Warrior

by Joanne Wadsworth

  I fell back into my chair, beginning to count, enforcing more than a little necessary timeout to calm down.

  “What are you doing, Faith?” Belle nibbled on her lower lip. “I’m getting such a strange reversal of feelings from you.”

  “That’s because I’m trying to ignore your presence. For a blessed moment it worked.”

  Silvie chuckled and squeezed my arm. “Faith’s regrouping, Belle. It’s her calming thing. Give her a minute to wind down after all your talk of Peacio. You’ve been infuriating her with it for far too long.”

  I rolled my shoulders in an effort to release the tension, hating how Silvie was so accepting of Belle’s talk of all things Peacio and I was not. But then I was the one hearing Belle’s voice in my head along with others’ random thoughts. Yeah, that was lucky old me.

  I squirmed in my chair and let out a haggard breath. “Let’s talk about Peacio later, guys.” As Belle would no doubt want to do since she was like a dog with a bone on that subject. “Mrs. Gray’s on her way, and I need to focus one-hundred percent on English and not some mystical otherworld.”

  Belle gave me a strange look with her exotic eyes. You can still sense when someone is coming? You’re picking up their thoughts?

  Great. She was back to speaking privately. It seemed like it was her job to constantly remind me of exactly how odd I now was. I moaned with great exaggeration.

  Only if they’re broadcasting strongly. Mrs. Gray is crossing the quad, examining how to prepare us for finals. I’d latched onto that. So, are you still insisting this grows into forethought, the same thing your supposed King Carlisio has? That was like the proverbial nail in the coffin, for Belle mentioning a fictional king had made me completely desert her farfetched notions.

  Don’t flick me off again, she growled. King Carlisio Loveria is a wise ruler and it’s because of his rare skill of forethought. As one of his Peacio protectors, I won’t abide my ruler’s name being disparaged.

  Excellent. Now we were back to the whole Peacio protector thing again. I needed to do more than just flick Belle off–I needed to have her locked up in the insane ward. This time I chose to ignore all the impulses to respond, instead busying myself with my workbook. Now was not the time or place. For more reasons than one from what my mind sorted through, because not only could I hear Mrs. Gray’s thoughts, but I heard those of another who walked with her.

  A new student.

  A male by the tone of the thoughts within his brain.

  One who questioned Mrs. Gray about me. No, not questioning–he said he knew me.

  Mrs. Gray rounded the corner, her salt-and-pepper hair short, straight and styled up higher over her forehead to add volume to the thinning mass. She spoke nonsensical words I couldn’t for the life of me focus on.

  Not when I was too busy ogling the new male student as the room around me quieted. Only I didn’t know him. Had never seen him before, and a specimen of that rugged beauty with that kind of seductive aura I would never forget.

  Spellbound, my mind spun with sudden lust-filled fantasies as I took in his staggering height. He must be at least six foot four. His hair held a slight wave and was that teasing shade in between dark blond and brown, the longer length just sweeping his shoulders. His eyes were to die for, their liquid brown speckled with gold, the darker color the same exact shade as his hair.

  Yum.

  He wore a white t-shirt over broad shoulders and blue jeans that skimmed his hips, the ends tucked carelessly into a pair of black ankle-high boots with thick silver buckles.

  Lip lick.

  Maybe Silvie was right, maybe I did need to get laid. Wasn’t he just the perfect candidate?

  Oh, but he stared at me in return, the fire in his eyes setting a glow to the golden flecks and lighting them brilliantly. In that one second, this stranger disarmed me, his hot gaze running up and down my body.

  Hold on. I jerked my head back. Was he checking me out?

  I turned to see who sat behind me, thinking it must be someone else, when Belle nudged my arm. I know. That’s Davio Loveria–the king’s grandson. His presence has that impact on nearly everyone.

  What? Stunned disbelief as my jaw dropped.

  Hold on double-time.

  No actually, reverse.

  Did Belle just say that man, that new male student was the king’s grandson?

  The fictional king?

  From the fictional country of Peacio?

  I gulped and checked out the hunk at the front of the class, hoping Belle hadn’t gone so far as to acquire a co-conspirator.

  Jeez, Belle, and if I ask that new student if he’s a prince of Peacio, will he actually confirm it? I mean, do you really think for one second I don’t believe you are completely and utterly nuts?

  Seriously.

  I needed to get Belle a straightjacket and lock her up pronto.

  She cracked a smile. No, silly. With your emerging forethought skill, King Carlisio sent Davio to assess the situation as reinforcement to me as your protector. After Davio turned eighteen earlier this year, even he did not show any signs of the rare skill which his grandfather has. It’s sadly skipped two generations in the Loveria family and so far, you are the only one outside of the royal line who shows any signs of it. Why do you think I’m still here and have not returned home?

  I quirked a suspicious brow and retaliated. Because you to live to pester me.

  Easy answer.

  I’m afraid the girl was on her way to being institutionalized. There was no hope for her. Not now.

  No, she fired right back at me. Because you are too valuable to be left unattended. You need protection.

  I blew out a harsh breath, right in her face, remembering just at the last second to keep my voice down. For the millionth, billionth, zillionth time, I am growing very weary of all this Peacio crap. Would she never give up?

  That was when her declaration caught up to me. Surprised, my jaw landed somewhere down in my lap. Now why would she feel the need to protect me? And protect me against what?

  Okay, it seemed I was actually going to go there. Exactly what are you protecting me from?

  A heavy mental sigh. You can read thoughts, a skill that develops into forethought, and depending on how strong it is it cannot be permitted to go under the radar. I’m a protector. Once your forethought develops, you will need me by your side to instruct you.

  Belle was so matter of fact about everything she said. For a brief moment, I felt the first fluttering of belief. Then it cemented, making me groan out loud. Unbelievably my mind told me there was truth in what she said. For the first time.

  I exhaled, hating myself for what I was about to ask and for those first stirrings of bewitching belief. I want to meet with Davio Loveria. I want to hear from the newcomer–who was now sitting in his assigned seat at the front of the class–what he has to say without any interference from you. Yeah, that forethought was either developing as she’d said, or was now sending me completely loony.

  Belle’s lips lifted, and she answered with speed. Excellent. Would now be an appropriate time?

  I observed the princely hunk’s side profile, gathering my strength. After class. Lunchtime. On the field. I needed another forty-five minutes to fortify myself. You, me and him.

  * * * *

  It was the beginning of spring, the first week of September, and I’d chosen an isolated spot under a large, yellow-green umbrella leaf tree on the outskirts of the school’s grassy area. Belle waited with me where the sunlight dappled through the loose formation of foliage and warmed the ground. I clutched my backpack over one shoulder and hooked a finger into the belt loop of my snug blue denim mini skirt in an effort to gain some confidence.

  Belle rubbed her palms down her short, scarlet cotton dress and stepped forward to greet Davio as he crossed the lawn.

  Peering around her, I held a hand to my chest. The man still looked completely edible, those blue jeans sitting low on his hips and making me drool for a bite.
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  “Welcome, Davio.” Belle turned and introduced me with her right hand swinging in a wide gesture. “This is Miss Faith Stryker.”

  Oh so polite.

  Davio clasped Belle’s arm, his narrowed gaze boring into mine. “Thank you, Belle. So this is the one Carlisio says has forethought?” He stood there, his bearing firm and his hand far too intimate on Belle’s upper arm.

  Like I shouldn’t have noticed.

  Only now I frowned, my mind distracted by the cozy image they made. Exactly how well did these two know each other?

  I ground my teeth together, lifted my chin and stepped forward. “Yes, I’m the one who has forethought.”

  Damn. Now I was irritated. Excessively so.

  “How do I know you’re who Belle says you are?” With speed, I siphoned through the newcomer’s thoughts using what Belle kept referring to as my burgeoning forethought, hoping to find this was an elaborate and totally explainable ruse.

  Davio released her arm and stepped closer. “I can’t believe this,” he said as he touched a hand to his forehead. “I can feel you in my mind.” He immediately blocked, the same as Belle was able to do.

  Now there was nothing.

  I gave him a cocky grin, and he damn well returned it, seriously peeving me further. “So, I guess I have to believe you’re the grandson of Peacio’s supposed king. David is it?”

  One masculine brow quirked. “Davio, not David, but yes, I’m Carlisio’s sole grandson. Who is your father?”

  I glared at him. “At present I don’t know and quite frankly, I’ve never cared.” I didn’t either. I had the world’s most fabulous mother, one who’d provided all I’d ever needed in life. While the man who’d irresponsibly provided the other half of my genes to give me that life had never stayed to even say one simple hello.

  Davio crossed his arms, frowning as he drew one-step closer. “Father aside, let’s concentrate on what you’re doing right now. You are lodged within my mind–” He stopped, shook his head as if clearing it, then took another decided step forward. “There’s a warmth, like a merging or a similar form of alternate connection, I’ve never experienced before. What is it you’re doing?”

  No sooner had he said the words then I dropped the merge he’d noted.

  Bad move. “Ow.” I grabbed my head as my mind demanded to return to his. What the… I jerked, holding out one hand to halt his sudden advancement. “Stay right there, bucko.”

  A sharp stinging pain took me as he bore down on me. “No. Stop.” I clutched at my chest, gasping.

  More pain. And Davio’s presence, without a doubt, caused it.

  Against my wishes my mind arrowed, piercing back into his and clashing with a brutal strength that made me stagger. I fell against him, grabbing at his arm, the contact somehow ceasing the pain and my turbulent emotions all at once.

  What was going on?

  I took a moment, breathing deep, feeling the warmth within his mind.

  My reaction to him couldn’t have amazed me more. “You can feel my mind-merge?” I asked, making certain.

  He nodded briskly. “You’re in my head. I can feel your presence. But be aware, you will not get a single thought from me since I’m now blocked.”

  That was clearly a set down, putting me in my place.

  I gritted my teeth and dropped my hand, glaring as I stepped back. Now, deep inside, I wanted to strike out at him. How dare he? “I wasn’t intending to pry. This is all new to me, too, you know.” I found my voice, defending myself.

  Annoyance coursed through me.

  It seemed I did not like this man one itty, little bit, hot eyes and hot body included.

  He glowered, circling me, his gaze slanting as his enormous body threatened. “Now, aren’t you a pesky little enigma.”

  I curled my fingers inward. “So my mother constantly says, Prince Davio.”

  He came back around to stand in front. “It’s Davio. Just Davio.”

  My gut clenched further, but I held my tongue, waiting to see what he would do.

  “Apart from this skill of mind-merge, you know what I believe is happening between us.”

  “Well, not if you don’t share it.”

  “You and I are bonded,” he said with a hard, defiant tone.

  “I’m sorry, we’re what?” Surprise had my brows soaring.

  “No, not what, Faith Stryker. We’re bonded, and that’s a how.” Then he reared over me, almost toppling me as I moved away from him.

  “Hey,” I growled, slamming a hand into him. “Attempting to intimidate me will get you nowhere.”

  He peered into my eyes. “We’re somehow bonded, one to the other. Although how that could be is beyond my knowledge with you being of Earth. I demand to know who your parents are and how you came to have forethought.”

  Okay, his question was completely insane, and what the heck did he mean by bonded? I pulled on every one of my reserves. “First, I’ve always lived on Earth. Second, I have only my mother, who I might add has outdone herself in raising me.”

  “And your father? Where exactly is he?”

  I forced my gaze to hold his. “I do not know, nor do I care.” My chest tightened, and not because I spoke of my father, but because of Davio’s presence.

  Rocking back on his heels, his gaze was sharp. “Father aside, I feel the deep tension between us. It’s too physical.”

  I shrugged, not wanting him this near, the strain only increasing as each second passed. “I’ve decided I don’t want to meet you after all. Let’s forget this past morning ever happened and you can wing your way back to your lovely little planet of Magio.”

  “I don’t understand.” Belle came forward, her lips pinched. “Surely, this is impossible. You two simply can’t be mated. It can’t be. She’s a Halfling.”

  I gave her a glare. “I said let’s forget everything. Take him away.”

  Her hands trembled as she pushed them through her dark hair. “I can’t. I can’t interfere in a mated relationship. It is a soul-bound calling, one fixed between the two of you.” Her wide gaze begged understanding. “You have to understand. Only half of our population are mated once they come into their adult strength skills at eighteen. The male always senses the bond after he makes direct contact with his female. This is what has happened. It seems you are mated to our prince.”

  So this was real–which meant I was likely in a world of trouble. “Okay, so we’re mated,” I said the words, glaring at Davio as I let them sink in.

  He snagged my hand. “You are not one of my people.”

  I waited a moment, tortured at his tight hold and at seeing the scowl on his face. “Then quit touching me.” I pulled my hand free. “If you can’t tell, I don’t care for it.”

  He winced, the first sign that he wasn’t anything other than mad. “I will try. I can see you need some space.” He stepped away, propping his back against the wide trunk of the umbrella tree. Now given the opportunity, I scooted back, too.

  Then it happened.

  Five feet distance and a strange calmness descended over me. I breathed out the last of my tension and closed my eyes.

  Belle was there in my head, making herself, once again, at home. Ooo-kay. You need to tell me exactly what’s going on with you? First and foremost, I’m your friend.

  I ignored her, feeling a touch bad, and my eyes opened to see Davio. His thoughts were loud and clear as he eyed me blatantly in return.

  Random thoughts escaped him. He found the light blond of my hair captivating, the fine strands catching the sunlight sparkling through the leaves and making the golden color glow like woven silk.

  I grimaced.

  Next, he looked at my eyes, noticing the unusual violet, although a color he found incredibly intriguing.

  “Stop it,” I demanded, crossing my arms with a slap as they came together.

  “Reading my thoughts will only get you into trouble.” He tilted his chin, his body straightening as he pushed off the tree.

  I
sneered. “Well, you were sharing. It’s a little hard to miss what was coming from your over-active imagination when it was directed at me.” Damn it. Now he neared. I hated that every time he came so close, I turned aggressive. “Stay there.”

  My blustery warning was loud and clear, but he didn’t break stride. “I can’t stop myself. It’s this stupid, stubborn bond. Finding my mate should never have been like this. It obviously shouldn’t have been with a Halfling and someone not of my world.”

  “Amen to that,” I grumbled as he ruthlessly closed in.

  I threw up a hand against his oncoming assault and tried to halt him. Too late.

  My palm hit his chest, his momentum driving me back several steps. Oh boy. I flushed as my aggression instantly dissolved. So strange–when he touched me, the hard emotions promptly disappeared.

  Davio leaned over me, all six foot four of him, his warm honey-brown hair falling forward to curl snugly around his neck, and I longed for him, just as I had during my first sighting of him in the classroom.

  “What’s happening is the bond, my mate. It will become difficult for me to keep my distance both physically and emotionally unless I leave and end this now.”

  My heart hitched. “You want to leave?” I swayed closer on impulse. “Is that how this bond works? We find each other and then you leave?” God preserve his people if it did.

  “No, it is not. Those mated are bonded for life if we allow the link to grow. Except that would be the most unwise choice for us to take. You are, quite clearly, neither from my country nor from my world, and as such will have no allegiance to me or my people. I have no wish to join with one who does not wish to join with me in all ways. With that being the case, I will find another when the time is right. As should you,” he added solemnly.

  I frowned. Hold on–did he just say he would be joining with another woman?

  I bit my tongue. That was good? I should leave it at that, right?

  Jeez, what was wrong with me for questioning that choice?

  “I’m sorry. We just met, and you’re right. Go find your, your–” Strangely, I struggled to get the words out and finally gave up. “Well, have yourself a nice long life, and all that.” I patted his chest roughly.