

“So did a number of other buyers.” Imhara carefully folded the paper and tucked it into her pouch. “No doubt the impeccable quality of your slaves accounted for the intensity of the bidding.”

Voices and soft laughter came from the other side of the privacy screen used to divide the reception area into two sections: this small foyer where Ilahn finalized all transactions and business arrangements, and the lavishly decorated main area where he entertained.

Imhara cocked her head to one side and identified several
Na’Reishi
highborn voices, all regular clients to the House. The numerous odors circulating in the air indicated they hadn’t wasted any time taking advantage of Ilahn’s services.

Beneath the lighter scent of food, it wasn’t hard to detect the rich-iron tang of blood and the heavier, spiced heat of arousal.

“
Na’Reishi
Evec’s mate has already expressed disappointment on missing out on the slave of her choice. He was one of your purchases,
Na
Kaal. The strapping breeder taken from Tianda.” Ilahn’s smile widened. “She’s keen to track down his new owner and negotiate a new deal.”

Imhara just bet Miana was. The highborn female’s bedroom reputation extended to feeding during sex, her appetite for both acts so insatiable that many of her slaves died.

She shook her head. “I’m not interested in a private sale.”

More laughter accompanied a feminine drawn-out groan of pain. It wasn’t hard to guess what was going on, not with the scent of fresh blood saturating the air. Ilahn’s slave would be covered in bite marks by the time the group in the reception room finished with her. Imhara hoped the trader had an exceptional healer working for his House.

“Now that our business is concluded, my hospitality is yours to enjoy,
Na
Kaal.” Ilahn rose from behind the table and one of the ever-present house staff took his place.

“Imhara Kaal, I thought I heard your voice! It’s so good to see you!”

The sultry greeting tightened every muscle in Imhara’s body, and it took every ounce of self-control to hide her instant dislike.

“Miana.” She pasted a polite smile on her face and turned.

Tall, elegant, and beautiful, the
Na’Reishi
female’s long, black hair was tied back from her face by an intricate style of plaits interwoven with deep, bloodred gems. They matched the exact color she’d painted on her lips and fingernails. The formfitting dress had a plunging neckline that exposed her markings and accentuated her curves. The burgundy material was so rich and dark it looked almost black.

The colors complemented her nature perfectly.

“I didn’t expect to see you this Enclave, not with a mating to organize.” Her violet gaze flickered over her, taking in her appearance. “You can’t attract a male in breeches and a sword belt, Imhara. You might want to exchange them for a dress at some stage. Don’t underestimate the power of making yourself presentable for your mate.”

“Presentable? I’m comfortable dressed as I am.” Imhara chuckled softly. “I’m afraid our opinions must differ, Miana.”

Miana’s eyebrows arched and she gave a half shrug. “So it seems.” Her gaze drifted left and her lips curled in a too satisfied smirk as she spotted Arek. “Well now, who might this slave be?”

Imhara resisted snorting out loud at the unsurprising change of subject.

“Ilahn, please tell me this male belongs to your stable, and if so, then why wasn’t he presented to me earlier?” The
Na’Reishi
woman moved straight to Arek, her strides graceful, sensual, her expression predatory.

And far too covetous.

Imhara held perfectly still, keeping her expression quite neutral despite the rush of something hot and dark tearing through her veins. Instinct urged her to step between Arek and the advancing woman, not wanting her anywhere near him.

She’d been afraid he’d attract this sort of attention. Yet while she believed he could control his reactions, she didn’t trust Evec’s mate.

Miana circled behind Arek, deliberate in her invasion of his personal space, then reached up to stroke and tangle her fingers in his hair. Imhara’s gaze narrowed, the heated darkness inside her surged.

The thought of breaking Miana’s fingers came from nowhere. A swift twist and jerk would do it.

Arek stiffened, his gaze remaining downcast, but it flickered in her direction. She flattened her hand against her thigh, the smallest gesture of restraint, and he held his place.

“He’s gorgeous,” Miana purred, and leaned in to inhale his scent. Her tongue darted out to wet her lips. “And I bet he tastes just as good as he smells, too.”

The image of her sinking her teeth into him spiked another dark rush of adrenaline. Miana’s fingers traced the width of his shoulders. Arek’s hands fisted then flexed as his chest rose and fell on a deep breath. Imhara inhaled but couldn’t detect any betraying scent coming from him.

Such control. A marked improvement in a small amount of time.

The trader cleared his throat. “
Na’Reishi
Miana, I apologize but . . .”

“If Imhara’s contracted his services, then I’ll double your asking price.”

“Price isn’t the issue,
Na’Reishi
.”

The woman pouted. “Then what is the problem?”

“He’s mine, Miana.” Imhara chuckled, the sound soft, almost mocking. “I own him.”

Closing the distance, she flicked a fingernail against the gold band on Arek’s bicep. The faint ting drew Miana’s violet gaze and a squint of annoyance. She couldn’t have missed seeing it, or the Kaal emblem etched into the metal, just chosen to ignore it.

“Well, that’s a disappointment.” A heavy, feigned sigh, then a sly smile. “You must come and join our celebration. Evec has his little female to amuse him and his friends. We can have our own private celebration. Your slave can be our entertainment. I can’t wait to taste him.”

Imhara stepped in between them, her smile anything but friendly. “I have no intention of sharing him, Miana, and to assume otherwise would be ill-advised.”

Wanting to protect Arek, or any human male, from the dangerous female came as no surprise, but what she felt for Arek went a lot deeper than ensuring his physical well-being. Her heart was definitely involved—a startling revelation—although just how much he’d claimed of it she wasn’t sure.

Now though wasn’t the time or place to work it out.

“Pass on my greetings and apologies to your group, but I have other plans. Good evening, Miana.” Imhara then turned her attention to Ilahn. Socializing held little appeal now. “I’d like a private room,
Na’Reishu
Ilahn.”

No way was she going to risk exposing Arek any further. The public venue gave those visiting some leeway to touch another’s slave, but the highborn female enjoyed pushing the limits.

“Of course,
Na
Kaal.” Ilahn inclined his head.

Annoyance flashed through Miana’s gaze at being so promptly dismissed. Her cheeks flushed, but before she could say anything, one of the House staff moved to escort her back to the main reception area. Imhara gave a small, satisfied nod as they disappeared around the edge of the screen.

“Just for a limited time or overnight?” the trader asked.

“Overnight.”

Word of her absence from the second betrothal meeting should have reached Savyr by now. After humiliating Jirri and now skipping a meeting, she couldn’t see the
Na’Rei
waiting until tomorrow to discipline her.

Yet no one in camp, except Rassan, knew her whereabouts, and while he wouldn’t withhold the information, he’d take his time revealing it. As any good Second would when his
Na
didn’t wish to be found.

“Do you want one of your new slaves to join you this evening?” Ilahn’s query drew her back from her thoughts. “The blond male you purchased would make for an excellent pairing with the one you brought. The stamina of youth coupled with a slave already familiar with your preferences. The perfect training session.”

The
Na’Reishu
was a smooth talker, as depraved as his business, but like the fancy surroundings of his establishment, well practiced in using the trappings of congeniality to hide his darker side.

Beside her Arek shifted, the soft scuff of his boot on stone accompanied the sharp odor of anger, there one moment then gone the next. Imhara didn’t need to see him to know he disliked Ilahn’s suggestion.

What intrigued her though was the hint of spice lacing the anger. She could understand his anger being a knee-jerk reaction to the situation or a protest to her agreeing, but why the sexual undertone?

Was it the suggestion of sharing her with another?

Did he object?

A small grin curved her lips.

Now there was an interesting thought. A possibility to explore once they were alone.

“A tempting idea but this male is enough for me to handle at the moment.” Her wry reply drew a laugh from the trader. “If you could arrange for the slaves to be delivered to my camp. My Second or Commander Barrca should be there to take delivery.”

“Of course.” He raised his hand as she reached for her pouch. “Consider the transport and room complimentary, to mark your family’s many years of generous patronage. Long may the House of Ilahn continue to serve yours,
Na
Kaal.”

An astute business tactic, one she’d take advantage of.

“Much appreciated,
Na’Reishu
Ilahn,” she murmured.

Another smile and a quick flick of his fingers brought two more house staff to his side. A few whispered words, and as one young woman moved off, the second asked them to accompany her, and they exited the reception area through a curtained doorway.

A short walk down a corridor lined with closed doors and the attendant stopped in front of the very last, the only one with its door ajar. The hallway was quiet, and the sounds of the celebrating group followed them.

Once inside though, Imhara knew the noise would be nonexistent. The house walls were thick, almost soundproof, offering privacy; a welcome respite from the last few hours.

Moving past the attendant, she gave the luxurious room a cursory glance. It was as extravagant and well catered as the rest of the house.

“It meets with your approval,
Na
Kaal?”

“Indeed.”

“Then enjoy your evening,
Na’Reishi
.” The young woman executed a bow and the door closed with a soft snick behind her, and everything went silent.

“Thank the
Lady
for small mercies,” she murmured. A little of the tension roiling inside her dissipated. She turned to find Arek just standing there, watching her, his expression a combination of subdued amusement and curious confusion. “What?”

In two strides he was in front of her, his twilight gaze direct, searching. His mouth curved at the corners just a little. “I think that’s the first time I’ve seen
Na
Kaal with her claws out.”

Imhara snorted. “Miana isn’t someone you’d want interested in you, Arek.” Trust him to have picked up on her uncharacteristic rivalry. “I threatened her just like I do everyone else.”

“Uh-huh.” His smile twitched. “I’m curious, do you claim all your male slaves like that in front of her, or just me?”