Free Prince of Fire by Linda Winstead Jones Page A

eyes.
    He wasn't entirely happy about the fact, but Joryn did trust her.
    * * * * *
    It was likely the only time the pampered queen had slept on the ground was after she'd run beneath the moon as a wolf. Did she indulge in that pleasure, even though she could contain the animal when it called? Judging by the way she settled very comfortably on the ground with no pillow, no bedding of any kind, he had to believe yes, she had done this before. When her hands were free, she very quickly fell into a deep slumber.
    Joryn's eyes were drawn to the redness of her wrists. Her skin was so delicate, it hadn't taken any time at all for the rough ropes to begin to rub her flesh raw. A wave of unexpected and unwanted guilt washed through him, even though he knew she would heal quickly. He'd wanted only to contain her, not harm her. Could he sleep at all with Keelia so close and so free? What if she changed her mind in the night and fled? Or worse, killed him in his sleep?
    The Red Queen will guide you, the spirit had told him. She is good. The spirits he spoke to on the other side of this life had no reason to lie, and he had to admit that his instincts were in line with what he had learned in the land in-between. She was not washed in dark energy. In the beginning he had thought her talented at hiding her evil, but now ...
    She confused him in many ways. He wanted her, but he was afraid she would bewitch him with her body. Queen Keelia was a talented seer; she could shift her body at will and maintain her womanly shape beneath a full moon. She freely admitted to being a witch, so what other gifts might she possess? Might she possess the power to entrap a man—of any species—if she so desired?
    There were moments when he felt as if he were halfway there, almost enchanted, almost trapped. He should not have been moved by the sight of her raw wrists, but the very idea of hurting her had touched him and he'd been horrified at the thought of her pain.
    He had never felt a moment's protectiveness toward a female before, especially one who had not lain beneath him with her legs wrapped around his hips and her throat bare and offered in the ultimate indication of trust.
    Keelia was a virgin, and he had never before mated with a female who was not skilled in the art of making love. She was a Queen, and he was a student of magic who wanted nothing more than his freedom and the safety of his people. Nothing good would come of a union that went beyond joining forces to fight the war against an evil that had the power to destroy his people, and hers.
    Well, something good would come of their union, but long term... Joryn snorted. He had never thought of long term where any woman was concerned, not before tonight.
    Maybe he was already enchanted, and he simply didn't know it. Something was definitely not right. All the more reason to keep his distance.
    As if she knew he was watching, even though the fire he'd created had died and there was nothing but a slightly-less-than-full moon to illuminate her, Keelia sat up, and in one smooth motion drew her gown over her head and tossed it aside before lying down once again and quickly returning to sleep. She turned onto her side, so he was presented with a nicely shaped moonlit back, the delectable curve of a pale and womanly hip, a perfectly rounded and firm ass, and attractive legs. He knew why she'd removed the gold gown, and for once did not even consider that there might be an attempted enchantment in her disrobing. Her blood ran warm, as his did, and with the night air against her skin she was more comfortable. Cooler.
    Joryn was suddenly quite sure that he would not sleep at all tonight.
    * * * * *
    The first warrior of the Prophesy of the First-born, a woman who can truthfully call herself a healer, a witch, and a soldier, Ariana Fyne makes her way down the Mountains of the North, traveling toward a reunion with an army. Her army. Even though she has found love and great hope with a man she calls