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Overlord I had come to believe who conquered the Kaban lands if
this is your thought.”
    He seemed to only
hear one part of her rant. “Explain yourself. Kaban has thrived under the
leadership of the Overlord and his Warlords.”
    She ran a shaky
hand through her hair and wondered if all of them could sense her frustration
and fear. Her dreams and plans would be for naught if the Overlord was correct
and this remaining warrior denied a bonding with her.
    She had planned to
offer an alliance but none of them seemed interested remotely in the idea. The
looks on their faces spoke volumes. Her heart sank and a twisting feeling
started in her gut. When the Kabanian Warlord Thenl came back in a month, he’d
want an answer to his proposed joining. If she refused, he’d force her hand
unless she procured a strong defense. A worthy, fearsome male who would put the
cocky Thenl in his place.
    Miki glanced down
to the last male she’d yet to awaken. People would fear him. Most important,
Thenl would fear him. Of that she had not doubt. His bulging muscles spoke to
his physical stamina. Raasa males and their lean bodies did not compare.
    Miki considered
the Raasa males who’d expressed sexual interest in her, but none of them
stirred heat in her loins. She came from a sensual race and the idea of
settling for less did not fill her with joy.
    “She will not
answer because she lies.” The Overlord wore a smug smile on his face and folded
his arms across his chest. His men grumbled and their faces darkened further if
possible.
    Miki decided at
that moment she did not like him. She didn’t care about the accolades he’d
received or the fact that his mother considered him worthy of saving. He was hapfe
dung and she glared hard to let him know her thoughts. His thin lips flattened.
    “Ashaya switched
the poisoned wine with a drug. She knew she could not defeat Thenl’s and
Dakar’s plan but her hope was to save you all.” Miki made sure to connect with
each of them. “The council decided you should burn in the courtyard for your
crimes with all to witness. The Overlord and his esteemed Warlords will not be
welcomed back in Kaban with opened arms.”
    One of the men
spat out a nasty curse she was sure in the Kaban language. Since she only spoke
a few words, Miki couldn’t translate but had a good idea of what was said. “I
agree.” She relaxed her posture and further explained. “With the help of
another, Ashaya hid you all here, intending to use sakar to wake you but by
then rumors flew rampant and the tide turned. More villages were discovered
destroyed and Thenl lay claim they were the work of the Overlord and his top
commanders. It seemed fitting to leave you in the deep sleep while she sought
another plan.” Miki paused to let them absorb the story. A story she’d read
enough times in Ashaya’s journal. “She died before having the chance.”
    “Blessed One have
mercy. How long woman? How long have we slept?” Finally, the Overlord asked the
most important question.
    “Three years have
passed. Years in which Kaban has fallen into war like times again.”
    They were stunned
and dismayed as Miki could very well imagine. Their years of battle wasted.

Chapter 3
     
    “Tell us again
what you offer?”
    Miki pressed her
arms around her middle. She realized she would have no greater opportunity to
convince him. Her words needed to convince them. Unfortunately, the
unrelenting frown on the Overlord’s face showed his lack of faith in her
answer.
    For the first
time, Miki considered the thought of failing. Dread curdled in her belly. If
these warriors refused to aid her and the Raasa, her people would present easy
pickings for the Kabanians. Thenl would come through and rule them with his
harsh ways. “I seek a warrior for a True Union. I am the head of the S’Apul
house. One hundred Raasa live under my family protection.”
    The Overlord ran a
finger across his lip, eyes narrowed and spoke softly. “We are no