The Falcon Prince

Chapter 2

“Hey, Ria, seen any aliens lately?”

Ria froze in the process of unfolding her camp chair. She recognized the voice—Ben Dansworth. He was a real dweeb, and had been since third grade.

“Don’t pay any attention to him,” Ria’s mother said as she settled into her chair. “He’s an ass. Let’s enjoy the parade. After all, it’s the Fourth of July. We’ve been blessed with nice weather, and how often do we get to watch a good parade?”

In Miller Bend? Nearly every holiday was all. New Year’s Day, Valentine’s Day, Chinese New Year…name it, and they had a parade. And then there were the celebrations that went along with the parades. They even had an Old Settlers reunion celebration—and parade. And it was the same floats, with only minor changes to denote why they were celebrating.

But a flood of warmth settled around Ria as she watched her mother make herself comfortable, smiling as she looked around at the people she’d known since the day she was brought into this world.

Living forever in their small town suited Ria’s mom. Maggie Lancaster was a slice of hot apple pie with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on a warm summer day. She was crocheted sweaters and homemade quilts.

And she’d gotten stuck with a defective kid.

Ria only wished she didn’t have to screw up all the time. Or hear the voice inside her head.

I beg your pardon. I’m not just a voice inside your head. I happen to be part of you. If you would pay a little more attention, I could explain everything.

“Shut up.”

“What, dear?” Her mother glanced Ria’s way, the lines around her mouth and eyes deepening.

Great. Ria had told her mother she no longer heard the voice. It was just a small white lie so her mom wouldn’t worry.

Ria smiled. “You know, shut up. Not shut up when you tell a person to shut up. I meant shut up, as in, look at the Women’s League float. Pretty snazzy, huh? That kind of shut up. We-worked-pretty-hard-for-this-parade-and-it-shows kind of shut up.” Great, now she sounded like an imbecile.

Maggie smiled. “It is quite nice, isn’t it? I told you all those hours you helped would pay off, and I was right.” She sat taller in her chair. “Look, there’s your father. Doesn’t he look handsome?”

Ria breathed a sigh of relief, glad she’d averted a possible disaster. Her mom had questioned Ria about what she’d seen in the woods, then asked if Ria was feeling okay. She could just imagine what people had been saying, and what her mother was thinking.

She drew in a deep breath. It was all behind them now. Well, almost. There were still people like Ben Dansworth, who liked nothing more than to make a big deal out of anything that happened to her. May he rot in hell.

No, Ria would make sure her mother didn’t have any more worries. At least, not where her daughter was concerned. An army of naked men could run through town, and Ria wouldn’t say a word.

If I see any sexy naked men running through town you can bet I won’t stay quiet.

And Ria would ignore the voice.

Snort. You haven’t been able to ignore me before. Why do you think you can now?

Nope, she wasn’t going to even think about Shintara. Instead, she’d concentrate on the parade.

Her father was driving the fire truck, since he was the chief. He beamed, waving at the crowd. Pride threaded its way through her. She had the best-ever parents.

She put two fingers in her mouth and whistled. If she’d had a bullhorn, she couldn’t have gotten his attention any better. She had a great whistle. Her father spotted them and waved. It wasn’t very ladylike to whistle that loud, but she didn’t care. He’d taught her to whistle like a guy, and she was quite proud she could.

Her gaze moved farther down the truck, past the firemen squeezed on top and all of them waving at the crowd. Sometimes she wondered if men ever grew up.

Her eyes grew round and she almost swallowed her tongue. Not that anyone really could, but it certainly felt like it as she began to cough and sputter.

“Are you okay?” Her mother patted her on the back.

She couldn’t look away. It was him—the naked guy who’d stepped in front of her on the trail. He sat at the very back of the fire truck, on top, arms crossed in front of him, as if he owned the damned thing or something. At least he had on clothes today.

“That man…”

Her mother’s gaze followed where Ria pointed. She smiled as she relaxed in her chair again. “You must mean Kristor Valkyir. We call him Kris. Isn’t he handsome? He’s from another country.”

“You know him?” Her mother knew the serial killer?

“Yes, dear. He’s very nice. We rented him your old room.”

“You rented him my…” she stumbled over the words. It took a moment for her brain to connect the dots, but when she did, she thought her head would explode. “You rented him my room!”

Her mother’s expression quickly changed to concern. Several people turned and stared. Ria lowered her voice. “You rented him my room?” Maybe she’d misunderstood.

“We really didn’t think you’d mind. He’s agreed to pay us five hundred dollars a week. That’s a fortune! Of course, we told him it was too much, but he wouldn’t hear of paying less. Your father and I are not getting any younger and, what with the economy, we just thought…” She shook her head, then patted Ria’s hand. “It doesn’t matter. We’ll tell him he has to leave at the end of the week. We just didn’t think it would upset you so much.”

“But he’s the alien,” she blurted.

Her mother looked around, as if someone might rescue her daughter from her delusions. “Ria, I promise you that Kris is not an alien.”

She rolled her eyes. “I know he’s not an alien.”

Her mother breathed a sigh of relief. “Good. I’m so glad that’s settled.”

“Nothing is settled. I know he’s not an alien, but that’s what he told me. This is the guy who stepped out in front of me the day I went running. He said he was from another planet.”

“Oh, you must have been mistaken.” She laughed lightly. “I’m sure he only meant he was from another country.”

Could things get any more frustrating? She inhaled a slow deep breath, then exhaled. “Okay, I can buy that he might have meant he was from another country, but where were his clothes?”

“Well, you know how they are in some countries. Nudity means nothing to them. At least, not what it does to us, and I have to say that he hasn’t walked around the house without clothes since he’s been staying with us.”

Oh, yeah, that made things a lot better. Not!

“He’s a little rough around the edges,” her mother continued. “But he only needs a bit of polishing. I think he’s spent far too much time around other men. I believe he told us he was in the military.” She eyed Ria with more than a trace of speculation. “He’s quite handsome, don’t you think?”

What? Did her mother want them to hook up or something? Ria bit back a laugh. This wasn’t happening. It couldn’t be. Maybe it was all a bad dream.

“Don’t worry so, dear. They say it causes wrinkles, and the good face cream costs a fortune.”

“But, Mom—”

“Why, just yesterday,” her mother interrupted, “Alesha Campbell said Kris got her white kitten down from a tree. She said Kris was very gentle, and little Fluffy fell in love with him.” She patted Ria’s hand. “Everything will be fine, and once you get to know Kris, I’m sure you’ll love him as much as we do.”

Love him? How could they love him? They’d just freakin’ met him!

But he is hot, Shintara broke into Ria’s thoughts. I certainly wouldn’t mind getting a piece of that action.

Cry. That’s what she wanted to do. Go home, curl up on her bed, and let the tears flow. She sucked it up though. No way was she going to let the crazy serial killer murder her parents while they slept.

“Anyway, you’ll get a chance to meet and talk to him tonight.”

Her ears perked up. “What do you mean? What’s happening tonight?”

“We’re having a small get-together at the house. Your father wants to thank some of the volunteers who helped put together the Fourth of July activities. He is the president of the revitalization committee, after all.”

And why they had a gazillion parades every year, but she kept her lips clamped together.

“Now that we have the money Kris is paying us to rent your room, well, it was fate. It’s only right that your father thank everyone properly. I’ve been meaning to ask you to join us but kept forgetting. You will come, won’t you?”

“I wouldn’t miss it.” She knew what she’d seen, and what she’d heard. Her eyes narrowed as the fire truck slowly passed. Her gaze suddenly locked with Kristor’s. Something fluttered to awareness inside her as her gaze drifted over his broad shoulders, solid chest, massive arms.

And we already know what he looks like naked.

“Shut up.”

He mother glanced her way.

Ria pointed toward the high school band that sounded like a rusty train going down even rustier tracks. “Shut up, they’re really improving.”

Her mother’s forehead creased. “You really think so?”

Ria nodded. “Oh, yeah, much better than the last parade.”

While her mother’s attention was on the band, Ria glanced once more at Kristor. So maybe he was downright sexy. The only thing she cared about was her parents’ safety. By tomorrow, Kristor would be locked away in jail. She’d make sure of it.

Kristor suddenly looked her way, capturing her gaze. Her mouth went dry and it was hard to breathe. Very slowly, he let his gaze travel over her. Heat flashed through her body, making her itch in places that hadn’t itched in a while. Not that he would ever get the chance to scratch them. She raised her chin and pursed her lips, but he only smiled.

He taunted her! Well, they would just see who smiled last!

The fire truck passed, then turned the corner, but she could still feel the tingles that one look from him had left behind. Much to her chagrin, they stayed with her until the parade was almost over.

Ria wished she could drag Carly with her tonight, but her best friend had caught a summer cold and decided to forgo the activities. Not that Carly joined in that much. She was more content to stay in her own little world, away from the crowds. The girl really needed a dose of confidence.

“Oh, there’s Vicky Jo.” Maggie waved at her friend.

“Go ahead and join her,” Ria said. “The parade is almost over.”

Maggie nibbled her bottom lip.

“I’ll put the chairs in the back of my car, and then probably wander around a bit. I’ll be fine.”

“I’ll see you tonight.” Her mother hurried to catch up with her friend as Ria stood, folded the camp chairs, and looped them over her arm. Maybe she would grab a funnel cake and take it by Carly’s. Carly had a strange passion for them. Besides, she needed to talk to her about Kristor, and plan her next action against him.

When she got to her car, she juggled the chairs while reaching in her pocket for her keys, but lost her balance. The only thing that kept her from falling on her butt was a hard chest and strong arms.

“Thanks.” She laughed as she untangled from the chairs, but her laughter quickly died when she turned and saw the man who’d helped save her from an embarassing moment. “You!”

“Now are you ready to leave?” Kristor asked.

She automatically reached for her can of mace, before realizing she hadn’t brought it. She’d only been going to a parade, not jogging through the woods.

“Who are you?” Her eyes narrowed. He had his nerve standing there as if he owned the world looking all…all…

Sexy? Manly? Delicious? Shintara’s sultry laughter rippled.

Like a dictator, Ria finished her own thought. She returned her attention back to the crazy guy.

“Why did you tell me you were from another planet? And why are you renting my old room? I want you out of my parents’ house. And I refuse to go anywhere with you.” She looked around for a cop but, of course, there wasn’t one.

“Your adopted parents are very nice. It was good when they took you into their home and raised you.” His gaze raked over her. “Although, you don’t have the same personality. They’re very friendly.”

Goose bumps popped up on her arms. “What do you know about me?” Someone had told him she was adopted. They had to. It wasn’t like it was a big secret, but her parents rarely mentioned it.

“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.”

She raised an eyebrow. Definitely stubborn, but very nice to look upon. Her thick, dark brown hair was pulled away from her face. Although her features were delicate, there was a sensuous, earthy quality about her that was undeniable. Her Symtarian blood, no doubt.

“What do you mean, you’re a warrior?” she asked.

The proud fighter in him sprang to the surface. “I defend my home from invading armies.”

She seemed to absorb his words, although she didn’t appear particularly impressed. Most women were. He had faced death many times and been victorious. He’d defended New Symtaria with his life, and would do so again.

“What do you know about my parents?”

Yes, she was very quick to dismiss his warrior status. Not that it overly concerned him. He was here only to complete his mission, and return with her to New Symtaria so she could embrace a culture as old as time.

And mate.

Possibly with him.

In fact, now that he thought about it, that was a good plan.

“My parents?” she prodded.

Stubborn, and in a hurry. She had been running when he’d first encountered her. She would not be the type who wasted time. “You come from a very prestigious lineage,” he finally spoke. “There is royalty in your blood, but we are not related, so it will be okay if we mate.”

She squared her shoulders. “I beg your pardon?”

He frowned. She did not seem to take to the idea very well. Maybe he wouldn’t mate with her. Why should he let her have the pleasure of his body, when she didn’t look as though the idea tempted her? This Earthling side of her was without passion.

He decided to ignore her response to the possibility of their one day mating, and continue explaining where she came from. “Your father had Symtarian blood. From what I’ve gathered, he was killed by one of the rogue Symtarians.”

Which was happening to more impures than he wanted to count. Some rogues didn’t like the thought of impures being brought back to New Symtaria and mixing with the pure bloods, but it was a necessity now. The Symtarian blood was too pure and, in a weaker mind, the animal guide was taking over the human side.

The animal guide’s natural instinct was to hunt and kill. It was causing chaos among the different tribes. The impure’s nature was more gentle, and the animal guide less dominant.

Except for Rianna. She did not appear that gentle to him.

“I’m of royal blood,” she stated dryly.

He wasn’t sure about the tone she used, but he would ignore it for now. “Yes.”

“And my mother?”

“She too has passed. I believe the rogue Symtarian scared her so much that she left you to be raised in the institution. I’m sure for your own protection. She was later killed when the vehicle in which she was riding collided with another.” It had taken much time to discover this information. He was ready to be done with it all.

She bit her bottom lip, blinking back the moisture that formed in her eyes. Kristor’s heart beat faster inside his chest. Was she about to cry? Women who cried made him nervous. He probably shouldn’t have delivered the information so bluntly, but what did he know about finesse? He left that to his brother. Rogar knew how to talk to women. It would be better to get Rianna back to Symtaria and let someone else handle her.

He cleared his throat. “Now, are you ready to leave?”

She shook her head, her expression puzzled. “Leave?”

“Yes, to go to New Symtaria.”

“Why would I do that?”

“To be with your own kind.”

“I don’t even know where New Symtaria is.”

“It’s in another galaxy, but I have the means to take you there.”

“The means…”

“Yes, in my spacecraft.”

Now she worried him. Her face drained of color. What had he said? The fear returned to her eyes as she eased her legs from under the table.

“Is something wrong?”

“You just told me that you’re an alien from another planet. What could possibly be wrong?”

Even though she said nothing was wrong, her actions were telling him something different. He reached for her hand. His sister had once told him women liked to hold hands. Except Rianna jerked away from him.

“Don’t touch me! Stay away from me and my family!”

“I don’t understand.” He opened his hands out, palms up.

She shot to her feet, stumbling in her haste to put distance between them. “Of course, you don’t. You’re crazy!” She took off running before he could get his feet out from under the table. He turned sideways on the bench and watched her.

Rianna had a nice run. Long legs stretching out in front of her. She would make a good mating partner.

Except each time they talked, she ended up running away.

I don’t blame her. You didn’t handle that well, Labrinon said. My plan is better. Throw her over your shoulder and let us leave this barbaric land.

“Silence!”