The Overlord's Heir (5 page)

     The curtain
of her hair shielded her face while she bared her body before him. Vaan puzzled
over her words and thought long over what she spoke. When he reached a
conclusion, anger began a slow course through his veins. “Were you in league
with my uncle Dakar and Warlord Thenl?” Vaan’s fingers curled to fists at his
side and awaited her response. He didn’t know how he’d handle her answer if she’d
participated in such betrayal.

     Neera’s head
shot up. Her full red lips parted. “No!” The answer came strong and adamant
enough for him to believe she spoke truth. “Your mother, the Lady Ashaya,
begged my assistance in the kitchen.”

     And that
explained it. Neera had to be the servant who helped his mother switch the drug
laced wine that left Vaan and his Warlords asleep for three years when
treachery took root in Kaban. “I have no anger for you, Neera.” And he didn’t.
Her actions that night helped save his life. “Your Overlord owes you.” Vaan
paid his debts.

     Neera stood
slowly, providing Vaan an unobstructed view. Her nipples hardened into pebbles
more from the chill air than arousal. Curves in all the right places with pale
skin flushed red. His gaze lowered to her trim bush hiding the secrets of her
toque but Vaan knew if he touched her, she’d be dry. Vaan regretted those years
of following misguided teachings now that Mikayla had showed him all the
pleasure to be shared when a man and woman joined.

     Neera smiled
and came toward him, hips swaying. “I would have you take your pleasure of me.”

     Vaan fought
in more battles than he could count, faced death on many occasions and yet he
felt heat stain his cheeks as he moved back a step. “I am mated.” Mikayla would
do more than poison him with her sakar. In her current emotional condition, she’d
save her venom for last and rip his toqa from between his legs if he remotely
considered Neera’s offer.

      Neera’s nose
curled. “To a Raasa. She is not worthy.” Her hand touched Vaan’s chest. He
flinched and found himself retreating another step. His Warlords would be
amused if they could see him running from a female.

“She carries my
youngling.”

Vaan’s words
thankfully gave her pause. Neera allowed her hand to fall to her side. “You
have not performed the kutthra. To wear your hair thus is to seek invitation
from others.”

Neera spoke truth
in some regard. Kabanians honored their brides by shortening their hair as a
visible reminder to all that they were taken. Mikayla, however, was surrounded
by males who became bald when they reached their maturity. As a result, Vaan’s
long hair fascinated her to no end.

During their
joining ceremony, she had made quite the scene when offered a blade to cut the
length from his hair. Vaan smiled, indeed she had threatened harm to any who
sought to do the duty without her permission.

He wasn’t sure
Neera would understand. “It pleases my mate to keep my hair as it was when she
met me.”

She considered his
words. “You have made another life away from here.”

Vaan nodded and
searched for his pants, no longer comfortable having this conversation with
both of them nude. He pulled them on while keeping a wary eye on her. Once
dressed, he felt a measure of calm return. “I will walk you out.”

He got halfway to
the door before he realized he couldn’t send her into the hall naked. “Where is
your clothing?”

Neera clutched the
blue sheet to her chest, the ends trailed behind her. Its silver embroidery
detailed stylized G’s along the hem. “You are happy with her?” Neera asked.

“Yes.” Firm. He
loved Mikayla and having her love defined the gift he’d received from the
Blessed One.

     Neera dropped
the sheet and picked up a ball of fabric from the floor. Vaan wasn’t sure how
he’d missed it but it pleased him to see her slip on the blue and silver dress
his household female servants always wore. The thin fabric clung to every curve
and indentation of her body. He opened the door and used one hand at her back
to push her further through.

     Tears gone,
her blue eyes studied him once more. “Do you honor your mate with your refusal
or am I no longer pleasing?”

     Both. But
Neera deserved his thanks for saving his life, not ridicule. He settled on a
fitting truth. “The Raasa mate for life and do not seek others for bed play.”

     She respected
his words and with a last nod of acceptance left. Vaan exhaled in relief just
as Eatan stumbled into Neera at the top of the stairs. Eatan eyed the female
then glanced at Vaan with a raised brow and a drunken smile. Vaan slammed the
door shut and went to bed.

Chapter 6

     Miki wondered
if loneliness could make one ill. She watched Vaan’s Warlords train as
intensely as they did each day since they’d made themselves at home among her
people. A few Raasa men joined and the camaraderie reached vocal levels as both
races exchanged jokes and laughter. They had come a long way from the wariness and
anger that had divided her people and the Kabanians.

“Are you well, my
lady?” Since Balal looked one step away from carrying her inside, Mikayla forced
her lips into a smile.

“I’m fine.”
Truthfully, the pain in her back had steadily gotten worse. Sharp, cramping
spasms hit at unexpected intervals and she almost slipped on the last step when
he and Kavan walked her down this morning. Something seemed off.

A loud commotion
caught her attention at the gate. Serel hurried to catch the latch allowing the
large hinge to roll back and open the entrance.

 “The Ba’asi comes
to check your health.” Balal nodded at the lone figure of a bald Raasa coming
through the gate on hapfe back. Tolan secured it as soon as he could.

     Miki frowned.
He arrived too soon. Her delivery was still a ways off. “Why has he come?”

     The Warlord
flushed and turned his head to the side, avoiding her gaze. Miki reached out
and pinched the skin of Balal’s arm. “Ow, my lady.”

     Ignoring his
wounded expression, Miki folded her arms over her belly despite the awkward
fit. “Did you send for him?”

      A heavy sigh
preceded his answer. “All are concerned. The Overlord is to return in two days
but he would not be pleased to find you have not been cared for in his absence.”

      Just the
thought of Vaan saddened Miki. Forgetting her anger at Balal, she allowed her
arms to drop to her side. “This is a waste of time. I’m fine.”

      Argan
approached with the Ba’asi at his side. The tall Warlord’s fierce expression
used to cause fear to curl in Miki’s stomach. Her mate respected Argan and
valued his opinion in most matters. Their friendship was clear for all to see. As
a result, Miki had since grown to love the gruff Warlord as well. She just wasn’t
sure if Argan felt the same.

As soon as the Ba’asi
reached her, Miki balanced her weight carefully and offered him a formal nod. “Greetings
and welcome, Ba’asi.”

She reached to
kiss his knuckles but the wizened old man instead patted her on the top of her
head with a smile. “A joyous time is upon you, Su-Su.” His fangs flashed and
the Raasa words slurred on his tongue. The holy man was old and Miki knew his
time would soon near. He’d join the Blessed One in the Hills and another would soon
take his place. “How are you feeling?”

Since Balal had
gone through the effort to summon him, Miki disclosed the pain she’d been
feeling. “My back aches and I’ve no appetite for eating.” In fact, too tired to
put forth the effort, she’d skipped her morning meal.

The Ba’asi tipped
his head to the side and studied her expression. His diamond shaped pupils
retracted. He raised a hand toward her stomach. “May I?”

Inches away from
Miki, Balal and Kavan tensed. She glared over her shoulder at both then smiled
at the holy man who would deliver her youngling in but weeks. “Yes.”

The Ba’asi waited
to give the Warlords at her side a chance to protest. At their silence, his
frail hand reached out to cup the top of her stomach and the heat of his palm
seeped through her yellow tunic. A resounding kick followed the touch, causing
Miki to grin but the Ba’asi’s smile slipped. He closed his eyes and worried at
his bottom lip with his fangs. Miki held her breath until his green eyes
snapped open.

“How long have you
felt the pains?”

His tone stressed
the urgency of her answer and Miki took a deep calming breath before
responding. “A few days.”

He stared.

Miki flushed. “Maybe
a week or longer.”

Balal groaned
behind her.

“Has the movement
been steady the entire week?” The Ba’asi continued.

Miki nodded. “The
kicks are almost non-stop now.” His hand shifted and the frown on his face
worried her. “Is everything well?”

Balal must have
sensed her concern and placed a hand on her shoulder. Kavan stepped closer, his
hand going to the hilt of the sword over his shoulder as if there were an enemy
to battle. Miki’s breath sped up and the thumping in her chest matched the
thumping of the baby as it rolled and pressed against the tightness of her
skin.

Finally, the
Ba’asi removed his hand but nothing could remove the concerned look on his
face. “My estimates still put the birth two weeks away according to your time
of bearing but…” He folded his hands together beneath the sleeves of his heavy
gold robes. “The youngling is highly active at this stage, a sure sign your
time nears. It…” He hesitated and after a furtive look at the Warlords, he switched
to the Raasa tongue. “It should not be so. I fear the youngling will come
early.”

“No.” Miki wasn’t
aware she’d spoken aloud until Balal’s hand began to rub her shoulder. “Vaan
isn’t back yet.”

“He will come, my
lady.” Argan’s voice carried as he walked closer with the confident stride that
reminded her of Vaan. “I will dispatch a messenger to Kaban tonight.”

Everyone’s worry
was increasing her own. Miki shivered and ran her hands up and down her arms to
dispel the sudden chill despite the heat of the morning sun. A sense of
foreboding shadowed what should have been thoughts of joy at the coming birth
but without a reason for her worry, she didn’t want anyone thinking she called
Vaan needlessly. “Tomorrow. Send someone tomorrow.” Miki wouldn’t deny the
thought of having Vaan return swiftly was upper most in her mind.

***

The morning started
with bickering among the four remaining members of the Kabanian Council.
Sellic, Raiden, Mallor and Riohan each attempted to convince him of their
latest desires. For the good of Kaban of course.

“We implore you to
consider our wishes, Overlord.”

Vaan leaned back in
his throne-like-chair and propped his chin on his fist. “My wishes were of no
import when the Council stood by my uncle and Thenl’s treachery.”

The head of the
group, Councilor Raiden frowned. He folded his arms behind his back and eyed
Vaan with a steady gaze. “The Council acted accordingly. Perhaps the decision
proved faulty but…”

Vaan jerked up in
his seat. “Perhaps? Thenl plotted against Kaban. His plans would have seen my Warlords
and I dead if not for the brave actions of my mother.”

Raiden nodded. “You
speak truth but the matter is in the past. Thenl and Dakar paid for their
actions and justice was served.”

“By my brother’s
hand and no thanks to you or your brethren,” Saran interrupted as he placed a
supporting hand on Vaan’s shoulder.

Vaan forced
himself to take a calming breath. The Councilors in their richly appointed red
robes ever played the part of fools. In this, he would not be swayed. “I will
not make my home here. My place is at my mate’s side among the Raasa.”

Sellic, an elder Councilor
who hated Vaan and his father before him, spoke up. “Your bride would be most
welcome to make her home here, of course.”

“My mate,” Vaan
corrected for the Raasa joined for life unlike Kabanians and did not accept the
temporary term
‘bride’
. “has no wish to live here. She is the last of
her family in the ruling line at her home. She carries my youngling who will be
next in line to rule as Su-Su.”

The four Councilors
could not control their varying expressions of surprise. Only Raiden smiled
with pleasure. “We congratulate you on the future birth of a Kabanian warrior.
All the more reason for you to return home.”

Vaan rose and
towered over the men in front of him at the base of his throne. His Warlords
tensed in preparation but he signaled them with a raised hand to stand down.
This place no longer felt like home. Home was wherever Mikayla resided.

“I have given my
answer. The Council is in no position to make demands of me. I merely await
Saran’s response to my offer.”

Sellic sputtered
and gripped the red fabric of his robe in clenched fists. “You can not make
decisions such as this without Council approval.”

Vaan caressed the sheathed
dagger at his thigh. “I need no approval from you. I am Overlord.” He said it
in his coldest voice and knew the Councilor took his meaning when the man
stumbled back, widening the distance between them.

Raiden raised a
placating hand and attempted another smile though the edges trembled. “We all
are here for the same reason. Kaban needs us united. Surely you understand.”

What Vaan
understood was that these very men allowed a warrior’s lie to stand above all
of Vaan’s honorable actions as a warrior. A mistake which resulted in loss of
life for many faithful warriors and the people of the tribes Thenl slaughtered
to place blame at Vaan’s feet.

“Let us think
further. You have not long returned and need time to consider.”

Vaan needed no
time but the pressure from his brother’s fingers on his shoulders had him hold
back his further refusal. “I will agree to take time and think on the matter.
Who has been selected to replace my uncle on the Council?” A decision of that
nature absolutely needed Vaan’s input before moving forward and all of these
men knew this.

Again Raiden
spoke. “We have not chosen another in respect for the Overlord’s return.”

Vaan almost rolled
his eyes at the attempt to pacify him. “I am sure the Council has someone in
mind.”

Sellic sputtered.
“Of course. Do you think it wise for the Council to allow you and your warriors
to run unchecked?”

It took all of his
will to control the urge to draw his weapon and slice the tongue from Sellic’s
mouth for his loud braying.

At least, Raiden
had the decency to flush. “You are right in that there is someone we talked of
considering.” He glared at Sellic before continuing. “However we thought it
wise to consider a warrior in the seat as well.”

Not by a twitch of
muscle did Vaan betray his surprise at this course of action. “You would have a
warrior sit on the Council?” Doubt colored his tone.

“We would have
you
sit on the Council, Overlord,” Raiden stressed.

“Never.” He would
not shame his Galip warrior bloodlines by wearing those red robes as Dakar had
done.

The other Councilors
glanced nervously at one another, confused at his deliberate refusal. Even if
he did not have Mikayla to consider, Vaan would refuse. He was a warrior first.
Grandson to Fenal Galip and never would he be satisfied unless he could use his
sword in battle. Aside from that, his position as Overlord was to see to the
people of Kaban and the Council’s role was to see to the actions of the
Overlord. Accepting such a position would negate his ability to judge with a
clear head.

Raiden inclined
his head. “We knew that you would not but the offer was made.”

“No,” Vaan
repeated for it to be understood by all.

“Would your Warlords
consider…?”

“No.” Vaan cut him
off before he could continue. After all they’d been through his Warlords made it
known that they would not leave his side.

“He is
unreasonable,” Sellic snapped, looking to the others for support.

Vaan came to his
feet. “I will spend time with my warriors. This is over.” He refused to
continue a pointless conversation.

Saran stayed at
his side as Vaan stormed from the meeting room, leaving several sets of stunned
eyes behind him.

***

Raiden glared at
Sellic. “You did not allow me a chance to ease him into considering.”

Sellic threw his
hands in the air. “Pfft. What does it matter now? He has refused as we knew he
would.”

Riohan and Mallor
remained silent. Raiden pointed at each in turn. “Neither of you spoke up. The
plan was to offer for Saran to sit on the Council if Vaan refused.”

Riohan rolled his
brown eyes and Raiden wanted to slap him hard across the face for the
dismissive gesture. “You are the fool, Raiden. You seek to make the Overlord
into a man of wisdom. Ever have the Galip been harsh animals.”

Raiden hid his
knotted fists in the folds of his robes. “The Galip are wise men. Three of our
greatest Warlords from their family line became Overlords. They have led Kaban
to riches. And less you forget our brethren, Dakar, was of the bloodline.”

“And look at the
mess he and Thenl have left us,” Sellic snapped, spittle gathering at the
corners of his mouth.

Mallor added his
own bitterness. “It is clear that Saran will serve in Vaan’s stead and sit in
Kaban while the Overlord will forget about us to live among the disgusting
Raasa.”

“We must do
something.” Riohan began to pace, robes swaying. “The Desani King has refused
to discuss renewing talks of an alliance.”

In this, Raiden
could speak. “Can you blame him? Thenl sent warriors to attack the Queen’s
party as she returned home. They killed her.”

Sellic ran a shaking
hand through his thick hair. “We can not be blamed for that. It was over two
years ago.”

“Three years ago,
Thenl and Dakar attempted to kill the Overlord. Two years ago, Thenl killed the
Desani Queen. Is it a wonder Vaan Galip questions our motive?”

They each stared
at one another in silence. Raiden pressed fingers to his temple. Arguing never
resolved anything for them and he for one was glad the Overlord did not give in
to the Council’s desires easily. His one regret was that he had not taken a
more solid stand when Thenl voiced his treachery against Vaan and his top Warlords.
The Blessed One would make him pay for that some day. “We will present our
other choice when the Overlord has had a chance to calm.”