Warrior Read Online Free Page B

but
    from the moment she’d begun her
    training, he’d always been paired with
    her. At first, it was because they’d
    both been beginners, but after, it was
    because he was the only one not
    afraid of laying her flat or being
    beaten by a female—and a princess at
    that.
    “I surrender,” Malcolm called out.
    Jaisyn pushed her body from his and
    tugged her helmet off. A large smile
    covered her face, revealing pretty
    white teeth, twinkling golden eyes,
    and a sweat-covered face.
    The crowd roared once more and
    this time there was a clamor for
    payment from those who’d bet on her.
    Jaisyn grinned. She’d expected it. The
    crowds and the bets had been present
    from the moment she and Malcolm
    began their training. When she’d
    trained with the soldiers, those men-
    at-arms who hadn’t yet perfected a
    weapon, the bets had been small.
    Now that she practiced with the
    warriors, those skilled at one weapon
    or more, the bets were at times
    outrageous. Once, she’d heard of a
    newly arrived warrior losing a gold
    coin to a veteran who knew of
    Jaisyn’s prowess.
    “That was luck, Princess,” were the
    first words out of Malcolm’s mouth.
    He’d pushed to his feet, and
    removed his helmet. Jaisyn merely
    lifted her eyebrows at him and
    smirked. “I guess I‘ve been very lucky
    for the past weeks, then?”
    A small smile tugged at Malcolm’s
    lips as he dipped his head respectfully.
    “That was what I was implying, Your
    Highness.”
    Malcolm Sudbury was the eldest son
    of Lord General Urian Sudbury, the
    warrior responsible for her father’s
    armies in the city. The Sudbury family
    was among the most important in
    Lytheria, and arguably the most
    important of the warrior class, as
    they’d served the St. Ives loyally for
    many years. Only some of noble birth
    could weigh their importance above
    the Sudbury’s and many a time, what
    they had in blood ties was lost in favor
    to the king. As such, the St. Ives ladies
    saw a lot of Malcolm, and there were
    absolutely no complaints from the
    younger princesses. Malcolm was
    what Mathilda would call “perfection
    incarnate.” He stood at six feet two
    inches, with a body made for battle,
    and a natural charm that made him
    very popular with women. Rich, poor,
    old, young—they all fawned over
    Malcolm. Well, that was with the
    exception of Jaisyn. She knew
    Malcolm was quite attractive, with his
    golden skin, gold-blond hair, and
    unusual sea-colored eyes, but he was
    her fighting partner, her friend, and
    she simply could not picture him that
    way.
    She had not been able to picture any
    man in that way. What others found
    giggle-worthy, Jaisyn found practical.
    The hardness of a man’s arms and
    belly did not addle her wits; instead,
    she wondered at the reason. Was he
    warrior, farmer, or tradesman? And if
    tradesman, blacksmith or tanner? So
    much
    could
    be
    revealed
    from
    appearance.
    While her sisters prattled lovingly
    about Malcolm and sighed about
    something new he’d done that day,
    Jaisyn half-listened, thinking Malcolm
    would be stupefied if he heard the
    way they spoke of him. Maybe she
    should tell him just to see the look on
    his face.
    “Good fight, both of you.” Urian’s
    voice interrupted her thoughts as he
    approached them. His expression, as
    usual, was completely stoic. To Jaisyn
    he said, “Your skill increases with
    every bout, Your Highness.”
    Jaisyn
    smiled
    easily.
    “It
    is
    Malcolm’s fault, General. He shows
    no mercy.”
    Urian nodded and turned to his son.
    “Ian needs help with his technique.
    He’s over by the bailey.”
    Malcolm nodded and passed a smile
    to Jaisyn before heading off in search
    of Ian.
    “Well, I’m off,” Jaisyn told Urian,
    as a thought entered her mind. “Do
    you know the whereabouts of my
    father?”
    Urian nodded and a rare smile
    curved his lips.“The king rode out
    with a hunting party while you were
    practicing, Princess.”
    Wiping a trail of sweat from her
    cheek, Jaisyn beamed.