Mysterious Warriors: Alone Read Online Free PDF

ballroom, and she was grateful to slip into the array of people without being noticed. The ceiling shimmered as if diamonds grew in the edges, and fine velvet and satin draperies adorned the columns holding the three-stories tall. The room was dressed in silk.
                  “Your mother sure knows how to be extravagant.” Baron Stefan found her.
                  Tara nodded as she took in all the fine materials. “She does that well.”
                  “I haven’t seen so much wealth shown off in a single room my entire life.”
                  “Well my parents are celebrating their marriage tonight.” Tara answered as her mother would, mocking the batting eyelashes and pitch of her voice. “They’ve been married twenty-three years now. Mother was a fragile seventeen-year-old who had the love of the prince of Zorba’s Reach. They had courted for a year before he asked her to marry him, and Mother couldn’t refuse her prince.”
                  “And they brought you into the world a year later.” Stefan handed Tara a gold-rimmed goblet with studs of emerald in the base. “Which makes me a lucky man now.”
                  Tara smirked as she took the drink and sat at a table made of solid gold. “Really?” She touched the cold surface.
                  “Apparently.” Stefan sat beside her.
                  “I’m glad my parents still enjoy their marriage.” Tara admitted. She knew her father always loved her mother, and she knew her mother always loved being queen.
                  “It is nice to see royals enjoy their union. I hear your sister was betrothed to a man she didn’t choose to marry.”
                  Tara nodded. “But Rachel and Gary had two years of betrothal to fall in love, and I am happy to say my sister loves her husband.” Tara sighed. “I want to love my spouse.”
                  “As do I.” His brown eyes were full of laughter as he looked at her. “You are an incredible woman Princess.”
                  “Call me Tara.” She insisted once more.
                  “Alright, alright.” He raised his hands in surrender. “I shall always call you Tara.”
                  “Good.”
                  “Until I figure out another name for you.” He sipped his drink. “I want a special name for you, something no one else calls you so you’ll think of me when you hear it.”
                  “I’m having a hard time thinking of anyone beside you.” She admitted. “I always vowed to dismiss any man my mother chose for me, but I want to break my own rule.”
                  “I am glad to hear it.” Stefan paused. “Does this mean you’ll court me now?”
                  “No.” She hoped her grin was cheeky. “I still want to be your friend first.”
                  He nodded. “Alright. Are friends allowed to dance?”
                  “Of course.” She pulled him to his feet. “Dancing is a must. It’s the best thing about my mother’s parties.” She felt free as she led him to the crowded dance floor. Tara raised her arms, her wrists glistened gold with bracelets, and she moved to the rhythm of the music like she had seen gypsies. She watched Stefan as he moved lithely with her.
                  “So you like dancing?”
                  “Absolutely.” Tara answered. “I always danced, even before I was old enough to dance as a proper young lady.” She chuckled. “Rachel always pointed out my unladylike flaws.”
                  “I see no flaws.” He brushed a finger against her bare shoulder.
                  Tara shivered, and she spun behind him, twirling in circles through the stream of dancers. Stefan kept up with her well, and he whispered. “You look