Lacey's Warriors (Bondmates #6) - Ann Mayburn Page 0,26
makes something bad or good. Before the Great Sorrow, it was celebrated when a Matriarch possessed the gift of soul pain. In the right hands, the gift is a great tool for order and justice, a way to punish without death. Roxy is an honorable woman, a Warrior who shed blood to protect the innocent. The Lord of Life was wise in giving her this gift. It will certainly enhance their odds of winning, and that is the only thing that matters right now.”
“But others will fear her,” Nosa said. “It will give her enemies fuel to cause dissent.”
Gwarnon shrugged. “They may, but having the dreshentah gives us a great tactical advantage. None of Roxy’s potential opponents have any idea about what she can do. We know that Lacey and Roxy will be pitted against humanoids of a similar size and physical prowess, but other than that, their abilities are a mystery.”
Cormac knelt next to Roxy, his voice heavy with emotion as he said, “You should only use this gift as a last resort.”
Watching her closely, Nosa said, “It would help if we were fully bonded. The bondmarks she will bear are visible proof that the Lord of Life blessed our union. It would make it harder for her enemies to use her abilities against her.”
Gwarnon shook his head. “No, you cannot bond her until after the Baladium.”
Nosa snapped, his teeth bared in anger as he snarled, “You would dare try to forbid us from bonding? On what grounds?”
Gwarnon held up his hands as he backed away from the enraged male. “Easy, Warrior. I forbid you nothing. It is in Lady Roxy’s best interest to wait. If she fights in the Baladium as a Matriarch, she will be subjected to stiff fines and punishments by the Kadothian High Congress. They could even try to ban her from her Territory. You know there are Council members itching to have a reason to make a negative example of an Earth Matriarch. Most will understand the circumstances, but some are threatened by the Earth Matriarchs and the power they possess. However, if Roxy is still a bride when she fights, then she is breaking no laws. The ruling by the High Congress to forbids Kadothian Warriors and Matriarchs from participating in the games. It says nothing about brides.”
“Clever,” Chel said with a small smile before he gave Gwarnon a brief but heated kiss.
Pressing his lips firmly against his blood brother’s, Gwarnon was getting ready to deepen the kiss when a pleasurable but shocking sensation roared through him, something akin to plunging into a cold ocean on a hot day. Surprise, adrenaline, and the ability to breathe all became scrambled in his mind as his soul rejoiced.
“What is that?” Chel whispered as he drew back, his hands clenching Gwarnon’s shoulders for support.
Gwarnon cleared his throat. “If you will excuse us, Lacey is going into transition.”
Chel’s chiseled jaw fell open, and blinding happiness and profound relief filled Gwarnon, compounding his own joy until he thought he might burst with it. “You got our kiss?”
“I did. It was so quick, I was unsure if she absorbed enough of my blood. Unfortunately, just as we began to kiss, Lady Roxy’s attacks came through our bond. As I thought you were in mortal danger, I left.”
Roxy dipped her head with a wince. “Sorry again about that.”
Gripping Gwarnon’s shoulders tightly, Chel said, “Tell me what happened.”
“We were training and bickering as usual. Lacey managed to get me on my back. I used my new knowledge of the human female anatomy and made sure I worked her clit with my hips.”
“She responded well?” Chel asked in a worried voice.
“Yes,” Gwarnon said with a no doubt very satisfied smile. “She allowed me to caress her. I took Lord Rell’s advice, and I waited until the moment of her orgasm to kiss her.”
“Well done,” Chel said with a beaming smile. “Well done, indeed.”
Gwarnon smiled back, pride and relief singing through his blood as he shared his love with his brother through their bond. Warm, glowing, their joy mingled and blended together, creating a peace inside of him better than anything he’d ever felt. Then, suddenly, there was another presence with them. Soft, feminine, but also strong and deep as the mighty Alialulin River that surged through Northern Continent.
Astonishment came from Lacey’s spirit a moment before their souls brushed together, their essence mixing into the beginnings of a true bond. For two glorious heartbeats, he had the chance to fully embrace Lacey’s soul