From the moment Taden rescues Nathaniel from the Sutherlin soldiers' torture, he finds himself caught in the gaze of the most beautiful eyes he's ever seen; amazing eyes that hold him thrilled and confused. The Sutherlins are planning to invade the beautiful Tahon Valley, but as Taden secrets Nathaniel from their reach, he finds himself drawn to the young man. Not only does he feel the urge to protect him, but he feels an ache he hasn't felt in many long years.<br><br>Nathaniel claims to be a traveler from a distant continent, saying he comes in peace. True or not, the youth has powers beyond anything Taden has seen -- control over men and animals and the very weather. Taden falls hard for the strange traveler, protecting him not only from the Sutherlins but from his own mistrustful people, who don't understand Nathaniel's powers and accuse him of being a witch ...

Nathaniel

“I hope the fool boy hasn’t lost himself in there,” Taden muttered as he studied the thick growth he was about to enter. “If the Sutherlins are still in the area…”


Taden urged his horse into the thicket. “Wait for me,” he pleaded to the young man who held his heart.


The day passed in long weary hours for Taden as he ducked under tree limbs and pushed through the brambles. Nathaniel had made it almost impossible to track him through the forest. But he had left some signs.


Taden’s heart leapt, almost certain Nathaniel had left the faint indicators for him to discover. Why else would he have marked the path? “Wait for me,” he pleaded under his breath again, aching to have Nathaniel in his arms and safe.


Chapter 18