Born of Fury

CHAPTER 29

Sumi gasped at the last thing she’d ever expected to hear. And by the look on Dancer’s face, she knew he was equally as shocked. “Dariana’s pregnant?”

“How?” Dancer growled at the same time Fain cursed under his breath.

Their grandmother sighed heavily. “It’s Keris’s child. Dariana had the DNA test run already because she knew I would require it. Apparently, she was artificially inseminated almost three months ago.”

Sumi couldn’t believe it.

Fadima curled her lip in distaste. “Darice confessed that she never intended unification. She was planning to tell you of her pregnancy during Disclosure and reject you again.”

Sumi seethed with the news. Before his entire family. What a whore!

His jaw ticcing, Fain crossed his arms over his chest. “How does Darice know?”

Fadima answered. “Dariana went home in a fury after Sumi challenged her. So much so, that once Darice overheard her ranting to a friend about her intentions, he left immediately to stay with our yaya. He wants no part of Dariana’s dishonorable conduct and is ashamed to call her mother. He will not go home until she does right by you.”

Dancer looked as sick as Sumi felt. “I never meant to cause friction between mother and son.”

“This isn’t on you, kiran,” Fain said. “For once, Darice is honoring his War Hauk lineage with his behavior. While he should normally back his mother, she is bleeding his father’s family. No child should be forced to choose one lineage over another. And he knows that had she done the right thing, you would be his father now. She had no legitimate reason to deprive either of you of that relationship. That level of selfishness is not Andarion.”

Fadima nodded in agreement. “He’s right. Dariana has callously and wrongfully used Darice, and now this new baby, to secure a bloodline and title for herself and her progeny while denying you what is rightfully yours. Because your mother has refused repeatedly to act to protect you, Dariana has kept you with your hands tied for far too long.”

“Wait,” Sumi interrupted then, as she tried to understand what they were implying. “Are you saying that the bitch was planning to keep Dancer tied to her without unification? Forever?”

Angry, his grandmother nodded gravely. “That’s how it appears.”

Sumi cursed. “I can’t wait to have her in front of me so that I can beat her down like she deserves.”

His grandmother laughed as she stared proudly at Sumi. “Spoken like a true Andarion female. Dariana is hoping the knowledge of her condition will weaken your human resolve, and that you’ll take mercy on her in the fight.”

Yeah, right. “She couldn’t be more wrong, and she seriously overestimates my love of others. I would never harm a child, and I won’t be striking her stomach. The rest of her, however, is all mine and I plan to drag her around that arena by her hair until she begs me for mercy.”

A sharp gasp drew their attention to the doorway, where a tiny woman with auburn hair and gold eyes stood with her infant daughter cradled to her shoulder. Her face was absolutely ashen. “Sorry,” she said quickly. “I am human and forget how human I am compared to the family I married into. I didn’t mean to offend you, but ow! The sheer harshness of that last statement hit me very unexpectedly.”

Sumi turned her furious glower to what must be Nykyrian’s wife. Yes, it was harsh, but she wasn’t about to back down. Not for Dariana and all the years of cruelty she’d shoved down Dancer’s throat. “You haven’t seen the deep scars on Dancer’s back that bitch has callously given him, for no other reason than to publicly hurt and humiliate him, when he’s done nothing to deserve them. Her pregnancy will keep me from killing her, but it won’t spare her my wroth.”

Kiara blanched even more. “The claw marks? Is she the one who gave them to him?”

Sumi nodded.

A steel anger descended over Kiara’s face. “Then I hope you beat the snot out of her.”

Sumi liked this woman immediately. Thia was right. Her stepmother was a good woman.

Against Andarion custom, Dancer’s grandmother pulled Sumi in for a tight hug, then she kissed each of her cheeks in turn. “I could not be prouder of you, grastiya, had I birthed you.” Releasing Sumi, she smiled at Dancer. “You have done well for yourself, prie yeyonon. I cannot wait to paint our heritage on her beautiful face for you.”

Dancer struck his heart with his right hand. “Thank you, Yaya. You greatly honor us both.” His eyes were filled with mirth as he turned Sumi toward Kiara. “I should probably introduce you two. Kiara Quiakides, this is Sumi… eton Anatole.”

Kiara smiled warmly in greeting. “And having blindly stumbled into this conversation at probably the worst possible time, I can see why my mother-in-law adopted you. You’re just like her, and that’s not a bad thing. I adore Cairistiona with my whole heart. And it is a pleasure to meet you, Sumi.” She adjusted the baby in her arms until the little girl, who was dressed in a frilly pink tutu, was sitting up, staring at them. “And this our daughter Zarina.”

Sumi’s jaw went slack at the sight of the adorable Andarion infant. She had a mass of black curls around her head, and her skin was the same caramel color of Dancer’s. Thia was right, her white-and-red eyes were a little strange at first, but once she smiled and her dimples came out, they faded into the background. “She’s absolutely beautiful.”

“Would you like to hold her?”

Sumi hesitated as fear tightened her stomach. “I’ve never held a baby that size before. I would hate to hurt her.”

Kiara laughed. “What was it Jayne said to me right after Adron was born…? Oh yeah, don’t panic if you drop it. They’re remarkably hard to kill.”

Sumi gasped at something that sounded just like the Jayne Dancer and Thia had told her about. “No, she didn’t.”

“Yes, yes, she did. You’ve got to love Jayne’s take on things.” Kiara gently placed Zarina into Sumi’s arms and showed her how to support her back. “And speaking of babies, I haven’t had a chance to thank you for bringing Thia back to us.” Tears welled in Kiara’s soft amber-gold eyes. “I would be devastated if anything ever happened to my oldest daughter. And I know if not for you and what you did, we’d be planning her funeral. Thank you so much.” She kissed Sumi’s cheek.

“I’m glad I was able to do it. Thia is a remarkable young woman. Scary, but remarkable.”

Kiara laughed. “She is her father’s daughter. And his shining pride and joy. Just like this one.”

Sumi watched as Zarina wrapped her little hand around her finger. She saw the differences between a human baby hand and Zarina’s tiny claws, but they were soft and almost gel-like. Nowhere near as sharp – yet – as a human infant’s fingernails. And to think, Omira had been afraid of an Andarion baby clawing its way out of her stomach. Really, there was next to no difference between them from what Sumi could tell.

Squealing suddenly, Zarina leaned forward and started gumming Sumi’s chin. She wrinkled her nose at the odd, wet sensation.

“Oh my goodness. Sorry. She’s teething and has been latching on to everything around her.”

“It’s fine. Just unexpected.”

But not nearly as much as Zarina sighing and then placing her tiny head on Sumi’s shoulder before she wrapped her arms around her neck. She melted instantly. Closing her eyes, she savored the sweetness of that single action and the complete love and trust Zarina gave her.

What she wouldn’t give to have a house full of such preciousness.

Hauk’s gut wrenched at the look on Sumi’s face as she held Zarina against her. He could tell she was thinking of her own daughter, and it made him sick that they hadn’t been able to find Kalea yet. But what infuriated him was that she’d been deprived of holding her child at this age. Deprived of watching Kalea learn to walk and talk and do all the special things that marked the early years of a child’s life.

Damn you, Kyr. And damn The League his own ancestor had set up.

By the gods, he wouldn’t let her miss another year of her daughter’s life. Not for anything.

Wishing he could go back and protect them both from The League’s callous dictates, and her boyfriend who’d tried to kill them both, he drew Sumi into a hug and smiled down at them. He wanted to say something, but knew no words could ease the pain he saw in her eyes.

Nothing would, except the return of her daughter.

“She is a cute little toe-biter, isn’t she?” Fain asked as he made faces at Zarina and got her smiling and squealing again.

Sumi laughed at his comment. “She is truly precious.”

His grandmother smiled at them. “It’s been a long, long time since I’ve been so close to a baby. Yours is especially strong and beautiful, Highness.”

Kiara blushed. “Thank you, Ger Tarra War Hauk.”

“Please, call me Corinne.” She bowed respectfully. “Might I have the honor of touching your daughter, Highness?”

“Kiara, please. And yes. It would be my honor for you to touch her and honor her with the strength of the mighty War Hauk clan.”

Sumi carefully handed her to Dancer’s grandmother. A warm, loving smile lit her entire face.

“What a sweet, sweet thing you are, Princess,” his grandmother said in a high falsetto. “I was never blessed with a daughter, only exquisite sons. But had I been so honored by the gods, I cannot imagine she would have been lovelier than you.” She placed her hand on Fadima’s cheek. “But the gods were kind and made it up to me with the strong, beautiful granddaughters who well complement my strong, handsome grandsons.”

Her kindness brought tears to Sumi’s eyes. No wonder Dancer loved his grandmother so.

Fadima inclined her head to her grandmother. “Thank you, Yaya.”

“And as much as I hate to set this precious child aside, I fear we have serious business to attend.”

“I understand. Thank you for honoring my daughter.” Kiara took Zarina back. “Shahara and Desideria would also like to help Sumi train. Desideria is Qillaq, and Shahara is a Gondarion Seax. While they are human, they are some of the best fighters of our species.”

Fadima grinned. “I gladly accept their aid. The Qills have tactics very similar to ours, and a Seax has special sword maneuvers Dariana won’t see coming. I’ve trained with them before. They are quite accomplished… for humans.” Her eyes danced with humor to let Sumi and Kiara know it wasn’t a real dig at their species.

She turned to Dancer and reached out her hand.

Fury darkened his eyes as he visibly tensed.

But instead of pinching his cheek, she brushed her thumb against his temple.

“I am glad to see you well settled, cousin. Out of all our rowdy kin, you were always the one closest to my heart.”

Dancer placed his hand over hers. “You shame me, Dimie.”

“How so? I meant no insult.”

He pulled her hand to place it over his heart. “The shame isn’t on your actions, but mine. I spoke ill of you on your arrival. For that I sincerely apologize.”

She laughed good-naturedly. “I am sure, given the way I’ve shown my affections toward you in the past, that whatever you said was highly warranted and fully deserved. No offense is taken by me.” She touched her forehead to his. “And have no fear, even though the beauty of your face tempts me terribly, I won’t pinch your cheeks.”

He growled low in his throat. “I hate that so much.”

Stepping back, Fadima winked at Sumi. “It’s not just that he’s so handsome that made me do that growing up. His name means of beautiful cheeks in Andarion. It seemed fitting that I should pinch them to remind him.”

Sumi smiled. “He didn’t tell me that.”

When his grandmother started to lead them to train, Dancer stopped them.

“Yaya, before you take her to the gym, may I show her to the conservatory? She hasn’t been there yet, and I would like the pleasure of seeing her face the first time she views it.”

Sumi was touched by his question and especially this much quieter and more tender part of her fierce warrior. Thia had been right. There were two very distinct sides to Dancer. The ferocious War Hauk who took mercy on no one – who went in with both blasters at max settings and wreaked all manner of havoc on his enemies – and the precious Dancer who tempered his actions and sarcasm for those he loved and cherished.

And then there was the lover and protector she knew. A whole other beast entirely, and yet it was comprised of those two very different facets of what he showed to the world. The only difference was that for her, he dropped those shields and she saw the raw vulnerability in his heart that no one else was ever privy to.

She, alone, was trusted with his true feelings. Only she knew what really hurt him. And she would never cause him harm.

Taking her arm, his grandmother led her down the long hallway. “The conservatory was always my favorite room. Dancer’s paran had it built for me to celebrate the birth of his father. Unlike my husband, I grew up on a remote outpost where we had such vegetation that you could walk for days and not see another Andarion. When I came here to marry his paran, I missed my home terribly. So he created this room to simulate what I loved most… besides him and our sons.” She stopped to open a door.

Dancer moved forward so that he was facing her.

Sumi sucked her breath in sharply the moment the door slid open to show the most amazing room she’d ever beheld. At least a thousand square feet, it was like walking into a perfectly groomed jungle and park, all in one. The botanist in her sang out loud at the sight.

“Oh my goodness!” She rushed to the first small pond that housed fish and aquatic plants she’d never seen before. Not even in catalogues. Even the columns of the room held pockets of herbs in them. There were birds and butterflies. Other small flying creatures she’d need to look up to identify.

This… this was her idea of heaven. Giddy, she ran around until she came to a corner where a long table was set and everyone had gathered this morning.

Suddenly horrified by her childish behavior, she pulled up short. “Sorry. I didn’t realize anyone was here.”

Dancer came up behind her. “Don’t be embarrassed, mia. The expression on your face when that door opened will live forever in my heart. I’m so glad my home pleases you.”

Unable to contain the joy and love that overwhelmed her, she pulled him into her arms and held him close. “Thank you for bringing me here. It’s absolutely stunning!”

Hauk closed his eyes and buried his hand in her soft blond hair. His entire body craved her now. So much so that it was hard to not scoop her up in his arms and carry her back to their bedroom. He couldn’t wait to get everyone out of his house so that he’d have unrestricted time with his brave little mouse.

“Is it just me,” Caillen said. “Or does Hauk’s hulking ass make her look so tiny that it’s a wonder he doesn’t snap her in half?”

With an irritable growl, Hauk pulled back to glare at him. In fact, everyone was glaring at him.

“What?” he asked innocently. “Like the rest of you weren’t thinking the same thing. He’s huge. She’s not.”

Syn yanked the muffin out of Caillen’s hands. “Case it’s escaped your notice, fat ass. You and Desideria have a larger height and weight ratio differential than Hauk and Sumi.”

“Hell no, we don’t… do we?”

“Yes, sweetie,” Desideria said with a laugh as she adjusted her slumbering daughter in her lap. “I know you’re nowhere near as tall as Hauk, but you’re well over a foot taller than me and he’s only a few inches taller than Sumi… and if you say anything about my weight, you’ll be sleeping at one of your sisters’ homes from now until the Qillaq moons explode.”

Caillen rolled his eyes. “What is it with women and their weight? Gah! You’re pregnant, Ria. You’re not supposed to fit into your pre-pregnancy pants right now. Not that I care, one way or the other… Woman, you are perfect in my eyes. I married a sexy, hot warrior, not a number on a scale. Or this mutant life form you’re convinced inhabits your body until you put on your makeup. How many times do I have to say it before you actually believe me?”

Desideria passed a satisfied smirk to Shahara. “You asked me why I love your brother? That’s a biggie right there. You trained him right.”

Caillen grinned, then belched.

Groaning, Shahara rolled her eyes before she gave Desideria a long, hard stare. “You were saying?”

“He’s a work in progress.” Desideria handed her daughter to Caillen. “Try not to teach her any bad habits over the next hour.” She got up. “And speaking of training, we have serious work to do to get Sumi ready for her match.”

Shahara handed Devyn to Syn. “I’m not even going to say don’t do it. I already know better. I don’t know what’s worse. What Devyn learns from you or from Vik.”

Vik snorted. “I’m not the one who sits on the couch and scratches his —”

“Vik!” Syn snapped. “You know Eleron wants to feed you to the garbage disposal, right? You keep that up and I’ll green-light her.”

Laughing at them, Devyn bounced in his father’s lap.

Shahara paused beside Dancer. “Are you staying with the guys or following us?”

“You. I want to make sure that Sumi knows what to expect. But before we go…” Dancer headed to the small brunette who quietly held the tiniest baby Sumi had ever seen. He kissed the woman’s cheek before he knelt down next to her so that he could peer at the newborn. “Hey, Cezar, it’s a pleasure meeting the little guy who made Daddy lose all of his mind. You almost got his ass whipped by two Andarions and a Phrixian.”

An attractive reddish-brown-haired man sitting across from her and next to Maris laughed. Like Zarya, he cradled a baby boy in his lap, who was a few months older.

Dancer flashed a grin before he held his hand out toward Sumi. “Zarya Cruel,” he inclined his head to the man who’d laughed, “Ture Xans-Sulle, meet my Sumi.”

Good gracious. How many more people make up his family? It wasn’t fair. She had no one for him to meet at all. He really did come with his own army of people.

Nervous all over again, she approached them slowly. “Hi.”

Zarya handed her son off to Dancer so that she could stand and give her a hug. She patted Sumi on the back before she withdrew and held both of her hands in hers. “I know that look on your face. I had it less than a year ago, myself.” She tilted her head to Ture. “As did my best friend when he joined us. But the good news is, we all love you because Hauk loves you. And if you need anything at all, we are your family now. All you have to do is call us and we’re there.”

Tears welled up in her eyes. “Thank you.”

Like a proud father, Dancer brought Cezar over to them. He was so tiny he fit easily into Dancer’s palm. “Would you like to hold him?”

She made a face at the thought. “He’s awful little.”

Zarya laughed. “I had the same reaction a few days ago when they handed him off to me for the first time. I’m still rather shocked someone thinks I’m a responsible parent.”

Laughing, Dancer moved to stand behind Sumi before he placed Cezar in her arms.

Emotions overwhelmed her as she stared down at the tiny little newborn. While she’d enjoyed holding Zarina, this was entirely different. She glanced over to the baby in Ture’s arms. “Are they really only a few months apart in age?”

Zarya nodded. “They are.”

“I never realized babies grew so fast.”

“Unbelievably fast,” Maris said as he joined them with the infant Ture had been holding. “This is our son, Terek. He’s five months old… just a few weeks older than Zarina.”

Terek had a very serious look to him as he chewed his fist. His face was swallowed by his large, dark eyes.

“He’s beautiful, Mari. I know you’re proud of him.” Tears swelled in her eyes as she looked down at Cezar and then at all the other babies in the room. Especially Lillya.

For the first time, she understood Thia’s pain. Why it was so hard to be with them. This… this was what life should be like. A family that would defend and protect. Mothers and fathers who would trudge through hell itself to shield their children from any enemy.

She’d never once known that. Thia had been practically grown before she’d found it.

And Kalea…

She was out there alone. With no one to hold her and love her. No one to protect her from harm.

Her sobs burst as she thought about her daughter in the hands of people who couldn’t care less about her. People who wouldn’t hesitate to hurt her any way they could.

She handed Cezar back to his mother before she ran from the room, seeking refuge from the pain lacerating her heart. This was all she’d ever wanted in her life.

Safety. Love. A place to raise her daughter with people who cherished her as much as Sumi did.

Suddenly, she felt Dancer behind her. He wrapped his arms around her and held her tight while she expelled all the misery she kept bottled up.

Zarya looked around, baffled by what had just happened. “Did I say or do something wrong?”

Syn shook his head sadly. “Sumi has a daughter in League custody that we’re trying to find and save.”

Maris winced as he tightened his grip on Terek. “I didn’t even think about that.”

Syn clapped him on the back. “None of us did. We’re proud of our babies and wanted to show them off.”

“Yeah, but if we couldn’t be with them…” Zarya choked on a sob of her own. “I didn’t mean to hurt her. I’m so sorry.”

Syn swept his gaze around every person there. Countless times, they’d gone to war with a single goal. Seldom had they been as united as they were when it came to their families. “We will get that baby back.”

Maris nodded. “Saf still has contacts. It’s time to call in every favor we can.”

“We already have,” Syn said with a dismal sigh, “but we haven’t found out anything yet.”

Maris snorted. “You have contacts, yes. But it’s time to show off the reach that my birth family has.”

Hauk held Sumi close until she finally drew a ragged breath.

“I’m so sorry I embarrassed you.”

He tilted her chin up so that she could meet his sincere gaze. Wanting to comfort her, he kissed away her tears. “You did not embarrass me, mia. Very soon, our daughter will be playing right alongside their children. And she will be spoiled more than any daughter ever born. She will know nothing but our love. I swear that to you.”

“Our daughter?” his grandmother asked, suddenly.

He glanced over his shoulder to his grandmother and cousin. “Sumi has agreed to honor me with fatherhood when we find her daughter.”

She smiled at Sumi. “So I will have another great-granddaughter to spoil? How wonderful! Then let us be about this training so that we can cement your family, Dancer. I want to see you settled with a female who is worthy of your heart, and there is nothing more dear to mine than another child to love and spoil.”

Hauk inclined his head, grateful that his grandmother was so kind and accepting. However, his mother would be another story. Far more traditional, she would never forgive him for being with a human. And he doubted if she would ever so much as look at Kalea.

Not that it mattered. He and Sumi would treasure her so that she would never miss having a grandmother’s love.

Shahara and Desideria slowly joined them.

“Are we interrupting?”

Sumi sniffed back her tears at their kindness. “Sorry. I —”

“Shh,” Shahara said. “Don’t apologize. We all understand, and we’re very sorry if we hurt you.”

Sumi pulled her into a hug. “God, no. You’ve all been so wonderful that it’s made it extra hard, I think. I’m not used to this.”

Desideria laughed. “Believe me, we all know that feeling. My older sister tried to kill me and my husband before we married.”

“What?” Sumi asked breathlessly.

Shahara nodded. “That was after she tried to frame them both for murder. Makes you appreciate your own family, eh?”

“Sadly… yes.”

Taking her by the arm, Shahara patted her shoulder. “Just remember, family isn’t perfect. It’s just perfectly ours.” She led the way to the gym that was down the hall. Fain stayed behind.

Sumi wasn’t sure what to expect given the extravagance of the rest of the house. And the gym definitely didn’t disappoint. Which made sense, given Dancer’s physique. He probably spent more time in here than anywhere else.

At the moment, the room was open and airy like the conservatory, but there were VR monitors all over. There were three separate fighting areas. Two had mats, one was the solid floor. Every known weapon she’d ever seen or heard of was in racks that lined one wall. He had a firing range at one end. An archery range next to that, that was also equipped with targets for other throwing weapons. Different kinds of punching bags, dummies, and speed bags…

She couldn’t even take it all in.

Sumi gave him a dead stare. “Is there any piece of exercise equipment you don’t own?”

“How you think I stay so sexy?” He winked at her.

She laughed at his teasing tone. Yet he was right. The male was lickably hot. And she could easily imagine him in here with his friends as they trained.

“We’ll be using the Splatterdome,” Fadima said as she began stripping her clothes off to expose the skintight workout suit underneath. “Or ring, as it’s best known.” She grabbed a long staff and headed for the unpadded fighting area.

Sumi stripped down to her League undergarments. Dancer handed her a staff similar to the one his cousin had chosen. As she reached for it, Fain joined them.

“You need fuel to fight.” Fain handed her sausage muffins.

“Thank you.” Smiling, she took the small plate from his hand and ate the muffins while Dancer and his cousin explained the rules of her coming match.

Which basically had no rules other than kill your opponent honorably.

“You can never strike Dariana’s back,” Fadima warned. “Should you do so, the referees will wound you.”

Her eyes widened. “How so?”

“Depends on where and how hard you strike her. It could be a small penalty where they merely tie one of your limbs down or a larger one that would result in your being stabbed.” Fadima used her staff to illustrate the area on the back of her leg where they might cut her.

Yeah, okay. Sumi didn’t like these rules. Andarions really didn’t play.

“An accidental strike,” Fadima continued, “such as she’s turning, doesn’t count.” She hit her on the shoulder. She handed another staff to Dancer. “Let’s show her, cousin.”

Sumi almost choked on her muffin as the two of them went after each other like they were in a League death match or Andarion ring title fight. Fain handed her water while she watched them in awe.

Fadima made a strike at Dancer’s head that would have been lethal had it contacted. Luckily, he caught it and ducked.

“Anything frontal is permitted,” she explained. “The rule is your opponent must see the blow coming either dead on, or peripherally. Those are all legal blows.”

She held her staff up in both hands horizontally. “This is a request for a small time-out, as in you’ve been injured and need the break or sprain set. It only gives you three minutes.”

As she stepped away, Dancer feigned a strike to her shoulder. He looked at Sumi. “If you strike her once she’s requested a break, you will forfeit your weapon.”

He moved to Fadima’s back. “Any hits when she’s faced away from you are the ones you have to avoid.”

Sumi swallowed her food. “I wouldn’t make that strike anyway.”

“Yes, but…”

“Dariana’s a cheating bitch,” Fadima finished for Dancer. “You have to be in control of your strikes and temper at all times so that she doesn’t lure you into making something the ref will misconstrue as a back attack.”

“Ah, gotcha.” Sumi licked her fingers then moved to take the staff from Dancer. “Let’s try this.”

Hauk stepped away, even though it was the last thing he wanted to do. Every instinct inside him wanted to protect Sumi. It was a painful, demanding ache.

But to Sumi’s credit, she was an incredible fighter. She met every one of Fadima’s strikes. Her circular moves were flawless and she had good weight behind her jabs.

“Dang!” she said as she stepped back after striking Fadima’s side. “Andarions are solid. Were you born with a staff in your hand?”

Fadima laughed and glanced to Hauk. “You have your male to blame for my skills. He was forever picking a fight with me. I had to learn to fight him off or stay bruised.”

Hauk snorted. “The lies that drop from your tongue, cousin. I was the innocent victim. I’d be lying on the floor, playing in total harmony, and she’d run up my back, flip, and pin me in a hold.”

“I did do that,” Fadima admitted with a smile.

“And let’s not forget,” Fain added, “how many times we’d be playing ball and she’d run in out of nowhere and throw us down.”

“That was only after she’d kicked us in our balls.”

Fadima laughed. “As I said, I take no offense to your thinking ill of me, cousin.” She met Sumi’s gaze. “But I never once defeated Fain in a fight. Until the Iron Hammer came along, he was the youngest Ring title holder in Andarion history, and never lost a single match in his entire career.”

“Iron Hammer, what?” Sumi asked with a frown.

“Iron Hammer is a legendary Andarion prize fighter,” Fadima explained. “He retired a couple of years ago, undefeated in all class weights and in both league divisions.”

Dancer jerked his chin at his brother. “In his youth, Fain was every bit as famous. He was one of the most celebrated Ring prize fighters of his generation and would have gone on to be the undefeated champ of all three titles had he not…” His voice trailed off.

“Had he not married my sister.” That knowledge made her even sicker. Omira had cost Fain so much.

Fadima held the staff up for a break.

Sumi stopped immediately.

Breathing heavily, she passed an impressed expression on to Dancer. “Your female is very well trained.” She tossed the staff to Shahara. “I’ll let you have a go and see what you think.”

Sumi thought she was prepared until Shahara started for her. She came after her like a psychotic ten-armed windmill. In less than a minute, Shahara had her flat on her back.

Hauk growled as he saw Sumi fall.

Fain caught him. “It’s training, drey. They have to do this.”

He knew that, but still…

Sumi flipped to her feet with a stunned look on her face. “What did you do? That was incredible! Teach me!”

“And me,” Fadima said as she took another staff. “I’ve never seen anyone move like that.”

“Because you’re both tall. While I am for a human, I’ve gone up against a lot of Phrixians, Andarions, Partinie, and other humongous races that dwarf me.” She inclined her head to Desideria. “She’s even better at those moves than I am. I’ve seen her face-plant Caillen in training, and even I have a hard time doing that. My brother is extremely accomplished.”

Desideria snorted. “I don’t think it’s that, Shay.”

“What do you mean?”

“You really underestimate how much your brother fears you. You threatened to turn him into a girl one time too many, growing up.”

“Hmm… too bad I couldn’t stop him from turning into an ill-mannered tourah.”

Desideria laughed.

“But unfortunately, you won’t be fighting with staves.” Hauk went to the wall and pulled down the practice swords. He handed one to Sumi and one to Shahara.

Shahara screwed her face up. “I’m a knife fighter. I have basic sword skills, but nothing to brag about.”

Desideria took it from her. “This is my forte. ‘Qillaq’ means sword-bearer.”

Sumi glanced down at Desideria’s distended belly. While she had no problem fighting Dariana, who had yet to show her pregnancy, fighting a woman who was well into her third trimester was another matter entirely. “Out of curiosity, when exactly are you due?”

“I still have a few more weeks to go.”

Sumi stepped back. “Um, yeah… I don’t think we should be doing this.”

Desideria scoffed. “I am Qillaq. My great-grandmother gave birth during battle. She handed her daughter off then buried her enemies on the field. I promise, even though I’m not quite as centered as I normally am, you won’t hurt me or Vashe.”

“Vashe?”

“The son I carry. Even he’s eager for this. I can feel him tumbling at the mere prospect of the fight.”

Sumi was stunned. “I’m still not sure about this.”

That was her thought until Desideria started fighting. Her strikes and parries were as flawless as Shahara’s moves with a staff.

“My Lord, I’d hate to face you when you’re not pregnant.”

Desideria laughed. “Told you. But…” She stepped back. “I am very winded now.” She handed the sword to Fadima. “And I have to go to the bathroom. Vashe is dancing on top of my bladder.”

“I have felt that pain. Every child I carried used mine for a trampoline.” Fadima faced Sumi. “Do you need a break as well?”

“Good to go.”

As they fought, Hauk caught the strange look on his grandmother’s face.

He moved to stand beside her. “Is something wrong, Yaya?”

For several minutes, she didn’t speak. Then, she touched his shoulder where his mother had sliced him open. “Tell me, Dancer. When your mother chastised you, what did you do to deserve it?”

He started to move away without answering, but she caught his arm.

“I am old, tana, I won’t think ill of you for it. But no one has ever told me what it is you did that was so wrong she publicly scarred you over it.”

Hauk flinched as he went back in his mind to that day that was forever carved not just into his flesh, but his memories.

At eighteen, he’d been as headstrong as Darice. Dariana’s mourning period was coming to a close and his mother had scheduled their pledging.

“I won’t do it, Matarra.”

She’d growled in his face. “You will do this.”

Hauk had been adamant. “I can’t take her as my wife.”

She’d backhanded him for his denial. “No one else wants you. Do you understand? You’re revolting. Deformed. There are no other noble families willing to pledge to you. Not for any reason. And she is your brother’s widow.”

“She’s my brother’s murderer.”

This time, she’d struck him so hard, she’d loosened his teeth. “Never say that out loud!”

He’d wiped away the blood on his lips as he glared at her. “I was there, Matarra. I saw him using the drugs she gave him. It’s why she destroyed his body that I carried home, in honor.”

“You’re lying!”

“Why would I lie?”

“To protect yourself.”

“From what? Disgrace? Humiliation? Contrary to what you and Dariana think, I didn’t kill him, Matarra.” All he’d wanted was for his mother to understand the truth. To stop looking at him like he was a piece of shit who should have died. “Too high to understand what he was doing, Keris took his own life. He cut the line and —”

Shrieking, she’d attacked him so viciously that he’d stumbled and fallen. She’d seized him by his throat and before he realized her intent, she clawed open his flesh from shoulder to pec. “You ever breathe a word of your lies to anyone and you can join that piece of human-loving filth in exile. I cannot believe the gods took my one, true son and left me with you. I wish to all that’s holy that you’d never returned.”

“Dancer?”

It took him a minute to realize his grandmother was calling him. Blinking, he looked down at her. “Yes, Yaya?”

“Why did she chastise you?”

He forced his emotions down and answered with the simplest, least painful explanation. “Because I let my brother die.”

She sighed heavily. “I know there’s more to it than that. One day, Dancer, I hope you’ll trust me with the truth.”

As she walked off, the door opened to show a very grim-faced Nykyrian and Syn. His gut shrank at what those expressions could mean.

“What?”

Syn glanced to Nykyrian before he answered. “It’s time for our favorite How Screwed Are You report.”

“Oh goody,” Hauk said drily. “My day was already sucking. How nice of you to kick down more for me.”

“Ever my pleasure.”

Hauk ignored Syn and turned to face Nyk, who would actually answer his question. “So what’s going on?”

“We have a traitor in our midst. And we will find them and choke them with their entrails. But in the meantime, Kyr knows that Sumi’s defected.”

Hauk felt his stomach slam into the ground. “What?”

Syn nodded. “But wait, there’s more. He hasn’t harmed her daughter yet… Maris assures us that Kyr will do his best to leverage her for you and Sumi. Which is a very Kyr thing to do. So as long as he thinks there’s a chance he can use her to get you two, she’s safe. But we don’t have long or one of you or all of you will be dead.”