Free Kyros' Secret (Greek Myth Series Book 1) by Elizabeth Rose Page B

powers. But still, my brother and his men don’t know that.”
    “You don’t need to do this,” said Chiron. “You don’t need to put yourself and your father’s sword in jeopardy by going to Ares’ daughter.”
    Kyros remained quiet for a moment, but knew he could never even consider Chiron’s suggestion.
    “She’s carrying my child, Chiron. I do need to be there. Though Thera means nothing to me, the child she’ll bear me is now more important than my father’s sword.”

Nine
     
     
    Thera lay still on the blanket, woken from a deep sleep by nothing more than the feeling that something - or someone - was watching her. Even in her sleep her awareness was sharp. She didn’t move, yet felt a presence in the trees directly behind her.
    Her heart raced and the babe inside her womb stirred. Almost with excitement, the child moved within her. She felt the babe’s happiness. It was calm pleasure, yet her own body was rigid with fear. And that feeling … that eerie feeling of being watched . . .
    “Kyros?”
    Thera called his name but didn’t move. Her eyes scanned the grounds in front of her. She saw Hester munching on grass. The firelight flickered over the horse’s shiny flesh. There was no reason to be alarmed, she told herself. She felt the horse’s easiness and knew the animal would be fidgety if there was danger.
    She could hear breathing now from somewhere behind her. And she was sure she smelled the gamy aroma of centaur. Faintly, but still, it was there. She was helpless without her bow and arrows. She was stupid for leaving them behind in the first place. The overwhelming need to protect herself and her unborn child bubbled in her veins. She didn’t want to kill again, but would if she had to. She’d do anything, even give her own life if need be, just to protect her and Kyros’ baby.
    She heard a snap of a twig behind her and in a flash she reached for a branch in the fire. She sprang to her feet, swinging the burning log toward whatever wretched centaur that may have come to claim her.
    A strong hand gripped her wrist and stopped her from her action. She found herself looking up into the masked face of the wild-looking centaur she’d seen in the woods her first night. It was him. There was no mistaking. His long oaken hair hung wildly almost down to his waist. His chest was bare and she almost wished it weren’t. She couldn’t help herself from letting her eyes wander over his smooth skin and well developed muscles.
    From the waist up he was the most pleasing man she’d ever laid eyes on. Though he hid behind his mask, she was sure his face was just as beautiful as the rest of him. He was an Adonis wrapped up in the package of strength, mystery and fatal attraction.
    “Didn’t anyone ever tell you not to play with fire?” He spoke almost in a half-whisper, his voice low and sultry.
    His eyes glistened from behind the purple mask. The firelight from her weapon illuminated his upper body in a soft encompassing glow. She felt her pulse quicken and she noticed her breathing deepen. Then she heard the swish of a tail and she came back to her senses. She dropped the burning stick and it would have landed on her bare foot hadn’t the centaur pulled her out of the way.
    She was so close to him now she could feel the heat from his body and hear the rapid beating of his own heart. His musky scent brought to life in her a stirring which she’d only experienced once - when she was mated with Kyros. A feeling she’d rather not be experiencing with a wretched centaur so close.
    She jumped away and headed closer to the fire. She picked up the blanket and wrapped it protectively around herself.
    “Who are you?” she demanded to know.
    The centaur half-smiled, picked up the burning stick, and tossed it into the fire. Still, he didn’t answer.
    “What’s your name?” she asked. “And why do you follow me? What do you want?”
    He shuffled over the hard ground, making a survey of the surroundings