by Gwynn White
“Damn. Do you need a hand?”
“No.” Heck no. “I’ll be fine.” Any time we spent together would only strengthen our bond. I checked my saddlebags. Water flask and snacks. Good. I folded Cole’s jacket and tucked it into one of the pouches. It was hot out, and only getting hotter. I mounted and galloped, giving my mare her head. Adrenaline pumped, blood flowed through my veins and invigorated me. This was life, riding free across the greatest plains on Earth.
“I’m serious about my offer, Lieska. If you’re in any danger and need a hand I’ll come. ’Port back and collect me.”
“There’s no danger, or at least not yet. I’ll be sure to holler though if there is.” Not. I didn’t need a protector on warrior soil. That would cause more problems than the bushfires, more unnecessary heat too.
I surveyed the northern horizon where Rocky Ledge ascended. The Ledge, a massive red rock sitting on the plains, ran as far as the eye could see. The cloudless sky above was a vivid blue and clear of any smoke. To the west, a different story hailed. The hills, rising far into the distance, displayed a swath of brown-green bush, one with the bushfire’s telltale smog clinging to it. To the east where the mighty river lay beyond the plains, thankfully it all appeared clear.
“Where in the outback are you? Give me a location. I need to check for myself.” Great. Perhaps I should’ve stuck around so we could speak the words of release and end our bond properly. Although my mate was a hunter, so his male need to come a-running had likely doubled.
“Cole, can you do me a favor?” I dug my knees in and urged the horse to a faster speed, keeping an eye out for any strays between the homestead and watering hole.
“You know the bond. If there’s anything you truly need, then ask.”
“I need you to close this connection and never open it again.”
“Except that.”
“You said anything.”
“Yeah, but within reason.”
“That’s not unreasonable. We broke up. I distinctly remember leaving you a note.”
“You can’t speak of bushfires and not expect me to react. Tell me where you are. Don’t make me hunt you down.”
Ha. He’d actually like that. The thrill of the chase was what hunters thrived on. “You’d never catch my scent this deep in the outback. Wincrest Station alone is spread over eight-thousand square miles.” Okay, why was I provoking him?
“Give me some coordinates.”
“Nope, that’s too easy.”
“Which state?”
“The one apparently on fire.”
“Lieska.” He growled my name, a dark rumble down our link.
Oooh, hot tingles raced across my skin. Maybe I’d give him something. He’d never find me out here under the scorching sun anyway. “Okay. Soon I’ll be coming up on a cluster of bush trees bordering the closest water source to the homestead. Come find me. I promise a reward if you do.”
“What kind of reward?” Silky smooth words. “You want me to chase you. I can sense it.”
“Think about what you really want, my mate. That’s all I’m asking. It’s not me, and it’s too dangerous for us to pursue this bond.”
“Danger is my middle name.”
“Nah-uh, it’s Chimpanzee.”
“It’s Chase.” He chuckled. “And for a very good reason. Hold onto your reins. I’m coming for you.”
My long hair whipped around my face as I rode low and fast. I bundled the locks of brown under my Stetson then petted the horse’s neck. He’d never find me. Or at least he better not.
Gripping the reins, I allowed my love of the outback to comfort me. Tumbleweeds blew across the land, some catching in low brush before the gust freed them and they rolled on. The ride lengthened, and I changed my angle toward the east.
A half hour later, the watering hole came into view. Cattle munched on a small patch of grass growing along its shallow bank. I rode in and jumped down beside the half-dry creek bed. At the edge, the sun had baked deep cracks into it.
My horse snickered, pushing his muzzle into my back. “Are you thirsty, girl?”
I tied the reins to a low branch, removed my water flask from my saddlebags and poured some into one cupped palm. The horse whinnied then lapped at the clear drinking water. When she was content, I took a few sips then tucked the flask away. Even harsh and dry, this was the most beautiful place.
I eyed the red rocks rimming the basin. Hold on. What was that? A wisp of black fluttered between two boulders, completely out of place.
Hands clamped around my waist from behind. I jumped and thumped back into one very hard chest. A man’s spicy scent enveloped me.
“Turn around, Lieska. I want my reward.”
Chapter Three
MY HEARTBEAT THUNDERED as I whipped around. Oh boy. Cole. It was really him. My mate stood before me when I should never have seen him again. “How’d you find me? That should have been near impossible, and never this quick.”
“You dared me. And I’ve always gone after what I wanted and never deviated from the set course.”
“Your set course is not me and we both know it.” Although two hunters together would be a striking force. Nope, don’t think it. You’re not together, and it’ll never work.
“Then don’t dare me again.”
“All right. I promise I won’t.” I motioned toward the non-danger surrounding me. “See, you came for no reason. No fire here.”
He surveyed the smoky hills in the west.
“Hey.” I clasped his face and brought his gaze back to mine. The slight rasp of stubble tickled my fingertips. “It’s best you don’t look over there.”
“Once the danger’s gone, we’ll get back to our separation. Consider this a hitch in our plans. That’s all.” He leaned in, bent his head close to my neck.
“What are you doing?” I sank my hands into his soft golden-brown hair. And what was I doing?
He breathed deep, nose against my flesh. “So I wasn’t imagining it. Your skin holds the scent of chocolate. Your camisole held a touch of the aroma, but I couldn’t figure out why.”
“I use cocoa butter as a lotion instead of—” Okay, he didn’t need to hear I preferred that over sweetly scented perfumes.
“Don’t stop. Tell me why.” His brown gold-flecked eyes sparkled.
Great. Apparently he did, and the hunter in him wouldn’t rest until he knew. The same happened to me, time and time again. “In Dralion chocolate is nonexistent. We don’t have the land to cultivate the cacao beans.”
“And only warriors can leave your land through the dome.”
“Exactly. This past year I discovered chocolate on Earth. It’s everywhere, and with my heightened senses, I’ve become a bit of a chocolate addict.”
“Have you tried chocolate ice cream drizzled with chocolate syrup, and finished off with a sprinkle of chocolate—”
“Hey.” I shoved a finger against his lips. “Try not to mention chocolate when I’m out on a job. I’ve been known to flash straight to my favorite store and buy up large.”
He smiled. “Even your hair shimmers with varying shades of milk and dark chocolate.”
What was he talking about? “Ah, I don’t think so. It’s brown. Just brown.”
“It’s silky and long.” He tipped off my Stetson and ran his fingers through it. “I like this shade.”
“Cole, we’re getting rather…close.”
“Close is daring.” He pulled back and looked into my eyes. “I’ve gotta kiss you. Just this once.”
“That’s a terrible—” His mouth dropped over mine and he kissed me, with a hunter’s prowess. I clutched his wickedly broad shoulders, flattened myself against him and kissed him back. “We shouldn’t do this,” I mumbled against his lips. But oh, so good.
“One kiss can’t hurt, right?” He deepened our kiss, and I was lost as my need for more took over.
I kissed him, and my heartbeat raced. More. He was my mate, and it wasn’t a bond to be broken. Except,
damn it, we pretty much had. What was I thinking letting this go on? Hands on his chest, I pushed him back, only an inch, but one valuable inch. “Okay, wait up.”
He growled. “You shouldn’t taste so good.”
“Neither should you.” Unable to help myself, I traced his full lips with a finger. “I liked the kiss.”
“I’d like another.” He sucked my finger into his mouth. Wow. Hot, and I was about to expire as it was. “What was your intended reward, my mate?”
“I think you’ve already had enough of one. Why don’t you tell me how you found me. I need to make sure that doesn’t happen again.”
“I tracked Silas down in Sundrimer. We shared some information about yours and Hope’s visit. He told me about his mated bond with Hope, and Hope’s twin sister being mated to my prince. What a mess. I can’t believe the deadly secret they’re keeping.”
“So he pulled you into his inner circle?”
“He did. I gave him my promise to keep their secret.”
“If Donaldo Wincrest knew of his granddaughters’ relationships, he’d forbid them. Only a few of Hope and Faith’s most trusted are aware.”
“So Silas said. I won’t spill the beans.”
The wind played with his hair, brushing it back and forth over his shoulders. I itched to touch it again. Focus. “Ah, Silas led you here then?”
“Yes. He knew exactly where the closest water source to the homestead was.” He stroked my back. “I also asked him to take me to places you frequent. We buzzed by the stables, the river, and a couple of the more prominent watering holes.”
Silas was a pest, and if I could kill him, I would. Sadly, that was no longer an option. “He shouldn’t have done that. Warriors come and go, Cole. You have to take care.”
“You walked freely into the protectors’ arena. I’ve done no different.”
“Yeah, but I don’t ever intend to visit there again.”
“And neither will I drop by the outback. I simply needed to ensure I had the images for ’porting. As a precautionary measure. That’s all.”
“What about your decision to ’path me? That has to stop too.”
“Once we’re done here, I won’t get in touch.”
“Promise me.”
“Sure. Now let’s get moving on this job you’ve got to do.” He released me and jumped along the rocks. Carefully, he untied my camisole from the stick, folded the silk and slid in into his front shirt pocket. Grinning, he patted his chest. “Thanks for this. It appears I don’t mind it at all.”
“Don’t thank me yet. I intend to swap that for a pair of old woolen socks, and as soon as I can.” I grabbed my fallen Stetson and jammed it on. Mates. So frustrating. How did Hope and Faith cope with theirs? Hmm, maybe I needed to stand my ground a little more.
“You ready to go?” he asked.
“Yes.”
He led the way back to the watering hole. After checking the straps on the saddle, he mounted then extended a hand. “Since there’s one horse, we’ll ride together.”
“I should make you go saddle your own horse, except I don’t want you near the stables.” I slipped my hand into his. He lifted me up and settled me in front of him. I nabbed the reins. “But I’m in charge. I know where this horse needs to be led.”
“So do I. Away from those smoky hills. Let’s get the cattle moving.” Arms around my waist, he held on.
“We’re heading to the river. That’s what Goldie’s asked. It’s the safest place for them on the station.”
“Who’s Goldie?”
“Goldwyn Wincrest is Donaldo’s daughter. She’s nineteen, the same age as me. Her and Hope are close since they grew up together. She keeps the girls’ secret too. She certainly won’t be happy to hear I’m mated to a protector, but I’ll explain that it’s over.” I tugged on the reins, guided the mare around the cattle.
“You ride well.” He leaned against my back, nuzzled my neck. “And this cocoa butter of yours smells good. I like it. Too much.”
“I’ll be sure to lather it all over those old socks.”
He chuckled then tightened his arms around my waist.
“Hey.” I smacked his hands. “A little less of that. I have weapons and I will use them.”
“Of course you will.” He blew a soft breath along my neck. “I enjoy a little excitement with my danger. Don’t you?”
“No.” I nudged the horse’s flanks and kept a weaving pattern going as I skirted the cattle, urging them forward. “It might pay for you to stop talking, Mr. I-love-danger.”
He chuckled. “It appears I also like teasing you.”
“Well, you’re doing a slap-up job.” The sun dipped along the western horizon behind us, sending a flare of red into the clouds of swelling smoke. Bushfires were so destructive, taking everything in their path. I had to get this cattle as far out to the east as I could.
“Will we get to the river by nightfall? This terrain is pretty rough.”
“There’s a half moon tonight. It’ll be enough to guide our way if we don’t.” The cattle bawled as I continued to press them on. “You sound anxious. If you need to leave, I won’t complain. Don’t you have duties to attend to?”
“Usually, but after training today the rest of my day was free. I had intended to visit my parents. Dad’s got a special project on and needed a hand with it.”
“What kind of—” Nope, don’t let him draw you into any personal conversation. Bad, bad move.
“You were right about there being a furniture maker in the family. Dad’s building Mum a glorious new desk. Wedding anniversary coming up. She’s gonna love it.”
“Will it be initialed?” No. No. No. Don’t ask any questions.
“He monograms everything. It’s his thing. Look at me.”
I glanced over my shoulder. I really shouldn’t have done that. The gold flecks in his brown eyes shimmered powerfully, weaving me under their spell.
“We’ll get through this, Lieska.” He cupped my cheek.
“I’d rather we not get through anything at all. There must be something I can say to convince you to leave.”
“There’s danger, so no.”
The horse snickered, and I faced front. That’s it. Keep your attention where it should be, and ignore the hot hunk at your back.
Only I couldn’t. I leaned back against him, surrounded myself in his solid warmth. His spicy scent enveloped me, comforted me. The hunter in me settled. I was with my mate, and since he wasn’t going anywhere anytime soon, I might as well enjoy this stolen moment.
I wouldn’t have him for long.
Argh, but if only he’d stop breathing on my neck. Each time his warm breath glided over the pulse in my throat, it sped up.
I rode on, pressing the cattle forward.
Slowly the sun dropped behind the hills and the sky darkened. Twinkling within the darkest blanket of midnight blue, the stars added a touch of light to the moon’s glow.
“Are we almost there?” Soft, silky words. Each one tingled my toes.
“There’s a small rise up ahead. Beyond that the river flows.” I couldn’t get there fast enough. I crested the slope, and spread out before us, fields of lush green grass rippled like quicksilver. The mighty river snaked through it all. “These lower fields are thick because of the controlled river releases. Maslin, one of our warriors, has the water skill and drives the water as far as he can inland.”
“There appears to be a lot of cattle here already.”
A large herd grazed, but nowhere near close to our number of stock. “Usually we have thirty-five thousand head, although with the current drought, we’re slightly shy of that. Dralion is such an inhospitable land. The cattle and horses we rear on this station provide for those back home. We have to save every animal we can from the threat of the fires.”
“I’ll help you. I promise.” He searched the horizon. “I don’t see anyone else on horseback.”
Neither did I. A bonus for now. “The cattle won’t want to mov
e much from here. We’ll make camp though and keep an eye out in case any get restless. Fires have a terrible habit of spreading when the winds get up. If any warriors turn up though, keep your head down.”
“I won’t cause any problems.” He smoothed down my arms, around my hands then took the reins from me. “There’s no ash in the air here. I can’t scent a thing.”
“Lieska!” A horse and rider rode in from behind. Hope. Her blond hair breezed over her shoulders. What a sight for sore eyes.
“Hey, I can’t tell you how happy I am to see you.” I waved to her.
“Silas is right behind me. We brought some cattle in too.” Breathing fast, she pointed along the darkened rise. “Ah, there’s the gear Goldie told me she’d dropped off. Bedrolls and such. She ’pathed me and said the four of us can monitor this end of the river belt. Have you spoken to Goldie?”
“No.” And I really should have.
“I’ll let her know we’ve all arrived. Won’t be a sec.”
I searched for Silas among the cattle moving past us from the herd they’d brought in. Our own had joined the other cattle on the plains.
Another horse and rider’s silhouette appeared, bringing in the stragglers. Silas. He rode tall and strong as he came abreast of us, the moonlight glinting off his short red-gold hair. Dressed in leather pants and a dark shirt, a sword gleaming at his side, he could pass for one of our warriors.
He cocked a brow as he eyed Cole. “I see you found your mate.”
“I did, but my released mate. Thanks for the bringing me in.”
“No problem. So you’ve spoken the words of release then?”
“Ah, not formally.” Cole shuffled in the saddle, creaking the leather. “We’ll get onto that, ah, sometime.”
Heck, that was something we needed to do. The note I’d left him didn’t appear to be good enough. A formal release was best. We should do that now we had time. Yeah, why hadn’t we done that already?
Hope cleared her throat. “Okay, Goldie’s rounding up around the farthest outreaches with some of the other warriors. She said to say hi to you all.”
“Ha. Sure she did.” Silas snorted then patted his horse’s neck. “So she knows about Cole here being mated to Lieska?”
