How The Warrior Fell (Falling Warriors series Book 1) (52 page)

There was a lot to do in the aftermaths of war, after all.

T
HE MORNING AIR
was cool, the sky a soft grey with twinges of pink in the morning light as Leawyn quietly made her way past the slowly waking village. The tribes’ grazing horses paid her no attention as she walked past them and up to the small incline in the field.

Leawyn stopped, her hands raised up to her brow to shield her eyes from the sun that was glowing steadily brighter. Her eyes scanned the field and hillside.

“C’mon,” Leawyn muttered under her breath. “Where are you?”

The sun was starting to be a beautiful blend of colors now as it peaked. Soft pinks, blues, and tangerines created the beautiful chaos of morning light.

More moments passed, and Leawyn was just about to head back up to the village when she heard it.

A soft whinny echoing from below the hill.

Leawyn stilled, watching the hilltop with bated breath.

Deydrey’s silver mane appeared first, slowly walking up the hill until her chest was visible. She stopped, her neck turning to look behind her, waiting.

Leawyn’s hand flew to cover her mouth, blinking back tears.

The pure black colt burst over the hill, his longs legs still uncertain and wobbly as he hurried over to his mom’s side and stayed close.

“He looks just like him.”

Leawyn jumped in surprise, looking over her shoulder to see Xavier staring at the foal ahead of her.

“He’s beautiful,” Leawyn said with emotion thick in her voice, turning back around. Xavier’s arm rested around her shoulders, pulling her close to his side.

They watched the colt run around, testing out his legs and speed. The colt kicked out his legs, and Xavier and Leawyn both laughed when he wobbled precariously as his feet landed back on the ground, the momentum throwing him off balance.

A soft cry caught drew their attention behind them.

Xavier and Leawyn both turned, watching Namoriee walk towards them, her arms craddling the two month, blond haired baby close to her chest.

Xavier stepped forward and met her halfway, Namoriee gladly handing their son over so he could take him in his own arms and hold him close. Namoriee turned to leave as soon as she did so.

Leawyn smiled softly at the sound of her son’s happy gurgling as his dad tickled his stomach. Xavier walked back over to her, and she sighed in contentment, leaning back against Xavier when he wrapped his arms around her waist from behind, his hands resting against the growing baby bump there.

“I love you,” Xavier whispered into Leawyn’s ear, meeting her eyes when she tilted her head back to look up at him.

Leawyn and Xavier didn’t choose their beginning, it was chosen for them. They were forced on each other for the sake of their tribes.

For a long time, Leawyn’s life had felt hopeless. She was stuck with a man she hated, with no chance to escape, and she had often wished for death.

Xavier and Leawyn tore each other apart with their words, and then put the pieces back together with their actions. They wanted each other to suffer, because they were scared. Hate brought them together, fear tore them apart. They hurt each other to try and hide their own pain. They wanted each other to suffer because they were scared. Of themselves, of each other . . . of love.

They were lost in the sea of loneliness, yet, somewhere along the way, they found each other, and instead of drowning, they swam.

It took Leawyn awhile, but she finally figured it out.

Xavier was a warrior first, and a man second. That was a fact that would never change.

Their love wasn’t easy, and it wasn’t conventional. But it was theirs. Their love was painful. It was hard. It was heartbreaking. But most of all . . . It was everlasting.

They fought the battle, and won.

Leawyn smiled, fingers caressing his cheek. She went up on her toes and Xavier bent his massive form down to meet her halfway. Before their lips touched, she told him the truth.

“I love you, too.”

The End.

How The Warrior Fell
is my debut novel and I would love to hear what you thought of it! If you have the time, please leave a review and send the link to
[email protected]
and I’ll personally thank you for your support!

Tyronian and Namoriee’s story is next in the explosive second book in the Falling Warriors series. Please enjoy this exclusive excerpt.

HOW THE WARRIOR CLAIMED

Book Two

Synopsis:

Namoriee knew that the only way she could protect her heart against the blond-haired gentle giant with the smile that haunted her nights, and the blue eyes that seemed to be permanently fixed on her, was to stay away. Her body reacts strangely whenever she was around Tyronian, and that scared her.

He was the chief’s cousin, and third in line to take over the tribe.

She was the Chief’s handmaiden.

He was too good for her, and two years ago he made a promise to her that she never thought he intended to keep.

She was wrong.

Tyronian had wanted Namoriee even when he knew it was wrong. The need to posses her was so strong, it took everything he had to keep the promise he made himself, and to her.

He promised he would wait until she was older.

He promised her two years.

Time’s up.

Namoriee wants nothing to do with Tyronian, but that’s too bad because he has no plans on stopping until she’s in his bed, and he’s in her heart.

She’ll be his. Forever.

Whether she likes it, or not.

CHAPTER ONE

“What are you asking, exactly?”

Tyronian’s eyes narrowed at the question.
My cousin is a bastard
, he thought.

Judging by the humored glint in Xavier’s eyes, and the smirk that Tyronian’s fists were itching to wipe off his face—he knew it too.

“You know exactly what I’m asking,
cousin,”
Tyronian sneered.

Xavier chuckled, shaking his head. A glance over at his wife, Leawyn—also Tyronian’s cousin—showed that she, too, was amused at his expense.

They were all in the main hut that was used for the tribe’s meals. Xavier had it built for Leawyn when she mentioned that one of the things she missed most about her village was that they had all shared their meals together. There wasn’t anything Xavier wouldn’t do for his wife, so, naturally, he had this giant hut built and the Izayges now had a new tradition.

“Save yourself the trouble, and just say it,” Leawyn said in her melodic voice with a grin that practically broke her face.

Bastards. Both of them,
Tyronian thought.

“Fine,” Tyronian growled, fists clenching with his annoyance, “I want to make Namoriee my wife. Do you accept my offer,
Chief?”
His voice was sickly sweet with false niceties and sarcasm.

Xavier’s eyes glittered with triumph when he nodded his head. Clearly he was enjoying this. “I accept. You may have her.”

Tyronian nodded his head in gratitude to him. Xavier knew very well that it wouldn’t have mattered if he denied Tyronian—he would've claimed her anyways. Namoriee was his. He waited two winters for her to shed the skin of a young girl, and blossom into the woman that she was today. Tyronian had waited even longer if he counted many winters he wanted her before. From the very first moment Namoriee’s hazel eyes, so timid and unsure of herself, caught his, her fate was sealed. It was as if a lightning bolt struck Tyronian’s heart and stole his breath. The rush of protectiveness and possessiveness that took over his body was shocking.

From then on, Tyronian had looked after Namoriee. Even if she didn’t know, and it was from afar. It was Tyronian who made sure that she didn’t go hungry solely because of her status, or that she had decent clothing for the winter, and a roof over her head.

When his cousin got married, Tyronian made sure that she would be his new wife’s handmaiden because he knew what that would mean for her, what kind of opportunities that offered her. He was glad that the tales of Leawyn’s beauty weren’t the only rumor that was true. Rumors had spread fast about the daughter of the Rhoxolani‘s chief, of how she was the most beautiful girl in all the land, and had a pure heart that was filled only with kindness. They were all truths, Tyronian had learned; his cousin was in fact beautiful and was the most kindhearted person he knew. But his cousin didn’t hold a candle to his Namoriee. She was the most beautiful girl in the land in his eyes, and she was going to be all his. No matter how much Namoriee tried to deny it.

“Where is she?” Tyronian asked Leawyn directly, as she would know best where her friend was. Leawyn smiled her radiant smile that enamored so many men. “She’s in my hut with Xillik,” she answered. “She probably already put him down for his nap and is heading back to her own hut.” Leawyn’s eyes twinkled with mischievousness that made him grin.

“I’ll take my leave then,” he said, taking the few steps needed and placed a kiss on Leawyn’s cheek. He was just about to open the door to leave when her voice made him pause.

“She will fight you, Tyronian. Not because you are unworthy, but because she feels that
she
is unworthy. Her heart is strong; don’t be afraid to break it. Just as long as you can put it back together again with even more strength.”

Tyronian turned, looking Leawyn in her eyes. She smiled gently at him, but the smile didn’t quite reach her eyes. Instead, they reflected the battles her own heart had fought. Tyronian didn’t think anyone really knew the effect the war had on his beautiful cousin. Leawyn was strong—stronger than anyone he knew—but even the strongest heart struggled to keep the darkness that came with taking a life at bay.

“You have my word,” he vowed. Leawyn smiled.

When she did not say more, Tyronian gave her and Xavier another nod before opening the door and exiting the room.

It was time to tell his wife-to-be the good news.

CHAPTER TWO

It took forever for Namoriee to get Xillik to settle down enough to sleep. The adorable-yet-crazy blonde-haired toddler was insane. He had an over-abundance of energy, and he was already mischievous enough to use his cuteness to get away from things he didn’t agree with, like naps. He was by far the cutest child in the village.

Xillik inherited Leawyn’s blonde hair and blue eyes, and when he smiled two identical dimples appeared on both cheeks. As far as Namoriee could see, the only thing that he inherited from Xavier was his height. He was already taller than the other kids his age.

Needless to say, putting him to sleep was a struggle, and when he finally
did
fall asleep, all Namoriee wanted to do was the same. Which was exactly what she had planned to do as soon as she got in her hut. Or at least she was, until she walked in and saw the last person she wanted to see sitting on her bed pallet waiting for her.