Page 65 of Blood Fist

“Bah.” Thewn waved his hands. “Kaledonea has always been a coward. They won’t risk another defeat.”

Ridan didn’t believe that for a second. It had been quiet these last months, thankfully, but the silence wouldn’t last. He suspected Krait was just beginning, and they had to be ready.

But if he revealed that to the chiefs, they would view him as weak. Incapable of protecting his lands. He kept his doubts quiet. He didn’t need to give Thewn more fuel to fan the flames to burn him. Not when his position was so shaky.

Talk turned to crops and alliances. Auhert said he was looking for a mate, and Thewn seemed interested in him finding a ‘sensible omega’ in his clan. Which was typical. Thewn would want to unite the Eastern coast clans. That would put the Stone Blade in an awkward position.

Ridan’s head began to throb.

The meeting concluded with a lot of vague assurances and waived aside concerns. It was the most unproductive afternoon of Ridan’s life, and he needed a drink. Or three.

He wilted in his chair, rubbing his temples. He wasn’t alone.

Areine was still sitting in her chair, chin resting upon interlaced fingers as she stared him down.

“Thewn will probably challenge you,” she said after a long moment of silence.

“Because I’m young?” he asked belligerently. “Or because I’m an omega?”

“Does it matter?”

“He doesn’t fuck with you.”

Her grin spread, white teeth cutting through the gloom. “He only made that mistake once.” She ran a finger along her smooth jaw. “Ask him who broke his jaw.”

He knew he liked Areine. Settling in, he looked across the thick wooden table at his fellow omegan chief. “What do you want?”

“Prettyandsmart,” she cooed, her scent of baked sand smelling entirely too pleased. “I want what you need.”

He ignored her comment. “And what is it I need?”

“Allies,” she supplied, eyes narrowing as she took him in. “Restrina was strong and had years to prove herself. You don’t. Thewn is an ass, but he’s right. You’re young. That’s a weakness. And if Kaledonea is plotting, that’s a problem.”

It figures Areine saw through his concerns about Kaledonea. Trying to keep his face neutral, he let her continue.

“Fact of the matter is, we can’t afford to lose Stone Blade lands. The only reason the Walled City hasn’t been a problem for us was their limitations. They didn’t have the resources to attack. But now, for whatever reason, they do. And if they take your lands, they’ll have the strength for more.

“Not to mention, Stone Blade lands are the last defense for Artrax’s Mountain.”

“You think they could be targeting it?”

She didn’t answer right away, looking down at the table for a long moment. “I think it’s a possibility we can’t afford to dismiss.”

Artrax’s Mountain was more than sacred to the Clans. It was everything. If they lost it…no. That was too much to bear. To think of someone like King Krait even breathing the mountain air was an insult he couldn’t fathom.

“What are you proposing?”

“The Strong Leg and Stone Blade have never had a problem, but our distance made friendship…difficult. I’m suggesting an alliance between us. You have a fight on your hands, and I have warriors itching for blood.”

She was right. With five days ride between them, it wasn’t as if they were neighbors. The Strong Leg had never needed anything from the Stone Blade. They were a liberal clan, free with their inhibitions and successful. He’d heard they even traded wares at Brambleberry Junction and far over the seas.

“What do you get out of this?” he asked warily.

Areine’s eyes glittered. “Besides protecting Artrax’s sacrifice? I’d get an in with the great Ridan Oldsun.”

He snorted. “My ego is just fine, thank you. What do you really want?”

Her eyebrow raised. “What? Don’t think I’d want to court you?” Ridan snorted. “Hmm, it’s a shame, but you’re right. I prefer my omegas to be…soft and sweet. Not that you don’t have a certain appeal…” she cocked her head, raking her eyes up and down his body.