Return of the Warrior Read Free Page A

stroke.
    She seized the pitchfork and went for the knight again, only to have Christian kill him before she could. Still she lunged for the fallen knight.
    “My lady, he’s already dead.”
    “Not dead enough!” she sobbed. “He killed my men. And…and…poor, helpless Lutian.”
    “Hello?”
    Adara couldn’t breathe at the sound of the wonderfully familiar voice. To her immediate relief, Lutian stuck his head up from a pile of hay. Pieces of straw were stuck and tangled in the brown locks of his hair, even in his beard.
    It was the most precious sight she’d ever beheld. “Oh, thank the Lord and His saints for their mercy!” she cried as she ran to him and embraced him without decorum. “You’re alive!”
    “Only a fool would be fighting them, my queen, and though I am a fool, I’m not that foolish.”
    Before she could speak, Christian seized her from Lutian’s arms, then swung her up onto the back of a solid black horse. “This is no time for chatter,” he growled at them.
    She barely had time to cover herself and settle her bag before he joined her.
    He looked at Lutian. “Grab a horse if you’re able and keep up.”
    Christian spurred the horse from the stable.
    “You can’t leave Lutian!” she snapped an imperious tone. “Go back for him. Now.”
    “Death waits for no one, Adara.” Even so,Christian wheeled the horse back toward the stable until they saw Lutian headed out behind them on her brown mare.
    Adara was impressed by Lutian’s abilities. Normally Lutian rode an ass. ’Twas the first time she’d ever seen him on a horse, and he rode with remarkable skill.
    Christian reversed direction again. They flew through the small town, while people scurried to get out of their way. By the time they reached the edge of town, arrows began to whiz past them.
    “Stay low,” Christian said in her ear as he wrapped himself around her to protect her.
    Adara didn’t argue. “Stay down, Lutian,” she called to her friend she could no longer see. “Don’t fall behind.”
    She latched on to the horse’s neck and kept herself huddled there while Christian’s heavy breathing filled her ears. She prayed that they all made it to safety. Terror pounded through her veins. How could this be happening?
    But then, she should have known. What better way to take her throne than to kill both of them together? Then there would be no one left to contest Basilli’s rule.
    Perhaps she should change places with Lutian and let him rule her kingdom. Surely he wouldn’t be so blind or stupid.
    They rode onward until her entire body was cramped from her uncomfortable position. The bag bit harshly into her stomach, but she didn’tmove. She wasn’t sure if anyone still followed them or not. However, she didn’t dare look. Better she should be huddled over for eternity than dead.
    Christian glanced behind to see no one in pursuit. He slowed his horse ever so slightly as he tried to hear something other than the horse’s hooves and his own heavy heartbeat.
    “I think we lost them,” he said, slowing even more.
    Lutian kept pace with them as he looked behind as well.
    Adara lifted herself up with a small groan. “I’m sure by now you must have guessed that the first man through the door was the tracker who led me to you.”
    “No doubt paid to put us together so that we could be murdered,” Christian said with a disgusted breath.
    “Aye,” Lutian concurred. “I was fetching a nice leg of lamb in the inn when I saw the Elgederion soldiers enter the stable. Even before I went to the stable to find your men dead, I knew them for villains.”
    “Oh, and what made you think that?” Christian asked sarcastically. “The swords in their hands?”
    Adara ignored him. She was grateful that at least Lutian had survived. “You hid?”
    “Not at first. I started back to the inn to tell you what they’d done, but they were headed to your room and I had hoped your prince would be prince enough to champion you. If