Free Beginnings -Guardians of Vesturon [0.50] by A.M. Hargrove Page A

extraordinary. There was no use in pursuing her though, as she was not of my class. My father would have an apoplectic fit, if he knew.
    **********
    My meeting with my father was brief. He wanted to be personally apprised of my progress at the Academy. He could be very demanding and overbearing, so I complied with his requirements to please both him and myself. He did inform me that upon completion of my Guardian training, I would not be stationed on one planet, but placed on a rotation that would take me all over the universe. He felt that this would be more advantageous to my leadership development.
    Voldruk would not be happy with this news, I thought. Then I outright laughed as I imagined the expression on his face when I informed him of it! If he wanted to go with me, he would be welcome, I am sure, but it would give him less opportunity to chase females, which was his original intention. We would be stuck on a Star Transporter much of the time. I laughed even harder at this thought!
    My mind flipped one hundred and eighty degrees as it shifted to the blond female again. It angered me that I did not even know her name. I stared out my window, contemplating her. The sun was setting, casting an amber glow across the horizon, and the clouds were tinged in lavender, rendering it to appear like a masterful painting. Vesturon was unmatched in its splendor. The mountains were spectacular, with their craggy peaks and diverse hues; and the azure seas looked like a multitude of gems in varying shades of blue. Vesturon was known as paradise. Some even theorized it was the true Eden. Whatever the case, it was the most stunning planet I had visited to date. And for no particular reason, the scene in front of me reminded me of that gorgeous blond.
    **********
    A week later, Voldruk and I had completed another round of grueling exams and we found our way to the cafeteria to enjoy a relaxing meal.
    As we sat at a table and set our trays of food down, the blond beauty came by to offer us a beverage. My breath caught in my throat as I numbly stared at her. I nodded my head in response to her question, although later, I could not recall what it had been. Every time I saw her, she appeared lovelier than the last.
    She continued on her way with her pitcher of water and I rose to follow her like an automaton. I ignored Voldruk completely. In fact, I did not even bother to acknowledge him.
    When I reached her, I said the first thing that came to mind.
    “Name?” I demanded, my voice hoarse.
    She turned to me and gave me a withering look. “I beg your pardon, my lord!”
    My stomach knotted as I stared into the most beautiful blue eyes in the universe.
    “Er…your name. What is your name?” I stammered.
    She bent her head and lowered her eyes to the floor. “Annalise, my lord. Annalise Drakkar,” she murmured.
    “Annalise.” Her name sounded like a symphony to my ears. “Annalise,” I repeated to myself. I could not resist reaching out to her and lifting her chin. I had to see her eyes again. Her lids were closed. “Please, look at me, Annalise,” I whispered.
    She opened her eyes and I felt myself suck in air as I gasped. She mistook my action for something other than what it was—pure and simple awe. Her beauty stunned me. She attempted to pull away, but my words halted her.
    “Please, don’t. My intentions are honorable. I want to look into your eyes. They are quite extraordinary.”
    Her lashes fluttered as she opened her eyes and I melted into them. I was incapable of speech or action. We stood there as if the world had ceased to function. Eventually, I stepped back and bowed my head to her.
    “Annalise.” Her name felt like honey on my tongue. “A beautiful name for a beautiful female. I must see you again. Away from here… away from prying eyes and ears. I must know more about you.”
    She looked at me and her mouth opened and closed several times as she tried to speak. I wanted to take her into my arms and taste her