Dark Lord of Kismera: Knights of Kismera (23 page)

Drace watched her with sleepy eyes. “Will you come to bed soon? I sleep better with you next to me.”

“Of course, I will be there shortly.” She quickly undressed and pulled on an old shift then lay down next to him. She lay with her head against his broad chest.
No rattles of congestion, thank the gods.
Relieved, she soon was asleep herself.

A MONTH WENT BY and the snows had stopped; and with the arrival of better weather came the arrival of the dwarf and elf forces. The tent city in both baileys grew.

The dwarves amused Drace. They were exactly as he had pictured them from movies he had watched; he had never seen a feistier bunch of men.

Drace, Ki, and Cearan spent everyday with the other warriors, practicing maneuvers; coming in late in the evenings tired and mud covered. It was one such day when Yeager’s forces arrived.

Sentries announced the Northland army’s arrival while the three were mounted, watching a group of horseman running a drill. The threesome rode out to meet them. Cearan spotted the lead rider and took off at a gallop with a loud yell.

“That is Lexin. Cearan and he grew up together here at the stronghold. They are like brothers,” Ki explained as they rode at a more sedate pace.

“Why did he leave then?” Drace asked.

“His father served as war chieftain at Yeager’s, but his mother spent much time here with her sister. Cearan was to foster there but then our father was killed and he would not go, as much as it hurt him to see Lexin leave. He stayed for me. They spent time in Ysgol together however.”

“Your brother is an exceptional man. I couldn’t ask for a better friend.” Drace told her, and meant it. Cearan had become the closest friend he’d had in a very long time.

“Come on, my Lord.” Ki invited with a grin, kicking her horse into a gallop. Drace lightly touched Pride’s sides with his legs and Pride sprang into a run.

Cearan had already reached Lexin and both men were pounding each other on the back in greeting, the large group of Lexin’s forces watched while they halted. Cearan turned to Ki and Drace as they pulled their horses to a halt.

“Drace, this is Lexin, Knight of Bellmore, the High Kingdom. Lexin, this is Drace, Lord MacKinnon, now a Knight of Kismera, and Ki’s mate.”

Drace and Ki dismounted and Drace clasped the man’s arm in greeting, and then moved over a step to allow Lexin to sweep Ki into a robust hug.

“My, how you have turned into a beauty, cousin.” Lexin said in a deep, rich voice, full of humor.

A-ha, thought Drace.
That explains the resemblance.
While Lexin had the typical Werre characteristics, he bore a striking resemblance to the siblings, especially Cearan, with the exception that his eyes were more brown than gold. Drace had briefly entertained the thought that maybe Lexin had been a bastard son of their father. Yeager had no children so the relation would have to be through Ki’s mother’s line.

“Come, Lexin. Let us get your men to the stronghold and settled. Night approaches and you must be tired and hungry,” Ki suggested. “We have saved for you your usual quarters.”

Cearan stayed to ride in with Lexin and his men while Ki and Drace rode more quickly back to the castle.

“Our numbers are complete now and the weather improves daily. Every day the war comes closer,” Ki reflected as they entered the main hall. “I feel frightened suddenly. It did not strike me until I saw Lexin. They seem so young.”

“They are both grown men and trained warriors. It’s not good to dwell on the ‘what ifs’, hon,” Drace soothed. “I need a bath. I’ll wash your back if you wash mine,” he offered suggestively and gave her a look.

Together they ran up the stairs.

Another two weeks went by and the drilling and planning became more hectic. Nimbus and Azure had flown the Southern pass, announcing that if the weather stayed warm, the lower reaches of the pass would be traversable in another two or three weeks.

Plans to leave the stronghold in two days were made. A large room had been converted to a war room and a big table was covered in maps. Blank parchment was soon covered in battle formation at various locations. The entire group of leaders hoped to meet the enemy at a plain called Hopa, where there were places for their armies to come over two ridges in flanking moves. The climb up would be steep but there was adequate cover to reach it. There was a gradual slope down into the valley that made the plains of Hopa. The southern pass opened into this valley and gradually widened to this favored location.

Keva, leader of the Ferndale forces, an elf with eyes and hair the color of ink, and his second in command by his side, stood looking over the latest plans. Jumon, the leader of the dwarf army stood on a stool. Keva had to keep pushing the dwarf’s long brown beard out of the way on the table as the dwarf kept leaning over to see well.

Vashti and Ka’Ril were there with word from Nimbus on how the two dragons planned to deal with the enemy dragons. They would have to be disabled quickly to avoid them using their deadly breath weapons and their magic.

Nimbus had not been able to fly over the pass as there were still storms in the highest reaches. No one knew what lay on the other side, but all suspected there were encampments waiting to move north, hoping to surprise.

A servant knocked on the door then stepped in to call them to the evening meal.

Estelle served Drace and the Werren men a new spiced wine and each man’s cup was refilled when it emptied. Towards the end of the meal, Ki and Vashti along with several of the other female warriors, excused themselves.

A while later, Drace prodded Cearan, who appeared to be feeling the effects of his wine. “Where did they go?” he asked of the women.

Cearan gave him a secretive grin. “You are about to see a custom of our people that is a prelude to a big battle.” His attention shifted. “Ah, I see Vashti. Relax, my brother. All will be well,” he said and sat back in his chair, taking another long swallow of his wine.

Vashti had indeed appeared along with two men carrying small hoop drums. The men sat against one wall and began a slow rhythm. Vashti stepped further into the hall and began a quiet chant then waved her arm around the room. She made a complete circle. As she went, the torches and candles extinguished, leaving the hall in darkness except for the fire in the large fireplace. Even it dimmed.

Feeling every hair on his arms and neck stand, Drace felt Cearan tense beside him and give the coughing call of a lion summoning others. Lexin joined in a seat down from Ki’s empty one. Drace then felt a cold shiver pass down his spine. It wasn’t fear but something he couldn’t quite identify. Soon there were several other calls from some of the other Werre males

A loud roar from the darkness quieted them. It sounded again and the drums beat louder and faster. Vashti’s voice was drowned out by them, but her chant brought a few of the torches to light the room dimly and the fire to brighten.

It was then that Drace could see the women had returned. Ki lead them further into the hall. Each wore long loincloths, a short tunic laced up the front, and all were barefoot. Each one’s hair was done so it stood out in a lion’s mane and their faces were painted in a way that made the lion resemblance more pronounced. Ki wore a headdress of pheasant feathers that framed her face, her hair flowing behind it.

Each woman had a spear in one hand and a sword in the other. The drummers changed the beat and the women went into a fighting crouch. Ki bared her fangs with a hiss, and then issued a challenging roar.

Cearan answered in kind, the other males followed suit. Drace did not have the lion’s roar but found himself bellowing some sort of deep war cry that would have been answered by his ancestors. He could feel the drum beat in his pulse. He stared at Ki and saw her eyes were glazed as if in a trance, but a fire burned behind them.

The women started a dance that mimicked a battle but they moved in slow, powerful motions. It lasted for several minutes with an ending of clear victory. Then the drums stopped and in the quiet they lay their weapons down. Each bared their teeth, growling. The Werre men pulled their daggers and pounded the hilts against the table as the drums began again and the women started another dance, their movements slow and sensual. Ki spun and her loincloth and hair flared around her. Her eyes locked with Drace’s and he felt a powerful surge through his veins. He ceased to think rationally, feeling primitive. Ki eyes met Drace’s again and she danced only for him. He was dimly aware of the rumbling growls around them.

The drums began to beat faster and faster and the dancers followed suit. Finally, they reached a crescendo then came to abrupt halt as the women spun down onto their knees, heads bowed until they touched the floor.

Drace could see in the dim light the sweat glistening on Ki’s skin, and the movement of her body as she gasped for breath. She looked up at him and he froze, his heartbeat thundered in his ears. Unaware he had even stood or moved around the table, he stopped in front of her. Ki looked up at him and roared, Drace’s answering war cry blended with hers. There were roars around him and he glanced over. Cearan and Lexin along with eight other Werre males stood in front of each woman, looking at him, waiting for his next move. He didn’t think of what to do next, it was like an instinct, something powerful that had hold of him.

He made a growling sound deep in his throat and extended his hand. Ki took it and Drace pulled her to her feet. That was the unspoken signal to the other males and each one pulled their chosen female to her feet and they melted into the darkness to various quarters. Even Vashti and Ka’Ril had disappeared up the staircase.

Ki continued to stare into Drace’s eyes, a daring expression in her own. He thought she might have said something but he still couldn’t hear over the roaring of his own blood in his ears. He growled again and swept her over his shoulder, her hair hanging to the floor.

Still feeling a pull of something he didn’t understand he headed for their chamber, the need to possess her overpowering.

Once in their chamber, Drace closed and barred the door then set Ki to her feet. He unbuckled his belt and laid it on a chest. His eyes never left her as he took his dagger from the top of his boot and used it to cut the laces of her top. He pulled the garment free and tossed it to the floor. The dagger flashed and the loincloth followed, landing on her bare feet. She made a move to remove the headdress but he stopped her with a hand.

He laid the dagger down next to his belt and removed his shirt, seams popping in his haste. He managed to remove his boots while standing and then the rest of his clothes followed.

They stood in the firelight of the hearth, the heat of the unknown force still strong within Drace. It wasn’t a desire to make love or even just sex. It was a need to possess her, dominate, and yet it was something more. He was more than ready, his brain screaming at him to take her now. Drace reached for her and she moaned, the same force moving within her well. He couldn’t think beyond that need.

Drace’s mouth found hers in a bruising kiss, and Ki stood on tiptoe to deepen it even further. He pulled her tighter into his arms, her breasts flattened against the hard planes of his chest.

When he finally released her mouth he was breathless. “Now Ki,” he groaned against her cheek.

Ki reached between them and touched the hard length of him. He threw his head back, baring his teeth then lowered it. He ran his hands down her back and buttocks in a rough caress, letting his fingers dip in the crease between finding her ready also. He repeated the motion and when his hands curved her butt again he grasped her, lifting her and sheathing himself in one fluid motion. Ki let her head tilt back, giving Drace access to her throat, wrapping her legs around his waist with a groan of pleasure. Drace took a few steps carrying her and she found her back against the door.

She growled low in her throat, a lioness’ growl and that seemed to spur Drace on, his hands holding hard to her butt, thrusting roughly into her. They were silent except for their harsh breathing then throaty moans at the end.

Drace came to his senses still part of her and raised his head from her shoulder to look into her dazed eyes. The feather headrest and facial paint gave her a pagan appearance and made his blood run hot again. Without slipping out of her, he carried her to their big bed and laid her down, pinning her arms with one hand over her head, finding that he was ready again, hard and heavy inside her. Ki moved her hips underneath him, unable to reach for him.

Drace began to move again, looking at her, his eyes hooded, focused inward as if listening. He murmured to her, words she did not understand, but her body seemed to comprehend them as she arched helplessly under him. She screamed when her climax hit her; so pleasurable that it was almost painful. Drace followed a moment later, collapsing onto her, feeling as if he would never be able to breathe again, move again, he was so drained, having never experienced an ending that strong.