Her Warriors Read Online Free PDF Page B

If
anyone would understand Geir’s choices, Beau probably would.
    “A lot of tigers live there,” Beau added,
nodding. “Not my people, but some of our relatives, I think. Did
you leave when King Frederick went into exile?”
    “Yes,” Geir confirmed. “Right around that
time.”

 
    Chapter
Three
     
    Geir couldn’t quite bring himself to explain
exactly why he had left Iceland. He let them think it was because
of the king’s exile—and it was connected in a way—but Geir’s true
reason for leaving was much more personal and too painful to poke
at right now. It was enough he was telling them anything about that
time. He rarely spoke of it. This new openness would take some
getting used to.
    Baby steps. That’s what he needed here.
Small disclosures over time, so the pain wouldn’t be so raw. It was
his chosen strategy, and he was going to stick to it for now.
    “I was young, though,” Geir continued. “I
went to my aunt, who had married into the pantera noir . The
former Master saw to my training and sent me abroad when I needed
to learn certain skills he could not teach me. Eventually, I ended
up in the snowcat enclave in Tibet. That’s where I first heard
about Jake, the Nyx’s new mate. He’s something of a legend there.
He may be only human, but he earned the respect of the snowcat
elders, which is a rare feat. Jake is a force to be reckoned with,
no doubt about it. He will be good for Ria. For too long has she
been alone with her burden. It’s good that they found each
other.”
    Now, how had he gotten onto that subject?
Mating wasn’t something Geir ever really talked about, but he
guessed maybe his inner tiger was pushing the thought into his
brain. The cat wanted to find out if Jacki was the woman for them.
It thought she was already, but it needed confirmation. And his
human side definitely needed that confirmation before he could
commit his emotions any further.
    “They’re a really good couple,” Jacki agreed
with a wistful sort of look on her face that Geir understood all
too well.
    “So how did you get from Tibet back to the
Nyx? I’ve heard that few who train with the snowcats find their way
back home. Although…I guess Iceland is your home,” Beau observed, a
question in his tone.
    “No, my home is with the Nyx now. I’m sworn
to her service and more than that, I fit in here. I know I’m
needed. If the day ever comes when I’m not, or I fail to serve her
to the best of my ability, I’ll leave. For now though, I choose to
stay with her.”
    Whoa . He hadn’t meant to get quite so
serious. He needed to lighten the mood, but Geir wasn’t much good
at conversation. His social skills were already stretched and they
had only just arrived. He definitely had an uphill battle on his
hands here, but he wasn’t a quitter. Geir smiled as he finished off
the steaks and began putting them on plates.
    “Besides…” he tried for a joke, “…have you
seen the tiger stronghold in Iceland? It’s really cold there on the
glacier. I may have a fur coat, but I don’t like to freeze all the
time.” They smiled as they helped themselves to the side dishes
they had all helped prepare. He put the sizzling steaks on the
table. “Should we call Tom or bring him something later?” he asked,
thinking of the missing man from their group.
    “He’s sleeping,” Jacki said, a worried look
on her face. “I peeked in on my way here. I’ll bring him a plate
later.”
    They started eating and conversation lagged
a bit while they dug into the tasty meal. Geir was glad he had
planned ahead. The steaks had come out very well and the side
dishes complimented the meal nicely. He’d made a good showing for
his first luncheon and he felt quite a bit of relief about it.
    “So…Tibet?” Beau prompted after they’d had a
chance to enjoy their food for a couple of minutes.
    “Yeah. Tibet,” Geir repeated, trying to
recover his train of thought. “They wanted me to stay on and teach,
but a seer among