Idan: A Sci-Fi Warrior Romance (Heroes of Avalere Book 2) Read online

  Copyright 2017 by Jane Henry

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced or distributed without written permission of the author, with the exception of small quotations for promotional purposes.

  Please note this is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to real places or people is purely coincidental.

  Cover design and Interior formatting by Shanoff Formats

  Book Description:

  Svali

  Living on the dark mining planet of Kleedan, I saw only a bleak future. I sold my body to the men of Avalere, but it wasn’t enough. I needed to do more. Desperate, willing to sacrifice anything to feed my mother and sister, I pretended to be one of the pure women of The Circle trained to be mated to the warriors. In so doing, I tricked the formidable Duke into marrying me. He must never learn of my deception, or my family and I are doomed.

  Idan

  I scorned the very idea of “love,” only agreeing to the utilitarian institution of marriage to better serve my people. I did my duty and claimed a woman, drawn to her beauty and purity. It was not long after the marriage ceremony I discovered her lie. She will pay dearly for deceiving me. Marked by me, she will learn to call me master.

  CHAPTER ONE

  Idan

  Dusk settles across the marketplace of Avalere. The merchants store their wares, preparing to go home, as I make my way to the castle of my lord. On any other evening, I might share a pint with my comrades at a local tavern or pub, but tonight, I’ve been summoned by the Warrior King of Avalere. Unusual for the king to call me to his house at such a late hour, but I must respond to Aldric’s commands as head of council and a warrior of the highest order.

  I go with haste, my boots clomping along the cobblestone pathway leading to the castle, flickering torches lighting my way. Ten paces from the main entrance, a shadow crosses in front of me. As a warrior, my instincts awaken. I freeze, prepared to respond at the slightest provocation, my grip tightening around the cool metal of my sword hilt. But it is merely a woman. When the light of the moons hits her golden-brown hair, my grip slackens.

  “Woman,” I ask. “Why do you go about by the king’s castle unescorted? What errand do you have here?”

  Her gaze meets mine from beneath lowered lashes, her eyes a rare violet. “I have been told you seek company, my lord,” she says with a small curtsy. Her voice reverberates through me, low and seductive, her body turned to mine as an offering.

  She starts as I growl in response. Gregor has put her up to this, I have no doubt. I do not take a woman to bed to celebrate victory in battle, like my companions. Gregor taunts me for “living the life of a monk,” alone and chaste.

  “Were you sent here by a warrior? An errand-runner for the Hisrach?” I ask, coming closer to her. Gregor and I are members of the Hisrach, the assembly of brothers at arms who rule Avalere, with Aldric as our leader.

  The woman’s eyes betray her fear as she steps backward. “I…I…” she stammers, but she knows she has overstepped her bounds. Avalerian women do not proposition men. My father would have beaten her for such an outward display, but I will not lift my hand to her. Though within my rights to do so, I will not stoop to brutality. I have now cornered the woman against the brick wall of the castle, and two guards look on with curiosity. They know who I am and do not interfere.

  “I’m sorry, my lord,” she apologizes, but when I reach her, she dares to touch my chest, placating, and her voice drops to a demure whisper. “Yes, your friend promised to pay me amply for my invitation. I see now it is fruitless.” Her hand travels down my chest. “Or is it?” Desire pulses in my blood, and I harden as she touches me, my cock straining for release against my leather breeches. I imagine taking her mouth with mine, crushing her lips as I push her against the wall and straddle her, but when I realize where my mind has gone, I immediately stop. I never allow such thoughts to infiltrate me. As a trained warrior, I have mastered the basest of human instincts. What witchcraft does she possess?

  I grasp her wrist and frown. “Very sure, woman.” I wind my fingers around her soft, golden-brown tresses and tug. She gasps in pain, her mouth parting, as her eyes widen. I bring my mouth to her ear. “You have overstepped. Now go before you force me to show you my displeasure.”

  She squeals as I release her hair then send her on her way with a firm slap to her backside. Her gait picks up, and she runs toward the lighted tavern. The guards by the door chuckle. “Not interested in the damsel warming your bed, eh, my lord?” mocks one young guard. My ire rises at his audacity.

  I pivot and raise a brow. First propositioned, then mocked? His companion elbows him, and the laughter dies. Satisfied, I jerk my chin up, demanding entry.

  I hope Aldric still has wine left for me.

  ⊱⟢⋯⟣⊰

  Aldric sits by the fire in the large dining hall, a goblet of wine in one hand, while the other taps against his leather-clad knee. He wears worn leather breeches and a loose-fitting shirt. Tomorrow, we will join our brothers of the Hisrach, the military leaders of Avalere. Tonight, though, he sits at leisure, the roaring fire in front of him, servants at his bidding. The table has been cleared of the evening meal. Lystava, his head servant, silver-haired and petite, gestures for me to take a seat beside him. When I am practically next to him, he looks up at me.

  “Idan.” His dark beard has grown longer in recent years, but his eyes and stern visage are softer. It displeases me to see his strength softened over time. I blame the touch of his woman.

  “Thank you, Lystava,” he says. “Fetch Carina and bring her to me.”

  The servant bows low, her gray hair bobbing as she takes her leave.

  Aldric turns to me. “We have much to discuss. But, first, I will check on Carina. The nurse urges her to walk about often, so I must call her to me.” He gestures to a servant standing in the shadows, who leaves and returns with his wife, Carina, the dark-haired, blue-eyed beauty he chose from the circle five years ago. Heavy with child, she rests her hand upon her rounded belly as she ambles toward the fire. When she reaches us, she bends down to kiss Aldric’s cheek, and he embraces her.

  “How do you feel tonight, little one?” he asks. I stifle a snort. The fiercest warrior I have ever known has been brought to his knees by a woman.

  “Very well, my lord.” She places her hand atop his. “But my time nears. I’d not be surprised if by this time tomorrow, you will be holding your new daughter in those enormous arms of yours.”

  Her lips twitch, and Aldric shakes his head. “Is that right?” he queries. “You know my son and I will sit by the fire in due time.” He takes her fingers to his lips and kisses her. “Idan and I have some things to discuss this evening. I’d like you to stroll around the castle with Lystava. Your midwife says you should walk, and I wish you to follow her orders.”

  Carina sighs. “I am tired, my lord.”

  He raises a brow, and she shifts on her feet. “But I will do as you ask.” She gives him a parting kiss, and goes on her way. Still smiling, he faces the fire again. Though I still respect my master and commander — and still defer to his headship over the highest order — I struggle to accept that he has fallen for the weaker sex.

  I will never allow a woman to seduce me. Though I’ll likely take a woman as wife, our relationship will be pragmatic, and not based on mutual love or whatever Aldric and Carina see in one another. I wait for him to speak, watching the flames of the crackling fire flicker in front of me.

  “I want to speak to you about tomorrow,” Aldric begins.

  I nod. Tomorrow, the circle of women will approach the His
rach, giving themselves in servitude. Those who will offer themselves have been chosen for their intellect, skills, and beauty. Tomorrow, members of the Hisrach who wish to choose a wife will do so. There has been chatter in town over this event. Just today, I heard whispers and excitement of the female variety at the marketplace, murmurs between friends as I passed by, wondering if I would choose a woman. I ignored such foolishness. When the time comes to choose from the circle, I will not select a woman who has been prattling with her friends and fawning over the warriors, but a sturdy, sensible, beautiful woman, who knows her place.

  “Yes, my lord?”

  Aldric clears his throat. “Tomorrow, Idan, you will choose a woman from the circle.”

  As a trained warrior, I remain calm, though his pronouncement shocks me. “Excuse me, my lord?”

  Aldric lifts his goblet to his mouth and drinks, then gestures to a servant standing at a distance, waiting to do his bidding. She scurries over, head bowed. He turns to me. “A drink?”

  “Ale, please,” I order. The king and I wait in silence. Moments later, the servant returns to place a cool, frothy tankard of dark ale in my hand. I face Aldric, deferring to him and waiting for him to speak first.

  “As you know, Idan, our nation grows.” He looks toward the fire, taking a sip from his goblet. Interplanetary battles have caused refugees from other planets to seek sanctuary on Avalere. Carina’s home planet of Freanoss still thrives, as do the mines of Kleedan, but battles over natural resources have caused a divide. When the New Dawn, a meeting of the heads of counsel, convened ages ago, various planets within our solar system chose the civilization they would cultivate. The leaders agreed to form a treaty, to allow the planets to flourish without interference.

  With few exceptions, we have maintained our distance, Avalere remaining the home of tradition and ancient customs. When Aldric and Carina united five years prior, dispute arose between their home planets of Avalere and Freanoss, but the quarrels have now been put to rest. During the wars, our portals hummed with passage, and refugees came to inhabit Avalere. With an absence of war and natural disasters on Avalere, our nation thrives, the population increasing in droves since Aldric took the throne.

  “Yes, my lord,” I agree. Our numbers increase. Our schools fill to bursting, and the ranks of warriors enlisting as soldiers for Avalere has near doubled. My job as lieutenant in the king’s army has left me busy training new soldiers. Yes, Avalere has grown.

  Aldric clears his throat. “I wish to re-establish the second throne on the east side of Avalere.”

  I start. The second throne? “My lord?” I ask.

  “Since the populace has expanded, Idan, I fear lordship over Avalere without attentive leadership will not benefit our planet.” He shrugs. “My wife will soon give birth. Though I tease her she will birth a son, I have no reason to believe it is so. Even if she does birth a son, he would not assume leadership for decades to come. At my father’s passing three years ago, I made a promise I would lead Avalere to the best of my ability. And I now believe to lead Avalere effectively I must appoint a second leader. A duke, as it were.” My heart pounds, my palms sweaty, but I keep rein on my emotions as I listen in silence. I suspect what this will mean for me, but as lieutenant to the Hisrach, I hear and obey.

  “Yes, my lord.”

  “I wish for you to assume the secondary throne,” he explains. I blink but listen as he continues. “Tomorrow, you will choose a suitable mate from the circle of women. And, shortly thereafter, I will appoint you to your throne. You will not be alone in leadership. I will assist you as best I can, and we will determine the best way to lead the Avalerians. I wish for you to take a wife, to acclimate yourself to your new home, and after you have done so, I will appoint you to the throne.” He takes another sip from the goblet. “Do you have questions?”

  I have dozens of questions, but I will refrain from asking too many at present. I have not prepared myself to take a woman, but if my king wishes for me to do so, then I shall. I shake my head.

  Aldric continues. “I would like to remind you that when you choose a woman, you must train her in both obedience and servitude. As companion to my army, and my most trusted lieutenant, you will be required to lead without faltering. Any woman who binds herself to you must not stand in the way of your leadership, but must be prepared to hear and obey. If she has been selected to present herself in the circle, she has passed rigorous training, but you must see to its completion. Do you understand?”

  “Yes, my lord.” I restrain myself from scoffing. I have no patience for disobedience. Such training will be easy.

  He raises a brow in silence. After a moment, he nods. “Very good,” he says, his voice softer. “I wish I had given you ample time to prepare rather than thrusting this upon you. I appreciate your willingness to do my bidding at a moment’s notice. I want to thank you, Idan.”

  I bow my head.

  Aldric continues. “We are clear, then. Tomorrow, you will choose from the circle. And once you have chosen, we will plan accordingly.”

  With one large gulp, I drain the remains of my ale.

  CHAPTER TWO

  Svali

  I have little time as I make my way toward the portal I must access. Avalerian laws were lax, but the regulations have tightened. Minors may no longer travel without an adult, and access after dark is rarely allowed. Despite the momentary amicable alliance between the planets, interplanetary travel remains far from free. We respect the dictates of our lands. But I must go to Kleedan one final time before tomorrow. When I am but a few paces away from the portal, I see the guards standing by. They do not appear to notice me hasten toward the entrance. I’ve darkened my skin and donned camouflage clothing.

  I am used to escaping notice. It is sometimes useful.

  I’ve brought a distraction with me, though, to be certain I can access the portal. With one quick toss, several large stones scatter in front of them, and one guard turns to the other. These two have been drinking, their reflexes slowed, their perception limited. Very good. In my right hand, I carry a party favor from Kleedan. My home planet is well known for designing explosives, both the type used to light the night sky in celebration and the type used to blast rock and rubble. Explosives such as these are a rare sight on Avalere, so I hope the element of surprise will help. I carry one of low intensity, and though it is flammable, is is only meant to entertain. Crouching, I light the wick and toss it several yards away from the guards. Seconds later, the firework ignites, sending a rainbow display of sparks into the night sky. The guards gasp, and as they amble over to inspect what has caused the burst of light and color, I scurry to the portal.

  “Halt!” comes a stern voice behind me.

  Do not look back. Do not look back! I urge myself on. This could be my last chance to see my family before I give myself to the Hisrach. I hear feet crashing through the leaves, but too late. My hand now on the entry, whoever shouts behind me can no longer stop me. I turn as I’m whisked to Kleedan, catching the barest glimpse of red hair. Could it be him?

  I was paid handsomely by the soldiers in the pub to seduce the warrior. How I’d love to best the pompous man who scorned me. But the view around me fades now. I scoff to myself. Soldiers of Avalere, tricked by a mere flash of light? Perhaps the trickery I plan tomorrow will be easier than I thought.

  When the doors to the portal open, two guards from Kleedan stand by. I recognize these two. They nod in greeting, standing sentry while I stride past them. It is evening and not always safe to be walking alone like this. Danger lurks at dusk. On a normal day, I’d have come during daylight instead, but I had much to do earlier, and my desperation spurs me on. I want to see my mother one last time before I make the life-altering decision tomorrow.

  Kleedan is dark even during the day but pitch black at night. I reach into the waistband of the tunic from Avalere and remove my electric torch. The Avalerians eschew such things, but here, I need the few amenities I’ve grown accustomed to. The li
ght shines in the darkness at my touch, a bright gleam of brilliance against the inky night sky. It feels so odd to return to my modern conveniences when, moments ago, I was in ancient times on Avalere, where we use torches to light our way, nothing like the little device I now hold.

  A few paces from my home, I rack my brain for something I might take with me to make my transition to Avalere easier.

  I’ve thought long and hard about what I must do. I decided at an early age I would leave Kleedan, but my knowledge of interplanetary travel was so limited, my understanding of civilizations elsewhere so skewed, I didn’t know where I’d go until now. A chance meeting of a soldier helped me make my decision. He had been sentenced to the mines of Kleedan as punishment, and he spoke wistfully of the ways of the Avalerians. The home he described seemed so different from Kleedan and the sterility of Freanoss. Though part of me feared Avalere — it seemed a rather brutal place, barbaric in custom and tradition — I wondered what it would be like to experience the warm climate, to see the bright light of sun, and to walk through the marketplace. I would travel there, I decided. Just to satisfy my curiosity.

  I’d never seen grass so green, skies so blue, or flowers so vibrant. On Avalere, the people speak and dressed like the ancients, though. Women obey the men. The men function as leaders, enforcing strict laws and tradition.

  Do I truly want to be one of them?

  Being kissed by the Avalerian sun makes me happy and at peace. I detest the dank, dark mines of Kleedan and our impoverished land. On Avalere, opportunity awaits. If my plan goes as I hope, by this time next month, my family will no longer be slaves to poverty and darkness. I grit my teeth as I near my childhood home. Yes, as an Avalerian I will have to bend my will to another’s. I will forego modern conveniences and embrace ancient times. But I will do so for love of my family.