Wonder shook her head, but Anandur caught the smile she was trying to stifle.

Mission accomplished.

Every time he managed to make her laugh or even just smile felt like a triumph. In fairytales knights slew dragons for their fair maidens, in real life they made them laugh.

The quest was almost as difficult and required unique skills only a few brave knights possessed, but in his opinion, it was way more beneficial to the fair maiden. After all, there wasn’t much she could do with a dragon’s carcass, but everyone could use a good laugh.

Casting him a suspicious glance, Wonder asked, “Why are you smirking?”

“Just stupid thoughts bouncing around in my head.”

She grimaced. “I bet.”

“What is that supposed to mean?”

“Oh, I don’t know, maybe something about little boys wanting to marry girls who can kick their asses?”

“Ah.” For some reason, Wonder was sensitive about her unique gifts, thinking they made her less feminine.

He had no problem sharing his musings with her and setting the record straight. “Not at all. I was thinking how in fairytales knights slew dragons for their fair maidens, and how that wasn’t as big of a deal as making the maidens laugh. I consider myself a better knight because my jokes bring real value, true?”

She looked at him as if he was a screw loose, but that was nothing new. He got that reaction often.

“Hmm, so if you had a choice between impressing a maiden with your incredible fighting skills or a good joke, you would’ve chosen the joke?”

“Of course.” He threaded his arm through hers. “Dudettes are usually much less bloodthirsty than dudes. They don’t want to see gory displays of blood and guts. They might need reassurances that their guys can protect them if needed, but without actually watching them tear each other apart, or slaughter some poor dragon who’s minding his own business.”

Wonder laughed and leaned her head against his bicep.

Surprisingly, that small sign of affection flooded him with a potent mix of endorphins and testosterone. The result was intense desire and the need to protect and to possess.

Fates, why did she have such a profound effect on him?

He wasn’t a young boy who got excited by a girl’s slightest touch. But then, he hadn’t been with a woman since Rosie or whatever her name was, and that didn’t even count because Wonder had ruined it just by being there.

So yeah, he was abnormally horny, but unfortunately only for one female. One who was way too young for him and emotionally fragile.

A virgin child, that was what she was, and he would keep telling himself that until his body got the message and aligned itself with his brain.

“I agree,” Wonder said. “I accept you as my knight, Sir Anandur, and I expect many gifts of jokes and funny stories.”

“You got it, Lady Wonder.”

Had that been Wonder’s attempt at flirting? Or just her response to his silliness?

Except, it didn’t matter if she was flirting.

As the mature adult, it was Anandur’s responsibility to steer her away from that and into something more appropriate, like a young immortal male closer to her age.

Except, the only two available were Vlad and Gordon, and neither was suitable for Wonder. Vlad was a good kid, but she could snap him like a twig, and Gordon had the maturity level of a four-year-old.

Then there was Julian and several other young immortals who were somewhat appropriate for a girl of her age. But again, he couldn’t imagine her enjoying the company of any of them.

And it wasn’t because the thought made him jealous.

Well, there was that too, but it wasn’t about him. Wonder needed a big guy who wouldn’t be intimidated by her physical strength, someone good-natured who would patiently answer all of her questions…

Yeah. He was describing himself.

Damn.

“Anandur!” Carol yelled and ran toward them.

He barely had time to let go of Wonder and catch her before getting toppled by the small torpedo coming at him full speed.

“I heard you were back. You have no idea how worried everyone was.” She cast an accusing glance at Wonder. “Is that her? Is she the one I need to beat up for abducting you?”

It was funny coming from the tiny blond. Carol was feisty, but Wonder could probably hold her off with one finger.

“Just joking.” She winked. “Nice to meet a fellow fighter.” She offered her hand. “I’m Carol.”

“Nice to meet you too.” Wonder didn’t sound convincing at all. “I’m Wonder.” She shook Carol’s hand.

“I know. It’s such a cool name. I should’ve thought of it.” She threaded her arm through Wonder’s. “Come, breakfast is on me.”

Casting Anandur a beseeching glance, Wonder asked, “Didn’t you offer to buy me breakfast?”

“I did, but Carol runs the café. If she wants to give you a freebie, who am I to argue, eh?”

Wonder looked at Carol, her eyes taking in the small, curvy woman. “I thought you said you’re a fighter.”

“I am. I teach beginner self-defense classes. Naturally, those are not for you. You need an advanced one.”

Dragging Wonder with her, she waved at her customers. “Everyone! A round of applause for Anandur and Wonder!”

For the next half an hour or so, Wonder and he had to repeat their story over and over again. While he sang Wonder’s praises, exaggerating for the sake of making the story more interesting, she blushed and stuttered every time someone commented about her kidnapping one of the clan’s toughest fighters.

“Okay, guys.” Carol clapped her hands. “Party time over. Wonder and Anandur want to eat their breakfast in peace.”

Amazingly, people listened.

Despite her diminutive size and her less than stellar reputation, Carol had a commanding personality.

Evidently Wonder was impressed too, watching with wide eyes as everyone returned to their tables. “Wow. Thank you. I was afraid we would spend the entire morning like this.”

“Pfft.” Carol waved a dismissive hand, then pulled out two stools from under the counter. “Sit!”

“Yes, ma'am.” Anandur waited for Wonder to take a seat before straddling the other stool.

“Cappuccinos?”

“Yes, please,” Wonder said.

“Coming right up.”

“She is a bossy one,” Wonder whispered as Carol turned the coffee grinder on.

“Carol is a character. That’s for sure. She has a heart of a lioness inside that soft body of hers.”

Wonder nodded. “I got that vibe from her. She must be a fierce fighter.”

“You’re a good judge of character, I’ll give you that. Carol is an excellent sharpshooter, but she has a problem with an actual hunt. Give her a target, and she hits the bull's-eye, but she won’t shoot at an animal.”

“Why does it surprise you? I can totally understand that. The fact that she can kill doesn't mean that she wants to.”

He nodded. “I agree. But if she ever wants to go on a mission, I need to know that she can do what needs to be done.”

Wonder shook her head. “I have a feeling she would. If she is anything like me, that is. I would never harm an innocent just for practice. But I know I could do it to defend others, or even myself, but especially others.”