Magical Lover Read Online Free PDF

race, how magic flowed in her veins, her confidence he meant her no harm withered like a twig cut off from a branch.
    Would he insist on a lynching? Even her grandmother had threatened the rope when she saw the steam.
    But Thoren only stood there, his face curious as to what ailed her. No fear, no hate, only concern crossed his features.
    Maybe as an evil being, he didn’t care about physical flaws such as ears releasing steam.
    Thoren touched her cheek with his fingertips. “Is something wrong, Little One?”
    Yes, where do I start? “No. I mean, yes. He has my friend.”
    “She’ll come with us. How’s that?”
    His hand circled her wrist, his thumb tracing the dark lines on her forearm. One moment fear coursed through her veins, drying her mouth, stilling her lungs, and the next she felt relaxed and happy, like she had smoked some of the herbs her grandmother kept hidden.
    What was happening to her? Normally even-tempered, today her mood swings mirrored those of a middle-aged woman.
    “All right.” Shouldn’t she be fighting for Lily? Doing something besides wearing a goofy grin?
    Probably, but for the life of her, she didn’t care. Nothing mattered except Thoren and his touch. Everything would be fine. Nothing would harm her.
    “Why don’t you and Jamie pack your things? I need to talk to Enar.”
    Sounded like a great idea. He didn’t fear her, he wouldn’t harm her, which was a lot better than what she’d get staying in River’s Run. And he made her feel peaceful, although she had a sneaking suspicion his touch worked some sort of a spell.
    She, Jamie and Lily were on their way to what she hoped was a better life. It couldn’t be any worse than what they experienced here.
    “Come on Jamie. Let’s pack.”

 
     
     
     
     
     
    Chapter 3
     
    Thoren sat at Keara’s table, watching Enar rock Lily. What a contradiction, a hard-as-stone Watcher gently holding a petite woman. Just as he wanted to do with Keara. He gave himself a mental smack. What was wrong with him today? Since when did he want to hold and act a lovesick fool toward a female?
    Mate.
    Oh, no. It couldn’t be. Forget that thought. Think of something else. Like why did Enar decide now was a good time to claim a woman. Or how they were going to get everyone home on two horses. Any thought but why he had such strong feelings for Keara.
    Those weren’t really feelings. Not of the bonding she’s-my-mate kind. No, he only cared since she was a Draconi female, and females should be protected. Since she obviously wasn’t protected, his dragon half demanded he do so. That was all. No mate business for him.
    Now that he had his feelings settled, he could move on to the other matter: Lily . Why did Enar pick this mission to choose a claim? Why couldn’t he pick a mission where they didn’t have to put five people and their belongings on two horses?
    Which led to the next question he always wondered about and never got a straight answer: Why did Watchers claim women? Didn’t they have their own stock to choose from? Whatever the answer, Enar refused to say and Thoren had never seen one of their women. Which led to a completely different question: what did they do with all those Claims?
    A toughened race of warriors sworn to protect the Draconi, Watchers made him wary. All but Enar. His best friend was the only one Thoren had met who seemed normal. Until he claimed Lily, that is.
    Although in fairness to Enar, claiming women seemed to be the norm for Watchers. And his friend seemed to care for the woman, if cradling her like a baby meant anything.
    What did he really know about Watchers? Nothing much.
    He’d been told that many generations ago, they needed a place to settle, and in return for the generosity of donated land, the Watchers used their warrior skills to guard the Draconi.
    Why a powerful magical race needed guardians was over his head. His questions on that matter had received shrugs from all he asked. Even Enar responded that