Karen Kelley - The Falcon Prince

“I know of your family, and where you come from.”

Why was she listening to this garbage? No way could he know about her biological family. He couldn’t. Could he? She needed to think. He was confusing her.

She pushed the button on her keychain and popped the trunk of her car, but when she started to lift the chairs and put them inside, he brushed her out of the way and did it for her.

She watched him, wondering if he was telling the truth. She had searched for information—what adopted child wouldn’t?—and had come up empty-handed. The woman at the adoption agency told her it wasn’t unusual to have a baby placed on the doorstep of the orphanage. Unfortunately, the child would never be able to find out anything about her family. So, how did this stranger know about her parents?

She closed the lid of her trunk. “Why should I believe you? Everyone knows I was adopted. It’s not a big secret. You could be making all this up.”

He clamped his lips together, his face taking on a reddish hue. Ria wondered if he was about to blow a gasket, but just as suddenly, he calmed.

“I have no reason to lie,” he said in a stilted voice.

You could at least listen to what he has to say, Shintara said.

Yeah, like I listened to you about the whoopee cushion? I don’t think so.

Are you ever going to forget about that? Give me a break! At least hear the guy out.

Nope, Ria had learned her lesson with that one. Her high school teacher? During assembly? Sheesh! What had she been thinking to go along with Shintara? Although, Ria might have gotten away with it if Donald Evans hadn’t told on her.

But what if he did know something? “First, tell me why you were running around in the woods naked.” Let him answer that one.

“It is our custom.”

Just as her mother had said. So maybe she might have misunderstood when he’d said he was from another planet. Maybe he had meant country. It was possible.

She wavered. As much as she loved her parents, there was a hole inside her that only knowing about her biological parents could fill. Ron and Maggie Lancaster would always be her parents, no matter what she discovered.

“Okay, I’ll listen, but not anywhere too private. I still don’t trust you.”

He planted his fists on his hips, feet apart, as if he was about to argue. He reminded her of a Viking warrior, except dark rather than blond. One who was apparently put out at the moment because she didn’t just take off and go wherever he wanted. And that was so not going to happen.

“Where then?” He finally gave in.

“The park,” she said. They would have booths and picnic tables, and there’d be a crowd. Plus, it was within walking distance.

She pocketed her keys and headed in that direction, not looking to see if he followed, but she was pretty sure he did. She could feel his gaze on her. Was he on the level about knowing where she came from? She’d wondered for so long. Why had her parents left her in the care of strangers? What had they been like? Had they loved her?

Panic set in and, for a moment, she considered telling him to forget the whole thing. What if her parents were serial killers locked away in prison?

Maybe that’s why she didn’t stop walking. Good or bad, she needed to know.

Kristor stayed a step behind Rianna. Stubborn, obstinate female. Women usually did whatever he asked. Why should this one be any different? His frown deepened. Maybe because she was only part Symtarian. That had to be it.

Rianna tensed when she was around him, showing her uneasiness, but she also wanted knowledge about her past. He admired her for facing her fear. But would she believe him when he told her that her ancestors were from another planet? Probably not. He had to admit, he hadn’t made a good first impression.

Throw her over your shoulder. Force her to return to New Symtaria and be done with it.

Labrinon, I wondered when you would say something, Kristor told his animal guide. He had thought about throwing her over his shoulder, but his father had cautioned him to lean on the side of diplomacy, and his mother…

Ah, his mother. For such a delicate flower, she could easily bend her husband and children to her will. In her soft voice, she had begged him to be gentle. It was not in his nature, but he would try, at least, for a while.

I’m sure she has naked men jumping out in front of her every day, telling her they’re from another planet and wanting her to leave with them, Labrinon continued, words dripping with sarcasm. You shouldn’t have spoken. It ruined the element of surprise. Before you could grab her, she ran. Not a very well-thought-out maneuver.

Did you not hear anything my brother said when he returned with Callie? Exasperation laced Kristor’s thoughts.

Of course, I heard Rogar.

Not very well, apparently. When Rogar had transformed from a jaguar to a human, Callie ran away screaming.

But he convinced her to return with him, Labrinon added.

After much wasted time.

Your tactics weren’t any better.

Labrinon was right, but Kristor hadn’t meant to scare Rianna. He’d only wanted to get his mission over and done, and return to New Symtaria, while trying to please the Queen Mother. He thought if he spoke to Rianna, she would remain calm.

By the gods, he was a warrior, not someone who should have to hunt impure offspring and bring them home. His father, the king, had bade him complete this mission. How could he say no? So now, he followed behind a mere slip of a woman as if she was the one in control.

He silently fumed as Rianna led him down a walkway, then cut across a grassy area. When they topped a small rise, he looked down upon what appeared to be a festival of sorts, with booths, and much laughter, and many people.

Rianna’s father had said they would be celebrating the July Fourth festivities. Kristor would look up the word on his database when he returned to the dwelling where he was staying. These Earthlings were an odd race, and this mission tiresome.

His gaze dropped to the gentle curve of Rianna’s hips. He watched them sway as he walked behind her toward the celebration. Something shifted inside him. She ignited his imagination. His blood stirred at the vision of naked, intertwined limbs, of her arms pulling him closer, begging for his touch, his mouth….

She stopped, suddenly turning, then clearing her throat. When he raised his gaze, she didn’t look happy that he’d been staring at her form. She should feel pleased that a warrior, and a prince, would honor her with his attention.

“We can sit here,” she told him.

There was a hard edge in her voice. She could take lessons from the women of New Symtaria. They knew how to treat men of his standing.

The way Marane treated you?

Labrinon’s laughter filled Kristor’s senses. Anger flared inside him. Marane doesn’t count. She’s a witch with a vile temper. Enough! We have business to attend. He sat on the hard surface. A very uncomfortable seat, and not one he would have chosen.

Ria started to sit, but apparently had second thoughts, and moved to the other side of the table.

“You’re very stubborn,” he said.

Smart. I’m sure that will win her over.

Kristor ignored Labrinon.

“I like to think of myself as being cautious, rather than stubborn,” Rianna said.

He would try to be more pleasant. “Stubborn can be a good quality. I have won many a battle by not admitting defeat, but pressing forward instead. It is a tactic that has worked well for me.” He hadn’t meant to encourage her behavior. “Except on a female. It does not sit well on them.”