Warrior (Princesses of Myth #2)

I shrugged, not wanting him this near, the strain only increasing as each second passed. “I’ve decided I don’t want to meet you after all. Let’s forget this past morning ever happened and you can wing your way back to your lovely little planet of Magio.”


“I don’t understand.” Belle came forward, her lips pinched. “Surely, this is impossible. You two simply can’t be mated. It can’t be. She’s a Halfling.”

I gave her a glare. “I said let’s forget everything. Take him away.”

Her hands trembled as she pushed them through her dark hair. “I can’t. I can’t interfere in a mated relationship. It is a soul-bound calling, one fixed between the two of you.” Her wide gaze begged understanding. “You have to understand. Only half of our population are mated once they come into their adult strength skills at eighteen. The male always senses the bond after he makes direct contact with his female. This is what has happened. It seems you are mated to our prince.”

So this was real–which meant I was likely in a world of trouble. “Okay, so we’re mated,” I said the words, glaring at Davio as I let them sink in.

He snagged my hand. “You are not one of my people.”

I waited a moment, tortured at his tight hold and at seeing the scowl on his face. “Then quit touching me.” I pulled my hand free. “If you can’t tell, I don’t care for it.”

He winced, the first sign that he wasn’t anything other than mad. “I will try. I can see you need some space.” He stepped away, propping his back against the wide trunk of the umbrella tree. Now given the opportunity, I scooted back, too.

Then it happened.

Five feet distance and a strange calmness descended over me. I breathed out the last of my tension and closed my eyes.

Belle was there in my head, making herself, once again, at home. Ooo-kay. You need to tell me exactly what’s going on with you? First and foremost, I’m your friend.

I ignored her, feeling a touch bad, and my eyes opened to see Davio. His thoughts were loud and clear as he eyed me blatantly in return.

Random thoughts escaped him. He found the light blond of my hair captivating, the fine strands catching the sunlight sparkling through the leaves and making the golden color glow like woven silk.

I grimaced.

Next, he looked at my eyes, noticing the unusual violet, although a color he found incredibly intriguing.

“Stop it,” I demanded, crossing my arms with a slap as they came together.

“Reading my thoughts will only get you into trouble.” He tilted his chin, his body straightening as he pushed off the tree.

I sneered. “Well, you were sharing. It’s a little hard to miss what was coming from your over-active imagination when it was directed at me.” Damn it. Now he neared. I hated that every time he came so close, I turned aggressive. “Stay there.”

My blustery warning was loud and clear, but he didn’t break stride. “I can’t stop myself. It’s this stupid, stubborn bond. Finding my mate should never have been like this. It obviously shouldn’t have been with a Halfling and someone not of my world.”

“Amen to that,” I grumbled as he ruthlessly closed in.

I threw up a hand against his oncoming assault and tried to halt him. Too late.

My palm hit his chest, his momentum driving me back several steps. Oh boy. I flushed as my aggression instantly dissolved. So strange–when he touched me, the hard emotions promptly disappeared.

Davio leaned over me, all six foot four of him, his warm honey-brown hair falling forward to curl snugly around his neck, and I longed for him, just as I had during my first sighting of him in the classroom.

“What’s happening is the bond, my mate. It will become difficult for me to keep my distance both physically and emotionally unless I leave and end this now.”

My heart hitched. “You want to leave?” I swayed closer on impulse. “Is that how this bond works? We find each other and then you leave?” God preserve his people if it did.

“No, it is not. Those mated are bonded for life if we allow the link to grow. Except that would be the most unwise choice for us to take. You are, quite clearly, neither from my country nor from my world, and as such will have no allegiance to me or my people. I have no wish to join with one who does not wish to join with me in all ways. With that being the case, I will find another when the time is right. As should you,” he added solemnly.

I frowned. Hold on–did he just say he would be joining with another woman?

I bit my tongue. That was good? I should leave it at that, right?

Jeez, what was wrong with me for questioning that choice?

“I’m sorry. We just met, and you’re right. Go find your, your–” Strangely, I struggled to get the words out and finally gave up. “Well, have yourself a nice long life, and all that.” I patted his chest roughly.

That was more like me.

The clock ticked and time slowed.

He didn’t move.

“Look at me.” He tipped up my chin, directly staring at me. “This would never work.”