“Pyrokisare the foundation of all Dakkari hordes,” he said. “If you wish to learn more about us, you must first understandthem. The horde will never truly accept you unless you master your fear and open yourself to these creatures.”
I bit my tongue, looking at the ground between us.
“Will you do this?” Arokan asked. “For me? For the horde? For yourself?”
“I don’t know if I can,” I said softly, but then I looked up at him. Swallowing, I nodded with dread pooling in my belly, and whispered, “But I will try.”
He made a sound in the back of his throat, reached out to thread his fingers through my hair. A gasp of surprise left me when he cupped the nape of my neck, tugging me forward, and kissed me right there, on the edge of the training grounds, with over two dozen Dakkari horde warriors watching.
Lips parting against him, I clutched his biceps as he took his kiss with a ferocity and thoroughness of a horde king.
“Bravekalles,” he rasped against me, pulling back. He released me, so quickly that I swayed. “You are—”
Suddenly, alarmed shouts echoed through camp and Arokan’s head snapped up, towards the direction of the forest.
He jerked his head towards the horde warriors, bellowing out an order in Dakkari and they all ran towards the back of the camp.
“What’s happening?” I cried, as shouts of alarm rang out.
Arokan pushed me into the arms of my assigned guard. “Stay with him,kalles. Do not leave his side.”
In Dakkari, he said something to the guard, who jerked his head in a nod.
“Wait!” I said, confused and concerned. “What is—”
“Do as I say!” Arokan growled. “I will find you later.”
Then he turned his back and sprinted toward the direction of the forest, unsheathing his sword as he went.
Chapter Fifteen
Pacing the confines of the tent, I blew out an impatient, anxious breath for the hundredth time in the last four hours, give or take.
I was worried, frightened, irritated…and I didn’t know what else to do so I simply paced. Back and forth. The scarred guard wouldn’t let me outside, though I could tell that night had already fallen. There was still no word about what had happened in the camp prior to Arokan’s departure. And if the guard knew, he was keeping a tight lip.
Mirari and Lavi watched me, fidgeting on their cushions. They held blades in their hands, as if they were prepared to fight if something or someone entered the tent.
Earlier, I’d asked them if they knew how to use blades, if they’d been trained to defend themselves.
“Lysi,” Mirari replied. “All Dakkari know how to fight. We were all trained.”
I didn’t know how to fight. There had never been a need for it, especially when other work had to be done in the village.
But now, trapped in a tent, after what happened earlier…I couldn’t help but wonder what I would do if something came through the entrance and attacked us. I wouldn’t knowwhatto do.
“What do you think is happening?” I asked again.
“I am sure theVorakkaris handling it, whatever it is,” Mirari tried to reassure me.
I’d never been patient, one of my many faults.
“Do you think—”
The tent flap pulled back and Arokan appeared, a stormy, furious expression on his face. He ordered thepikito leave and Mirari and Lavi scurried out without a backwards glance, obviously sensing the same mood I was.
Sharp relief made me a little lightheaded but soon, anger took its place. Which probably wasn’t the wisest emotion to show, considering Arokan looked…untamed. He looked ready to boil over.
“Where thehellhave you been?” I cried out. “What happened out there? I’ve been imagining the worst—what are you doing?”
