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hidden his surprise when servants
presented food and drink on the table for him and his warriors. Until the smell
reached their noses, they had not realized their hunger and thirst. Her
thoughtful action deserved a peace offering and it was the reason he’d given
permission for her to use his name. Vaan Galip was ever reasonable.
    Vaan ignored the
glares from his men. His Warlords considered her their enemy. They did not want
the woman greeting him in the familiar by using his birth name. It was a small
concession for Vaan and one that seemed to meet with her approval since she was
smiling overly bright. The action brought her fangs in sharp relief. He thought
he’d find the sight disturbing but instead he felt a stirring in his lower
region.
    Not a warrior to
shy away from differences, Vaan knew of the rumored mating practices of the
Raasa. It was said the women sent the men from their bed with scratches and
bites on their body. Such animal like behavior stood as the main reason other
races did not mix relations with Raasa. There was also talk of them using their
venom to create a bond to enhance the feelings they expressed for one another.
    Only a fool would
willing ingest deadly venom. Vaan was no fool. His men were all alert for the
first signs that she’d poisoned them with her efforts to bring them from the
deep sleep. Vaan would dwell on what this meant for them later. His heart
pained him if he thought overly long on the knowledge that his mother had saved
his life and that of his warriors, only to pass unto the hills without him
there.
    She’d made a new
life with her sister after Vaan’s father’s death. Became another man’s bride
and raised her second son in the content family structure. A brother Vaan never
got the chance to see again while he fought for Kaban and her people. A fight
he’d have to start again if this Raasa female spoke truth.
     
     

Chapter 6
     
    Miki decided her
mate was insane. “You want me to do what?” Her outraged question caused those
standing around to tense.
    Eran cleared his
throat but Miki paid him no mind. The Ba’asi had finished the True Union prayer
and she and Vaan were officially mated, but Vaan’s next actions caught her off
guard. He’d pulled his long black tail of hair over his shoulder and offered it
to her with his scary sharp knife.
    Vaan held the
length of his beautiful hair she’d yet to touch with one hand and his blade in
the other. “Cut it. The Kabanian woman I chose would have received the honor of
shortening my hair so that all may know I am no longer open for invitations. I
extend you the same courtesy.”
    “Invitations?” She
swallowed. She had an idea of what he spoke but Miki refused to take the knife
and she absolutely had no intention of cutting his hair.
    “Sexual
invitations are plenty. I am Overlord.” Vaan stated this as an irrefutable
fact. “My hair will serve as a visible sign that I have a woman.”
    “No. Absolutely
not.” Her mating with a non-Raasa meant a chance to explore the differences
between them and that included the hair on his body, which wasn’t present on a
Raasa male. “You can tell them you have a mate and if that doesn’t work, I will
make them wish they hadn’t offered any invitations .”
    Argan stepped
forward. “I would do it if you wish, Overlord. She dishonors you with her
refusal.”
    This was absurd.
Vaan’s overloud sigh voiced his frustration. “It is an honor. One that should
not lead you to react like this.”
    “I like your hair,” she blurted out, glad of her golden skin tones for keeping her
blush from being vivid. “It’s beautiful and I have never seen the like. I will
not cut it.” Miki turned to Argan and glared. “And if you let another cut it, I
will think of a fitting punishment for the offender.”
    Her announcement
brought all chatter to an end. Her people ducked their shoulders preparing for
the worse. Vaan’s men shuffled their feet in anger. A few placed their hands