Read Online Valiant Heart by Angela Addams - Free Book Online Page A

eyes, shielding them from the suddenly intense daylight. “Fuck,” he groaned then retched again, dry heaving since there was nothing left to purge. “Coulda warned me.” He grumbled as he wiped his mouth with the back of his hand.
    She made a move forward, a hand outstretched as if to help him up. “I tried—”
    â€œLance, are you okay?” Kelly’s fingers were on his forehead, her soft touch giving him familiar comfort, concern written across her delicate features.
    He glanced at Ariana and pushed himself up, noting that she looked a little green herself. She pulled her hand back, her gaze flicked from him to Kelly. She crossed her arms and turned away to address her women. Hmmm, interesting reaction. Was she jealous?
    â€œCan you stand?” Kelly’s tone was all compassion, exactly what lacked in his Huntress. “Let me help you.”
    He waved her away with a pat on her arm. “I’m okay, just a bit dizzy. How are you feeling? You lose your breakfast too, or am I the only one with the embarrassing distinction?”
    Kelly giggled as she backed a step away. “I didn’t barf, but that wasn’t the most pleasant means of travel. Ariana warned us though and I kept breathing.” She smirked when he gave her the finger. “You weren’t the only one who yaked though.”
    He got to his feet, cocking an eyebrow in Kelly’s direction before bending over to brush grass from his pants.
    She snickered softly. “Seems you and your Huntress have something in common.”
    He snapped his gaze to Ariana, who was still speaking to a few of her warriors, her side to him. “Oh really?” She did look a little queasy, her skin sallow, dark circles under her eyes.
    â€œBut don’t tell her I told you that,” Kelly teased.
    He brushed another few pieces of dirt away and straightened, adjusting his backpack as he did. “So what’s the plan?” He reached over his shoulder, hand on the hilt of his sword. “Wolf territory, eh? So where are the wolves?”
    Ariana shifted her upper body, arms crossed. “Don’t wish them upon us too soon, Hunter. Trust me when I say we are not top of the chain here. A little humility would suit you well and probably save your life.” She held his stare for a heartbeat more before shifting back to her conversation.
    â€œSo you’ve zapped us into dangerous territory and what? We just stand around and wait to become wolf meat?” He unsheathed his sword in a sweeping arc. “That’s not the way the Hunters do things, Huntress. I want to kick some wolf ass!”
    He knew he was acting like an ass but he couldn’t help it. He was used to being in charge, used to calling the shots, and instead he’d barfed up his breakfast and had no clue where the fuck he was or what the hell plan was in play. And instead of comforting him or at least attempting to make him feel less like a loser, his Huntress was freezing him out.
    â€œKeep your voice down, Hunter,” Ariana hissed as she turned and stormed toward him, putting herself at his sword tip. He immediately lowered his weapon, terrified that she’d thrust her body in harm’s way.
    â€œWhat the fuck are you doing?”
    â€œHarper has been scouting the area for the past couple of hours.” Ariana’s tone was hard, spitting her words like they were poison. “There is no immediate threat. We’ve been here before—we’ve got at least twenty-four hours before the wolves pick up on our presence. Maybe more since we have such small numbers. Stand down and put your damn weapon away before you skewer someone with it.”
    They glared at each other, Lance’s breath coming out hard and fast. Fuck if he didn’t want to throw her down and nail her right there on the grass. Everything about her frustrated him, her commanding attitude, her rejection of him, her frosty demeanor, and yet