Prince of Power by Elisabeth Staab Read Free Book Online Page B

to help her kind—she could almost buy into that. She was banking hard on his good intentions, in fact. But the notion that he was doing this because he had fallen for her while watching her from afar? Well that was naked-with-a-megaphone-on-the-street-corner crazy. No way could it possibly be true.
    â€œYou know…” Anton leaned forward, and despite the prior weeks of strain, his chest and biceps bulged under the worn flannel he wore. Goodness. Not all wizards were so well put together. “I don’t appreciate the idea that you think you need to be the one protecting me. ”
    It took only her a few short paces to cross the room. She ignored the breath he drew when she knelt in front of him. Her sanity took leave as she tugged at his shirt’s neckline and ran her finger over the scar that was visible just above the opening. His skin was warm. Surprisingly so. “Your own crew tortured you and left you for dead in the woods. You’re still healing from a head injury. Do you really think you could defend against them on your own if they found you right now?”
    Tyra realized that her thumb had been rubbing the same strip of scarred skin under his collarbone for longer than was strictly necessary to prove her point. A little zing of sensation made her pulse speed up. They were nearly nose to nose.
    Anton’s short hair was askew from the teleport. His breath came hot and fast against her mouth. “My own father stripped the skin off my body and bashed my head against a wall. And I’m willing to bet that’s nothing compared to what will happen to me here if anyone finds out who I am. What I am.”
    If she’d leaned in a fraction, his lips would have brushed against her skin. The realization sent a jolt through Tyra’s system. She stood quickly. “That’s not going to happen,” she said. “Lee couldn’t tell, and he’s been fighting your kind longer than anyone else around here.”
    Anton’s body language closed up. She hadn’t been feeling for his emotions right then, but his expression was cloudy. He tapped his feet. Dropped his hands back to his knees. The whole shuffle-tap-fidget routine went on until Tyra thought she might very well lose her mind.
    Her nails dug into her palms. Possessed though she was by a case of the squirmies herself, she thought one of them ought to be able to stay still. She’d perched in treetops waiting for wizards late at night before, dammit. She was on the verge of losing her cool when Anton flopped unceremoniously onto the bed.
    His arms landed above his head, and the move shifted his clothing enough to expose a strip of hard, dark skin on his abdomen. Without warning, he jumped to standing and stomped forward. His entire body was rigid and his stance was combative.
    Tyra’s blood rushed and her adrenaline spiked. If the rubber met the road, she could most likely beat him in a fight. She had power that he didn’t, but shit. She hadn’t honestly believed that he would attack her. Stupid, stupid .
    â€œYou can’t guarantee anything,” he ground out. “Now, I’m good with that. When I said I’d help you get to my father, I wasn’t signing up for a paradise vacation. But let’s not kid ourselves here.” Gray eyes stared her down, pupils dilated. His nostrils flared.
    â€œFine,” she said quietly. Her long exhale failed to relax her. “Let’s just get some rest. We both need it.” She pointed to the bed. The soft flannel of his sleeve brushed her bare arm when she pulled away. “You can sleep there. I’ll take the couch. Once we’re both rested, we can start planning how we’re going to, you know, lay siege to your father’s evil lair.” She didn’t wait for him to say anything before she walked out of the room.
    She rested her head against the door after she pulled it shut. Her heart hammered harder in her chest