Warrior (Princesses of Myth #2)

Maybe Silvie was right, maybe I did need to get laid. Wasn’t he just the perfect candidate?

Oh, but he stared at me in return, the fire in his eyes setting a glow to the golden flecks and lighting them brilliantly. In that one second, this stranger disarmed me, his hot gaze running up and down my body.

Hold on. I jerked my head back. Was he checking me out?

I turned to see who sat behind me, thinking it must be someone else, when Belle nudged my arm. I know. That’s Davio Loveria–the king’s grandson. His presence has that impact on nearly everyone.

What? Stunned disbelief as my jaw dropped.

Hold on double-time.

No actually, reverse.

Did Belle just say that man, that new male student was the king’s grandson?

The fictional king?

From the fictional country of Peacio?

I gulped and checked out the hunk at the front of the class, hoping Belle hadn’t gone so far as to acquire a co-conspirator.

Jeez, Belle, and if I ask that new student if he’s a prince of Peacio, will he actually confirm it? I mean, do you really think for one second I don’t believe you are completely and utterly nuts?

Seriously.

I needed to get Belle a straightjacket and lock her up pronto.

She cracked a smile. No, silly. With your emerging forethought skill, King Carlisio sent Davio to assess the situation as reinforcement to me as your protector. After Davio turned eighteen earlier this year, even he did not show any signs of the rare skill which his grandfather has. It’s sadly skipped two generations in the Loveria family and so far, you are the only one outside of the royal line who shows any signs of it. Why do you think I’m still here and have not returned home?

I quirked a suspicious brow and retaliated. Because you to live to pester me.

Easy answer.

I’m afraid the girl was on her way to being institutionalized. There was no hope for her. Not now.

No, she fired right back at me. Because you are too valuable to be left unattended. You need protection.

I blew out a harsh breath, right in her face, remembering just at the last second to keep my voice down. For the millionth, billionth, zillionth time, I am growing very weary of all this Peacio crap. Would she never give up?

That was when her declaration caught up to me. Surprised, my jaw landed somewhere down in my lap. Now why would she feel the need to protect me? And protect me against what?

Okay, it seemed I was actually going to go there. Exactly what are you protecting me from?

A heavy mental sigh. You can read thoughts, a skill that develops into forethought, and depending on how strong it is it cannot be permitted to go under the radar. I’m a protector. Once your forethought develops, you will need me by your side to instruct you.

Belle was so matter of fact about everything she said. For a brief moment, I felt the first fluttering of belief. Then it cemented, making me groan out loud. Unbelievably my mind told me there was truth in what she said. For the first time.

I exhaled, hating myself for what I was about to ask and for those first stirrings of bewitching belief. I want to meet with Davio Loveria. I want to hear from the newcomer–who was now sitting in his assigned seat at the front of the class–what he has to say without any interference from you. Yeah, that forethought was either developing as she’d said, or was now sending me completely loony.

Belle’s lips lifted, and she answered with speed. Excellent. Would now be an appropriate time?

I observed the princely hunk’s side profile, gathering my strength. After class. Lunchtime. On the field. I needed another forty-five minutes to fortify myself. You, me and him.



It was the beginning of spring, the first week of September, and I’d chosen an isolated spot under a large, yellow-green umbrella leaf tree on the outskirts of the school’s grassy area. Belle waited with me where the sunlight dappled through the loose formation of foliage and warmed the ground. I clutched my backpack over one shoulder and hooked a finger into the belt loop of my snug blue denim mini skirt in an effort to gain some confidence.

Belle rubbed her palms down her short, scarlet cotton dress and stepped forward to greet Davio as he crossed the lawn.

Peering around her, I held a hand to my chest. The man still looked completely edible, those blue jeans sitting low on his hips and making me drool for a bite.

“Welcome, Davio.” Belle turned and introduced me with her right hand swinging in a wide gesture. “This is Miss Faith Stryker.”

Oh so polite.

Davio clasped Belle’s arm, his narrowed gaze boring into mine. “Thank you, Belle. So this is the one Carlisio says has forethought?” He stood there, his bearing firm and his hand far too intimate on Belle’s upper arm.

Like I shouldn’t have noticed.

Only now I frowned, my mind distracted by the cozy image they made. Exactly how well did these two know each other?

I ground my teeth together, lifted my chin and stepped forward. “Yes, I’m the one who has forethought.”