Free Schism: The Battle for Darracia (Book 1) by Michael Phillip Cash Page A

well occupied, and you won’t be hearing from him for some time. Them Quyroos can keep you real busy.”
    The Quyroo in the car stiffened but remained silent. The other balled his fist, and Pacuto smashed it with the hilt of his sword. The servant wailed and stuck his red knuckles into his mouth.
    “ If you see them, call and let me know.”
    “ Will do. Are we done? I’m late with the transport, and I have to get this crew back before the wysbies come out. They like to feast on Quyroo flesh.” The guard laughed. “My men will be no good for anyone if they get ’em.”
    “ Perhaps they went to the eastern provinces?” one of Pacuto’s own guards grunted.
    “Prince V’sair is not a fool. He would stand out there like a blazing torch,” Pacuto answered, resting his big hands on his pommel.
    “ From where does the servant girl hail?” This came from his squire, a young cousin he’d been training.
    “ Good thinking, Grodot. The girl. Call and find out her home.” Kicking mightily, Pacuto urged Winata higher so he could scan the red treetops. He paused thoughtfully when he spotted the fires lighting the Quyroo camps.
     
    ***
     
    Tulani had removed her Darracian dress and felt free and comfortable in her loincloth. V’sair lay on the velvet ground, his jacket open, his face serene. Hother munched contentedly on a bush off to the side. Tulani bent over and tickled V’sair’s pale stomach, her loosened braids caressing him. Pulling her forward, he kissed her again, her small moans inciting him with desire once again.
    “ V’sair…” She nipped his ear. “It is dangerous out here. We must go. The wysbies fly at night, and I don’t have a mind to get stung.”
    V ’sair looked at her shining, black eyes, their star shape so feminine. He brushed grass from her cheek. “I don’t know how I never saw you before,” he said, filled with wonder.
    “ You saw me every day, sire.” She laughed, her fingers playing with the taut skin that covered his ribs.
    “ A little while ago, you called me ‘V’sair.’” He kissed her deeply. “You are always in my mother’s shadow; I never really noticed you.” He gently cupped her face. “You are beautiful.”
    “ So are you.” Tulani straddled him, their bare chests touching, setting off sparks wherever flesh touched flesh.
    “ I am an ugly mutant. At least you know what you are.” He held her red-tinged arm against his own light-blue one. “You are born of the red soil of Desa; my father is the gray sky of Darracia; my mother is the orange sun of Planta. I am not any of those things. I am neither—not red or gray or orange. I am nothing.”
    “ Don’t talk like that.” Tulani kissed his cheeks and eyelids. She pressed against him, wishing to be closer. Her skin prickled where it met his and made them aware of every part of their bodies. She ran her nimble fingers through his hair, and with delight, she watched his eyes close. “You are beautiful and strong and wise. I have always known it. V’sair, I have always loved you.”
    V’sair shook his head. “ I am not worthy enough of the Fireblade.”
    “ You are the Fireblade to me. My Fireblade.” Tulani enveloped him with renewed passion and ignored the call of the keewalla monkeys, which signaled danger.
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Chapter 11
     
    Staf Nuen waited in his room, his wife Beatha pacing the floor.
“General Xam has reneged.” Staf crumpled a note from his former ally. “He has gone back to his holdings and refuses us his men.”
    They were in their royal apartments , where they stayed when they were away from home. The quarters were small, and Beatha had bristled when they had been assigned to them. Reminda took every opportunity to shove her status as the queen in their faces. The countess licked her lips, thinking of what she’d like to do to the Planta woman.
    “ Why?” Beatha sneered. “Perhaps you were not persuasive enough?”
    “ He says a revolt will