How The Warrior Fell (Falling Warriors series Book 1) (2 page)

Her betrothed.

Xavier stared out at the village before him as he sat atop his stallion, Killix. His emotionless face gave nothing away of the disgust he was feeling as he and his party traveled with him to meet with the Rhoxolani’s chief and his daughter.

The daughter who was to become his wife.

Xavier held back his sigh. He did not want to get married, seeing it as a waste of time. He preferred the freedom he found in battle, and of taking common whores to satisfy his most primal desires. However, being the chief of the Izayges meant protecting his village, and the demand of breeding heirs was a priority. At thirty-two, Xavier was the strongest and fiercest warrior in Izayges history.

What was he to do with a wife?

Xavier’s eyes narrowed as his party grew closer to the little tribe that was the Rhoxolani. Their village was small—no more than a hundred people living there. The smell of the ocean permeated the air, the aroma growing more prominent with each passing moment they drew closer. The Rhoxolani were known to be light in every aspect. From their hair and skin to their light-colored eyes.

They were nothing like his tribe, which was big and over four hundred strong. Unlike the Rhoxolani, the Izayges had an air of danger around them, and did not come across as friendly. Rightfully so. They were a strong, fierce, and dangerous people.

It was no wonder the last marriage between his tribe and the Rhoxolani’s did not work out.

The long fueled grudge between the two tribes started when the first marriage proposal between the Izayges and the Rhoxolani was offered. Chienef, who was the son of the Izayges chief, was set to marry Lyrical, daughter of the Rhoxolani chief. Chienef had caught his bride-to-be with another man on the night of their wedding. Furious over the betrayal, Chienef killed his betrothed and her lover. He accused the Roxolani people of being dishonorable, and a vicious battle took place between the two tribes, never again to attempt to form another allegiance through marriage.

Until now, that is.

Xavier held back his grin at the thought and instead looked over to his second in command, Tristan.

“We make haste to the village. I want to arrive when there is yet sunlight,” Xavier ordered, barely taking in Tristan’s nod of understanding before he kicked his horse into a gallop.

It was time to meet his future wife.

X
AVIER AND HIS
small party, which included his fellow warriors and brother, arrived just as the sun was to make way for the moon. Xavier’s horse skidded to a stop in front of a big, blonde man who lifted his arms high in welcome, a smile stretching across his chubby face.

“Ah! Welcome to Rhoxolani, Chief Xavier!” the man shouted merrily. “I am Boers, chief of this tribe.” The chief hit himself in the chest and tilted his head down in greeting.

“Our horses need hay and water. I want to see your daughter before we marry. I don’t plan on lingering here longer than I have to,” Xavier said, skipping niceties and getting straight to the point. He stared Boers down through the fringe of his hair once he dismounted from Killix.

Boers seemed a bit put off by Xavier’s dismissal, his jolly expression slipping before he caught himself, and his smile appeared on his face once again. “Of course, we will make sure all is taken care of,” Boers promised. Turning to look behind him, he motioned his hand forward to the stable boys waiting.

“These boys will take your horses to our stables for you,” Boers told Xavier as the boys ran up to them. When one tried to take hold of Xavier’s reins, he found his wrist quickly snatched before he made contact with the leather.

The boy stared up at Xavier in fear, while Boers looked to Xavier in shock. Xavier stared back, his emotionless eyes giving nothing away.

“We prefer to take care of our own horses,” Xavier explained. “If the boys can just show us where we may board them.”

Boers gave a nervous nod, signaling for the stable boys to show them the way. Xavier released the wrist he was holding, and the boy quickly rushed past him to follow the others. Tristan walked past him leading both his and Xavier’s horse and Xavier’s eyes followed him for a moment before they cut back to Boers, who didn't look as jolly as he had before and instead seemed nervous. Xavier held in his grin.

“Your daughter?” Xavier reminded.

Boers snapped to attention, meeting Xavier’s gaze and giving him a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes.

“Yes, of course. This way,” Boers said, holding his hand out toward the large hut stationed at the very top of the hill. “Come, I will take you to her.”

Leawyn stared down at herself in the basin of water, her sea-blue eyes taking in her hair that fell around her heart-shaped face in thick, long waves. She touched her cheek and trailed her fingertips down to her pale pink lips. Leawyn sighed and swiped the water in the basin roughly to erase her reflection.

Her head snapped up at the sound of footfalls coming towards her room.

Oh Gods, they’re coming,
she thought. Moments later, the flap separating her room from the rest of the hut swung aside and in stepped her father and betrothed. She gasped softly when the man’s cold brown eyes met hers.

Xavier kept his merciless eyes focused on her as he stood to his full six-foot-six height. His coal-colored hair brushed the tops of his broad shoulders, spread wide against his defined chest. His arms were bunched with muscles as they rested against his sides. The rumors she heard revolving around this man were all true, Leawyn realized, because looking at him now, all she could think of was danger.

Leawyn could still feel the heavy weight of Xavier’s gaze as she looked over to her father, who spoke suddenly, breaking the tense silence.

“Daughter, this is your betrothed, Xavier,” Boers said nervously as he glanced toXavier before looking at her again. “Chief of the Izayges.”

Leawyn looked to Xavier again, the heat of his gaze making her uncomfortable. She lowered her head, dipping her body slightly at the waist in greeting.

Xavier continued to study her, raking his eyes up and down her body slowly. She felt even smaller in front of him. As discreetly as possible, Leawyn peeked up at him and studied him much like he did her.

His broad chest was bare, and he wore dark breeches that looked to be made of some type of tough animal skin, similar to leather. She could only spot three noticeable weapons on his person, but she doubted it was all he had on him. He had a sword that was long and wickedly curved strapped to his back, and another long, thick, straight blade hung down from the side of his waist. On the other side of his hip, Leawyn could see the hilt of a dagger peaking out of the waistband of his breeches. She glanced at his arms. They were massive. She looked down, heart rate spiking.

He was terrifying.

“Leave us,” Xavier demanded gruffly. His deep voice caused the demand to come out more like a growl. Leawyn felt her eyes widen, glancing at her father in fear.

Don’t leave me,
Leawyn thought.

Her father shifted uncomfortably, but nodded his head. “Of course.” He bowed to Xavier. Giving his daughter one last apologetic look, he turned and lifted open the flap of the tent, leaving Xavier and Leawyn alone.

Leawyn lowered her eyes back to the ground, her chest tight with dread. She heard Xavier move closer to her, and she took a halting breath against the nervousness that seemed to choke her and keep her body paralyzed.

“Tell me your name, girl,” Xavier demanded, staring down at her small form. She was tiny compared to him. He easily towered over her.

Leawyn felt herself bristle slightly at his tone.He didn’t ask, he commanded.

“Leawyn,” she answered softly, proud her voice didn’t come out as shaky as she thought it would.

Xavier’s expressionless mask twisted into an angry scowl.

“Look at me,” Xavier growled, his voice low. When Leawyn’s eyes failed to meet his fast enough, he reached down and gripped her chin and jerked her face up to look at him.

“Your gaze will always meet my own,” he told her sternly, staring down into her wide eyes. “You will only have eyes for me, do you understand?”

Leawyn’s feelings of fear quickly turned into annoyance. “Shall I call you master while I’m at it?” she asked sardonically, glaring at him defiantly. She wasn’t prepared for the sharp jerk he gave her chin as he forced her to tilt her face up higher.

“I do not appreciate the attitude, Leawyn. You will do well to remember who exactly you are talking to, and you will respect me,” Xavier growled down at her, yanking her chin up yet again, and causing a whimper of pain to escape from her.

“Now, do you understand?” he asked again. When she went to give him a nod, he tightened his grip on her before she could follow through with the motion. “The words, Leawyn. I want the words.”

“Yes!” Leawyn gasped out against his tight hold, staring up at him with wide, frightened eyes. “Yes, I understand!”

Leawyn rubbed her aching jaw as he let go of her abruptly. She took a few steps away from him hastily, trying to blink back the tears of pain and fear that clouded her eyes.

“How old are you?” Xavier asked, watching her.

“E-eighteen summers,” Leawyn stuttered, looking up at him nervously. She knew he was much older than she, and the knowledge that she was expected to marry him made her stomach clench with sickness. But, Leawyn knew some girls younger than herself were married to much older men. She told herself she should be somewhat grateful.

“We will be married in three days’ time.”

Leawyn’s body tensed in shock, the icy cold feeling of dread washed over her. “What?” She gaped at him. “We can’t!”

She couldn't live with this man! This possessive, domineering man who didn’t care if he hurt her.

She shook her head. She wouldn’t marry Xavier. Not after meeting him.

“I will not marry you,” Leawyn said suddenly, her brows creasing as she stared up at him in determination.

Xavier stiffened, every muscle in his body tensing as his eyes cut to hers. Leawyn swallowed against the urge to run as she edged away from him, catching the dangerous glint that entered his eyes. The glint was that of a predator whocaught sight of its prey right before attacking.

She had a feeling the prey was her.

“What did you say?” Xavier asked, his voice was silky and dripped with promised danger.

Leawyn gulped, but then lifted her chin defiantly while staring at him with more bravery than she felt.

“I will not marry you,” she repeated, backing away from him as he took slow, measured steps towards her.

Xavier shook his head slowly, his icy eyes never leaving hers. “I’ll ask you one more time, Leawyn. What did you just say?”

“I refuse to marry—”

Xavier’s eyes flashed furiously, his hand shooting out and wrapping around the back of her neck in a vice-like grip. Using his other hand, he gripped her jaw brutally.

“You will become my wife, Leawyn,” he said in warning. He leaned in, rubbing his bearded cheek against her smooth one. “And if I find out you have let another man between your legs come our wedding night . . .” She could only emit a soft gasp of pain as Xavier’s grip around her neck squeezed tighter.“I’ll kill you,” he whispered softly into her ear.