Captive of the Horde King (Horde Kings Of Dakkar #1) - Zoey Draven Page 0,82

Corner to Groomer.

However, we were interrupted when I heard, “Morakkari.”

I turned to see one of my guards at the fence enclosure.

“Lysi?” I asked, straightened.

“The Vorakkar requests your presence,” he said, tilting his head towards the front of the camp, where Arokan often held his meetings with his chosen council.

I nodded, saying goodbye to Jriva, and followed my guard through the camp. I nodded and smiled at members who greeted me and soon, my guard brought me to the large tent I’d barged into when I thought Arokan was with another female.

“He waits inside,” the guard said, taking post outside the entrance.

I nodded, eyeing the group of pyrokis that had carried their warriors in the scouting party. They must’ve returned already, though they’d been a long distance away when I’d first seen them.

Their riders must be inside, I thought.

Arokan just probably wanted to inform me that we would be leaving soon, to prepare me for what was to come.

So, with a deep breath, I ducked into the tent.

As my eyes adjusted to the darkened space, I gave a small smile when I saw Arokan, warmth infusing my chest, as it always did. He was regarding me with a careful expression, studying me, in Vorakkar mode, as I liked to refer to it as.

Five warriors were also in the tent, looking tired from their journey, though they inclined their heads in respect when I entered.

“What is it?” I asked Arokan. “Have you found—”

Shock made me freeze when Arokan stepped aside, revealing someone behind him, someone I had not seen when I first entered.

A hundred different emotions raced through my body when I saw someone I’d never thought to see again.

“Kivan,” I breathed.

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Kivan was there, standing next to Arokan.

My brother.

“H-how?” I breathed, feeling my legs tremble with the overwhelming emotions of relief and love and happiness.

Kivan gave me a tired, hesitant smile. He was dirty, his clothes worn. He looked as though he’d lost weight, his face gaunt.

“Kivan,” I murmured, tears springing into my eyes before I rushed my brother and wrapped my arms around him. Though he was five years younger than I was, he still dwarfed me.

“Hi, Luna,” he whispered in my ear, bending low so that his cold cheek was pressed against mine. “Are you alright?”

“Yes,” I said, still stunned, hardly daring to believe that this moment was real. “Yes. Are you?”

I pulled back to study him more and my chest tightened as I did. The weeks and weeks I’d been gone had not been good to him. He’d suffered. Not just physically. I saw the strain in his eyes.

My eyes went to Arokan, who was standing a respectful distance away. In a low voice, I heard him dismiss the horde warriors who, I realized, had brought my brother here. That was why they hadn’t come from the south.

Arokan had tasked them with this, despite the risk it posed.

With that knowledge, I felt perhaps the last part of my heart binding itself to him. Affection and respect and love filled my breast.

He’d done this for me.

His yellow-rimmed eyes came to me once the warriors departed, until it was just the three of us in the tent.

“I have offered your brother a place in this horde,” Arokan told me.

My lips parted, my eyes widening.

“He knows my terms,” my husband said, his expression still careful. “He has not yet told me he will accept my offer, but perhaps after speaking with you, rei Morakkari, he will. I will leave you to speak.”

I caught my husband’s arm before he ducked out of the tent. I squeezed his forearm, holding his gaze, as I whispered, “Thank you.”

He inclined his head. I knew there would be much to discuss with him later, but right now, I needed to make sure my brother was alright.

“There will be guards posted outside,” Arokan told me, though it was perhaps more for my brother’s ears than mine. My horde king didn’t trust my brother. Not yet.

Hopefully in time, he would.

I nodded and then he left, leaving me alone with Kivan.

I immediately embraced my brother again before cupping his face in my hands, inspecting him.

“I can’t believe you’re here,” I whispered, tears tracking down my cheeks.

He frowned, reaching out to trace them. “I’ve never seen you cry before, Luna.”

I laughed, though it sounded slightly hysterical. “I’m happy. So happy that you’re here. I’ve thought about you so much. You’re always on my mind.”

“You’re always on mine,” Kivan said, though his shoulders dropped. He closed his eyes for a long