Defiance (Rise of the Iliri Book 3) (14 page)

"I think that would make it clear that you're not Anglian, at least.  I see no harm in it," he said.

But Cillian had one more question.  "Which unit, Lieutenant?  You said you served in elite operations.  Which unit are you assigned to?"

"The Black Blades, my lord." 

The room went quiet.  The Blades had a reputation and their missions had reached near legendary status, although the stories had been extremely embellished.  Even here, outside of her own country, her pack had gained notoriety.  The scent of fear and respect from these men proved it.

Sal tossed back her drink as she turned to the King.  "Sire?  Is there more you need from me?"  She refused to look at the other nobles.  Her ability to control herself was fading faster than she liked.  The last thing she needed to do was turn into a beast before these men.

"No, but I'll want to formally present you to court this evening.  Is that going to be a problem?"  The tone of his voice was empathetic.

"No, sir."

"And you'll need to appoint your second.  I'd be happy to introduce you to a few promising officers this evening," he offered.

"Sire, I already have someone in mind.  If you don't mind, I'll bring him to the reception.  I can name him then if that meets your approval?"

"Is this the partner you spoke of?"

"Jassant Cynortas, callsign Cyno.  He's my partner, and yes, he's as good as I am.  Yes, he's also an iliri."

The King nodded in understanding.

"Majesty, you should know there will end up being rumors.  I hope you realize that.  Your country has little tolerance for women and almost no comprehension of my kind.  People will assume that I attained this position in your bed.  My honor will not be hurt, but you need to be aware that it
will
happen."

Dominik laughed at that.  "Well, since I am the first unmarried king in a few decades, I think it'll do my reputation some good.  Thank you for letting me know about your feelings, though, Lieutenant."

She pressed the cloth to her neck again and closed her eyes.

Dominik saw.  "Sal, you've had a long day.  I have all I need from you, and thank you for your patience."   Evidently, the man was all too aware of what she'd warned him about earlier.

Sal nodded to him, but as she turned to leave, her wound became clearly visible to the Lords on the other side of the room.  Cillian reached out for her shoulder, intending to offer assistance.

"Lord Tor."  Sal closed her eyes, struggling for strength and whispered to him, "This is a very bad time to touch me.  I mean no offense."

"But you've been injured, Sergeant."  He slowly withdrew his hand.

"I know."  Her desires tinted her voice.  Out of habit, she bit her lip in anticipation of what came next.  Her razor-sharp teeth left droplets of her own blood, but she sucked them away quickly.  "Trust me, Tor, I know."  She opened her eyes and met his, feeling her pupils flare. 

He smelled of leather, horses, and the strange sugar of humans.  She forced herself not to lean in for a deeper breath.  That was as close to proper manners as she could get.  Cillian Tor's eyes flickered between both of hers as he stepped away, giving Sal room to push through the men for the door. 

Her restraint was far beyond its limits.  With the room behind her, she walked quickly but professionally toward the palace entrance.  Plenty of people turned to look.  Each of their jerky movements begged for her to pounce.  Only her willpower kept them safe.  When she reached the gates, she barely acknowledged the guards holding her mare as she threw herself into the saddle.

She had to get back.  Away from her prey.  Back to Jase and the release she needed.

Chapter 15

As a pack, they entered the city gates.  Sal on her polka-dotted mare, her long white hair loose and blowing behind her.  Jase rode his blue roan, his armor a near match to hers.  The boldly marked horses were unlike any the townspeople had seen before.  Beside them, the grauori ran, easily keeping pace.  People looked out from homes and stores as they passed.  The Blades could hear the murmurs following behind them.  Sal knew she'd made the impression she wanted and quietly whispered thanks to Blaec for teaching her the art of showmanship.

They neared the Palace entrance and dismounted, walking directly to the door, but a guard stepped in their path.  "I'm sorry, this is a private court.  If you'd like to petition the King, you -"  He paused when he saw her pale skin in the dim lamplight.  "I'm sorry Sergeant," he said, stepping to the side.  Fear lurked in his eyes.

Sal barely glanced at him as she strode past, Jase one step behind her, and the grauori moving to flank them.  When she stepped through the door, a soldier saluted her quickly.  Sal nearly walked past until his face registered in her mind.  Snapping around she looked into his grey eyes.

"Name and rank, soldier," she ordered.

"Ricown Brekar, ma'am, Private first class," he replied smartly.

"Which unit?"

"17th archers, ma'am."

"It's sir, soldier," she corrected.  "And Ricown?"

"Yes, sir?" he asked, still at attention.

"Nice shot."

She saw him swallow, but his eyes never moved.  Their grey was so different from the other humans she'd seen.  "Thank you, sir.  My apologies for nearly hitting you."

Jase appraised the archer openly, his expression cold.  He took one step toward Sal and rested his hand on her collar.  "Private Brekar," he said, "ya did na 'nearly' hit her."  He pulled Sal's collar aside, showing the gash from the arrow's tip against the side of her neck.  "I want ta see him tomorrow."

Sal felt a smile creeping to her lips and reminded herself to remain professional.  "I'll have that arranged."  Then she looked back to the man refusing to shrink before her.  "And Private?"

"Yes, sir?"

"It really was a good shot.  Tell your commander to have your file sent to me."

"Yes, sir.  And how shall I have the herald announce you, sir?"

"Kaisae Salryc Luxx, Ahnor Jassant Cynortas, and Gerus Hwa and Aroora."

"Sir?"  The archer's eyes finally flicked away.  "I'm not sure I can pronounce those titles properly."

"Jus' point me at the Herald.  I'll give him the words," Jase offered.

"Yes, sir.  He's the one in green robes, sir." 

Jase nodded and walked away, leaving Sal and the grauori with the archer.  Hwa edged around the man and inhaled deeply. 

This one has no fear of us Kaisae.

I know,
she said, inspecting the man herself. The soldier smelled perfectly calm.

After a moment he dared to ask, "Sergeant, sir?"

"Yeah?"

"Will I be demoted, sir?"

She laughed, the sound ringing lightly in the silence.  "No, Private.  I passed about one hundred and seventy-five men, and only one managed to draw blood on me.  What cause would I have to demote you?  Just think about what you'd be interested in doing, soldier.  I'll have a lot of questions for you in the morning."

He nodded, breaking his rigid stance, and Sal could tell he was struggling not to smile.  "Thank you, sir.  Enjoy the evening."

Sal nodded sharply and turned, making her way to the ornate doors that lead to the dining hall.  Jase stood with the Herald whispering quietly.  When she reached them, the Herald was struggling to pronounce the strange Iliran titles.

Ya know yer publicly announcing me as first mate, right?
Jase asked.

Yeah.  I do.  Get used to it.

I plan to. 

She nodded at the Herald and the green robed man stepped toward the door.  A second later, guards on either side opened it with a flourish.  The noise of the crowd poured over them, quickly falling into an expectant silence.  Stepping forward, the Herald tapped his acrylic staff on the floor loudly.  "Kai-say Salryc Luxx, Sergeant at Arms.  Ah-nor Jassant Cynortas, and Ger-rus Hwa and Aroora," he called out in a clear and strong voice.

I think his Iliran is worse than yers, kitten,
Jase teased.

Lifting her chin, Sal stepped into the light of the hall, Jase a step behind her.  The grauori paced silently after them.  Women gasped and nobles pulled away from the procession, their eyes on the large beasts.  Without pausing, she marched directly toward the King's chair, halted just outside of weapon's range, and sank to one knee.  Behind her, Jase did the same.  The grauori sat, one foreleg bent, heads lowered.

"Welcome, Kaisae, you may rise," the King said, his voice meant for those behind her.  "Anglia, I would like to introduce you to our new Sergeant at Arms, leader of the Anglian army, Kaisae Salryc Luxx.  Please welcome her and her companions."  He paused as the crowd murmured, waiting for them to quiet.  "Kaisae, have you decided on a Second at Arms yet?"  His eyes flicked to Jase.

"I have Your Majesty," she said just as clearly.  "If it pleases you, I would like to present Ahnor Jassant Cynortas."

The King nodded.  "Ahnor Cynortas, please be welcome.  I assume the title is Iliran?"

"It is," Jase replied, clearly assessing the King.

"And do you believe you have the training and skills to act as second in command of the Anglian army?"

Jase laughed softly.  "Yeh, Yer Highness, I think I do."

"And what qualifications are those, Ahnor Cynortas?" Dominik pressed.

"I trained the Kaisae, sire."

The conversation swelled again.  Every person in the room had witnessed her run of the gauntlet, and many realized how far her abilities were above any soldier they'd seen before.

"I think that more than qualifies you, Ahnor.  Now please..."  He gestured to an open seat beside him.  "Let us enjoy our dinners.  We are glad to have your assistance."

Follow me and stay dignified,
Sal told the pack
.  This might get ugly before the night is over, but we have a precedent to set
.

She felt their assent and made her way to the dais, taking the seat to the King's left.  Jase took the chair beside her and the grauori lay on either side of the King, their posture like that of large wolves laying in guard.  When servants appeared at her side with food, Sal gestured for one girl to come closer.

"A plate of meat for each of my friends, if you'd be so kind?"  She tilted her head at the grauori.

"For the wolves, ma'am?" the girl asked wide eyed.

"They are grauori, and yes -" Sal paused, her eyes unfocusing as Roo slipped into her mind.

No rosemary, Sal.  The pups don't like it
.

Sal smiled and finished her thought, "Right, and no rosemary for the gold one."

The girl glanced at the King.  With a smile, he nodded at her, and the servant scurried back toward the kitchens.  Sal began to pick at her food.  Even before tasting it, she could smell the char.  Humans always cooked their meals into oblivion.

The King leaned in her direction.  "Grauori?  You brought them to court?"

"Yeah.  Trust me, no one will come within a meter of you now unless you want them to.  Tomorrow I'll dismiss half the guards at your back and move them into more useful positions."

"You're setting wolves as my bodyguards?"  He chuckled.  "Ok, that will be a first.  Are they that well trained?"

"Sire, you have no idea.  They aren't wolves, though.  I've told you this before."

Behind her, Hwa huffed out a sigh. 
Ok.  Tell him I'll do a few tricks if it will make him happy.

"So you're trying to say they're like you?" Dom continued.

"Hwa, just tell him.  Sire, I'm sorry.  He has an accent, but I'm sure you can understand."

Hwa stood and moved to the King's side.  "I rrespet and swearr ta onhorr yerr maddesty," he struggled around his tongue.  "Vahn rargah arr woarna edst Kaisor," he repeated in his own language, ducking his head as he placed a nearly human hand on the King's knee.

Dominik's eyes were huge.  He sat looking at the grauori for a long moment before he realized the beast would not move until released.  "Thank you, um... Hwa?  Shit," he whispered as he looked over at Sal.  "You mean this whole time, the wolves are, I mean..."  His head bounced between them, trying to take it all in.

Thanks, Hwa,
Sal told her friend, letting him know he could return to his place.

This could be fun, you know? 
Hwa sounded amused at the King's reaction.

"Yes, Dom, that's what I've been trying to tell you.  You have a whole second people in your back yard.  My people.  They're as intelligent as either of us.  More in some cases.  Roo is my tactical specialist, Hwa and Jase are about as good of fighters as I've ever met."

He nodded, the information sinking in.  "Sal, it's going to take me a while to process all of this.  You've just turned my entire country upside down.  But don't trust your friends out of your sight.  We've been killing the wolves for too long, and I'm not sure how fast I could change it."

"We know, sire.  I've made plans for that."

His eyes flicked across her face.  "It sounds like you're the only person in this stupid palace who has.  The nobles think it's a waste of time to worry about normal citizens.  They think people like us are beneath them."  He leaned in and dropped his voice.  "No one expected me to inherit the crown, and I'm not sure they like it.  I didn't ask for this, you know."

"Probably more than you realize, sire.  I won't lie to you, Dom.  I can promise you that.  But you're not always going to like what I say, and I do intend that you will listen to me.  There will be waves with your council, but I know a few things you don't."

"Like what?"

She canted her head to the side.  "Why don't we save that for tomorrow.  For tonight, just trust me."

"I'll try, Sal, but I have to take care of my people above all else."

"That's what I want to help you do.  So long as Anglia stays strong, the continent does as well.  I know we're strange, but I think deep down we all want the same thing."

He watched her for a long moment, thinking.  "You're like no woman I've met before.  So far you're the only courtier who's been upfront with me.  I'll try, Sal.  I can promise you that, but I can't promise I'll succeed."

"Fair 'nough, Highness."

"And I want you – I guess all of you – to take rooms in the Palace.  The more you're seen, the sooner people will become accustomed to you, I think."  He glanced back at the grauori.  "Should I have a third set of rooms for them?"

Sal smiled and saw the King's eyes dart to her teeth.  "Sire, we'll only need two rooms.  Adjoining, if at all possible.  One for the grauori, one for the iliri."

"We have enough space.  It's no problem to assign three.  Honestly, Sal, there's no reason for you all to cram together."

"Dom, you know those titles we use?"

"Yeah?"

"Kaisae is pack leader.  Iliri and grauori are matriarchal.  Gerus means primary breeders.  Those are the pack members who are considered worthy of producing offspring."  She watched him processing that.

"And your Second, Ahnor?"

"That means first mate of the leader.  We won't need separate rooms, sire."

The King glanced over to Jase beside her.  Sal turned and saw her lover watching, his cold stare proving he'd heard every word.  Slowly, he reached up and tugged at his collar, revealing the bite behind his ear.

"Yer Majesty, I did na lie ta ya.  I trained her.  I'm sorry yer fantasies just got crushed, but trust me.  Ya could na take what she has ta offer."

The King blushed and turned back to his food.  The rest of the dinner passed in relative silence.