Uleni's Gamble by D.R. Rosier Read Free Book Online Page B

cross the line. What she needed was to sit the woman down and get to know her, but Trina was closed off for the most part, at least where she was concerned.
    She sighed and relaxed for a moment when Justin came up behind her and started massaging her neck. She leaned her body back into him and closed her eyes. She both loved and hated that. How could she stay frosty when a mere touch from him made her melt inside. She was starting to regret saying no, despite the danger. Maybe next time they lay together, she could tell him.
    She felt warm and tingly when he kissed the side of her neck and led her to a couch. He spent a couple of hours with her just talking about their future. It always amazed her that he took the time to keep up communication with all of them, and she loved the way he looked at her. He kissed her when it was time for dinner and it curled her toes as she felt her body respond. She wanted him badly, but it would have to wait until after dinner.
    *
    Katrina was going to lose her damn mind. She’d been stuck between these walls far too long, she imagined if she was the tiger her tail would be whipping around. She had been indoors for as long before, but this time it felt unbearably worse as they waited for Anton’s message. Just what the hell was taking so long anyway?
    She growled when Sally came closer and sat right up against her.
    “What?” she asked sharply.
    Sally giggled and gave her a hug, a big smile on her face.
    She said it again, a little more wearily and not so nasty, “What?”
    Sally winked and said, “Why do you think you’re so grumpy Kat?”
    She couldn’t figure out why Sally would be so amused or happy about that, until she did.
    “Are you sure?”
    Sally nodded, “Congratulations Kat, I could feel the talent from across the room. It’s weak right now, but it will grow as the baby does. I’m guessing your two weeks, earlier than that I wouldn’t be able to detect it. Justin must have done it right the first time.”
    She felt tears in her eyes, her annoyance forgotten she hugged Sally and laughed. She needed to go tell Justin… and maybe get in some practice for number two…
    *
    Ross watched the first battle unfold. He had just over fifteen thousand troops, more than enough to defeat the six thousand that met him. He didn’t like how soon the enemy broke off and retreated. It quickly became a running battle, and every mile or so, the enemy had traps set that took a good chunk of his people. Not an alarming amount, but enough to be concerned.
    It was a good strategy, they could bleed his troops all the way to the capitol, and hope they took out enough they were able to defend. It was only about midday when he decided that was enough, he called for a halt and let the enemy slip away, and simply set up camp. He sent out scouts to keep track of the enemy movements, and try to sniff out the traps ahead, and perhaps lay their own.
    The Abelawethans had no chance, but he didn’t want to throw away lives either, they would need enough troops for Egeria as well…
    *
    Anton wasn’t surprised when the enemy stopped their charge. They had been killing two for every one of theirs, thanks mostly to the traps they had set. It wasn’t near enough to win, but it would give the enemy pause. If they were whittled down to five thousand or so they wouldn’t have the troop strength to hold Abelaweth, much less conquer Egeria.
    He wasn’t sure if he should keep going, stay here, or attack to draw them into following again. Eventually he decided to wait, but he sent out scouts just in case the enemy had a surprise or two for them…

Chapter 6
    Justin was bemused, and a little conflicted. He found out from Kat she was with child, then she had shown him, quite thoroughly, how excited about it she was.
    That wasn’t what had him conflicted though, it was his relationship with his intended mates. He had wanted to make that commitment to each of them, and though he understood her reasoning, Nora