Honor Bound by Michelle Howard Read Free Book Online

their
foreheads.
    “You believe in
honor that much? You would sacrifice the one chance your people have at
survival?”
    Miki nodded.
    “Then I accept
this bargain, Mikayla S’Apul.” He said her name smoothly without the stumbling
many outsiders made over the long drawn S of her surname.
    It took a moment
for his words to sink in. Her eyes widened in shock. Many races mingled and
provided mixed birth but none with the Raasa. Miki’s joining with a Kabanian
would be the first of its kind.

Chapter 4
     
    Vaan managed to
block the confusion he felt. There were so many questions and sensations
pouring through him but he had no time for any of it. His Warlords counted on
him and the story the woman told was too strange to be untrue. Asleep for three
years. Years in which friends may have died. Battles lost. And most
disappointing of all, the treaty with the Desani gone.
    He eyed the Raasa
woman. Her pupils contracted and dilated in an odd display. Fear glinted in the
diamond shaped green orbs though she tried to appear strong and confident. Vaan
admired her for it. Her actions were bold with no guarantee of success.
    Her features
differed slightly from most of the women he came in contact with. She had no
eyebrows and no eyelashes to speak of but neither distracted from the symmetry
of her face. Sharp cheekbones, a smooth forehead and a pert nose completed his
initial assessment.
    He touched on her
mouth and inhaled. Her lips were full and pink with a hint of fangs peeking
out. Fangs that could rip into flesh yet she hadn’t bitten him when he
threatened her with his weapon. He’d met Raasa before. A deadly but peaceful
people with the ability to shoot poisonous venom from their mouths. A dangerous
weapon for a people not known for their physical strength.
    Raasa were a
slender race and she was no different. Her lean arms wrapped around her middle.
The yellow tunic she wore stopped at mid-thigh and her brown leggings revealed
long legs with an enchanting curve to them. A shapely Raasa woman in her prime.
    The Raasa men
weren’t much different than their female counterparts in physical stature
although they tended to favor one another. The males were almost
indistinguishable with their hairless features and bald heads. Not a challenge
in any way physically to a warrior of Kaban.
    Vaan gazed at the
flowing black hair that just touched her shoulders. He remembered the feeling
of the silky length when he’d touched the strands. It surprised him that the
cold blooded race had something soft about their nature.
    The dark gold of
her skin confirmed time spent living in a warm climate year round. Overall, an
attractive package if one were inclined to think in that direction. It would
provide no hardship to lay with her to create children.
    “We will go to
your holding. We will train your men to defend your home and we will end
Thenl.” Anger at the warrior who’d plotted against him knew no limits. “How
long before he returns for your answer?”
    “A month. He is
due in a month to force my agreement.”
    He nodded and
pointed at the other warriors. “The Warlords present are Ramar, Tolan, Kavan,
Balal.” He rattled the names of the others and ended with his best friend. “And
my top commander, Warlord Argan.”
    Her lips parted
and her eyes shot to Argan in dismay. Vaan considered smiling. An unlikely
action but it was difficult to force back his humor. His men had told him of
her assumptions. “And I am Overlord Vaan Galip. But you may call me, Overlord.”
     
    ***
     
    The journey from
the cave and down the hill to the Raasa strong hold took less than an hour.
Mikayla complained of the pace on behalf of the old man that joined them but
Vaan had Kavan carry him and the time was not wasted.
    “Do you think she
speaks truth?” Argan asked in Kaban.
    Vaan knew his men
listened intently for his response. They all worried, though they masked it
well in the presence of their enemy. “She believes the words she has