My Protector Read online

  My Protector

  Copyright 2018

  All Rights Reserved.

  Disclaimer: This ebook is a work of fiction. Any resemblance characters in this story may have to real people is coincidental.

  No section of this book may be copied or reproduced without the author's permission.

  Description

  Aiden

  Darkan saved my life.

  He's the first real man I've ever laid eyes on.

  My crotch swelled at the sight of him.

  I'll do whatever it takes to pay him back.

  Darkan

  I'm a Ranger of the Old Forest, Protector of the Kingdom of Rian.

  After rescuing Aiden, he's made me rethink everything.

  He's the man I've always been searching for...

  My Protector is a gay fantasy romance featuring very steamy scenes and a happily ever after!

  Chapter One

  The village of Icebor stood on the outskirts of the Kingdom of Rian. Located a few miles from the castle, it was one of the smaller villages but was bursting with activity.

  Aiden Aro strolled through town, holding a large wicker basket filled with dirty clothes. He walked by Guntho and his stall that was stocked with the freshest bread. Guntho was balding with a big belly that jostled when he laughed. He was always the most friendliest out of the village folk.

  “Washing clothes today?” he asked.

  Aiden nodded, looking over the different types of bread. He closed his eyes and took in a deep breath. “Smells so good.”

  “I'll let you have a loaf on the house.”

  The basket took both hands to carry and he couldn't very well put a piece of food with the dirty clothes. “I'd love some. I just don't have the room to carry it.”

  Guntho laughed and his stomach rippled. “Don't worry about it, I'll deliver it to your parents.”

  Aiden blew him a kiss. “You're the best, Guntho.”

  Aiden continued on, passing by more neighbors and saying hello. Everyone in Icebor knew each other. That was one of the benefits of a small town.

  He passed by the stables and could hear the horses rustling inside. His parents didn't have enough money to own a horse but he was allowed to ride one every once in awhile. Aiden made a promise to himself that he would one day own a horse.

  And he already had a name picked out. Illa if it's a girl. Dune if it's a boy.

  He imagined riding at top speed through the Old Forest, the wind in his dark hair, weaving in and out of trees. He could almost feel the horse breathe beneath him.

  But it was only a fantasy. A dream that would never come true. Horses were expensive in the Kingdom of Rian.

  He caught a glimpse of Hugo the stable boy tending to a bale of hay as he passed. He looked up and brushed his shoulder-length blonde hair out of his eyes. Hugo smiled at Aiden and he blushed, walking away as fast as possible.

  Hugo was about the only man in Icebor that was around the same age as Aiden. Ever since they were children, the village had talked about them getting together. But he always dismissed the idea.

  Now that he was nineteen, which was the acceptable age to date in Icebor, he saw Hugo differently. He was always nice to him but he was very small and weak when they were younger. But after working in the stables for two years, Hugo had bulked up nicely.

  Now Aiden could barely fumble out two words around him without making a fool out of himself. If only he would ask him on a date.

  Aiden passed the last of the thatched-roof huts and made it to the river. It was calm today which was a relief. Rain had bombarded the village day after day and the river was too wild to get close to. The laundry had piled up and the basket Aiden held was only the first of many.

  The Junti River bordered Icebor and was the only place to get fresh drinking water and wash clothes. He set his basket down and stretched his arms. Aiden looked out across the river to the other side. The green hills ran high and he never knew what lay over the top. The other side always called to him but he had been told from an early age to stay away.

  “Evil men live there,” his mother told him.

  But as long as he lived, Aiden had never seen anyone over there. The river wasn't that wide. A quick swim over and he'd finally find out if the stories were true.

  Aiden suddenly found himself ankle deep into the river. It wasn't even deep enough to swim across.

  Before he got halfway, a voice called out to him.

  He looked behind to see Hugo at the edge of the river. “What are you doing, Aiden?”

  Today wasn't the day to cross the river. Aiden began to make his way back. “I wanted to wash my feet off,” he replied back.

  “Dangerous way to get your feet clean.” Hugo reached out his hand and Aiden took it. He helped him out and Aiden was back in the grass.

  “You really think the people on the other side are dangerous?”

  “I wasn't talking about them. The river is dangerous because of flash floods. With all the rain lately, you never know. I'd hate to see you get whisked away.”

  Aiden could barely make eye contact with him. “What are you doing by the river?” He noticed the bucket on the ground and knew the question was stupid.

  “Getting water for the horses.” Hugo dumped the bucket into the river until it was full. “I better get back now. Hartnet will whip me if he finds me slacking off.”

  “Well it was nice talking to you.”

  “Stay out of the river, hear me?”

  Aiden nodded and smiled. “I'll be good from now on.”

  Hugo began to walk away but Aiden didn't want him to go. He wanted to touch his hand one more time. He wanted a kiss.

  Hugo turned back. “I was wondering if you would be interested in going on a date with me.”

  Aiden clasped his hands behind his back and beamed. “I would love that.”

  “How about tomorrow night?”

  “Sounds perfect.”

  Hugo left and Aiden was alone again. He couldn't wipe the smile from his face as he washed clothes. He even whistled a tune as he worked.

  Maybe some dreams do come true.

  Chapter Two

  Aiden entered his home carrying the large wicker basket of clothes. His family's hut was an average size for Icebor: two bedrooms, kitchen, and living room. Nothing fancy. Just enough space for a family of three.

  “Is the laundry all clean, Aiden?” Eliden asked.

  “Yes, Mother,” he replied, setting the basket down in the living room. Aiden wiped the sweat from his brow and let out a sigh.

  “The dishes need to be set out for dinner.”

  “Yes, Mother.”

  Aiden went into the kitchen to retrieve the dishes. The smell of his mother's famous soup hit his nose. He was carried over to the cast-iron pot set above an open flame. He took a wooden spoon and dipped it into the boiling brown liquid.

  “What are you doing, Aiden?”

  Aiden jumped and accidentally dropped the spoon into the soup. Eliden rushed over and fished it out before it could sink to the bottom.

  “Nothing, Mother. Just checking to make sure that the soup tasted good.”

  Eliden smirked. “Go along and finish setting the table before your father gets home. We don't want to get him angry. He already has enough on his plate with some of sheep missing and all.”

  Aiden nodded. The last thing he wanted to do was stress his father any further.

  His family had a small flock of sheep that was his father's primary business. They were used for food and wool, selling primarily to his fellow villagers.

  A couple weeks ago, a couple of sheep went missing. It was normal for sheep to escape their pen every once and awhile. But when a few more went missing a week later, they knew they were being stolen.
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  Aiden's father had been standing guard over the flock every night since the thefts and had barely slept. He was in no way going to allow anymore to be taken.

  Aiden was finishing setting the table when Raldar walked in. “I'm home.”

  Eliden kissed him on the cheek. “How was work today?”

  Raldar took off his large coat and handed it to his wife. “It was fine,” he replied in a low voice.

  Aiden came over and shook his hand. “Dinner is almost ready, Father. Why don't you sit at the table.”

  “Fetch me some ale.”

  They all sat down as a family at the dinner table. Raldar ate his food in silence and Eliden and Aiden tried to find a subject that wouldn't anger him.

  “Did the river quiet down?” Eliden asked.

  Aiden tasted the soup and savored the rich flavor of the beef. “Yes it's almost back to normal.”

  “And did you see Hugo on your way there?” Eliden winked.

  “Mother, please it's embarrassing.”

  Eliden elbowed him. “Oh come on, your father and I both see how you look at him.” Eliden looked to Raldar for backup but all he could do was grunt while he ate.

  “Well I did see him when he helped me out of the river.”

  Raldar put his spoon down and looked up at Aiden. “What were you doing in the river?”

  Aiden realized he said something he shouldn't have. “I didn't mean to...I just wanted to clean my feet.”

  He remembered the blind curiosity that had taken him into the middle of the river before Hugo had called out to him. If he wasn't there to stop him, he would have gone to the other side.

  “What's over those hills?” he asked. “On the other side of the river.” Aiden couldn't help but ask.

  Raldar inhaled deeply. “We've told you time and time again to stay away from there.”

  Aiden sucked down some more soup. “I know but you never tell me why.”

  Eliden put his hand on Aiden's. “Evil men live over the hills. There's no telling what they would do to you if they found you.”

  “But we've never seen them before. How do we even know they exist?”

  Raldar set down his spoon. “I've seen them before and that should be evidence enough. I will hear no more of this at the dinner table.”

  Aiden bit his lip. He didn't mean to get his father upset. “I'm sorry.”

  Eliden tried to lighten the mood. “Anyone up for dessert? I've baked a chocolate cake.”

  “I'm too full.” Raldar got up and left them alone.

  “Don't worry about your father. Once this whole sheep business passes, he'll be back to normal.”

  “I know. I know,” Aiden replied.

  Eliden brought over the two layer cake covered with chocolate frosting. “Try some. I got the recipe from Kyla.”

  Aiden took a fork and carved a bite out of the round cake. “It's very good.”

  Eliden joined in. “Now are you going to tell me what you and Hugo talked about?”

  Aiden smiled and was about to dish out some gossip when a large commotion outside stopped him. “What is that?” he asked.

  Eliden shook her head and stood up. “I don't know.”

  A shout from outside echoed throughout the small home. “ENEMY RAID!”

  Chapter Three

  Darkan scouted ahead silently, slowly moving through the trees. His dark green tunic kept him perfectly camouflaged against the foliage. His prey thought they had concealed their tracks but Darkan knew the Old Forest better than anyone.

  Broken twigs, imprints in the soil, the smell in the air. There were so many ways to track and the Rangers of the Old Forest were the best at what they do.

  Darkan followed his prey at a suitable distance. Not far enough away for his quarry to be out of sight but not close enough to be detected.

  His prey was an intruder of the Old Forest. A barbarian from over the hills. They rarely made it this far into the kingdom and the Rangers were the last line of defense before getting to the castle.

  And ultimately to the King.

  The barbarian set his battle axe down and drank from a small creek. His horse joined him, neither one of them aware of their impending doom.

  Darkan quietly brought out his bow carved from wood. The same bow that belonged to his father before he died during the War of Swords. He carefully placed an arrow in the nook and pulled back on the taut string.

  The barbarian was clear in his sights. Darkan took a deep breath and held it. He let go of the bowstring without hesitation. The arrow tore through the air with tremendous speed, landing in the shoulder of the barbarian.

  The barbarian looked down at his wound and howled a battle cry. The horse neighed and tugged at the rope tied around a tree that kept him in place. The intruder picked up his axe and faced the direction of where the arrow came from. Another arrow hit him in the throat, blood spurting from the wound.

  The barbarian went to his knees, his eyes glassy, red blood soaking his winter coat. He tried to utter a word but nothing came out. The barbarian fell face first into the dirt, his body drained of life.

  Darkan finally let go of his breath. He put away the third arrow that was already nocked and ready to go. He wouldn't it need anymore.

  Darkan left his hiding spot and calmed down the horse, whispering into his ear. He went over the dead body and inspected his clothing, digging through his winter pelts.

  Nothing of significance.

  “Was he a scout, Darkan?” a voice asked from behind.

  “Must be,” Darkan replied.

  Garel came through the trees wearing the same dark tunic as Darkan. The Rangers always hunted in pairs. “What does it mean?”

  Darkan picked up the battle axe and examined it. Dried blood had stained the blade. “There could be a larger party looking to invade the kingdom.”

  “Should we alert our brothers?”

  Darkan shook his head. “Not yet. Let's first see if there are anymore scouts we need to take care of.”

  Garel agreed. “How many could there be?”

  Darkan grabbed a few of the pelts off the barbarian and stowed them in his sack. He could sell them at the castle for an easy profit. “If I were them, I'd send out a couple at least. They could cover more ground and be able to report back more information to their leader.”

  Darkan looked out towards the edge of the forest. “We should check the opposite end of the forest.”

  Garel nodded.

  The two set out deeper into the forest, walking five feet apart. The Rangers never left a trace.

  Darkan bent down and examined the trunk of a tree. A piece of bark had been scraped away just slightly.

  Garel looked over Darkan's shoulder. “He's moving west.”

  Darkan nodded and moved on. The forest was unusually quiet today. No birds or animals making noises. Sunlight broke through the tree cover.

  It wasn't long before Darkan and Garel found the second scout. The barbarian moved through the woods slowly, looking around for any sign of activity. His eyes peered in the direction of Darkan and Garel but they weren't discovered. Their dark outfits were the perfect camouflage.

  Darkan pulled out his bow again and nocked an arrow. He placed the barbarian in his sights but Garel placed his hand on Darkan's and pulled the bow down.

  Garel wanted to take the kill and Darkan couldn't argue since he had the last one. He nodded and put his bow away.

  Garel crept towards the barbarian, making sure to stay out of his wandering sight. He pulled out two silver curved daggers with ornate handles. Garel was only a foot away from the barbarian's back and he didn't even notice.

  The first dagger cut through the barbarian's throat like butter. Blood shot out in an arc. His second dagger drilled into his victim's back. The barbarian was already going down as Garel twisted the dagger in his back.

  The whole affair was over in seconds.

  “Good job, Garel,” Darkan said. He searched through the body and found nothing noteworthy.
The only weapon on him was a old beat up club.

  The barbarian tribes over the hills used crude weapons that would barely stand up in battle. They didn't rely on their weapons so much as they did on their numbers. The Kingdom of Rian didn't have a great army anymore since the War of Swords. If the barbarian tribes united, the kingdom could be in grave danger.