Chapter 24

CHAPTER 24

Regan

I leaned against the training room wall, my thoughts straying to Lomax like they always did whenever I had a quiet moment. It may have been quiet in the room, but my ears still rang from the sound of clashing swords. The entire guard had been sparring for the last hour, and when Galan had called for a break, many of them had simply dropped to the floor, their big bodies heaving as the smell of sweat and blood permeated the air.

For the last week, Lomax and I had spent every moment we could together. We met each lunch hour at her apartment, and despite her protests that she was sweaty and dirty from working in the garden, I would eat her pussy, fuck her, and then make her a quick lunch.

Our evenings were spent in my apartment, exploring each other’s bodies and learning our likes and dislikes while I pulled orgasm after orgasm from Lomax’s soft and willing body. I was determined to make up for the year she had spent fucking without receiving pleasure.

I smiled inwardly. I knew my sadora worried that she was being selfish in bed, that, as she put it the other night, the ratio of her orgasms to mine was grossly unfair, but I ignored her protests. Nothing gave me more enjoyment than pleasing my mate, and I could spend the rest of my life listening to Lomax’s soft cries as I made her come.

You have a week left with her at most. As much as you try to pretend otherwise, the storm is lessening.

I had no window in my quarters, and neither did Lomax, but in the last few days, I had taken to standing in the castle’s great hall, listening to the wind howl at the windows and studying the snow as it fell. The wind blew a little less fiercely each day, and there was noticeably less snow falling every morning.

The storm will end in the next few days. You will have another day or two at the most while the castle entrances and the landing area are cleared of snow, and then Lomax will leave you forever.

I closed my eyes, shoving down the panic and dismay at never seeing my mate again. Madison had already spoken to me about my return to Earth for my ship. They were sending a ship to Earth as soon as the storm ended to return Lori to her state. I could go with them, and they would drop me off at the docking bay where I had left my ship.

I would have to pay a large sum of Earth money to get it back. The humans charged a daily rate to dock our ships, but I had no choice. My only other option was to abandon the ship and have the western Draax deliver me home.

Considering Eastolf would kill me if he knew I’d spent the entire storm here in Quill’s home, paying the exorbitant Earth fees to get my ship back was the better deal.

Madison hadn’t said anything about Lomax being on the ship, but I knew she would be. She would return to Earth, and I would return to the East and my duties to my king.

My stomach churned at the thought, and I chugged some more juice, but it did nothing for the turmoil in my brain. It wasn’t just Lomax I dreaded leaving. I would miss this castle, its garden, and… its people.

I studied the roomful of Draax, unsure of when I had begun to think of them as friends but knowing it was true. Galan, Krey, and the rest of the guard had treated me with respect and kindness from the beginning. If Galan found himself trapped in Eastolf’s castle, I knew without a doubt that he would not have received the same treatment from my king or me.

Familiar shame washed over me at acknowledging how I would have treated Galan had the roles been reversed. My loyalty to my king was in tatters, I had failed my guard as their leader, and even worse - I had failed my mate. She would live on Earth alone and undefended while I protected a king who was no longer worthy of protection.

She will find a human male to protect her.

Not even the gallberry juice could stop my stomach from roiling this time. Even just the thought of another touching my mate made me feel crazed.

I straightened and strode across the room toward Ilna and Henden, who had stood and spoke animatedly. Wallowing in my self-pity would solve nothing.

“I am telling you. Regan would win,” Ilna said as I approached from behind him.

“You are a froden, Ilna,” Henden said. “There is no way he would beat him.”

“What are you talking about?” I asked.

Ilna spun around as Henden looked sheepish and said, “Nothing, Regan.”

“I say that you would beat Galan in a fight, but Henden says you would not,” Ilna said.

“Why would I fight Galan? He is my friend,” I said.

“I am not saying you would, but if you did, you would win,” Ilna said confidently.

Henden snorted. “Galan is the best swordsman in all of Odias. He would defeat Regan easily.”

He glanced at me. “No offense, Regan.”

“None taken,” I said.

“Perhaps,” a voice drawled from my left, “what we need is a friendly competition to settle this argument.”

I turned to see Krey standing beside me, a brash grin on his face. My lips twitched as I fought to hide my own grin. Of course, Krey would try to stir things up.

“Yes,” Ilna said. “Galan and Regan should spar!”

“No,” I said.

“That is a brilliant idea, Ilna.” Krey clapped me on the back with another impudent grin before raising his voice so it echoed through the training room. “We think Galan and Regan should spar. What say you?”

The Draax in the room roared out an “Aye!” as I glared at Krey.

He laughed and nudged Galan, who had joined us from the other side of the room. “Galan, it has been a long time since you have been challenged by someone who rivals your skills.”

“Are you saying Galan is a better swordsman than you, Krey?” I teased.

His grin widened. “He is. But it is well known that while Galan may best me with his sword, my fucking skills far exceed his.”

Galan snorted and rolled his eyes as the other guard gathered in a loose circle around us. Ilna shoved his sword into my hand. “Here, Regan. Use my sword. It is better than the training swords.”

“If it is to be a fair sparring match, he should have his own sword.” A deep voice rang out behind us.

We turned, and the guard around me immediately bowed to their king. I hesitated before bowing as King Quillan joined us. He had a small girl, no more than three years old, in his arms, and there were soft murmurs of “Hello, little queen” from many of the Draax around us.

“My king,” Galan said. “It is an honour to have you join us today.”

“Thank you, Galan,” the king said. “Jovie and I were walking in the garden, and she asked to see you.”

“Uda,” Jovie said, leaning out and holding her arms toward Galan.

He took her from the king, placing her in the crook of one arm. “Hello, meena.”

“Hi, Uda.” She kissed his cheek and patted his face with her hand before craning her neck to stare at Krey. “Hi, Uda.”

“Hello, little queen.” Krey stepped closer and pressed a kiss on the top of her head. She wrapped her tail around his forearm, squeezing it tightly and releasing him. She rested her head on Galan’s chest, her thumb inching toward her mouth.

“No, meena,” the king said gently.

“Otay, Papa.” She dropped her hand before lifting her head to stare at Galan. “I a big girl, and big girls don’t suck their thumbs, Uda.”

“They do not,” Galan said, rubbing her back gently.

She cocked her head, staring at me before poking me with her tail. “What your name?”

“I am Regan,” I said before bowing.

She giggled before poking Ilna next. “What your name?”

“Ilna,” he said and bowed.

I hid my surprise when the king turned to me. “Hello, Regan.”

“Hello, King Quillan,” I said. “I have not had a chance to thank you for your generosity in giving me shelter from the storm.”

“You are welcome,” he said. “I have heard many good things from Galan, Krey, and the rest of the guard in the last few weeks. Your experience and willingness to train have only strengthened and improved my guard, and I want to express my gratitude for your help.”

To my utter shock, he bowed to me right there before his men. Too surprised to form words, I returned the gesture as Jovie investigated my arm with her tail.

The king turned to a Draax to my right. “Vilan, how is Mitali doing?”

A broad smile crossed Vilan’s face. “He is doing well, my king. He grows bigger with every day that passes, and my mate is an excellent mother to him.”

“I am glad to hear it. My queen would love another visit from your mate and son.”

Vilan bowed. “I will tell Nicole.”

Quill clapped him on the back before smiling at another. “Neani, how is your mother feeling?”

“I spoke with her just before the storm started, and she was much better,” Neani said. “My father asked me to thank you again for allowing us to bring her to the castle for gallberry serum. It eased her pain and discomfort faster than the juice.”

“Of course,” Quill said. “I am glad she is feeling better.”

I watched in amazement as he spoke to another half dozen of the guard. It was clear that he knew personal details about many of them, and he looked genuinely interested in their replies to his questions.

I studied the room surreptitiously. None of the guard looked anxious. They laughed and joked quietly with each other as Quill moved among them, and there was none of the silence or unease that happened whenever Eastolf came into the training room.

It was plain to see that Quill ruled his people with kindness and compassion, unlike the fear and brutality that Eastolf wielded like a sharp blade over his people. Eastolf had nothing to do with the people he ruled unless he desired to use them for his amusement.

I thought of the weekly fights that Eastolf forced my guard to engage in, of his glee when they grievously injured each other, and could not imagine Quill forcing any of these men to fight for his amusement.

As the king joined us again, Jovie held her arms toward Krey. “I want you, Uda.”

He took her from Galan, and she wrapped one chubby arm around his neck before resting her head against his. Krey squeezed her lightly and grinned at Galan. “Jovie, would you like to see Galan fight with his sword today?”

She squealed and sat up, clapping her hands excitedly. “Uda, fight! Uda, fight!”

She gave the king a hopeful look. “Uda and Papa fight?”

“Not today, meena,” Quill said.

Her face fell. “Why no fight, Papa?”

“Because,” Krey gave her another gentle squeeze, “Galan will fight Regan.”

Jovie turned that hopeful look to me. “Uda fight Regan?”

Galan and I looked at each other, and I could feel my lips turning upward into a grin when Galan laughed. “Yes, I will fight Regan, little queen.”

The guard’s cheers drowned out Jovie’s excited shriek. I gripped Ilna’s sword, testing its weight, but Quill said, “Give Regan his sword, please, Krey.”

Krey handed Jovie to Quill before crossing the room to a cabinet on the wall. I gave Ilna his sword as Krey unlocked the cabinet and returned with mine. I took it from him, its familiar weight in my hand unlocking a tightness in my chest that I wasn’t aware existed.

I felt like I’d been reunited with an old friend as I gripped the handle and stepped away from the others to make a few practice swings. Galan watched me quietly, a small smile playing on his lips as the king and his guard moved back to the far wall.

Galan pulled his sword from the sheath around his waist before bowing to me. I returned his bow, and Jovie made another squeal of excitement when we both raised our swords. I took a deep breath and narrowed my focus to Galan, shutting out all other sounds and sights surrounding us.

“Begin,” Galan said softly.

I immediately attacked him, driving forward and slashing. He deflected my attack with nimble grace, the ringing of our clashing swords like music. He lunged, and I parried his stab before dancing away.

We circled each other warily before Galan attacked. I fought back, our swords clashing repeatedly. I could tell he was holding back, taking the time to learn my strengths and weaknesses, just as I did to him.

He was fast on his feet, and after nearly five minutes of fighting, the true Galan made his first appearance. Quick as a lokena, he rushed me, slashing his sword in a quick strike. It hit the guard with a hard blow, and I swore under my breath when he nearly disarmed me of my weapon.

Galan grinned, sweat trickling down his face as I backed away before circling him. He lunged again, and I blocked before striking at him. He dodged the attack and feinted to the right, but his glance to the left had betrayed his intent, and I blocked his second strike easily.

We both backed away, our gazes locked. With a broad smile, I attacked, and we fought for nearly ten minutes, our swords clanking and clashing, our loud grunts echoing in the training room. When Galan’s sword slipped past my defenses and opened up a cut on my ribs, the guard cheered, clapping their hands and stomping their feet.

We broke apart, and Galan winked at me, even as he panted heavily. “I was beginning to believe the goddess Krono granted you a magical ability to avoid my sword.”

“No, my friend, that is just my natural talent,” I said. “If it is too much for you to handle, I will accept your surrender.”

He bellowed laughter and raised his sword. “I have allowed you sufficient rest.”

I grinned and, holding my sword in a tight grip, I stalked toward him. Cutting and slashing, I held nothing back as I attacked. After only a few minutes, triumph roared through me when my blade sliced across Galan’s thigh. He backed away as the guard cheered loudly.

I jerked in surprise, studying the guard as they clapped and whistled for me, a warmth permeating my body that had nothing to do with how hard I fought.

With renewed energy, I attacked Galan again. My muscles burned, and my lungs screamed for oxygen as we fought. My sword grew heavier with every passing second, and more than once, I nearly lost my grip when our blades collided. Sweat stung my eyes, and we both panted louder than a pike bull.

Sweat and blood from the numerous cuts Galan had inflicted soaked my shirt, and each step I took felt like slogging through mud.

I was on the edge of collapse and made one final slash at Galan, throwing all my power behind it. He blocked with his sword, but the force of my blow knocked it from his hand. It fell to the floor with a heavy clank as I pressed the tip of my sword against Galan’s throat.

He grinned good-naturedly, his broad chest heaving for air and his shirt drenched in sweat and blood, although I could see the heavy disappointment in his eyes. “Victory is yours, Regan.”

Exhaustion seeping out of every pore, I lowered my sword and shook my head. “In truthfulness, I can barely stand and could not have landed another blow, my friend. We end this match as equals.”

The guard cheered loudly, and Galan embraced me, pounding me hard enough on the back to make me wince. “Easy, Galan, I can barely stand, remember?”

He laughed as the other guard joined us, and we broke apart so they could shake our hands and clap us on the back. Krey pushed his way past the others and grinned at me. “You look like you have been dragged through the forest and wrapped up in a hartebeest’s web for a week, my friend.”

“I feel that way,” I said.

He bellowed laughter before draping his arm over my shoulders in a friendly gesture. “You and your mate will join us tonight in my quarters for dinner and jorken.”

Before I could decline, he said, “I will not take no for an answer. You have kept your mate all to yourself for this past week, and I suspect she will be glad for a break from your big cock.”

I could feel myself blushing, and Krey roared more laughter as the guard surrounding us made a path to allow the king and his daughter to join us.

Jovie giggled and reached to pat Galan’s face before saying to Quill, “Uda hurt, Papa?”

“A little,” Quill said, grinning at Galan.

“Jovie get juice for Uda,” she said before squirming to be put down.

“I think you should take your Uda to Sigan, meena,” Quill set her on her feet and studied Galan’s blood-soaked pants. “He will need serum as well as juice.”

Jovie grabbed Galan’s hand. “Come, Uda.”

“Yes, little queen,” Galan said with an indulgent smile.

They walked away as Quill turned to me. “You fought well, king’s guard.”

“Thank you, my -” I shut my mouth with a snap. Krono, I had been about to refer to Quill as my king.

“Your Highness!” Jovie shouted from the training room doorway. “Come with me, please.”

Quill laughed. “I am coming, little queen.”

The rest of us bowed a final time. When Quill had left with Jovie and Galan, Krey clapped me on the back again. “We will see you at seven tonight, then? Galan and Ellis will join us as well.”

Despite how short our time together was, I didn’t want to deprive my mate of her friends, so I nodded and said, “I will confirm with Lomax, but I expect we will be there.”

“Good.” Krey studied my shirt and the blood that was dripping onto the floor. “Let us get you to the infirmary with Galan. He is not the only one who needs serum.”