Read Online Loved By a Warrior by Donna Fletcher - Free Book Online

if he had seen through her façade, then shook his head, turned, and stepped around the boulder.
    Before she could follow, she heard the clash of swords and without thinking she grabbed the dirk from her boot and hurried forward.
    Reeve was in battle with two soldiers, and she had no doubt he could dispose of them both. The one soldier turned a shocked expression on her when she appeared at Reeve’s side.
    â€œStay behind me,” Reeve shouted.
    The soldier’s eyes narrowed and turned angry, and he made a move toward her. Reeve was faster and blocked his attempt.
    To her dismay, another soldier appeared and stopped dead for a moment, as if surprised at what he saw. Without further hesitation, he advanced to join his comrades, though he circled around them and headed straight for Tara.
    Fear gripped her, but didn’t stop her from raising her dirk and with a forceful snap she sent it flying. It landed in the soldier’s shoulder, sending him stumbling. Once he found firm footing, he turned and ran.
    Reeve finished the two men and firmly grabbed hold of her hand.
    â€œWe need to get out of here,” he said.
    â€œWhat of the one that got away?”
    â€œThat’s why we need to leave. If his wound doesn’t kill him, he will alert other soldiers, and they will soon be on our trail. And it seems that the soldiers aren’t questioning anyone they stop. They raise their swords and threaten. Something has changed with the king, and I’d like to know what.”
    Reeve set a brisk pace; he had no choice, and she kept up, ignoring the steady throb in her ankle. She reminded herself that the pain of discovery and losing her chance at freedom would be far worse than what she was presently suffering. However, she feared the curse was rearing its ugly head, and there would be consequences to pay. It had always been that way. Had she truly expected it could be any different? She had wanted to hope, wanted to believe things possible she had once thought impossible. But was she being foolish, or did she continue to believe, continue to take a chance, continue to reach for a new life?
    The fear and uncertainty that plagued her decisions and actions gave her the impetus to keep going, through the pain, the doubt, but mostly the fear; the fear of losing all hope.
    They kept a vicious pace, and not once did she lag behind until she slipped on a snow-covered rock and went down before Reeve could grab her. He was quick to help her sit up, but he refused to let her stand until he had a look at her ankle.
    This time, when her hand tried to prevent him from seeing the damage, he brushed it aside.
    â€œNot this time,” he said. “I’ll have a look.”
    They both cringed when they saw the swelling. It stretched the leather of her boot until it looked as if it would split.
    â€œYou should have told me,” he scolded, though Tara could see in his eyes that the scolding was for him.
    â€œAnd what would you have done,” she asked, not wanting him to blame himself. “We need to get to your friend’s farm. We can’t let my injury stop us. We do what we must.”
    â€œAnd you suffer for it.”
    â€œAnd if it had been your ankle.” She shook her head before he could answer. “Don’t tell me that would be different or that you are a warrior and can bear the pain.”
    He smiled. “If I can’t tell you either, then I’m left with no other reasoning.”
    â€œWhich means I do what must be done.” In so many more ways than Reeve would ever know.
    â€œAnd I do what I must,” he said, and scooped her up in his arms before she could protest.
    â€œYou can’t carry me.”
    â€œBut I can, and I will.” He stomped off, ordering her silent when she tried to protest. And she realized that no matter what she said, he would ignore it. Besides, it felt good, so very good, to be off her feet, and, with a yawn, she rested her head to