Read Honor Bound for Free Online

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warriors. We represent the top Warlords in our region. If what you say holds
truth, many of our friends and family may have gone to the Hills with the
Blessed One.”
    Miki’s heart
dipped. She hadn’t considered the impact on all of them. They appeared
accepting of what she told them. A few of them listened to her in disbelief but
the rest carried the same neutral expression as this one.
    “I am sorry.” Her
regret meant nothing but her sympathy compelled her to speak. “Peace has not
come as they promised. Thenl and Dakar boasted of a time when mothers would no
longer mourn the loss of sons. Instead, their treachery ruined all that was
done and there are skirmishes and battles daily. Raasa has been caught in the
middle.”
    Another Warlord
spoke up. “Did none stand up to the hapfe dung?”
    Miki’s snicker
caught her off-guard. “I wish they had. Or perhaps Thenl silenced their
complaints. It is true that things held together for a brief period, but the
death of so many created distrust and fear. Having no one to blame forced
others to question Thenl. The Kaban Council did not give any help nor did they
control Thenl who quickly rallied the warriors to his side during the turmoil.
Soon the agreement with the Desani fell through.”
    She witnessed some
of them wince and couldn’t blame them. The tentative alliance had been years in
the making. It would have been the first of its kind. “Now he seeks to join
with me and convince the Raasa to support his cause against the Desani.”
    “If what you say
is true, you will pick another.” He moved a large blunt finger in a circular
motion to include the others around him.
    ‘Pick another?’
She liked her choice enough of the sleeping man in front of her. As the last to
awaken, he’d have no choice. The others looked none to eager to accept his
offer but as true warriors, they would not protest. “Including you?” she asked
for spite.
    His glare spoke
volumes. “As you see, we would not suit. I believe a woman should know and
accept her place.”
    Miki hissed in
annoyance. “I want this one.” Besides, as fearsome as they all looked, the more
she studied the male on the ground the more she wanted him.
    “You. Will.
Choose. Another.” He grit out. The harsh order was accompanied by the flexing
of his fist.
    Miki could not let
fear overcome her. A look on the other warriors’ faces expressed a sincere
desire that she not choose them. The range of horror and disappointment could
not be feigned.
    “No offense but I
don’t like any of you. A True Union is for life to a Raasa and I will not curse
myself to a loveless bond with a man I don’t like. Not even for my people.” The
one holding his sword had the grace to look away. “I want youngling and the
making of such should be a joyous activity for both parties.”
     This brought on a
wave of grimaces and frowns from all of them. Were they all like this? She
hadn’t interacted much with many Kabanians but they had to be the stiffest
bunch of males she’d ever been around. Miki forged on. “This Warlord here has
the mark of battle about him.” While there were no scars and wounds to mar his
body, the small lines at the corner of his eyes and mouth could not be missed.
They spoke of life lived hard. Even with his long curled eyelashes to distract.
    The Overlord
smashed his fist into the palm of his hand at her answer. Miki jumped. A small
argument broke out among them. Miki watched with interest, unable to understand
a word. Finally, they reached some sort of consensus. The leader looked as if
something distasteful filled his mouth. She held her breath.
    “You will present
your offer but it will be up to him to accept or decline.” He leaned forward a
step in her direction using his body to intimidate. He was very successful and
Miki flinched from his next words. “The moment you seek to betray him or us, I
will kill you, Raasa.”
    “Why should I
agree? If he refuses, I am left with nothing after