Page 14 of Mated to the Alien Warlord

Startled, I looked up when two warriors appeared, greeting me respectfully. They were carrying a large bowl-shaped brazier and wood to light a fire for me.

"I hope you are well, my dear." My father stepped next to me, looking as tired as I felt.

"I am, thank you," I said, looking up at him and noticing wrinkles that hadn't been there the night before. "I'm sorry about your men."

He closed his eyes and took a deep breath; his losses were heavy lately. First his son, now his entire army.

"You do understand that it is more imperative now than ever that you please your new husband, Damaris?" he asked in a tone I wasn't used to. I had heard him talk to Adrian that way, but never me, and I wasn't sure if it pleased me that I had suddenly become more important in his estimations, or if I was hurt because I was used to being his little princess, his darling who could do no wrong.

Adrian had always teased me that he envied mine and our father's easy relationship that was not clouded by responsibilities and expectations. Where I in turn had confessed that I sometimes yearned for more obligations so our father would see me as more than his darling princess daughter, the one he spoiled with presents and affection.

Be careful what you wish for, my mom had always warned me, and I realized how wise she had been.

"I do, Father," I acknowledged.

"He seems to like you," he observed, wiping his neck. "That's good."

"I like him too," I said almost defiantly, not liking the idea that my father didn't seem concerned with this part of the relationship at all.

The warriors lit the fire, and I stretched my hands toward the flames, feeling colder than the chillier temperatures of the evening justified. I didn't like seeing my father like this, or how he treated me. It began after Adrian's death and had been becoming more impersonal as the days stretched on. It got even worse when he called me in to include me in his brilliant plan of circumventing Fionbyr's order to send troops to support his war against our khazar.

I will marry you to one of the khazar's warlords, he had said.This will guarantee peace for Steppenfort and a strong continuance for my bloodline. He hadn't asked what I thought about his plan, just as he wasn't asking me now how I felt about Vandor. Nor had he cared which warlord he was going to marry me to. Vandor had just been the one present.

Suddenly his eyes warmed though, and I almost recognized the man he had been before Adrian's death. "That's good, Damaris. I'm glad."

His words warmed my heart. Just like the knowledge that the man I had called father all my life was still there and hadn't entirely been replaced by a hardened king.

"This looks like a good spot," Gryck said, joining us and rubbing his hands over the fire. "It always takes me by surprise by how quickly it gets cold the moment the sun goes down."

"Hanging out in heated palaces and not on the back of a horse will do that to you," Vandor said as he joined us. The laughter in his voice taking the sting from his words.

"Trust me, I would much rather sit on the back of a horse than on this drycking throne of mine," Gryck agreed.

"We all have our burdens to carry," Vandor teased, stepping next to me and offering me a steaming plate of meat and roasted vegetables. "Mine just happen to be more beautiful than yours."

"Hear, hear." Gryck pulled out a flask and took a long drink. "I'll drink to that."

Even though I had never spent much time in the company of Thyres and didn't know these men very well, I felt as if I was part of a new family, and that notion warmed me just as much as the warm food going down my throat.

"Thank you." I smiled up at Vandor.

"Anything for a beautiful kallini." He winked and took a swig of the flask Gryck offered him.

"Aren't you eating?" I asked when I realized I was the only one filling their belly.

As if they had waited for my question, servants who were part of the train following the camp approached the men with trays loaded with food and drink.

"I was just faster than them," Vandor laughed.

The warm fire, the food, and the company revived my tired body a bit. Not much later, after we were done eating, Vandor asked, "Are you ready to retire, Damaris?"

A small jolt moved through me, anticipation mixed with fear, because I sensed that tonight Vandor would claim my body. An act I understood was necessary to seal our marriage and make it official. An act I heard and read about, but knew next to nothing of. An act I was equally curious and afraid of.

I rose on shaking legs and was grateful for Vandor's outstretched arm to hold on to.

"It has been a long day," I said with a wavering smile toward Gryck and my father.

"Good night, Lady Damaris." Gryck rose and took my hand to kiss it. "I'm more than thrilled to see my warlord has found such a great lady in you."

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