Warrior

by Karen Lynch

  “It would have been an insult to the village not to.” I shrugged, trying not to laugh at her look of disgust. “Tasted like chicken.”

  She pretended to throw her napkin at me. “You’re messing with me, aren’t you?”

  I put a hand over my heart. “Every word is true.”

  “Was Chris there?”

  “No, that was before I came to this country and met Chris.”

  She leaned forward eagerly. “Tell me about another place you’ve been. And you can leave out the parts about eating.”

  I chuckled and told her about the week I’d spent in Venice, hunting down a sea serpent that had made its way into the canals. After that I regaled her with tales of some of my South American adventures. She listened raptly, asking questions and laughing at some of the stories.

  “Did you find it boring here in the US after all your travels?”

  “I thought I would, but America surprised me. Once I lived here a few years, and Tristan and I became friends, I decided to stay.”

  She laid down her fork with a sigh. “It must have been something to watch how much the world changed in the last two hundred years. You lived through the Industrial Revolution, the invention of cars, airplanes, television, everything.”

  I gave her a playful scowl. “Are you calling me old?”

  She gave me an impish grin. “Well, you did go to Woodstock.”

  “True. Now that was an unforgettable time.” I smiled as I remembered the craziness of that weekend. “The sixties were the best decade for music.”

  “How can you say that? The seventies had the best music.”

  “Says the girl who was born when?” I teased.

  “Hey, I know good music when I hear it,” she retorted. “Some of the best musicians might have started in the sixties, but they didn’t get really good until the seventies.”

  “Like who?”

  “Fleetwood Mac for one. Their earlier stuff is good, but Rumors was their best album. And Eric Clapton didn’t go big until he went solo in the seventies.”

  I nodded. “They’re good, but what about musicians like Jim Morrison and Janis Joplin, or the Who and the Stones? I could name dozens of bands that did their best work in the sixties.”

  She rested her arms on the table, and the gleam in her eyes told me she was ready to argue. We went back and forth, and I enjoyed the debate immensely. Sara knew her music, and she argued as passionately about the subject as she did about everything else she believed in. I could have sat there and talked to her all night.

  The waiter came out to ask if we wanted dessert, and instead of declining as most women did on a date, Sara asked for a big piece of tiramisu. When he laid the large serving in front of her, I raised an eyebrow.

  “You want some?” she asked, picking up her fork.

  “No thanks. Never cared for it.”

  She narrowed her eyes at me. “How can you not like tiramisu? It’s the best dessert ever invented.”

  She took her time eating the dessert. Watching her close her eyes and savor each bite, I decided I liked tiramisu after all. When she slowly licked the spoon clean, I made a note to bring her here often.

  “That was great,” she said as we left the restaurant.

  “So what would you like to do now?” I asked when we reached the Ducati.

  Her eyes lit up. “We aren’t going home?”

  “Not unless you want to.” If she kept looking at me like that, we might stay here all night.

  “Can we ride around and see the city?” she asked hopefully.

  I looked at her bare hands. “Are you sure you won’t be too cold?”

  She pulled on her helmet. “Not if I can use your pockets again. How is it that you’re so hot…? I mean your skin is hot when mine is cold,” she stammered.

  I didn’t need to see her face to know she was blushing again. Grinning, I fitted my own helmet over my head. “My Mori controls my body temperature. You’ll be able to do that too, eventually.”

  “That’ll come in handy,” she mumbled.

  I sat on the bike, and she climbed up behind me. When she wrapped her arms around me and slid her hands into my pockets, I loved how natural it felt. She was still shy about intimacy, but we’d come a long way since our first meeting in that club in Portland.

  I took my time driving us around the city because the temperature had dropped since we’d left Eldeorin’s.

  “You’re not cold, are you?” I asked her.

  She tightened her hold on my waist. “No, this is great. It’s not as cold at this speed.”

  “We’ll go slower on the way back.” I mentally berated myself for not thinking about how cold it would be for her on a bike. “I should have taken one of the SUVs instead.”

  Her helmet moved between my shoulder blades when she shook her head. “I’d rather ride a motorcycle than in a car. Greg used to give me rides on his bike, and I loved it. I asked him to teach me to ride, but he didn’t want to upset Nate.”

  Hearing about her love of motorcycles pleased me. “I can teach you, if you still want to learn,” I said, turning us toward the Boardwalk.

  She let out a short laugh. “You’ll let me ride your motorcycle?”

  I chuckled when I pictured her trying to handle my bike. “No, I’ll get you something smaller and less powerful than the Ducati to start on.”

  “When can we start?” she asked earnestly, pulling another laugh from me.

  “Let’s focus on your training right now. Besides, I need to find the right bike for you first.”

  I was already thinking about models that would comfortably fit her smaller frame. Ducati had some smaller models, and so did Harley Davidson. Although, I’d have to start her out on something with a lot less power.

  “What is that?” Sara asked, interrupting my train of thought.

  “That’s the Boardwalk,” I said as we approached the amusement park. “The rides are closed, but I thought you might like to walk through it.”

  “I’d like that.”

  I parked the bike, and we walked through the park. Sara didn’t want to stop at any of the attractions until we found a funnel cake vendor.

  “I’ve never had a funnel cake before,” she told me.

  “We can’t have that.” I pulled out some money as she happily told the man what she wanted.

  She grinned at me as she held up the chocolate-covered cake. “Thank God for a high metabolism.” She took her first bite of the cake and made a happy sound. “This is so good. You sure you don’t want some?”

  “No, thanks.” Watching her enjoy herself was enough for me.

  She bit into it again. “You don’t know what you’re missing.”

  My breath hitched when her tongue came out to lick her lips, and I wanted to pull her to me and kiss every bit of chocolate from her mouth. I spotted a dribble of chocolate on her chin and reached out to catch it.

  Her eyes followed my thumb to my mouth, and I thought I heard a small intake of breath when I sucked the chocolate from my finger.

  “You’re right; it’s delicious.”

  I took a piece of her cake and ate it, not because I wanted it, but to keep me from grabbing her and making out with her right there in front of everyone.

  She quickly finished her cake, and we resumed our stroll to the end of the Boardwalk. She turned to start back, and I stopped her.

  “Let’s take the beach instead,” I suggested.

  She nodded, and we made our way down to the sand. Before we’d gone ten feet, I brought up her training, hoping she’d tell me what had been bothering her.

  “How is your training with Aine coming along? You haven’t talked about it much.”

  She heaved a sigh. “That’s because there’s not much to tell. I stopped blowing up stuff, so that’s a good thing, I guess. I don’t understand why I can heal things but I can’t do anything else. Sometimes it feels like I’m going to explode if I don’t use my power. It’s so frustrating.”

  I coul
dn’t imagine what it felt like to have all that power inside her, especially now that it had gotten stronger. I wished there was something I could do to help her, but her sylph friend was the only one who could help her with her power.

  “Is that why you were upset when you came to training today?” I asked.

  She was quiet for a moment. “We were working in the lake, and I was trying to make waves. It used to be so easy for me, and now I can’t do it without worrying I’ll hurt someone. Aine kept telling me to try again, and I got so frustrated and angry I…yelled at her. And then Eldeorin showed up and asked what was wrong. I got so upset, and that made the two of them fuss over me. I yelled at her, and she tried to make me feel better. I feel awful about it. She’s been so good to me and I yelled at her.”

  I stopped walking and pulled her around to face me. “Aine understands what you’re going through. I only wish there was something I could do to help you through this.”

  Her eyes met mine. “You are doing something. I needed this.”

  She turned away and we started walking again, but I couldn’t stop thinking there was something else on her mind. Was she homesick? Did she miss Roland and Peter? Or Nate?

  “What else is troubling you?”

  “Nothing,” she answered, but I heard the hesitation in her voice.

  “Liar,” I challenged her.

  “It’s just that there’s not much to do at Eldeorin’s. I have my training during the day, but it’s kind of boring at night. I’m not used to being idle.” She kicked at the sand. “Never mind. It’s nothing.”

  I looked at her bent head and wanted to kick myself. How could I not have noticed how unhappy she was? As work demands had increased, I’d started going to the command center more often. I would have asked her to join me, but I’d thought she preferred to stay at home with Jordan.

  “It’s not nothing if it’s bothering you. I know I’ve been spending a lot of time next door, and I’m sorry for leaving you alone so much.”

  “It’s not that,” she replied quietly. “You have an important job to do, and I don’t want to be coddled or entertained. I just need something to do. I need to feel useful.”

  We found a wharf and turned onto it. The wind had a chill to it, but she didn’t seem to mind.

  I thought about what she’d said, and it bothered me a lot to hear she didn’t feel useful. The last thing I’d wanted was to make her feel that way.

  “You and Jordan don’t have to stay at the house all the time. You can go next door whenever you want.”

  “Oh.” She said the word so softly it was almost lost on the wind.

  I glanced at her and caught her look of surprise. I’d invited her to see the command center, hadn’t I? The answer to that question made me feel like a total ass.

  “The work we’re doing concerns you, too. I’m sorry you thought I didn’t want you there.”

  Her lips curved into a small smile. “I should have asked instead of assuming it was off-limits.”

  We reached the end of the wharf, and she went to the rail to look down at the waves. Watching her, I was reminded again of how at home she was near the ocean. It also reminded me of another day on another wharf and of our rocky start.

  I went to stand beside her. “You’re not planning on jumping, are you?”

  She smiled and shook her head then took a deep breath of ocean air. The wind tossed her hair, and she held it to the side with one hand as she stared out over the dark water. She looked almost content. I hated to make her leave, but we’d been away too long as it was.

  “We should be heading back,” I said regretfully.

  Her smile dimmed a little. “Okay.”

  She was quieter on the ride back to Eldeorin’s, not saying much until we pulled up in front of the house.

  “I had a great time tonight,” she said as she pulled off her helmet. “Next time I’ll remember to bring gloves.”

  I could still feel her hands against my stomach as I moved closer to smooth her hair. “I don’t mind if you forget them.”

  Her lips parted, and she trembled slightly under my hand. “I guess I should go in. Jordan’s probably waiting to grill me about every detail,” she said in a breathless voice that made my pulse quicken.

  I smiled and lifted her chin. If Jordan wanted details, I’d better make this kiss worth talking about. My stomach fluttered in anticipation as I lowered my head.

  “Good, you’re back at last.”

  I swore silently as Sara jerked away from me and whirled to face the faerie who stood several feet away, looking far too pleased with himself.

  “What are you doing here?” Sara demanded, sounding as unhappy as I was to see him.

  He gave her a smile that was too familiar for my liking. “I’ve been thinking about the problems you’ve been having with your magic, and I have an idea that will help you.”

  She didn’t return his smile. “That’s great, but shouldn’t we talk about it tomorrow when Aine is here?”

  He walked toward her, and it was all I could do not to growl at him when he took her hand.

  “This is not part of Aine’s training,” he said with a gleam in his eye. “It’s time for you to start your training with me.”

  Then they disappeared before my eyes.

  Chapter 35

  It took me a second to realize what he’d done, and fury replaced my surprise.

  “Sara,” I yelled as I ran to the back lawn, hoping he’d taken her there, even though I couldn’t feel her nearby. When I found no sign of them, I cursed Eldeorin loudly.

  Jordan came running from the house. “What happened? Where’s Sara?”

  “Eldeorin took her,” I ground out.

  She came up short. “Eldeorin? Where did he take her?”

  “I don’t know,” I snapped.

  Her eyes widened and she took a step back, her fearful expression dousing some of my anger.

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to take it out on you.”

  “No problem.” Her breath came out in a puff. “Just don’t do it again. I almost had to go change my pants.”

  I smiled grimly at her attempt to lighten the mood.

  “So he just showed up and took her? Did he say anything?”

  “He said it was time for her to start training with him.”

  “Oh.” She smiled. “Then that’s what they’re doing.”

  I didn’t share her relief. Eldeorin had a whole estate to train Sara on. He had no reason to take her away from here. There was no telling where he’d taken her and what they were doing. Or when he’d see fit to bring her back. Faeries were unpredictable and thoughtless. He’d think nothing of keeping her away for days or weeks if it suited him.

  “I know Eldeorin can be a bit much,” Jordan began hesitantly. “But he cares for Sara, and he’ll keep her safe. And if he tries anything, Sara won’t –”

  “Not helping, Jordan.” I knew exactly how the faerie felt about Sara, and what he’d do, given the chance.

  “Sorry,” she said sheepishly.

  I walked around to the front of the house again, hoping they would appear. They didn’t, of course, and I began to pace the driveway in angry strides.

  Chris arrived half an hour after Sara and Eldeorin had disappeared. He didn’t look surprised to see me looking ready to hit something.

  “Jordan called me,” he said. “No word yet?”

  “No,” I said through clenched teeth.

  “Jordan wasn’t kidding. You are in a scary mood.”

  I glared at him. “This isn’t funny.”

  He raised an eyebrow, undaunted. “I can tell that by the fact that you’re out here wearing a trench in the driveway and Jordan’s hiding in the house. Not much makes that girl nervous.”

  I stopped walking. “She’s hiding from me?”

  Chris shrugged. “You can get a bit crazy when it comes to Sara. Based on what you look like now, I can only imagine what you were like right after Eldeorin took her.”

&
nbsp; “I was furious,” I admitted, rubbing the back of my neck. “You would be too if a faerie took your mate away.”

  “Whoa.” He put up his hands. “After seeing what you’ve been through the last four months, I’m never taking a mate.”

  His vehement tone brought a reluctant smile to my lips. “You won’t say that when you bond with someone. All you’ll want is to make her your mate. And all you’ll think about is her safety and happiness.”

  He grimaced. “Don’t get me wrong; I love my cousin. But if all women make their mates lose their minds like this, then thanks but no thanks.”

  I started for the house. “I haven’t lost my mind, and Sara’s not like other women.”

  “You can say that again.”

  “All I’m saying is when it happens to you, you won’t care about any of that.”

  He opened the door and entered the foyer ahead of me. “I’ll just have to make sure it doesn’t happen to me.”

  “I’m sure there are a lot of mated males who said that once too.” I was one of them.

  Jordan was waiting for us in the living room. “No sign of her yet?”

  “No.” I paced the large room as she and Chris speculated about where Sara and Eldeorin could be.

  “They could be anywhere,” I burst out, my anger returning with each passing minute.

  “He won’t let anything happen to her,” Chris said.

  I knew Eldeorin would keep her safe, but –

  I sucked in a sharp breath as I felt her return. Then I was at the bottom of the stairs, looking up at her.

  “Are you okay?” I asked as she walked down the stairs, looking the same as when she’d left.

  Her smile melted my anger. “Better than okay.”

  She stopped on the bottom step, and I framed her face with my hands, needing to touch her and reassure myself she was unharmed. Her face was slightly flushed, and her eyes seemed to glow with some inner light. She looked happy.

  “Where did he take you?”

  “We went to a place where there were no people around, and he helped me release my power,” she said with a hint of excitement in her voice. “He said I needed to let it out without worrying about hurting you guys.”