Warrior

by Lori Brighton

  “Besides, I’m rather sure you called me Mak. So I can call you Shay.”

  I blushed. “You misheard.”

  I swore I could sense his grin. Idiot.

  “You’re warm?” he asked softly.

  “Why do you always date such horrible men?” I’d screamed at my mom years ago.

  “Because you don’t have a choice in who you’re attracted to.” She’d smirked, making me feel small and stupid. “You’ll see. You think you’ll end up with someone better? I can’t wait to rub this conversation in your face.”

  I wasn’t sure I believed her. The question remained, was Mak horrible, or was he just desperate to save his family? And if he was a horrible person, what did it say about me that I was attracted to him?

  He slid his hand over my hips, under my jacket to rest flat on my belly. My heart lurched. His palm, large and hot, burned through my shirt, branding my sensitive skin. I forced myself to release the air I held. He was close. Too close. I should have rolled away so he wouldn’t get ideas. Ideas that wouldn’t be completely wrong. Yet, ideas I sure as hell didn’t want to investigate. So why didn’t I move?

  “You’re not sleeping,” he murmured in a drowsy voice. “Why can’t you sleep?”

  I paused, unsure what to say. No way was I admitting the truth.

  “Shay?”

  “When you brought me here, when I finally made it to Acadia,” I started slowly, weighing my words. “I thought I’d found a place where I belonged. I didn’t understand it, but I wanted it.”

  He reached up, brushing my hair back from my face. I told myself it was not a caress, but that my hair was most likely tickling his neck. But the touch felt intimate, and I couldn’t deny the little thrill that whispered over my skin.

  “Your life on Earth was not good?”

  I released a wry laugh. “No. I mean I had a place to sleep, food, so I guess better than a lot.”

  “Your realm has people who have no food? Nowhere to sleep?”

  I could hear the censure in his voice, the surprise and shock. Maybe I should have been offended that he judged, but I wasn’t. I’d seen too many starving and homeless to find fault. “Yes. Many.”

  His hand moved down my back, sending shivers over my skin. Did he mean to taunt me with his touch? He probably didn’t even realize he was caressing me. Damn, but he kept me stretched on a tightrope of sensations, wondering what he would do next.

  Truth was, I wanted him to run his fingers down my arm. To feel his warm breath on my lips right before he pressed his mouth to mine. For God’s sake, I wanted him to kiss me. He was the enemy. I couldn’t trust him. But I wanted him to kiss me. I was no different than my mom.

  “I don’t understand. Is there not plenty to eat? There seemed to be plenty when I was there.”

  “There is.” His hand stopped near my hip. It was so hard to think with him close. “But I guess people don’t like to share.”

  “How odd,” he murmured, his fingers curling over my hip. “Even my uncle would not starve his own people. If the people do not eat, they can’t work. So then, what is the point of your rulers? Are they not there to help? To keep the people fed?”

  I loved the way his accent rolled off his tongue. “I don’t know.”

  “Hmm.” He seemed bemused by it all. “Why do the people not revolt?”

  “They do, sometimes.”

  His hand slid down around my hip to lay flat against my belly again. I barely moved. He touched me intimately, and he wanted to discuss politics? Hell, I couldn’t even remember my first name with his callused fingers roaming my body.

  That warm, aching sensation I felt low in the pit of my gut would get me in trouble. I knew it only too well. I steeled myself, refusing to acknowledge my feelings.

  “We need to speak about this realm, not Earth.”

  “Are you happy you’re here?” he asked.

  This wasn’t exactly the line of conversation I’d been imagining. His question came out hesitant, as if he wasn’t quite sure if he wanted to ask, or know the answer. Did I? “When I came here, as impossible as it seemed, I still held out hope that I had family, that I would finally be accepted. And now to uncover they’re all dead, that so many of my citizens are plotting my demise…how do I fix that?”

  I’d said more than I intended, and I hadn’t really answered his question, because frankly, I wasn’t sure.

  He lifted up on his elbow, looking down at me. Firelight danced in his eyes, shone in his dark hair, and struck the sharp planes of his face. I wished I was an artist so I could draw him.

  “The fact that you want to fix things, that you care, means you’d be a better leader than most. If my uncle heard there was an uprising, he would have tortured them all to get answers by now, whether guilty or not. Something that I’m sure didn’t even cross your mind.”

  I rolled onto my back. It wasn’t until my shoulder blades pressed into the ground that I realized the position put me in a vulnerable spot, with Mak hovering over me. If he lowered, if he kissed me, would I let him? “Why are you not leading your people?”

  His mouth tilted into a wry smile. He focused on my lips as he trailed his fingers down the side of my face, a gentle caress. “Because there is a rule that you have to be twenty-five.”

  It was the touch of a boyfriend. I should have shoved him away. I didn’t. Why didn’t I? Because the fire was warm, and his touch was doing odd, wonderful things to me. “Have you ever thought about challenging him?”

  “Not yet.” His hand paused. “They don’t trust me.”

  He hesitated. Then slowly, ever so slowly, his thumb brushed my bottom lip. I sucked in a sharp, shaky breath. I was at his mercy. I couldn’t seem to care. I wanted him to kiss me so I could forget for a moment, all the craziness of my life. Maybe he just wanted to forget too. It was the only reason I could come up with for our sudden insanity.

  “Your own people don’t trust you?”

  He smiled. “No.”

  I could understand why my people didn’t trust me; they didn’t know me. But why didn’t his people, the people he’d grown up with, trust him? “Your uncle has turned them against you?”

  “Yes. I didn’t even realize what he was doing at first. I was spoiled, selfish, lost in my own world. When I realized what was happening, it was too late.” His fingers trailed down my cheek, lower to the sensitive side of my neck. “I suppose part of it was my fault. I wasn’t ready. And now that I am, it might be too late.”

  He smelled of clean water and fire smoke. Of leather and male and…him. A scent I was beginning to know. To understand. To crave. Damn it all, I didn’t hate him. At all. “Why do you think it’s too late? Why don’t your people trust you?”

  His gaze shifted to the fire as if he avoided eye contact. “Because when I was fifteen, I fell in love with a girl from Acadia. A girl named Amorie.”

  I stiffened. He’d been in love with one of my people? A million thoughts peppered my mind at once. He was capable of love? No doubt she was a beautiful girl. Had I met her? Where was she now? “And they hate Acadia that much?”

  “Not all.”

  Most. He didn’t need to say the word, I knew. Acadia wasn’t perfect, but they were hardly worth hating. “What happened to her?”

  I felt a shift in the atmosphere. A wall had suddenly gone up. He pulled away and lay down on his back, staring up at the dark sky. I knew before he spoke that he didn’t want to talk about it. “She died. Now, get some sleep. We have a lot of hiking tomorrow.”

  She died. She died? How? When? Why? The questions remained between us, unspoken and unanswered. The world went silent. The only sound was the crackle of the fire. I knew better than to ask any more questions. But it was hard to wrap my head around this new Mak next to me. A kind, caring prince capable of love.

  I rolled onto my side, facing the fire. When he rolled my way, and curled his warm body around me, I was more than surprised. He didn’t want to talk about the woman he’d loved, but he wou
ldn’t hold a grudge against me for asking.

  I closed my eyes, trying to sleep. Attempting to quiet my mind. I couldn’t. “How do I get them to trust me?”

  He released a breath of warm air against my neck, a sigh. “I wish I knew.”

  There was something in his tone, something desperate, something aching, that made me feel closer to him than I ever had before. He understood, because he was in the same boat. Maybe I was stupid, naïve, but I felt a connection to him I hadn’t felt with anyone else ever. Did he feel the same?

  “What will you do?” I whispered.

  “If they never accept me?”

  I nodded, staring into the flames, the fire warm on my face. My body felt suddenly heavy, the pull of sleep tugging me down…down. Somehow, he’d done it. He’d made me relax enough to rest.

  “Perhaps run away to Earth.”

  He was joking, but it still made me cringe. “No. Don’t. You belong here. Somewhere magical.”

  “Will you give me a position in your army?”

  I rolled to my back so that he loomed over me again. “Maybe I will.”

  His gaze caught mine and held. “I don’t think your Brynjar would like that.”

  I flushed. “He’s not my Bryn.”

  He quirked a brow. “Bryn? How lovely, you’ve got a pet name for him.”

  I shoved my hand against his muscled chest. “Stop teasing. I’m too tired.”

  He grabbed my hand before I could pull it away. Slowly, he slid his fingers through mine, pressing my palm to his chest. I could feel the beat of his heart under my fingertips. So, he did have one after all.

  His gaze was intense, so intense, I didn’t dare look away. “My own people don’t trust me, but you do, don’t you? At least enough to allow me to lead you to the fairies.”

  Did I? My pulse pounded frantically. I supposed I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t trust him to some degree. I wouldn’t be on my back, gazing up at him, wishing, hoping he was going to…

  He lowered, pressing his warm and heavy body into me. I had a moment to prepare before his lips brushed mine. The entire world paused. A shiver, hot and cold, whispered through me. Everything felt so right, yet shocking at the same time.

  He pulled away, his harsh breath brushing my lips. My gaze met his. I wasn’t sure who was more surprised by his bold move.

  “That was stupid,” he whispered.

  I swallowed hard. “We shouldn’t…”

  With a growl, he lowered again. His lips molded to mine. It was a devastating kiss that shattered me, then put me back together in a new way I didn’t understand. He slid his hand into my hair cupping the back of my head. Everything faded. Nothing mattered but him. Desperate, I whimpered, wrapping my arms tightly around his neck and urging him to continue. This is what a kiss always should have been like. This is what I’d hoped for. What I’d dreamt about. This is what I’d been waiting a lifetime for.

  Just as I slid my fingers into his hair, he pulled back. Oh god, I didn’t want him to stop. Ever. Frustrated, I opened my eyes. “What’s wrong?”

  He rested his forehead to mine, his breathing harsh, his heartbeat frantic against my chest. “We can’t.”

  I should have felt annoyed, rejected. I only felt disappointed. And even though I knew he was right, I couldn’t help but ask, “Why not?”

  He rolled off me, laying on his back and staring up at the night sky. With his warmth suddenly gone, I felt cold, lost. I pushed up on my elbow. He was right, we shouldn’t. But there was something he wasn’t telling me.

  “Why, Mak?”

  His jaw clenched; his hands fisted at his sides as he fought some internal demon I didn’t understand. “Because…” He sighed, raking his fingers through his hair. “Because I’m engaged.”

  Chapter Twelve

  Makaiden

  “Shay, wake up.”

  She didn’t move, merely mumbled in her sleep, too exhausted to face reality. Even in the dim light of dawn I could see the dark circles under her eyes. I’d pushed her hard yesterday, but I’d wanted to put as much distance between us and her army as possible.

  Her left arm was flung above her head, as she rested upon her side, facing the fire that had gone out an hour or so ago, leaving behind only a thin trail of smoke and glowing embers. Early dawn crept through the trees, tiptoeing across the land, but not daring to reach us quite yet.

  I squeezed her shoulder, leaning closer. So close my lips brushed the shell of her delicate ear. “Shay. Wake up.”

  She must have noticed the tenseness in my tone, for slowly, she stirred. Shifting on the hard ground, she rolled toward me. Her lashes lifted, her hazy gaze clearing as she focused on my face. Intrigued, I watched the play of emotions cross her features. Confusion, wariness, and finally embarrassment as she remembered last night. That was a talk for another time. Or perhaps never.

  “What is it?”

  Her voice was still husky with sleep. I knew that drowsiness would clear soon enough. “We’re not alone.”

  Startled, she almost jumped up, but I settled my palm against her belly, holding her still. “Shhh. Nothing so dangerous.” Yet. “But we don’t want to startle her. Sit up slowly.”

  She watched me with wide, worried eyes, as I tucked my feet underneath me and unfolded my body. When I gave her a slight nod, she did the same, following at an even slower pace. No sudden movements, only pure thoughts in case she could read our minds. We just might make it out of this situation alive.

  I slid my arm around Shay’s waist, pulling her close and surprising her even more. It wasn’t to give comfort, or even because all night I’d been desperate to touch her. I did it to make a statement. There, in this moment, she was mine. Anyone would have to go through me to get to her.

  “Where?” she whispered.

  I gave a subtle jerk of my chin. Shay turned. The gasp from her lips mirrored my own when I’d first spotted her. I’d gotten over my surprise more quickly, but then Shay didn’t know this realm; she was still getting used to our world.

  The difference between Shay and the other woman could not be denied. Shay’s hair stood in a frizzy halo around an oval face smudged with dirt and ash. She was all too human, all too flawed. While the beautiful woman who sat on a tree trunk across the small clearing from us was otherworldly.

  Queen Iduna was perfect. Pure features with large, golden eyes that sparkled with life. Full lush, berry-stained lips. A curvy body that never aged, and long hair that shimmered down her back, sparkling like gold dust in a creek. She rested on a low-hanging tree branch, all ease and regalness, as if she ruled the very world instead of just her kingdom. Yes, she was perfect.

  Yet, as I shifted my gaze to Shay, I realized that perfect was rather boring. Shay, with her imperfections was unique. Interesting. Intriguing.

  “Prince Beast, how lovely to see you.” Queen Iduna’s golden gaze shifted to Shay. “And you are?”

  “No one,” I answered quickly.

  I felt Shay stiffen beside me and I knew I’d offended her. She didn’t realize what I was doing, and I didn’t have time to explain.

  The woman lifted a golden brow, a smirk of interest on her lips. She delighted in tormenting her enemies, or so my father had told me years ago. If she thought we were trespassing, if she thought we were dangerous, she would retaliate, and have fun while doing so. Fact was, Queen Iduna wielded power like a game.

  “No one?” She slid from the branch like water over rocks, and smooth as butter melting. “She doesn’t seem like no one.”

  I should have realized the sprites would warn her we were near. Stupid to assume we’d be gone before anyone would notice. Stupid to think the Queen of the forests wouldn’t care. The woman would do whatever it took to protect her woods, including trickery, deception, murder.

  “I’m Princess of Acadia, my lady.”

  My hand tightened on Shay’s hip, a silent warning for her to say no more. Whether she would actually listen, remained yet to be seen.

  Id
una tilted her head to the side, an amused look upon her lovely face. “Are you?”

  Before Shay could answer, the woodland queen turned, her shimmering emerald gown whispering over the grass so I wasn’t sure where the gown ended and the grass began. I’d met her only once before. I’d been all of ten and had gotten lost in the woods. Fortunately, she’d released me unharmed, but had warned me not to stray into her territory again. I wouldn’t have been worried if she hadn’t remembered me. But it was obvious she did. Then again, the natural ones forgot nothing.

  “Come, Beast, you’ll both follow me. I know what you want, and you’ll need it if you want to survive. War is coming.”

  I cursed under my breath, gaining a startled glance from Shay. She didn’t understand the direness of that comment, but how could she? We had no choice. Iduna might be all ease as she sashayed her way toward the trees, but I knew the truth. A flick of her wrist, a wiggle of her fingers, and we’d never see our families again. The woman controlled the forests, and the reality within.

  I rested my hand on Shay’s lower back and urged her forward. The trees parted of their own accord, the limbs curling back to allow us entrance into the thick forest. The power was thick and heavy, whispering through the trees and making the branches rattle.

  “Is she moving the plants?” Shay asked.

  I took her hand and tugged. “Come on.”

  She jerked away. I’d seen that set of her jaw more than once. It didn’t bode well. “No. We have things to do. We don’t have time to—”

  “Not now.” I took her hand firmly in mine. “When the queen of the wood nymphs commands, you follow.”

  Her eyes narrowed into a glare. That stubbornness was back in full force. Any other time I would have admired her strength, the way her eyes flashed with irritation. Would have even goaded her into an argument just for the fun of it.