As an invading army looms on the kingdom's doorstep, Princess Ava's concerned father hires a knight to protect her from capture. Worried that his virginal daughter might bed a man, the king hires a woman to guard the lonely young princess . . . never realizing it might have been better to hire a man after all. For Liadan, the Knight of the Wild, soon becomes Princess Ava's first knight. Don't miss the first installment of this lesbian romance series! 

-- 

"You mock me, knight? Noble blood or no, I could have your head!" Ava warned. 

The knight cast her eyes down. "No, your highness. I only marvel at your beauty. Your eyes did make the world cease for one tremulous moment."  

Princess Ava flushed again, this time with pleasure, though she hated herself for it. 

-- 

"But I am the princess of Realm Illa," Ava said, finding the courage to lift her face, letting her shyness fall away. "If you and I were found together, my father would behead you! Does that not frighten you?" 

Liadan only smiled. "I think it would be a worthy death, your highness, to taste the softness of your lips." 

Ava's heart leapt as she realized which lips the knight meant. She bit her lip and looked down again, trying not smile, ignoring how Lysa watched them both with her mouth hanging open, the silly fool.  

--

That morning, the table was covered in dishes boiled eggs, kippered herring, and bread. Ava started filling her plate. So did her father.  

"How do you like your new bodyguard?" King Eyvor asked – so suddenly that Ava nearly dropped her egg. She recovered quickly enough and answered, "V-Very well, Father. She is very . . . dutiful." 

And strong and beautiful and good with her tongue, Ava thought dreamily. When she looked up again, her father was watching her curiously. She quickly lowered her eyes and took a sip of watered wine. By the gods, she was a bad liar. She prayed he didn't suspect her.  

--

"Hmm," said Ethne thoughtfully. "The lass makes sense. With my help, and with her knowledge of the passages, we might be able to steal the princess away." She placed a gauntlet on Liadan's arm. "But consider it carefully, good Liadan. We shall be exiled from Illa, never to return. I know we were heading for Hastow either way, but . . . are you willing to give up everything you are and everything you have for Ava?"  

Liadan looked at Ethne helplessly as she said, "Everything I am and everything I have is already hers." 

--

"I-I suppose if you are to be my knight that I should know your name," said Princess Ava, trying to keep her composure and feeling like a fool.  

"I am Liadan Rossi, your highness," answered the knight politely.  

"Yes, the Rossies," said Ava thoughtfully. "So mild-mannered for a barbarian, aren't you?" she observed in amusement. 

Liadan smiled, her blue eyes firing prettily. "If you would have me behave otherwise, your highness . . ."  

Ava blushed hotly.