Warrior (7 page)

He gripped my arms. “I said no visuals. You did that on purpose. They’re out.”

“Are–”

“No.” He shook his head then I lost all breath as he ’ported us away.

We arrived in the dark and it wasn’t my bedroom.

The air smelt musty and damp. “I think you have your coordinates screwed up, Silas. Where are we?”

“An out of the way place. Wait here. I’ll light a lamp.” Something rustled as he walked away then a rattle came as if he fumbled with something. “Got it.”

A flickering flame came to life within an oil lamp he held. The light cast our surroundings in a gentle glow, revealing one window with greasy panes and a dozen wooden crates stacked against the walls. We were in an old hut. I curled my toes inside my shoes and rubbed my bare arms because of the chill in the air. “Nice digs.”

“This is the best location for protectors to ’port into. Three cabins surround this hut. They’ve got the basics for a short stay, but this one is for storage.”

“What are you saying? What short stay?”

He snorted. “Your talk of other men made me think
kidnap
. We need to speak more about us before I take you home.” He stalked to the door and yanked it open. “Give me a couple of minutes to go check out a cabin.”

“We’re adults. We could’ve talked in your room.” And what did he mean, we needed to speak more about us? There wasn’t an “us.”

He looked at me. “Your mind is resting in mine and I damn well like it. It’s frustrating the hell out of me, so you’re not going anywhere until we sort this out. We need to chat.”

“About?”

“All our options.” He left.

As I followed him to the raggedy-planked front steps, his silhouette blended into the dark outline of the trees beyond and with his continuing distance, my mind-merge fell away. The disconnection made my heart heave within my chest. What a silly, needful skill.

So...options? Hmm. I tipped my heels off and grabbed the straps as I stepped off the porch. I gasped, landing barefoot in the thickest grass ever.

Nooo way.

This had to be a dream.

Squeezing my eyes shut, I counted to ten and flung them open.

Nope. Blades of the deepest green grass still reached my knees.

I brushed my fingertips through the vision of paradise. Wow.

Oh yee-ahh.

Down I went. Onto my stomach, rolling around, I clutched handfuls of grass, tore it free and threw it high, giggling as it sprinkled on top of me.

What a dream.

I loved this place for the grass alone. Yay to being kidnapped!

Inhaling the richness of the soil, I stretched, arms and legs flapping as I made a grass-angel and dug my own little hollow in paradise.

“What are you doing?” From overtop, Silas frowned, the lamp swinging in his hand.

“Ah, duh, I’m having a moment. You want to join me?”

“On the ground? No.” He extended his hand. “I realize the outback is experiencing a drought, but surely you’ve seen grass before.”

Swatting his hand away, I snorted. “Not like this. The drought’s been going on for years and if you didn’t realize, I’m there half the time. Nah-ah. I’m not moving. It’s not every day a girl gets to play in the grass.”

“I see.” His blue eyes crinkled at the corners. “Although, I can guarantee this grass isn’t going anywhere. You can come outside and play in the morning, if you wish.”

Wagging one finger at him, I moaned. “Don’t try and be funny. The morning is too far away. Oooh, I just had a thought. Since this kidnapping was your idea, mine is that I’m sleeping outside under the–” A big fat drop of water landed on my cheek. Then another on my arm. Next, my forehead. I grinned from ear to ear. “No way.”

Heavy drops of glorious water splattered all over me. I lifted my hands to the sky to grab at the flurry. “Oh yee-yee-yes.”

Silas chuckled. “I’ve never in my life seen anyone so happy about getting wet.”

“It’s grass, and I’m getting wet. What a day.” I laughed, and was about to resume rolling when Silas plucked me from the ground. “Hey.”

He took my hand and led me toward the trees. “When it rains, it pours in these hills. We need shelter.”

“But–” I looked back at my slice of heaven. “There’s grass, and now there’s rain.” I growled as he drew me away. “Oh, you can’t be this cruel.”

Grinning far too smugly, he said, “Our cabin is right this way.”

I kicked at the small puddles in the grass as I tramped through it. “You are so lucky to live on this land.”

He tugged me. “Once we get inside, I’ll pop to the castle’s kitchens and pick up some food. I know you haven’t eaten, and neither have I.”

“Oh, I’m definitely hungry.” Continuing along the grassy path between towering pine trees, I swore water gushed somewhere not too far away. I tapped my ear. “That’s not a river is it?”

Bringing my hand to his chest, he kept a firm hold. “Yes, it is. A fast-moving one.”

I squealed. “Let me see.” I tried to heave free. “Silas, this kidnapping is no fun.”

“The river is swift and dangerous. We’ll go when it’s daylight and you can see for yourself.”

I let out a loud sigh. “I wasn’t thinking of swimming in it.” At least, I hadn’t until he’d mentioned it. That would be great. I’d love a midnight swim. It wasn’t as if he couldn’t teleport us out of trouble if something happened.

“The morning.” Two words, stubbornly stated. “Here we are.”

A small clearing sprinkled in moonlight led to a little log cabin with a front porch and overhanging roof of wooden shingles. Silas pushed open the front door. “We’re the only ones here. Inside with you.”

“No fun at all.” I groaned and grumped as I stomped in. Water pooled at my feet as I halted on the rough wooden floorboards. I tickled my toes in it.

He shut the door, setting the lamp on a dresser beside it. “You’re shivering.”

“I don’t care.” I dragged the hem of my blue dress to the side and wrung it out. Water dripped to the floor, so mesmerizing.

“You’re soaked through. I’ll go rustle you up some jeans and a t-shirt with that meal. You and Silvie are the same size. That sound good to you?”

“Sure.” Water dribbled down my back from my hair. Nice.

“In the dresser there’re towels and blankets. Don’t catch a cold while I’m gone.” He ’ported.

With his leaving, I peered around the room. A bed was tucked against the wall, the double mattress covered by a thick gray blanket. Opposite was a small window with lace netting across it, and underneath a round wooden table and two chairs layered with dust.

I opened the top drawer of the dresser and heaved out a quilt of stitch-work squares in a multitude of blues and greens. I flapped it out and spread it over the bed.

Searching the next drawer, I found green towels neatly stacked beside pillowcases. I wrapped myself in a scratchy but clean towel and used a second one to dry my hair.

With the damp towel, I wiped the dust from the tabletop.

“The little woman is making the place a home.”

I spun around at Silas’s cheeky tone. Throwing the towel at him, I tut-tutted. “Where’s the food, honey?”

He set a wicker basket on the table, and passed me a bundle of clothing. “I half expected to return and find you outside, back in the rain.”

“Then next time, that’s where I’ll be.” I set jeans and a white shirt with a yellow embroidered hem on the bed. “This is perfect. Thank you.”

Silas laid food on the table, clattering dishes and cutlery. “I’ll keep my back turned while you change. This is the only room and I don’t care to get wet outside.”

“If you look, I’ll throw my knife at you.”

He chuckled. “What knife?”

“The one I left at home.” I scrambled, pulling the jeans on, the denim sticking as I hopped about. “Have you stayed here before?”

“A bit. I like the river.”

Dressed, I patted my chest and took a deep breath. “I’m done. You can move now.”

He turned, ever so slowly. “You’re my first kidnap victim.”

“I better be.” I sat at the table. “People get locked up for this sort of thing in Dralion. I know you have certain sway with your King Carlisio, but certainly not mine. Donaldo would slice your head from your shoulders.”

He pried the lid off the first dish, and the scent of chicken floated into the air. “What about Alexo? Will he come?”

“I doubt it. It’s not as if I’m in danger from you. His forewarning only activates if I am. Although, he could check on me with his forethought, but he’s busy with my mother, so I’d say even that’s a no. You should be safe.”

Yum-yum. My mouth watered for the golden-fried chicken drumsticks and roasted sweet potato with buttery corn. “Oh, you did well. The little woman is pleased.”

He passed me a fork and a flask of water. “I love a good steak, but chicken is my next favorite meal. I was worried about my choice from the servery. I had no idea of your tastes.”

I speared a cube of crispy-skinned potato and popped it into my mouth. “I’ll eat anything, except tomatoes. For some reason they make me feel sick, but not tomato sauce. That, I love all over my meat.”

“I see. No tomatoes. I’ll remember that in the future.”

“What future? This kidnapping is a one-deal thing, right?”

His blue gaze darkened. “We’ll see.”

I forked up corn and chewed, arching an eyebrow. “Then for the next round of kidnapping, I’d like to go for a swim. Taking me to a fast-moving river would be perfect.”

He caught my hand and lifted it to his lips. “There shall be no swim, as I’ve said.”

I merged my mind solidly with his, unable to hold back with him this close. “You’re not very adventurous, are you?”

“The river is dangerous. Your life means something to me.”

I pulled my hand free and took one of the drumsticks of chicken from the dish. “I’m not holding you to anything.”

“We’ll have to sleep in the same bed. I’m not prepared to leave you tonight.”

“You’re truly serious about keeping me here?” He really hadn’t cared for my talk of other men, and we were soul-bound. Regardless of our earlier decision to end what we had, that was near impossible to do now. We would always have this tie of mind-merge, pulling us together for at least a few minutes every other day.

“Yes.” Easing back in his chair, he scrubbed a hand along his thigh. “I was up before dawn, and you’ve been on my mind all day. I returned your warrior and now I sit with you because you have the skill of mind-merge. Things have changed. I need more time to think about our options.”

“You can’t have Saunder’s father back.” That was a given.

“I understand. Tell me more of what your father’s requested you do. I see I have no choice but to be a part of this, for now.”

“He said once I met you, to find a way to piece things together. He needs to know everything about my mother’s Sol family line. And I must also discover what I can about this new skill of mine.”

“Alexo Wincrest must have seen more than he originally told you. It’ll be why he never warned you off me, particularly if he knew your life would be tied to mine. That makes sense.”

“Yes.” What would have happened if after I’d met Silas, I’d sent him immediately on his way? My agreement would have come much quicker if it were not for Dad’s request. And my skill of mind-merge would still have come in, only I wouldn’t have had Silas to merge with. Would death have come within three days?

Returning one of the empty dishes to the basket, he murmured, “We’ll do this research of yours together.”

“Wait.” I grabbed his arm. “I’ve asked so much of you today. Are you sure?”

He pulled me to my feet. “My wishes do not count with the bond in play. What further information were you made aware of?”

“My father advised he loses sight of me for a few days. Somehow I go dark, but I have no idea how or why.”

“A few days?” He removed his sword belt and set it against the corner of the headboard then kicked his black boots off and sat on the bed. He tugged me down beside him. “That doesn’t sound good.”