Protector: A Young Adult / New Adult Fantasy Novel

by Joanne Wadsworth

  He tugged my chair closer to his, swept an arm over my shoulders and nipped my ear. “Don’t concern yourself overly much with them.”

  “I wasn’t. I know how you go through withdrawals when not in my company. I couldn’t have you getting all explosive in class.” At the front of the room, Mr. Houghton continued to write on the board.

  Rolling my shoulders, I tried to analyze my feelings. It seemed jealously was a very real emotion for me now.

  “Hey, do you see that?” Lauren muttered to Mel in a low hush I easily caught. “You and I should have first dibs on him.”

  “Faith’s a slut. He hasn’t been here for long, and she’s already picked him up.”

  “Take a look at Zac and Viv.” Davio squeezed my hand.

  Half way down the room, Viv ripped off a sheet of paper, as did Zac. They balled the paper up, and with complete accuracy born of great marksmanship, sent their paper missiles flying. One hit Melanie square in the forehead, and the other hit Lauren.

  Beside me, Davio chuckled, and Melanie and Lauren spluttered. Around us, other students laughed at them too. Mr. Houghton, with his head of gray hair and black-smudged fingertips turned around and frowned at the sudden amusement ringing forth.

  The room quietened.

  Mr. Houghton shook his head, cleared his throat and returned to his cherished whiteboard.

  “Zac and Viv did that for me?” I looked into Davio’s eyes.

  “They are protectors, and none would sit idly by and listen to your name being slurred, no matter you’re a Wincrest.” He leaned in and nuzzled my cheek. “Just be grateful they didn’t bring their daggers into school, otherwise it wouldn’t have been paper missiles coming their way.”

  To Davio it was such a simple explanation. But not to me. And daggers?

  “By all rights your esteemed protectors should be slaughtering me.” I still felt bad about how I’d tackled him to the floor last night after I returned from my trip to see my father. I had gone a little overboard, only my emotions had been all scattered at that point in time. It wasn’t easy having a boyfriend who wanted to kill my father.

  His chair scraped a little. “I will hear no more of that. I’ve made it clear to them you are mine. I adore you.” He gripped my hand. “Completely and fully.”

  “You do?” Because I couldn’t help my rising emotions for him from taking me either. I adored him as well.

  “Absolutely.” Leaning forward, he kissed my cheek. His lips twitched against my skin. “No one will be able to make me as happy as you will.”

  “Likely no one will provoke you and be as great of a nuisance, either.”

  His eyes glittered at that declaration. “Nothing you say will drive me away from you.”

  “Lucky me.” I pulled my hand out of his and picked up my pen. “Stop chatting. I have a Calculus exam in less than three months, and I would appreciate being able to pass it.”

  He slid his elbows forward on his desk, his voice dropping lower. “Is it possible you feel guilty?”

  Not prepared to answer, I busied myself writing down Mr. Houghton’s calculations from the board.

  “Look at me, my mate.”

  “I’m not listening to you. Please, try and look busy. If we get caught talking, we’ll end up with detention slips, and trust me, you don’t need an afterschool detention at a time when you need to leave for Peacio.”

  He leaned in closer. “Mr. Houghton is practically deaf, otherwise we’d have already scored a handful of them already. What have I said to upset you?”

  “Whoa. Mel look,” Lauren grumped.

  For heaven’s sake. It appeared our doings had again captured the attention of the two classroom vixens.

  Lauren shoved an elbow into Melanie’s side.

  “Oomph. I saw, Lauren. He’s clearly besotted with her and why, I have no freakin’ idea. Faith is too skinny and she has next to no boobs.”

  I froze at their comment. Sure, I was a B cup, and unlike them, I hadn’t had my breasts surgically enhanced to their backbreaking DD’s.

  Another two missiles of paper zoomed from the front. Melanie and Lauren squeaked as they got hit again.

  Davio chuckled. “Just ignore them. Zac and Viv are dealing with it. My protectors are still wound up after last night and those girls...” He snuggled an arm around my waist. “They clearly have no idea what they speak of. You’re perfect just the way you are, as well as feisty and strong-willed, which is exactly how I like you. No one else could ever stand so strongly at my side, other than you.”

  “Thank you.” I wanted to smother him in kisses. “I adore you too.” I tapped his nose with my blue pen. “You’re perfect for me as well. Hopefully you’ll be able to stand just as firmly at my side too. This relationship goes two ways, and I’m going to make sure it all works out.”

  The corner of his lips lifted and his eyes crinkled. I wanted to keep on staring at him, only Mr. Houghton’s voice droned on and I tipped up my textbook. Page one-hundred and one. Paragraph four.

  I sighed. Calculus. Oh how boring.

  Chapter 8

  I made my way down the hallway, then halted as Davio’s low growl resounded toward me, right from the direction of Belle’s dining room. Zac and Viv were supposedly with him while Belle had told me she and Silvie would be collecting supplies for the weekend.

  As my forewarning activated, I stilled. A wavering vision of Davio seated at the large oak table across from his two protectors shimmered into life before my eyes. Shocked, I squeezed my eyes shut and gasped as I caught another protector seated at Davio’s right side. He wore battle leathers studded with bits of steel, and a sword glinted at his side, his hair short and springy and the same stunning red-gold shade as Silvie’s.

  Slowly the vision of the four of them in discussion melted away.

  Wow. My forewarning, my ability to see what was to come had definitely advanced, but why had I been forewarned about there being a new protector in the house? He was with Davio, so they clearly knew each other, and no one around Davio would harm him or now me, not since he’d made that abundantly clear to one and all that such a thing wasn’t permitted. No more swords being bandied about near my neck.

  I waited, hoping for more as I recalled Alexo’s solemn words. Your skills grow fast. They are cementing and strengthening just as your powerful lineage demands.

  For certain, the more I used them, the stronger they became. A thrilling thought, and I was eager to experience for myself even more of what Alexo had shown me of his skill.

  Loud complaints came from up ahead, then Viv scraped back a chair and strode down the hallway toward me. “There you are. We need to be away, including Davio. Silvie called and said she and Belle are on their way back. We’ll leave the moment they’ve returned.”

  “I was coming, but just had a vision, one of forewarning. There’s another protector here with Davio. Who is he?”

  “Ah, that’s Silas.”

  Davio had spoken telepathically to Silas last night, his cousin a man I actually couldn’t wait to meet since Davio had said they were close. He’d called Silas his right-hand man. “You’re all leaving for this all-important meeting in Peacio now?”

  “We are, and Silas is here to ensure Davio’s return. The protectors in Peacio have already been called together and are awaiting us. We have spies to find.” Viv clasped my arm. “Making certain Peacio is safe should you venture there is imperative.”

  “Of course.” Not that I wanted to visit Peacio right now, not when my father was sorting through a plan as well, but still, I could understand Davio’s need to ensure his country remained safe for me to visit, for whenever that might happen.

  “Make your goodbyes fast. Silas has never been one to dawdle.”

  “Sure thing.”

  We walked together into the dining room, and Davio’s gaze veered immediately to mine. He pushed back his high-backed leather chair and stood.

  “Faith, come and meet Silas.” He motioned to his redheaded cousi
n. “Silas, this is my mate, Faith.”

  “It’s a pleasure to meet you.” Silas pushed back his chair and extended his hand to me. “Davio has spoken of you and your bond, of your father and your meeting with him. I’m aware of all.”

  “Nice to meet you too.” I shook Silas’s hand. His cousin was tall, the same immense height as Davio. He towered over me, his hand firm around mine. Memories surged as I looked into his eyes. Images formed and—oh wow. A vision.

  My knees buckled and I dropped to the floor under the heavy weight of a pressing feed so similar to Alexo’s in all its full and absolute glory.

  “What’s happening?” Davio knelt beside me, his face stricken.

  “It’s a vision, and a staggering one at that. Don’t touch me.” If he did, I might lose my shaky hold on the images, and the last thing I needed was for them to flitter away.

  Carefully, he eased back, only an inch, but it was enough.

  Eyes closed, I followed the images, those actually mimicking a memory from back in the summer and not a vision in itself.

  I’d bounced into Silvie’s lounge with its bright burgundy couches and blue carpet, the framed photo of Silvie and her mum hanging prominently on the wall facing the fireplace. Silvie and Silas had been chatting, both deeply immersed in their conversation, then as they’d hugged, I’d cleared my throat from the doorway. “Sorry, am I interrupting an important conversation?”

  “No, not at all.” Silvie had jerked back and clutched her chest. “This is Silas, a friend of a friend. He was just leaving.”

  “Yes, I was.” Silas had whizzed right past me and when I’d turned to say goodbye, he’d already disappeared out the front door. Gone, within the blink of an eye.

  Huh? A friend of a friend? Silvie must have blatantly lied to me that day.

  No wonder that memory had soared forth, a forewarning as such from the past.

  Hot tears burned behind my eyes and I opened them and stared at Davio. “Silvie’s hiding something from me.”

  “What?”

  “I’ve met Silas before, several months ago now, and my vision was of a memory from that time. He’d popped around to visit Silvie and they’d been chatting in the sitting room when I turned up. Neither heard me walk in, then Silvie mumbled something about Silas being a friend of a friend. He left before I could even utter one word to him, bolted straight out the door as if the hounds of hell were on his tail. And now he’s here.” Only how had Silvie known Silas back then? He was a protector, Davio’s cousin and a Peacian, and we’d only learnt of them recently.

  “Silas.” Davio eyed his cousin. “What’s this about?”

  “Damn,” Silas muttered, his gaze wide with shock. “Faith is right. We met several months ago in the summer. I’d been visiting Silvie as I often do, and hadn’t heard her arrival. I got out of there as quick as I could though.”

  “Yet clearly not quick enough.” Davio scooped me off my knees.

  “Wait. You visit Silvie often?” I squeaked. My ears buzzed.

  “I’m so sorry, Faith.” Davio scrubbed one hand through his hair. He slashed a hard look at Silas. “How could you not have told me you’d met my mate while visiting your sister?”

  “His sister?” I know I screeched, right before I lost all breath.

  Davio gripped my arms, his gaze searching mine. “Clearly we need to speak. Silvie and Silas are twins, both born prematurely in Peacio eighteen years and two months ago to my mother’s beloved older sister, Seriah. Silvie was going to talk to you about it all this weekend, although I had no idea you’d already met Silas, otherwise I wouldn’t have just introduced you.”

  “You’re saying Silvie isn’t from Earth?”

  My heart bumped out of rhythm. Such deceit and lies, and all coming from my best friend no less. The magnitude of her dishonesty broke through me, shattered my heart into a million pieces.

  I closed my eyes and shoved Davio away. I glared at Silas and the last straw snapped. “How did I not guess? You have the same hair, the same blue eyes, the same damn freckles even.”

  It hurt to even look at him.

  Silvie had been by my side my entire life, and this deceit had gone back eighteen shocking years. Silvie was no friend at all. “Why is Silvie here?”

  All I’d ever shared or known with her had been the worst kind of a lie.

  Shame rolled through me, and anger…so cutting and painfully deep.

  From behind me, a wracked gasp rent the air.

  Silvie stood frozen in the doorway, hands to her mouth and her eyes bugged wide while Belle stood next to her. “Silas.” Silvie stared at her brother. “W-what are you doing here?” Her tormented gaze swung to me. “Faith, don’t move. I can explain.”

  I sucked in a fast breath and stormed across to her. “Lies, Silvie.” I shoved her shoulders and she jerked back a step. “Since we were children,” I ground out, never more furious in my entire life. “We’ve known each other since we were babies and not once in all these years did you ever tell me you’re a blasted Peacian, from another world entirely. What kind of a friend lies to that extreme?”

  “I’m so sorry, Faith.” She grabbed my arms, her fingers pinching in razor tight. “I didn’t know how to tell you I had a twin brother, not with everything that’s gone down since your strength skills came into being, but I was going to tell you now the weekend is here. I promise I was going to tell you.”

  Fury blew through me. “What about the past eighteen years? You didn’t think I deserved the truth sometime then?”

  Tears streamed down her cheeks. “Please, let me explain.”

  “Explain?” I was losing it, and I knew I was, but I couldn’t halt the pain wracking through me. “How about saying I have a damn brother I’ve never told you about, Faith! How about saying I was born in Peacio. How about saying I’m from the same place as Belle?”

  Belle had never lied to me about where she’d come from, and whether I’d believed her or not in the very beginning, I’d still listened, right from the start. Surely Silvie could have spoken up then.

  My pain doubled, so explosive. This was the worst kind of betrayal.

  I turned my back on her and everyone else in the room. There was no way I was willing to listen to any one of these so-called Peacio protectors. This information had been withheld by all of them. I stormed through the living room, my hair flying around my face. I hauled the ranch slider open.

  “Where are you going?” Davio caught me around the waist and swung me back inside before I could step out.

  Everyone stood behind him.

  “I’m leaving.” I didn’t want to see him at all, not for another moment, not since he too had most certainly been a part of this subterfuge. “You have a country to return to, or have you forgotten, just as you forgot to enlighten me of Silvie’s connection to you?”

  “No, I’m not leaving you this upset. You haven’t heard Silvie out. Listen to her. She had a very good reason for remaining quiet.”

  “You mean dodging the truth, tricking and deceiving me, and not just for a few months, but eighteen long years.” I staked him with one very venomous glare, one that should have slain him on the spot. “You’re no better than Silvie, and who knows just how many more secrets both you and she have left untold, and likely all for my own supposed good too. My best friend isn’t my best friend at all, and it appears nothing I have in this world is real anymore.”

  Nothing, and my heart broke at the thought.

  Goodness, Silvie had to have been planted here since what other reason or purpose served such a lifetime of lies. Carlisio was my father’s enemy, held the forethought skill, could so easily be behind this huge farce. For certain he had sent Belle and Davio.

  I couldn’t focus. It was all too much. Like torture to consider how very badly I’d been used. Such heartache swarmed through me.

  “Just go away. All of you. Leave me alone.” I desperately needed space.

  “No. Nobody shall leave this room until you’ve listened
to Silvie’s full explanation, just as she wishes for you to.” Davio gritted his teeth at Silvie. “Here’s your chance. Explain now,” he snapped at her.

  In my worked up state I had no intention of listening. “Silvie’s had long enough to tell me the truth, and you and your black heart have had enough time too, but no, everyone has to wait until poor Faith finds out on her own, and before the truth can fully emerge.”

  “Zac, block off the door.” Davio swished a finger in that direction. “I won’t have my mate this distressed without me. She comes with us, warrior spies on the loose or not.”

  Zac slid in behind me and cut off my path to the outside and sure freedom. Silas and Silvie circled to the left of me, while Belle and Viv swept around the other side. Six against one. They all corralled me in, and the hairs on the back of my neck stood on end as everything within me rose for the fight to come. I would defend myself, not give them an inch.

  “Bring it on,” I snarled, so beyond caring of the choices they’d all enforced on me.

  “Faith! It’s your father.” Dad’s voice resounded through my head.

  “Dad?” Even more shock coursed through me at the instant formation of our telepathic connection.

  “Tell Davio and his protectors to stand down. If they attempt to take you against your will to Peacio, then I will intervene.” A snarly order. “Right now they’re placing your very life in danger, and I won’t stand for it.”

  “Danger?” I firmed my stance. “No, they’ll never take me.” Of that, I would make absolutely certain.

  “Who are you speaking to?” Davio accused from two steps in front of me.

  “Your enemy and my father.” Yeah, I said that with deliberate purpose and gloating.

  Davio glowered. “No. That can’t happen.”

  “Well obviously it has.”

  “Faith, if they don’t do as I say, I’ll make my presence known with several of my best warriors in tow. I do not make that threat lightly. They will not be allowed to take you with them, not in any way, shape or form.”