Captive of the Horde King (Horde Kings Of Dakkar #1) - Zoey Draven Page 0,107
warrior call out to Arokan and my husband’s arms tensed. Immediately, we shared a look and then slid from our furs, our time together cut short. There was always something, some matter to deal with in the horde. It came with the territory. More often than not, our mornings were interrupted.
I dressed with my husband, wanting to check on the pyrokis. We were on the cusp of the cold season and we’d begun to build nesting enclosures for the pregnant females, so they could give birth. I wanted to make sure the construction was continuing at a swift pace, since we were running out of time.
We exited the tent together and I blinked, my breath hitching in surprise. From our tent, we could see the vast wild lands of Dakkar, though were situated at the back of the camp.
And right then, I saw over fifty pyrokis with their warriors riders, idling just outside the camp border. Before us, flanked by two warriors, was a tall, broad, bare-chested Dakkari male, with shoulder-length dark blonde hair—a color variation I’d never seen on a Dakkari. His eyes were light too, the circle of his irises gray.
He was handsome, I couldn’t help but notice, with strong, proud features, though his mouth was pressed in a serious, almost grim line.
Another Vorakkar, I realized, my lips parting.
I’d never seen another horde king, but there was no doubt in my mind, judging by the way this male carried himself, from his commanding presence to the scars that I saw drifting over his shoulder, that he too was a leader, just like my husband.
My suspicions were confirmed when Arokan stepped forward, a small grin playing on his lips. The two males clasped arms and greeted one another in Dakkari. When the blonde’s eyes came to me, Arokan stepped back and draped his hand over my hip and said, “Rei Morakkari.”
The blonde Vorakkar inclined his head to me, his eyes dropping to my growing belly, before going to the Ghertun burn at my shoulder. He looked at me, something going through his gaze, but said, in the universal tongue, though it was more accented than my husband’s, “It is an honor, Morakkari. I have heard tales of you throughout the hordes.”
His eyes returned to my husband.
“We were passing by on patrol. I wanted to pay my respects and offer my congratulations on your tassimara, though it was long ago.”
“Thank you,” Arokan said. “Stay for a meal. Your warriors and pyrokis can rest. There are matters we should discuss.”
About the Ghertun, I knew.
The blonde shook his head. “There will be time for that, but not now. I have also come to inform you that the Dothikkar requests his Vorakkars in Dothik.”
Arokan absorbed the news. “About the Ghertun?”
“Lysi,” the blonde said. “We do not come together often, but this is a matter of importance.”
Arokan inclined his head in confirmation. He looked at me and then asked, “When?”
“When the moon is full,” the Vorakkar replied.
In three weeks, I knew. I sighed silently. Arokan would be gone again, but I knew that it was inevitable. If the Dakkari king wished to gather his Vorakkars to discuss the Ghertun threat, then Arokan had to go. It was important.
I nodded at Arokan when he looked at me and he squeezed my hip. “I will be there,” my husband replied. His eyes tracked over the fifty pyrokis, just outside the camp and he asked, “Where are you heading?”
“A human settlement to the east,” the blonde replied and my head jerked to him. His gaze flashed to me. Carefully, he said, “The numbers of a kinnu herd grow dangerously low. We suspect hunting.”
Dread pooled in my stomach and I couldn’t help but say, “They only try to feed themselves. Before the cold season comes.”
“Even still, Morakkari,” the blonde Vorakkar said, “these are the laws of the Dothikkar. We must investigate.”
From the corner of my eye, I saw my brother appear, Mirari next to him. Lately, they had been inseparable, despite the rocky beginning of their friendship. And I was glad for them.
My brother held out his hands at his sides, as if to ask what was going on. I nodded at him, reassuring him, and the Vorakkar turned and saw him.
When the blonde turned back to regard me, I told him, “My brother and I came from a village, probably much like the one you will find on your journey. We only tried to survive and it was a hard life. We were desperate and hungry and foolish.” I felt Arokan’s gaze and it gave me strength to say, “Now, we live. We live a free life, a happy life, because of my husband’s mercy.”
The blonde Vorakkar absorbed my words. I didn’t know if they would have any effect, but I would try. I would always try.
“We only ever needed mercy,” I finished, hoping he understood what I was trying to tell him.
The blonde Vorakkar regarded me closely. His gaze was intense, as if he could see to my very bones. Arokan was the same way, quietly intelligent and observant. In the back of my mind, I wondered if all Vorakkars were like this.
Yes, I decided. They had to be.
The Vorakkar said, “I will think on your words, Morakkari. But I make no promises.”
“That’s all I ask.”
The Vorakkar inclined his head again, his gaze returning to Arokan, “We will take our leave.”
“Lik Kakkari srimea tei kirtja,” Arokan said.
I’d never heard the combination of those words before, but I thought they meant something like: may Kakkari watch over you.
“You as well, brother,” the blonde Vorakkar replied. His eyes met mine. “May Kakkari protect you all.”
Then he left, his two warriors flanking him. My breath hitched when I saw his back. Just like my husband’s, it had been stripped by the whip. I would never get used to the sight.
Then, we watched from outside our tent as the Vorakkar led his warriors on their pyrokis away, kicking up dust as they went.
Heading east.
“He is merciful, Luna,” Arokan murmured in my ear. “He is a good male. But just like all Vorakkars, he must be strong too.”
“You can be all three,” I told him, turning in his arms, looking into my husband’s eyes. “You are.”
Then he said something I didn’t expect. “Only because you have made me so. Only because you have made me a better male, a better Vorakkar.”
I smiled. “Then I have hope. Maybe he will go to that village and find his kassikari. Maybe he will have no choice but to be merciful and she will make him better for it.”
Arokan grinned, leaning his forehead down to touch mine.
“There is always hope, rei Morakkari. You have taught me that too.”