Page 59 of Mated to the Alien Warlord

"At least drink something," Alahna fixed me a grog, and I took it, hoping the hot drink would revive some of my wits and body.

Murtagh stirred, and I rocked him gently, giving him a kiss on his forehead and said, "Poor baby. He's already been battle baptized, he's such a good baby."

"Battle? Who were you battling?" Chrissy demanded with an excitement in her face and posture that seemed out of place.

Despite my curiosity about her coming from Earth, I explained, "Khazar Gryck released laws to give human towns more autonomy, and two warlords rebelled against him because of it. Well, that was their formal excuse anyway. We just spent months fighting them."

"The khazar fought his warlords for the humans?" Chrissy asked in disbelief.

I nodded, still rocking Murtagh. "Yes, it cost him, but he wants all his denizens to be happy and equal, humans and Thyres alike."

I looked up at her and added, "Really, we're all Thyres. None of us have ever been to Earth. My parents and grandparents were born here."

Chrissy looked thoughtful, and since her questions seemed to have stopped for the time being, Alahna offered again, "If you would like to take a bath now, I will order to have some clothes brought to you."

"Yes, that would be very nice," I answered truthfully and gratefully for her tactfulness. I must have looked a mess. Most of the wagon train had been destroyed during the battle and there had been no clean clothes available which meant I had been stuck in my tattered outfit.

"I can hold him if you would like some privacy," Alahna offered.

I liked her, and I knew that Murtagh would be safe with her, yet I was reluctant to part with my son, no matter how much I longed to step into the tub and relax. "He needs a bath as much as I do but thank you," I declined, happy to have a good excuse.

I closed the door behind me, placed Murtagh on a stack of towels, and undressed before taking his clothing off him. I carefully stepped into the tub with the baby in my arms and sighed in delight when the warm water lapped around me, taking not only all the dirt and grime off me, but relaxing my sore muscles.

Murtagh seemed to like the water as much as I did. His little lips opened and curved, and he let out a small sound that sounded like a giggle.

From behind the closed door, I heard voices, but they were too muffled for me to understand their meaning, so I tuned them out and just reveled in the tub.

Unfortunately, my curiosity over what Alahna and Chrissy were discussing in the other room as their voices ebbed and rose in what sounded like an animated discussion didn't allow me to stay in the tub for as long as I would have liked.

At some point, Alahna knocked and partially opened the door, dropping some clothes in without looking in my direction.

"Thank you," I said and stepped out of the bath drying Murtagh first and then myself.

Alahna had even brought swaddling and clothing for Murtagh and my appreciation for Alahna grew as I put on a warm, soft dress that felt luxurious on my body.

I stepped out of the bathroom and heard Chrissy say, "I'll talk to your warlords and khazar then." I gave Ahlana a questioning look, but she shook her head at me and seemed so excited that I just followed her and Chrissy unquestioningly.

"Let's go to the great hall then. I'm sure that's where the men will be," Alahna said as she rushed out of the room.

Something must have happened during their discussion; I could almost feel the excitement in the air. Well, Alahna's excitement, Chrissy seemed more subdued. Determined for something but reserved.

We entered the great hall, where my eyes instantly searched for Vandor, who rose from his seat when we entered and rushed to my side.

"You are a sight for sore eyes. Did you take a nice bath? How is my son? Everything alright?" He peppered me with questions, but by the hard set of his jaw, I guessed the men must have also discussed something that had upset him.

After the last few months we had, I wondered what that could possibly be when we had just been victorious, but I held my questions back, realizing something was at play here that I didn't understand.

Just then, my attention was diverted by Kendryx anyway as he approached Chrissy in the same manner as Vandor had approached me, and Brogan had Alahna.

"I'm Warlord Kendryx of Dokkymburg. Do you need assistance, lady…"

"Chrissy," Alahna introduced.

"Colonel Christina McGuire," Chrissy corrected with an icy expression. She was taller than Alahna and me; still, Kendryx dwarfed her.

"It's an honor to meet you, my lady," Kendryx said, bowing, offering a smile so charming it nearly took my breath away. I just spent months with this warlord, but I had never seen him smile like this. He must have been quite smitten with the woman who claimed to be from Earth.

"Chrissy would like to talk to you," Alahna announced, glaring at Kendryx as if warning him off, raising my curiosity even higher. So far, she had been nothing but pleasant. A bit stiff with Chrissy maybe, but warm and nice to me.

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