The Saga Begins [Nuworld 1] by Lorie O'Clare Read Free Book Online

location before, but there was always a sense of excitement when it was announced that her clan would be moving to a new location. She couldn’t imagine living in the same place all her life.
    The thought wasn’t too appealing.
    “I daresay this must all seem so strange to you.”
    Reena brought Tara back from her thoughts. “I was just imagining what it must be like to live in one spot all your life.”
    “You’ll probably never know that feeling, sweet child. You’re a Runner, you are. I can dress you like a Gothman and teach you how to act like a Gothman, but the Runner is in your blood. You must forgive an old lady. I’ve spent the morning going on about my niece come to stay with me. It’s a pleasant thought, and you’re quite the young lady to be showing off, you are. I guess I’d say I got a bit carried away. I wouldn’t know what to say if I weren’t talking about getting you claimed. That’s what we do with our young ladies, it is.”
    Reena had now driven through the town and was turning onto a paved road winding up a hill. Their next stop would be Lord Darius’ house.
    Tara wondered if he would be there. The man appeared strong, not only physically, but mentally as well. He ruled all of Gothman and hadn’t been the designated heir. He had taken the right to rule. Tara imagined he would be intelligent, manipulative, and shrewd in his methods.
    There were problems also. This man believed women didn’t have the intelligence to do anything but birth babies and raise them. He was not a fair man. And hadn’t she already determined that the warrior skills of his men were inferior to her own? Tara frowned as she chastised herself for her previous thoughts of finding him appealing. Obviously he had a lot to learn.
    The road ran past beautifully landscaped scenery. The grass on the ground was cut short and tall pine trees were scattered through the yard.
    As they approached the house, Tara was aware that Reena watched for her reaction. After all, Tara had grown up living in trailers, never having a piece of land to call her own. Reena would know that the Runners were proud of their nomadic existence, but Tara sensed that the home she was about to visit might alter her perspective.
    She was right. Perfectly nestled among the foliage, a large stone house stood proudly before them. A wide front porch wrapped around both sides of the front of the house. Porch swings hung on each end, and sharply carved stone stairs led down to a pebbled walkway that traveled out to greet the road. The house itself was several stories high with a large veranda off the third floor.
    Tara studied the vantage point offered by the veranda, guessing that it enabled soldiers to survey the land and ensure its safety. Standing watch on that ledge was probably considered a significant achievement for Gothman warriors.
    The two men on guard duty in the front yard walked to the car, and Reena slowed to a stop. “My apple pie as promised.” She smiled to the large man leaning over, peering through the car window. Tara remembered seeing him at Reena’s cabin the previous night. He had been one of the men looking for her.
    “Who do you have here?” The man tossed a toothless smile at Tara. “I daresay his lordship will like this a mite bit more than your apple pie, he will.”
    “She is my niece,” Reena said coolly. “Will you announce us or are you going to stand there with your jaw hanging?”
    “How you’ve lived to be an old lady with that mouth of yours is a mystery to me.” The man snarled and stood up to speak into his walkntalk.

* * * * *
    Reena knew how she’d lived to be an old lady. She was protected. Her one and only love had seen to that. She wasn’t sure if Lord Darius knew the history behind why his papa had declared her unavailable for a claim. He’d upheld his papa’s wishes though, and for that she was grateful.
    She looked at the beautiful young woman sitting next to her in the car, whose sapphire eyes made