Donna Grant - Fire Rising

“When did you realize it?”

Banan’s lips flatted. “The first time we fought alongside the Warriors. I think Con knew before that, but he kept it to himself.”

“Has anyone wondered that there might be a verra good reason I doona remember that other life?”

“It has occurred to us.”

“But everyone still thinks I should meet with Ian.” Tristan had expected the rest of the Kings to stand beside whatever decision he made about the matter. Instead, they, like Phelan, thought he should meet Ian.

Banan slowed the car to go around a sharp turn before he pressed the accelerator and the engine roared as it sped down the road. “Because you have what we do no’. Family. All of our family either died in the war with the humans or they were sent away.”

“You have Jane,” Tristan reminded him.

A crooked smile appeared on Banan’s face at the mention of his mate. “Aye. I do. Sammi is a part of that new family.”

The rest—but it wasn’t the same—was left unspoken.

Tristan didn’t mind that the Kings were his only family. He didn’t mind that he had no memories before two years earlier when he fell from the sky. Perhaps that was something to be worried about.

“If you really doona want to see Ian, then we’ll stand behind you,” Banan said.

Tristan looked at the King of the Blues. “What would you do?”

“That’s no’ easy to say. I remember my family so I would do all I could to find them if given the opportunity. I think you’re right though. I think the memories of when you were Duncan are gone because you couldna be a Dragon King and want to be with your twin.”

Tristan thought again of the pale blue skin and claws he had seen in his mind. Though he hadn’t asked, somehow he knew that when he had been a Warrior, his skin had changed to the pale blue.

“She’s stopping,” Banan said suddenly, pulling Tristan from his thoughts.

Tristan stared at the screen and the red dot, which was no longer moving. “It could be traffic. She is twenty minutes ahead of us.”

“Aye, and that is the village. She stopped there. I know it.”

“Why would she chance it?”

Banan chuckled. “Because Sammi loves to eat. She was starved for so long, but her body now has food in it again. She’ll be hard-pressed to skip a meal so soon.”

“I’d hate to think anyone was watching Dreagan without us knowing, but I’m almost hoping the bastards try to take her soon. I’d like to meet them.”

Banan’s eyes gleamed with excitement and vengeance. “Me too.”

Tristan smiled, recognizing the same need to defend, to protect. Except this felt different with Sammi—almost as if she were his to guard.

His.

The thought sent a bolt of lust straight to his cock.

Sammi turned off the car but remained inside as she casually let her gaze roam over the small village. There were four pubs, one restaurant, a co-op, and a gas station along with a bank and post office.

The size of the village should have put her at ease. Instead, the tingle returned full force. She rubbed the back of her neck and looked around for what had put her on edge.

Her stomach rumbled loudly, reminding her of one reason why she’d stopped. She needed food and the P.O.S. needed petrol.

“A quick bite for both of us,” she mumbled as she opened the door and stepped out.

There wasn’t a cloud in sight. The sky was so bright blue that it hurt her eyes to look at it. However, it was perfect for wearing sunglasses so no one would know who she was looking at.

Sammi slid on her shades and adjusted her purse on her shoulder before she walked into the restaurant and found a table that gave her a view of the door, but was close enough she could dart out if needed.

It was early enough that she was able to get her order in almost as soon as she sat down. The waitress was quick to bring her some coffee, and Sammi was thankful for the dose of caffeine it offered.

Since she was sitting by a window bathed in sunlight, she was able to have a reason to keep her sunglasses on. Sammi gazed out the window and found her thoughts turning to soulful, deep eyes and brown hair streaked with gold, of a muscular body that her hands itched to touch.

Tristan. She didn’t want to think of him but there was something compelling and captivating about him. It wasn’t just his sublime body or mouthwatering good looks. It was the way he looked at her—as if he wanted to see her soul.

And then there was his voice. Sammi closed her eyes, a smile beginning, as she thought about the rich baritone. The way he said her name made chills run over her skin.

Sammi rubbed her arms as her body reacted just thinking about Tristan’s voice. She still didn’t understand how she had been so intent on leaving before, but he had managed to calm her.

She stirred more sugar into her coffee, puzzled at how her fears had seemed to just melt away from her when he had focused his gaze upon her. His touch had been nonchalant as he gripped her arms, and yet that was all it had taken to soothe her.

Was her body telling her what her mind hadn’t caught up to yet? That she desperately needed a man? Surely not. She had gone longer than a year without a date before. Hadn’t she?

She thought back to her last date, which had been after Daniel. Her food was placed in front of her as she counted up the months. It wasn’t a year. It was nearly three.

“Oh, God,” she mumbled.

“Is something wrong with the food?” the waitress asked.

Sammi jerked her gaze up and forced a smile through her embarrassment. “Not at all. It looks delicious.”

She dug into her eggs and sausage as the waitress walked away, looking at Sammi as if she had grown another head. Sammi soon forgot her as she devoured the food.

It had been good seeing Jane again, but all the visit did was reaffirm why she had to stay away from any friends or family. It would be so easy to let them close, but she knew the devastation when they left her.

Nothing was worth that kind of pain.

Sammi wanted to linger over another cup of coffee, but it was time to fill up the P.O.S. and get on the road again. She rose and tossed down some bills as she heard the door to the restaurant open.

She glanced up through her sunglasses and saw a man with coal black hair and thick streaks of silver walk in. The silver in his hair wouldn’t have been noticeable except for the fact he wasn’t an old man. He looked to be in his thirties and drop-dead gorgeous as he stood in full motorcycle leathers and dark shades.

His head turned as he surveyed the restaurant as if looking for someone. And then his gaze came to rest on her. She didn’t know how she knew since she couldn’t see his eyes, but there was no doubt he was looking at her. Sammi’s skin felt flushed, her body tingling with a need that hadn’t been there a second before.

If she hadn’t been on guard, she might have fallen for the hunky guy, but there was no time for attachments—of any kind. No matter how much she might want them.

Sammi gave him a moment to move away from the door so she could leave, but he remained where he was. With clenched teeth, she grabbed her purse and walked purposefully to the door.

Just as she neared him, the man removed his sunglasses and stepped close to her, causing their bodies to collide. Another flush consumed her but was drowned out by the fear that swarmed her.

Sammi lifted her gaze and found herself staring into red eyes. She blinked and shook her head. It had to be a trick of the sun.

Instead of checking to see if it was the sun, she slid past him when the door opened and two elderly couples wandered in. It gave her the time she needed to get outside.