The Overlord's Heir by Michelle Howard Read Free Book Online

Her nipples hardened into pebbles
more from the chill air than arousal. Curves in all the right places with pale
skin flushed red. His gaze lowered to her trim bush hiding the secrets of her
toque but Vaan knew if he touched her, she’d be dry. Vaan regretted those years
of following misguided teachings now that Mikayla had showed him all the
pleasure to be shared when a man and woman joined.
         Neera smiled
and came toward him, hips swaying. “I would have you take your pleasure of me.”
         Vaan fought
in more battles than he could count, faced death on many occasions and yet he
felt heat stain his cheeks as he moved back a step. “I am mated.” Mikayla would
do more than poison him with her sakar. In her current emotional condition, she’d
save her venom for last and rip his toqa from between his legs if he remotely
considered Neera’s offer.
          Neera’s nose
curled. “To a Raasa. She is not worthy.” Her hand touched Vaan’s chest. He
flinched and found himself retreating another step. His Warlords would be
amused if they could see him running from a female.
    “She carries my
youngling.”
    Vaan’s words
thankfully gave her pause. Neera allowed her hand to fall to her side. “You
have not performed the kutthra. To wear your hair thus is to seek invitation
from others.”
    Neera spoke truth
in some regard. Kabanians honored their brides by shortening their hair as a
visible reminder to all that they were taken. Mikayla, however, was surrounded
by males who became bald when they reached their maturity. As a result, Vaan’s
long hair fascinated her to no end.
    During their
joining ceremony, she had made quite the scene when offered a blade to cut the
length from his hair. Vaan smiled, indeed she had threatened harm to any who
sought to do the duty without her permission.
    He wasn’t sure
Neera would understand. “It pleases my mate to keep my hair as it was when she
met me.”
    She considered his
words. “You have made another life away from here.”
    Vaan nodded and
searched for his pants, no longer comfortable having this conversation with
both of them nude. He pulled them on while keeping a wary eye on her. Once
dressed, he felt a measure of calm return. “I will walk you out.”
    He got halfway to
the door before he realized he couldn’t send her into the hall naked. “Where is
your clothing?”
    Neera clutched the
blue sheet to her chest, the ends trailed behind her. Its silver embroidery
detailed stylized G’s along the hem. “You are happy with her?” Neera asked.
    “Yes.” Firm. He
loved Mikayla and having her love defined the gift he’d received from the
Blessed One.
         Neera dropped
the sheet and picked up a ball of fabric from the floor. Vaan wasn’t sure how
he’d missed it but it pleased him to see her slip on the blue and silver dress
his household female servants always wore. The thin fabric clung to every curve
and indentation of her body. He opened the door and used one hand at her back
to push her further through.
         Tears gone,
her blue eyes studied him once more. “Do you honor your mate with your refusal
or am I no longer pleasing?”
         Both. But
Neera deserved his thanks for saving his life, not ridicule. He settled on a
fitting truth. “The Raasa mate for life and do not seek others for bed play.”
         She respected
his words and with a last nod of acceptance left. Vaan exhaled in relief just
as Eatan stumbled into Neera at the top of the stairs. Eatan eyed the female
then glanced at Vaan with a raised brow and a drunken smile. Vaan slammed the
door shut and went to bed.

Chapter 6
     
         Miki wondered
if loneliness could make one ill. She watched Vaan’s Warlords train as
intensely as they did each day since they’d made themselves at home among her
people. A few Raasa men joined and the camaraderie reached vocal levels as both
races exchanged jokes and laughter. They had come a long way from the wariness