NOCB 070 - Time Raiders - Delilah Devlin - The Warrior's Touch Read Free

that far. The queen journeyed there once to solidify her claim. Just after she bested her cousin for the crown.”
    Fari nodded as if she’d heard the story, but the truth was little about Hippolyta was known to the modern world. Her ancestry and exploits were shrouded in myth and mystery. “I’ve never had the pleasure of meeting her, but I’ve come to challenge for a position among her guard.”
    “You and every one of us here. Good luck with that.”
    Fari smiled and poured a ladleful of gruel-like soup onto her bread. From the corner of her eye, she watched a man—one of the Greeks, judging by the lack of gold bordering his robes—lurch to his feet with a chalice in his hand.
    He stumbled toward the dais.
    Now, he might only have wanted to make a toast to those seated above him, but Fari had been looking for just such an opening. A way to get the ruler’s attention.
    She pushed up from her seat, leaped onto the table and ran, dodging trenchers and beakers, only to jump to the next. Then she sailed through the air, arms outstretched, to take the Greek to the floor.
    Laughter roared around her as she pinched the man’s hand between his thumb and forefinger, and forced his arm behind him. When she glanced up, she found Hippolyta peering down at her.
    Theseus stood beside her, a deep frown bisecting his dark brows. “I’m sure he only meant to offer a toast, Your Majesty.”
    Hippolyta glanced at Theseus, then turned back to Fari. “You, there. You can let him up now.”
    Fari climbed off the man’s backside and gave him a little kick before placing a forearm over her belly and bending low. “I apologize if I misread his intentions.”
    “Let me see your face.”
    Still bent, Fari raised her head gamely, meeting Hippolyta’s dark, keen gaze with her own.
    The monarch’s lips curved slightly at the corners. “What is your business here, girl?”
    Fari breathed deeply, knowing she was being judged. That this moment would determine how difficult the rest of her quest would be. Keeping her gaze steady, she replied, “I came to serve you, my queen. To become an Amazon. I pledge my sword and my ax to you.”

Chapter Two
    Caleb sat with his long legs folded like a pretzel on a soft scattering of fresh hay next to his horse. The bowl of stew he’d been given was savory, entirely edible so long as he didn’t look too closely at the pot the stable master had cooked it in.
    When the side door opened, its bronze hinges creaking loudly, he didn’t bother looking up. He’d recognize Fari’s sharp, staccato footsteps anywhere.
    Stealing himself, he glanced up at her from his wooden bowl. Maybe he should have taken a deep breath, too, because the sight of her, even in her masculine clothing, sucked the air right out of his lungs. Large brown eyes set in a perfect oval face drew him in. Her soft, full mouth stirred part of him that had no business getting excited. Everything about her turned him on. How he’d love to wrap that long, dark brown braid around his fist…
    “Gather your things, Caleb,” she said curtly—as if she was talking to a private who hadn’t moved fast enough to suit.
    “Did you procure lodgings, mistress?” he asked, giving her a deliberately lazy smile. Better to piss her off than let her know where his thoughts had gone.
    “Knucklehead,” she whispered in English, “I did one better than that. Come on.”
    Bemused by the smile curling one corner of her lush mouth, he gathered the saddlebags holding their meager assortment of clothing and weapons, and followed in her wake.
    At the palace doors, he watched as the guard there bowed to Fari and then stood aside to let her enter.
    When the man angled his spear to prevent Caleb from following, Fari called over her shoulder, “Xanos, he’s with me.”
    Caleb caught up with her after she’d skirted the back of the hall and headed down a narrow, badly lit corridor to one side. She moved fast for a woman who couldn’t be more than five foot