Clara

Elorshin sends scouts out to explore the little used maze of natural tunnels that snake through the spaces between the Alvan carved caverns. Their mission is to map a route through those tunnels and reach House Lo'ara without using the main entrance.

It takes time for them to come back with a viable route, but it would have taken much longer for us to find the route with all of Elorshin's forces in tow. We are ready and waiting to leave as soon as they come back with the map, the jitters of anticipation alive and well in our group.

Elorshin, Drevakin, and I are toward the front, following the scout’s most direct route to House Lo'ara. The tunnels are much narrower and darker than the ones I've seen so far, which makes sense since they’re naturally occurring as opposed to the carved pathways usually used. The ground is also much more uneven, not shaved down or trampled to smoothness like the more traffic heavy areas.

I try to focus on these details as we make the journey to Drevakin's House to avoid considering all the possible negative outcomes of what we’re about to do. I'm not very successful. Drevakin reaches over to squeeze my hand in comfort. I look over and force a smile.

"It does no good to worry," he says, as the carriage continues to move forward, the juntta given free rein in this stretch. "Resolve to do what you must when you must do it."

I chuckle. "It sounds simple when you say it like that, but I can't."

He smiles back. "It takes practice. Though I fear I cannot calm myself as I usually do either."

"I know. I can feel it. But I would let you pretend if you wanted to," I tease.

He grins, shaking his head as he looks forward again. I look ahead. The surrounding area seems to have grown brighter. I squint a little. There. There is an opening at the end of the tunnel.

"This is the entrance to the rakennus," the scout leading us whispers as the carriages come to a halt. "If we travel through it, we will come out almost directly behind House Lo'ara."

"Well done," Elorshin praises from his own carriage next to ours. "Go see if Rathorin and his people are at the front of the House." The scout nods with enthusiasm, moving toward that entrance. "And be careful," Elorshin adds. "Go slow, no risks. Understand?"

The scout nods again, moving forward with a caution he didn’t show before. Three other young guys join him, the rest of the scouts, and they creep out through the opening and into the large cavern. The rest of us wait in silence, everyone tense in the long line behind us.

It’s a disadvantage to go through such a narrow opening. It will force us to have to go into the cavern in a single file. The alternatives are a much longer route that another scout found, or the direct access from the main tunnel.

If we go through the tunnel, we would be easy pickings for Rathorin's men. If we go through the longer route that allows more people through at once, we give Rathorin even more time to attack before we can get there.

At least this entrance spits us out on the other side of the fortified walls of the House, hiding us from Rathorin's view. If we're quiet, we should be able to come in full force before he's tipped off to our arrival.

The scouts return, looking grim faced.

"Report," Elorshin demands.

"They've moved closer. Still out of range of the archers but there's activity."

Elorshin looks over at Drevakin.

"We must move forward, quietly and quickly," Elorshin murmurs.

Drevakin nods, his own face hard, ready for what’s coming. "I agree."

Passing the news down the line, we creep out of the tunnel and into the massive cavern. Because we have to be quiet, we move slower than we can, hoping to avoid notice. Luck is with us. Because there seems to be something going on over in the enemy camp, the noise their movements are making cover any stray sound we make.

After a tense stretch of time I know is shorter than it seems, we're all in.

Once we’re inside, hidden behind House Lo'ara, Elorshin and Drevakin give the signal to divide into two preassigned groups. One to follow Elorshin, the other Drevakin. The fastest way around the back of the house and to the front is for us to split up and move forward in a two pronged formation.

As we move around the walls, my stomach is a queasy mess. We have a plan, but there are no guarantees.

Quicker than I predicted, we reach the front of House Lo'ara. I scan the sea of people standing in formation, waiting for orders. It's a scary sight and with so many eyes, it doesn't take long for Rathorin's men to notice us.

The man himself isn't hard to spot, he’s front and center. I'll give that to him, he isn't leading from behind.

Watching, he frowns, looking around to see what the sudden restlessness is about. I'm looking right at him when he turns and spots us. A smirk crosses his face as he sees me and I have an overwhelming urge to wipe it off his face, preferably with a punch, but I'll take a kick.

As his eyes slide to the side and he sees Drevakin next to me, his face tightens and his eyes narrow. That's better. As he takes in how many people are with us, anger infuses his face. I shouldn't enjoy throwing him off so much, but I do.

It's really about the little joys in life.

We come to a halt within House Lo'ara's archer range, the area left clear by Rathorin.

"Come to surrender?" Rathorin calls out, eyeing our small army.

"No. We will accept yours though," Drevakin calls back, projecting his voice across the distance.

Rathorin's nostrils flare. No, he doesn’t like that at all. Poor baby.

"What do you think you are doing? That is my mate you have. My mate you have taken in a dishonorable act." Good spin. Puts him in a good light. "Return her if you want your House to live. You do not have the numbers to overtake us." His eyes pause on Elorshin. "And I will remember this, Elorshin."

"Please do," Elorshin replies with a sharp smile.

Rathorin shakes his head, committed to sitting on top of his high horse. Hilarious.

"I would not have taken you as someone who would side with a male that would take another's Pari from him."

All right, that's enough of that.

"I am not your Pari," I retort, fed up with his victim attitude. "I am Drevakin's."

Pulling aside the top of my shirt I show the brand that scars my shoulder, left by Drevakin's bite. A clear mark showing I'm his. Rathorin eyes go to my bared shoulder. He’s almost glowing with rage.

"There is no need for this," I continue, letting my shirt fall back into place. "He did not take me, I left of my own accord." Want to make sure that's on the record. "There’s no fight here."

"I disagree, my dear," Rathorin grates out, looking up to meet my eyes. "You matched with me. You are mine." He sneers as he meets Elorshin's gaze again. "It seems as if the Minor Houses are forgetting their position. Perhaps it is time to remind all of you where you belong." He smiles, the expression cold. "At the bottom."

What a dick.

"Well now. I believe you are misinformed," Drevakin returns, his voice and demeanor calm. "I am certain the bottom belongs to those males who would force a female." He lets that sit then tilts his head to the side. "How does it feel to be at the bottom?"

"I should have killed you when you were beating down my door," Rathorin growls, his face flushed and twisted.

"Perhaps you should have," Drevakin agrees. "You definitely should have after I tasted Clara in the sitting room. Inside your House Mansion."

"Drevakin!" I exclaim before I can catch myself.

Confirming that what he's saying is true. Well, shit.

If he wanted to make Rathorin angry, mission damn well accomplished.

"You are the lowest of the low," Rathorin spits to the side. "And it seems I will have to instruct my mate on what is and is not proper behavior." He smiles at me, the look in his eyes letting me know the pain that awaits me if he gets his hands on me. "I look forward to it."

"Yes, I suppose someone who cannot give pleasure to a female would have to worry about her straying," Drevakin adds, his tone musing. "Though I understand a limp cock is a difficult affliction to overcome," he adds with false sympathy.

Stunned silence. If there were crickets, their chirping would be the only sound in the cavern. Then our side breaks out in uncontrollable laughter and there are covert snickers from Rathorin's men.

Jeez. I guess that insult is universal.

Rathorin glares at his men until they quiet. "My cock is no concern of yours. Perhaps I will cut yours off, seeing as you do not seem capable of keeping your trousers fastened," Rathorin calls back, anger and embarrassment vying for top position on his face.

I would feel bad for him. If he wasn't him. Drevakin smiles.

"You are welcome to try." He gives my hand one last squeeze before he hops down from the carriage. But he doesn't look at me.

I love you.

Swallowing hard as I hear his voice in my head, I reply through our bond, I know. Don't get your cock cut off please. I need it.

His smile turns genuine as he makes a show of walking out to the space between our forces and Rathorin's, the saunter another taunt. He braces his feet and meets Rathorin's eyes. The sound of Drevakin's sword and then his knife leaving their scabbards is loud as everyone seems to hold their collective breath. He holds them in guard position, raising his brows in question.

For a moment, I wonder if we've played this wrong and Rathorin won't take the bait. He could have Drevakin killed where he stands, well before any of us could get to him. But then he hops down from the carriage.

I sigh in relief.

Rathorin walks over to a spot a few yards away from Drevakin, pulling out his own sword and shorter knife.

"I will make certain Clara has a good view as I saw your balls off," Rathorin says in a conversational tone.

"I know it must be difficult to not have testicles of your own, but I believe mine will be too big for your dainty cock. They would make it look even smaller," Drevakin counters.

I watch Rathorin's face turn even more purple at the laughter that follows that taunt.

Shit. I hope this was the right move.

I know first hand that Drevakin can fight. He's good. Amazing, actually, but I haven't seen Rathorin fight yet.

Drevakin and Elorshin seemed to think Drevakin would have a fair shot when we spoke about it earlier. And it would most definitely be the path with the least bloodshed. But the logic of it doesn't matter.

My heart is still in my throat as the two of them circle each other, their bodies matched in size.

Come on, Drevakin.

You can do this.