Rise of the Shadow Warriors (20 page)

With a hint of embarrassment, she admitted, “I killed the prince’s best friend as a youth. Eilon attacked me, tried to force himself on me with Bjorn’s
help and I lost control of the shadows.”

Argan’s jaw flexed at the revelation. “This should not bring you shame.”

Her gaze searched his. “But I killed him.”

“Better death at your hands than at mine,” Argan said, not quite sure what she meant about losing control of her shadow gifts but hating the Aerilian prince for betraying her trust in him.

Shaina’s eyes widened and she lunged forward, her arms looping around his neck. “I love you, Argan.”

His heart drummed out a rhythmic beat. “What did you say?”

“I love you,” she whispered.

Pleasure rippled over his skin and his heart flowed over. “I thank you for the gift.”

She pulled away and stared at him. “Don’t think you have to say it back.”

He wanted too. Needed to. “Shaina.”

She pressed her finger firmly to his lips. “When you’re ready.”

And just like that she claimed another piece of his heart without trying. Argan swallowed as panic sought to grip him. His heart slammed against his chest. Argan held her close, face buried in the soft crease of her neck and closed his eyes as the words poured free. “I love you, Shaina.”

She leaned far enough away to see his face, arms still around him and grinned. “Bet that was hard for you.”

Argan rolled his eyes. “Ever do you tease.”

She rubbed her nose against his in an act that should have been childish but instead, softened his heart further toward her. “Will the Overlord still help us if the Aerilians seek to attack too?”

There was no doubt in his mind that Vaan would love the added danger. “Yes.”

Argan reluctantly released her and extended his hand trying not to grip tightly when her soft palm met his. They needed to meet with their guests.

Chapter 24

Ivak must have received notice of the Kabanians approach too and crossed paths with Argan and Shaina as they headed out. Thundering hooves filled the air drawing their gaze. His Overlord’s entrance when he arrived at the Olak’din caverns with Marek and Carog at his side created quite the stir. They came up the grassy mountain side at peak speed, riding hapfe.

The animals pawed at the air and snorted as they stirred up dust. Turning away from his friends, Argan caught sight of Luka and Mecal who had their swords drawn on two unknown blue-skinned men. Aerilians?

Vaan dismounted before Hapani came to a shuddering stop. He eyed the men under sword point before facing Argan. “Warlord Argan, I approve of your welcome.”

Argan chuckled as Vaan strode past the Aerilians without acknowledging their presence to clasp Argan’s shoulders. “Welcome, Overlord.”

Dark eyes twinkling, Vaan released him and Argan wrapped an arm around Shaina’s shoulder to pull her close. “Meet my bride, Queen Shaina of the Olak’din. Shaina, Overlord Vaan.”

His friend tipped his head toward Shaina in respect of one leader toward another. “Vaan for the bride of my best friend.”

“Thank you for coming, Vaan.” Shaina leaned forward as if to hug Vaan when Argan yanked her back to his side.

She glared at him but Argan didn’t care. He could not tolerate her hugging another Kabanian in his presence, friend or not.

“Queen Shaina.”

Argan faced the tall strangers with their pale blue skin and blue eyes. Black hair hung in braids about their faces. Sharp cheek bones and pointed noses gave them a menacing appearance. Four ridges formed a V at the center of their forehead. Like Kabanians these men wore swords sheathed across their backs. White tunics snug against their lean frames were tucked into brown woven pants.

The one who’d spoken separated himself from the other and bowed at the waist. “Queen Shaina, I’m Salou. Prince Bjorn sends his regards.”

Shaina’s shoulder trembled slightly beneath his arm and Argan’s gaze narrowed. Vaan picked up on his growing tension but didn’t speak as Marek and Carog greeted Argan with warm smiles. They too walked past the Aerilians without a glance in a deliberate slight.

Shaina finally caught on and grinned up at him “I like your Warlord friends.”

“Warlord Marek and Warlord Carog, my bride.” Possession rang in his tone.

His friends offered Shaina head nods making no attempt to touch her.

Ivak stormed over. A look of distaste crossed his features as his gaze passed over Vaan and the Warlords. “Shaina, the Aerilians have sent representatives to speak with us about renewing the alliance. We don’t need the Kabanians.”

Shaina stiffened and looked down her nose at Ivak. “I say who we need and don’t need. My husband,
the Shadow King
,” she emphasized, “invited the Overlord and his Warlords to help us.”

Salou heard her words and pinned her with a heat filled stare. His hands knotted at his side. “You’re making a big mistake, Shadow Queen.”

“I think she’s made her position very clear, Aerilian. Your presence is not desired,” Vaan declared.

Salou scowled. “I know you, Overlord. If you seek to go against us, we will raid your home in Raasa. My warriors will slaughter everyone, women and children,” he boasted.

Argan took a stance in front of Shaina, his hand going to his sword. Marek and Carog mirrored the action and stepped behind Shaina instinctively working with Argan to protect his bride. From the corner of his eyes, Luka and Mecal, their weapons raised, converged on the other Aerilian. Argan shifted his gaze back to Salou and Vaan.

“Only the weak hurt youngling,” Vaan said in a voice coated in ice.

“Your half-breed children mean nothing to me. They will be the first to fall to my blade,” Salou snapped.

“Did he threaten my youngling, Marek?” Vaan asked not breaking the Aerilian’s stare.

“Yes, Overlord.”

Argan started to step forward.

“Let him speak,” Vaan declared, raising a palm to halt Argan in his tracks.

Salou spat on the ground and a muscle ticked in Vaan’s jaw. Salou flexed the muscles of his upper arm and pointed at Vaan. Knowing the small crowd watched, he continued to perform. “Unlike other cowards, I don’t fear you, Galip. Not only will I gut the children you leave behind but I will take the cold reptile you profess to love and show her how a real warrior treats her in the blankets.”

Vaan flicked his wrist. The thud of the dagger rang loudly in the silence, its hilt quivered from the Aerilian’s throat. Salou choked, eyes wide, as his life’s blood spilled down his chest.

“No one,” Vaan said in a calm voice, “threatens my family.”

Salou fell to his knees, frothing at the mouth while he fought eminent death.

Vaan turned his back on the sight. “You have my support, Argan, against the Gornan and the Aerilians.” He smiled gently at Shaina. “Prepare your people, we strike first.”

Vaan mounted the hapfe Marek hurried to bring over. Ivak wore a look of stunned disbelief. There was nothing to be done for Salou as his body fell to the ground.

The other Aerilian shouted and raced over to his fallen friend. His look bounced from Argan to Shaina and then to Vaan. “The prince will hear of this.”

Vaan’s lip curled. “I hope he does or this was for naught.”

Argan followed and grabbed the leads before his friend could leave. “Vaan-”

“If you attempt to thank me, I will be forced to get down and bloody your face.” Vaan glared down at him and raised a hand to stop Argan’s next words. “While this would not bother me in the least it would annoy Mikayla because she
likes
you.”

Argan laughed on a huff. “You have my thanks anyway.”

Vaan growled. “We came to assure you that we’ll be ready and also so I could see the bride who’d take you from me. I will return with our Warlords for the coming battle by the end of the week.”

Argan inclined his head and stepped back, freeing Vaan to leave.

***

Shaina stared as her husband’s friend and his men left in the same manner they’d arrived. The rumors of Overlord Galip’s bearing ran true. He was not a man she’d want to anger even with her considerable skills. Taking a deep breath and knowing she’d hear about it from Ivak, Shaina turned to the remaining Aerilian. Their prince had stripped away any remnants of trust she’d had in them from her childhood. “You can take him with you and give Bjorn my message. I don’t need him and never again will the Olak’din align with the Aerilians.”

If looks could kill, the blue eyes beaming hatred at her from the light blue face would have struck her down. Needing his support, Shaina reached out and clasped hands with Argan. His fingers entwined with hers instantly.

Ivak sputtered as they turned to leave. “You’ve brought their wrath on our heads.”

“No.” Shaina made sure he read the disappointment and anger in her expression. “You did.” She left him with those words, feeling the heat of her people’s stare as she entered the caverns with Argan at her side.

Chapter 25

Thinking of the upcoming events was driving Shaina mad. The more the pressure got to her the calmer Argan seemed to get. He worked quietly with her warriors setting plans in motion. Messages flew back and forth between them and the Overlord. She hadn’t wanted to initiate this upcoming attack on the Gornan but Argan’s reasoning made sense and protesting the inevitable wasn’t smart. The Olak’din needed whatever advantage they could get.

“The Aerilian Prince is demanding you meet with him, Shaina.”

Justan’s words interrupted Shaina’s pacing as he brushed aside the curtain and entered her home. Her glance bounced off Argan who stretched out on the lounge chair occupying Justan’s favorite spot. With his legs extended before him and chest bare, she was reminded of their time together earlier. In an effort to soothe her erratic nerves she’d teased her husband into taking her against the bedroom wall. The sex had been hard and fast giving her brief relief from the strain.

When Argan’s gaze met hers, his mouth twitched. As always her feelings softened at any hint of his rare smiles.

“Shaina pay attention and lust for your husband later,” Justan said, amusement coating his words.

Shaina dragged her attention back to her friend. “Bjorn is not worth my time, Justan.”

Argan rested his hands on his middle, taut abs drawing her eyes once more. “He has sent a messenger each day since Salou’s death. Perhaps you should hear him, Shaina. The better to know our enemy.”

Our
. Shaina pressed a hand to her belly to still the flutters. “What about the Gornan?”

“Vaan says he will be here, he will be here. You will lead everyone to the Gornan settlement and the battle will begin.”

Shaina exhaled the breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding. He wouldn’t shut her out of the fight. Knowing her husband it would not have surprised her if he’d devised a reason to keep her back from the battle.

Argan tipped his head to the side, considering her. She parted her lips to say something when he spoke first. “You will not put yourself in needless danger.”

Shaina couldn’t help it. She grinned and winked. “I won’t leave your side, husband.”

Argan sat up with a growl, causing her to laugh. He wouldn’t want her anywhere near him since she was certain he planned to be in the thick of things. She faced Justan. “Fine. I’ll take you and two others to meet with Bjorn this evening.”

Her husband rose to his feet behind her. Shaina rolled her eyes. “And Argan.”

Warm arms wrapped around her from behind and Shaina relaxed against the familiar touch. Some of her mounting tension melted away. “I advise that we make no mention of this plan to Ivak.”

Shaina agreed. She didn’t trust him not to reveal more than necessary with his adamant demands about aligning with the Aerilians to spite her decision to ally with the Kabanians. “Justan set it up.”

“Of course.”

As soon as Justan left them alone, Argan kissed the spot where her shoulder met the base of her neck. Just like the last time when he’d discovered the spot, Shaina shivered and rocked back. Lips smiling against her skin, his hands smoothed down her sides to hold her hips still. “We do not have time.”

Shaina thrust against his hardening shaft. “There should always be time for amends.”

Argan laughed outright and released her. “There is no amends between us.”

Shaina turned the better to see his smiling face. “Maybe one in advance.”

A grin still stretching his lips, Argan caressed the side of her face. “Later. I am sure you will owe me by then.”

Shaina’s brows shot up. “Me?!”

“Come, bride. We do not want to keep your people waiting and I am anxious to know what this Bjorn wants with you.”

Shaina couldn’t imagine why Bjorn insisted on seeing her. He had to know how deep her hatred ran for him. A sense of foreboding had her pausing at the entrance where Argan held the curtain back waiting for her to leave before him.

Need drove her to stop and brush her body against his. Midnight eyes darkened in puzzlement. “I love you, Argan.”

The concern on his face faded. “I love you as well.”

***

Argan held his surprise in when he, Shaina and her warriors made their way down a worn mountain trail. From Justan’s tone, he’d expected the Aerilian prince to be there waiting outside the main entrance.

“Are we meeting them somewhere else?” He asked Shaina.

“They’ve set up a base on neutral territory since I’ve made it clear I don’t want them here.” Her silver eyes had started to glow.

The hair at Argan’s nape curled with unease but he kept his silence as they traveled a significant distance from the Olak’din caverns. To his relief, Shaina stayed within his reach. Nothing of her earlier distress showed on her face.

Argan began to wonder how close they’d end up to the Gornan boundaries in the woods when Justan cut across the side along a grassy slope hidden by brush and overgrown foliage. Without guidance, Argan never would have discovered the dirt path that led to an encampment comprised of dull green and brown tents that blended with their surroundings. He counted five tents with thrice the number of blue skinned warriors. Activity came to a halt at their arrival. Justan, Alin and Luka formed a protective shield behind Shaina and Argan moved to her left.

Several Aerilians stared back but made no move toward them. A tall warrior with one side of his black braids shaved separated himself from the others. The warrior walked towards them, shoulders thrown back and mouth pressed into a grim line. His blue stare however landed on Shaina in a manner Argan did not appreciate. Anger and vengeance were mired in the depths.

Argan’s muscles went rigid by the time he reached them.

“Dear Shaina, it’s been a while.”

Shaina dipped her head, hands going to the hilts of her sword. “Bjorn.”

The prince smiled, flashing pointed, white teeth. “Is that any way to greet friends?”

His bride widened her stance. “You’re no friend of mine.”

For a moment Bjorn lost his civilized veneer. Hatred glittered from his eyes, warning Argan that all was not as it seemed. Argan’s senses went on alert as he edged his hand toward his sword. He searched the gathering of blue warriors who continued about their duties as if indifferent to their presence in their camp.

Bjorn continued to prattle but Argan only caught the words alliance and forgiveness. Something was amiss. An unnatural stillness in the air. Justan eyed him over Shaina’s head. Argan wished he had a way to warn him and was about to draw his sword in a blatant statement of intent when the encampment exploded.

Aerilians burst from the bushes and dropped from the trees overhead. Five, ten then twenty quickly surrounded them. An ambush. Argan cursed for not sensing it sooner as he pulled his weapon free and called on the armor of the coccar. Bjorn leaped away from Shaina who unsheathed both her blades.

“Spread out!” She yelled, kicking out a booted foot at the Aerilian who engaged her.

Justan guarded Shaina’s back and fought two Aerilians who thought to sneak behind her. Alin and Luka broke away to fight the wave of oncoming warriors.

“Argan, get Bjorn.” Hearing his bride’s voice calling out orders gave Argan conflicting emotions. He struggled as fear and pride had a hold of him but her blades flashed left and right with no signs of slowing.

His eyes sought Justan and in that single moment the two of them communicated on a level far beyond their short acquaintance. Then Argan did something he never thought possible and spun away from Shaina to chase the fleeing prince. Bjorn was the one they needed and the one Argan wanted. The Prince would pay for the attack against Shaina when she was but a youngling barely able to defend herself.

Aerilians jumped in his path locking swords with him. Argan cut through them with a brutal swing. His booted feet tramped through knee high grass as he leaped over fallen logs rotted with age and increased his speed. Bjorn glanced over his shoulder and spotted Argan giving chase. Instead of fear, the prince smirked.

Shaina screamed. A wave of fear rolled over him as he turned frantically, looking for her bright red hair amidst the fighting but Argan had run farther than he expected leaving the tent set up far behind.

That one look cost him. Pain burst at the back of his head. Argan tried to shift. To adjust. A sword glanced off his armor as another slashed his hip, driving him to his knees. Argan knew he had one chance to fight off the attack.

He would not go to the Hills willingly and leave Shaina behind. Argan lunged blindly, his sword sinking into flesh. A scream followed. It was all he heard as he fell forward and slammed his head against the ground.