Allegiance Sworn (5 page)

Frowning, Imhara stared down at the quilt, then traced the intricate vine-leaf design portrayed with her finger, the olive green material soft, the thread raised to delineate the stem and leaves. In the forest the vine wound its way around whatever plant lived nearby, sending out multiple shoots to maximize its chances of finding sunlight.

Her breath caught as the simple tactic sparked an idea.

She lifted her gaze to meet the Light Blade’s. “Slaying me would be a waste of time, warrior, especially when the opportunity to kill
Na’Rei
Savyr might hold more appeal. Wouldn’t seeing him dead give you greater satisfaction?”

Shadows flickered through his gaze.

“Imagine the impact his death would have on the
Na’Reish
.” The scent of cloves intensified, mixed with then overrode the heat of his anger.
Curiosity
. Again. Imhara swallowed her smile. “Think how quickly chaos would engulf the Clans as they squabbled over who would inherit his throne.” She took a deep breath. “I can give you that chance. Interested, Light Blade?”

Chapter 6

I
MHARA
Kaal’s proposition tugged at Arek like the undercurrent of a deep river. Of all the things she could have tempted him with—who was she that she could offer such an opportunity? How many times had he prayed and pleaded with the
Lady
for the chance to avenge the loss of his parents?

All Light Blades knew the
Na’Reish
executed any taken in battle, so when word of his mother’s capture reached his father, it was news of her death. As far as Arek was concerned, Savyr’s actions were responsible for his father’s overwhelming grief and his choice to end his own life with a blade to the heart.

Every day he rode out on patrol gave him the chance to strike back at those who had taken so much from him.

“Why?” he ground out. “Why would you want Savyr dead?”

Every muscle in the female demon’s face pulled tight. Her eyelids slitted. Raw heat and darkness ripped through her gaze. There was no mistaking the emotion.

Hatred.

He’d lived with it for nearly three decades.

Black lips thinned. “He ordered the death of my family.”

She hesitated, shadows stirred in her gaze, morphing her tight features into something more vulnerable. Grief. He knew it well.

A thrill of energy streaked through him. The eerie similarity in their circumstances burrowed deep. He grit his teeth. The last thing he wanted to feel was empathy with the enemy.

She inhaled a steady breath, shaking off whatever memories enthralled her. “Only I survived.” He stared at her, unable to doubt her sincerity this time. “He wants control of Skadda Pass and the slave-route. It runs from his province and through Kaal territory.”

How much of the border between
Na’Reish
and human territory did she share? A good third by the sound of it, if it included the northern Skadda Mountain Range.

“It’s the reason why my family was murdered.” Her purple gaze glittered, like chips of fire-stone caught in sunlight. Nature’s furious beauty—ice and heat—melded into one. The huskiness in her voice deepened. “As custom allowed, Savyr thought he’d claim Kaal territory in the absence of a suitable heir.” She gave a humorless grin. “When he called an Enclave to enact this right, I took great pleasure in claiming my sire’s seat alongside the other
Nas
.”

“They let a female assume the title?”

“Exceptional circumstances. I was the only living heir.” One dark eyebrow arched. “Besides, the Enclave and Savyr thought I’d accede to their greater wisdom and mate at the first opportunity. To carry the mantle of leadership would prove too onerous a task for a female.” Her mocking tone held genuine humor. “Once mated, the title would pass to my mate.”

Arek couldn’t see Savyr quietly backing down on acquiring something he deemed as his. Foiling the
Na’Rei’s
plan had placed a target on her back and explained why she needed to know how to defend herself. It also made him wonder how many attempts had been made on her life. And how she’d survived them.

“The corridor into our Southern Province is a significant asset,” he stated. Over the years, the southern end had suffered the highest number of casualties in
Na’Reish
hit-and-run sorties for blood-slaves.

Her nod was sharp. “You can see why Savyr wants it so badly. And what he wants he usually gets.” Her hand fisted in the quilt. “But I’m not going to give him Kaal territory without a fight.”

The ice in her voice could cut stone. The
Na’Reish
leader was a ruthless bastard, something he’d witnessed time and again while on border patrol. He’d lost count of the number of crofters and villagers he’d helped after the
Na’Hord
had ransacked their homes and kidnapped or killed loved ones during raids.

Their helplessness and despair left him and his fellow Light Blades feeling frustrated and angry, emotions he could hear reflected in Imhara Kaal’s voice. As much as he didn’t want to sympathize with a demon, he could understand her determination and desire to fight against Savyr.

But he was assigning human sentiment and values to her motives. There had to be something else driving her.

He grunted. “You fight over land, then.”

“No! This is about survival, Light Blade.” Her gaze locked with his, the amethyst depths swirling. “Survival of my Clan. Survival of our way of life. And survival of your people.” White lines etched her mouth. “I believe Savyr is preparing for war.”

Arek’s frown deepened.

“He’s called for an Enclave in a month. All
Na
are expected to attend.” The
Na’Reishi
female eased back onto her heels. “I suspect he’ll reveal his plans then, but the frequent patrols using Kaal territory to cross the border, the age of the humans being brought back, the increased tithes all indicate Savyr is preparing for war with your people.”

Arek’s gut tightened. Her statement confirmed what the Blade Council and his own experiences on patrol had revealed—nearly five hundred humans taken and close to four times that massacred in their homes the last few months alone.

Imhara Kaal was telling the truth there—her forthrightness with such information surprised him—but with Clan feuds commonplace among the
Na’Reish
, her motives for wanting the
Na’Rei
dead were still suspect.

“You don’t need me to assassinate Savyr. We both know there are scores of different ways to accomplish this.” Arek lifted a brow. “What’s the real reason for killing him?”

The demon pushed to her feet. She strode to the end of the bed, staring into the shadows beyond. “You mask your skepticism well, Light Blade, but I can scent it in the air between us.”

“Your last four
Na’Rei’s
were all murdered, in one fashion or another, for the throne. History speaks for itself.”

She whirled back to him, her face slackening in shock. “You’re assuming I want to take Savyr’s place?”

“You’re
Na’Reish
.”

A muscle in her jaw leapt. She leaned forward, her hands clenching on the iron bed-end.

“Once they discover who is behind his death, his Clan will seek revenge.” She flexed her fingers, easing their white-knuckled grip, her voice strong and low. “To save my Clan, I intend asking for a truce with your leaders.”

A grunt of laughter exploded from him. Had she been inhaling
haze
? Most
Na’Reish
burnt the dried leaf to subdue unruly blood-slaves, but it wasn’t unheard of for some to use it for their own pleasure. Fantasies and delusions were common side effects.

Lady’s Breath
, it would explain her insane request.

Arek shook his head. “A patrol will intercept you well before you get to Sacred Lake.”

“Your presence will allay any attack.” The urgency in her voice and in her expression lifted his pulse rate. “You’ll have lived among us”—here she grimaced and gave a half shrug—“or will have by the time we approach your Council. You’ll be able to tell them the Kaal poses no threat, that we’re nothing like the other Clans.”

He snorted. “No threat?”

“I know you hate me, Light Blade, and I know you don’t trust me yet, but just consider the possibility that what I’m saying is true.”

He was ready to shoot back a nasty response, but the waver in her voice gave him pause. She swallowed hard and her gaze swerved away from his, but not before fear darkened her eyes.

Fear of him? Of facing the Blade Council?

Or something else?

She cleared her throat and met his gaze again, determination cloaking her like a second skin. “Your
Chosen
will have an ally prepared to defend the border of human territory, from the Southern Swamplands to the tip of the northern Skadda Ranges.
Na’Reish
patrols will no longer be able to use Skadda Pass or the slave-route. If the assassination doesn’t halt the war preparations, losing half their major supply line for blood-slaves will.”

Her speech was sense and reason wrapped up in temptation, but the most powerful lies were half-truths cloaked in logic. He knew that from experience, having been lied to his entire life by his grandfather, the one man he’d trusted and looked up to.

Arek pushed away the ache that came with that thought and focused on the
Na’Reishi
standing at the end of the bed.

Imhara Kaal had to have some ulterior motive, something she hadn’t yet revealed.

“No human will ever trust a
Na’Reish
.” His voice was flat, hard. “Particularly a traitor.”

* * *

IMHARA’S
heart beat rapidly in her chest. Her throat tightened with the accusation. Yes, she was a traitor to her race, but they were no longer her people. By suppressing the truth of their origins, the Old Ways had been banished and forgotten. Her loyalty belonged only to her Clan now. There was nothing she wouldn’t do for them.

Gathering her thoughts, she appealed once more to the Light Blade. “Consider this, there are nearly a thousand humans living in Kaal territory. Perhaps once you see and interact with some of them, your opinion of us will change.”

“Then you’d better keep me chained to this bed, demon,” he hissed. “That’s the only way you’re going to make me stay in this cursed place!”

Her blood pulsed hard in her veins. Of course he would try to escape. Given all his beliefs about the
Na’Reish
, part of her couldn’t blame him, but her heart rebelled. So many years of strategic planning were being ground into nothingness with his refusal to listen.

She racked her brain to think of another way to present her proposal to him, to convince him, and came up blank.
Mother of Light
, finding a Light Blade among those captured by Meelar’s raiding party had been a blessing. She’d laid out the facts as honestly and openly as possible.

Imhara squeezed the iron railing, knuckles turning white. His refusal sat like a rock in her gut. Heavy. Unmovable. To lose this warrior would end her ancestors’ legacy and condemn her Clan to death.

She
couldn’t
let either happen.

Her heart beat harder. There was one way to stop him escaping. A temporary measure until he understood. But the deceit involved sickened her. He would hate her more.

Yet what choice did she have? So much relied on him recognizing the potential of what she offered. And that’s what was important, what she had to focus on.

Nothing else mattered.

Jaw clenching, teeth aching from the pressure, she rounded the end of the bed to sit on the edge of it, close to the Light Blade. His body went rigid. Her stomach twisted at the furious expression on his face.

“Your purpose for being here is more important than you realize.” She curled her fingers around his elbow, careful to keep a layer of his shirt between his skin and hers as she exposed his inner arm. The warmth of his body, the flex of hardened muscle sent a ripple of sensation through her. This close, his earthy, musky scent intrigued her. She fought the temptation to inhale more deeply and savor it. “I can’t take the risk of you escaping.”

“
Get
your hand off me!”

She ignored him and clamped her other hand around the shackle. His nostrils flared and he wrenched against her hold. With the restraint and her
Na’Reish
strength, she had little trouble pinning his arm to the pillow.

“What are you doing?” he snarled.

Heart heavy in her chest, Imhara forced the words from her throat. “What I must.”

Leaning forward, she bit into the flesh of his arm, careful not to sink her teeth too deep, just enough to break the skin and make it bleed. Saliva exploded in her mouth.

“
No
!” His enraged yell filled the room. Chains jangled; his body bucked and strained against his bonds as he tried to force her touch away from him.

She swallowed, his iron-rich blood coating her tongue, every taste bud demanding more, his blood as sweet and smooth as a well-aged wine. She bit back a groan of pleasure. He wouldn’t understand.

The buzz of energy from the single mouthful went straight to her head. Her senses reeled, sharpened, and it took every shred of control she had to stop herself taking more than a few swallows. Had it been that long since she’d fed?

Panting softly, Imhara drew back, unsurprised to see her hands shaking. Adrenaline raced through her veins and pumped through her heart, elevating her to a blood-high in mere seconds.
Merciful Mother
, his blood was potent. She licked the last lingering taste of him from her lips as she rose from the bed.

Retreat was now the wisest option. For both of them. She needed to feed properly. The scent and flavor of him would tease her mercilessly until she sated her awakened appetite. And he needed time to recover, to reconcile his fate.

Imhara headed for the door. Hand on the latch, she turned to look at the warrior. Beneath his tan, his face was pale. He stared at his arm and the puncture marks made by her teeth.

She bit her lip, sympathizing with his horror, understanding his fear and where it came from, regretting that she’d caused it, but he had to believe the blood-bond condemned him to serving her for life. He needed to assume the cravings were a part of his addiction to feed her, and to ignore them would result in death.