The Lion Soul by Amy Sumida

Chapter Twenty

Kaelen tried to hustle me through the crowd, I assumed he was taking me to a safer location that was as far away from his queen as possible, but lions are predators and, even with one of their own, they knew how to corner their prey.

“Lion Lord, it's so good to have you home,” a man said as he stepped into our path.

“Thank you.” Kaelen tried to ease around him but another man was suddenly there to block him.

“We're about to partake in some puira, would you care to indulge?” This new man, a slim blond with hair so fine that strands drifted around him every time he moved, looked Kaelen up and down as if he knew exactly what lay beneath his clothes.

“You know I don't smoke puira, Lord Betheal.” Kaelen stepped a little in front of me, his gaze shifting to either side as more men circled us.

I got the distinct impression that we were about to be attacked, and I was glad that Kaelen hadn't asked me to leave my swords behind this time.

“I thought perhaps after fighting monsters, you might have changed your mind,” Lord Betheal said. “And what's with the proper title? Are we not friends anymore, Kae?”

“You implied otherwise, last we met,” Kaelen said shortly.

I looked back and forth between them. Interesting. Apparently, this man was an ex-lover of Kaelen's. This didn't shock or worry me; I expected Kaelen to have several ex-lovers. He was far too handsome to have been celibate. Besides, if they were ex-lovers, it was for a reason.

“Oh, now, that was said in the heat of the moment.” Lord Betheal pouted. “Let's put that behind us. We were so close for so long, we shouldn't cast that sort of history away so carelessly.”

Kaelen glanced at me, and I stared back serenely. I honestly didn't care how long Kaelen had been with this man. They had separated at the end, which meant that he wasn't Kaelen's mate. That was all I needed to know. Kae grinned at me, sensing my thoughts even though I remained silent, and I grinned back, loving that he was getting to know me that well.

“Sure, Beth,” Kae said to the man while slowly dragging his gaze away from me. “It's forgotten. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'd like to get my valorian a drink.”

“Oh, but we were hoping for an introduction.” A brunette who was even brawnier than Kaelen stepped up to us. He leered at me and held out his glass. “You can have some of my drink, Valorian. I don't mind sharing.”

Kaelen pushed the man's glass back toward him. “I mind, Lord Rix. I never share, do you understand me?” Kaelen's voice dropped into a growl. “Now, I'm going to do you a kindness and quickly introduce the Lion Valorian to you so we can move on. Because if you make your usual clumsy attempts at flirting, I will be the least of your worries.” He went around the circle of men, pointing at each one as he rattled off their names to me. Then he tried to step away.

“The least of my worries?” Lord Rix asked with a chuckle. He eyed the swords hanging from my belt. “Oh, yes, I heard you mention something about the Lion Valorian's prowess. But you can't possibly be implying that he's a better warrior than you?” He reached out again.

I watched Lord Rix's hand move toward my swords out of the corner of my eye; I'd been sweeping my stare around the circle of men. Because I saw it peripherally, I acted on instinct. No warrior touches another warrior's sword without asking; that is the highest of insults and considered an act of aggression. So, I reacted appropriately.

Smoothly, I tilted my hip away, taking my swords out of Rix's reach as I simultaneously grabbed his wrist. Faeries leapt back in shock as I twisted the man's arm and flat-palmed his chest, sending the big faerie flying backward to land sprawled on the floor with the contents of his glass soaking his tunic. It took less than two seconds for me to strike, then straighten back into my relaxed position, as if nothing had happened.

“I will forgive your insolence this once,” I declared into the silence that had swept the entire room. “But attempt to touch my weapons again, and I will sever the hand that reaches for them.”

Lord Rix remained prone for one second before shoving up to his feet in an impressive, arching maneuver. He snarled, “Accepted.”

I lifted a brow at Kaelen.

“You offered him physical harm, and he has taken it as an invitation to fight,” Kaelen explained.

The other courtiers backed up to give us room, their expressions gleeful and bloodthirsty.

I grunted. This behavior didn't surprise me at all; it was precisely how warriors at the court of Emperor Hensaki behaved. Honor was very important to us and if a slight was offered, it was responded to swiftly and violently. Of course, the Emperor's courtiers never looked so delighted when his warriors fought in their midst.

“If you're going to fight, you will do so where I can watch,” the Queen's voice shot over the crowd.

Kaelen groaned and then whispered to me, “Are you sure you want to do this? You can't use your swords; it's either fists or claws.”

“Will there be consequences if I hurt this man?”

Kaelen chuckled. “No, just try not to kill him. That could be inconvenient.”

I grinned. “We'll see.”

Kaelen laughed brightly, making Lord Rix growl, and led me back before the dais. The Queen's lovers were sitting up now, watching my approach with interest instead of wariness. The Lions in the room prowled closer, and those on the dais lifted their great heads and watched me as if I had finally done something interesting.

A space was cleared before the dais, the courtiers drawing back to form a nearly impenetrable wall. No one protested the fact that I, their newest warrior, had been offered offense and now had to fight for my honor. And I liked that. A man's honor was his business and his responsibility. I also liked that Kaelen had complete faith in my ability to handle this without his help. I unbuckled my sword belt, rolled the leather around the enameled sheaths, and handed the bundle to Kaelen as if giving him my firstborn child. He accepted them with just as much ceremony and stepped back.

“Sit with me, Lion Lord,” Queen Vervain said with a pat on the cushion beside her.

Kaelen nodded to me, then went to sit beside his queen.

I turned to face Lord Rix. The man had the swagger and confidence of his size. I would have assumed that he had no training, but the way he had vaulted to his feet earlier made me suspect otherwise. I wouldn't underestimate him. I took one step forward, made a fist with one hand, clasped it with the other, and bowed—the honor given an opponent.

Lord Rix scowled at this, cracked his neck, and charged.

I stepped aside, my new strength making it into a nearly vertical leap. As Rix tumbled forward, I came down on his back, running down his spine to land behind him. I spun on the ball of my foot and turned into a kick, hitting him in the ass right when he was trying to rise. He shot forward and cracked his face into the stone step of the dais. With a howl of fury, Lord Rix pushed to his feet and turned toward me, blood gushing from his nose.

“Blood has been drawn,” the Queen declared. “The challenge is—”

Rix roared over the Queen's voice and barreled toward me again. This time, he grabbed my wrist. I twisted away, turning my wrist and bringing it down to break his hold, then elbowed him in the ribs. As the court cheered, Rix snarled, spun about faster than I expected, and nearly landed a blow. I dropped into a roll at the last second and came up into a crouch, staying there to determine Rix's next move.

“Stop!” the Queen shouted.

Rix grimaced, swung his head like a beast, then bowed to the Queen.

“How dare you continue the fight while I declared it over!” Queen Vervain roared as she descended the dais.

Kaelen came down behind her like an honor guard, his expression grim.

“My humble apologies, Your Majesty,” Rix said, the fury leaving his eyes to be replaced by fear. “I was in the heat of battle.”

“I don't care if you were in the heat of a good fuck, Rix. If I speak, you will listen, and you will fucking obey!”

Rix dropped to his knees and bared his throat.

The Queen drew her nails across his throat as she leaned down to say, “Begone from my sight, you cretin. You will not return to court until I summon you.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.” Lord Rix stood and, with a flushed face, strode out of the room.

I stood up at last and bowed to the Queen as she approached me.

“You conducted yourself with grace, honor, and the power of a true Lion, Lord Rieyu,” the Queen declared.

The court roared as if cheering, even those in Sidhe form.

“I am most pleased and humbled by the Goddess's generosity in bringing us such a warrior,” she went on.

I hoped that her pleasure didn't vanish once Kaelen told her what else I was in addition to a great warrior.

“Thank you, Your Majesty,” I said as I inclined my head.

“If any of my courtiers give you further issue, feel free to kill them,” she said blithely, then turned and ascended the dais to her throne.