Honor Bound by Michelle Howard Read Free Book Online Page B

his
sword and slid it between Mikayla and the nearest Raasa male that thought to
approach. His men followed his action and the sound of fifteen weapons being
drawn filled the hall.
    “Overlord, what
are you doing?” Her eyes bounced back and forth from him to her people.
    “They are too
familiar with your person. I do not accept this.” If they were at his home,
servants would not have dared and clearly, these were servants and not her
family. Permission would have been requested prior to any daring to touch a
leading member of the family. Those here would learn early of what he expected.
    Vaan spoke in the
standard tongue and by the shocked looks on their faces, no one mistook his
words. Only Mikayla dared to step closer to him, pushing away the sharp edge of
his weapon as she did so. He allowed the disrespectful gesture. The Raasa men,
he noted did not get any closer to her.
    “They worried for
me. I was gone longer than expected.”
    Vaan eyed the
three women and four men. “Then they should have sent scouts to search for you.
Otherwise, their concern is without merit.”
    She gasped in
outrage but even his men nodded. “They would have but I am back.”
    One of the Raasa
men broke away from the group. He bowed to Vaan. “The Su-Su avoided her guards
today. It will not happen again.” His green eyes promised sincerity but Vaan
did not like the way they rolled in Mikayla’s direction with heat.
    Vaan would watch
this one closely. With a subtle lift of his head, he signaled Argan who smiled
grimly. His trusted friend would keep this one under watch as well.
    “Show me to our
room, Mikayla. We must settle matters between us. My men will wait down here
and begin preparation to fortify your home.”
    “What is he
speaking of, Su-Su?” The old man they’d carried down the hill spoke up as Kavan
lowered him to his feet.
    “These warriors
are here to help us. When Mikayla returns downstairs, she will explain all.”
    The women looked
fearful but more men joined the growing circle. Some of them looked at Vaan and
his warriors with horror and disgust. This would not go smoothly. He wondered
if she expected another reaction.
    Mikayla sighed and
pushed her hair back from her forehead. The mass tumbled around her shoulders.
She used no tie or ribbons to hold its length as Kabanian women were known to
do. Vaan would show her as a sign of his willingness to help her be a model
female. She sucked her bottom lip in thought and then shrugged. “Follow me.”
    The one bold Raasa
put himself in Vaan’s path when he turned to go after Mikayla. “Miki, what are
you doing?”
    Vaan assumed the
term Su-Su to be an honorific of some sort. Miki would then be the short form
of her name. One he did not care for. “You will not address her thus.” He
instructed the Raasa and placed his hand on his thin chest to push him back.
    Vaan admitted to
not putting much strength behind the move, but the young man stumbled back
several steps. His lean form provided no match for a Warlord.
    “Tesai!” Mikayla
ran to help the man to his feet but Vaan’s grip on her arm stopped her. “You
can’t do that,” she snapped at Vaan.
    “I am Overlord,”
Vaan corrected for he could do what he wanted. He pulled her resisting figure
toward the stone stair case he’d spotted earlier. Sleeping rooms typically ran
on the upper level of most homes. He would head there. As for her apparent guard,
any young man worth his weight could pick himself from the floor without aid of
a woman. To his men he said, “No one comes up until we return. Kavan stand
point. Argan begin plans for fortification.”
      The old man came
forward. “Of course, Su-Su. I am Eran and have been with Miki as her noan since
she was a youngling. We will all help.” He pointed a brief bow in Vaan’s
direction.
    “I am Overlord and
will be addressed as such.” Vaan was proud of the title he’d earned on the
battle field and wouldn’t change it, no matter his soon to be