Protector: A Young Adult / New Adult Fantasy Novel

by Joanne Wadsworth

  I rolled my eyes. “Dad.”

  “I’m here.”

  “Is there any way I can come and go from Dralion as you have done over the years?”

  “The dome room—even with its limited knowledge by others—is naturally available to every Wincrest and our most elite warriors, so in answer to your question, yes. Although you would have to ensure each reason you have for coming and going was legitimate in case you were ever questioned.”

  “I need to complete my education. I’ve always intended to go to university.” It was a start.

  “That would work. Donaldo has always encouraged education amongst his people, and yours would be a given.”

  I looked at Davio. “Free access is available to all Wincrests and warriors. If I use my education as a reason to come and go, I simply have to take care.”

  He ran his hands down my sides. “See, who needs counseling?”

  I sighed. “You are insufferable, you know that?”

  “It’s one of my finest charms.” He grinned, then crooked his head. “Which you’ll come to appreciate in time.”

  “That’ll nev—” His lips touched mine.

  Oh, he did not fight fair.

  I was so hungry for him, so intent to dull the past three days from my mind until only the peace of his thoughts spread out through the merge. Even as that blanket of warmth wrapped around me, I didn’t stop kissing him. I didn’t want to give his mouth up for even a second. I was drowning in him, literally losing myself in a sea of craving.

  “Hey, excuse me. There are still people in the room,” Silas snapped.

  I moaned and whispered against Davio’s lips. “What shall we do about Silas?”

  “Silas is family. Come with me. We still have much to speak about.”

  I grabbed his shirt. “Hold on. I do have to get to school and first period will already have started. Education, remember?”

  “We’ll go after we speak.”

  He flashed us to his bedroom and he tightened his hold on me, his mouth moving along my neck, nibbling in a way that had me right back in that pool of craving.

  I grinned. “I thought we were going to speak?”

  He nipped the soft skin of my throat. “We will.” His mouth traveled upward and he took my mouth in another hot, hot kiss. “You have my heart.” His gaze softened, and my heart pounded. “What we have will not be torn apart by another, Faith. Give me your promise, from your heart to mine, that you will uphold the same vow.”

  “What I’ll promise is to annoy and pester you for all time. Will that suffice?” And by the strength of my blood-bond, I was going to abide by my father’s will as well. I’d never had a family and I desperately wanted one now that the possibility was within my reach.

  “It’ll do, but we’ll need to work on how you deliver your words.”

  I rubbed my nose against his. “We should be in class.”

  He smoothed his hands down my back. “I’ve never told you, but I undertook my studies six days a week, jamming twenty-one years of education into as few years as possible, just so I could be done at eighteen.”

  “You did?” That was impressive. “You never took a holiday?”

  “Rarely. Silas and I were tutored together, and now the two of us have the freedom to do what we’ve always enjoyed.”

  I laughed. “Yeah, like returning to school with me?”

  He tweaked my nose. “I like to think of it as spending as much time as I can with my mate. But what I was referring to was being with my people and defending my country alongside Carlisio and Everio.”

  “Ah, you mean aiding your grandfather and father into continuing the war against Dralion, against my own newly found family.”

  “There’s that.” He quirked a brow. “You said school. Let’s get you there so we can make second period.”

  “Before we go.” I ran my finger down the front of his shirt. “You said you would speak to my mother.”

  “I did. Will this afternoon suit?” He wrapped his arms around me and flashed us to my bedroom.

  I was home again, after almost three days away. “My mother means everything to me, so yes.”

  “As you do to me.” His words were a vow, and I stepped away from him even though I didn’t want to.

  “You’re so serious all the time. We need to work that out of you.” I rummaged through my wardrobe, seeking the dress I wanted to wear. It was a short white number bought for my eighteenth. I took it from the hanger at the back. This was the perfect dress for Mr. Serious. “Turn around.”

  He crossed the room, braced one hand on the windowsill and stared out across the road.

  I pulled off my training gear, tugged the glove-like white dress over my head and down my body then adjusted it into place.

  “Are you okay? You’re suddenly quiet.” I stepped in behind him and rested my cheek against his broad back.

  He turned, his brow shooting up. “I was scared to look. Now I know why. I insist you change.”

  “You insist?” I couldn’t help but smile. “My mother bought this for me.” I stepped back, reached over my desk at just the right angle to retrieve my schoolbooks, and dropped them into my bag.

  “Please.” A choking sound. Only his heated thoughts escaping his block cemented my decision.

  “No.” I snuck my hand into his and zipped us straight to the field.

  Ha. I was right to stand my ground. I loved the way he looked at me in this clingy number, particularly after so many days spent apart. Then after school he met with my mother and we sat over hot drinks and cream cake. Having raised me single-handedly, Mum knew me better than anyone. She was so inquisitive, but who wouldn’t be when their daughter brought home her first man.

  At a knock on the front door some hours later, I stayed on the couch while Mum walked out to answer it.

  I eyed my man, squeezed his hand idly stroking mine. “My mother likes you.”

  “She is much like my own mother.”

  “Tell me about her. It’s Genevy, right?”

  “Yes, she’s soft hearted, and yet one of the strongest women I know. She can’t wait to meet you.”

  I looked into his golden-brown eyes. “I can’t promise when.”

  “It’ll happen when it’s time.” He stood and pulled me to my feet. “Yet right now, I must leave. I have a training session with Silas. His mistreatment of you must be dealt with.”

  “By deal, you mean…” I sidled closer. “Make him sweat it out, kick his butt over and over, right? You need to take him down, because I’d be super excited if you did that.”

  “Silas is still family. All I need to make certain is that he’s never so rough with you again.”

  “Then butt-kicking is necessary.” I pursed my lips. “We have to have a talk about you leaving me out of all the fun stuff as well. I wish I could see the butt-kicking going down.”

  “I’m sure you would.” He raised my hand to his mouth, lightly kissing my fingers then turned and pulled me along behind him. “Walk me to the front door since I’d best leave the regular way.”

  “Walk me to the front door?” Repeating his words, I smiled and mock gasped. “Gosh, now I just have to get you to arrive in the same regular way too.”

  We neared my mother who spoke to a door-to-door salesman. The salesman ceased speaking and Davio took the opportunity to thank Kate for her hospitality.

  She gave him a bright smile. “Anytime.”

  I squeezed my mother’s arm. “I’ll be back in a minute.” I stepped through the front door and walked down the steps.

  Behind me, the salesman said something about taking a yearlong subscription to the New Zealand Horse and Country magazine. I frowned. Now, why would a salesman sell a townie a rural magazine? Who didn’t own a horse?

  Ooo-kay, something was wrong with all that.

  Davio set a hand at my waist, guided me along the path to the road and I snuck a look over my shoulder.

  Oh no.

  My breath caught. Thick s
unglasses hid my father’s eyes and a dark cap covered his blond head. He wore brown felt pants, a brown checked shirt and knee-high riding boots as if attempting to look the part of a countryman, but I wasn’t fooled any longer.

  The sight of him meant Davio had to go, pronto.

  With jittery legs, I picked up my speed.

  “You look suddenly nervous.” He opened the front gate.

  I stopped my fidgeting. “It’s just that you’re leaving. I’m used to having an argument, and then you leave. Don’t make anything out of it.”

  His lips lifted. “You want an argument before I go?”

  I tapped my watch, glaring. “Not right now.” I harrumphed. “I’ll see you at Belle’s at eight.”

  “You will.” Then chuckling, he shimmered and disappeared from my sight.

  Phew.

  Wiping my hand across my brow, I ran back to the house, for I had more important issues at hand. I had an all-too-familiar salesman that needed locking firmly inside and a mother who was about to freak out. What I wouldn’t give for a regular-old day.

  Chapter 10

  Never had I seen a man looking so uncertain of what he should do.

  I stepped up to Dad, yanked off his black cap and exposed his head full of short, light hair. Next, I pulled off his darkened sunglasses and those remarkable violet eyes of his were clear to see. “This is for your own good,” I scolded. “Tell Mum you still love her and be quick about—”

  The Horse and Country magazine fell from my mother’s hand, flapped to the entryway floor and she swayed—not breathing—then knees caving in, crumpled.

  Dad grabbed her. “I was getting around to revealing myself once Loveria left.” Scooping her up, his gaze flitted over Mum’s face. He dragged in a deep breath, then stuttered as he released it.

  “Are you all right?”

  “I’m holding my wife.” A single tear slipped from the corner of his eye, his voice dropping to a whisper. “I could never get this close before, not in all these years. Ever.”

  I strained to listen to his words. “You’re not going to faint too are you?”

  “No, I’m good.” He reeled back a step, then caught himself.

  “Mum’s okay.” I pressed the back of my hand to her cheek, found it clammy, which was totally expected in these circumstances. “I’d say fainting is the right reaction to have after seeing your husband eighteen years after he last disappeared.”

  He gazed at Mum, his throat working. “I—where can I take her?”

  “Her bedroom. You’ll have the most privacy there since it looks out over the backyard. I’ll be in my room if you need me.”

  He lifted her higher in his arms, brushed a kiss against her lips, the hopeful look in his eyes tearing at my heart. “I can’t believe I’m holding her.”

  “Bedroom’s at the end of the hallway. And yes you are holding her. Now go and make up.”

  “I’ll try, but I doubt our coming conversation will be easy.” Clutching her closer, his knuckles whitening, he murmured, “If you hear or have any forewarning that my discussion with her is too difficult for her to handle, then interrupt. Also, keep the protectors away.”

  “I’ll be on guard.”

  My mother moaned, her eyelids flickering.

  “Down the hallway, at the end,” I urged, pointing the way.

  Dad set off with her and rounded the corner, and the click of her bedroom door shutting both eased a touch of my nerves, and set them to rising all over again. I leaned back against the wall. My hands shook, and so did my legs. So nervous. This was the strangest feeling, knowing that my parents were about to have such a monumental talk. Right now would be one of those times I’d call Silvie, but that wasn’t happening. She would let the information slip.

  I fidgeted as the house became super quiet.

  Theirs was a private conversation, and I had no intention of listening in.

  I flashed to my bedroom and sat at my desk, rocked back and forth and when that didn’t help, I pulled around a textbook. I would read, although whether I took much in was another matter.

  Three hours passed with only the occasional higher-toned words drifting to me from Mum.

  This was killing me.

  Eight o’clock now loomed, and with no signal from beyond, I changed into my favorite faded jeans and a violet stretch t-shirt, brushed my hair until I could brush it no more, then braced myself.

  I had to leave, otherwise Davio would turn up here wondering where I was.

  Flashing fast, I bumped down in the area just off Belle’s kitchen. The heavenly aroma of roast beef wafted through the air. Steam plumed from the oven as Silvie, her hands gloved, slid out a deep blue dish holding tonight’s meal.

  My mouth watered.

  “Can I help?” I stepped into the kitchen, not that I had ever been very helpful in a kitchen.

  “Hey, there you are.” She popped the dish on a wooden board and looked over her shoulder at me. “I’m all good.” She wiped her hands on the white apron tied at her waist. “You can set the table though. How’s your mother?”

  “What do you mean?” The hairs on my neck rose.

  “You know.” She shrugged while poking a fork into the meat. “She met with Davio. What did she think of him?”

  “Oh, that.” I wiped my brow.

  “Yes, that. You’re acting strange.”

  “She liked him.”

  “That’s it?”

  “Yep. Is your brother joining us for dinner?” I pulled plates from the crockery cupboard and set them on the table, came back and collected cutlery and glasses. “Because he and I seem to be getting along so well, if you didn’t notice.”

  She laughed. “He and Davio aren’t back yet, and I didn’t think to ask.” She returned the roasting dish to the oven. “This meat needs another ten minutes. Tell the others in the family room for me that’s dinner will be real soon.”

  “Will do.” With the table set, I walked down the passageway to the family room at the other end of the house. Zac and Viv’s hushed voices drifted to me, as well as the action going on with the TV. A staccato round of gunfire. They must be watching something gruesome.

  “Hey.” I rounded the plush, brown-gold corner couch that seated eight. Zac lay sprawled on his side in a forest-green t-shirt and jeans with Viv tucked in front of him wearing a miniskirt and emerald tank top.

  Zac played with Viv’s dark hair, then elbowed up and smiled at me. “Davio’s with Silas in the castle’s training room. Sword practice. Do you need me to seek his return?”

  I plopped down beside Belle sitting to the right of the others. “No, but Silvie said dinner’s in ten. Is Silas coming?” Silas was the one I’d have to keep an eye on, particularly as my father relied on me right now to ensure all remained safe at home.

  Belle knocked my arm with hers. “He’ll be here now that all things Silvie are sorted.”

  Zac’s brow rose, a grin taking over his face. “I can’t wait to see how much of a mess he’s in. He outdid my sword pricks on you, ten times over.”

  Viv squeezed his arm. “We really shouldn’t have poked her.”

  “No, you shouldn’t have.” I flicked Viv’s leg since she sat so close. “No doing that again. I really can’t believe you both wanted to slice and dice me when all I did was nail him to the ground. Jeez, how does Davio manage to put up with you lot?”

  Belle smiled. “We’re loyal, and we’ve been friends a long time.”

  I looked at her, for I certainly saw the loyalty and friendship she spoke of. I nodded. It would be great if I could form such strong friendships in Dralion to such a degree. It would be nice to meet new people, and at the very least, I had a new family. That counted for so much already.

  “What’s going through your mind?” Belle rested her hand on my shoulder. “Your emotions are bombarding me.

  I rubbed my hand on my jeans. “I’m glad Davio has all of you. I’m looking forward to forming the same kind of bonds with others in my father’s
country.” As an empath, I hoped she’d understand my words.

  Belle let out a close-mouthed hmm.

  “I get what you’re saying.” Zac twined another lock of Viv’s hair around one finger. “I wouldn’t care to live in another country and not form new friendships either, but a word of warning, don’t align yourself too strongly with any of the warriors there.”

  “Well, my father’s a warrior, so what does that matter who I align myself with?” I flexed my fingers along my thighs, my thoughts zipping back to my father and mother. Mum was incredibly independent, had to be to raise me all on her own, and I was much the same as her. Thinking of Mum had my worry for her rising again, and even though I really wanted to check in on her and Dad, they needed this time alone. No spying for me.

  I heaved to my feet to find something better to watch rather than the mindless killing spree going on with the current movie. “Here let me find you guys something better, more appropriate for visitors to my, ah, world.” I rifled through Belle’s DVD collection in the cabinet, spotted the ever classic Braveheart movie. I swapped it out. “This, Zac, will suit you. Lots of swords.” Killing and battling too, but with some all-important historical information about Earth gathered along with it. A good choice. Over my shoulder, I grinned at him, then my mouth dropped open.

  Behind Zac, bare-chested and looking so gorgeous, Davio stood in his dark leather pants hanging low on his hips with the weight of a very wicked sword belted at his side.

  Licking my lips, I stood. “Ooo, look at that. I have my very own Braveheart right here in this room, just minus the kilt.” Merging my mind with his, I skipped across the room and plowed into him. “I missed you.” I ran my hands over his broad shoulders and tipped into him. “You’re late.”

  “I listened to your conversation regarding Dralion from the passageway. It is as Zac said.” Davio bent his head, rubbed his cheek against mine. “You’ll need to take care. I won’t have you around other warriors.”

  “I’ll take your request under consideration.” I wrapped my arms around his neck. “Kiss me.”

  He swept his arms around me, his lips on mine, his skin pressing hot and oh so close. Now this was the kind of under consideration I wanted.