KIERAN LIONHEART

Trouble or salvation. One, or maybe both words described Arelyn Aurora, based on Kayden’s feelings and reactions because, as annoying as it was, Kieran couldn’t read her emotions. Not without pushing more and he didn’t want to invade her privacy without a reason. And curiosity wasn’t a good enough reason.

Kieran watched and listened. A habit that was his default. Sometimes he wondered if he did it too many times and let life go by without actually living it. His stomach knotted at the thought then it moved into his chest, squeezing the air out of his lungs while his heart beat a painful melody. He’d made his decisions. Actively. And now, he was suffering the consequences.

Choosing Kayden, his brother, over Ryan had been one of the hardest decisions Kieran had made and, as an empath, he’d felt not only his own heartbreak, but the depths of Ryan’s too. But what else could he do? Tempt fate and risk losing him to death? They weren’t even sure the curse applied to men. He closed his eyes. The curse was only part of the reason he’d left.

Ryan simply demanded too much from him while trust between them was broken. The lies, the fear, the hurt were simply too much. And of course, there were his own fears: losing his brother and never knowing more about their mother, and having a public relationship with a man.

Kayden ordered a stop, so he dismounted a bit further away from the others. As Kieran tended to his horse, he overheard the conversation between his brother and Arelyn.

Arelyn’s voice was a bit clipped as she answered, "Before you divert your attention elsewhere I need to know the rules here. Are women only allowed to speak when asked a direct question? Are we not allowed to comment when we believe there's been a misunderstanding of intent?"

A smile tried to break out on Kieran’s lips and he turned his back to Kayden to hide it. This woman knew how to get his brother off balance for sure. Not many people dared to talk to Kayden like that.

Kayden growled, tired and annoyed. "Come with me," he barked. "Now."

They walked further away from them, far enough to have a private conversation. But Kayden’s strong reaction got the better of Kieran and he took a few steps towards them and focused on his brother’s voice.

"You don't talk about my daughter because most of my men don't know she exists."

Kieran chuckled and found a nice spot to sit and eat while watching the scene play out. Now that he knew why Kayden was pissed, he didn’t need to hear the rest. Phoebe was one of the worst kept secrets in the country, but no one dared to openly address the topic, afraid it would cost their lives. Most noble houses kept an eye on her and her future already. After all, who wouldn’t love to marry into the royal family? Without an heir in sight, Phoebe was a straight path to the throne. Soon enough, Kayden would get the marriage request from the Eight. There was no way they’d miss this opportunity.

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The wind carried their voices to him, disturbing him once more.

"Next time I tell you to shut up, please just do it."

"I did and if you hadn't brought it up I wouldn't have mentioned it in the first place. Perhaps you should consider that before telling strangers things you don't want people to know."

Kieran nodded in agreement as he fished some dried vegetables from his bag. She had a spirit he liked, and couldn’t wait to see what Kayden would do. From the way he smoked his cigarette, he was probably close to losing his temper and sending her off then forcing him to babysit.

A small sigh left her lips before she asked, "May I have a drag of your cigarette?" A smile passed her lips. "My first father smoked and after I lost him I used to smoke his cigarettes every so often, just a few puffs here and there." She looked at him, hopefully. "Would you share with me?"

Kayden rolled his eyes and offered his cigarette. "You are annoying. I hope you know that."

Arelyn grinned. "My second husband, Edward, would agree with you." She took two drags and gave the cigarette back to Kayden and said, "Thank you. I'll try to be less annoying but I make no promises."

"Do I look like I care about your first second or any of your husbands? Do you really think I give a shit about their opinion?" Kayden sighed with frustration. "If you want a heart to heart chit-chat, go entertain my brother.”

Kieran growled and quickly finished his lunch, knowing all too well that this line meant he had to make sure this woman didn’t kill herself in the desert.

Surprisingly, she stayed with Kayden, probably out of fear, although it was hard to tell without feeling her emotions. Kayden was getting more annoyed by the seconds, and soon, he’d do something stupid.

"Kayden, may I ask you a question?"

"Do I really have a choice here?" He offered some water to her. "You may ask a question."

Kayden's eyes traveled up and down on her body and lust rolled off him in waves Kieran couldn’t ignore even if he weren’t fine tuned to monitor his brother’s emotional state. In the last couple of years watching Kayden closely had saved his life and prevented political suicides on more than one occasions.

Why had he chosen this life instead of being with a man he loved? Fear and stupidity. Because no sane person would leave for this for sure.

Before she could ask her question, Kayden said, "I'll have sex with you. I want to see your breasts bouncing as I fuck you hard."

Kiearan groaned and was on his feet in a second, ready to intervene if Kayden lost his shit or Arelyn took off.

She stood tall and put her hands on her hips. "You egotistical, narcissistic, chauvinistic," she sputtered a moment, "idiot, you will be doing no such thing.

Kieran chuckled lightly and decided he liked her. She was strong and spirited.

"Oh, I will. Not today. Maybe not even next week, but I will. And you'll enjoy every moment of it."

Lyn turned and stalked towards the horses. He’d done it again and now it was up to Kieran to save the day. From the sidelines as he preferred. Kayden let her storm away and motioned to Kieran to go after her. Even without the demons, the desert was a dangerous place so he followed without a word.