Free Master of Swords by Angela Knight Page A

looked away. “No.” There was such shame and misery on her pretty face that he winced in sympathy.
    â€œYou got into trouble during last night’s invasion.” Her fear was too new, too raw, for anything but a very recent cause. He pushed a strand of her dark hair away from her eyes and tucked it behind her ear. “What happened, Lark?”
    She swallowed and looked away. He was beginning to think she wasn’t going to answer when she finally admitted it. “When the attack started, I did okay. At first. I killed one of them.” Her gaze flicked back to his with a touch of defiant pride.
    Gawain nodded. “Good.”
    Lark blew out a breath. “But then another one hit me. He was…strong. They’re all strong, but not like that. He knocked my sword out of my hand. I kept trying to blast him, but I couldn’t get through his shields. He hit me, and I…”
    Gawain worked to keep the rage off his face. The idea of one of those vicious bastards getting his hands on delicate little Lark McGuin…He cleared his throat. “The thing about the sorcerers is their death magic makes them really nasty on a battlefield. They get stronger the longer combat goes on because they draw power from the deaths around them.”
    â€œOh.” Her shoulders rounded. She still wouldn’t meet his gaze. “That would explain it.”
    â€œWhat happened then?”
    â€œHe took me down and bit me.” Lark swallowed. “Tore my throat. I tried to fight, but I couldn’t get him off me. If Guinevere’s spell hadn’t wiped them all out, I’d be dead.”
    â€œIt wasn’t your fault, Lark.”
    â€œObviously. But I couldn’t stop it either. And now…” The girl rolled her shoulders in a jerky gesture. “Now I’m wondering what’s going to happen the next time I’m in a fight.” She met his gaze again. “But I won’t run.”
    â€œOf course not.”
    â€œI just want you to be clear on that. You don’t have to worry about me cutting and running. I won’t do that.” Despite the brave words, self-doubt shadowed her eyes. “I’m not a coward.”
    Every instinct Gawain had clamored to tell her she’d never have to face danger again, that he’d protect her with his last breath. But not only was such an offer unrealistic, it was insulting. She was a Maja, and she had her own power, her own pride. And her own responsibilities to the Magekind.
    â€œLark, it’s natural to feel fear after what happened to you,” Gawain said gently. “‘It’s not the lack of fear that defines bravery…’”
    â€œâ€˜â€¦It’s doing the job.’ Yeah, I’ve heard Arthur give that speech, too.”
    â€œIt’s not just a speech.”
    â€œI know that.” Lark squared her fragile shoulders and met his gaze. “There’s something else you need to know. You’re probably expecting me to give you…” Her voice trailed off, then strengthened. “…blood. You’ve got a right to that. I’m a Maja. I’ve got a duty to feed Magi, especially a Magus who’s my partner. But…”
    â€œThe idea of letting a vampire touch you makes you break out in a cold sweat.” He could taste it in the air.
    Her eyes narrowed with sudden determination. “I’m not going to let that stop me. I’ll do it. I know you’ll smell the fear—you’re probably smelling it now—but that doesn’t mean you have to stop.”
    He looked her in the eye. “I appreciate that, love, but there’s no way in hell I’d ever drink from a woman who’s as frightened as you are right now.”
    â€œThis is not about chivalry. This is about not letting myself be crippled by one of those vampire bastards.” She spoke through her teeth. “He’s not going to win this.”
    Gawain shook