Legendary Warrior (Warrior 1)

“Would you like to sample the apple tarts I made? There are more than enough,” Maura said, drawing her blue wool shawl more closely around her.

Justin was quick to answer. “I would love to, apple tarts are my favorite.”

Maura’s green eyes brightened. “Apple tarts are my favorite too.”

Reena rolled her eyes to the heaven. The two were getting along well, and her presence was no longer necessary. “The two of you go and enjoy. I have work I must—”

“Reena!”

The three jumped, startled by the raw power in the voice that called out her name.

“I need you to map,” Magnus said as he approached her.

Reena was elated. He had not requested her mapping services since their arrival at Dunhurnal.

She glanced at him with a smile that played havoc with his heart, not to mention his senses—but then he wondered if he had any senses left at all since meeting her.

“We can discuss what it is you wished mapped over apple tarts.”

Reena failed to notice the smiles on Maura’s and Justin’s faces, but Magnus did not. The two saw how easily she spoke with him and how he did not deny her her request but acquiesced in silence. Gossip would soon spread throughout the keep about him and the mapmaker, and the thought did not at all disturb him.

“I will bring tarts to the great hall,” Maura said.

“I will join you in the kitchen,” Justin said enthusiastically.

She smiled and held out her hand. “Let me show you the way.”

Justin knew the way to the kitchen but made no comment. He took her hand and followed along, his smile wide.

With a hasty glance at the cloudy sky, Reena hurried over to Magnus. “The weather may prove an interference.”

Magnus scrambled to choose an area he wished mapped, for he had no particular place in mind. He’d simply wanted her attention diverted away from Justin. And he was feeling foolish, since on closer look he realized Justin seemed interested in Maura, making him feel all the more the fool.

He had never experienced jealousy over a woman before, and it damned annoyed him. “The weather will not matter. I wish you to map the keep.” The idea actually would prove fruitful in more ways than he had first imagined. He would spend time with Reena as she mapped, thus learning more about her along with his new home, and he would be able to better determine a defense plan for the keep and the repair work necessary to restore the place. A wise decision, and one he was content with, for it served many purposes.

They walked in silence for a moment as they approached the keep.

Reena stopped and craned her neck to view the entire height of the imposing stone edifice. “A wise choice. You should know your home well; knowledge defends.”

Her intelligence often startled him, as did the similarity of their thoughts. “It will also help me to determine the extent of the repair work required.”

She continued walking, he slowing to match her steps. She was small, whereas he was large, and yet he felt they were equal in size. And she was thin; he could lift her with one arm, tuck her beneath it and carry her without an ounce of difficulty. Fragile had come to mind when he’d first met her, but it had been a deceptive assumption, since Reena possessed an inner strength that surprised him, but which he very much admired.

She was swift and aware of her surroundings. He had watched her in the woods as they’d gathered feathers. She moved with a graceful agility and kept herself alert. She hurried over fallen logs, ducked out of the way of branches, and maneuvered her way through the woods as though she knew its secrets.

She was an intelligent, determined and talented woman who’d captured his interest by surprise, and he intended to see where that surprise would take him.

They entered the keep, and the promised apple tarts, along with a large pitcher of cider, were waiting for them on a table before the burning hearth. With equal speed they rushed to the table like two eager, hungry children and, laughing, plopped down on the benches, each reaching for a tart.

Reena poured the cider after taking a generous bite of the warm tart, and as soon as she did, Horace came racing out of nowhere to plop his plump body down next to her leg. He gave her one solid bark, letting her know he waited for his share.

“You spoil him,” Magnus said.

Reena reached down to Horace, a piece of tart in her hand. “I love him.”

Her simple words were like a solid blow to his stomach, and for a moment he felt robbed of breath. Why? Why did her love for the small pup hit him so hard? Was he jealous? Did he wish her to say she loved him? A foolish thought. He did not know her well enough to know if they could love. Why then did the thought haunt him?