Excerpt #2 from Guardians of Destiny

***SPOILER ALERT***

Excerpt #2
Guardians of Destiny (Legends of Breena, #2)
M.K. Anthony

Bryce and Rosa knew that Cora was the girl that Dogan was meant to raise, but they did not know that I was meant to raise her too.  I was sure they suspected something just because Cora was just as clingy to me as she was with Dogan.   They know some what of our destinies that included Rowan and Sterling, but we figured the less they know the better for now.

I walked up to Bryce, who was standing beside the bassinet.  The king looked exhausted and smiled down at his sleeping son when I reached his side.  Prince Darrion looked so peaceful all wrapped up in a sapphire plush blanket.  He had a nice dark fuzz of hair around his head. Laying a hand on Bryce’s arm I murmured, “I take it he was up all night again.”

The king gave me a tired laugh as he guided me away from the bassinet.  They had servants that could help with the baby but the two of them wanted to do this on their own.  Neither of them wanted someone else to take care of their son.  “Yes, he was up all night.  Finally, a few hours ago, he fell asleep in between us and he’s been sleeping since.”  He took a seat at the table, which was filled with food and I took a seat next to Rosa.  Dogan and Cora sat across from us.  Bryce took his wife’s hand, “I am glad you two have to meet the new guards today and my schedule is clear because of that.”  He kissed Rosa’s hand and then smiled at us, “I think I am going back to bed after breakfast.”

“Ye should ha’ sent word to us,” Dogan said to him. “We would ha’ went to the kitchen fer breakfast.”

Bryce waved the comment away, “Nonsense, I was already up and hungry anyway, so I might as well enjoy breakfast with good company.”  He looked to Cora, “Right, my dear Cora?”

She nodded her little head, “Right.”

As we all started eating, we talked casually to one another.  Every now and then Dogan’s intense stare would lock with my eyes and quickly I would have to look away.  I felt my cheeks slightly start to flush.  I wish he would not look at me in that manner when we’re before the king and queen.  What if they noticed?  Suddenly I was thinking about last night and the kiss.  This kiss was even better then the first one we ever shared.  I felt myself getting even redder with the thought of it.  Staring down at my plate of food, I tried to remove it from my mind. 

All of a sudden, there was a tingling sensation pressed against my leg, “Are ye thinking about last night, woman?” Dogan’s voice filled my head.  Jerking my head up, I glared at his smug expression as I felt my face catch fire.

He suddenly changed his smug expression to a look of concern, “Leelah, are ye feeling all right?  Ye’r looking a wee bit—” Dogan circled his finger around his face “—flushed in the cheeks.”  I did not think it was possible but I felt my cheeks getting even hotter.  Oh, I was going to kill him.  If my legs were a little bit longer I would have kicked him under the table.

“Oh, Dogan you are right.”  Rosa said with real concern, “Are you feeling all right, dear?”

I touched one of my burning cheeks and responded, “I feel fine, Rosa.  Just a little hot.  Can I be excused to the balcony?  Maybe the cool spring air will help.”

“Most certainly.  Go ahead,” she said and as I rose I gave Dogan a quick glare before leaving the table.  As I made it to the hall I heard Cora ask if she could go with me, but Dogan said no because she had not finished her breakfast.  I was thankful for that because I just wanted to be alone for a moment.