Every Battle Lord's Nightmare (29 page)
Read Every Battle Lord's Nightmare Online
Authors: Linda Mooney
Fortune chuckled and clapped him on the shoulder. “I need to go. I promised Renken I’d help him with getting the Mutah councilmen and their entourages moved over to this area of the compound, and out of that damn section they were in.”
“How soon do you think that first section will be emptied out? Those soldiers who were killed last night need to be honored with their own pyres.”
Fortune shrugged. “I honestly don’t know. But I’ll tell Warren to come report to you as soon as I see him.” He patted Yulen’s shoulder again and left.
The sound of children’s laughter came from below. Several of them were at a vendor’s stall, trying their skill at knocking rocks off stakes pegged into the ground at one of the games of chance. It wasn’t until he’d opened the faire to the compound’s inhabitants that Yulen figured out one reason why Rocky Gorge had made him uneasy. It was the lack of children. The sight and sound of people other than soldiers and adults. A compound’s future depended on each succeeding generation. Highcliff knew that, and tried to protect that future by hiding his most vulnerable asset from what he expected to be a blood bath.
The sense of someone behind him returned, and he smiled. “What did you forget, Fortune?”
The figure moved to stand beside him. A lithe figure with butterfly wings for ears.
“Keelor?” He turned to glanced back at where the ladder was propped against the rooftop. Keelor held up a hand to reassure him.
“Atty’s doing fine. She’s resting.”
“And the baby?”
“She’s asleep in one of Highcliff’s bureau drawers. On top of a nice soft pile of clean shirts.” She looked out over the scene, biting her lips the same way Atty did whenever she was debating on something to say.
“What did you need to see me about?” he gently urged.
“Atty. We’ve been talking. Catching up on all that’s happened since Mohmee and I were taken.” She shook her head. “There’s so much to tell. It’ll take us months before we share it all. But I learned one thing. One very important thing.” Placing a hand on his sleeve, she had him turn to face her. “My sister was very, very blessed to have met you. I can see in her eyes how much she loves you. I hear it in her voice when she talks about you.” Keelor smiled softly. “I can see it in your eyes that love is returned. Thank you for loving her. And protecting her.”
“Actually, Keelor, I’m the one who was blessed. In more ways than I can count, she’s saved my life.” He chuckled. “When we return to Alta Novis, we’ll stop at Wallis. Let them know you’ve survived. I’m sure they’ll want to celebrate the news.”
He didn’t tell her they would bypass Oka City on their way back. He wanted to go through Four Trees and check on the survivors. See if there was anything he could do to give them aid.
The young woman looked past him as her gaze turned inward. “I’m looking forward to going home again. I’ve almost forgotten what it’s like.” Her eyes locked back on him. “Will I stay in Wallis? Or can I go to Alta Novis?”
“You’re welcome to live wherever you choose. But I can say without asking that Atty will want you within arm’s reach. Especially now that Mattox has a little sister to contend with.”
She laughed, a warm, bright sound. “I can imagine. Speaking of, what will you name your daughter? Have you made a decision yet?”
“Not yet,” he admitted, scratching the scar running down the side of his face. “Do you have any suggestions? Atty and I have been warring over what to name her ever since we discovered Atty was pregnant with a little girl.”
Keelor cast her eyes downward. A blush tinted her cheeks. “I do have a suggestion. Mistelle.”
Yulen lifted an eyebrow. “Mistelle? Who did you know by that name?”
“Actually, Mohmee told me once that it was supposed to be Atty’s name. It’s what she wanted to name her, but Pawpee wanted Atrilan. Guess who won out?”
He grunted. “Mistelle. I like it.” A yawn caught him unaware, and Yulen stepped away from the ledge. “If you’ll excuse me, I need to check on my men. Will you be going back to the room soon?”
She shook her head, making her wing-like ears flutter. “I’d like to go down to the faire.”
He smiled. “Be my guest. I will see you later, then.”
Leaving the woman on the rooftop, he descended the ladder to the ground and entered the main lodge. Inside, the soldiers who were dining called out to him as he passed through to the back room where Atty was sleeping. Or so he thought. As he crept into the room and carefully closed the door, she murmured, “I’m awake, my love.”
He sat on the edge of the mattress and leaned down to kiss her. It was a soft, affectionate meeting of the lips. Glancing at the bureau, he could see the bottom drawer had been pulled out and placed next to the bed. The tiny infant inside was sound asleep.
“How is the job going?” Atty whispered.
“Fine. It’ll take some time. I’m hoping once this summit is over, I can get this place settled within a couple of months so we can return home. I still haven’t figured out who to leave in charge.”
Her smile was warm as she reached up to touch the stubble on his cheek. A fingertip traced the scar. “Don’t worry. You’ll figure it out. What about LeGreen? What do you plan to do about his part in all this?”
“You know he’s heard about what happened here. I’m hoping he lies low and quakes in his boots. Let him think we’ll return to retaliate.”
“Will we?”
“Maybe. Eventually.” Taking her hand, Yulen kissed it. “Listen. I was talking just now to Keelor.”
“Oh?”
“She thanked me for loving you. I told her it was you who deserved the thanks. You’ve changed my life in ways I could never imagine.”
“What else did you talk about? Or was that what you felt was so important, you had to come tell me?” she teased.
“She suggested a name for our daughter. Mistelle.”
Atty’s eyes widened slightly. “That was what Mohmee wanted to name me.”
Yulen chuckled. “I know. Would you have any objection to calling our daughter by that name? To me, it would be perfect for her. And, in a way, I feel that, by doing so, we would be honoring your mother’s memory.”
He watched as tears gathered in his wife’s eyes. Atty’s lips trembled when she smiled. “Then it’s decided. Her name is Mistelle. Thank you, my beloved. My Yul.”
“Forever, Atrilan,” he murmured, and kissed her to seal his vow.
About the Author:
Linda loves to write sensuously erotic romance with a fantasy, paranormal, or science fiction flair. Her technique is often described as being as visual as a motion picture or graphic novel.
A wife, mother, and retired Kindergarten and music teacher, she lives in a small south Texas town near the Gulf coast where she delves into other worlds filled with daring exploits, adventure, and intense love.
She has numerous best sellers, including 10 consecutive #1s. In 2009, she was named Whiskey Creek Press Torrid's Author of the Year, and her book MY STRENGTH, MY POWER, MY LOVE was named the 2009 WCPT Book of the Year. In 2011, her book LORD OF THUNDER was named the Epic Ebook "Eppie" Award Winner for Best Erotic Sci-Fi Romance.
In addition, she write naughty erotic romances under the name of Carolyn Gregg, and horror under the pseudonym of Gail Smith.
For more information about Linda Mooney books and titles, please visit her website.
Table of Contents
Chapter Twelve - North Crestin
Chapter Thirteen - Troublesome
Chapter Twenty-One - Questions
Chapter Twenty-Four – Rocky Gorge
Chapter Twenty-Seven - Forbidden
Chapter Thirty-Three - Martyrs
Chapter Thirty-Four - Foretelling
Chapter Thirty-Five - Retribution
Chapter Thirty-Seven - Delivery
