Twenty-One

Callath

After a whole day of horseback riding, a washdown was truly a blessing.

Callath was drying his hair off, thinking about what he had just prevented happening inside the Dralan's tent, when a muffled tapping on his tent caught his ear. He turned his head to his entrance and saw a vague silhouette he couldn't make out was standing on the other side. After only a moment of hesitation, he sauntered up and pulled the pelt to the side, towel still in hand, to see who was stopping by so late.

What met him was a nervous beauty.

Before him stood Bhria, the Mihrisa's personal Kischmir, the little female who had caught his attention a lot lately. She kept her head bowed down respectfully and had a little brown cloak thrown over her shoulders to ward of the night's cold. She looked beautiful even so, still in her Kischmir robes and bonnet. The fact that she hadn't changed for the night yet told Callath she didn't come here to offer him her body to keep him warm tonight.

"Kischmir," He therefore begun and couldn't help but feel how his lips twitched when she did at the sound of his voice. "Can I help you with something?" Like taking off your clothes... spreading your legs... bringing you pleasure all night long...

- Sleep was overrated anyway.

The little female nervously tipped on her feet but didn't look up. "I... I come here to speak on... on behalf of the Mihrisa."

He cocked a brow. "Seems you've been doing that a lot lately." He voiced and waited to see her response. She immediately flicked her eyes up to him and opened her mouth, but the words on her tongue froze as soon as her gaze involuntary dropped to his naked, exposed torso.

Callath smirked satisfied as the female blushed to a vivid crimson shade when she gazed upon his body, the one that could easily have matched the one of a Lathra. He had chosen to be a Kathmir to keep close to the Dralan to protect him, but to do that, he needed strength. That's why his physique was more pumped and chiseled than the average Kathmir - he trained daily.

And Bhria noticed.

"Come inside," He told her and shifted a little to the side to allow her passage inside his tent. "We can talk more privately in here."

By his invitation, the Kischmir froze up. Her eyes widened and she immediately shook her head as she stuttered a recline; "N-no, I, uh... can we not just talk... here, please?"

"The fact that you waited until nightfall and until everyone was asleep tells me that what you have to talk to me about should be done so discreetly and privately." Callath pointedly said. "Isn't that easier to do inside a tent where nobody might see you?"

To be totally honest, his motives were doubled-edged. He wanted to hear what he female had to say, but he also wanted to try his luck with her. She was so different from most of the other Kischmirs. She was so innocent in a way that had compelled him to sniff her vein that one time in the servant quartets, just to make sure she really wasn't a Mihr. Her scent had been impure, but Sweet Miss, it had gotten to him. It was so sweet and strawberryish, his teeth had watered just smelling her vein. He could only imagine what she tasted like between her legs.

- He wanted to sate his curiosity.

But for some reason, the female was so nervous around him. At times - like now - she even seemed scared, like the act of flirtation frightened her. He didn't get it. She wasn't a Mihr, so she had been intimate before. And by the smell of it, at least five times. At least. So why was she all skittish and shy around him?

All the more challenge, he thought as the female now nervously stepped inside his tent after some inner debates. She kept her eyes averted from his, though, and still seemed hesitant. She was lightly trembling and the scent coming from her told him she was genuinely frightened right now.

It made him frown. He didn't want that. She didn't meet his eyes as he closed the tent behind her and he had a feeling it was because he was shirtless. Did she think he was going to jump her because he was slightly undressed? There was no logic in that. Nevertheless, he had a feeling that was what she was thinking, so wanting to ease her mind, he walked up to his pallet, grabbed his shirt and pulled it on.

"So how can I help you, Kischmir?" He asked her once his head came out through the neck opening. He straightened his shirt out and then waited for her reply.

He noticed she eased up a tiny bit. Seeing him put on a shirt perhaps told her he wasn't going to try anything. And he wasn't. At least not the way she thought he would.

"I..." The female gulped nervously, but then spoke; "Like I said, I come on behalf of the Mihrisa. She doesn't know I-I'm here, but I feel I must bring this up to somebody. I can tell she's afraid to do it herself, so I--"

"So you thought you'd do it for her?" Callath finished for her and raised a brow. "What devotion."

She gulped nervously again. "She... she will need to feed soon again. S-she didn't finish her last feed--"

"Probably because it wasn't authorized."

Bhria froze up and sucked in a breath. She carefully bit her lip and anxiously fiddled with her cloak, but then met his eye. "I don't want to see anyone else get hurt again."

Callath crossed his arms. He couldn't figure this female out. Why was she so caring? So protective of the Mihrisa and everyone around her? That Kathmir, Ahrron... her concern for him had been genuine, just like it was now for her Mihrisa. Why did she care so much?

Callath looked down for a moment and thought deeply about what to do here. He slowly took a few steps back and forth while he weighed her words. "You're asking me... to keep an eye out for the Mihrisa and make sure she doesn't thirst?"

Bhria exhaled a shaky breath. "Y-yes."

"In other words, you're asking me to swoop in and feed her in case she collapses?"

The female looked down at the ground and budded her foot a little against a small stone. "If it comes down to it... y-yes. Please."

Callath now uncrossed his arms and slowly walked up to her. He noticed her body freeze up just as she raised her eyes up to look at him, fear inside them. But he didn't hold back this time. He came all way up to her and stopped only when he was standing right in front of her with only a few inches of air between them.

"Tell me something, female," He then quietly whispered to her, leaning down a bit, until she averted her eyes and nervously hyperventilated. "Do you like making people defy the Dralan's orders?"

Her breath now stopped. She clearly hadn't expected him to say that.

"That's right," He continued. "I saw you with your brother that evening. I know what you asked him to do. I know that he did it. Nothing gets past me inside the Dralan's castle. My job is to keep his home spy-free and keep his servants loyal. Are you loyal, Bhria?"

Bhria looked like she was going to faint. She wobbled on her feet and shook badly, dread washing off her body in thick waves. Callath ignored it. He needed to set this straight. She had chosen to come to him tonight and she was going to know the consequences of that choice. Of all her choices.

"I didn't tell him, you know," He then slowly said and drew a little away from her to look at her properly. "The Dralan. I didn't tell him of your defiance. I think we both know he'd remove you from the Mihrisa's side, and for some reason, she's grown fond of you. I can't blame her," He said and allowed a small smirk to lift to his lips. "But in any case, the Mihrisa needs to be kept happy, and if she loses you, that will surely upset her, don't you think?"

Bhria exhaled audibly. She thought she was out of the woods, the silly female. Oh, if she only knew.

"However, that doesn't grant you immunity for what you did," Callath told her and dominantly straightened himself. "Dealing with your disobedience is too trivial for the Dralan to concern himself with, especially now that we could be getting ourselves a Dralaq at last. So I've decided to take matters into my own hands."

Bhria nervously swallowed and croaked; "M-matters?"

Callath smiled satisfied to himself and then leaned down to the female who crimped away beneath him with a whimper. "Your punishment."

The Kischmir let out a small squeak. Pure fear exploded from her and made Callath scrunch his nose at the sharp scent. He didn't like that smell. What had he done? The pure mention of punishment scared her to death. Was she that much of a coward or was she simply scared what he might do to her?

"I haven't decided what your punishment should be yet," He therefore said, discreetly trying to ease her mind. It didn't seem to work. "Depending how well you behave..." He took a step back and then decided to circle her, walk behind her. Sweet Miss, she was so tiny, yet so appetizing. He wanted to rip that ridiculously unfitting Kischmir robe off her and see the curves that hid beneath it. "Depending on how, let's say... friendly you are around me..." He teased her and let his fingers trace feathery down her arm. Instantly, she whimpered and pulled away from his touch. What was with her?

"Please..." She whispered. She sounded so scared. "Let me leave, p-please."

Callath didn't get it. How had he threatened her? He had barely touched her and it scared her. She was acting silly. Any other female would've liked his harmless teasing, even felt jittery or started sending out that sweet, rose-fragranced smell of lust that made his cock harden in his pants. But not Bhria. She sent out the purest scent of fear and wanted nothing more than to run away from him.

Perhaps this was all too much for her right now, he thought. She hadn't been prepared. She probably just needed more time to adjust. That was fine. He could wait. The wait only made the chase so much better. He had longed for a challenge, a female who didn't just throw herself on his bed willingly and begged him to fuck her. No, he liked working for it. Seducing. Teasing. And eventually, Bhria would like it, too. It just took some getting used to.

"You can leave," He therefore softly told her. Bhria exhaled loudly and instantly snapped into motion, rushing to the tent opening. "But remember what I said," He warned her just as she was about to head out. She froze up. "Sooner or later, you'll have to take the punishment I give you. And you'll take it obediently. Now go."

The female stood frozen for two more seconds before she finally snapped and ran out. Callath heard her light footsteps and her frantic breath travel all across the patch of grass until it reached the Kischmir tent and disappeared as she went to bed.

Sooner or later, it would be his bed she would come running to.



Dohmenic

He woke up early before everyone else and instantly cocked his head to the side like he had done every morning since his Mihrisa came into his life; he saw her body inhale and exhale peacefully, still fast asleep. His own thereafter eased, the sight of her still lying safely besides him calming him. That was his first priority every morning - her still being there.

He carefully reached across the bed and lightly let his index finger smooth down her back, making goosebumps rise on her silky skin. Even though she was sleeping, she still got affected by him. Amazing.

- He would miss that. Hearing her gasp and watching her wide eyes stare up at him timidly, the look of not knowing what he would do to her next, shining on her innocent face.

He liked having her within arms-reach. That's where she belonged; Close to him - at least for now. In a few days, that could all change. Today he would meet the potential Dralaq and see what kind of female she was. A part of him, a dilatory part of him, wanted to never leave this bed and hoped this potential Dralaq wouldn't appease him.

But that was selfish of him. His people came first and if this potential female could become his Dralaq, then mate her he would. And impregnate her. Even if he would never feel what he felt for the female lying next to him right now, sleeping quietly.

Sighing deeply, the Dralan pulled the covers off and silently arose, pulled on his shirt and boots. He ran a hand through his tousled hair which was beginning to grow long. Vague stubbles also kissed his chin and jawline, but grooming would having to wait until they arrived in Amascahr.

Last night had been the proof of how that couldn't happen fast enough. If Callath hadn't showed up and pulled him away, he would've lost his control. He would've kissed her and then taken her to his bed, and then proceeded to do a lot of things to her that would ensure she wouldn't even be called a Mihrisa in her next life. Thank the Miss for Callath's interference.

Now as he grabbed his weapons-belt and stepped out of the tent, into the lukewarm morning air, he knew the quicker they came to Amascahr, the better; his Mihrisa would be safe, not only from the Mihr hunters, but from himself.

Across the patch of cleared grass, he saw Callath step out of his tent as well. The male ran a hand through his disheveled bedhair before kicking his feet into the boots he had under his arm. Once they were on, he looked up and found the Dralan looking at him and motioned for him to come closer. Callath immediately jogged across the grass.

"Have there been any disturbances during the night?" The Dralan asked his friend once he was standing in front of him. "Any unwelcomed visits?"

The male's lips twitched for some reason, but then his face grew serious as he spoke, "A couple of the Lathras caught a lonesome male traveling through, they told him to head another way. No threat there. A few hours after midnight, though, a group of Mihr hunters were stopped, just around the northern outskirts," He told and pointed in the direction. "They have been taken care of and burned. That's all."

The Dralan gritted his teeth but nodded satisfied. He didn't like the idea that they had been this close to his Mihrisa. He wanted to get moving. "Wake everyone up and get them packing. I want everyone ready to ride within half an hour."

"Yes, sire," Callath gave a brief bow and then ran off to awaken everyone. Soon, life started to stir and everywhere the Dralan looked, his people began rushing to pack up.

Good, he thought and let out a heavy sigh as he scoured the terrain for threats. The quicker the better.



Leyla

Leyla was back in the carriage with Bhria again. For some reason, the female was awfully quiet today and seemed oddly skittish. It looked like she had slept badly, but Leyla didn't ask. Not that she didn't care, she was just simply too out of it herself to find the words to comfort her.

She couldn't forget what she had discovered yesterday. She probably wasn't supposed to, it had been a slip on Callath's behalf. But now she knew and she would never forget.

Dohmenic. The birth-name that the old Dralan and Dralaq had given him the day he was born. It thundered through Leyla's head with the power that was woven within it. It was him, his inside; a name so strong and so honorable - authoritative and superior.

Leyla loved it, but what did it matter? After many hours of more bumpy traveling, they were now finally riding up to the city of Amascahr. The potential Dralaq would be there, awaiting him, ready to make him fall for her, because what female wouldn't want to mate the Dralan? It secured ultimate protection for the rest of your life, and in a world as dangerous as the one they lived in, protection was everything.

That, and blood.

While Leyla didn't mind the two precious things that she craved as well, they weren't any part of why she wanted to stay close to the Dralan; she felt a bond with him. A bond she couldn't explain. It rendered her breathless in his presence and somehow always giddy - fidgeting. She never wanted to let him down, she always wanted to prove herself worthy of his company.

And now, despite her best efforts, she was being replaced.

Sighing deeply in agony, Leyla glanced out of the window and now saw that they were riding into the city of Amascahr. In minutes they would be there. They would meet the potential Dralaq and then that would be it; The Dralan would be smitten. She would have everything he could possibly want; pure blood, status, wealth and beauty. What chance did Leyla have? None. She was competing without requirements she would never have - not that she was even a competitor in the first place, of course. She was just... a Bahk who happened to be untouched and therefore of use to him.

But not for much longer.

The city of Amascahr was beautiful. The people of the city all rushed to the streets to see all them come riding through, there to meet their potential Dralaq. Some Bahks even fell to their knees in tears of joy from seeing their Dralan, his mere presence a promise of their safety. His worshippers called his name and prayed his good fortune, begged him to keep them alive. They even stretched their necks to get a glance at Leyla, to see the female that provided him with blood and life. The one who kept him alive - his Mihrisa.

It made Leyla shy. She therefore leaned back into the carriage and hid away from all the curious stares and decided to do the same as Bhria; sit nervously in silence, fidgeting until the carriage stopped.

Far too soon, it did. Leyla didn't dare look out in fear of what she might see. She heard guards shuffling around, orders being shouted.

Then, the locks on the door rattled. Leyla and Bhria's eyes met, both looking panicked, though Leyla couldn't fathom what Bhria had to be scared of. Perhaps she should have asked the female what her bothers were.

However, the door to the carriage now got unlocked and opened, and declared that the time for questions was thereby over. Leyla nervously gulped when the steps were folded out and Callath's faithful hand reached out steadily to help her out. Pulling her shawl tighter around her arms, Leyla carefully took it and stepped out, blinking harshly in the bright light that met her.

They were in a courtyard of some kind of old fort. The Dralan's Lathras were posted all around their group, keeping everyone who wasn't a part of their staff away. Curious Bahks stretched their necks to look, but Leyla only shyly covered her face with her shawl. The sun in Amascahr was much harsher than in Draylth, the southern weather being warmer as well. The breeze was soft, but salty, indicating they were close to the sea. How close? Leyla wondered.

Faintly behind her, Leyla heard Bhria squeak as Callath helped her out of the carriage as well. Leyla's nose caught a whiff of a scent that was gone too soon for her to pin down, but for a second there, she thought it had been lust. But the sea breeze wafted it away before she could be certain or even determine who it came from.

Just as Leyla's heart started to steady into a normal beat, calmed by the smell of sea - a smell so familiar from her hometown of Eralthdruth - it immediately accelerated as she now laid eyes on the Dralan who was dismounting his horse, handing the reigns to one of his Lathras. He grabbed his weapons from his horse satchel and attached them to his belt, then turned around gracefully and yet lethally at the same time, instantly looking at her as if sensing her gaze. His eyes were dark and had an undertone of lust, but they only held their attention on her for one moment before they flipped to a male now coming down the grand steps to the entrance of the gray-stoned fort.

The male seemed to be in his late age. His hair was graying and whitening in places - thinning out completely on the top, leaving only a crown of hair to circulate his head. His robes were a deep ocean blue color that emphasized wealth; the fabric was flawless and the design was expensive. He was clearly a male who had made his fortune well.

"Your majesty," The male humbly spoke, bowing deeply and respectfully once he was at the foot of the stairs - at the foot of the Dralan. "I most humbly welcome his highness and his highness's troops to my fort - it is an absolute honor to have you as our guest."

The Dralan nodded curtly. In the less than five minutes he had been there, Leyla instantly felt as if he owned the place. This male - whoever he was - was no longer the master of his fort; the Dralan was. His superiority and power exuded from his being, reminded all who ever had even the lightest percentage of doubt of why he was their Dralan.

"Lord Amasgohn," The Dralan sturdily spoke in his deep voice, watching the male before him with a stern, authoritative glance. "I accept your hospitality and your ability to offer it on such short notice. You have my gratitude."

Lord Amasgohn - who in Leyla's mind had to be the Lord of Amaschar - now bowed deeply to the Dralan again and then extended his hand to his home.

"Please, my lord. It is our pleasure. Let me invite you all inside, I am sure his Highness has had a long journey."

"Indeed. My Lathras will need to rest and my staff will need to be affiliated with your kitchen."

"Of course," Lord Amasgohn respectfully bowed his head. "I will have my head Kathmir see to that all the arrangements are dealt with and will be fulfilled to his majesty's pleasure."

The Dralan gave another curt nod, then turned his head and signaled to Callath who then nodded dutifully and extended his hand to Leyla. She lowered her head and accepted the Kathmir's hand and then proceeded to let him lead her inside, trailing after the Dralan who was being accompanied by Lord Amasgohn. Behind her, Leyla sensed Bhria quietly following after them, keeping the required distance between them of ten feet.

Leyla was fizzling with anxiousness. As they stepped inside the grand foyer, she knew that the moment she had been dreading was not long away now. In moments, her world would end and the Dralan's would begin. No matter how hard she tried to prep herself for it and remind her heart to take it easy, nothing worked.

Lord Amasgohn led the Dralan to the foot of the winding stairs in the grand foyer, where - if Leyla dared lift her eyes a little more - she was sure the potential Dralaq awaited, along with the rest of her family. By now, Leyla had caught on so much that she felt it was safe to presume Lord Amasgohn was the father of the potential Dralaq - a daughter that no doubt had the same fine manners and robes as he did.

Leyla pressed her lips tightly together to suppress the pathetic sob that wanted to escape them. She felt so mediocre. Had it not been for The Blithesome Miss showing her the path to the Dralan's castle, she would never have seen the inside of such a rich building. She would never have worn the threads she was now, nor would she have been in the company of the wealthy, powerful males she was with now. This whole thing was so new to her, so foreign. She didn't belong.

"My lord," The Lord Amasgohn now said, just as they all stopped up. Leyla sensed the presence of another female, simply because the tension in the room just went from mellow to through the roof. The foyer became dead silent as lord Amasgohn continued, speaking up to address the room, but mostly the Dralan. "Allow me to introduce you to my eldest daughter and your cause for traveling all this bothersome way..."

Leyla didn't dare look up or even tilt sideways to glance beyond the Dralan's broad frame to get a peak of the female who now stepped forward, if the clicking of expensive heels were any indicator. She couldn't handle seeing the moment where the Dralan would forget all about her and be enthralled by this new Mihrisa before him. Oh, but she wanted to see her - wanted to lay eyes on the female who was as innocent as herself, but currently her biggest enemy.

"I humbly give you," Lord Amasgohn said, just as Leyla couldn't fight the urge any longer and looked up; "The Lady and Mihrisa, Kahtrina."

***

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See you in the next chapter!
- Karin

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