The Dark of Twilight (Twilight Shifters Book 1) Read Online Free PDF

she could see him processing her appearance.  She willed him to stay back.  Any show of kindness and she would lose control.  She'd be known as the Weepy Warrior of Arnkell.  She could not lose any more face in front of the people of the stronghold. 
    With great relief, he put on a mask of indifference and went back to his cooking.  "Back so soon?"
    "I could not bear to be away from you," she replied, not quite able to meet his yet.  She plopped the bag onto the counter.  "Plus, I could hardly wait to get rid of these."
    He came over cautiously and opened the bag.  Upon seeing the contents, Aein was sure she saw tears prickle in his eyes.  They were two of a kind.
    "You found them," he whispered.  "Oh, Aein..."
    "You're welcome."
    The grumpy man came over and wrapped his arms around her, kissing her firmly upon the temple.  "I am very glad to see you, I am.  Truly."  He parted them, holding her out at arm's length.  "Now," he said, "tell me all about your experience on the boarder."
    "It was awful," she replied.  She pointed at the sack.  "You had better appreciate those because Lord Arnkell says I will never be going back."
    "One should never say never," he replied.
    "I feel fairly confident that 'never' is not going to be long enough for him...  not after he said..."
    Cook Bolstad took the mushrooms into the larder, pretending not to notice as she wiped away a tear that accidentally slipped out.  She could hear him slide back the flagstone and place them inside.  They were precious indeed.  He returned and rinsed the dust off his hands before going back to his cooking.  He handed Aein a mallet and a piece of chicken to pound flat.  He knew just what to do to make her feel better.  After a few minutes he came over to inspect her handiwork.
    "It will be the thinnest, most tender chicken fillet the stronghold has ever bitten into.  Unfortunately, Lord Arnkell will be dining tonight on a stringy, old rooster I've been saving just for such an occasion," he said with a wink.
    Aein handed him the mallet.  "Thank you."
    "You are home," he replied, unable to keep from pressing a kiss upon her head.  "You are home safe, you smell worse than a horse, and I could not be happier."

Chapter Five
    A ein fired her arrow into the target, pleased as it struck center.  If nothing else, these weeks as she waited for Lars to return from the border gave her time to continue her training.  She made a half-hearted attempt to hassle the new recruits the way he always seemed to bother her, but she wasn't very good at it.  She found herself retreating to the archery green whenever she had time off.  The other warriors in the barracks greeted her with stony silence.  No one seemed to understand why she was back, what could have caused her to desert her post, what could have made her leave her partner behind.
    She lowered her bow as the wave of emotions washed over her.
    "Excellent aim," said a voice over her right shoulder.  She looked behind her to find a man she had never seen before. 
    He was tall with a heavy brow and straight, noble nose.  Over his chainmail, he wore a shining, silver-colored breast plate.  She could not even imagine the expense.  It was far finer than anything they had at the stronghold.  His hair was closely shorn, but appeared to be some shade of blonde, or at least that is what the hairs on his arms and his eyebrows seemed to suggest.  He held out his hand.  "Finn.  From the Kingdom of Haidra."
    She took a deep breath.  Of course.  The wedding day was coming soon and the princess's father was wise to send out someone to investigate the stronghold for safety.
    She gripped his forearm in greeting.  "Aein.  Of the Arnkell Stronghold."
    Finn's thin lips broke into a wide smile, revealing his straight, square teeth.  His weather-beaten face crinkled around his merry eyes.  "Aein.  A pleasure.  You have skill," he stated, pointing at where she had shot.
    "Thank you," she replied, not