She saw my look and nodded once. Then she said softly with strained calm and more than a little fear, “Yes, he could do that, Circe.” She paused before finishing, “And, he could order yours.”
“Oh my God,” I whispered.
“That’s a good idea, my friend, pray to your God. I fear you will need Him right now,” she whispered back and I saw fear had saturated her eyes and her hands were shaking.
Yep, I’d seriously f**ked up.
The tent flaps slapped opened, my eyes snapped in that direction to see the warriors tense then step aside and then Lahn bent and entered.
I stopped breathing.
Bain, Zahnin and Seerim followed him but I only had eyes for Lahn.
I took him in, trying to read him but his face was blank as he took four steps toward me, stopped and crossed his arms on his chest. He was watching me the whole time but giving nothing away.
When he stopped moving he kept watching me.
I didn’t know if I should bow before him, ask him if I could explain, plead for my life (and Bain and Zahnin’s) or burst into the terrified tears that threatened to singe my throat.
So I just sat there, staring up at him.
This lasted awhile.
Then he turned his head and jerked a chin at Diandra which I didn’t know what that meant until he immediately turned back to me and started talking.
Diandra, catching his drift, translated.
“My tigress, it seems, unsheathes more than her claws.”
Oh f**k. I didn’t think that was a good start.
I felt it prudent to stay silent.
Lahn spoke. “You drew a warrior’s blood, my queen.”
I pressed my lips together and stayed quiet.
“You were the second woman today to draw his blood. He caught steel from his wife before you.”
The wound in his shoulder. She fought back.
There was something tragically beautiful about that.
I didn’t share this with Lahn. I kept my mouth shut.
He stared at me. I withstood it and kept my peace.
Then he said softly with Diandra interpreting, “I see it, even from here, shining in your eyes.”
I sucked in a breath that I dearly needed and ventured softly, “Linay tela?” See what?
“Your spirit, my warrior queen,” he replied just as softly using my language.
Okay, was that good?
He kept talking softy but reverted to Korwahk with Diandra translating.
“I have passed judgment, my tigress, and it will not be a decision you will like. But I am your king and it is my ruling so it will be done.”