Warrior (2 page)

“I promise I’ll take care.” My eighteenth birthday had passed a few short weeks ago, and no skills had come as I’d entered adulthood.

Her fingers pressed deeper, smearing dirt on my red-checked outback shirt. “I have confidence in you.”

“Thank you, and for all the information you’ve given me.”

“Do not thank me too soon. You are to meet a protector.” With a nod, she stepped back, teleporting away.

“Argh.” Goldie shivered. “I do not care for the thought of you coming into contact with one of the enemy, yet I can’t argue against Alexo’s forethought. Your father is a menace though, with his prophecies and allowing them to unravel as they should.”

I smiled. “Perhaps I’m supposed to kill the protector once I’ve seen to this discovery of Kate Sol’s line.”

Goldie chuckled. “Make sure you do.”

My grin widened and I set my thumbs into the loops of my jeans. “They are a thorn in our sides. If we had Carlisio Loveria’s land, imagine how much more prosperous Dralion and our people would be.”

As we passed under a towering stand of eucalyptus trees Goldie linked her arm through mine. A touch of shade relieved the oppressive heat for a second. Drought was killing this land.

“How I would love a slice of Peacio. We would actually have grass to feed our cattle. Even this off-world station suffers as our lands at home do.”

Once the rains came, we’d return our stock numbers to full force on this massive Australian outback holding. “It’s fortunate we have the mighty river bordering this land, and Maslin’s water skill.”

Maslin, a warrior two years older than me, had earned my respect. He moved large quantities of water during the river’s release periods and sent it further infield. With just a flick of his fingers and a thought, it flowed and soaked into the ground, bringing life to the river pasture and sustaining it for our remaining stock.

Tucking one loose blue shirttail into her black jeans, Goldie eyed the red plains that ran forever into the distance. “I love this place. When it finally rains, I’m going to roll around in the fields. All of them.”

“That won’t be possible. There’re eight-thousand square miles out there.”

She flicked my arm. “It doesn’t matter how long it takes me. So much space will make the task all the more enjoyable.”

We walked alongside the high-railed wooden corral. Saunder, the thirteen-year-old nephew of two of our station’s warriors, offered a treat to the stallion hitched to an inner holding post. Two years ago, Peacio’s protectors had taken Saunder’s father at the battle of Eventide. Without either of his parents, he’d chosen his uncles to raise him. The child was one of the few allowed outside Dralion who was not a Wincrest or a warrior.

Goldie opened the corral gate and grinned at Saunder. She crossed to him and ruffled his messy brown hair. “I see you’ve saddled our boy. Does he want a run?”

“I knew you’d be down soon.” He gave her a lopsided smile, plucking his fingers through suspenders holding up his loose, long-legged pants. The boy adored Goldie.

Bumping my shoulder into Saunder’s, I winked. “You should be doing your schoolwork. Your father would expect it if he were here.” We adored our children, ensuring their immediate and extended family raised them, usually within Dralion’s villages. Yet Saunder had asked to come here, and his wishes couldn’t be denied.

“I have to help feed the mares first. My uncles asked me to.”

“I’ll take this one from you then.” Goldie reached for the stallion’s leads.

“Thanks.” Saunder passed them across then raced out the gate.

Holding a hand to my chest, I wished for all the world Saunder had his father back. I’d never handle losing my own. I loved my dad, and I cherished our close bond. Which was why, deep down, his decision to keep my existence a secret hurt, no matter his reasoning.

“You’re wanted, and loved.” Goldie’s gaze softened as she crooned to the huge chestnut stallion.

The wind tickled my hair about my face. “Are you talking to him or me?”

“Both of you.” The stallion lifted his sleek head, pushing into Goldie’s hand as she petted him. “Although he listens better.”

Coming around in front, I dug into my pocket and pulled out a bite-sized treat, which I was never without. “Here, boy. Hope loves you more. Don’t you forget that.”

Dropping his nose into my palm, he gobbled the treat. I scratched between his silky ears. We had two-hundred breeding mares, and this stallion loved them all. “Maslin said you’ll be seeing the girls tomorrow. I know you’re looking forward to that.”

Knocking his muzzle into my shoulder, the stallion let out a throaty snicker. Oh, he knew exactly of what I spoke.

Goldie laughed. “Now that we have Lieska’s information, the facts surrounding Alexo’s decision to bring your mother home to Dralion makes more sense.”

I scuffed my boot along the dusty ground. “She’s not an Earthling as he’s always thought. That means I’m full-blooded.” Donaldo had never held my Halfling status over my head, for in his eyes I was innocent of my birth. Yet we all knew what he expected of my father. For years Donaldo had demanded Alexo choose another. If my grandfather could have found my mother and removed her from the equation, he would have. My sister was highly skilled, which meant the mated bond had prevailed and the line continued. Knowing Kate was a Magioling must be the sweetest news for Donaldo.

I stroked the stallion’s neck. Only half our people discovered they were soul-bound, but I wanted the strength of the commitment. Goldie did too. We’d spoken of it often. “I want the mated bond because I know how precious it is.”

Goldie’s gaze roamed the horizon where Rocky Ledge ascended. The Ledge, a massive red rock sitting on the plains, ran as far as the eye could see with a vivid blue, cloudless sky above. “You don’t have feelings for any other. That’s a good sign you’re mated.”

“My poor sister though.” I set a shaky hand to my chest as I traced the scar I’d had since birth. I hated remembering that time and this mark was a firm reminder of the tragedy of my birth.

Of my death.

Of the doctor’s scalpel which had cut my skin.

To protect my mother, Dad had said very little over the years. I’d gone into surgery, and the physician had done all he could to restart my heart, but my life had ended before it had even begun, right here on Earth.

Goldie hugged me, covering my hand. “Don’t think about it. You’re a survivor. You died the day you were born, but today you live. Give Alexo what he’s asked for. His wife never expected to see him again, and when she finds out about you...”

Neither of us knew her, or how she would react, but going by Dad’s request I remain away, more than just the discovery of Kate Sol’s family line was afoot.

With a sigh, Goldie released me then set her booted foot in the stirrup. “I’ll take this one for a run. While I do that, you check on Saunder and make sure he gets to his tutor.” She hoisted herself into the saddle, the leather creaking as she settled. “I believe Maslin said he was going to take some of the men with him down to the river for today’s flooding. He wants some of the cattle moved. We have a station to run. Let’s get to it.”

I stepped out of her way as the stallion pawed at the ground. She rode out the gate, and off.

Hanging over the top of the half-beamed railings, I studied the land. Wincrest Station grazed thirty-five thousand head of cattle, although we were somewhat shy of that with the current drought. Dralion meanwhile, several times the size of this nation, housed a massive desert, along with isolated snow-capped mountains and boggy rainforests. Great areas of inhospitable land forced us to build our villages only around the far reaches of the coastline. The cattle we reared and the horses we bred on this station provided for those back home.

Goldie and her horse soon became a speck in the distance and my thoughts returned to my sister, mated to Davio Loveria.

What I wouldn’t give to have even one-tenth of Peacian soil under Wincrest control. It was rich and fertile land and always beyond our reach. Huh, insufferable Loverias.

I jumped down, and a small cloud of red dust plumed at my feet.

Endless red dirt.

It worked its way into every fiber of our clothing, our hair and our skin.

Still, I loved this land and work called. I walked to the long run of white weatherboard stables, and cupped my hands to my mouth. “Hey, Saunder.”

Inside the wide central holding room, the area was clear. On one wall, hooks held saddles and tack. On the opposite, square bales of hay had been stacked to the ceiling. Nope, no Saunder here.

Out the back door, the fenced yard housed mares and their gangly-legged foals. They swished their tails, swatting at the buzzing flies.

Further along, a man stood with one leg hooked on the lowest railing. The sunshine highlighted short, red-gold twists of curls cut close to his head.

Who was that?

Sometimes warriors came who I didn’t know. This one wore the dark leathers and belted side-sword of our highly battle-trained, his height matching our tallest men.

I licked my lips, my gaze traveling down his body. His worn, black leather vest stretched over broad shoulders. The tails of his loose white shirt fluttered from under his vest.

Wow. I fanned myself and plucked the front of my shirt away from my heated skin. He was one gorgeous specimen I’d like to get my hands on.

“Hello there. May I help you?” I certainly hoped I could.

He lifted his head, slowly turning to look my way. His eyes were to die for, a blue as deep as the ocean with softer specks intermingled. I could have drowned in those eyes.

“What are you doing here, Faith? Why are you not with Davio?” The paler flecks blinked out.

Drat. He couldn’t be a warrior. This must be the protector Dad had warned me of, the one who knew my sister. He was here, already.

Every muscle in my body tightened. The dagger weighted my ankle.

He set one hand over his sword, and his nostrils flared. “No, you’re not Faith.” He stepped forward to tower over me, inspecting me from head to foot. “I feel– Damn.”

Yep, a spark of recognition lit his eyes.

“What’s your name?” He circled me, his body only a breath away.

“Hope.” Strangely, I felt calm. Heck, how was that possible?

Frustration flickered in his eyes. “I feel the pull of the mated bond. With you. You are the reason I’m here.”

Oh no.

No. No. No.

Crap.

My fingernails scraped my palms. “You’re on Wincrest Station.”

A fast breath whistled out from between his lips. “Then we’re in a world of trouble.”

Shaking out my hands, I stamped my feet. I could deal with this. Dad had asked me to figure out where Kate Sol was from. “What’s your name?”

“Silas Carver and I don’t intend to stay. You’re a Wincrest, the last person I would ever wish to bond with.”

I snorted. “I have no desire to join with a protector. You’re safe from me.”

“Perfect.” His gaze drilled me to the spot. “Clearly your sister doesn’t know about you. I would have heard about a twin.”

“She doesn’t, and mustn’t.”

His lips twitched. “That’s a deal. This thing between us–” He motioned with his hand back and forth. “–isn’t going to work. I certainly have no intention of mentioning you.”

“I agree.”

“Good, so I think it’s an easy call to say we give this up, right now.”

“Absolutely.” I gave him a firm nod then remembered Dad’s wishes.

Stink.

“Um, no. Not right now.”

He tapped one booted foot on the ground. “Would you care to explain why?”

A second passed. Two.

“My father is Alexo Wincrest.”

“I know who your father is. I believe we’ve already covered my knowledge of Faith.”

“Right.” I glanced at the ground then back at him. “I’ve bad news. Alexo told me of your coming. He has forewarning.”

A tic pulsed in his jaw. “He didn’t tell you to run hard and fast? In the other direction? Because I have no intention of mating with a Wincrest. My cousin Davio has.”