LycanPrince Read Free

her. He saw her flinch when he brought his hand gently to her hair and moved it to the side. Relief flowed through his veins. It was little more than a scratch. Thank the gods!
    The little girl flung her tiny body onto his chest and pounded her little fists on him. "Get away from her! Don't touch her!"
    Vasilis grimaced as he gently picked up the little girl and placed her in Malek's arms. "We're going to help her, little one," he said, his tone thick with remorse.
    The little girl sobbed as she redirected her fear toward Malek and began hitting him. Malek held her gently and gave Vasilis a dark look tinged with deep regret. Vasilis's mouth thinned into a grim line as he looked back at the woman. Her eyes were as black as night and all he could see in them was fury.
    "If you harm her, I will kill you," she said huskily and fell to the ground in a dead faint.

    Chapter Two
    The throbbing pain in her leg woke her up. Alex groaned as she opened her eyes and stared at the afternoon sky. It took her a few moments to realise she was lying in a wagon being pulled by a horse. She heard the sound of trotting hoof beats all around her and the sporadic murmur of deep male voices.
    She started to rise, but a wave of nausea overwhelmed her and she slumped back down on the makeshift cot. God she felt like hell. She brought her hand up to her head and felt the gauze over her forehead. Someone had taken the time to tend to her wound. She felt her leg beneath the tarp covering her. Another piece of gauze covered her thigh.
    "I am assuming that bruise on your cheek is the mark of one of the bandits who attacked you," said a deep, male voice.
    She gasped in surprise and slid her gaze to the man sitting in the far corner of the wagon. Alex stiffened. He was the man she had threatened with murder just before she…just before she…oh my God, she had fainted! Alex had never so much as felt dizzy in her life and in a startling flash, all the events that led her here swam before her eyes. Her last, horrible encounter with her stepmother, the royal parchment, the bandits she'd fought and the small fleet of warriors who--she went cold with dread and fear. Ariel!
    Panicked, Alex tried to move again and grimaced in pain. "Where is Ariel?"
    "Your daughter is safe. She has taken a liking to Malek and is up ahead on horseback with him."
    A relief so profound overcame her, she slumped back down on her makeshift bed and closed her eyes. "Bring her here," she said hoarsely. "I want her with me."
    "You need to rest. Ariel is safe with Malek. He is entertaining her with stories and games as we speak."
    " I'm not speaking. I'm in pain." She moaned, giving the warrior a dry look. She caught the glimmer of a smile on his mouth and took a better look at him.
    He was sitting, leaning back against the wooden enclosure, staring at her with a dark, fathomless gaze. The first thing she noticed about him was his size. Even sitting down, he looked huge. He was a mass of hulk, his long, muscular legs stretched out before him, his immense shoulders straining against his warrior garb. Alex tore her gaze away from his bulging biceps and stared at his handsome face. His intense gaze brought an involuntary jolt in her stomach.
    "How were you able to defeat four bandits?" he asked.
    The question didn't take her by surprise. She stared at his face. It was a beautiful face, fierce looking and ruthless, with coal black eyes and thick, black hair that fell past his shoulders. Alex almost forgot his question as she dropped her gaze and stared at his mouth. She laid her head back and closed her eyes. "Where are my horses?"
    "Behind us. They're tethered to the wagon following us. How did you defeat four bandits?" he repeated.
    Alex sighed and opened her eyes. She gave him pointed look. "Would you be asking me that question if I were a man?"
    His mouth quirked. "Probably not."
    "Then pretend I'm a man and I don't have to answer any questions for you." How she learned the art of combat