Protector: A Young Adult / New Adult Fantasy Novel

by Joanne Wadsworth

  Relief poured through me just as the rain lightened to a drizzle. We jogged out from underneath the dense bush line and hit the grassy hilltop. Powering on, I kept my sights on the peak so close. “It’s a good thing Peacio is safe even if Dralion is not.”

  Dad jogged in beside me, his expression grim. “Parts of Dralion will be safe for you.” He pushed his damp cap back. “We’re almost at the top. We’ll speak more there, for I have a plan.”

  “I like plans.” I ran, keeping one foot in front of the other as we hit the uppermost track. The drizzle lessened even further to a fine mist and the wind eased, the breeze now lifting with the fresh scent of pine and the sweet tease of the salty ocean air. Once we reached the upper plateau, we hiked it over to the picnicking area and sat at one of the tables with its wide bench on either side.

  Dad faced me from across the other side of the table. “Well at least with all this rain we’ve been assured of complete privacy up here.”

  “No crowds for sure.”

  “Yes, it appears only the lunatic Wincrests came running today.” Smiling, he glanced about the area devoid of any tourists and other runners, the wide panorama of the ocean stretching out along the eastern coastline in a haze of blue.

  “Puh-lease.” I mock-frowned. “I’m no lunatic.”

  “No, but you are a Wincrest.” His smile drifted away.

  “Come on, tell me everything. Tell me exactly why you and my mother aren’t together. Davio has always insisted that mates are rarely parted.”

  His eyebrows squeezed together, the color as golden as his hair was. “That is the case, but Donaldo would never have accepted Kate as my wife or as the mother of my children.”

  “So you’ve said before, but Mum is your mate.” I tapped the tabletop. “Could you not have swayed Donaldo in some way?”

  “No, which is why after she gave birth to you, I was left with no choice but to leave her in peace with the one thing she’d ever asked of me.”

  “And that was?” I asked, surprised by that answer.

  “You, Faith. Kate had no parents, no siblings, no family whatsoever when I found her. She’d always desired children of her own, and even though I could never tell her of Dralion, I could in the short time we were together give her a child, one which she’d so earnestly desired.”

  “So that’s why you left her straight after my birth?”

  “That and other things.” Alexo stared off into the distance. “I could also no longer continue to hide my repeated trips out of Dralion to be with her. I had told Donaldo of her and his reaction made me fear greatly for her safety. Everything was compounding, each constant coming and going so difficult on your mother since I had no choice but to hide my origins. In the end she believed there was an affair—” The break in his voice echoed with terrible pain, and after several drawn out moments he continued, “I allowed her to believe such a thing so she would hate me and not become destroyed by my decision to leave.”

  Hot tears streaked down my cheeks, his pain suddenly becoming my pain. “Still, you continue to protect her by staying away.”

  “I do, and never could I have imagined how strong you would become. It’s true that children of mated pairs carry their skills to the fullest degree, but due to your Halfling blood, I couldn’t possibly be sure. When I initially told your grandfather about Kate, he didn’t wish to risk waiting eighteen years to discover what skills you might come into. Now look at what you can do. He would be honored to have such a granddaughter as you.”

  “I’m not weak at all. I have all your skills, including the coveted forethought and forewarning, and even though I’m not full-blooded, surely my being so highly skilled is enough to secure my mother’s safety?”

  “That’s my plan. I thought of it when we first met at my apartment, but I had to be certain of the outcome. Having Donaldo see your skills is proof the mated bond prevails over any mixed heritage. Now I’m also assured any future children Kate and I might have could also carry such strong skills. Kate being an Earthling no longer comes into play. Donaldo has no argument about our line being weakened by such a match.” His brow rose. “Our family should no longer be torn apart. I want, and need, to have you both where you belong.”

  And by “belong” I had no doubt he meant in Dralion. My heart plummeted. What of Davio and my relationship with him? I might be angry at him, but I missed him. So how did I build on our bonded link from within enemy territory? Because regardless of our fight, I didn’t want to leave him, certainly not forever.

  I eased out from behind the wooden-slatted picnic table and stood, my feet soggy in my sneakers and the pressure of Dad’s words rocking through me. “What if Mum won’t forgive you for leaving her? She never even speaks of you.”

  Alexo edged to his feet as well, gently took my arm and flashed us back to his apartment. He gave me a tender smile. “But I have every intention of trying…once I can see that the time is right in which to approach her.”

  It seemed the decision was made.

  “It would be impossible to deny me, Faith. Your blood, like mine, is the same. Even Donaldo’s constant demands for skilled grandchildren are ultimately dictating how I react.”

  “I’m so sorry.” I felt for him, for the tortuous position he was constantly in. I wrapped my arms around his neck and hugged him. “As you said, the Wincrest blood that flows through our veins is both a burden and a privilege.”

  It was a burden that had kept my father from his family for eighteen years, a weight I had no desire to continue inflicting on him. Truly, I had so very few options left.

  Dad held me, as lost in his thoughts as I was in mine, until finally we broke apart.

  “Go and warm up. Take a bath and change into dry clothes.” He urged me toward the bathroom.

  I shut the door on the lavish room with its gorgeous marble bathtub, vanity and sparkling brass fixtures and fittings. The hot water ran clear as I poured in bath oils scented with vanilla and jasmine.

  One decision-making bath coming up.

  I had an uncertain future ahead of me, but not an uncertain mate. Changes would be afoot, changes my mate would need to accept. Changes I needed to soon tell him about.

  Chapter 9

  It was barely six in the morning, and on top of that, Monday had now rolled around. I scrubbed a hand up and down my thighs and slapped them. My legs were throbbing, for the umpteenth day in a row. And to think I used to like my runs.

  I stumbled out of bed and yanked on my Nike running pants and t-shirt, tried to lift my heavy eyelids past halfway as I shoved a brush through my hair. As I did, I unblocked and opened up my link to Dad. “Hey-ya.”

  “You sound exhausted.”

  “My legs are on fire. What’s with this daily two-hour run?”

  “I’m not sure. I only experience excess energy three to four times a month, and then that’s entirely dependent on how often I use my skills. Perhaps you should increase your usage and teleport around more.”

  I groaned and pushed my tired muscles to the kitchen. “I’m coming out of quarantine today. Did I tell you my head hurts just as bad?” I was sure I had.

  “Yes. Your fast-healing should have dealt with that. Perhaps take a rest after your run. Will it matter if you’re late to school?”

  “You’d have to ring. Only a parent can lodge—” I stopped mid-step down the hallway, cracking my first smile in days. “Ah, that sounded odd didn’t it?”

  He chuckled. “It does since I don’t own a telephone. Those contraptions are out of date when one can use free telepathic communication.”

  “No worries.” I continued around the corner. “I’ll head in. I’m going to have to talk to Silvie sooner or later.” That much I’d come to accept over the weekend.

  He cleared his throat. “Your separation from Loveria is likely the cause for your headache. I recall suffering many after leaving your mother. Oh, and a word of warning—watch out for the birds.” He signed off.

  “The birds?” I mu
mbled to myself, frowning as I opened the fridge. Strange message. I grabbed a yogurt, drank a glass of water and pocketed a muesli bar for later.

  Sneakers laced, I lowered and stretched my legs then jogged down the building’s internal stairwell rather than taking the elevator. At the front security door, I checked both directions and zipped across the road, hit the boardwalk and followed it around to the base of the mountain. Around me, a flock of seagulls screeched. There were a few about, clearly after a free feed from me.

  I ran through the throng of them lining the walkway. “No, you’re not having my muesli bar,” I snapped. “Go and get your own food.”

  A flap of my hands and they flew off.

  Up ahead, the rocky mountain base track appeared. On one side, the mountain rose high, and on the other the harbor water lapped in over the rocks.

  Taking care, I scaled the entrance gate, hooked my hands on the top rung and bounded over. I wobbled as I landed on the other side, while above a flap and rush resounded. Half a dozen white-feathered seagulls zoomed in fast.

  The birds opened their beaks and the Pipis I couldn’t miss spotting dropped from their mouths like missiles. I ducked as shellfish splattered like bullets on the rocks at my feet. Harbor ducks cackled and the seagulls hissed at their meal being stolen.

  I stumbled back as birds everywhere dived in on the smelly treat.

  “Rover, stop!”

  A single bark, and one golden Labrador on a length of blue leash rapping on the pathway, pounded toward me. Yelping, his jaws open and drool flying, the dog sprang overtop of me as I dropped low.

  What had I done to the universe today?

  I flattened myself to the ground as the dog’s owner tripped over the rocks, his sneakers skidding on the crushed shellfish, his arms flapping as he lost his balance.

  Birds took wing over the water, the dog chased and an almighty bellow resounded as the man went flying into the water. A shower of salty sea-spray coated me and I wiped my face and heaved to my feet.

  The man trudged out of the water with one equally wet dog hanging off his heels. He wrung out the dripping ends of his blue shirt, his dark hair plastered to his skull as he mumbled under his breath, “Sorry about that. Didn’t mean to get you wet. My dog has a mind of his own some mornings.”

  “The birds didn’t help either.” I bit my lower lip to stop from giggling, because I’d never taken myself too seriously. “At least the day can only get better, right?”

  “Yeah, so true.” He chuckled, and his dog rolled his torso in preparation for a fast dry.

  Or maybe not. Dropping my head into my palms, I waited for the inevitable next spray.

  I got hit with the wash, giggled some more.

  Although my legs ached even greater.

  Time to get moving.

  I brushed the sticky gravel off my backside, slapped my sore legs and muttered under my breath as I set out, “Yeah, Dad, thanks for the warning and all. Watch out for the birds? Jeez, just you wait until I get a forewarning about you. I’m going to give you minimal information.”

  Every part of my body ached, but still I ran.

  I circled the mountain’s perimeter then took the track looping to the summit, each grooved and planked step along this track different to the route I’d taken with Dad. A sheep-gate appeared ahead, but my legs gave way before I made it there. Mind fuzzy, I dropped to the grassy patch of ground. A wrenching pull from within assailed me, as if my mind sought the merged link I could create with Davio, yet with him nowhere close, I couldn’t make the connection.

  I groaned, my need to sink into my soft spot doubling.

  Yep, my mind definitely needed the physical connection of the merge, this skill one my father didn’t seem to have yet I did. So annoying.

  The summit loomed so close. I had to get there.

  I flashed to the top, slumped back to the ground, my legs a dead weight.

  For the first time in close to three days, I unblocked my link with Belle.

  I dragged in a deep breath and called out to her. “Hey, long time, no hear.”

  “Faith Stryker. How dare you ignore me. I’ve been sooo worried. I haven’t—”

  Okay, she wasn’t in the best of spirits. “I’m sorry. I didn’t realize empaths got so upset.”

  “They do when the boss—I mean—gee, I’ve been in your company too much.”

  “It’s okay. I get it.” I tried to raise my hand to my head, but my arms shook badly. The thumping continued in my head, tripling in severity. “I’m at the summit of the Mount. Something’s wrong. Tell Davio I need him. We don’t have a telepathic link yet, so I have to go through you.”

  “I can feel your pain through our link. What’s going on?”

  I dragged in a deep breath. “I’m going to pass out.”

  “But you’re a fast-healer. Fast-healers are rarely sick. The summit. Give me a minute.”

  I took several deep breaths, each one stuttering in and out.

  “I’m back. What have you done to yourself?”

  “Is he coming?” Tears leaked out and ran down my cheeks. “I can’t move, and it’s all hit me so suddenly. It’s as if my mind is crying out for his.”

  “He’s on his way.”

  The air stirred, just the gentlest of breezes, then another whoosh.

  He was close.

  My mind soared and I lay blinking, my head swimming as his thoughts flew right at me—most not so good.

  My mind rolled around within his, and I soaked in everything and let out a long sigh of satisfaction. My headache eased back, although my legs still felt like jelly. Oh yum. I now had what I wanted, the merged link returned.

  I rolled onto my side, lifted my head as I tried to push to my feet. I staggered.

  There he was, just along the rise.

  Pushing one foot in front of the other, I yelled, “Davio!”

  He spun around, gaze narrowed on me then he flashed in front of me, dug his hands into my waist and held me upright. “Where the hell have you been for three days?”

  I tried to lift my arms, only they flopped uselessly at my sides, my legs barely holding me up.

  “Around.” I lost my balance.

  A grumble as he caught me. “You look so pale. Why can’t you stand? What have you done to yourself?”

  “Everything’s spinning. I feel—”

  I hiccupped.

  “Ooo, Ieee.” My tongue got stuck over tingly lips. I tried again. “Ooo, Ieee.” I giggled at the silly words.

  “Are you drunk?” With his hands under my arms, he lifted me higher, his fingers tickling.

  I laughed. “Stoppy.” I wobbled, wagging my head at him. “Nooo be wonky and angreee,” His eyes were darkening in that way he got right before his temper exploded. Definitely getting angry.

  Which meant I had to find my feet. I glanced down. Where were my feet? I sniggered as I saw them. No wonder they didn’t want to work. They were spinning, or was that still my head now I’d finally reconnected our merge?

  He growled. “Silas and Zac have arrived.”

  I looked up, and oh hello, they had arrived. One big smile for them. “Howwwdy.”

  Davio lifted me higher, until we were nose to nose and I dangled several inches from the ground. “What’s happened to you?”

  “Oh, I’m just a hangin’. Wha’ ’bout you?” What was wrong with me? I laughed again, impossibly giddy.

  Staring into my eyes, he took a deep whiff. “Are you under the influence?”

  “Noopey.” Hand to mouth, I burped. Good grief. I certainly sounded intoxicated. “But I am high.” I tittered as I clutched his shirtfront. “See, high, high, higheee. Way up high in the sky.”

  I couldn’t think straight. It was as if I’d guzzled a whole bottle of vodka, not that I’d guzzled vodka before, but if I had, I’m certain this would be how I felt.

  Silas grumbled. “I think your mate’s been drinking.”

  “Sounds and looks like it to me too,” Zac added unhelpfu
lly.

  I tilted forward, banging my head into Davio’s. “Nooo”—hiccup—“sloshy.” Dumbfounded, I scratched my tummy.

  Setting me on my feet, my mate gripped my chin with his forefinger and thumb, tipped my head back and looked into my eyes. “Your pupils are dilated and your skin is flushed.” He turned to Zac. “Ask Viv to meet us at Belle’s place. Tell her I want our personal physician brought to me, immediately.”

  I heard Zac’s answer seconds later. “It’s done.”

  I swayed and smiled, drinking in the heady sight of my returned mate. “Goodness, but you are sooooooo gorrgeeous. Misssy yooou.”

  “I’ve missed you too.” He scooped me up in his arms, held me close to his chest and stuck his nose in my hair. Breathing deep, he sighed. “Really missed you. Let’s get you back to Belle’s and find out what’s wrong with you.”

  “She’s clearly drunk.” Silas stepped up. “And at seven in the morning no less.”

  “Not drunk.” I slapped Silas’s chest and giggled some more. “You’re annoying.”

  “He can be at times.” Davio tucked my head under his chin. “Close your eyes. I don’t want you being sick while we teleport.”

  “Oh no. No-noooo sicky,” I slurred as I tried to catch my fingers in his beige button-down shirt. My eyelids slid shut.

  The jump was swift as he flashed us back to Belle’s, and my stomach rolled once we’d arrived. I gulped great mouthfuls of air and tried to clear my foggy head.

  Gee, maybe I was wrong. Maybe I had been drinking. It certainly felt like I had.

  Ooo, yee-ah, that unreal bottle of vodka had a lot to answer for.

  Carefully, Davio propped me on the couch and held my shoulders as he crouched before me. Over his shoulder, he called out, “Belle, some water, please.”

  Belle appeared with a glass and I grinned sloppily at her. “I misss—”