Journey of the Wanderer by Shawna Thomas

Author:Shawna Thomas
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2013-11-08T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Sixteen

Ryliann stood on the edge of the clearing and watched Ilythra. She seemed preoccupied, not as vibrant as she usually was. An arrow flew and hit the target with a pronounced thud. Ilythra glanced up and frowned. His men were supposed to practice withdrawing the arrows from the quiver and notching them. Over and over. It was mind-numbing and repetitive. But he couldn’t argue with the necessity.

A red-faced man glanced in her direction. “Sorry,” he mumbled.

Ilythra shrugged. Dark circles rimmed her eyes and there was a vulnerability about her he’d never seen before. Concern weighed down his thoughts. He’d been a fool. He knew it. She’d beaten him fair and square and could probably beat him had he given his all. She didn’t just wear a warrior’s clothes. The woman was as much a warrior as he was. He pictured her standing over him, sword drawn, her face set in angry assurance. His blood surged at the memory. He had never seen such a beautiful woman. He’d wanted to pull her down next to him.

“Continue,” Ilythra called.

Varying looks of pained endurance fixed to their faces, but his men did as they were told.

One thing he did know. He owed her an apology. Slowly he walked toward her.

“Prince.” She didn’t look at him. “Are you here to practice?”

He’d put in his time earlier that day and his fingertips were still sore. “No. I came to apologize.”

She faced him and for a moment her mask slipped. Gray eyes widened and her mouth opened slightly. He’d surprised her.

He hid an inappropriate smile. “I was wrong. Please know it wasn’t that I doubted your ability.”

Her jaw set in its usual stubborn line. “Oh, you doubted my ability. You thought because I’m a woman and weaker than you, that you might hurt me.”

He considered her words. “That’s true.”

She faced him. “You weren’t wrong. But I’ve practiced against stronger men my entire life. What you should apologize for was failing to follow a command. You may be a prince, but here, I’m in charge.”

Ryliann blinked. She had a point.

She watched the men for a moment then looked at him out of the corner of her eye. “How often have you been told to do something and obeyed without question?”

He hesitated. “Not often.”

She nodded. “If your men don’t learn to do that, they will die.” Her voice was without emotion, yet Ryliann knew she cared. More and more she was a mystery to him. She glanced at the sun. He followed her gaze. The golden sphere descended in the heavens to brush the tips of distant evergreen trees. For a moment, he imagined the ancient trees, touched by the fiery orb, bursting into flame.

She turned her gaze to the forest. Arien approached from the path as though summoned. Ilythra took a deep breath and met his gaze. “I accept your apology.” She turned her attention back to the men. “That’s good. Take a break. I will see you again at sunrise.”

The warriors wandered off, grumbling about Dawn Children slave drivers.

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