The Overlord's Heir Read Online Free PDF Page B

“He said I was foolish to expect pleasure from the act.”
         Settling back
into the covers, Miki snorted at the familiar words. “I should have Vaan speak
with him.”
         “He says the
Overlord explained to him but that I must accept he is Kabanian.”
         When tears
welled in Assa’s eye, Miki sympathized. She reached out and gripped Assa’s
hands. “It will work out.”
         Her friend
smiled tremulously. “You should rest. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
         Miki wanted
say more but sleep overcame her.

Chapter 5
     
         Vaan wished
he could retire early to his room. The journey to Kaban had been a long one.
Several hours of traveling through desolate lands had given him plenty of time
to worry. Leaving Mikayla behind concerned him more than it should for such a
short trip. Before their mating, he’d traveled constantly, rarely spending more
than a few days at his home. Now, he could not imagine such.
         Warriors and
a few Warlords alike met him with loud cheers the moment they spotted him
crossing the compound on hapfe back. Guards stood at attention and raised their
large broadswords hilt up and blade down in the classic sign of surrender.
          Ramar, Merik
and Eatan sat up straighter in the saddle, their heads nodding at the familiar
faces in the courtyard. Every few feet, Vaan stopped to accept well wishes and
salutes from fellow Kabanians. Once he dismounted, it took him almost an hour
to make it to the hall and through the milling crowd. When he entered through the
massive double doors of his former home, the servants smiled broadly.
          Pride surged
in his chest. He’d built this place through blood and battle into a strong
fortress. Stone walls soared above with a ceiling designed to repel fire
attacks. Tapestries depicting hard fought battles of his ancestors graced the
walls. Richly appointed furniture fit for a King in the Galip blue and silver remained
the way he’d left it. Vaan lingered in the entry way, absorbing the emotions
coursing through him until his Warlords shuffled their feet behind him.
         Slowly, Vaan entered
the room where his life had changed three years ago. The central hall bustled
with activity as the compound overflowed with visitors and warriors alike in
residence to witness Vaan’s return. Anger, betrayal and guilt tugged at his
chest. The death of Thenl and Dakar tempered some of his anger but it left Vaan
no outlet for the betrayal he’d suffered at their hands. His mother’s death
still cut deep and he’d never got to thank her. She’d saved his life and that
of his best Warlords when they were falsely accused of murder.
          “All hail
the Overlord.”
          “All hail
the Overlord.”
          Heads bowed,
men and women dropped to one knee around him. Honor stood well in Vaan’s stead.
Thenl’s treachery could not touch all that Vaan had worked for. Glory and hard
fought loyalty maintained Kaban’s respect for his authority.
          The moment
of enjoyment was short lived though. After his initial pleasure at being home,
the evening dragged on. Tonight’s festivities were a celebration of sorts for
Vaan’s return and to pay homage to him as Overlord. He sat in the throne-like
chair he’d loved at one time and listened as Kabanians swore fealty to him once
more. After Thenl’s rule, they expressed gratitude at Vaan’s resurrection. Vaan
tried to pay attention but the noise in the central hall made it difficult to
hear anything other than roars of pleasure and the stomping of feet when
servants brought out more wine.
         Each time
Vaan sought to go to bed, someone distracted him. Glancing around, Vaan watched
Eatan’s head fall forward then jerk back when raucous laughter exploded nearby.
The Warlord’s mug of wine stayed full thanks to an enthusiastic greeting from
warriors formerly under his command.
         Ramar and
Merik disappeared not long ago, each with a woman