Page 26 of Lacey's Warriors

She pointed at Gwarnon. “Exactly.” Chel removed the crown from her head, and she let out a long breath of relief. “Thanks.”

Nodding, Chel ran his fingers gently over her scalp, massaging lightly. “We understand your reasoning. Though I am as eager as my brother, I agree that I would not want to approach the Lord of Life with such thoughts crowding my mind.”

Relief flickered on Gwarnon’s face as he relaxed slightly. “This is true. Coming before the Lord of Life, asking for his blessing with such darkness in your heart, is not a good idea.”

Rubbing his lips over her forehead, Gwarnon said, “Come, let us get something to eat, and we will discuss how to best serve your people.”

Chapter 8

Gwarnon

Sitting back from the table, Gwarnon shifted in his chair, the intelligent surface massaging the tension out of his lower back.

If only it could do the same for his mind.

Logically, he knew that Lacey was correct and more than entitled to put off their bonding ceremony as long as she needed to. But his wounded mind and heart couldn’t help but wonder if she really did intend to bond them or not. Lady Roxy bonded her mates as soon as she could after the Baladium, an offer that was open to Lacey as well. But she’d turned it down then, saying she needed to focus on the fight ahead.

Watching her standing next to Chel while looking at the intelligent wall and its data, his heart constricted and he prayed with all of his might to the Lord of Life that she wouldn’t back out.

She must have sensed his thoughts or felt his gaze because she looked over her shoulder at him, a questioning tilt to one raised brow.

He merely shook his head with a smile, sending her a mental and emotional response letting her know he was fine.

She blew him a kiss before returning her attention to Chel and one of their men, Orushel, who was both a highly decorated Negotiator and a fellow spy for Lord Rell. Older than both Chel and Gwarnon, Orushel had deep auburn hair that turned silver at the tips and skin as pale as a cream fruit. Shorter than most Kadothian males, many had mistaken his small stature for weakness. Despite the size difference, Orushel was one of the strongest males Gwarnon knew, both mentally and physically.

Anxiety spiked through the bond from Lacey’s side and Gwarnon turned his attention to where hisalyahstood with her fists on her hips. She’d changed from the earlier gown into a pair of loose fitting deep emerald trousers that slit up the sides to her upper thighs, and a short tunic that left a slice of her lean, muscled midriff visible. She’d draped a long, shimmering chain of pale blue ocean diamonds around her waist, a visible display of her Baladium winnings that Baladium protocol demanded.

He liked the way the end of the chain hung down over her inner hip, the large glowing blue diamond at the end of the chain swaying close to her pubic mound as she shifted her stance with a growl.

“I don’t care if they’re criminals, I’m not executing anyone,” Lacey said as she tried to stare down Orushel, something next to impossible to do.

“My Lady,” Orushel said in a reasonable voice, “surely you must agree that placing these monsters next to innocent people and letting them run amuck is not a good idea. Can you imagine what would happen if we resettled a Kromer next to a Viitti hamlet?”

Lacey went silent for a moment, no doubt accessing their crystal implant. A minute went by, then shock and disgust hit their bond as she learned the horror of what would happen if a Kromer was resettled next to a Viitti hamlet. Nausea started to ooze through their bond, and Gwarnon quickly shut his side down as Chel urged Lacey to put her hands on her knees and take a deep breath.

She waved Chel away with a frown, her skin as pale as Orushel’s. “Okay, that would be bad, but what do we do? Killing someone in battle is one thing, executing them is something else entirely. Isn’t there some way we can separate the criminals from the innocent? I mean, I know the Baladium receives these people as tribute from their members, and some of them are fucking psychopaths, but surely there are some good people as well, right? I mean, some of these people are kids. Hell, there are a few eggs as well—there are literally unborn babies as part of my winnings. That’s fucked up on so many levels. I want those kids returned to their parents as soon as possible. No mother should be without her baby.”

The anguish coming from Lacey was so strong in that moment that it pushed past his mental shields like they were sugar candy trying to dam up a raging ice river.

An instant later, the sensation was gone, and Lacey avoided his mental questions as she listened to Orushel’s reply.

“My Lady, you are right, no child should be without a proper parent. Unfortunately, it is not as simple as returning them to their home worlds. In some cases, the family willingly sold the child and do not want them back. Others have been raised from birth to be slaves and know no other life. And, in a few cases, their home worlds are currently at war and are unsafe for any living creature.”

Chel slipped his arm around Lacey’s shoulders, giving her comfort as she released a bitter sigh. “This is all so fucking complicated.”

“Doing the right thing often is.” Gwarnon sent reassurance to her through their bond.

“If you will permit it, my Lady.” Orushel gave a small bow in her direction. “My men and I would be honored to take on this task for you. If you will give us but a few hours, I am sure we will be able to come up with a plan of action that you will find acceptable.”

The bright smile she gave him had the older man blushing. “Thank you so much. I really appreciate it.”

“Of course,” Orushel blinked as if momentarily stunned. “Thank you for your trust.”

After Orushel left, Lacey gave a huge yawn, then rubbed her face. “This has been the longest day ever.”

Gwarnon could sense her exhaustion as he rose from the table to join them, drawing Lacey and Chel into the circle of his arms. Contentment, soul deep and powerful, rolled through him as they quietly embraced each other, the feeling of loving and being loved flowing between them like an endless river. He opened himself to that potent flow, his wounded soul soaking up the affection like it was a healing balm.

Cuddling into both of her men, Lacey made a satisfied sound that made him smile. “I love this. I love you.”

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