Warrior (20 page)

Crack!
Qalin hit him again. The other beta cringed, no doubt fearing similar treatment, but quickly masked his emotion under stoic impassiveness. The stricken beta righted himself and bowed his head. “I apologize for my lack, Commander,” he said in a tear-thickened voice.

“Take this one away and flog him,” Qalin ordered.

“No, please, Alpha, I beg for your mercy,” the beta cried when a gloved Veronian stepped forward to haul him away.

Qalin resumed petting the other beta. “It is okay,” he said, making cooing noises, his words and actions delivering a chilling message
. I control your fate. I can indulge, or I can punish, but I will decide.

“What are you waiting for? Speak!” Qalin barked.

Bowed as they were, neither Perce or Urazi could have witnessed what had occurred, but they had heard the beating, Qalin’s order, and the beta’s plea. “I-I have good news about the female known as Anika….” Perce stammered. “I am pleased to announce she is d-dead.”

“Dead?” Qalin bellowed. The beta flinched as if expecting a blow. “What proof of this do you bring?”

“I s-saw it happen. Alpha Urazi witnessed her death, too.”

In confronting his sire, Perce had developed a stutter. It was fortunate Perce knelt because otherwise he could not have pulled off the ruse. His perfidious face was probably redder than Anika’s buttocks. While Marlix would have challenged the messenger face to face, Qalin’s demand for homage afforded his son a fighting chance for survival.

“Is this true?” the Alpha demanded.

“It is Commander,” Urazi answered for Perce, perhaps fearing, as Anika did, that Qalin would notice his son’s sudden speech impediment. “I saw it with my own eyes.”

“How did she die?” Qalin licked his lips and leaned forward. “Tell me.”

“Cachinna swarmed over the conveyance in which she was chained and startled the beasts. The driver lost control and plunged into the ravine,” Urazi explained. “There were no survivors.”

“Are you certain she was killed?”

“Y-yes,” Perce said.

“She was fatally injured,” Urazi said. “We watched as she died, pleading for help.”

“So she suffered.” Qalin leaned back and expelled a satisfied sigh. “Excellent. I would have preferred to watch her die, myself, but this is good news. Good news, indeed.” Another twisted smile distorted his features. “And what of the other breeders you were supposed to acquire?”

Urazi again answered for Perce. “He collected twenty-four.”

“Excellent. I shall try one tonight. I am eager to see if they are worthy, if they can produce alphas. You did well, my son. As your reward, you shall join me in my personal dining chambers for the evening meal.”

“T-thank you, Alpha,” Perce stuttered. How had he managed to survive for as long as he had? Could he make it through the meal without tripping up? If Perce betrayed himself, he would jeopardize them all.

Qalin rose to his feet and swept from the room the way he’d come. The two attendants leaped forward to remove the chair, and the entourage filed out in reverse order. When only the clarionist remained, he blew into his instrument and released another bugle to bounce off the high walls of the Chamber of Familiars. He marched out, and there was silence.

Except for the odd hitching noise.

“May we rise now?” Urazi queried in a hush.

Perce’s head bobbed. The noise continued, and Anika realized with shock he was
weeping
. Males did not cry. Ever.

Urazi scrambled to his feet, and then reached down and hauled Perce to his. Avoiding the alpha’s tear-streaked face, he feigned an interest in the architecture, tilting his head to stare at the domed ceiling. “That went well, I think,” he commented. “I could not see, but, by word and tone, Alpha Qalin sounded satisfied.”

Perce choked on a piteous sob.

“I feel humbled that
Alpha of Parseon
granted us audience. He must have many important concerns to attend to.” Urazi rubbed his knees and continued to speak in a conversational way, giving Perce time to compose himself. “Does he have a chamber for each function?”

Perce sobbed out an affirmative.

Urazi scanned the dais then riveted his attention upon the portal through which Qalin and his entourage had entered and exited. He narrowed his eyes. “I wonder who he will meet with next.”

“I h-h-have no way of knowing.”

Urazi sighed. This time he did look at Perce. “Why are you crying?”

“I am scared.”

He had reason to be afraid, but no alpha would ever admit to fear.

Urazi lifted his hand, hovered it over Perce’s shoulder, and then laid it to rest. He patted him awkwardly. “You accomplished what you set out to. Take hope. He said he was pleased.”

“I wish you and Anjot could accompany me to the evening meal.”

“I wish I could, too,” Urazi replied, omitting Anika. She glowered from behind the pillar and rubbed her sore buttocks. She’d been spanked for nothing! Qalin would not have known she was female if she had prostrated herself.

Except, as a result, she alone had
seen
him and could assess his defenses. If Urazi had permitted her to join them, they would not have that information.

But still.

“Alpha Qalin did not invite me,” Urazi continued. “
You
are his son.” He gave Perce’s shoulder two more pats. “Stop crying now. You will do fine,” he said in a voice seemingly buoyed by confidence. Urazi lied much better than Perce.

Perce scrubbed his eyes. “What if I slip up?”

“You will not because you will rise to the challenge. There is too much at stake to falter. Besides,” he added, “While I could not ascertain how many males there were, I could hear others around your sire. You and he will not be alone at the evening meal, correct?”

“That is true!” Perce bobbed his head, and he seemed to brighten. “His five anointed betas—well, four now—will be there, and possibly one or two others he has taken a fancy to. And he will be surrounded by guards, servers, dancers, and testers.”

“Testers?”

“Betas who taste his food to ensure it has not been tainted.”

“Wise,” Urazi said. Anika thought of the innocent beta who’d been arbitrarily beaten and flogged to prove a point. And now the food taster risked his life. Just residing within Qalin’s sphere of influence endangered one’s safety.

They could gain access, as today had proven, but getting within striking distance would be much harder. Anika combed her fingers through her shorn hair, noting it had grown. She would need to cut it again before someone noticed it was out of regulation.

“At the dinner, I will talk to my sire’s favored beta who has his ear. Perhaps, if I can arrange it, you would like to attend a meal with Alpha Qalin?”

“You would do that for me?” Urazi’s astonishment and gratitude sounded so genuine, he could have been an itinerant thespian, traveling from hamlet to hamlet entertaining villagers with his ardent performances. “You honor me.” Urazi dramatically clasped Perce’s shoulder in the Bridge of Amity. Perce beamed and returned the friendship gesture.

“Come,” Urazi beckoned. “Please show me the location of the dining chamber in the event Alpha Qalin smiles upon a lowly subject such as myself.”

“If I can get you an invitation, I will escort you,” Perce offered. “But I will give you a tour. Originally, my sire’s domicile was much more modest, but several years ago he commissioned the finest masons, craftsmen, and artists to transform it into a residence befitting one of his status.”

As they headed down the jeweled path, Anika ducked behind the pillar, uncertain how to proceed. If she revealed herself now, and Urazi dragged her to his private chamber to punish her, he would miss the tour of the domicile. Her observation of the Alpha’s defenses coupled with Urazi’s reconnaissance would enhance their chances of assassinating Qalin.

Better to get Urazi alone before she confessed her disobedience. Then she could better control how she told him. Her friend Tara used to say that when males became stubborn, it was better to dialog with the
manhood
rather than with the man.

That’s what she would do. Anika grinned. She would wait until night and talk to Urazi’s manhood.

Chapter Eighteen

Anika knocked once, and the door flew open.

“Where have you been?” Urazi growled, yanked her into his chamber and bolted the door. “I expected you to be here when I returned.” His normally smooth hair stood at all ends, like he had been abed, but he wore full uniform, including boots.

“You were gone a long time,” she prevaricated, “so I returned to my quarters in case somebody came looking for me.”

“
I
was looking for you. And you
weren’t
in your chamber.” His accusing glare demanded an explanation.

Drakor!
Her plan was disintegrating.

“I did not hear the knock.” How could she have heard it if she wasn’t in her quarters?

“I entered your room.”

Anika gulped.
Show your mettle. Be bold.
She planted her hands on her hips and gambled. “You did not check the bathing facility.”

Anger and suspicion melted into ruefulness. “No. I did not think of that.” He sighed.

“That is where I was,” she lied. She’d given Perce and Urazi a head start before exiting the Chamber of Familiars. Hanging back, she’d tagged along while Perce pointed out the various and numerous rooms and even buildings. Out of earshot, she’d had to guess at the purposes of each.

Then Perce had led Urazi down a corridor and, in the distance, she’d spotted Zala. Fearing the female would notice her and call attention to her presence, she’d beaten a hasty retreat. She had explored on her own, attempted to locate the females’ quarters. If Omra and Miri had been captured, that was likely where they would be held. But she’d gotten lost, and by the time she’d caught her bearings, much time had passed. She’d run to her chamber to remove her breast bindings in anticipation of her discussion with Urazi’s manhood. After checking that the corridor was vacant, she’d sprinted to Urazi’s room, hoping he hadn’t returned yet.

But he had.

“I apologize for doubting you,” Urazi said. “You gave your word you would remain here, and I should not have questioned you.” He raked a hand through his hair, demonstrating how its tousled state had come to be. “I was worried about you. When I did not find you here—or in your chambers—I feared someone had discovered your identity.”

A wad of shame lodged in her throat. “I am sorry.”

“You do not need to be sorry about anything. The fault was mine.”

Now she felt worse. Guilty tears moistened her eyes.

Instantly, Urazi approached her. “Foolish female,” he chided, but the gentle affection in his voice further weakened her self-control, causing her lower lip to quiver and tears to spout faster than she could blink.

He drew her into his strong arms, and the dam broke under the strain of his comfort. She sobbed. Urazi rested his cheek on her head and rocked her. “It is all right. I should not have yelled at you.”

He was making it worse! Anika wept and burrowed against his chest.

“Did I frighten you?” he asked, his voice tentative.

She rolled her head from side to side.

“I mean…before. When I punished you.”

Qalin. Veronians. The future of Parseon. Being found out. Dying a slow horrible painful death. Those things frightened her. But Urazi? Not even at his worst. She shook her head again and wrapped her arms around his waist, pressing her unencumbered breasts against his muscled chest.

“Are you sure?”

“Yes.” She nodded. Urazi might inflict less-than-pleasant discipline, but he would never use his superior strength to hurt her. He was steadfast, loyal, and true. He would never sneak or lie. Unlike her. Her shoulders shook.

“What has upset you so?” He kissed her hair. Then her temple. The corner of her eye.

She lifted a shoulder. “N-nothing.” Except disappointing him. Seeing his reproach if he discovered the truth. She wanted to be the person he assumed she was—
steadfast, loyal, and true
. Like he was. Not a sneaky liar. When she’d fled Marlix’s abode, she had abandoned her honor, she realized. Had given no thought to duty—only to fulfilling her selfish wishes. “Everything,” she amended.

His chuckle rumbled under her ear. “From nothing to everything. I get it now.”

“You are laughing at me.”

“Never.” This time
he
fibbed, but she could hear the self-deprecating humor and smiled through her tears. Perhaps males and females would never understand each other. Maybe Nature did not intend them to. She could not confess her actions and falsehoods now, but she vowed to improve in the future. A cleansing breath shuddered through her on the taper of tears. She hugged his waist.

Urazi rubbed his chin against her head, the bristles of hair that darkened his jaw tingling pleasantly. His chest rose with a deep inhalation. “You smell good.”

“I bathed earlier.”

“No, you. Your own scent.”

“Oh.” She didn’t know what to say to such an odd comment—was it praise?—except, “you smell good, too.” He did. Like something woodsy, but clean. She pressed her nose against his chest and sniffed.
Male
.

“I bathed.” Against her head, his lips twitched.

“No, you,” she parroted and giggled.

He swatted her buttock. “Feleen.”

Breath caught in her throat. Female parts clenched.
Do it again
. She pressed her pelvis against his lower body. Male parts had started to harden. Female genitalia let down dewy moisture. Call and response.

The hand that had swatted, now caressed. “How are your buttocks?” he asked.

“What do you mean?”

“Since I disciplined you. Are you very sore?” He sounded remorseful.

A new rush of guilt undermined the pleasurable ache between her legs.

“I treated you too harshly—” he said, and she mashed her lips against his to stop him from exacerbating her guilt.

Urazi groaned and swept his tongue inside her mouth. All that was tentative vanished under his plundering kiss. The gentle way he cradled her head in the crook of his arm and stroked her throat contrasted to the heated way he vanquished her mouth.