Protector Of The Grove (Book 2) by Trevor H. Cooley Read Free Book Online Page B

you. I have more experience with these kinds of creatures than you do.”
    “I had no idea what they were in the first place,” he replied. Wow, he could look into her eyes forever. “How could I have known that you would recognize them when I didn’t?”
    “You should start assuming it,” Jhonate replied and all traces of anger faded from the ring. Now he just felt a strong yearning from her.
    Justan wrapped his other arm around her and pulled her tightly to him, “I think I’m going to be the first named warrior in the world whose wife feels like she always has to be there to protect him.”
    “No you’re not,” Hilt said. Justan and Jhonate gave him looks of surprise and the veteran warrior let out a knowing chuckle. “You forgot I was standing here, didn’t you?”
    Justan blinked. He actually had. Once again, he was reminded how hard this long betrothal was on their relationship. He became even more eager to get to Malaroo and get his introductions over with. He dropped his arms from around Jhonate and was surprised when she grabbed his arms and pulled them back around her.
    “Sir Hilt,” Jhonate said, turning in Justan’s arms to face the warrior. The tone of her emotions had turned to worry. “Regarding these basilisks. I did not want to think of the possibility before, but . . . just how angry is father?”
    Justan swallowed.
    Hilt waived his hands dismissively. “I know what you’re thinking, but no. That’s not possible. You know your father. He’d never-.”
    “I would never have thought he would wound his friend either,” she said nodding to Hilt’s new scar. “Pelgrath says father’s been erratic lately.”
    Hilt fingered the long pink scar that ran from the base of his ear down his neck and disappeared into his shirt. “This was . . . an accident. But this is Xedrion bin Leeths we’re talking about. If he wanted to kill Edge, he’d do it himself. He’d never do something so underhanded as sending an assassin, much less a basilisk. He’d find the very concept offensive!”
    “How exactly did your neck ‘accident’ happen?” Justan asked. The question had been burning in his mind ever since Hilt had arrived the day before.
    Hilt ran a hand through his hair. “I wasn’t going to tell you about that until we were further along in our journey.”
    “Why is that?” Jhonate asked.
    “It just sounds extreme, is all,” Hilt replied. “I wanted to build Xedrion up more before I told you.”
    “Just tell us, Sir Hilt,” Jhonate said, her voice firm.
    Hilt sighed. “It happened right after I returned from the war. Your firstbrother, Xeldryn, came to me and warned me that Xedrion was angry that I didn’t bring you back with me. But I was expecting that. This wasn’t the first time I’d come back empty handed,” he said giving Jhonate an accusatory look. She winced and Hilt continued. “What worried me this time was his reaction once he found out that I had authorized your betrothal. You should have seen Xeldryn’s face when I told him! He went pale at the thought of bringing that news back to your father.
    “Beth and I fully expected Xedrion to be waiting for us at our home when we arrived. To my relief, he wasn’t there. In fact, he ignored us the first few days we were back. No one from your clan came by to see us. Even Yntri was surprised. Finally, we received an invitation to a celebration at your father’s home. He was holding a party to congratulate Beth and I on our new baby.”
    “He likes to let things simmer before he acts,” Jhonate said. “Father may be quick to anger, but he never makes important decisions in a rage.”
    “Exactly what I was thinking. I thought this was good news. Surely Xedrion had calmed down,” Hilt replied. “But when we got there, he didn’t say a word to me. Your mothers fawned over the baby, of course, as did your sisters, but your brothers seemed subdued and Xedrion barely gave her a second glance. He just sat there red-faced,