Free Honor Bound by Michelle Howard

on
the hilt of their swords. A common practice it seemed.
    “She threatens me,
Overlord.”
    Miki really hated
Warlord Argan and his glare returned the sentiment.
    The Overlord
released his hair in order to raise his hand palm out toward his warriors and
studied her expression. Miki tried not to flinch from his black eyes. As the
minutes ticked by, she considered what she’d do if he forced the issue. Hair
was not worth this discussion. It wasn’t like he was asking her to shave it off
completely. She’d still have a chance to run her fingers through the silken
texture of the hair remaining.
    “This means much
to you?” His head cocked to the side while awaiting her answer.
    Miki didn’t know
if his gruff words were question or statement but nodded anyway.
    “Agreed. My hair
shall remain uncut as a gift to my bride.”
    “Mate,” she
corrected.
    “Mate,” he
acknowledged without complaint.
    Miki didn’t need
to turn to know his agreement displeased his warriors. She’d dismissed a core part
of their cultural values. Concessions needed to be made. “Is there another
custom of the Kabanian joining that we could use?” she called out.
    His big body was
already in motion to get back to his important map reading and guard schedule
but he paused. “You are interested in Kabanian rituals?”
    Not really, but
she’d never voice the thought. “We’re in this together, Vaan. A life cycle is a
long time to be with someone and not meet them half-way.”
    He turned to face
her. “Then you would barter the kutthra?”
    Miki frowned and
repeated the unknown word. Standard didn’t always have translations for some
terms. “Kutthra?”
    He roughly pulled
on his pony tail. “Hair cutting.”
    “No,” she gasped.
“It’s mine. You gave it as a gift.”
    His full lips
twitched. Miki waited and wondered if he’d actually smile but after a moment,
she got nothing.
    “You have what you
wanted, why would you offer?”
    “Because.” Anger
flashed through her. Why must he be so persistent?
    “You seek to
bargain?”
    “Fine, yes.” If
all he understood revolved around negotiations then Miki would negotiate.
    Vaan searched the
group for a servant. He pointed at Assa. “You, fetch bread and honey.”
    Assa jumped to do
his biding. Miki worried her fangs and hoped she’d not made a mistake. There
couldn’t be anything too bad with food involved.
     
    ***
     
    How wrong she was.
Miki tapped her fingertips together and paced a few steps. “You want me to eat
a piece of bread from the hand of every warrior?” It made no sense. “Argan
doesn’t like me.”
    “They are
Warlords, Mikayla. This is a higher status than mere warrior. You will address
them properly and Warlord Argan has not given you permission to call him so
familiar.”
    She needed more
cider. It was too early in the day to deal with such and not have drink loosen
the limbs and relax the mind. “Warlord Argan hates me.”
    “This is not the
case. He has no feelings for you.”
    Miki ceased pacing
to gape at him. She’d heard stories of men who’d lost the Blessed Ones favor.
It was told they ran about without clothing and talked to people no one could
see. Was it possible her new mate suffered a similar affliction? Miki shook her
head. She wouldn’t continue that line of thought. She wanted younglings and
would not have them weak in the head. “My apologies.”
    Assa returned,
bearing a tray laden with two loaves and a knife. Vaan directed her to slice
until fifteen slices lay on the plate. Miki watched with fascination. He
instructed Assa to layer a thick coat of honey on each. Miki hated honey. It
was good that she’d missed the afternoon meal because it looked like she’d be
taking her fill in sweetened bread.
    All those present
at the ceremony waited to observe what would happen next. Vaan’s Warlords
seemed to know what to expect. Or they hid their expression. Miki leaned toward
the latter.
    Vaan curled his
fingers and waved Miki over. When