Page 6 of A Warrior's Heart

“The king has ordered him to go on a quest,” Eva answered, wiping blackberry jam from her mouth.

“A quest?” I frowned. “What kind of quest?”

“He didn’t give me specifics.”

“Why did he tell you and not me?”

“Because he asked me to accompany him.”

My gut twisted. “You? Why? Why didn’t he ask me?”

Eva’s blue eyes softened. “Easy, brother.” She put her hand on my arm, and calm washed over me. She had a gift for soothing people just by touching them. She was a talented mage, too, and used magic in her healing potions. It was why she was one of the greatest physicians around. “Don’t be angry. I’m a healer as well as a fighter, and we have experience traveling together.”

Nearly four years ago, Lorcan and his mate Alek had gone on several dangerous adventures; once to see King James to offer an alliance with him in the fight against the dark mages, and another to go to battle. I had journeyed with them, alongside Malik, Eva, and another soldier named Reif.

“I have experience too.”

“You know how Malik worries over you,” Eva said. “If he could lock you away in the palace to keep you safe, he would.”

“I don’t need to be protected! Give me a bow and a quiver of arrows and I can take care of myself.”

“I know.”

“Who else is going?”

“Reif.”

As a former assassin in the king’s special forces, Reif was intimidating. Not only that, he was also a damn good warrior. With stealth, precision, and years of training, he could easily kill a man without the man even realizing he’d been targeted.

“That’s all?”

“No.” Eva shook her head. “A soldier named Nereus is going as well.”

“Nereus?” I asked, bringing the man to mind. He was barely twenty-two years of age. Jealousy knotted in my gut when I pictured his handsome face and dark brown eyes.

“Yes. Malik only wanted a few of us. Traveling undetected will be easier this way.”

“When do you leave?”

“At first light.”

“I see.” I placed the pastry back in the basket with only a bite taken off. I wasn’t hungry anymore.

“I don’t want you to be upset.” Eva brought her knees up and wrapped her arms around them. “Malik said this journey will be difficult. Dangerous. It’s no place for you, sweet brother.”

“You’re willing to risk your life. Why can’t I?”

She had no answer for me. Because it wasn’therwho didn’t believe I could be of help; it was Malik.

I stood from the grass and dusted off my trousers.

“Where are you going?” Eva asked.

“To shoot something.”

***

Hours passed as I shot arrows into the target dummies at the end of the field. I grabbed one and sent it soaring through the air, hitting the target between the eyes. After rolling to the side, I jumped to my feet and sent another arrow toward the second dummy, burying it in the neck.