Protector (17 page)

Tub of yogurt. Glass of water. Another shake of my legs, and I was off.

I took the pathway, gazing up at the thicker tree canopy swaying overhead in the breeze. I pounded down Centennial Drive, hearing the hum of chirping sparrows and buzzing bees.

Another minute and the sun would rise fully over the eastern horizon. I was in paradise. I adored spring, watching the roses bloom in a myriad of color over Mr. Ray’s backyard fence and this, the park’s varying shades of breakout green. Spring was the most beautiful season.

“Good morning.”

I jumped, my heart losing ten very necessary beats as Davio stepped out from behind a tree. “That’s not funny.” I glared, then half-stumbled at the yum-yum sight of his white sports t-shirt pulling tight across his chest. “Where did you come from?”

“From behind the tree.” A devilish grin.

“Obviously.” I tugged my ponytail tighter and set out again. “Was Carlisio being nosy?”

“No, this time I shook Silvie out of bed for the information. Stubborn redhead was almost impossible to wake up.” He reached for my hand as we ran, and I merged my mind with his. Oh boy. There it was–instant gratification.

Feet pounded the ground as my speed built. “Why aren’t you asleep like she is? I left you behind for a good reason.” I pumped my legs, going faster still.

He grumbled. “Where you are is where I’ll desire to be.”

I glanced at him, laughing. “That didn’t sound like it.”

His gaze widened as he paid attention to my feet. “That’s because we’re running like there’s no tomorrow. Is there a reason for this?”

Still chuckling. “I’m just warming up.” We neared the isolated end of Centennial Park where the town’s perimeter merged with the country as the pavement gave way to an open area of grassy land. “Now I can truly let loose.”

“You’re kidding.” A burst of misty morning air puffed out of his mouth.

“What happened to your stamina and speed? Having trouble keeping up with the Halfling?”

“I’ve come to notice you’re very feisty in the mornings.”

“Only the mornings?”

He smiled and I grinned back.

“Hey, I can’t help it. Silvie didn’t get all snippy at you for no reason, not after I’ve trained her so well. And talking about Silvie, I mentioned to her I woke with lively legs. Apparently, Belle told her it happened a couple of times a month. Something about excess energy?”

“Yeah, you have to deal with it and run for a good hour or two like this. But for now, go as fast as you need to. I’ll somehow manage to keep up.”

With another surge, I did just that.

We wove our way throu
gh the bushy lower basin of Te Pukē’s gully, the next two hours passing quickly as we tracked away and upward along the Papamoa hills.

Considering our mated bond, I broached the question foremost in my mind as we made the scenic hilltop and stopped. Hands to my knees, I drew in a couple of deep breaths. “Why is it we still haven’t created a link? I know it requires trust, but as a mated pair shouldn’t that be a given? I have a link with Belle.”

“We should have, and I do trust you.” He rubbed my back. “Except we’re dealing with more issues than most mated couples. We’ll give the telepathic link more time. When it comes, we’ll be able to speak to each other no matter where we are–and we’ll both need that.”

I straightened, looking him in the eye. “I take it there’s never been a Wincrest who ever trusted a Loveria?”

He muttered his answer first, repeating it a second time with more strength. “We are born enemies, but not you and me. Come here.” He pulled me into his arms. “We will work this out.”

“We better.”

His hold tightened. “The people of Peacio are my first priority, but no one, not a soul will be able to drive us apart.” He bent his head, pressing every hot inch of himself closer as his lips touched mine.

I grinned as he kissed me. “Are you trying to make me miss school?”

“I wouldn’t mind.” A second later he ’ported us to my room. “Except one’s education is important.”

I tilted my head to the side, taking a quick moment to listen for the sound of my mother. “She’s not home, but at some point I’d like you to speak to her.”

“About?”

“Anything. She doesn’t know you, and I’d like her to.”

He smoothed his finger along my jaw. “I’ll not mention Magio, but I’d like that too. Now, dress and ready yourself. I will return in two minutes.”

I rolled my eyes. “Two minutes?” Only he shimmered and disappeared before I could argue with him yet again.

Turning, I headed for the bathroom, showering and dressing in my favorite pair of faded, blue denim cutoffs. I pulled on a gray and blue striped hoodie and blow-dried my hair. Minimal makeup and I was done.

Back in my bedroom and low and behold, guess who was back?

He tapped his watch as he frowned. “Fifteen minutes?”

“That’s the new standard. Get used to it.” I merged my mind with his. “You look nice, by the way.” Scrumptiously dressed in a black shirt and jeans, his dark hair was damp and curling delectably around his neck.

“And you look–” He crooked his finger, beckoning me closer. “Too far away.”

I grabbed my bag and joined him as I heard a noise down the hallway. “Okay, now that’s definitely my mother. She seriously doesn’t need to see you here in my bedroom–again.”

His lips touched my cheek as he firmed his grip on my hand. “To school. The bell has likely rung by now.” Then we moved. The precision of his jump meant we arrived behind the trunk of the largest football field tree. The bell peeled loud and clear.

“Let’s go,” Davio urged, pulling me around the grassy perimeter toward the mathematics block.

There was Viv, upright and propped up outside our Calculus classroom with her dark locks clipped behind her ear as she chewed on the universal teenager’s wad of gum. She blew a purple bubble and popped her mouthful, pushing off the wall. She wore skinny black jeans and a white “I-heart-New Zealand” t-shirt.

“Hey, don’t you think I’m starting to look the part?” Viv popped another bubble, acting as if she hadn’t held a blade to my neck the day before.

Davio laughed. “I believe you are. I’m impressed.” Then his gaze narrowed. “Where’s Zac?”

She touched her hip. “He’s not always glued to my side.” Then she peered over her shoulder through the classroom door’s square-glass window. We all spotted Zac standing behind his desk, his gaze on Viv. “As you can see Zac and Belle are inside. We’re only waiting for you guys and Silvie to show.”

At that precise second, Silvie skidded around the corner, a blur of bright yellow and red as she sped toward us. How her iridescent yellow tank top and red mini skirt suited her pale complexion, I had no idea. She was simply one of those rare redheads who could wear any spectrum of color, and for her, the brighter the better.

“Quick, let’s get a seat.” She snatched my wrist, dragging me into class. “Mr. Houghton is on my six. I don’t care for another detention slip right now.

“But, I–”

She yanked out a chair and dumped me in it.

Behind me, I heard Davio’s groan. “Silvie was fast this time. I’ll sit further back with Belle. I’ll keep my distance so there’s no pain for us.”

Silvie snapped her fingers in front of me. “Mr. Houghton is here.”

Feeling a bump on the leg of my chair, I turned. In the seat behind me, Zac leaned forward. “Did you have a nice sleep?”

Intending to growl him, I caught sight of Belle laying her hand on Davio’s forehead as he sat. I was on my feet. “Of all the damn nerve.”

Zac stood, blocking my sight. “Belle is relaxing him. It’s her job, and it only takes a second.”

I moved my head from side to side, attempting to peer over his shoulder. Man, the emotional swings of being mated were definitely crappy. I took a deep breath and sat.

Mr. Houghton shut the door as the final student entered and handed him a pink late slip.

Silvie knocked my arm with her elbow and set a pen in front of me. “You can thank me for that later.”

I gave her a nod as I watched Mr. Houghton cross to his desk. He dropped a pile of papers on it and shuffled through the first few. Finding what he wanted, he looked out at the class. “Open your textbooks. I’ll put the page number on the board.” Heading to it with a black marker in hand, he scribbled across the board’s surface and the lesson began.

I wriggled in my seat, because behind me Zac and Viv whispered. Then without turning my head, I extended my hearing toward where Davio sat. Except I halted as I caught two students’ conversation instead.

“I seriously can’t believe how hot he is. Even the name Loveria is hot.” I spun on my bottom, seeing Lauren smack her glossy red lips together, one hand tossing about in her expensively bleached-blond hair.

“Yeah, I’m so gonna get him into my bed,” Melanie Steeples hissed. She pressed her brightly painted pink fingernail against her plump lower lip. Oh boy, Melanie was the worst kind of bragger, not to mention she had the slumming reputation for sleeping with almost every guy she could get her well-manicured fingers on.

I groaned and buried my head in my upturned palms, because I wasn’t going to make it through an hour of Calculus if I had to listen to those two pampered misses.

Belle.
I didn’t hesitate to open our telepathic link.
We’re going to have to swap places. Now if you don’t mind.

Oh?
Frantic chair scraping from the back of the room.
Why can I feel your distress so strongly?

Duh! Because you’re an empath.
I snatched up my books and squeezed Silvie’s shoulder. “I gotta go and sit with my boyfriend before I kill Melanie and Lauren and bury their bodies in my backyard. I’ll explain later.”

Silvie tapped her pen on my rear. “You are making less sense as every day passes. Go.”

I did, breezing to the back as Davio focused his sight entirely on me.

Ah, I could drown in his seriously hot stare.

Only my moment of delight came to a halt as from my left, Melanie and Lauren’s chatter continued. Something about me swapping seats with Belle and how dare I? Only Davio stood and reached out, guiding me the rest of the way to Belle’s now vacated seat. I followed his lead and ignored the other girls’ vindictive words as I sat.

He tugged my chair closer to his, sweeping an arm over the back of my shoulders. “Do not concern yourself over them.”

“I wasn’t. I know how you go through withdrawals when not in my company. I couldn’t have you getting all explosive in class.” Peering to the front of the room, I checked on Mr. Houghton, finding his back still turned.

I was in the clear.

Rolling my shoulders, I tried to analyze my feelings. It seemed jealously was a very real emotion and one currently making me feel as if I were a love-sick fool. I couldn’t have that.

“Hey, do you see that, Mel,” Lauren muttered in a tone I easily picked up. “You and I should have first dibs on him.”

“Faith’s a slut. He hasn’t been here for long, and she’s already picked him up.”

As he squeezed my hand, Davio actually grinned. “Watch Zac and Viv.”

I peered in their direction, seeing them through the seated students. Viv ripped off a sheet of paper–as did Zac. A second later, they balled them up, and with the complete accuracy born of great marksmanship, the paper missiles flew and hit Melanie and Lauren directly in their foreheads.

Beside me, Davio chuckled as Melanie and Lauren spluttered. Around us, other students laughed at them too. Mr. Houghton, with his head of gray hair and black-smudged fingertips turned around, attempting to see where the sudden amusement ringed from.

The room quieted. Mr. Houghton shook his aged head, cleared his throat and returned to his cherished whiteboard.

I looked at Davio. “Zac and Viv did that for me?”

He leaned in and nuzzled my cheek. “They are protectors. None would sit idly by and listen to your name being slurred, no matter what has transpired. Just be grateful that they didn’t bring their side-daggers into school, otherwise it would have not been paper missiles.”

To Davio it was such a simple explanation. But not to me. And side-daggers?

“By all rights your esteemed protectors should be slaughtering me.”

His chair scraped a little. “I will hear no more of that. I’ve made it clear to them you are mine. I adore you.” He gripped my hand.

Silent seconds passed, ones where I looked deep into his eyes.

Leaning forward, he kissed my cheek. “I said I adore you.”

I nodded my head. “Trust me, I heard you.”

His lips twitched. “No one will be able to make me as happy as you will.”

I rolled my eyes. “Likely no one will provoke you and be as great a nuisance, either.”

His eyes glittered at that declaration. “Nothing you say will drive me away from you.”

I pulled my hand out of his and picked up my pen. “Stop chatting. I have a Calculus exam in less than three months, and I would appreciate being able to pass it.”

Nothing stopped him. He slid his elbows forward on his desk, his voice dropping lower. “Is it possible you feel guilt?”