by Donna Grant
The Tnarg was fast and stayed out of sight as much as possible. But Sorin knew the beast was there. When they came to the trees, the mare refused to go in.
"Easy, lass,” Sorin murmured as he dismounted and patted the horse on the neck. “I don't want to be here either. Go back to your master,” he said and turned the horse towards the city.
With a sigh, Sorin looked into the trees.
Before he could hunt the creature, he needed his sword. He stepped into the trees and noted the absolute silence. No crickets or birds made a sound, for evil was near.
He walked as silent as a ghost through the dense trees. The thick layer of pine needles and the wind quieted his steps as he moved to where he had fought the Tnarg the day before.
When he came to the spot, he glared at the tree where his sword was embedded nearly to the hilt. Sorin gently touched the leather wrapped pommel. At least the beast hadn't broken it. His hand gripped the weapon and tugged.
Just as he feared. The oak was thick and the sword deep inside it.
A twig snapped behind him. Sorin didn't need to turn to see the Tnarg behind him. Lightning suddenly split the sky a heartbeat before the rain began.
"You'll never get the sword out in time,” the beast hissed behind him.
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Chapter Six
Katrina blew out a breath and rose to her feet. She'd been on edge and frantic ever since she had woken to find Sorin gone.
Where are you, Sorin?
"Katrina, you're making me nervous with your pacing. The storm won't last long,” Aunt Beatrice murmured over her needlepoint.
Katrina ran to the window and looked at the dark clouds racing towards them. As her gaze scanned the city, a lone rider travelling towards the grove caught her eye. She knew instantly it was Sorin.
Without a word to her aunt, she raced from the solar towards the crossed swords hung in the hall. Katrina gripped the pommel of the sword and tugged.
"Lass, what are you doing?” her aunt asked from the solar doorway.
"I don't have time to explain, Aunt Beatrice. Trust me. I need this sword.” Just then a servant rounded the corner. “I need a horse. Now,” she shouted when the servant didn't move.
Aunt Beatrice moved to her side after the servant went running to do as she commanded. “Katrina, you're worrying me. Come sit down with me until your father arrives."
Katrina's head swivelled to her aunt. “Father is coming?"
"Aye, my darling girl. I sent word to him yesterday after the attack. He's come to take you home."
Katrina felt as if someone had kicked her in the stomach. “I'd love to explain everything to you, and I know it appears as though I've gone daft, but I need this sword."
"Why?"
"Sorin lost his yesterday battling the beast."
Aunt Beatrice's eyes narrowed. “You mean the men who attacked you."
Katrina wanted to cry. She shook her head instead. “Nay. Aunt, forgive me for lying to you. It was a beast, a beast come to kill me. Sorin saved my life, and he's gone out to kill it. He needs this weapon."
She waited one heartbeat, two as her aunt debated her words. Finally, Aunt Beatrice nodded and reached up to grip the sword.
"We'll pull together,” she said.
It took three tugs, but they finally got the sword free. Katrina could barely lift it, but she would do what she needed to get to Sorin.
She turned towards the door when her aunt's voice stopped her.
"What do I tell your father?"
Katrina halted and moved to her aunt. “Tell him I love him, and if I haven't returned, send an army to the grove."
"Katrina,” her aunt screamed.
But Katrina couldn't wait a moment longer. She had to get to Sorin. With the help of a servant, she mounted the mare and settled the sword across her lap.
She didn't glance back at the door as she nudged the mare into a run. Katrina hadn't yet left the city when the rain started to fall.
In a matter of moments her clothes were plastered to her skin. The howling wind made hearing anything difficult, and the lightning spooked the mare each time it forked across the sky.
Katrina blinked against the blinding rain and saw a shape coming towards her. Her heart jumped into her throat until she saw it was a horse. A riderless horse.
"Sorin,” she whispered, urgency making her heart beat quicker.
She tried to nudge her horse faster, but the mare sidestepped and jerked its head up and down. The animal didn't want to be out in the weather any more than Katrina did.
"Just a little farther,” she said to the mare.
The horse snorted and walked towards the grove, though its body began to shake.
"I've lost my mind,” she mumbled to herself. “Only a daft person would be out in this storm to face a magical beast that wants me dead."
But she knew she wasn't daft. It was Sorin that had brought her there. She knew next to nothing about the man other than he quickened her blood and made her feel whole. It wasn't something she could explain, but there was truly a connection between them that even that mark on her arm couldn't compare with.
She wiped away the rain from her eyes to see she had reached the trees. With her hand wrapped around the hilt of the heavy sword, she began to dismount when a loud roar filled the air.
Katrina managed to slip from the mare before she reared and bolted back to the city. Katrina turned towards the trees, her entire body shaking with cold and fear.
She lifted the sword in both arms and kicked at her wet skirts as she started into the trees. All she had to do was follow the growls and roars to find Sorin and the Tnarg. She just prayed she wasn't too late.
* * * *
Sorin clenched his jaw at the Tnarg's voice. The sword wouldn't budge, so he'd have to fight the beast with something else.
The rain, wind and thunder muffled all sounds, but Sorin knew the creature would strike fast. He released his grip on his sword and rolled away.
He wasn't as quick as he should have been for the Tnarg's claws caught him on the back. Sorin hissed in pain and rose to his feet, a dagger in each hand.
The Tnarg laughed as it looked at the weapons. “I'll cut you in half before you get close enough to put those small blades in me."
Sorin knew the beast was right, but even though he would most likely die, he wouldn't go down without giving a few wounds himself.
"If you do kill me, you'll leave Katrina alone?"
The Tnarg laughed and shook its oblong head. “I could have killed you a hundred times over as I followed you here. Nay, my target is your mate. Whether I kill you or not, she will die."
Sorin's gut tightened. How had he not known the Tnarg was tracking him? How could he have been so careless?
The Tnarg tilted back its head and roared. Its red eyes narrowed on Sorin, and its claws extended as it prepared to strike.
Sorin crouched on the balls of his feet, ignoring the rain and the near constant lightning as he began to circle the Tnarg. The beast was taller, faster and deadlier, but Sorin had a slight advantage. He'd been raised with the intent of battling the creature. He'd learned to be quick on his feet and think hastily.
His whole life, he'd been preparing for this day.
Sorin smiled and turned the long blades of his daggers against his forearms. The Tnarg raised its arms and leapt at him.
There was no way Sorin could get out of the way quick enough, so he stepped into the beast and sunk both daggers into the Tnarg's sides.
The creature screamed in fury and backhanded him. Sorin managed to hold onto his daggers as he flew back against a tree. He shook off the pain and rolled his shoulders. He ducked and lunged to his right just as the Tnarg swung a massive claw at his head. As Sorin turned, he raised his arm and slashed the beast's stomach.
The Tnarg bellowed again, but this time he sunk his claws into Sorin's back. Sorin bit back a yell as he jerked away from the beast.
Blood ran in t
hick, sticky trails down his back and into his pants. He leaned against a tree to catch his breath and shook his head to move his hair which was plastered to his face from the driving rain.
This time, he decided he would be the one to attack. He rushed the Tnarg, but before he could get close enough to use his daggers, the beast punched him in the gut. Sorin reeled backwards and slammed into a tree.
The slick pine needles slipped beneath his feet and he fell to the ground. He tried to keep his upright with his hand, but he fell to the side and on his back. His entire body ached, but he couldn't give up. Not yet.
Something smooth and warm touched his hand.
"Sorin."
Hope blossomed in his chest at the sound of Katrina's sweet voice. He wanted to thrash Katrina the same time he wanted to kiss her. But there wasn't time for him to chastise her, not when the Tnarg didn't know she was there.
"I brought you this,” she whispered.
Her hand left his to be replaced with something heavy and hard. Sorin wrapped his hand around the pommel of the sword and slowly rose to his feet.
"You want more?” the Tnarg taunted.
Sorin grinned and lifted the sword. “I want more."
"Poor choice,” the beast said as he flew at him.
Katrina choked back a scream as she watched the Tnarg and Sorin battle each other. Her hands bit into the rough bark of the pine.
Time and again the Tnarg attacked, playing with Sorin as he slashed his arms, chest and stomach before hitting him. And every time Sorin would climb back to his feet and challenge the Tnarg again.
He hadn't spoken to her, but Katrina knew he wouldn't want her witnessing the battle. Yet, she wasn't about to leave him. Not now.
Not ever.
The realisation made tears prick her eyes. To live the rest of her life without him wasn't an option for her. She had to have him.
She wished she could give what little strength she had to Sorin as he tried to lift the sword several times before he managed to raise it. The Tnarg just laughed and swung a mighty fist at his head.
Sorin tried to duck, but he wasn't fast enough. He landed several feet away on his back, his sword flying from his hand.
Katrina bit her lip as the Tnarg walked to him. He leaned down and looked Sorin over. She had to listen carefully over the rain to hear what the beast said.
"You should have left. There was no way you could win."
Sorin chuckled defiantly. “I'll battle you until the last breath leaves my body."
"It won't stop me from killing her. And now it's time for you to die."
Katrina's heart fell to her feet as the Tnarg raised a claw. She didn't stop to think as she rushed towards them and put herself between Sorin and the Tnarg.
"'Tis me you want,” she yelled over the rain at the Tnarg. “Leave him alone."
"Katrina, nay,” Sorin bellowed and struggled to sit up.
She kept her gaze locked with the red eyes of the Tnarg. It studied her a moment before it grinned. “Stupid wench,” it said.
Katrina shut her eyes and waited for the blow that would strike her, but the only sound she heard was the howl of the Tnarg. Her gaze flew open to see a group of men racing for them on horseback with several crossbows aimed at the Tnarg.
It screamed and turned in the direction of the riders. Katrina took one look at the arrows sticking out of its back and fell down next to Sorin.
"How badly are you hurt?” she asked him.
"Not badly enough that I can't wring your pretty neck."
She smiled into his dark eyes and kissed him. “We're safe."
"For now,” Sorin said and tried to sit up again.
Katrina helped him to lean back against a tree. By the time she turned back around, the Tnarg was gone and the men were nearly upon her. The wind suddenly stopped and the rain halted to just a drizzle.
"Katrina!"
She leapt to her feet at her father's voice. “I'm here, Father,” she said and ran to his horse as he dismounted. His strong arms came around her.
"Lass, I thought I had lost you,” he said into her hair.
She leaned back and smiled. “Aunt Beatrice told you where I was?"
"Aye, though I still don't believe what I saw."
She sighed and took his hand. “I'll give you an explanation, but first I need you to help me get Sorin back to Aunt Beatrice's."
When she turned back around Sorin had managed to get to his feet and used the sword and the tree to keep himself standing. She rushed to his side and let him lean against her.
"You're badly wounded."
He chuckled and winked at her. “Nothing that a few kisses won't heal."
"Katrina?” her father asked.
She moved her gaze from Sorin to her father. “Father, I want to introduce you to the man who has stolen my heart, Prince Sorin Sinclair."
"Prince?” her father repeated.
Sorin grinned. “'Tis nice to finally meet you, my lord. I know you have many questions, and I have all the answers."
"Not until you are cleaned up,” Katrina told them.
She took a deep breath and said a prayer of thanks as Sorin was helped onto a horse. Her father wanted answers he most likely wouldn't like.
Especially the one where she explained that he would never see her again.
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Chapter Seven
Sorin's throat was dry from all the talking he'd done with Katrina's father. He still wasn't sure who was more surprised at Katrina's announcement, him or her father.
She had chosen to return with him to Drahcir. It almost seemed like a dream he waited to wake from. Yet the pain from his wounds told him he was more than awake.
"How are you feeling?"
He inhaled her sweet fragrance. “Much better. How is your father?"
"He is upset about never seeing me again, and he's having a difficult time believing everything. I think seeing the Tnarg convinced him though."
Sorin laughed. “Aye, it does have that effect on people.” He looked deep into her blue eyes. “Are you sure, Katrina?"
"I've never been more sure of anything in my life. I want to be with you always, even if that means I have to leave everything I know and love behind."
He pulled her against him to claim her lips in a kiss that promised passion beyond her wildest dreams as soon as night fell. Her hand reached between them and grasped his cock wringing a moan from him. Not to be outdone, he cupped her breasts and tweaked her nipple. Desire flared, and the yearning to take her washed over him. He angled her toward a chair.
But the clearing of a throat broke them apart.
Her father walked slowly into the solar. His tall, lean frame made him a man to be wary of, a man you didn't want as an enemy.
"There is no way I'll ever be able to see her again?” he asked.
Sorin hesitated. “I can speak to my father once we return. We don't tell anyone of our location for fear of it being discovered, but maybe something can be worked out."
"I've always wanted grandchildren,” he murmured.
Sorin exchanged a look with Katrina. “I give you my word I will do everything I can to make sure you can see Katrina and our children."
"Thank you,” he said, his faded blue eyes misting. “When will you leave?"
"As soon as possible.” He glanced at Katrina to see her looking down at her hands. “I don't know if the Tnarg will attack us again, and I need to return before time runs out."
Her father nodded. “I can spare some men to travel with you for as long as you need them. They will offer protection. It's the least I can do."
Sorin appreciated the offer, especially since they would need as much help as they could get. “Thank you, I would appreciate it."
"Where will you marry?"
Sorin shrugged. All his ancestors had been married at the castle, but nothing said they couldn't have two ceremonies. “My parents will want a ceremony at the castle, but we can have one here before
we leave."
"Wonderful,” Katrina said with a relieved grin. She rose and hurried from the solar.
Her father eyed Sorin. “All I ask is that you make her happy."
"I will,” Sorin vowed.
* * * *
Katrina stood at her window and looked out over the moon drenched city. The Tnarg was still out there somewhere, though she didn't fear it quite as much as she had the night before.
There was a small grunt behind her. She smiled and turned to face her husband. A soft sigh escaped her lips. Her husband. She would never get used to saying it. To have such desire for a man she barely knew was surprising but also wonderful. It was still difficult to believe, but she'd never been happier.
"Do your wounds still ache?” she asked as she moved to the bed where Sorin lay. Soft candlelight made his naked skin glow golden.
He nodded with a grimace. “Aye. The beast has sharp claws. I'll be happy to never feel them again."
"I agree. You told me earlier that you saw your eldest brother before you found me?"
"I did. I don't know how he was here, but he was. He's still looking for his mate, and I pray he finds her."
"And your other two brothers? Have they already returned?"
He shrugged. “I have to believe they have. I won't know until we're back in Drahcir though.” He grinned. “I'm anxious to see my family. It's been over a year since I stepped out of our gates."
"That is a long time.” She moved to rub some healing cream on his wounds. “Did you really mean what you said to my father?"
He tilted her chin up until she looked at him. “About visiting you? Aye, I meant every word. I can't promise anything, but I am sure something can be worked out."
Katrina smiled and leaned up to kiss him. His arms came around her and pulled her against his chest. He hissed in pain and she pulled back.
"We can't. I'll hurt you."
A wicked gleam entered his dark eyes. “Oh, but we can, lass."
"How?” she asked, excitement growing in her belly.
His hands yanked her chemise over her head and to the floor before he pulled her atop him, her legs straddling his hips. Katrina gasped at the feel of his cock against her sex. His hands rocked her hips forward, rubbing his rod against her pearl.