Vengeance Born (The Light Blade #1) (41 page)

She brushed her lips over his, heard the softest of groans then he kissed her. Too late she realized her mistake. Tears filled her eyes as his tongue traced her lips and darted between them to play with hers. He would taste himself and she waited for him to pull away. Annika thought her heart would stop as he groaned then deepened the kiss.

“There’s nothing I don’t love about you,
Na’Chi
.” His guttural, whispered words sent her over the edge. White-hot pleasure tore her apart. Her head swam as she heard him cry out and felt him shudder beneath her as he spilled his seed inside her then she collapsed on top of him. Tiny shock waves drew out her release. She was so sensitive, just their ragged panting ignited them. All she could taste and feel and smell and sense was him, inside and out, touching her skin, her heart, her soul.

Kalan didn’t believe she was worthless. He wasn’t repulsed by her. He didn’t push her away when she needed solace. He made her feel wanted and special and loved.

She would always be
Na’Chi
, neither human nor demon, yet the best of both resided within her. He’d taught her that. She still couldn’t believe the way he felt about her but it was becoming easier and she was sure that if she took the time she’d discover many more heart-gifts given to her by this man. She knew without a doubt there was nothing she wouldn’t do for him.

He had claimed her. Tenderness and warmth encircled her heart. It left her feeling weak yet strong at the same time. She wasn’t aware of her tears, not until Kalan began kissing them from her face and brushing them away with the pads of his fingers. He made soft, soothing sounds and just held her, comforting her.

His compassion and endless love tightened her throat even further and it was a long time before the tears stopped. Then, as she calmed and her mind drifted through the myriad of new memories, she understood the strange emotion inside her.

She loved him.

Her heart beat so hard she wondered if Kalan could hear it. For long minutes she lay there in his arms, content to hold onto the incredible sense of peace and satisfaction the knowledge gave her. When Annika raised her head she found him watching her. A gentle smile curved his lips as she ran her fingers across his cheeks and stubble-roughened jaw.

“Are you all right?” He caressed the side of her face with the back of his hand.

“I love you, Kalan.” Her whispered declaration shocked her as much as him. She swallowed hard and spoke in a more confident voice. “I love you.”

His eyes closed and she wondered at the pained expression that flickered across his face. The intensity of his green gaze seared her when his eyes opened again. “Your love humbles me, Annika. I’m truly blessed.”

Chapter 30

T
HE inner chamber was as full as Kalan ever remembered seeing it. Nearly sixty people had walked through the doors this morning, all invited to see the induction of the new Councilors. The Blade Council’s reputation and honor had been badly damaged by Davyn and the others. The open invitation was his attempt to rebuild everyone’s trust.

Light Blade Commanders and their Seconds gathered as a cohort at the back of the room. Varian, Lisella, and several other
Na’Chi
sat with Annika while small groups of crafters who worked within the compound filled the remaining seats.

Kalan seated himself at the table and it was the signal for those on either side of him to convene. Kymora took her position to his right, Candra and Benth to his left. Five empty chairs remained at the table, two more than usual and another deliberate effort to restore confidence in the Council. He hoped the gamble would pay off.

“I welcome you all to the first meeting of the new Blade Council.” Kalan made sure his voice carried clearly to every corner of the room. Conversations ceased and silence followed. “
Temple Elect
, would you please open the session with a prayer.”

As Kymora began the traditional benediction, Kalan added his own petition to the
Lady
for strength and guidance. A lot rode on the issues being discussed. He wondered just how many present would realize the decisions they made today would determine their people’s future.

When Kymora had finished he nodded to Benth and the silver-haired Councilor stood, a sealed parchment in hand.

“Today the Blade Council calls on the following provincial leaders to take up the responsibility of leading all our people,” he said. With a flick of a thumbnail, the seal was broken and he unfolded the piece of parchment. “Rellyn Nyon.”

The warrior who rose from his seat near the front of the crowd stood a head taller than those around him. He was known for his deliberate decision-making skills.

Beside him Candra made a soft sound in the back of her throat. Kalan’s glance flickered to her. Her dark eyes sparkled but her expression remained serious. He wondered if it would change when she saw who else had been selected. She’d wanted younger, more energetic leaders and he’d considered that during the selection process.

“Jho Elamm.” A small waiflike woman in her middle years from their southernmost province stood. Her strength lay in her connections with the outlying crofters. Benth greeted her with a nod. “Ophesius Witham.”

Rising from among the Light Blade ranks, the older Commander was highly respected by warriors and city workers alike. Kalan hoped his knowledge of both communities would serve the Council well.

“The
Lady
’s
Chosen
has also included two new tenures and these positions will be filled by members from the Guilds,” Benth an-nounced. “Master Weaver Shellana Lin and Master Trader Ilon Evel.”

Both were well into their seventies but Kalan knew neither would have risen to their present positions within their own Guilds without developing the skills needed to serve as Councilors.

Benth turned to face Kymora. “Has the
Temple Elect
presented these candidates to the
Lady of Light
?”

She inclined her head. “I have and
She
’s given
Her
blessing.”

Kalan wasn’t surprised when clapping and several cheers erupted from those gathered. All were well liked within their own communities. Each new Councilor pledged their oath to serve the
Lady
and their people with faith, integrity, and honor then took their seats at the table.

Annika was aware of Varian shifting impatiently and had to agree that most of the business discussed in the first hour was less than riveting even though Candra kept the pace of the meeting flowing.

Leaning closer to the scout she whispered, “Kalan said he wanted the new Councilors to feel comfortable in their new roles.”

“If Evel was any more comfortable he’d be snoring,” Varian replied dryly.

Annika glanced at the Master Trader’s heavy-lidded gaze and relaxed posture then bit her lip to smother her smile.

“Councilors, I’d like to discuss an issue affecting our current situation.” Kalan’s opening had Annika straightening in her chair. Varian leaned forward, his gaze intense as the problems of the
Na’Chi
’s living arrangements were presented and a possible solution suggested. It drew several favorable murmurs from the new Councilors.

“You say the caverns are a distance from the nearest crofters?” Master Trader Evel inquired. “If the
Na’Chi
would feel more comfortable then I have no objection to them moving there.”

“If you’ll pardon me for saying so,
Chosen
,” said Witham, the ex-Light Blade Commander. “Their request to move is advantageous all round. It could encourage those warriors who left to return if they knew the
Na’Chi
were settled elsewhere.”

“So, it’s out of mind, out of sight?” Varian murmured.

His sarcasm wasn’t lost on Annika. “Kalan’s not finished speaking yet.”

“Regular supplies would need to be delivered to the
Na’Chi
,” Kalan stated. “It would require the cooperation of some of your members, Guild-leaders.”

“I’m sure some sort of arrangement could be made.” Lin inclined her head but a frown creased her brow. “But I’m curious,
Chosen
, who would monitor them?”

Varian snorted, none too softly, and several heads turned in his direction. Kalan narrowed a warning glare in the young scout’s direction. “The
Na’Chi
don’t need monitoring, Councilor. They’ve been granted sanctuary.”

“But…”

“Your question raises another point of discussion,” Candra said, with the barest of smiles as she cut the new Councilor off. “We should consider an alliance with the
Na’Chi
.”

There was a murmur of reaction to that statement and Annika sensed sudden tension. Scanning the faces closest to her, she discovered several wore scowls. Varian must have seen them too as his posture changed to one of coiled readiness as if he expected an attack.

“Why?” Nyon’s simple question was accompanied with a folding of his brawny arms.

“They have fighting and scouting techniques that would benefit our warriors.” Kalan leaned forward to meet the older man’s light-eyed gaze. “Any advantage in the war with the
Na’Reish
should be welcomed.”

“Agreed.” The word was spoken in a deliberate manner. “But is that reason enough to suggest an alliance?”

“Not at all. Varian, you might like to address the Council on this matter.” Kalan’s invitation had the warrior rising from his seat in less than a heartbeat.

“The
Na’Chi
would freely teach your warriors our skills,
Chosen
.” He glanced around the room. “We’ve spent the better part of twenty years learning how to avoid the
Na’Reish
, and to some extent, the human-slaves they kept at the fortress. Our skills are highly specialized, designed for a smaller group so that they can deal with or avoid a larger one, their age notwithstanding.”

“Quite applicable considering our diminished numbers, don’t you think?” Candra asked of the table in general.

“I’m proposing we send volunteers with the
Na’Chi
when they go.” Kalan leant forward onto the table. “A trial exchange of sorts.”

Varian spoke up. “We’d request no more than a dozen people during the initial exchange.”

“Why not send as many who wanted to go?” Nyon asked. His chair creaked as he shifted his heavy weight around to speak directly to him.

“For the original reason the
Lady
’s
Chosen
has outlined. Both our peoples need time to adapt.”

“You raise a valid point,
Na’Chi
,” Elamm spoke up for the first time. The diminutive woman tapped a finger on the table. “Your plans are certainly ambitious,
Chosen
, but surely you can see we all need more time to get used to the idea of having the
Na’Chi
among us. Letting them all settle outside the city is a good idea but rather than rush into a hastily devised plan we should wait. Maybe in several months we could revisit this issue—”

“Nothing was said of relocating them all, Councilor Elamm,” Kymora said, gently interrupting her. “Annika is staying with Kalan.”

The woman shook her head, seemingly taken back by her words. “Why? Wouldn’t she feel more comfortable among her own people?”

Varian’s soft chuckle wasn’t pleasant. His violet eyes flashed black as he met Annika’s gaze. “And now we see their true colors.”

A shiver worked its way along Annika’s spine as Lisella admonished him in a whisper.

“Annika’s choice and reason to remain is her own. You should all know though that I intend accompanying the
Na’Chi
when they leave,” Kymora stated. “In her wisdom, the
Lady
has asked that I undertake my fourth Journey with them—”

Protests rose up from around the table, the Councilors’ voices drowning hers out. Beside her, Annika noticed Varian reseating himself, a startled expression on his normally serious face.

“Who would replace you as
Temple Elect
?” Kalan seemed surprised by the news.

“Too many changes.” Again Elamm shook her head.

“It’s too soon, too fast,
Chosen
,
Temple Elect
,” Witham agreed.

“You see?” Varian’s cynicism carried only as far as Annika’s ears. The coldness within Annika spread.

With a frown on her face, Kymora rose from her seat and banged her staff on the stone floor to regain order. “Have you no faith in the
Lady
?” she asked, her tone scathing. “Am I to refuse to follow the path
She
’s set me? What sort of leader would I be to ignore
Her
wisdom just because I was afraid or felt it too hard a decision to make? If we’re to survive then it’s what I’ll do for the good of us all.”

“Survive?” Witham’s heavy eyebrows shot high on his forehead. “We don’t need help from the
Na’Chi
to survive in this war against the
Na’Reish
. Our warriors—”

“Our ranks are shrinking in numbers!” Candra’s biting comment matched her angry gaze. “Or haven’t you been listening to everything this Council has been told?”