Page 5 of Lich's Mate

“You belong to us now,” he says.

I feel a sharp pain, the head of a dagger or a knife clearly jutting slightly into my back.

“I told you not to damage the breeder!”

“The bitch can take it,” Yarne says.

I feel the pressure on my back lessen, a thud telling me Yarne was probably pushed off of me.

I struggle to stand to my feet, my wrists still bound.

“We’ve got plans for you, little human,” the other xaphan says, a wicked grin on his face.

And I’m nudged forward into a caravan of other women, looking back toward the ruins of my villain.

2

KAVIAN

Zelos spits blood out of his mouth and onto the ground.

My arms fall to my sides as my fingers still rub against the hilt of my swords.

Old scars litter my torso. My shadow tendrils retreat from Zelos’ body, back into my skin.

“You sparred me as if I wronged you deeply,” he remarks, groaning as he drops his sword with a clatter. “Good practice. You’ve learned well.”

“You’re the best weapons master I’ve ever known,” I say simply. “But I do not show mercy to anyone. You know this.”

He chuckles, dusting himself off.

“That I do,” Zelos says, shaking his head. “You loosened one of my teeth, you bastard.”

“You have others,” I retort, dropping my swords as well.

He just nods, scowling. If I didn’t know him better, I might think he was actually mad.

“Come. Let’s drink. I have some ideas on how to exterminate those vile xaphans from our continent once and for all.”

Zelos cracks his jaw and sighs loudly.

“Kavian, when are you going to accept that the xaphans exist all over the damned world? You can’t escape those creatures. You might as well accept their presence.”

“No.”

I glare at him, dissatisfied with his defeatist response.

“The xaphans don’t belong on Ikoth. This is our home. Our territory. And we’re letting the enemy live here and do whatever they please, but we can’t do the same on New Solas.”

Zelos shrugs. “That was what the truce entailed.”

“I won’t accept it.”

I shake my head, leading the way to the kitchen where my servants work.

With one nod, they move out of the way so I can fetch a drink for Zelos.

“Doesn’t it enrage you, Zelos? That these disgusting bastards have invaded our home and have amassed wealth for themselves with no work at all?”

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