Read Online Fantasy Warrior by Jaylee Davis - Free Book Online Page A

they sustained a near-fatal injury. Kord had suffered many wounds during the war, but not one single scar marred his skin. He wondered if his mate would like that or if she was like some of the females he’d met from other species. Many of them preferred males who sported battle scars, as proof of their masculine prowess. Would she think him unworthy?
    Kord’s moment of self-doubt stunned him. He’d never experienced such a feeling. Come to think of it, fear was unknown to him, until now. A new unwelcome sensation swelled within him…panic.
    He stared at his female’s lovely face, focusing his attention on her delicate features. Her long hair tumbled over his arm and hung down against his thigh. A brown tendril trailed over her cheek, hiding half her face. He brushed it aside and frowned. A bruise marred the right side of her jaw where the Krell male had struck her. The area was slightly swollen. Angered by the sight, Kord let out a fierce growl.
    At the front of the shuttle all talking stopped.
    Silence reigned for several heartbeats. He heard one set of cautious heavy footsteps on the center walkway and knew Thoren approached. The warrior pulled up short the second Kord raised his head and glared at him.
    “Calm, brother. Are you in control?”
    “Yes,” Kord snapped, irritated further by his partner’s question. He looked down at his injured mate.
    “Why are you angry?”
    “The Krell struck her before I could kill him. She’s bruised.”
    “Do you want the medic to treat—”
    “I want the medic to jump out of the shuttle and take his tech junk with him.” Kord ripped the circular disk off his chest and threw it toward the front of the craft.
    Thoren immediately relaxed and leaned against one of the seats. He chuckled. “Your control is truly amazing. You hit him.”
    Kord snarled. “I was aiming for Morshant.”
    “Hey! I’m trying to help you,” Morshant shouted back, sounding highly insulted.
    Thoren lifted one shoulder in a halfhearted shrug. “We need to talk.” He pointed to a seat down the row from Kord’s position. “May I sit?”
    At first, Kord wanted to refuse, but better judgment overruled his instincts. He gave his partner a stiff nod.
    After he settled into the chair, Thoren glanced toward the front of the shuttle briefly before he spoke in a hushed voice.
    “Morshant contacted the captain and explained what happened to you. He was reluctant to allow your female to come aboard, but we convinced him to let her stay with you as long as she remains in our quarters, isolated from the rest of the crew.”
    Kord growled again. “Our quarters? Impossible. I’ll kill you and the other warriors.” At Thoren’s raised brows, he amended, “Or die trying.”
    “No one needs to die. I volunteered to share the corridor outside our room with Draven and Flyn.”
    Kord snorted in derision. “I’m sure they’ll be pleased with that arrangement.” His female shifted in his arms, temporarily drawing his focus away from his partner. She yawned sleepily and squirmed in his embrace, but her eyes remained closed. Consciousness was returning faster than he’d hoped.
    Thoren chuckled. “It beats a slimy mud hole on some border world, sheltering from an Alliance bombardment. I’ll encourage them to be happy about volunteering to sleep in the hall with me.” He smacked the knuckles of one beefy hand against the palm of his other hand, regaining Kord’s full attention. “We need to stay nearby. The general won’t be as welcoming as the captain. He’ll want your head removed from your neck. Someone should stand guard at all times until you’re over the claiming lust. We’ll manage. It’s only for a day or so. Afterward, you won’t be a threat to the ship or the crew. You’ll be a mated warrior, calmer and freed from the rage. The general will have no grounds for ordering your execution.”
    “And after? What will happen?”
    Thoren shook his head and shrugged. “We’re still working on