Here She Rules: The Chronicles of Erla: Book 1 (38 page)

He had already closed the door to her chambers when a small sigh escaped Cassie’s lips and her eyes fluttered open. She felt so tired, and when she met the eyes of the slave nearest her, she frowned in confusion at the unfamiliar face.
 

He bowed and quickly explained that the Queen had sent him as her slaves had been in need of sleep. Cassie nodded, and then said, “Water,” very softly. The slave brought a cup to her lips and she drank a sip, closed her eyes, and went back to sleep. The slave then motioned to his counterpart and sent him with the news to the Queen and to her physician.

XXIII

A week later, Cassie was being a very difficult patient.
 

She was frustrated by both being confined and by her physical weakness. She snapped at her slaves and made them cry frequently, which in turn made her feel guilty and did nothing to improve her mood. One such outburst stemmed from Mika trying to carry her to the balcony instead of letting her walk. This was witnessed by Nera as she had come to check on Cassie.

“Cassandra! Need I remind you that poor Mika went through a nightmare while you were unconscious? Now, all you can do is growl at him and hurt his feelings?” Nera was astonished; her friend was never harsh with her slaves.
 

Mika stood stiffly with brimming eyes and a quivering lip, looking for the entire world like a little boy who had lost his puppy.

“Damn it, Nera! I am going crazy cooped up in here! I can’t stand it anymore!” Cassie stomped her foot, then half screamed as it sent pain lancing though her thigh.
 

Mika reached out and lifted her easily into his arms and walked towards the balcony with Nera following.
 

Cassie’s eyes were bright with unshed tears as the pain vibrated through her body.

“Now look at what you’ve done!” Nera cried. “You are going to make your injury worse acting like a child. Sit down and behave yourself!” Mika lowered Cassie onto the cushioned chair and propped her feet up onto an ottoman. “Bring us some juice, Mika, dear one.”
 

He bowed to the Queen and went back into the rooms, averting his gaze from his Lady.
 

Cassie folded her arms over her chest and pouted as the pain tapered off, and Nera shook her head.

“You are acting worse than Danai when she doesn’t get her way.” Cassie looked up at Nera and grudgingly laughed.

“You’re right. I am being an ass. My poor babies . . . They have had it very rough, haven’t they? Nera, has Danai returned? I have been thinking about her,” Cassie inquired.

“She has decided to make a holiday of it with Sarai’s daughters. I am beginning to wonder if she will ever come home; they spoil her so. She has sent word that she wants only you to come and retrieve her; she says she will come home with no one else,” Nera laughed. “I shall not see my daughter until you are well enough to travel. So, you must behave and do as you are told!”

Cassie laughed as she thought of the strong-willed little girl.
 

“Yes, Your Highness. I will behave and try to have a sweeter disposition.”
 

Mika and Garen arrived carrying a tray loaded with a frosty pitcher of juice, a variety of grilled sliced meats, fruits, vegetables, and sweets. They had been trying hard to get her to eat more. She had lost so much weight since her injury that Aidan was outdoing himself trying to tempt her.
 

Cassie took Mika’s hand and brought it to her mouth. When he met her eyes, she turned it over and kissed his palm. He smiled sweetly, forgiving her with his eyes.
 

Cassie smiled and sighed, tucking into the mini-feast they had laid out before the women.
 

Full and satisfied, the women leaned back in their chairs and talked of the happenings as Erla returned to normal. The surviving Ambrians would remain in the stockade under heavy guard until Nyles and Darien returned to their countries.
 

They had agreed to take charge of the prisoners until it was determined what should be done about the Ambrian Kingdom. Leandra remained in Erla helping Kara to restore the peace, and she offered to escort Cassie to retrieve Princess Danai when Cassie was well enough to travel.
 

Nera told her she would meet with Darien and Nyles the next day to make decisions about Ambria and then the men would return to their home countries, having been away too long for their own comfort.
 

Cassie felt melancholy when she thought of Darien and Nall; they had been through a great deal together in so short a time. She heaved a sigh which was quickly followed by a yawn.

“I will go now, my friend, and leave you to rest,” Nera said as she rose. She bent down and hugged Cassie, dropping a kiss on her cheek. “Do not mistreat Mika anymore or I will take him from you and keep him for myself!” She wagged a finger at Cassie in warning.

Cassie laughed and promised to behave, wishing her friend a good day.
 

Looking behind her, she didn’t see her slaves, so she eased herself to the edge of her seat and stood up slowly. Tentatively, she placed weight on her injured leg. The pain was not as severe as it had been initially, so she made hesitant steps towards the balcony rail. Shrugging her shoulders and rotating them, she tried to work out the kinks and stiffness brought on by her recuperative inactivity. She bent at the waist and touched her toes, careful not to put pressure on the wound.

It felt so wonderful to move that she walked several laps slowly around the balcony, working on loosening her leg muscles.
 

She heard a knock on the door and as quickly as she could, she got back into her chair and propped up her legs. She looked to the doorway as Nall came out to her chair.

“Hello, Nall. I hear that you are leaving us tomorrow,” Cassie said. She smiled up at him as he took her hand and kissed it gently before sitting next to her.

“Yes, it is time we returned to Serlenn, and we will have to settle the matter of Ambria. Perhaps Erla should annex it and make you Overlord—err—I mean, Over
lady
,” he said with a grin.

“Funny! No, I shall be quite content to regain my strength and get back to my warriors. I think Ambria should be left to you men.”

“I haven’t thanked you for saving me from a pile of rotting corpses yet. I offer you my body for any carnal desires you have in compensation.” A wicked grin lit his face.
 

Cassie laughed, but she could see in his eyes that it was not an empty offer.
 

Nall was a gorgeous man with his wild silvery hair, navy blue eyes, and a body to die for, but Cassie knew that with Nall, it would never be just sex; he wanted more from her.

“When I am recovered, I just may visit Serlenn and take you up on your offer,” she winked at him.

“My country, my home, and my heart will always be at your disposal.” Sadness stirred in his eyes, turning them nearly black. “I wanted to come and tell you goodbye as you won’t be there to see us off and to let you know the offers I have made still—and shall always—stand.” Nall rose and then reached out to steady Cassie as she rose with him.
 

She felt incredibly sad at the thought of their leaving for she had enjoyed them while they were here. Even the scoundrel, Darien, would have a permanent place within her heart.
 

Nall looked at her yearningly, and to his surprise, Cassie took his arm and pulled him flush against her. She reached up and grabbed his hair, pulling him down for a kiss, and Nall wasted no time in deepening their kiss, holding her tightly to his body as Cassie surrendered to the passion which surged through him, responding with heat.
 

Time seemed to stop as their lips fused, tongues clashed, and hips moved together. When Nall finally raised his head, they were both breathless and aroused.

“Lady, you are making it nearly impossible for me to not carry you off with me,” Nall said, growling the words—his voice rough with desire.

“Nall, I apologize. I just did not want you to leave Erla thinking I cared nothing for you. I did not think it would escalate so quickly, however,” she rasped out, panting.

“No! Do not apologize. I will take this with me. It is one perfect memory, and I do not want it sullied by apologies or regret on your part.” His hands cupped her face, and he let his lips wander across her cheek to her mouth again.
 

Cassie sighed and hugged him tightly, mindful of his hardness still pressed against her belly. Nall finally stepped back, raising her hand to press a kiss to her knuckles before he turned and left.
 

Cassie’s eyes, following his retreating back, fell upon Mika’s stricken face.
 

Great! That was not something I would have had him witness . . . particularly since I have been such a shrew to him—to all of them
—
this past week.

“Mika, please!” she said in an exasperated tone. “Don’t upset yourself. Lord Nall is leaving.”

“Mistress, you do not have to explain anything to me. I have no right to feel pain or jealousy when you are with another man. Forgive me for my behavior.” He hung his head in contrition and knelt before her.

“Mika, I have been unkind as of late, and I feel badly for abusing you and the others as I have. I know how much you love me, my darling. I love you and I do not wish to cause you any pain.” Her hand curled under his chin, raising his face to hers.
 

Golden eyes swam with tears.

“Mika, be calm. I will not leave you, nor will I give myself to another. My place is here with you so you must conquer this insecurity you feel. I am not any of your former Mistresses to abuse and abandon you. I promise you that if I did decide to leave, you all would certainly be going with me.” Her eyes got teary as she looked at his beautiful face. “You have been through a great deal lately, and I want you to rest so you’ll feel more like yourself.” She tenderly stroked his hair.
 

Mika nuzzled his face against her. It had been horrible for the past weeks between her disappearance, the war, and now her injury. He had felt so helpless, and he was unable to express his feelings. Even when the others spoke of their pain and loss, he had kept everything inside and now releasing it, he felt exhausted as tears ran down his face.
 

“Come on, let us go to bed where you can hold me till I fall asleep. Good God, that sounds wonderful to me. Does it to you?” He nodded his head and stood up, sweeping her into his arms and carrying her to the bed where they curled around each other and slept.

Later that evening, King Nyles and King Darien came to her to say their goodbyes. The wistfulness in Darien’s eyes touched Cassie and she kissed his cheek softly, wishing him good journey and health.
 

They departed with invitations for her to visit anytime, which she accepted with a genuine smile.
 

When they left, she allowed her slaves to fuss over her till bedtime. When sleep finally found her, it was peaceful and deep.

Two weeks later, the physician declared Cassie well enough to resume training. Her wound had knit together, and the stitches had been removed. Her attitude had also improved and the frustrated, angry outbursts at her slaves had ceased. She had been working out in the slave’s gym for over a week and had built up her strength enough to where she felt she was ready to rejoin her warriors.
 

Lee and Kara had been her constant companions and encouraged her through her rehabilitation. Lee was becoming as dear to her as Kara and Nera, and Cassie looked forward to their trip to recover Princess Danai.

Cassie rose early for the first morning she would return to the training field and dressed quickly; she was eager to get started. Her men lovingly helped her and fed her breakfast, and she kissed them as she left with a smile.
 

She strode through the halls of the Palace and bounded down the steps, breaking into a run towards the training field. As she stepped into the field, her troops, led by Kara, turned and knelt before her.
 

Cassie’s eyes misted when they rose and shouted her name in unison—happy to have her returned to them. Cassie bowed low before them and rose with a grin. Life was good.

XXIV

Cassie, Kara, and Leandra stood triangularly with their backs to one another, fighting off the vicious blows of the attacking women. Sweat poured down their faces as they swung their swords with grace and skill, but their attackers were unrelenting, and Cassie knew she and her comrades would soon give into exhaustion if she didn’t turn the tide quickly.
 

Parrying a mighty blow from an attacker, she held the woman’s sword up above her head and spun a kick into the woman’s temple, knocking her to the ground. Spotting the leader of their attackers, she fought her way through the women who stood fighting between them and reached her, swinging her sword out. It was met by the other woman’s with a crash, knocking both of their swords to the ground. Cassie lowered herself into a fighting stance, gauging her opponent warily. The woman struck out with a strong round house punch which Cassie easily blocked as she grabbed the woman’s arm, twisting it behind her back and pulling out her dagger to hold it tightly to the woman’s throat.