Allegiance Sworn (20 page)

The surety and superiority in his slow smile was as lethal as the dagger sheathed in his belt. His look sent shivers skittering down Imhara’s neck.

“
Na
Kaal.” His deep voice carried, like the rumble of distant thunder. “Welcome to Gannec Fortress. We received word only this morning that your caravan was attacked by brigands. It’s good to see you made it here safely.”

Who had informed him of the attack? Veht? He hadn’t sent a messenger on ahead of the caravan, so he couldn’t have arranged for an audience with the
Na’Rei
so soon. Scouts though could have easily spotted their approach once they’d crossed into Gannec territory and reported to Savyr. What details had he been given of the attack?

Imhara kept her expression impassive. Polite. His public show of concern seemed sincere, but the crawling sensation across the middle of her back indicated otherwise. More likely he wanted to see if she’d survived the assassination attempt unscathed.

Deception and perception.

Politics and power.

The deadly game she’d been forced into playing five years ago.

Burying her dislike deep, Imhara stepped forward to meet Savyr.

By the
Lady’s Grace
, this would be the last time she had to participate, and despite the danger, she intended to prevail and create a new life.

For herself and her Clan.

Chapter 24

“N
A’REI,
you honor us with your visit.” Imhara sank to one knee, head bowed, and watched from the corners of her vision as the others joined her in the traditional greeting of respect. After an appropriate amount of time, she rose, but everyone else remained on their knees. “Your concern for my welfare is humbling.”

Savyr’s smile never changed but his gaze narrowed as it swept over her. “You are unhurt?”

“I’m fine.” No way she was going to tell him about her injuries, and unless he wanted to reveal exactly what he knew and how he’d sourced the information, she doubted he’d pursue the subject. “A few of my kin were wounded, but thanks to the timely appearance of Commander Veht and his
Na’Hord
, my Second was able to dispatch the brigands quickly.”

“It’s fortunate Commander Veht came along when he did, then.” Savyr’s gaze narrowed farther, yet no flicker of emotion or odor betrayed his true thoughts on the subject. “I’d like to hear the details of his involvement, but there’s another matter I must discuss with you.”

A smooth change of topic.

Imhara gestured to her pavilion. “Shall we go inside where we can be more comfortable?” There were too many interested observers milling around. Was this tactic deliberately engineered? She wouldn’t put it past him. “If you’d sent advanced notice of your arrival I could have had a meal prepared specially.”

Savyr waved a hand. “This won’t take long.”

“Then accept my Clan’s hospitality, such as it is.”

So, whatever he had to say, he didn’t want an audience. Interesting. Was it the discussion or her reaction he wanted to remain confidential? He preceded her into the pavilion while Yur ordered his
Na’Hord
to take up positions around the camp. The Second followed a moment later.

She caught Jawn’s attention. “Break open a barrel of our best wine. Accompany it with fruit, bread, and cheese.”

During the initial planning sessions, she and Rassan had discussed the unlikely odds of Savyr putting in a personal appearance in camp. Nevertheless a contingency plan had been designed, but she’d never anticipated having to use it.

Yet, while all her people had volunteered to fulfill certain roles, Imhara still hesitated.

“Is there anything else,
Na
Kaal?” Jawn’s soft inquiry reminded her time was ticking away.

As much as she disliked extending Clan hospitality to the men who’d killed her family, refusing to would be seen as an insult, a complication she couldn’t afford. Yur would never accept her gesture of generosity, but Savyr might.

She met the man’s gaze, her decision tasting like ashes even as she gave the order. “Inform Yrenna her services will be needed.”

The man bowed his head. “Yes,
Na
Kaal.”

Her people scrambled to their feet to follow her orders. Imhara shared a look with Rassan as they ducked through the flap held open for them by Barrca.

The table, where she’d expected Savyr to sit, remained unoccupied. Instead the
Na’Reishi
leader had made himself comfortable on the cushions in the open living area. Yur settled down beside him, leaving the pillow to Savyr’s right for her.

Her Second remained standing just inside the interior wall, and for a moment she envied him. His task, to supervise the service provided by Jawn and his team, while mundane, held much more appeal than joining the two warriors.

Yrenna and two other humans entered carrying bowls and towels draped over their arms. All three women were dressed in the simple thigh-length tunic of servers. One halted at her side while the other two attended to Yur and Savyr.

Imhara dipped her hands in the water. “The Kaal Clan welcomes you both to our home.” Both warriors inclined their heads and copied her actions. The final words stuck in her throat, yet she forced them out. “Our hospitality is yours to enjoy.”

Taking the towel, she wiped her hands dry, then unable to delay any longer, she joined them on the cushions.

The blond woman at Savyr’s feet pressed her forehead to the floor. “If it pleases you,
Na’Rei
, this slave would be honored to serve you during your visit.”

“I don’t recall seeing her with your caravan before,
Na
Kaal.” He relaxed backward onto his cushion. “Is she new?”

“A recent acquisition from one of
Na
Meelar’s forays into the southern provinces.” A half-lie. Yrenna had been taken from her village and brought across the border over a decade ago. When the slaver had revealed she’d been destined for an
Isha
, a bed-slave auction, her father had rescued the thirteen-year-old girl.

“The quality of Meelar’s goods has been exceptional of late.” Savyr’s appetite for young, human women was hardly a secret. At barely half his age, Yrenna catered to that taste. “Remove your tunic.”

Yrenna rose. In one graceful movement, the young woman caught the hem of her garment and pulled it up and over her head.

Imhara forced herself not to react. No matter how many times she’d witnessed another person being ordered to perform for another, the cavalier attitude turned her stomach.

Savyr sat up, his black lips curving upward, blatant interest flaring in his deep purple gaze as he examined her curvaceous form. “Your taste in humans is impeccable.”

Tendrils of cold curled around Imhara’s innards as the warrior reached out and smoothed his hand along the length of Yrenna’s leg, hip to ankle, as a farmer would when inspecting stock.

How had the
Na’Reish
strayed so far from the
Lady’s
path that they would treat another intelligent being in this way?

“She has excellent muscling. Defined, strong.” Imhara’s respect for Yrenna rose considerably as she stood there tolerating his touch. No way she could have done it and not kicked his arrogant jaw. “She’s breeder material.”

Imhara forced a small smile. Savyr would think she reacted to his compliment. Let him believe. Training with her
Na’Hord
, Yrenna was one of Rassan’s best scouts.

“A tempting morsel.” Satisfaction oozed in Savyr’s tone. “Your hospitality is appreciated,
Na
Kaal.”

She inclined her head.

Beside him Yur grimaced in clear disagreement, then his expression transformed into something more neutral. “
Na’Rei
, pardon my interruption, but you do have an evening engagement to attend.”

His Second’s quiet reminder drew a grunt from Savyr. “I suppose we should move on to the purpose of my visit.”

He patted the cushion beside him. Yrenna seated herself at his side, her slight hesitation the perfect portrayal of nervous caution. He plucked the tunic from her grasp and threw it away.

“There’s nothing to say we can’t mix business with pleasure, Urkan.” His large hand came to rest on Yrenna’s bare thigh. The young woman bit back a gasp as his fingers slid to cup then fondle her sex.

Imhara curled her fingers in the cushion beneath her, a protest forming, then froze.

She froze because of the scent teasing her nostrils, an earthy combination of heat and spice mixed with an underlying odor of bitterness that was instantly familiar. A scent that served as a much-needed reminder of her role and a welcome distraction.

From the corner of her eye, Arek approached, in his hands a platter with an array of food. She glanced his way, drawing his scent into her lungs, needing it like a breath of fresh air, surprised at how quickly his presence calmed her.

For the briefest moment, his head lifted as he drew near. His gaze honed in on Savyr, the blue of his eyes glittering. So cold and dark. Yrenna’s soft cry at whatever Savyr was doing with her intensified the bitterness of his scent.

Imhara straightened, willing Arek to meet her gaze. If he weren’t careful, Savyr would notice and call him on it. His attention flickered to her.

She pointed to the floor at her feet. “Kneel.”

His mouth flattened and his grip on the serving platter tightened, but he obeyed. His indrawn breath was deliberate, steady, and within a few heartbeats, his scent had dissipated to an acceptable level. Settling beside her, he bowed his head, mimicking the other servers.

Loose locks of hair fell to his shoulders, brushing the sleeveless tunic, displaying just how physically pleasing he was. From the fit of the fabric stretched across the width of his shoulders to the taut tanned skin of his bare arms.

Her fingertips itched to reach out to touch the fine dusting of blond hairs on his forearms. She tried to resist, the action proving too similar to Savyr’s assessment of Yrenna, yet she needed the excuse to avoid watching Savyr grope the young woman.

No, that wasn’t the truth.
Lady
forgive her, she lacked the courage to confront the consequences of her own decision. Yrenna may have volunteered for the role of Savyr’s slave, but it didn’t relieve the guilt of putting the woman in a situation that required her to suffer his attention.

Merciful Mother
, there were times she hated being Clan leader.

Imhara wrapped her fingers around Arek’s wrist, needing to feel the warmth of his skin, the strong beat of his pulse, aware of the moment he tensed, his muscles transforming into heated steel.

She kept her hold but let her gaze follow the roadwork of veins that ran beneath Arek’s skin. The pale blue vessels wound around and across each defined muscle, under the gold band wrapped tight around his muscular bicep until they disappeared beneath the tunic’s edge.

“Your betrothal meetings have been arranged. The first will be tomorrow, the second the night after, and the final one the next.”

The meaning of Savyr’s words took a moment to penetrate. Imhara focused on the demon as she let Arek go. Yrenna lay curled along his side, his large hand resting over the flare of her naked hip.

A small smile curved Savyr’s lips and regret twisted within her at him witnessing her interest in Arek, but she shrugged it off. Such behavior from
Na
Kaal would be expected.

“And the name of the first
Na’Reishi
?” She kept her tone level.

“Commander Sere Jirri, second son of
Na
Jirri.” Savyr plucked a goblet from the tray of the nearest server. “The first meeting is tomorrow. I’ve arranged for him to visit you here. Whether you share a meal, attend the Clan Gathering feast together, or make some other arrangement is up to you, but I expect you to make the time to get to know him.”

She took her own goblet and sipped the contents. The Jirri possessed one of the smallest territories. Their only asset came from the gold panned from the Na River that ran across their land.

Of late, rumor had it that the precious metal deposits were depleted. Who had proposed a mated alliance with her Clan? The Jirri? Or Savyr? Either way, a second son mating a
Na
would give them access to her lands and resources, renewed wealth for a Clan on the verge of ruin, and in return the Jirri would swear their undying loyalty to the
Na’Rei
.

She frowned. “He’s nearly thirty years my senior,
Na’Rei
.”

The server poured more wine into Savyr’s goblet.

“His experience and maturity in Clan matters will benefit your people. Something you’ve no doubt missed with the passing of your father.”

Bartered resources for loyalty crushed any hope for a partnership based on love and mutual respect. A bleak hollowness opened up deep inside Imhara. It wasn’t like she’d expected anything different from Savyr, yet her father would never have settled for such a politically driven gambit.

Neither would she. She grit her teeth and let her silence answer for her.

Savyr glanced at her then, his gaze penetrating. “Keep an open mind and give considerable thought to your future mate, Imhara. Your verdict requires due deliberation.”

“You’re giving me a choice?”

“Of course.” Any benevolence in his tone was offset by the hard edge in his tone. “Although if you haven’t reached a decision by the time the Enclave begins, I will choose for you.”

A burst of burning cold ripped through her.

A decision
before
the Enclave began?

That meant her future mate would have all Clan rights and power transferred to him. He’d usurp her place at the meeting and make decisions on her Clan’s behalf with little to no knowledge of any matters affecting them.

Imhara took a deeper sip of wine. Being mated before the Enclave meant that unless her new mate kept her informed, an unlikely consideration, she also wouldn’t discover the extent of Savyr’s war plans concerning the humans.

If killing Savyr failed, she’d need that information when she faced the Blade Council. Given the circumstances, she couldn’t go to a truce negotiation empty-handed.

The wine in her stomach soured. She swallowed hard.

Mother of Light
, she hadn’t anticipated this.