Free The Spark of a Feudling by Wendy Knight Page B

She screamed again and spun toward the new threat, trying desperately to keep the first threat in sight. Or at least, where the first threat would be if it ever emerged from its hiding spot.
    The man who had spoken was obviously aristocracy. The way he dressed was far too fine to be a peasant or even a knight, although he held a bow in his hand. With the other, he held the reins of a beautiful white horse with a black nose and black forelocks. The mane and tail were also black.
    She tore her gaze from the horse to check the bushes. Still the threat hadn’t emerged so she glared back at the man. He was much taller than she, probably even taller than Christian. Light brown eyes studied her, slight eyebrow arched in amusement. He was handsome, but not in the way that Christian was beautiful.
    â€œI am not a peasant,” she finally snapped.
    His lip quirked. “I can see that.”
    â€œThen why—” Behind her, the monster emerged and she squealed, whirling toward it and shoving the spell. It flew toward the bunny, blasting it into nothing but burnt tufts of fur. “Oh no!” She rushed to where it had been without thinking, but it was too late. She’d killed the innocent bunny.
    Behind her, the man laughed.
    She glared over her shoulder at him and the laugh died in his throat. “You’re a sorcerer,” he said as he fought to keep the grin from his lips. Fought badly, because Ada could still see it playing around the corners of his mouth.
    â€œYes.” She rose, brushing off her skirts. She felt awful. She could kill men when they attacked her. But the bunny had done nothing. It hadn’t deserved to die.
    â€œAnd… why are you obliterating innocent rabbits in my forest? We could have roasted it for dinner, had you not done… that.” He motioned vaguely at the still burning tufts of fur.
    Ada frowned. “I was hungry. I thought to find berries.”
    The smile died. “Why are you not eating with your family? Where is your family?”
    â€œThey are home. In Adlington. I am on my way to battle.” She raised her chin, praying he wouldn’t ask her why she hadn’t brought food on her way to battle.
    His eyebrows shot up and he studied her more closely. “You’re the duke’s daughter.”
    â€œYes. And that’s his horse. And I need to eat before I can be a proper warrior, so if you don’t mind, kindly go about your business.”
    He grinned. “My home is not far from here. You may eat with me, if you so desire.”
    She did not so desire, but she was starving. And there were no berries in sight. Never mind the fact that she had once heard that eating the wrong berries would kill a person. “I would be immeasurably grateful,” she murmured.
    â€œMy name is William Langley. My father is the Earl of Charnock.” He bowed with a smile then offered her his hand. “And you are?”
    She ignored his hand and swung herself up onto Horse’s back. “Ada Aleshire of Adlington. My father is the Duke of Adlington, and one of the most powerful Edren sorcerers alive.”
    He chuckled, mounting his horse as well. As he led the way out of the woods and back onto the dirt road, he glanced over at her. “We have asked your father for help controlling the highwaymen between our villages and yours. He has never responded.”
    Ada smiled grimly. “I don’t believe you need to worry about highwaymen any longer.”
    His eyebrows shot up in surprise and he studied her again with those light brown eyes. “You imply that you are more dangerous than you appear.”
    â€œSince I look about as dangerous as that bunny back there, yes. I am more dangerous than I appear.”
    He laughed. “I haven’t met many Edren sorcerers who are women. It’s rare, is it not?”
    She shook her head, but gave him only half her attention as they rode up to his manor. It was a beautiful house with