By
the end, sweat covered Vaan’s torso, yet he didn’t appear winded from the
ruthless sessions. In fact, he seemed oddly energized, his black eyes intent on
match after match.
Balal, who’d she
completely forgotten during her absorption with the spectacle taking place
leaned down and murmured, “you will want to find somewhere to hide after this,
little Raasa. He will soon fall into Fenal and when there is no one left to
battle, he will turn to bed play.”
Miki had no idea
what this meant but the Warlord’s warning sounded dire. The thought of bed play
alone when she still ached below from Vaan’s attention made her nervous. It
didn’t help that Kavan must have heard and chuckled.
Her eyes darted
around at those gathered. Twelve men on one side, each paying no heed to the
injuries they’d received. The courtyard flowed over with Raasa who managed to
stray over and witness the concentrated brutality acted out in front of them.
Full attention stayed on the last Warlord left to compete with Vaan. All that
remained was Argan. Based on their interactions, this War Lord meant the most
to Vaan. “I would make amends, Overlord. First Blood.”
“No.”
Miki’s stomach
spasmed and she was glad she hadn’t finished her morning meal. Vaan eagerly
fought all of the others. She couldn’t decipher the meaning behind his current
refusal.
She tugged on
Balal’s arm to get his attention. The fool grinned. “Yes, my lady?”
“Miki,” she
corrected and pointed at Vaan and Argan glaring at one another. Neither moved
from their fighting stance.
Balal looked
appalled. “No, my lady. I can not address you so familiar.”
Miki blew out a
breath. “Fine, but explain what’s going on. I don’t understand first blood.”
Balal offered her
a slight bow. “First Blood is a sign the warrior is open to the Overlord
striking to draw blood if he sees an opening. Overlord Vaan is our best fighter
and no man is his equal on the battle field but this is merely practice. Our
Overlord does not like us injured in these sessions.”
None of it made
sense to her. “Then why First Blood?”
“To make amends,
woman,” snapped Kavan, his rough tone interrupting their conversation. “The
Overlord is displeased with us for our actions during the Circle of Honor
yesterday.”
What? Impossible.
Miki frowned. Her mate was doing this over some imagined slight to her? Only
Kavan’s blade nicked her. Why were the others making amends? Her chest
tightened as she pondered the meaning behind it. The sensation continued until
she rubbed the pained area.
Balal shot an ugly
look at Kavan. He pulled Miki closer to his side and answered her unspoken
thoughts. “A woman need not eat all the bread in a circle. Only a bite is
needed to acknowledge the trust she bears for the warrior offering. All knew
this yet chose to force you to eat after it was clear that you sickened by the
fourth one.”
Embarrassment
flared. She’d not meant to be so obvious.
“Make amends?”
“They are ashamed,
my lady. Their actions were a reflection of the Overlord. He is all that is
honorable and has never demanded of us more than he is willing to give of
himself. When you asked to add a touch of Kaban to your True Union, Overlord
Vaan showed his respect and honor for you by demanding the circle. A woman’s
gift of trust is precious. By harming you, the trust was abused and made it
possible for you to doubt that he can keep you safe. The Overlord’s bride
should always feel safe. Especially, if she is surrounded by his most trusted
Warlords. Now he proves to you that he will keep you safe even from his
Warlords.”
Blessed One. Miki
blinked rapidly to dispel the tears forming in her eyes. She’d sensed the
importance of the ceremonial ritual but in no way comprehended its weight. But
Vaan had and now demanded that his Warlords see the error of their ways.
“We will not do
this Argan.” Vaan’s voice brought Miki’s attention back to the two
the end, sweat covered Vaan’s torso, yet he didn’t appear winded from the
ruthless sessions. In fact, he seemed oddly energized, his black eyes intent on
match after match.
Balal, who’d she
completely forgotten during her absorption with the spectacle taking place
leaned down and murmured, “you will want to find somewhere to hide after this,
little Raasa. He will soon fall into Fenal and when there is no one left to
battle, he will turn to bed play.”
Miki had no idea
what this meant but the Warlord’s warning sounded dire. The thought of bed play
alone when she still ached below from Vaan’s attention made her nervous. It
didn’t help that Kavan must have heard and chuckled.
Her eyes darted
around at those gathered. Twelve men on one side, each paying no heed to the
injuries they’d received. The courtyard flowed over with Raasa who managed to
stray over and witness the concentrated brutality acted out in front of them.
Full attention stayed on the last Warlord left to compete with Vaan. All that
remained was Argan. Based on their interactions, this War Lord meant the most
to Vaan. “I would make amends, Overlord. First Blood.”
“No.”
Miki’s stomach
spasmed and she was glad she hadn’t finished her morning meal. Vaan eagerly
fought all of the others. She couldn’t decipher the meaning behind his current
refusal.
She tugged on
Balal’s arm to get his attention. The fool grinned. “Yes, my lady?”
“Miki,” she
corrected and pointed at Vaan and Argan glaring at one another. Neither moved
from their fighting stance.
Balal looked
appalled. “No, my lady. I can not address you so familiar.”
Miki blew out a
breath. “Fine, but explain what’s going on. I don’t understand first blood.”
Balal offered her
a slight bow. “First Blood is a sign the warrior is open to the Overlord
striking to draw blood if he sees an opening. Overlord Vaan is our best fighter
and no man is his equal on the battle field but this is merely practice. Our
Overlord does not like us injured in these sessions.”
None of it made
sense to her. “Then why First Blood?”
“To make amends,
woman,” snapped Kavan, his rough tone interrupting their conversation. “The
Overlord is displeased with us for our actions during the Circle of Honor
yesterday.”
What? Impossible.
Miki frowned. Her mate was doing this over some imagined slight to her? Only
Kavan’s blade nicked her. Why were the others making amends? Her chest
tightened as she pondered the meaning behind it. The sensation continued until
she rubbed the pained area.
Balal shot an ugly
look at Kavan. He pulled Miki closer to his side and answered her unspoken
thoughts. “A woman need not eat all the bread in a circle. Only a bite is
needed to acknowledge the trust she bears for the warrior offering. All knew
this yet chose to force you to eat after it was clear that you sickened by the
fourth one.”
Embarrassment
flared. She’d not meant to be so obvious.
“Make amends?”
“They are ashamed,
my lady. Their actions were a reflection of the Overlord. He is all that is
honorable and has never demanded of us more than he is willing to give of
himself. When you asked to add a touch of Kaban to your True Union, Overlord
Vaan showed his respect and honor for you by demanding the circle. A woman’s
gift of trust is precious. By harming you, the trust was abused and made it
possible for you to doubt that he can keep you safe. The Overlord’s bride
should always feel safe. Especially, if she is surrounded by his most trusted
Warlords. Now he proves to you that he will keep you safe even from his
Warlords.”
Blessed One. Miki
blinked rapidly to dispel the tears forming in her eyes. She’d sensed the
importance of the ceremonial ritual but in no way comprehended its weight. But
Vaan had and now demanded that his Warlords see the error of their ways.
“We will not do
this Argan.” Vaan’s voice brought Miki’s attention back to the two
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