Return of the Warrior Read Online Free PDF

“Pardon?”
    “If you refuse to be king, then allow me an heirto take your place. Someone that the Elgederions will be forced to accept and follow.”
    “And what makes you think for one instant that I will agree to hand my child over to you?”
    “Because it is the right thing to do.”
    Christian was aghast. “You think so?”
    She didn’t respond to his question as she glared at him. When she spoke, her voice carried the full weight of her royal status that was used to commanding those around her. “You have to decide, my lord. Either you return and be king or you give me an heir to rule in your stead.”
    “Nay, lady, I have a third choice. I do neither.”
    “That is not an option in this matter.”
    “Aye, but it is, and if you think for one moment that I would allow you to carry my child off into that nest of vipers, you are sadly mistaken.”
    She glared at him. “I need your heir.”
    “And that, Adara, is one thing I will never give you.”

Three
    Adara stared at the man who held her. “I’m not asking you to be a father, Christian, nor am I asking you to be a king. I ask you for nothing more than a few nights of passion, which I am sure you have given any willing female who has offered herself to you.”
    A tic started in his jaw. “You know me not, Your Majesty, to draw any such conclusion about my character.”
    It was true, she didn’t. Still, she had to make him see reason. She had to do this to save her people. A child would guarantee that Selwyn and Basilli would never be able to threaten Taagaria again.
    It was a new and perfect plan.
    She hoped.
    “Please, Christian. You may not care for your people, but I care for mine, and I cannot allowthem to be conquered by a man who lacks all mercy. An heir will solve both our problems.”
    He shook his head as if aghast at her proposition. “This is a child we are talking about, Adara. Flesh and blood. Our flesh and blood. Not once in my life did my parents ever call me their heir. They called me their son.”
    His pale stare pierced her as he continued to rant. “And how long do you think such a man as Selwyn would suffer our child to live? You just told me how every member of my family was killed by another. How my own parents were murdered and your cousin Thera could very well end up paying the price for helping you. I will not see my child dead over something so senseless.”
    Why was he being so obstinate? He had to yield on some matter. Too many lives were at stake.
    “I understand and I know that we are talking about our child. I would never allow my child to die. Believe me. I would protect him at all costs.”
    His eyes mocked her. “Are you some Amazon, then? Some warrior queen to take up a sword against your enemies?”
    “Nay, but—”
    ”There are no buts, my lady. My father was one of the finest knights of his age and if they could kill him as you claim…This is a chance I will not take.”
    She turned in the saddle until she faced him. His handsome features were rigid, unyielding.
    Still, she tried to argue her cause. “Then onceyou return with me, stay there to protect our child.”
    “Return to what?” he asked angrily. “A kingdom that never wanted me? One that has tried repeatedly to kill me? I have obligations here.”
    “What obligations?”
    “They are no concern of yours, but I take them most seriously.”
    “Christian,” she tried again. “Please be reasonable. Our child would rule two prominent kingdoms that lie between Tripoli and Antioch. Think of the riches and respect. The power he would command.”
    “And what good does it for a man to gain the world if he loses his immortal soul? There is much in this world that is cruel and harsh. Better my child be a simple smith who wants nothing more than his forge, than one who is constantly pursued by those out to kill him for what he possesses.”
    “And it is the king and his justice that protects your smith and allows him his forge,” she argued. “If the