Prince of Desire by Donna Grant Page A

and saw the top of the castle through the pass. If there was anyway they could ride to the gates safely, he wouldn't hesitate, but the ground didn't allow for the horses to do more than walk up the steep slope.
    He looked back to Isabelle. “I’ll protect you. I didna come this far to lose you and fail my family.”
    No sooner had the words left his mouth than an eerie scream echoed around them. Lucian's blood froze in his veins. It had been generations since any Sinclair had come across a Tnarg. His eyes scanned the frozen area until he spotted the vile creature. Quickly, he palmed his sword and grabbed his shield. He twisted the reins until Elad now faced the Tnarg. His mount pawed the frozen earth and snorted.
    Lucian looked at Isabelle. “Remember what I said. Find some cover,” he warned as the Tnarg let out another loud growl.
    Once he was sure Isabelle had sufficiently hidden herself, Lucian nudged Elad, and they raced toward the Tnarg. The nasty creature jumped from the cliff above them and landed with a loud thud just lengths from them.
    “What do you want?” Lucian demanded.
    The Tnarg smiled revealing a mouth full of long, pointed teeth. Its beady red eyes glowed, and the short, thick reddish hair covering its entire body left an unmistakable vile odor. The creature stood the same height as a man, but its elongated arms and vicious claws prevented anyone from getting too close.
    “I want your bride,” it said in a voice that sounded as if someone had a hand around its throat.
    Lucian couldn't believe his ears. After all the searching and convincing he had done, he wasn't about to lose Isabelle to a Tnarg just moments from the gates of Drahcir and his family.
    He gripped the pommel of his sword and narrowed his eyes on the Tnarg. “You'll have to come through me to get her.”
    “I was hoping you’d say that,” the Tnarg said just before it leapt with its thick legs.
    Lucian jerked Elad to the side so the Tnarg's sharp talons wouldn't blind the horse. The second left no time for Lucian to do anything other than brace himself for impact. The force of the Tnarg slamming into him knocked the breath from his lungs as he was dragged from his horse.  
    It seemed an eternity from the time he was pulled off his mount until he finally landed in the thick snow. It was only the snow that saved him. And while he struggled to get his breath back, the Tnarg straddled him and lifted one of its arms. Through his haze, Lucian saw the talons extend from the Tnarg's hand and knew he had mere heartbeats to live.
    He jerked up his knees and brought them against the Tnarg's back. It was enough force to knock the creature forward to land face first in the snow. Lucian rolled to his feet and looked around the snow for his sword and shield. He tamped down the panic that threatened to rise and palmed his other dagger in his boot as the Tnarg jumped to its feet.
    “You plan to kill me with that?” the creature taunted.
    Lucian shrugged as they circled each other. “I'll kill you any way I can.”
    “I can tell you that won't do anything.”
    Lucian didn't know if the creature was lying or not, but he refused to allow the beast to see any hint of fear. Instead, he beckoned the Tnarg. “I've had enough of this. You want a fight, come and get me.”
    The Tnarg cocked its head to the side. “A feisty one. You'll be a tasty snack.”
    Lucian dove and rolled as the Tnarg swung a meaty arm at his chest. As he hit the ground, Lucian felt his shield beneath him and quickly grabbed it as he came to his feet. When he turned to the Tnarg, the creature narrowed its eyes on his shield.
    “Fine weaponry.”
    “Aye, it is.”
    The Tnarg snarled and stepped closer to him. “Where did you steal it?”
    Lucian laughed. “I'm a prince of Drahcir, you filthy maggot. It was given to me as a gift.”
    With a loud scream the Tnarg stumbled back and bared its teeth. “You lie.”
    “I doona lie.”
    For several heartbeats Lucian and the Tnarg