Warrior (Princesses of Myth #2)

Still, I loved this land and work called. I walked to the long run of white weatherboard stables, and cupped my hands to my mouth. “Hey, Saunder.”


Inside the wide central holding room, the area was clear. On one wall, hooks held saddles and tack. On the opposite, square bales of hay had been stacked to the ceiling. Nope, no Saunder here.

Out the back door, the fenced yard housed mares and their gangly-legged foals. They swished their tails, swatting at the buzzing flies.

Further along, a man stood with one leg hooked on the lowest railing. The sunshine highlighted short, red-gold twists of curls cut close to his head.

Who was that?

Sometimes warriors came who I didn’t know. This one wore the dark leathers and belted side-sword of our highly battle-trained, his height matching our tallest men.

I licked my lips, my gaze traveling down his body. His worn, black leather vest stretched over broad shoulders. The tails of his loose white shirt fluttered from under his vest.

Wow. I fanned myself and plucked the front of my shirt away from my heated skin. He was one gorgeous specimen I’d like to get my hands on.

“Hello there. May I help you?” I certainly hoped I could.

He lifted his head, slowly turning to look my way. His eyes were to die for, a blue as deep as the ocean with softer specks intermingled. I could have drowned in those eyes.

“What are you doing here, Faith? Why are you not with Davio?” The paler flecks blinked out.

Drat. He couldn’t be a warrior. This must be the protector Dad had warned me of, the one who knew my sister. He was here, already.

Every muscle in my body tightened. The dagger weighted my ankle.

He set one hand over his sword, and his nostrils flared. “No, you’re not Faith.” He stepped forward to tower over me, inspecting me from head to foot. “I feel– Damn.”

Yep, a spark of recognition lit his eyes.

“What’s your name?” He circled me, his body only a breath away.

“Hope.” Strangely, I felt calm. Heck, how was that possible?

Frustration flickered in his eyes. “I feel the pull of the mated bond. With you. You are the reason I’m here.”

Oh no.

No. No. No.

Crap.

My fingernails scraped my palms. “You’re on Wincrest Station.”

A fast breath whistled out from between his lips. “Then we’re in a world of trouble.”

Shaking out my hands, I stamped my feet. I could deal with this. Dad had asked me to figure out where Kate Sol was from. “What’s your name?”

“Silas Carver and I don’t intend to stay. You’re a Wincrest, the last person I would ever wish to bond with.”

I snorted. “I have no desire to join with a protector. You’re safe from me.”

“Perfect.” His gaze drilled me to the spot. “Clearly your sister doesn’t know about you. I would have heard about a twin.”

“She doesn’t, and mustn’t.”

His lips twitched. “That’s a deal. This thing between us–” He motioned with his hand back and forth. “–isn’t going to work. I certainly have no intention of mentioning you.”

“I agree.”

“Good, so I think it’s an easy call to say we give this up, right now.”

“Absolutely.” I gave him a firm nod then remembered Dad’s wishes.

Stink.

“Um, no. Not right now.”

He tapped one booted foot on the ground. “Would you care to explain why?”

A second passed. Two.

“My father is Alexo Wincrest.”

“I know who your father is. I believe we’ve already covered my knowledge of Faith.”

“Right.” I glanced at the ground then back at him. “I’ve bad news. Alexo told me of your coming. He has forewarning.”

A tic pulsed in his jaw. “He didn’t tell you to run hard and fast? In the other direction? Because I have no intention of mating with a Wincrest. My cousin Davio has.”

“Davio’s your cousin?” Hmm, interesting.

“Not for long. I’m disowning him. He comes with too many problems, the worst, your sister.” Contradiction lit his eyes.

“You’re lying.” Those mated to each other couldn’t speak a falsehood without the other knowing. Neither could they hurt each other, not when their souls were bound.

He lifted his shoulders and let them drop. “I figure I’ll be renouncing him fairly soon. That better?”

I smiled, seeing the truth. “I believe we can work together.”

“We’re going to end this now.”

“Sorry, no can do.”

“I’ll start with the words of release.”

I linked my hands behind my back. “I’m not going to agree to your release, yet.”

“We’ll wish each other well, and be on our way. You can find another man, and it’ll be my pleasure to see you do so.”

I frowned. “Your hearing is bad, Silas Carver.”

“Give me your approval to do the same.” Still not listening.

“That’s not going to happen, not when I need your aid.”

“Perhaps we speak a different language.”