Warlord's Mercy - Cynthia Sax Page 0,67
Berke’s tone was stern. “Chamele 1 is under my rule. Khan rules Chamele 2. Chamele 3 is Murad’s. That’s non-negotiable.”
Tolui gazed down at his gerel. “Chamele 4 is the only planet we want.”
“We.” She repeated that word.
“We.” His home was where she was. And she wanted to live on Chamele 4. “My gerel and I will reside on this planet. That’s non-negotiable.”
“My Warlord’s clone brothers and rescued females and offspring will reside on Chamele 4 also.” Four, his most skilled warrior, had arrived. He stood beside the slowly recovering Eight-Two. “Are we fighting, my lord?”
More warriors appeared behind him. They were all armed, all willing to wage war for him, for their new home.
“There will be no more fighting.” Tolui’s gerel and Berke’s gerel said that in unison.
Then the females looked at each other and laughed.
Tolui’s lips twitched.
“We’re so fucked.“ Berke pinched the bridge of his nose. “And I won’t accept your Warlord’s stipulation.”
Tolui’s humor dissipated. “You won’t allow us to reside on Chamele 4?”
“No.” The Chamele Warlord shook his head. “This planet is overrun with squatters. It is harsh and lawless and half the creatures on its surface seek to kill its occupants. Chamele 4 requires a strong Warlord and an equally strong lady.”
“My gerel is strong.” Tolui frowned. She was one of the strongest beings he had ever encountered, would fight for Chamele 4’s inhabitants, would be a lady without equal.
“My Warlord is strong.” She came to his defense also. “There is no one more worthy to rule this planet.”
“I agree.” Berke nodded. “You and Tolui will not merely reside on Chamele 4. You will rule it.”
Tolui’s clone brothers cheered.
His gerel hugged his arm to her small breasts and beamed.
Tolui blinked once, twice. “You came here to kill me.”
“If I had come here to kill you, I would have brought more warriors.” Berke’s tone was dry. “Khan and Murad would have insisted they accompany me. I came to negotiate, and we thought it would be best to do that one Warlord to one Warlord.”
Berke’s gerel nodded. “Though the offer of a fight to the death was tempting.”
They hadn’t come to kill him. They came to negotiate.
Finally.
Tolui wrapped his arms around Lea. He was struck speechless with wonder, overcome with gratitude, with appreciation, for all he’d gained.
His little human, the most beautiful, bravest, cleverest gerel in the universe, loved him. His clone warriors were no longer beings without a planet. They would call Chamele 4 home. And there would be no more battles with the three existing Warlords. They were in the midst of peace talks.
No male could ask for more than Tolui had been given.
His chest expanded, filled with caring, with happiness, with pride.
He looked down at Lea, not attempting to hide those fervent emotions. Tolui let her see the state of his heart, his soul, his very being, trusting her with all of him. “We’re ready to negotiate.”
Chapter Seventeen
Ships landed, conveying the other two Chamele Warlords and their gerels. The females’ greetings amongst themselves were warm and enthusiastic. They clearly knew each other. Well.
They were polite yet reserved with Lea. Even the tough-talking Ellie cooled her tone.
That was to be expected, Lea told herself. She was aligned with Tolui, someone they previously viewed as an enemy.
Warriors also watched them, and they had arrived to negotiate, not for a social event.
But it bothered Lea a little. She wanted to be part of their little social group, wanted to have more female friends to chatter with.
Seeking comfort from her Warlord, she cuddled against him, listening as the males argued about who would be allowed to enter the Chamele sector, and what would happen to ships that entered it without authorization.
It was challenging to remain silent. Not wanting to disrupt the negotiations and having little expertise on security matters to share, she was trying her best.
She had plenty of things, of beings, to observe, was currently surrounded by huge warriors.
Four stood on Tolui’s right side, beside her. Six and Eight were positioned at his left. Lea felt like the most protected female in the universe.
Her male would likely disagree with that. His former foes, the three Chamele Warlords and their gerels, were stationed directly across the horizontal support from them.
The sleek piece of furniture, along with chairs and smaller horizontal supports and numerous portable light sources, had been brought into the chamber, a place everyone seemed to view as neutral terrain. A viewscreen had been placed on the surface between them.
“My warriors can secure the sector.” Berke glowered at her