Another peek at the Warlords and audio update

Lindsey’s Rescue A World Beyond book 3 audio is complete. I have minor edits for the narrator and then its coming. The Overlord’s Heir book 1.5 Warlord series is complete. Minor edits for the narrator and then its coming. ((I’m so excited to get more audiobooks to you all))

Now, here is another peek at the Warlords as I spin my days with the Raasa, Kabanian and the Olak’din. Forgive any errors as the peeks are just something I  wrote for fun and help me delve into the characters more while I work on Saran 🙂 This one is Shaina and Argan, the hero and heroine, from Rise of the Shadow Warriors.

Shaina studied her husband’s rapid motions. His sword slashed through the air, missing his opponent by a hair’s breath. They danced about the limited space provided by the small cave, each man determined to win the match. The blond opponent stumbled back and Argan took advantage. He flung his palm forward and dark swirls of smoke whipped out to circle the other man’s waist causing his sword to fall to the ground with a clatter.

Justan cursed as the bonds became unbreakable. Shaina laughed and the sound broke Argan’s concentration. The shadows he controlled dissipated, freeing Justan. The two men shared a smile.

“You’re going to be as powerful as the Queen,” commented Justan as he reached for the two folded towels on the ground and tossed one to Argan.

“It is only fair since the skill comes from her.” Argan caught the cloth and swiped at his damp black hair.

He met Shaina’s gaze from across the expanse of the room. She pushed away from the wall where she’d watched their practice session. Every day her husband’s ability to master the shadows grew. When she reached him, she smoothed her hand over his bare chest, not bothered in the least by the sweat soaking his skin.

“Are you done here? I thought we could practice your…other skills.”

Justan groaned and tugged on her red pony tail. “That’s my hint to leave. Give me time to clear out before you jump each other.”

Shaina’s best friend escaped quickly through the cave exit.

Lips twitching, Argan dropped the used towel in a bin and faced Shaina. “We practiced this morning and this afternoon. Am I so lacking in my efforts for my bride?”

She laughed and curved her arms about his waist, face pressed to his chest. After a slight hesitation, he returned the embrace. Her husband was a Kabanian Warlord and the former right hand to the Overlord of Kaban. Affection and physical signs of love didn’t come natural to his people. “Isn’t it you who says that a true warrior must always practice?”

Argan’s rich laughter spilled out and his arms tightened on Shaina right before he lifted her high in his arms. She braced her hands on his shoulders and grinned down at him. Moments like these were the best because seeing her husband relaxed and in good humor reassured that he did not regret his decision to move from Raasa to make his life among her shadow people the Olak’din.

“You speak truth, my bride. I vow to work harder.” His voice lowered as he made the claim and his black eyes glinted with desire.

“I’ll race you to our rooms.” Shaina used her position to shift her hips and raise her legs to kick at his chest and push back.

Caught off guard, Argan relaxed his grip and she back flipped from his hold and took off running for the arched entry way that led to the tunnel of caves serving as home to the shadow warriors. She managed to reach the main tunnels before the pound of heavy boots in pursuit sounded. Biting back her grin she dodged to the left and a rarely used path in the caverns. Hopefully it threw her determined husband off her track since he was still new and learning his way around.

Shaina placed her back against the wall once she got to the dead end of the short tunnel. Holding in a laugh she listened for any signs he’d followed. Silence echoed back in the dark. Her vision excelled in these conditions because she was Olak’din. As Shadow Queen, the darkness aided her in ways others could only imagine.

Breath coming in mild pants she strained to hear and waited. Every beat of her heart increased her joy and anticipation in equal measure. She loved to tease her stoic husband. Argan responded better than she expected to her habit of joking and proved a good sport though his retaliation usually took the form of sex. A grin split her mouth. Shaina didn’t mind his version of revenge. Sex was her favorite past time.

Another beat past and still no hint Argan knew where she was. At first she wanted to pump her fist in victory for going undiscovered but disappointment surged. It wasn’t that she didn’t want to win but the woman in her, the female who needed her partner to be equal to any challenge she put forth wilted in dismay. She inhaled deeply and released a soft sigh, the fun in the game losing its luster.

“Found you.” Two arms yanked her forward and Shaina stumbled.

She tried to find her footing while struggling to get away and was spun around, her arms clamped to her side, her back to a rock hard chest. “Argan!”

He nuzzled her neck and dragged his tongue over the symbol branded on her neck. The mark symbolized her commitment to him and her claim to declare him Shadow King. “Did you expect another?”

Her fighting spirit returned even as her heart danced in delight. She kicked back with her feet but he squeezed in steady increments until her breath lightened. Shaina snickered and relaxed in his hold. The pressure instantly eased. A kiss brushed her ear, sending shivers of pleasure in its wake.

“I thought you lost your way,” Shaina tossed out in an indifferent tone.

Argan growled. “Never will I lose you. My heart races when you are near.”

Shaina melted. “I love you, Argan.”

He turned her around and tipped her chin up. This time his kiss captured her lips. Softly, brief strokes from his tongue met hers as she was crushed against the firm press of his body. She moaned, linking her arms about his neck. Voices carried on the air and he broke away with a sharp gasp.

“We will continue to…practice in our bedroom where there is no worry of interruption.”

“Maybe if we’re quick, they won’t see us.”

Argan snorted and lifted her over his shoulder. Shaina squealed, head hanging upside down.

“Ever do you seek to tease. It is fortunate I love you.”

Shaina grinned. Very fortunate.