Protector

by Joanne Wadsworth

  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 do 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 facets.” 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 I felt that blanket of warmth wrap 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. “What shall we do about Silas?”

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

  I grabbed at 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 at 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 eyes softened, and my heart pounded.

  “What we have will not be torn apart by another. Give me your promise, from your heart to mine, that you will uphold the same vow.”

  I tilted my head. “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 to 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 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.” His brow quirked. “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.

  “You’re so serious all the time. We need to work that out of you.” I rummaged through my wardrobe knowing the exact 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, bracing a hand on the windowsill as he stared out across the road. Pulling off my training gear, I tugged the glove-like white dress over my head and down my body, adjusting 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, reaching over my desk at just the right angle to retrieve my schoolbooks. I dropped them into my bag.

  I heard a choking sound. “Please.” Only his heated thoughts cemented my decision.

  “No.” I snuck my hand into his, zipping us straight to the football field.

  Ha. I was right to stand my ground. I loved the way he looked at me in it, particularly after so many days apart.

  And then after school he met with my mother. We sat over hot drinks and cream cake. Having raised me single-handedly, my mother knew me better than any other. She was inquisitive, but who wouldn’t be when their daughter bought home her first man.

  At a knock on the front door some hours later, I stayed on the couch as Mum left to answer it.

  I turned to Davio, squeezing the hand that idly stroked mine. “My mother likes you.”

  “She is much like my own.”

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

  “She’s soft hearted, and yet one of the strongest women I know. She cannot 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.

  “Never mind. I can see from your sly expression exactly what you’re thinking, but Silas is family. All I need to make certain is that he’s never so rough with you again.”

  I pursed my lips. “We have to have a talk about you leaving me out of all the fun stuff.”

  He raised my hand to his mouth, lightly kissing my fingers. “I’m sure we will.” He 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?” I smiled, mock gasping as I repeated his words. “Gosh, now I just have to get you to arrive in the same regular way.”

  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 onto the front step.

  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 that scenario.

  As Davio set a hand to my waist and guided me down the steps to the front path, I snuck a look over my shoulder.

  Oh no.

  My breath caught for I knew who it was. Thick sunglasses hid my father’s eyes and a dark cap covered his blond head. He wore brown felt pants, a brown checkered shirt and knee-high riding boots as he attempted to look the part of a countryman.

  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 fr
ont 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?”

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

  “You will.” Then 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. 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 him and yanked off his black cap, exposing his head full of short, light hair. Next, I pulled off his darkened sunglasses, exposing those remarkable violet eyes. “This is for your own good,” I scolded.

  The Horse and Country magazine fell from my mother’s hand, flapping to the entryway floor. She swayed–not breathing–then she crumbled.

  Alexo grabbed her. “I was getting around to revealing myself once Loveria left.” Scooping her up, his gaze flitted over her face. He dragged in a breath, stuttering 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. 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, finding it clammy. “I’d say fainting is expected in these circumstances.”

  He gazed at her, 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, bending to brush a kiss to her lips. “I can’t believe I’m holding her.”

  “Bedroom’s at the end of the hallway. And yes you are.”

  Clutching her closer, his knuckles whitened. “If you hear or have any forewarning that my discussion with her is too difficult, then interrupt. Keep the protectors away.”

  “I’ll be on watch.”

  My mother moaned and moved.

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

  Alexo set off with her and rounded the corner, the sound of her bedroom door clicking shut seconds later. I leaned back against the wall, lifting my hands to see them shake. I was 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, or she could.

  I fidgeted as the house became super quiet.

  I looked around, half-listening with one ear. No, I shouldn’t be doing that. Theirs was a private conversation.

  I flashed to my bedroom and sat at my desk.

  I rocked back and forth, and when that didn’t help, I pulled around a textbook. I would read. Whether I took much in was another matter.

  Three hours passed with only the occasional higher-toned words to hear.

  This was killing me.

  And with eight o’clock looming and no signal from beyond, I changed into my favorite faded jeans and a violet stretch t-shirt, brushing my hair until I could brush it no more.

  I braced myself, recognizing I had to leave.

  Arriving in the area off Belle’s kitchen, the scent of an oven-cooked roast of beef cut through the air. Peeking around the corner, I saw steam pluming from the oven as Silvie, with her hands gloved, reached in and slid out a deep blue dish.

  My mouth watered.

  “Can I help?” I stepped into the kitchen to join her, glad for the distraction.

  “Hey, there you are.” She propped the dish on a wooden board and looked over her shoulder. “No, I’m 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 her shoulders while poking a fork into the meat. “She met with Davio. What did she think of him?”

  “Oh, that.” I wiped my brow.

  Her mouth slanted to one side. “Yes, that.”

  I mimicked her shrug. “She liked him.”

  “That’s it?”

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

  She laughed. “He and Davio aren’t back yet, and I didn’t think to ask.” Picking up the roasting dish, she returned it to the oven. “This meat needs another ten. Tell the others in the family room for me.”

  With the table set, I headed there. I heard Zac and Viv’s hushed voices, and as I drew nearer, the sound of the TV.

  “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 mini skirt and emerald tank top.

  Zac played with Viv’s dark hair as he elbowed up to catch sight of 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 who sat 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.

  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, ten times over.”

  Viv squeezed his arm. “We were vindicated.”

  I flicked Viv’s leg since she sat so close. “I can’t believe you did that. 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, for I hoped to form new 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–and that knowledge counted for so much already.

  “What’s going through your mind?” Belle rested her hand on my shoulder.

  I rubbed my hand on my jeans. “I’m glad Davio has all of you. And I’m looking forward to forming the like bonds with others in Dralion.” As an empath, I hoped she’d understand.

  Only Belle let out a close-mouthed hmm.

  “I see your position,” Zac said. “For I wouldn’t care to live in another country and not form new friendships either, but a word of warning–do not consider aligning yourself with any warriors.”

  “My father’s a warrior, so what does that matter.” I flexed my fingers along my thighs. “I can also look after myself. I’m strong and independent. I happen to get that from my mother.” My mother. I scratched my fingernails down my denim jeans. I wanted to see her, to make sure she was okay and I couldn’t. Which meant I needed a distraction so I wouldn’t spy.

  Shifting my focus to the TV, I looked at what they others were watching–an awful program that was years old. I pushed to my feet. “Here let me find you guys something better.” I rifled through Belle’s DVD collection in the cabinet, spotting the ever popular Braveheart movie. I swapped it out. “This, Zac, will suit you. There are not only swords, but plenty of blood and lethal fighting. It’ll be right up your alley.” I grinned over my shoulder at him.

  My mouth dropped open.

  Behind Zac, bare-chested and gorgeous, was D
avio, his dark leather pants hanging low with the weight of a very wicked-looking sword at his hip.

  Licking my lips, I stood. “Ooo, look at that. Our very own Braveheart right here in this room.” Joining my mind with his, I skipped across the room, plowing 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, rubbing his cheek to 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 consideration I wanted.

  Because in two seconds flat, I was delirious.

  Belle coughed. “Okay, you two. I have to put an end to this. It’s dangerous for an empath to be saturated in your kinds of feelings.”

  I stared into Davio’s eyes. “You want to tell me how you slaughtered Silas then?”

  “I did no such thing.” He grinned and it was such a telling lie.

  Drat. I should have been watching him with my forethought. No scrub that, I should have been watching my adult parents. Perhaps I should go home and check on my mother. I clamped my teeth together.

  “Hey.” Davio ran his finger under my chin. “Why the sour look?”

  “Ah, nothing.” Couldn’t exactly delve into any of that. I wrinkled my nose. “I can smell dinner. Silvie did say ten minutes.”

  “And so can I. I’ll take a quick shower first.” He swatted my backside and turned, orders once again dispersed.

  Only I followed him and I couldn’t stop myself.

  Belle snatched my arm, catching up. “The dining room’s this way.”

  I looked in the direction I wanted to go. “Davio needs to send you back to Peacio. Pronto. I can’t see what use you are here.”

  She laughed as she yanked me behind her.

  At the kitchen, Silas lifted his head, arrowing a look at me.

  I smiled. “Ah, Silas. It’s a shame you fast-heal.” I just couldn’t help myself.