A Warrior's Promise Read Free

that for a moment. “More like two-and-ten or three-and-ten years.”
    The lad’s eyes blazed with anger, and he looked about to retaliate, but snapped his mouth shut though not for long.
    â€œAnd you?” the lad asked boldly. “How many years are you?”
    Once again the challenging smile surfaced, and Bryce suddenly realized that Charles reminded him of his brother Reeve. Not in stature, but in nature. Reeve believed himself always right and was quick to defend or fight, and fight he could, taking down more men alone than with his brothers’ help. Charles had Reeve’s confidence, and it made Bryce like the lad even more.
    â€œMy age is no concern to you,” Bryce said, thinking it seemed like yesterday he was the lad’s age, though lucky to have family who loved him. Now he was seven-and-twenty years, his family as strong as ever and growing. His brother Duncan and his wife expecting their first child anytime now, Reeve and his wife Tara happily wed. Trey having lost the woman he loved and vowing never to love again, and Bryce the only sensible one, avoiding love until their mission was complete.
    â€œForgot how old you are?” Charles asked with a chuckle.
    Bryce ignored the jab. There were more important matters to discuss. “I’m more interested in your age and experience. Can you handle a horse? Are you skilled with weapons?”
    â€œI sit a horse better than most, and while I can wield a sword, my skill lies with a bow.”
    Bryce liked that the lad did not boast, he simply stated fact, but there was one more question. “And women?”
    Charles’s chin shot up. “What about them?”
    â€œHave you known many?”
    Charles stared at him, chewing at his lower lip.
    Bryce burst out laughing. “Your silence speaks loudly. You’re a virgin then.”
    Charles took offense. “What of it? What difference does it make?”
    Bryce went silent, his soft blue eyes turning icy cold. “It makes a difference. A lad who has never lain between a woman’s legs can do foolish things when the urge strikes. And if I choose to take you along on my mission, I need to know I can depend on you even if you have the urge for a woman.”
    â€œWhat about your urges?” Charles asked.
    â€œI’m a man with vast experience. I can control mine. You’re just a virgin lad who probably will spill his seed before you can even get inside a woman the first time you try.”
    â€œAre you sharing that from your past experience?”
    Bryce almost reached out and grabbed the lad by the neck. Then he could easily choke that stupid grin off his face.
    â€œYou don’t have to worry,” the lad said. “I don’t want to just rut like most men do. I want to love the woman whose legs I settle between.”
    Bryce cringed. “That’s even worse.”
    â€œYou have no use for love?”
    â€œBelieve me when I tell you you’ll rut before you find love. And as far as love? There’s a time and a place for it; otherwise, it can rob your sanity and interfere with everything.”
    â€œYou have loved?”
    â€œGood Lord, no.” Bryce almost choked, spitting the words out. “I have been spared, and I intend for it to remain that way until I complete the task that has been assigned to me.”
    â€œThis task. You wish me to help you with it?”
    â€œThe thought has crossed my mind.” And the more Bryce talked with the lad, the more he thought it could prove beneficial having him along. He was quick-witted, could run like the devil was after him, and if he was as good with a horse and bow as he claimed, then he definitely could prove an asset. Besides, if he was five-and-ten years, he was man enough to take on the challenge, gain the experience.
    One uncertainty haunted him, and so he asked, “Can you follow orders without question?”
    The lad’s hesitation gave Bryce his