Captive of the Horde King (Horde Kings Of Dakkar #1) - Zoey Draven Page 0,58

informed him, wiping my forearm over my brow.

The news seemed to displease him but he didn’t argue with me. Instead he said, “Lysi, Morakkari.”

We walked the short distance back to my tent, my two assigned guards trailing behind us, and I wiped my feet at the entrance before turning to the piki. “You can go for the day and wash and rest. If I need you, I’ll send for you.”

Mirari shook her head and said, “We will help you wash.”

“I can bathe myself,” I told her, reaching out to touch her shoulder. “Go.”

Hesitantly, Mirari inclined her head, addressed Lavi in Dakkari, and then turned and left.

My bath from that morning was still inside the tent, though the water was cool. I undressed and slid inside, sighing. The cold water actually felt good after sweating in that pen and I scrubbed myself thoroughly before stepping out and dressing in my pants and tunic.

Not a moment afterwards, one of the guards called out, “Morakkari.”

“Lysi?” I called out, frowning.

The tent flap pushed in, but it wasn’t my scarred guard that came through the entrance.

It was Hukan.

I straightened, still frowning. What was she doing here?

“Morakkari,” she greeted, her tone careful. “I have come to check on your markings.”

I blinked, my eyes straying to my uncovered wrists. I didn’t trust that was why she came, but I knew I couldn’t turn her away. She was Arokan’s family, had very likely saved his life when he was a boy.

I nodded and she approached, reaching out her hands to clasp my wrists, peering down at them closely, turning me this way and that way.

“Human flesh is delicate, I see,” she commented.

My lips pressed together but wisely stayed silent.

She glanced up at me, the green ring of her eyes contracting as she studied me. Arokan didn’t look anything like her, except for the black color of their hair. Arokan’s skin was darker, more golden, and his features were broad and masculine.

“It was foolish what you did yesterday,” she murmured.

I gritted my teeth and tugged my wrists from her grip. “I already know that. I knew that the moment I saw your face in the crowd,” I admitted to her.

“I do not particular care for you,” Hukan said.

I huffed out a laugh. “I hadn’t guessed.”

“However, Arokan does, for whatever reason,” she continued, her lips twisting in an expression of distaste.

I looked at her, surprised. “Why did you come here, Hukan? Really? And don’t say to check my markings because we both know that’s a lie.”

“I came to give you advice.”

Shaking my head, I said, “Arokan already spoke to me about what—”

“You have a big heart,” she said, which made my brow furrow in further surprise. However, the way she said it made it seem like an insult, not a compliment. “You wished to save his life. But that big heart will not win over any Dakkari, especially in regards to a Ghertun.”

Inhaling a sharp breath, I said, “Arokan told me what happened. To his father and his mother. Your sister.”

Hukan’s eyes flashed.

“I’m sorry,” I said. “And you’re right, what I did yesterday was foolish. I understand that now. A guard was injured because of me and I may have lost the respect of the horde.”

“You were not born to lead,” she said, twisting that knife in my chest. “Arokan was. He was born for this. He must make the ugly decisions that no one else wants to make. He needs a strong queen at his side, who brings strength, not failure, to the horde.”

“I realize that,” I said slowly, holding her gaze.

“I can help you get back to your village.”

My breath left me. Stunned, I whispered, “What?”

“I can arrange a guide for you, to take you there,” Hukan said, her jawline as hard as stone. “You will only drag him down. The best decision is if you left and never came back.”

Disbelief and anger made my tongue knot.

“You must leave right now though,” Hukan continued. “I can distract the guards. You can meet my guide in the forest. You can be back in your village this very night.”

“Get out,” I rasped.

“Neffar?” Hukan asked, surprised. “I am offering you what you want. Take it. You can leave before Arokan returns from the hunt.”

“I said get out,” I repeated, my tone low.

Her eyes narrowed.

“I don’t care what you think of me,” I said. “But one thing you should know is that I never go back on my word. I promised myself to Arokan and it’s a promise I intend to keep.