Captive of the Horde King (Horde Kings of Dakkar, #1)

by Zoey Draven

Considering that when Arokan had first brought me to the camp and he’d hardly been able to keep his hands off me those first few days…I was beginning to wonder if he was already losing interest in me.

“My father believed that it would be useful, though I detested learning it. He was right. It is quite useful to me now.”

“You might like me better if you didn’t know what I was saying.” His grin was small, but it sent a thrill through me. “I do not know. I enjoy your sharp tongue.”

“Like you said,” he murmured, brushing his fingers against my hair, “Dothik is a place. My horde is my home.”

It wasn’t the first time I wondered if Arokan was releasing his own tension elsewhere. And that thought cut deep. It made jealousy swarm my veins.

Damn. I was a fool. An inexperienced fool who desired her horde king husband but didn’t know how to show him.

bathed myself, but even the tub seemed too big without Arokan in it. I had grown so used to spending the nights with him that now it seemed strange, like the time was stretched. It was different. I didn’t think I liked it.

As I waited, my thoughts ran wild. Insecurity reared its ugly head, and I couldn’t help but wonder, for the hundredth time, if Arokan was assuaging his lusts elsewhere.

He was mine. Mine alone. And it amazed me at how intense that feeling rose in my chest and held, how that feeling took shape and hardened like stone.

All I could think was that Arokan was mine and he was with another female that night.

“that my queen believes these gifts belong to others or that she was indifferent when she believed I was straying from our furs.”

“This,” he said, cutting me off with a clipped tone, gesturing to the pile in front of me, “is a deviri.” Hesitantly, I whispered, “And what does that mean?” “It is an offering to my chosen mate. A gift to my bride.”

“I have been collecting these trinkets for you since before I was even a horde warrior. Before I was a Vorakkar. Some jewels were my mother’s. Others I acquired from Dothik, from outposts spread across Dakkar, from merchants and stalls and traders that come from all across the universe.”

“You think they belong to others? They do not. They belong to you and only you, Luna. From the moment I saw you in your village, they have belonged to you.” I’d really fucked up this time.

“Dakkari…” I started hesitantly. “They only take one mate?” His expression darkened. “Do humans take multiple? Is this something I need to consider in my future with you? Because I will never allow you to take another or so much as touch another male. Know this, Morakkari. Absolutely not. You will ensure his death if you do.”

“I am not done with you, Morakkari.” “Good,” I whispered back. “I’m not done with you either, Vorakkar.”

I felt warm and safe in his arms. And I knew, without a doubt, that I’d given up yet another piece of my heart to him that night. How much more would he take before there was nothing left?

He wanted me to be strong because he told me that one day, I would need to protect my mother, my queen, and my daughters.”

“I’m glad they did. I’m glad they led you to me.”

“You’ve created a monster,” I whispered to him.

I’d gone from frightened indifference to being a little bit obsessed with my alien husband.

Arokan had assured me that Kailon would never harm me…and I trusted my husband. I believed him.

In a low voice, I heard him dismiss the horde warriors who, I realized, had brought my brother here. That was why they hadn’t come from the South. Arokan had tasked them with this, despite the risk it posed.

Affection and respect and love filled my breast. He’d done this for me.

“He is…” I trailed off with a small smile, not quite knowing how to explain Arokan of Rath Kitala. He was the strongest, most honorable male I’d ever met. He was everything a leader should be, needed to be and more. Finally, I said, “He’s not what you think, Kivan. He’s good to me. More than good to me.”

What matters is that you’re here now. I asked my husband if I could see you again, and here you are. You’re here because of him.”

Because Arokan had asked me this once. He’d asked if I would choose my brother and the village over the horde, over him. And I’d told him that he couldn’t ask me that, that it wasn’t fair. But right then, I had my answer. “No,” I whispered.

“You’re good to me. I don’t tell you nearly as much as I should, but you are, Arokan. Thank you. Thank you.”

“My only wish is your happiness, kalles.” “I am happy,” I told him, giving him a soft smile. “Now even more

“I thought about when you asked me if I would choose to leave or stay if I had the choice,” I said softly. “I remember.” “I told him no.”

“While I love my brother, I also know that I cannot betray the horde. I wouldn’t leave them. More importantly, I wouldn’t leave you.”

“You’ve been keeping this secret from me.” “I was not sure he would come,” Arokan confessed. “But he did. I offered him a place here for you, Luna. Only for you.”

“I miss you,” I whispered to him, turning my head to look back at him. He growled, “Soon, kassikari. I promise.”

“You will ride with me until we reach the camp. No exceptions. Tell your brother and your pikis they may be near you as well.”

“Luna,” he murmured softly, reaching out to cup the nape of my neck. I turned my eyes to him. “I will always protect you. You have nothing to fear.”

Ever since it became a possibility that I could be pregnant…it was all I’d thought about. I wanted a baby, I realized.

“My herbs revealed to me that you are pregnant with the Vorakkar’s child.” I reached out to grip a tall chest to keep from falling over.

But around me, he didn’t. He let me see what he was feeling. He was Arokan with me, not the Vorakkar.

In my ear, he rasped, “You honor me, my Luna. I am proud to be your male.”

“H-Hukan,” I whispered in shock. Then anger enveloped me, rage that made my hands shake. She’d betrayed Arokan, betrayed me, betrayed the horde. And now two innocent Dakkari were dead because of it.

Realization hit me. I’d been gone for hours. Arokan would know by now I was gone. In my gut, I knew he was already searching for me, but if he hadn’t found me by now, if he hadn’t been able to track the Ghertun that had taken me, would he find me?

realized I didn’t need to wait for Arokan. I could handle this myself. My husband had given me the knowledge to handle this myself. We’d trained for hours and hours together, for weeks. I just needed to time everything right.

For one stunned, silent moment, he looked down at his wound, one leg giving out underneath him. My hands shook, and I stared at him, feeling the heavy weight of the dagger in my palm.

He was the first being I’d ever wanted to kill. I didn’t know how I felt about that, not yet, but I would do whatever it took to survive, to get back to Arokan, the horde, and Kivan. I would do whatever it took to keep my growing baby safe.

I knew the Dakkari did. Darkness was a weakness of humans, and I had no room for weakness. Not right now.

Arokan, Arokan. I could see him soon. I could feel his arms wrapped around me. I could feel safe. Those thoughts spurred me into a jog, wanting to see him, needing to see him.

His expression was thunderous. His eyes were wild, his chest heaving with roughened breaths, Ghertun blood splattered across his chest and face. My lips parted. I’d never seen my horde king so…undone. Relief made tears prick my eyes as his arms came around me, swinging me up against his chest.

Arokan swung us both up on Kailon. Exhaustion was starting to weigh on me. Now that I was safe, all I wanted to do was sleep. I was still cradled in his arms, and I rested my head on his chest, listening to his heart race. My horde king looked down at my face, his expression tightening at whatever he saw. Rage entered his gaze, hot and furious. I realized he was doing everything he could not to explode.

“Take me home, Arokan,” I whispered. Beyond words, my horde king nodded, and he spurred Kailon into a sprint back toward camp.

“Arokan,” I whispered, stroking his cheek. “My body will heal. The healer said the baby is safe. I’m here with you. That’s all that matters.”