The Consort (Tellaran Series) by Ariel MacArran Read Free Book Online Page A

teeth bared and the cords standing out on his neck as he struggled to his knees. The powdery dirt made the air burn in Kyndan’s lungs as he hefted his sword. All he had to do was bring the blade down hard enough now and he’d take Jazan’s head off.
    An Az-kye would.
    Lucky for you I’m Tellaran.
    With a sharp movement Kyndan brought the sword down and struck the back of Jazan’s head with the hilt, knocking the Az-kye out cold.
    Gasping, Kyndan took stumbling steps back. He shakily pushed some of the sweat-soaked hair off his forehead with his forearm and spat to get the taste of dirt out of his mouth.
    The arena was silent around him. Every person in the place was standing, staring down at him.
    Kinara had her hand against her mouth, her other hand gripping her mate’s. Aidar’s face was slack with astonishment. Tedah and Lianna wore expressions of shocked disbelief.
    His breath was coming hard and with slow, painful progress Kyndan limped across the Circle toward Alari.
    He was panting, blood roaring in his ears and only halfway across the Circle when his gaze met Alari’s. She had her hands to her mouth and she was shaking her head a little.
    Damn it, isn’t anyone happy I won?
    Alari’s dark eyes went wide.
    And she wasn’t looking at him —
    Kyndan spun and brought up the sword a spare instant before Jazan, his face savage with hatred and his leg dragging, skewered him. He knocked Jazan’s blade aside and on the back swing caught the warrior across the throat.
    Jazan collapsed at Kyndan’s feet. He twisted in the dirt, making gurgling choking sounds that echoed in the quiet arena, then finally went still.
    The crowd stared down at him in silence. Tedah caught his eye, his expression urgent. Kyndan, shaking with reaction and blood loss, frowned as his friend held a fist out, moved it up a bit, then repeated the action.
    Oh, yeah. I forgot.
    He turned toward Alari and met her wide-eyed gaze.
    Swaying on his feet, Kyndan hefted his sword high in an Az-kye warrior’s declaration of victory.
    Alari gave a sob as the arena erupted into cheers.

“That festering hurts !”
    Aidar shook his head, a smile playing at his mouth as he worked to clamp closed the wound on Kyndan’s leg. “A warrior bears pain uncomplainingly.”
    “Screw that!” Kyndan snarled, still annoyed that while he’d made it out of the arena on his own, Aidar had to half carry him back to the warrior’s prep room. “Give me a godsdamn pain killer!”
    “I am almost finished,” Aidar said, unperturbed. “You would show yourself a worthy warrior, would you not?”
    “A worthy Tellaran warrior!” Kyndan bit out. “Tellaran warriors get analgesics! Have you even thought about finding me a medtech?”
    Aidar gave a short laugh. “There. The last is placed.” He wiped the area clean and smeared ointment on the wound then started bandaging the leg. “The ointment will ease the pain and heal you quickly. It will be a fine scar indeed.” He glanced at Kyndan’s cheek approvingly. “As will that one.”
    “A scar on my face ?” Kyndan exclaimed, his hand flying to the bandage there. “I’ll look like a fucking holodrama villain!”
    Aidar raised blond brows, the old scar that ran the length of his left cheek pulling a bit.
    “No offense,” Kyndan gritted out. “But I’d prefer not to have any scars at all, thank you.”
    “Our healers are very skilled. Do you wish not such trophies, I will fetch you a healer to treat you now so you will bear no mark. I thought you intended to honor Alari, but since you do not . . .” Aidar shrugged as he finished covering the cut on Kyndan’s arm.
    Kyndan blinked. “You guys purposely scar? I thought your medicine was just not advanced enough to prevent them.”
    Aidar gave a snort. “Our women do not bear scars, nor do those not of our caste, Kyndan.”
    “ Our caste? So now I’m part of the warrior class?”
    “Of course.” Aidar said, surprised. “Only a warrior can take