Honor Bound by Michelle Howard Page A

men.
    “Why won’t Vaan
allow Warlord Argan to apologize for his actions?”
    Balal shifted his
stance and worried the hilt of his sword. “They are too evenly matched. If the
Overlord were to allow First Blood, he would need to fight harder for an
opening to draw on Warlord Argan. It could result in a severe injury.”
    Argan twirled his
sword in a taunting motion at Vaan. He wore a smug smile. “If you do not allow
me First Blood, I will be forced to follow your little Raasa everywhere she
goes for the opportunity to make amends. Do not punish me so.”
    Vaan glared. “I
should but I will not.” His eyes searched the crowd until he caught sight of
Miki for the first time since he’d started fighting. His black eyes glittered
and she knew why men pissed themselves when faced with him in battle. He lifted
his chin in her direction and she flushed, ducking her head low.
    “Armor up,” Vaan
ordered. “I will accept First Blood.” He pressed two fingers to his throat. His
lips moved but no words came forth.
    Miki stared in
amazement as a bluish green armor spread from her mate’s throat and down his
torso. He braced his legs apart, sword held loosely before him.
    Argan’s mouth
broke into a wide pleased smile as he raised his sword. “My thanks, Overlord.”
A similar blue green armor poured over his skin starting at his throat and not
stopping until his torso shone bright with the covering.
    “You will not
thank me this even tide.”
    Miki listened to
the Warlords excited murmurs. Her people appeared as confused as she was. But
she recognized this. “The coccar armor.”
    Balal grinned ear
to ear. “Yes.”
    “It survived the
deep sleep? Many wondered.”
    “This will take a
while,” Balal predicted, avoiding her question.
    Kavan growled low
in his throat but Miki paid him no mind. It was clear by their every
interaction that the Warlord did not like her. She didn’t understand why Vaan
didn’t force him to fight first. Instead, he chose to send him by her side
knowing of the dislike. Thus far, not many of Vaan’s actions made sense to her.
    Her untrained eye
noted the ease with which the men battled one another. Their skill obviously on
the same level. As the two men circled, she kept her eyes on Vaan. Argan
attacked and Vaan responded. Steel met steel and the men dug their booted heels
in the dirt, finally separating with a mighty thrust from Vaan.
    Argan grinned and
launched another assault, his sword swinging with power. Vaan blocked it with a
simple thrust, turned into a spin and slammed the flat of his blade against
Argan’s thigh. “Too easy, Argan.”
    The Overlord
smirked and Argan retreated. “Impressive move, Overlord.”
    Vaan didn’t
respond, his eyes steady on his adversary. Argan recovered and renewed his
assault. His every strike spoke of precision. Vaan extended his arms, holding
the sword with both hands and slashed left then right in rapid motion. Argan
backed away, his feet peddling as he met the onslaught of Vaan’s controlled
fury.
    Balal’s prediction
proved true. It took over an hour but Vaan finally managed a cut on Argan’s
forearm. The armor was a wise precaution. She’d never seen two people fight as
aggressively as they did. Several times, she’d inhaled sharply for fear they’d
truly hurt one another. All under the guise of practice.
    They broke apart
immediately when Argan’s arm bled. Both men reeked of sweat. Their hair soaked
and tangled about their shoulders. Vaan’s length remained pulled back in a tail
but strands stuck to the sides of his face. His armored chest heaved from his
exertion.
    Vaan accepted the
congratulations of his Warlords in the form of hearty slaps. Several Raasa also
tapped his shoulders in acknowledgment before running out of reach in case he
chose to retaliate.
    “Mikayla.”
    She jumped, not
expecting him to call for her. Balal grabbed Miki’s arm and dragged her away.
His rapid pace had her skipping as he headed straight for the