This was said to remind the younger male of what was expected. Judging from his scowl as he accepted my hand, Iknew he understood. I pulled him up and smiled slightly when my Mate moved the tip of her blade to his back.
I held Dallin in place, glaring down at him.
“Ye did this because yer grandfather didnae trust us? I told ye the ore was packed and ready to be shipped to ye.”
The younger male shrugged sullenly.
“Callor had already sent a force to collect it and teach ye a lesson.”
I shook my head in disgust as I stepped back.
“We’ve both lost friends and family today because yer grandfather thought me dishonorable. But I’m allowing ye to live, and ye will tell him that. Ye will tell him that both my MateandI had ye pinned to the ground with our blades, and we let ye live, because we have nae desire to cause him more pain.”
I pinned him with a fierce glare.
“Hewas the one to start this conflict, but by showing ye mercy, we are ending it. Do ye understand?”
For a moment, I didn’t think Dallin would answer. But finally, he nodded once, almost sullenly, and I saw Rowena’s shoulders slump in relief.
“Good.” I nodded curtly. “Many males died today for yer grandfather’s greed, and we’re done with him. The Battleborn of Islay will remain yer allies, but we’ll no’ consider ourselves yer vassal. After this ore is delivered, we nae longer belong to ye.”
The fury in Dallin’s gaze was unmistakable and I wondered if he would renege on his promise to yield.Around us, I could feel the gazes of warriors—mine hopeful, his wary, wondering if battle was about to break out again.
I prayed Dallin would see his own vulnerability, would recognize the wise move.
My Mate, on the other hand, was taking no chances. In one swift movement, she pressed her dagger into the small of Dallin’s back, against his kidney, and moved her sword to his neck, forcing him to raise his chin to remain unbloodied. She was so much smaller than her enemy, but that didn’t stop her.
Dallin glared at me, even as I found myself grinning at Rowena’s fierceness.
“Tell your grandfather that the Battleborn of Islay no longer answer to him,” she stated clearly, threat in her tone. “Your life, in exchange for our freedom. We no longer swear fealty to him.”
We.
My heart soared and my chest leapt as myKteerbegan to hum in approval, and I couldn’t help the way my lips curled.
“Aye, Dallin. Yer life for our freedom. I’ll have yer word, as a future chief.”
Something like relief flickered in the younger male’s eyes. Relief that I’d recognized his status, or relief that he would live? Finally, he began to nod but stopped when he felt Rowena’s blade beneath his chin.
“I have yielded,” he said in a clear voice which carried overthe gathered warriors. “My life for yer freedom. My grandfather will agree.”
Oh, thank fook.
I met Rowena’s gaze and saw the victory gleaming in her blue eyes, before nodding to Dallin.
“My Mate and I will visit him soon and bring the ore as a token of our friendship.”
Friendship, but not servitude. I nodded to Rowena to step back.
“For now, let us treat our wounded.”
Apparently still not trusting the younger male, Maardok limped up to latch onto Dallin’s arm as Rowena sheathed her blades. When I reached her—I didn’t remember moving—to take her in my arms, she was shaking.
“Dkaar,” I murmured, enveloping her in my hold and burying my face in her hair, inhaling her sweet scent. “I thought— Gods below, I never want to experience that terror again.”
“Battle?” She poked me in the side. “You handled yourself well, Vrogul, do not worry.”
At her flippant claim—even though I could feel her still shaking from the aftermath of the fear—I began to chuckle.
