Rise of the Shadow Warriors (15 page)

Argan got as far as the woods at the bottom of Shaina’s mountains before two men in leathers wearing swords on each hip appeared on foot beside him. Thanks to his bride’s habit of showing with little warning, he didn’t startle.

The brown haired one on the left offered him a dark look, his frown doing little with his young features. The blond younger warrior on the right flashed dimples and smiled. “The Queen said you would arrive any day. She asked that we keep an eye out for your return during our patrols to escort you the rest of the way. Are you in need of the hapfe?”

Raj snorted and stamped his hind legs, pawing at the air. His body shook beneath Argan in fear. “I don’t need the mount but it belongs to one of the Raasa Su-Su.”

Mikayla would kill him if anything happened to one of her beloved animals.

“I’m Luka,” the blond introduced. “We know of the Su-Su who has taken a Kabanian to mate. If you dismount, I shall make sure the animal is returned safely to the stables of the Raasa female.”

Since he only had his two bags, Argan eased his leg over the saddle and jumped to the ground. He noticed the warrior with the dark hair made no effort to introduce himself and his disgruntled stare made his feelings clear about the task Shaina had given him. Argan smirked. He would learn Argan had no concern for such glares.

Luka grasped Raj’s reigns easily and soothed the animal until he stood still. Placing his hands on the long brown neck, Luka blew out a stream of smoke that soon covered the animal completely. Between one blink and the next, Raj vanished. Argan stiffened. He still needed to accustom himself to seeing Shaina work her magic with the dark forces. Seeing another do such unnerved him.

“What did you do to him?”

Luka stepped back from Argan’s stern tone. “I merely returned him to the Raasa compound as you wished.”

Argan relaxed, hoping Vaan would not worry when the animal returned to the stables without him. “I thank you.”

Luka’s grin returned and his silver eyes lightened. “If you will follow Mecal and me, it’s not far to the caverns.”

Grateful that he didn’t offer to use his shadow magic, Argan inclined his head and followed them both up the steep path that would lead him to his bride. Thoughts of Shaina added an extra lift to his steps and Argan admitted at last that he was eager to see her. The days away had been busy but long as he found himself missing her presence and wanting only to return to her side.

***

Of all the things Argan had expected when he rejoined his bride, Shaina’s words were not what he wanted to hear. How could she cause trouble in the short time he’d been away?

“What do you think, Argan?”

“No.”

Her eyes widened. “What do you mean no?”

Unable to believe she thought he’d agree, Argan tamped down on his anger. “You will not fight with this warrior.”

“He’s challenged me,” she snapped, glaring at him through the mirror she faced as she braided her hair. “I can’t refuse.”

“Then another will stand in your stead,” he said in a reasonable tone.

“You’re being stubborn without cause. I’m the Shadow Queen and I will uphold my right to rule.”

A faint flush tinged her golden cheeks and her silver eyes sparked but Argan refused to bend. In this he could not. “What if this warrior harms you?”

She rolled her eyes and spun around to face him. “Then I will nurse a few bruises. It won’t be the first time.”

Argan resisted the urge to shake her. “You will not have bruises if I can prevent them.”

He expected her to argue further but to his amazement she burst into laughter. Her hand pressed to her belly drawing his gaze to the taut muscles as she leaned over from her humor. When she settled, her eyes sparkled. “I needed that Argan. I want to know how you’ll keep me from getting bruises unless you plan to wrap me in linen and soft pillows.”

Argan had no answer to that but the suggestion had merit.

Shaina came toward him, hips swaying and wrapped her arms around his waist. She tipped her head back to maintain eye contact.

“Your humor is ill placed woman,” he grumbled but smoothed his hands over her leather clad hips, pleased she no longer fought him on the matter.

Still smiling, she spoke softly. “You have to trust in my ability to protect myself.”

The idea alone shook Argan to his bones. She asked him to place his faith in something outside his control. The basic principle of his belief was grounded in his need to protect the woman he made his own. He needed her to understand. “You should not have to fight.”

Shaina’s hands glided up then down his bare back, soothing him with each stroke. His tense muscles eased. “I am Shadow Queen, Argan.”

He didn’t like the reminder either. “You are my bride.”

“Your bride is a warrior,” she countered.

The truth of her statement floored him. Argan had watched her in practice and could not deny the evidence of her ability with and without a sword. He stared down into the silver eyes that begged him to understand. To accept. Argan sighed. “You speak truth.”

She hummed under her breath and her arms tightened around him as she laid her head on his shoulder. Argan lowered his own head to rest on the top of her hair, enjoying the feel of her womanly curves against him and inhaled. She smelled of sweetness and light. All too soon, she pulled away and his arms fell to his side.

Shaina stepped back. “Now tell me husband, do you think I stand a chance against this warrior?”

Argan bit down on his instinctive response and gave her his answer. “I do not know his skill level but I believe you will win.”

Her grin widened and the sight was worth what it cost him to admit it. “The challenge will be my first in years.”

His gut clenched but he forced himself to not demand she end this foolishness. Her way was different and he’d witnessed her fighting skills. While he wished his woman to be delicate and gentle in her nature, Argan accepted that this was not to be with Shaina. He would allow her to fight but if she received one injury that maimed her in some fashion, he would slay her opponent and deal with her anger later.

Distracted by his thoughts, Argan almost missed her next question. “Will you spar with me?”

His eyes widened before he could still his reaction. “You jest?”

Shaina didn’t look away. “I’m serious, Argan. I’ve practice alone the last two days to be ready for the match but now I need a partner.”

He did not fight females. Reaching up, Argan ran a hand over a length of red hair that fell free of her braid. “This is not something I can do, Shaina.”

Her eyes dipped. “You don’t have faith in me after all?”

It was hard to keep up with her feelings. Females truly were up and down creatures. Argan cupped her cheek and bent to place an apologetic kiss on her temple. He loved kissing her. The custom was one he planned to practice often. “It would gut me to fight you.”

Shaina placed her hand over his and the warmth of her touch filled him with joy. “It’s only practice. We won’t use weapons. Just hand to hand.”

His bride needed her head checked. “Not even in practice could I pretend to strike you.”

Her eyes grew soft as she sighed and pulled away but Argan caught her around the waist. “Do not have anger with me. I will make amends in some other manner for refusing.”

A red brow arched and she relaxed her weight against him. “Amends? That sounds like something I might like. Explain.”

Her fingers tripped up his bare chest. Argan stroked his hands up her leather clad back. In a voice gone husky, he said. “Whatever you want because I let you down. An apology for the offense.”

“Oh, yeah?” Shaina’s grin promised a pleasant experience and Argan had an idea what she would ask. His bride was painfully obvious in her desires. He found her lack of guile refreshing. Kabanian women often resorted to trickery to get around a warrior.

“Yes.” He reluctantly loosened his hold before both of them became distracted with matters in the bedroom. “What of your people? Is there one who would spar and provide a challenge for you to prepare for the fight?”

Her shoulders rose but the look in her eyes made it clear she would not soon forget he owed her. “I can get this amends whenever I want?”

A corner of his mouth tugged up. So determined. “Yes, woman.”

She snickered then answered. “Justan. We know each others moves well but I know he’ll make every effort to push me and I trust him.”

Argan groaned. Not the name he wanted on her lips but he’d have to accept his bride knew best. If the warrior did more touching than necessary, Argan would show him how a Kabanian handled such slights.

***

Shaina stumbled back from Justan’s well placed kick to her middle. She adjusted her position and grasped his leg about the ankle and twisted as she stepped into the move and added her weight. It unbalanced him enough for her to sweep out with her leg and trip him.

Justan hit the mat hard and cursed. “We’re sparring, Shaina. I pulled my kick so you could at least pull your moves.”

Shaina laughed and bounced on her feet as he got up with an exaggerated stagger. “It didn’t hurt and besides, he’s going to hit harder than you, which means I have to fight back as if I’m trying to hurt you.”

Justan grumbled under his breath and faced her.

“Wait.”

They both turned toward Argan, who’d remained silent during their match.

Argan leaned against the back wall and had watched for the last half hour without saying much. Shaina had managed to forget he waited while she focused on Justan.

“Shaina is right. You must work harder to take her down. I do not know this challenger but if he is bold enough to challenge the Shadow Queen then he wishes to prove her weak before others.”

Justan cocked his head to the side. “You’re right. He’s mad that Shaina refused his suit.”

Argan’s gaze narrowed on Shaina. “You did not mention this, bride.”

Probably because she knew how he would react. He resorted to calling her his bride when he was peeved or annoyed with her and woman when he became impatient or angry. Her lips curled up at the discovery, causing Argan’s frown to darken. “He offered to mate bond with me but I would never accept him.”

He braced his hands on his hips. “It gives him more reason to win if you shamed him with your refusal.”

Justan spoke up. “Argan’s right. You know he’ll do whatever he can to win. Let’s go again and this time I won’t pull back.”

Shaina shook her arms out before resuming her position. She needed Justan to put her through her paces if she expected to come out the winner.

With her husband looking on, Shaina and Justan sparred harder than they ever before. Strands of her hair stuck to her damp cheeks but Shaina maneuvered left and right, arms swinging in tandem to block each of Justan’s intended blows. The few hits she did take were manageable until he swung her around aligning her back to his front and knocked her legs from under her. She landed face first on the floor, the air compressing in her chest as she wheezed.

Justan loosened his hold immediately.

“No,” Argan called out again.

Shaina wanted to call her husband a nasty name as she panted on the floor, her face pressed to the ground and Justan’s heavy weight bearing down on her back. Heavy thumps signaled Argan’s approach and then the black leather of his pants filled her view as he squatted by her head.

“If the warrior had you down like this, how would you escape? He will not simply release you as your friend would.”

Shaina paused, taking in his words. “The match isn’t to the death.”

Argan sighed and lowered his head until he could look her in the eye. His deep brown to her silver. “Do you think this is what his challenge is about? I assure you a warrior who is bold enough to offer a challenge to a leader is smart enough to cause injury as if in accident. This is about more than that, my Shaina. He seeks to hurt you.”

Remembering the dark look Mandok shot her made sense but hearing Argan refer to her as
his
sent warmth spiraling through her. “Alright. What would you do?”

She trusted Argan’s input and any advice from the Warlord would only help her.

Argan shifted his weight and murmured words she couldn’t hear to Justan then stretched out until he lay flat on the floor beside Shaina. Justan loosened his hold instantly and changed positions, freeing Shaina to mimic his hold on Argan.

Shaina rolled to her feet as Justan crouched over her husband with an arm around his throat and the other around his chest.

“This will be harder for you because you will not have my upper strength but you have cunning and speed on your side,” Argan instructed, right before he heaved to his side in a rocking motion that threw Justan from his back. In a graceful roll, he soon had Justan under him, one arm pinning both of Justan’s behind the warrior’s back.

“We will do it again until you can do this naturally.” Argan released Justan and rose to his feet.

Shaina kept her eyes on Justan to see how he would react to Argan besting him so easily but her friend leaped to his feet with a besotted grin. “Very smooth, Warlord.”