Rise of the Shadow Warriors (17 page)

Justan on the other hand listened intently as her husband made arrangements to contact Overlord Vaan Galip. Shaina’s desire to wait matters out would apparently be ignored by both of them and though she was starting to believe her husband was right about moving forward, she wished he’d allowed her to speak with him first.

“Do you have someone you trust to deliver this message?” Argan asked.

Justan stood straight. “Yes. Shadae can go.”

“Tell him to bring two Warlords to discuss how we will handle the Gornan. That should be enough to discuss our plans and Vaan will decide if more are needed for the battle to come.”

“Yes, my King.” Justan bowed toward Argan and smirked when her husband grimaced.

Once Justan left, Argan gave her his full attention and Shaina almost wished he hadn’t. He wasn’t done with his anger over the challenge but more importantly her failure to disclose her opponent. Shaina prepared to be berated as Argan joined her on the lounge, his weight causing the cushions to slouch until she leaned into him.

He eased back on the pillow she’d made. “Tell me everything there is to know about the Gornan. I need every bit of your knowledge concerning their weak points, how they fight and what it will take to win against them.”

Shock consumed Shaina. She lowered the damp cloth containing the melting ice. “Aren’t we going to talk about Mandok?”

Argan said with all seriousness. “I doubt talking about my bride being struck in the face by a warrior twice her size will improve my mood. Best we leave it for now and disagree on your desire to participate in future challenges.”

Chapter 21

Argan had met men like Mandok many times in his past and he disagreed with Shaina when she declared the matter over. The warrior would stew on his defeat. Allow it to fester until he moved against Shaina again. If he did, Argan would not let his bride stop him from punishing the warrior.

With that main thought in mind, Argan kept his eyes on Shaina over the next few days looking for the least sign that someone would move against her. It was unfortunate that his bride did not have his same level of caution. She insisted that only a fool would try something again after such a public loss in challenge.

Fortunately, Argan knew something Shaina failed to realize. Mandok was indeed a fool. But a fool who had someone clever whispering in his ear.

Ivak.

The elder warrior’s eyes glowed with contempt whenever their paths crossed. At meal times he’d often make sly comments directed at Argan. Comments which Argan ignored other than to show his amusement at such petty efforts. He would not be goaded to arms against Ivak. Time would show the warrior that the day would come when he either pledged his loyalty fully to Shaina or Argan shut his mouth. Permanently. Such a day was coming soon.

For now he needed to convince his bride to listen to his reasoning about staying away from Mandok and Ivak.

“I know how to protect myself, Argan, but I won’t allow either of them to force me to hide away in my home.”

His lips firmed as he followed her outside to speak privately. At the entrance of the cave Alin brightened and started to speak but took one look at their faces and focused on the trees in the distance.

“I do not ask that you stay there. Do not twist my words to suit you, Shaina.”

She stopped her march across the grass and turned to give him her attention. “Then what exactly are you asking?”

Argan took a deep breath, quelling his frustration. He tried to put his desire into words that would not offend. “Only that you have a care with your safety. Do not trust them and do not assume that they will not attempt to harm you.”

She considered him for a moment before giving an abrupt nod. “Fine.”

And with her response the tight band around his chest loosened. Shaina closed the distance between them and hugged him. Argan’s arms hung limply by his side with indecision before he held her tight and inhaled the scent that was becoming as familiar to him as her ever changing eyes. He reluctantly released her when she tugged away.

Her grin was full of restored humor. “Ceela’s party started early. Are you coming with me?”

Argan found that the Olak’din looked for any excuse to celebrate. He had no desire to attend the revelry but refused to leave Shaina alone for overlong. “I need but a moment. I shall join you shortly.”

She placed a quick kiss on his cheek before he could do more and hurried back inside, punching Justan in the arm in passing as he came out. Her speed kept the light
haired warrior from retaliating in time.

Argan made his way over toward several waist-high rocks strategically placed a few feet from the entrance. He sat with the intent to focus his thoughts but Justan’s voice interrupted.

“She’ll never change, you know. You might as well follow the way of Olak’din men.”

Argan looked up at the warrior standing in front of him and waved a hand at the cropping of large boulders that provided his seat. He studied Justan’s attractive features while the young warrior climbed to sit next to him. Instead of pursuing the topic of Shaina, Argan asked the question at the forefront of his mind. “You love her do you not?”

Justan’s chuckle was half-hearted as he leaned back to stare at the sky and braced his weight on his hands set behind him. “Yes.”

Argan allowed the silence for a beat, waiting for anger or jealousy to consume him but he
remained steady. “Does she know?”

Justan snorted and met his stare briefly before looking back up. “No. She decided long ago that we were friends and that her feelings for me were that of a brother. I pretended to agree because I’d rather not lose her friendship.”

Argan decided Justan was a stronger man than he. Never could he ignore the feelings growing in his heart for Shaina. He feared he was desperate if he was willing to listen to advice from a man who admitted affections for his bride. “Tell me what is the Olak’din way.”

“Give in,” the youth answered with a sharp grin, blue eyes alight.

“Give in?”

Justan turned to face him and both men dropped all pretense of relaxing in the sun. “Sometimes the easiest way to deal with a woman is to give in. In Shaina’s case give in but guard her back. It’s what I do…did.”

Argan was stuck on the simple recommendation. He could argue with Shaina but was sure that would not work in his favor. “Will she cease to risk her life with challenges?”

Justan slumped over with laughter and Argan felt the urge to push him from his perch on the rock. Though he did not, the thought provided him with a modicum of humor. Justan settled down and pushed back the waves of blond hair tumbling across his brow. “I have a better question. Would she still appeal to you if she was mild-mannered and meek? More like a Kabanian.”

No. Argan didn’t want a Kabanian woman. He wanted Shaina as she was.

Justan rose from the rock with a hop. “I’ll take that as a no.”

Argan got to his feet slower, considering all the young warrior had said. “Will I see you at the celebration?”

Justan nodded. “I need to pick up the designs I left with Shaina. Hamon is crafting me a new set of swords and I wanted her opinion.”

Argan had noticed the sketches on the table earlier. “Then I shall see you later.”

He made his way back inside with every intention of guarding his bride.

***

“Who are you planning to kill?”

Argan snorted as Shaina’s words came close to his true thoughts. He wanted to kill Mandok for laying hands on her. Shaina eased onto his lap though they were in full view of her people. His bride had no shame about her affections toward him but he couldn’t help glancing around to see if any watched her bold actions. Fortunately no one seemed interested in them. The Olak’din were celebrating the birth year of a young woman named Ceela. His fourth similar party in days. With her dark hair and light eyes, Ceela drew the stare of several youths who danced attendance on her as she laughed and smiled. Tables were piled high with food and drink while music filled the large room. The mood was one of excitement and happiness.

Shaina tugged on the ends of his hair. “Argan,” she sing-sang his name and wiggled around until comfortable.

His toqa shot straight up from her squirming but he remained still unless he wished to dump her on the floor. Argan curled his arms around her hips and pulled her close to keep her from the danger of falling. Falling was a definite possibility in her state. He gazed at her lopsided grin and half-lowered lids. At least the bruising on her face was healing. “There will be no killing today.”

He hoped. After her challenge, the attitude toward him had settled. People no longer tensed when he entered a room, though they did eye him carefully and adjust to a fighting stance. For his part Argan didn’t stab every male who looked at Shaina with lust.

She leaned into him, her precarious seat on his knees enabling her to lay her head on top of his. “Good. Killing can be messy. Has the Overlord responded?”

Vaan had not answered Argan’s request for assistance. “Not yet.”

He expected her to continue her line of questioning since Argan knew she’d been hesitant to launch the initiative against the Gornan but Shaina surprised him by reaching down and squeezing his toqa. “Mmm.”

The soft moan was more than enough to have him ready. He’d never get enough of bed play with Shaina. Her fingers scraped lightly over his leathers awakening the nerves further. Argan shivered as desire coursed down his spine. She nipped his ear and whispered, “Are you ready to leave?”

“Yes.” He must have looked too eager because she grinned as she wobbled to her feet.

Argan helped balance her with a hand to her waist. Bare skin grazed his fingers as she twisted to wave her farewells while they made their way out. It hadn’t taken long to note the daily dress of Olak’din. Women wore leather pants that shaped their legs and rounded hips and often their belly and arms were bare in the sleeveless leather vest they favored. Some of the vest didn’t cover their belly buttons. None looked as enticing as his bride. The men kept it simple with leather clothing in black, brown or green.

Slowing his steps to match her strolling gait, Argan reflected on the woman at his side. He’d learned a lot about her during their brief time together. Her sense of loyalty and love for her race never wavered. She’d welcomed Argan to her bed with open arms and he believed an open heart. Daily his feelings for her grew from the little things she did. Like now.

Shaina entwined her arm with his, poking a finger at his middle as their hips bumped. “Do you miss your fellow Warlords?”

He captured her finger when she sought to poke him again. “Sometimes.”

Argan missed the security of the familiar. While no less vigilant at Raasa, he took comfort in the presence of his Warlord brethren at his back. In time he would adjust.

Shaina bit her lower lip, plumping the pink flesh and tugged her hand free. Her bright eyes dimmed and sobered. “Do you wish you were still there?”

He paused before they took the last turn that would lead to their rooms. From a security aspect she’d chosen wisely as none often came toward this isolated section. With that in mind, Argan grasped Shaina’s waist and spun her around until her back met the rough wall. He crowded her and braced one hand by her head. The other he used to tip her chin up. Her silver eyes flared with desire before shifting into multiple shades of gray. “I am where I wish to be.”

Red brows arched and doubt filled her tone. “Really?”

Argan wasn’t used to needing to reassure a female. Never before had he one of his own but he wanted Shaina to believe his words. “What would sway you to know I speak truth?”

Her arms came up to loop around his neck and her hips pumped suggestively against his. “I believe you owe me amends.”

Argan bit his lip to keep from smiling less she know how much her teasing amused him. “You speak truth.”

She kissed his bare chest, her tongue licking along the way. “Then let’s hurry.”

Argan lifted her in his arms and made haste toward their home. Shaina made his task difficult by nipping his neck and feathering her fingers through his hair until he thought his toqa would burst on the way.

“Argan, a word.”

The voice stopped him in his tracks with a groan. Argan turned to face Justan as he headed in their direction from the tunnel that led to their rooms. The warrior took one look at Shaina in Argan’s arms and his features were wistful before smoothing out.

“I need to talk with you for one moment, my King.”

Argan’s mouth twisted at the title not at all used to it. Shaina pushed at his arms, forcing Argan to lower her to her feet. She slid down his chest spiking his desire even more and stepped to the side. He instantly missed her curves pressed into him. As if sensing his thoughts, Shaina ran a soothing hand down his waist. He pulled her in front of him to hide his aroused state.

“What do you need, Justan?” Shaina finally glanced up at her friend.

Argan wondered if he’d had trouble finding his sketches. Shaina had added a few flourishes to the hilts and left them out for Justan to find. A half-smile curled Justan’s mouth as he tugged on Shaina’s hair. “Nothing to bother you with. Merely a question for a warrior.”

Argan allowed the touch though inside he wanted to knock the hand away. Shaina was oblivious to the feelings her friend had for her and Argan had no intentions of enlightening her.

Shaina huffed. “I’m a warrior, Justan and well you know.”

Instead of responding with humor as was his way with Shaina, Justan surprised Argan and snapped, “Another man, Shaina. Man to man.”

She paused and a brief flash of hurt darkened her eyes before she masked the expression. Argan would have struck the young warrior for that alone but Shaina backed away. “Fine. I’ll wait for Argan in our room.”

She turned to leave.

“No!” Justan flushed when they gazed at him.

His agitation was evident as he shoved both hands through his blond hair. His mouth pulled down in a grimace as he said, “Shadae was looking for you.”

Shaina sauntered close and stared. “You’re lying. What aren’t you telling me?”

A sense of foreboding crowded out Argan’s desire. His hand slid to the knife at his thigh as he caressed the handle. Justan had come from their rooms and the warrior would never take his bad temper out on Shaina. The more he thought on it the more Argan knew he would not like the words they were about to hear. Justan swallowed thickly and Argan could swear tears welled before he managed to blink them away.

Shaina reached out and gripped his arm. “Justan?”

“Your bed,” was all he managed to get out.

Argan frowned but his words must have had meaning to Shaina because she took off running.