Here She Rules: The Chronicles of Erla: Book 1 (21 page)

The Serlenn monarch bowed, accepting Nera’s wisdom on the matter.
 

“Get his Highness another drink,” Nera called to a nearby slave. “Come. Let us enjoy ourselves.”
 

Slaves instantly rushed to bring everyone a glass, and Nera took Nyles’ arm and led him back to the dancing area. Cassie sipped at her drink, not wishing to lose control too early this night; it was vital she stay aware in order to protect Nera should the need arise. Eventually, she placed her drink on a slave’s tray and picked up a glass of juice instead.

Nall searched her eyes for a hint as to her feelings, and she smiled at him, raising her glass in a silent toast, which he returned with a tight smile. The musicians resumed playing. The crowd whispered and gossiped as they speculated about the events to come.
 

Cassie’s eyes searched out her slaves and found them still on the dais. Their faces were somewhat pale, so she excused herself from Nall and walked over to join them—eager to soothe the fear she saw on their faces.
 

Nall watched her walk away from him and quaffed his drink. He was annoyed by the intrusion of the Destian King, which had broken the fragile connection he felt they were building.
 

Cassie came to her men and touched each one, talking softly and soothing away their remaining fear for her.
 

“I am well as you can see. Weren’t you excited at the prospect of seeing your Mistress in battle?” she joked.
 

They returned her smile and assured her that they never wished to see her in danger.
 

“What will happen now, Mistress?” Aidan queried.

“I have no idea, my love, but it will definitely be interesting.”

The men from Destia returned to the Hall less than an hour from when they had left. They were clean and dressed in fresh clothing. Darien wore black leather pants and a white, long-sleeved shirt with a black vest. Cassie stared in awe. He was strong, handsome, and most definitely a primal male.
 

His eyes lit on her as she stood next to Nera and Nyles. He approached and bowed to them, and they returned the gesture.

“Once again, I thank you for your generous welcome upon our unannounced arrival, Queen Nera.” His voice was strong and deep, and it fit him perfectly.

Nera inclined her head and said, “You are very welcome here, King Darien. I look forward to helping your two countries to resolve this dispute and restore peace to your region.” She looked at both men with a polite smile, and they returned her smile along with words of agreement.

Cassie stood slightly apart from them, taking time to observe the newcomer.
 

He was much younger than the Serlenn King, but older than Nall. She would place him in his mid-thirties, and he was terribly handsome—exuding confidence and strength.
 

Darien’s eyes turned towards Cassie and caught her studying him. He arched a sardonic brow, but before she could open her mouth, the dinner service was called, and they all adjourned to the massive table in the middle of the room.
 

Cassie headed to the seat which was one down from Nera, thus allowing the royal visitors access to the seats next to Her Highness. Darien smoothly placed himself between the Queen and Cassie, causing Nall to frown. When the darker man caught his look of displeasure, he broke into a rakish grin. Darien clearly saw the other man’s attraction to Erla’s Commander and relished the chance to get under his skin.

Slaves moved quickly and easily amongst the diners, serving the royals first followed in quick succession by the dignitaries and courtiers. Kai and Garen moved to either side of her and placed food and drink before her. Kai remained standing between her and Darien—awaiting her pleasure. Not wishing to further complicate the situation, Cassie kissed Kai’s hand and sent him back to the others.
 

Darien watched as Garen settled a napkin on her lap and offered her choice tidbits. She smiled up at him while he tempted her with various delicious foods.
 

Darien ate quietly for a number of minutes before he leaned back in his chair, watching this interaction between Mistress and slave. After a few more moments, he lifted his goblet of Mull and sipped it before addressing Cassie.
 

“It amazes me,” he said as her head turned towards him, “that a man such as this, who has the looks and potential of a warrior, would stand beside you like a docile lapdog, feeding you sweetmeats.” There was no offense in his voice—only curiosity—but he was testing her, and she knew it.
 

Cassie took a breath and smiled sweetly at the foreign monarch before replying.

“True enough, My Lord, but then there are some men who were born to a
higher
calling—such as my beloved Garen.” Darien barked out a shout of laughter, and all eyes settled on them as they gazed at each other with looks of friendly challenge.

“Well met, My Lady.” He nodded to Garen, who inclined his head modestly. Cassie lifted Garen’s hand to her lips while holding Darien’s eyes and then sent him to sit with the others.
 

Nall took in this encounter with irritation, but he knew he must control and ultimately quash his feelings as there could be no future for him and the Commander of the Erlan Army. She would not leave this land to go to his where she would be treated in a lesser fashion. Even so, his desire for her would not be denied. Nall was smitten, but he was not a fool. It stung him, however, to see the Destian King worming his way into her good graces.

Darien asked her about her world, and Cassie told him a great deal before he switched the conversation to fighting and strategy. They carried on a lively discussion for quite some time before the Serlenn musicians struck up their instruments again. Then, she felt a touch on her shoulder as Nall held out his hand in invitation.
 

The music was slower this time, and Nall wrapped her in his strong arms, pulling her closely to him. They swayed and moved with the music as they were slowly joined by other couples.

Soon, Nera moved by in Darien’s arms, and his eyes fixed onto Cassie with a challenging look. She laughed softly, which caused Nall to pull back and look at her questioningly. She simply shook her head and asked him to tell her more about his home.
 

Nall’s hand gently moved up and down her spine as he inhaled her sweet fragrance, and Cassie smiled to herself.
 

These men should stop assuming I can be as easily won as any of the women from their home countries. I am not an idiot. Don’t they know I am fully aware that they are playing a game and using me and my attention to needle each other?! Ugh!

She met Kara’s eyes as she danced with King Nyles and motioned with her eyebrows that she wished to speak with her. Kara nodded slightly. When the music stopped, the women excused themselves from their partners and talked quietly amongst themselves—making their plans for later in the evening as there was no apparent reason to mistrust their guests, and the Queen’s Guard would remain with her constantly.

The night progressed, and everyone imbibed heavily of both the Jul and the Mull, and much like the last time, the behavior of the guests verged on lewdness if not outright carnality. Cassie and Kara mostly abstained, preferring to take their drink with their warriors later. Finally sitting down for a moment, Cassie motioned Mika over to her, and he hurried to where she sat, kneeling before her.

“Mika, I would have you take the others and return home. It grows late, and both the women and men have had too much to drink. I don’t want any of you in harm’s way.”

“Yes, Mistress.”

“I may be out late tonight. Kara and I are going to the village to be with the warriors.”

“Yes, Mistress. You will have a care for your safety?”

“Yes, love, now goodnight.” He rose and went to the others, speaking softly. They all rose, and with a bow towards Cassie, they quietly left the gathering as the eyes of nearly every woman followed their handsome forms.
 

As Cassie sat waiting for Kara, she idly watched the debauchery unfolding around her. In the shadowy corners of the room, figures could be seen moving rhythmically in various positions. She also spotted Darien and Nall talking together whilst watching two female slaves making love at their feet.
 

Men . . . It figures.

Cassie continued to sit musing silently until Kara interrupted her reverie by flopping down next to her.

“Tell me you are ready to get out of here!” Kara exclaimed.

“Oh yes! Most definitely.”

Cassie spoke to the Queen’s Guard, giving orders as she prepared to leave.

The women stood and eased out through a side door. Lifting their skirts, they ran down the steps and through the streets towards the village square, following the sounds of revelry as, unbeknownst to them, Darien and Nall both saw them leave and decided to follow (albeit at a safe distance).
 

During the conversation the men shared earlier, they had discovered they both shared a strong love for the mountainous country which was home to both of their Kingdoms. This common ground led them to the discovery of many other shared interests and preferences. They began to shed some of their animosity, and when the slaves at their feet began their play, the men shared a look, ceased talking, and watched in fascinated surprise. They were about to walk away when they saw Cassie and Kara leave. Between them, they decided that following the lovely women was an excellent idea. So, as stealthily as possible, they followed them into the village.
 

The hairs on the back of Cassie’s neck prickled as they moved along, but she shrugged it off and hurried on towards the village square.
 

As they came into the crowds of people lining the streets, they saw their warriors and headed towards them.
 

“Whoa-ho-ho!” the warriors shouted when they caught sight of their leaders in their regal attire.
 

Cassie and Kara laughed and curtsied prettily as they joined them, hugging and slapping each woman on the back. One of the warriors poured a golden liquid into small, shot-like glasses and handed one to Cassie and one to Kara.
 

Kara threw hers back quickly, grimaced, and then laughed. So, Cassie lifted the glass to her nose and sniffed. She looked up at the women and quirked her brow.
 

This smells like tequila!
 

“It is made from a desert plant and is
very
potent and very good!” one of the warriors stated.

Damn! It really is tequila!

She downed it and grinned, holding out her glass for another shot. Her warriors cheered and refilled her glass, and Cassie wasted no time in throwing it back.
 

Cassie and Kara had done three shots each and were really starting to feel it when they decided to join in the dancing that was taking place in the middle of the square.
 

People spun, kicked, and cavorted to the wild gypsy music. The women looked at each other and nodded. Grabbing up the hems of their gowns, they tucked them up into their gilded belts. Much to the delight of their troops, they ran into the dance and careened about freely.
 

They were soon joined by scores of their warriors, who were also laughing and dancing. They enjoyed the freedom of each other’s company and the uncharacteristic and total abandon of their superior officers.
 

Soon, many of the Serlenn and Destian soldiers had joined in the dancing, enjoying the camaraderie of the beautiful Erlan warriors (as well as the opportunities to steal caresses from the wild and beautiful women as they danced).
 

Nearly an hour later, Cassie broke free from the throng and was headed for more liquor when she ran straight into the arms of Darien. Breathlessly, she looked at his grinning face and noted that Nall stood with him—also grinning at her.

“I am shocked by such a lack of decorum from the Commander of the Erlan Army!” Darien taunted with a grin.

Cassie laughed in his face, refusing to be offended or to take his bait.
 

The man was maddening, but she refused to let him get to her.
 

“Come and have a drink with me. Maybe it will loosen those sticks which seem to be wedged up your asses,” Cassie shot back. Their stunned looks quickly dissolved into laughter, and they followed her to where the liquor sat on a high table and watched as she poured them all a shot.

After throwing back the shot, Darien leaned down and whispered in her ear, “My Lady, you may loosen anything on me that you desire.”
 

Chills ran deliciously up and down her spine, and a surge of heat hit her groin as she poured him another shot and then leaned over him to pour another for Nall as well. Darien’s lips brushed across her cheek, and he grinned wickedly at her.
 

Cassie ignored the heat which flared through her loins at the contact as Nall came up behind her. He placed his arms around her while holding up his glass for another shot. She poured it and then extricated herself from him while throwing back another shot herself. Kara rejoined her and took another drink, raising her eyebrows at Cassie.

“You are way behind, girlfriend,” Cassie said.

“Give me a minute, and I will be even more drunk than you are!” The women around cheered and laughed. Each one of them was drunk and happy.

“I am not drunth . . .” Cassie said indignantly and then laughed “Oh shit! I am drunk!” The men of both countries stood around them, laughed, and swallowed more of the liquor. All present were on his or her way to becoming
very
inebriated.

Cassie grabbed Darien and Nall and dragged them into the dancing crowd. When they arrived, however, the music slowed to a seductive pace.
 

Disappointed as she had been looking forward to the wild careening which she had so enjoyed earlier, Cassie soon shrugged it off and set herself between them, slowly grinding with the music.