Neither of us knew her, or how she would react, but going by Dad’s request I remain away, more than just the discovery of Kate Sol’s family line was afoot.
With a sigh, Goldie released me then set her booted foot in the stirrup. “I’ll take this one for a run. While I do that, you check on Saunder and make sure he gets to his tutor.” She hoisted herself into the saddle, the leather creaking as she settled. “I believe Maslin said he was going to take some of the men with him down to the river for today’s flooding. He wants some of the cattle moved. We have a station to run. Let’s get to it.”
I stepped out of her way as the stallion pawed at the ground. She rode out the gate, and off.
Hanging over the top of the half-beamed railings, I studied the land. Wincrest Station grazed thirty-five thousand head of cattle, although we were somewhat shy of that with the current drought. Dralion meanwhile, several times the size of this nation, housed a massive desert, along with isolated snow-capped mountains and boggy rainforests. Great areas of inhospitable land forced us to build our villages only around the far reaches of the coastline. The cattle we reared and the horses we bred on this station provided for those back home.
Goldie and her horse soon became a speck in the distance and my thoughts returned to my sister, mated to Davio Loveria.
What I wouldn’t give to have even one-tenth of Peacian soil under Wincrest control. It was rich and fertile land and always beyond our reach. Huh, insufferable Loverias.
I jumped down, and a small cloud of red dust plumed at my feet.
Endless red dirt.
It worked its way into every fiber of our clothing, our hair and our skin.
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.”
“Nope. I hear you just fine. My mother’s name is Kate Sol. You know Faith, and I do not. Apparently, I need your help. You must tell me what you know and of my sister’s newfound skill of mind-merge. Leave nothing out.”
“Seriously?” The deepest lines marred his brow. “I don’t agree, and this conversation is going in circles. To release each other, you must accept my words. You may find another man of your own choosing. In fact, I insist.”
He was stubborn, but then so was I. “Nah-ah. You are my country’s enemy, but as my mated one, not mine. Help me with my assigned task, and then I’ll let you go.”
“I would have to be an idiot to do so.”
I slapped his shoulder. “Great. I can live with you being an idiot. It won’t be for long.”
“Why is it Wincrests do not listen? You are as bad as your sister.”
“Oh, now tell me of her.” I clapped. “Everything. Don’t forget her ability of mind-merge.”
“As long as we make this quick, but Alexo Wincrest knows her existence is tied to Davio’s. Twenty-four hours ago we discovered it’s a deadly skill, one which is night-night for her
if she’s kept from my cousin for more than three days.”
“Hell. I had no idea. Are you certain it’s deadly? This is the worst news.”
Bracing himself with a hand on the fence rail, he nodded. “We’re certain. I’m sorry to be the one to tell you.”
I stepped closer, the toes of my boots touching his. “Tell me more. Once I know all you do, I can release you from our bond. I wouldn’t ask you to remain mated to me except for this. If my sister has a deadly skill, you mustn’t hold back. I’ve been charged with discovering all I can.”
He grabbed my shoulders and I shivered at the delicious contact. It was expected, even though unwanted. He was my mate, the one my soul was bound to.
“Your sister survived the ordeal by mere minutes upon her return to Davio. She was gone for three days to Dralion and suffered physically while she was away. She must be in the same room as him to mind-merge, and without this connection, her body shut down. I witnessed the deterioration myself.” His blue gaze held mine, his hands warming my skin. “Her lungs filled with blood and she almost bled to death before my eyes. It was a gruesome sight. Once she merged, it took hours for her fast-healing ability to restore her. I would never wish to witness such a thing again.”
“I can’t imagine all you speak of, but I know it’s true. Continue, please.”
“When your sister mind-merges with my cousin, it’s not something she can hold back. Other than this, there’s nothing more I can tell you. You should go to your father for more. He is aware.”
I focused on those words as they left his mouth. Dad would know all of this because of his forethought. His request was not all it seemed. “I need more time to hear what you have to say.”
He stroked to the edges of my shoulders. “No. The mated bond builds fast and we can’t allow that to happen.”
“Hope.”
It was Saunder. I spun around.
Silas withdrew his sword.
“No. He’s just a boy.” I stayed him with a hand on his chest. “Oh.” I flushed. That was one hard chest. Like rock hard.
Saunder bounced out and raced across with a wide grin. “There’s a mare in labor. One of the warriors is with her, but he told me to come and get you.” He glanced at Silas. “I’m sorry, sir. I don’t mean to interrupt, but the mare carries the strongest line.”
Silas moved forward. “Hope is busy with me at present. You’ll need to excuse her.”
Yes, I had to focus on getting Silas to stay with me, or at least, not to leave me yet. I needed whatever information he held. I met Saunder’s gaze. “I can’t come right now, although I wish I could. Could you grab one of your uncles for me?”
“Sure thing.”
“Great.” I turned him by the shoulders and nudged him toward the stables. “Go now.”
He hurried away.
Taking Silas’s hand, I pulled him along the side of the building. We needed somewhere quiet to speak. I hadn’t noticed at first glance he was a protector, but the warriors about likely would.
“Where are we going?”
I pointed to the sprawling earth-toned, brick homestead on the hill. It was a magnificent structure, one of Earth’s designs with three floors and a wide wraparound porch. Darkened glass kept the harshest of the sun’s rays at bay. “See the corner balcony on the top floor? That’s my room. Can you zap us there?”
“Whoa, your bedroom?”
I patted his chest. “Ah, yes.” Oh boy, such hard flesh he had there. “There’ll be no distractions.”
“No distractions in a bedroom?” He groaned. “Perhaps I do have idiot stamped across my forehead?”
“No.” I smiled. “But that can be arranged if you’d like.”
Rolling his eyes, he grasped my arms. “We keep our distance. This is going to be one fast conversation then I leave.”
Everything darkened as he jumped through space, and a second later, we stood on the balcony outside my room. He reached for the glass door and slid it open.
White lace curtains blew out and I scooped up the folds and tucked them back as I entered. “Thanks for coming.”
He snorted a laugh. “Yeah, funny.” Striding across the snowy carpet to the far wall, he eyed my bed. Made of New Zealand rimu, the posts smooth and round rose to the ceiling. A white netting canopy trickled over the edges, ready to be drawn down at night. Turning toward me, he leaned one hip against the headboard, as far from me as the room allowed. “You wanted to talk. Let’s get this over with.”
I tapped my chin. Hmm.
“Why aren’t you speaking?”
“I don’t know what to say.”
“Say see you later, Silas. I agree we never lay eyes on each other again.” He rolled a hand in a continuing motion. “I can’t wait to hear that.”
“Silas.” I crossed the room toward him and he sidestepped, knocking against my bedside table. A framed photograph of my first ride on this station tipped and he caught it as it fell.
In the picture, I’d been three years old, my short legs flapping over the sides of Dad’s dark leather saddle. A far-too-big Stetson on my head had threatened to wobble off, although the grin on my face said it all.
“You like horses?” His gaze moved from the picture to me.
Unable to help myself, I crept closer. “I love them. Do you?”
“Yes. I’ve been riding since I could walk. Even coming into my ability to ’port hasn’t stopped me from riding every chance I get.” He replaced the photo. “How’d you come to be with Wincrest when Faith was raised by her mother?”
“There’s no easy way to say it.” I teared up, because the memories had resurfaced today.
“Hey.” He caressed my arm, making my skin tingle. “I make a great listener, even though it doesn’t appear that way.”
“I died at birth, is what happened. My father brought me home to bury me, and as he did, my heart restarted from the teleportation jump. He called the healers and notified Donaldo. My father would never jeopardize my mother’s safety, so I remained with him. There’s likely more to it, but I don’t know the finer details. They’ve never been spoken of.”
He pulled in a deep breath, his chest rising. “You look well now.”
“The healers who saw to me were the best.”
Sliding his hand around mine, he wrapped his fingers tight. “I can’t push you to release me from our bond, but you must know it has to be done. Do you feel what I do?”
“Yes.” I sighed, wanting to know more about him. “You’re adamant then, you won’t help me?”
“The bond builds.” He stroked my palm with his thumb. “Fast. We can’t allow it. I’ve told you all I know and I can’t think of anything else.”
I closed my eyes at the truth he’d uttered.
Think. Even I saw we had to end this if I had all his information. “There’ll be one condition. I’d like one man’s release for another’s, Saunder’s father.”
“You mean the boy from the stables? His father?”
“Yes, Tawson Rivera was taken at the battle of Eventide two years ago. If you free him, I’ll free you. That’s my deal.”
He gave a low growl, which made me jump. “If you agree, I’ll give you what you want. I do this for the child.”
“I can see that.” He dropped my hand. “Which is hard to argue with.”
“Silas, I grew up without one of my parents and I understand how Saunder feels. If it’s within my power to see his father returned, I have to. Those are my terms. They’re quick and precise, and you’ll have what you want from me in the end.”
His gaze narrowed. “What about your request for my aid. We both understand no more will occur?”
“Of course, and I keep my word once given. I will release you.”
He inhaled, deeply. “I’ll go speak with Carlisio and return with his decision.” Bending his head, he gave me a short bow. “Take care, my mate.”
His mate? Not for much longer. “You too.”
So fast, he flashed away.
<
br /> Gone.
My mated one had left.
I swept my hand through the air where he’d been, my heart a heavy weight in my chest.
This moment hurt.
Chapter 2
I heaved myself over the gelding’s silky back and into the saddle, my outback shirttails flying free behind me.
A new day had dawned and after having kept to myself for most of the previous one, repeating my conversation with Silas in my mind, I was finally ready to speak to Goldie.
She trotted in beside me on a bay mare, her blond hair breezing out underneath her black Stetson. She wore low-rise jeans and an emerald half-button shirt, the rich color stunning with her violet eyes.
“Let’s go.” She grinned, slapping the reins on her horse’s rump.
I followed suit, giving my horse his head. Adrenaline pumped, blood flowed through my veins and invigorated me. This was life, riding free across the greatest plains of this world.
“I miss our races!” I yelled into the wind, digging my knees in to urge the horse to a faster speed. “Usually you cheat.”
She wore a familiar wicked smirk. Yep, a second later, she and her ride disappeared, teleporting away.
“You don’t change,” I said, although she wasn’t there to hear me.
I petted the horse’s neck, my hair whipping around my face as I rode low and fast. “We’ll catch her up.”
A half hour later, the familiar cluster of bush trees bordering the closest water source to our homestead came into view. Goldie crouched before the watering hole. Her mare munched on a small patch of dry grass growing along its shallow bank.
With a frown, I jumped down beside the dry creek bed. Our animals needed to drink when we passed through here. “The levels are low.”
She ran her palms down her legs, and stood. “Maslin needs to see this. I wonder if he can drive the water further inland from the river during the controlled river releases. Some of his magic needs should be performed here.”
I removed my Stetson, and the breeze lifted sweaty strands of hair from my forehead. Oooh, so nice. I shielded my eyes against the bright ball of raging sunlight. Not so nice.
The sun’s rays baked the earth wherever one looked.
Warrior Page 2
