Siege (The Warrior Chronicles, #5) - K.F. Breene Page 0,96

big cat, invisible to the Gift even if she’d had it. She scratched his head and then his ears before bending down to hug his neck. “We did it.” She sighed in relief as tears came to her eyes.

“The people helped.” Cayan looked up at the rooftops. “This victory will be talked about. It’s the beginning. This land will take back its freedom, starting with this battle.”

25

“I hear Sonson won,” Cayan said as they made their way to a large patch of grass in the city park.

Shanti threaded her hands through Cayan’s as they passed the drawbridge, still raised with the gates locked. Two days had gone by since their victory, and while no one had tried to get in, there were still Graygual hiding inside the city that were trying to get out.

“The competition is not over yet. I catch up to his numbers a bit more every day.”

Shanti let her walk sway, bumping into Cayan’s big arm. He took his hand out of hers and draped it over her shoulder. “The people are in awe of Sanders. They’d heard stories of him already—the Inkna hate him, after all. They got to see him in action.”

“He’s still…messed up from being tortured. I think this will help a little. The weed does, anyway.”

Cayan stopped them and turned Shanti toward him. She closed her eyes as his fingertips slid across the bottom of her jaw, tilting her face up to him. His lips were warm and full, opening hers. His tongue flitted in playfully. All too soon flirty turned passionate, his hands coming around her with need. He backed off as heat kindled in his blue eyes and burnt through his body. “Marry me, mesasha. Say you will.”

Shanti couldn’t take her eyes away from his. She felt light and giddy, but she didn’t feel like giving in just yet.

She shrugged a shoulder. “How can I consent to giving you my hand? You haven’t fought Kallon for permission yet.”

The fire sparked, a different kind of heat. His dimples etched his handsome face as he smiled. “You want me to prove my dominance, is that it? He mentioned that the women fighters of your land make men prove their worth.”

She tried to keep the surprise out of her expression. His smile brightened, and she felt it through her body. How annoying.

“C’mon, I’ll go make a man of him right now.” Cayan looped his arm around her shoulder again.

“He’s harder than you think. You are technically better, but he has a stupid amount of patience.”

“I have patience, too, mesasha. I have to with you.”

“I’m nothing compared to him.”

They found Kallon amid a large group of people. Shumas, Shadow, and a bunch from the Westwood Lands created a circle. Around them stood people from the city, watching a little sport or possibly curious about the prowess of these new people.

As Cayan walked through the circle, Kallon said, “I will be using my power, Captain.”

“Weapons, or hand to hand?” Cayan asked as he gently directed Shanti to the sidelines.

“I’ll take it easy on you—hand to hand.” Kallon didn’t smile, but his eyes sparkled. Maybe he was loosening up a little.

Leilius, Gracas, and Xavier crept out of the bushes and blended into the crowd. Cayan tied back his hair, and Kallon did the same.

The two men squared off. One was lithe and graceful, as were most of Shanti’s people; the other was tough and brawny, as were many of Cayan’s. Hands stayed at their sides. Shanti felt her mirrored power start to burn, then rise, playing with its mate, asking Shanti to do the same.

She refrained from connecting with Cayan, making sure not to steer his power. This had to be one on one. It was only fair, and was really the only way Kallon had a chance.

“Cayan will still win,” Rohnan said next to her.

“Probably, but without someone to help direct his Gift, Cayan is nearly useless with it.”

“Not useless. He takes everyone down, not just his opponent.”

“He’ll do it,” Xavier said, pushing another Shumas out of the way so he could sit next to Shanti.

“Xavier, you might get blasted with power up here,” Shanti chided.

Xavier held up the weed. “I’m good. I want to see this fight. I want to pick up on some tricks.”

Shanti’s power lurched in her chest. Cayan’s body flexed suddenly, head to toe, his muscles straining his shirt. Then Kallon was moving, hands and feet lightning fast. He kicked, hitting Cayan in the upper thigh, and then struck. Cayan dodged the