A Warrior's Perception Read Online Free PDF Page B

chase ye to yer room! ” Crimm announced as he helped her up into the carriage.
    They arrived an hour and forty-five minutes later at Gildon Castle. The castle overlooked a huge eerie lake and loomed like a black cloud above the shoreline. The dark stone of the castle glistened with moisture as they neared. A chill went up Andra’s spine as they were ushered into the gardens where the party was in full bloom. The sun kissed the horizon and slowly melted away as maids lit the oil lamps and a soft glow floated over the obscenely elegant garden.
    Andra searched frantically for Calin's face, oblivious to the fact that Crimm had wondered off to chat with a few of the young women who were swooning at his large handsome feet. She finally caught him in her sight as she waded through the crowded mess of men and women. The wind had grown chilled and she shivered as she breathed in the heavy smell of the lake’s water.
    Calin had surprised her in the stable last month as she fed and watered the horses. She had squealed with joy as he swept her up into his manly strong arms, he was no more lanky and boyish. They had shared a deep kiss and hugged each other fiercely. His dark red hair lay in tight curls around his handsome face as he begged Andra to come to the gathering. She had promised and hurried him out of the stable yard before anyone was the wiser.
    And now, here she was, walking towards him in the soft shadows and he was standing slightly to his right as he toyed with the banquet of food displayed on the large wooden table.
    She spoke softly as she kept her eye on Crimm, “ Go five hedges down and meet me in the tree line. ”
    He pretended to be interested in the food before him as she slipped away and edged down the row of large hedges. A blonde caught Crimm's eye and Andra made her escape into the trees. She waited for several minutes before Calin came to her side. She flung herself into his open arms and buried her head into his neck.
    “ I've missed ye much, ” she whispered in true confession.
    “ And I ha'e missed ye and yer green eyes as well, ” he whispered back.
    “ Why did we ha'e to grow up? Ye left me and went to find yer way in the world.... ” She paused as she wiped a tear, “ It has been too long. ”
    “ Yer brute of a brother tucked ye away like a spinster in that old drafty keep and tried to keep ye away from me, ” he softly chided.
    “ Crimm and Da are so overbearin' and protective at times that I want to choke both of 'em. They think that just 'cause I'm na as pretty as the rest of the girls, they ha'e to keep me at home under lock and key. It makes na sense less they are truly embarrassed by my homeliness. I honestly did'na think Crimm was goin' to fall for my charms, but thank Dagma he did. I ha'e longed to see ye, ” she sulked.
    Calin knitted his brows together, “ Na pretty as all the others? ”
    “ Aye, tis my curse, ” she retorted as she twisted a lock of stray hair in her fingers. “ Tis the reason Crimm and Da ha’e raised me as such. ”
    “ Andra ye'r the prettiest of 'em all, ” he insisted, “ And I want ye all for myself. Ye da and brother, they see ye as the beauty ye are and hide ye from all eyes. ”
    “ Oh, do go on, ye flatter me with yer kind words, ” she cooed softly.
    “ Damn, just hug me again! ” he ordered. His body was ramrod stiff and his heart sped as she came into his arms. “ Tighter. ”
    She obliged and hugged his neck as he lifted her feet off of the ground. She smiled as he shoved the hood from her face and kissed her forehead.
    “ Andra? ” he breathed slowly as he sat her feet onto the ground.
    “ Aye, it is me, ” she laughed as his head bent to capture her lips.
    Andra trusted Calin and she reached up to meet his lips with her own. He came down hard and swift. Andra caught her breath as his tongue darted into her mouth. She waited for her loins to ache, but they didn't. Kissing him back, she wanted to be pulled back into that place of