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

Challenge. You became one when you stepped into the Circle. You bore yourself bravely and would be counted one of us even if you had died there. And to turn your back on a warrior such as Jazan . . .” He shook his head admiringly as he finished the bandaging. “I have never seen such mad courage.”
    Kyndan shifted. “I only wanted to knock him out.”
    Aidar looked startled. “Why would you do such?”
    “Because I didn’t want to have to kill him!”
    Aidar’s gaze became hooded. “You did not hesitate to kill Az-kye before.”
    “I was under orders to open fire on your ship,” Kyndan fairly spat. “My duty, my honor , requires me to follow the orders I am given—whatever they are. I will not apologize.”
    “So you have come to regret it.”
    Kyndan’s head came up. “I didn’t say that.”
    “No,” Aidar said mildly. “But you wouldn’t think to apologize at all if you did not.”
    Kyndan looked away. “Do warriors get antibiotics?”
    In response, Aidar pulled an injector from the medkit. “We are proud, not stupid.”
    Fortunately the injection didn’t hurt at all. Of course that was about the only thing on him that didn’t. He was going to have a bunch of bruises, his lip was split, his face and arm were sore, but his leg was the worst of it. Despite the ointment slowly easing away the discomfort, his thigh still throbbed enough to make him queasy. Aidar had sent to arrange a litter to carry him back to the Az’anti clanhouse and he sure wasn’t looking forward to that trip. Sore, shaky with pain, and exhausted, Kyndan let his eyes fall shut.
    The door banged open. Kyndan started badly, hissing against the shooting pain in his leg when he moved.
    “How is he?” Kinara demanded, sweeping into the room, Tedah at her heels. Then she was at his bedside, peering down at him anxiously. She didn’t wait for Aidar’s response. “How are you?”
    He gave them a smile and from their horrified expressions he was glad he hadn’t gotten a look in the mirror yet.
    “I’m glad you killed him!” Kinara spat. “Saves me from having to do it myself!”
    She was round bellied as a gourd, pudgy-cheeked from pregnancy, and dressed from head-to-toe in the glittering ensemble of an Az-kye lady. She looked about as menacing as a wide-whiskered baby snouse.
    Still, knowing Kinara, she probably would have taken Jazan on. From the look on Aidar’s face his brother-in-law likely thought so too.
    “ I’m okay.” Kyndan sent a nod toward Aidar. “Apparently I’m a warrior now.  And hey, I’ll have some nice scars to prove it.”
    “Well,” Tedah said, “you’re a couple ahead of me but I’ll catch up.”
    Kinara’s brow creased a little and he laughed inwardly at what must be going through her mind. Az-kye warriors bore their scars with pride but that didn’t mean she thought her brother should have them. Not that she’d want to say something to that effect in front of her Az-kye mate of course . . .
    “But you’re Tellaran,” she said finally.
    “Well,” Kyndan said. “I wouldn’t want to pass up an opportunity to honor my princess.”
    Kinara exchanged glances with Aidar. 
    “What?” Kyndan asked.
    Kinara wet her lips. “About that. You have a decision to make and not a lot of time to make it.”
    Kyndan raised his eyebrows. “What decision?”
    “Well,” Tedah said, shifting his weight. “If you want to be Alari’s mate or not.”
    Kyndan frowned. “I fought for her. Don’t I have to marry her?”
    “Alari declared publicly for you,” Aidar said. “You accepted Challenge and won but you have not declared for her .”
    “In fact, honor is completely satisfied so you can back out,” Kinara assured quickly.
    “You mean she has to show up for the wedding but I don’t?”
    Aidar gave a nod.
    “Hold on.” Kyndan’s eyes narrowed. “What aren’t you telling me here?”
    “Alari is the First Imperial Daughter but she is not the only child of our empress,” Aidar said.