Every Battle Lord's Nightmare Read Online Free Page A

you are not certified as one of my soldiers. Therefore, I have no right to order you to do anything when it comes to protecting this compound.”
                Again, Atty intervened. “Paas? What he's trying to say is, you are one of our best hunters, and an excellent warrior. Which is why it was my decision to ask you if you would come with us, as well.”
                Paas stared at her open-mouthed for a moment before shutting it. The flush in her cheeks faded, and she visibly took an emotional step backwards. Atty smiled, knowing why. “You thought you were expected to remain here?”
                “Why else would you tell Cole to have me come here with him?”
                “To fight alongside him,” Atty answered. “I remember how it was when Yulen and I were separated. I don't want to put you and Cole through that. Not after all you've done for us. I know you plan to exchange vows come the spring. I want to make sure you get to do that.”
                “Then my answer is yes.” The woman smiled warmly.
                “Good. Now that we've made those decisions, it's time to pack.” Yulen glanced around the room. “We leave at first light the day after tomorrow. I suggest everyone get as much rest as possible before then, because this could turn out to be a hard, grueling trip.”
                Fifteen minutes later, the small crowd had left, leaving the battle lord and his lady alone. Drawing an arm around her, Yulen pulled her close and dropped a kiss to her hair. “Afraid, excited, or both?” he inquired.
                She laid her head against his shoulder. “Both.”
                “So tell me what worries you.”
                When she glanced up at him, he snorted. “You know I can read you as well as you can read me.”
                “What worries me? The unknown. That always worries me. As much as it worries you. But I know that we can handle whatever is thrown at us when we're together. Let's go and attend this summit with an open mind, my love, and hope we make a difference.”
                “We will, Atrilan. We can only hope that we will.”

Chapter Four
    Contingency
     
     
                They made good time those first few hours after leaving Alta Novis. The day was cold and bright, without a cloud overhead to shadow them, or pelt them with frozen rain or snow.
    Yulen glanced over where his wife rode even with him. Within the past few minutes, he’d noticed she was lost in thought. Or, more accurately, in grief. Not a soul-burning grief. But the grief of a mother who was feeling the ramifications of leaving behind her only child after he’d cried and begged her not to go away.            
                Nudging his Palomino closer, he reached out a hand to touch her leg. “I can remember a time when a certain blue-haired woman once confessed to me that she was terrified of becoming a mother.”
                She gave him a trembling smile. “Times change. Circumstances change.”
                “Bet you never thought you'd suffer from baby withdrawal, did you?” he gently teased.
                Atty let out a sigh. “It was so damn hard that time I had to send him away when Rafe took over the compound. It's just as hard this time, too.”
                Yulen bit his lower lip before replying. “You had no choice the first time. You did it to protect him. You saved his life by keeping him out of sight. We had no choice this time, either. Mattox is too headstrong and precocious to take on a trip like this. But I promise you. When we get back, after our daughter is born, we'll take an honest-to-goodness vacation.”
                Atty gave him a surprised look. “A vacation? Where?”
                “I was thinking about traveling to a couple of Mutah compounds. See how