How The Warrior Fell (Falling Warriors series Book 1)

by Nicole René

  “The lake is not frozen all the way,” Tristan said. “There is no chance it will hold all our weight without cracking.”

  “It’s the only way. We’ll spread out; have the men dismount when they cross.”

  “Xavier,” Tristan said quietly. “We cannot cross; we will fall to our doom if we do. We should go back the way we came.”

  “That road is too dangerous now.” Xavier shook his head adamantly. “They’ll expect us to go the safer route. We would be walking right into an ambush,” Xavier told Tristan, his voice also low.

  “The ice will crack under our weight, and we’ll all be killed. I know it, and so do you.”

  “We will all die if we go back the way we came!” Xavier stepped up to his brother, his glare heavy with authority. “We cross the lake. Now ready the men,” he hissed before he brushed by Tristan and stalked away to find his wife.

  As more time passed, Tyronian seemed to grow more and more restless, which in turn made Leawyn nervous.

  Finally, after what seemed like days, Tyronian stood straighter when Xavier approached him with a solemn look on his face.

  “We cross the lake.”

  Noticing the tension, Leawyn looked between Tyronian and her husband.

  Tyronian quickly hurried to Xavier, ducking his head as he whispered hurried words with him.

  She watched with growing anxiety as Xavier and Tyronian argued, Xavier shaking his head every so often and saying clipped words in response. Her husband said something to Tyronian with finality, which caused Tyronian to shake his head and stalk off.

  Leawyn gave Xavier a questioning look when he stopped in front of her.

  “You will have to lead Deydrey across the lake on foot; the less weight, the better,” Xavier ordered her in a clipped tone.

  “Xavier, what’s going on?” Leawyn questioned softly, her brows drawing together in worry. “Why not just go the way we came?”

  Xavier’s lips firmed, staring down at her solemnly. “Those roads are out of the question.”

  “Why?”

  Scowling down at her, he snapped, “We cross the lake. End of discussion. Now get ready to move out and meet me at the front.” He turned his back on her then and returned to where Tristan and Tyronian were waiting for him, barking out orders as he walked by the rest of his men.

  Well. Alright, then.

  Leawyn sighed. Grabbing ahold of Deydrey’s reins, she silently led her horse to the front.

  This was a very, very bad idea, Leawyn thought to herself, staring down at the frozen water in apprehension.

  She had to stop and hold her breath frequently whenever the ice groaned under her weight.

  The men were all scattered about, each one of them doing the exact same thing Leawyn was. This lake was not nearly frozen enough for them to be walking on, and she couldn’t understand why Xavier would order them to attempt to cross it. Though, she knew by now there was no use trying to ask questions or change his mind.

  He was stubborn as a mule and didn’t listen to anyone.

  The ice gave another loud groan. Leawyn immediately stopped.

  “We should go back!”

  She couldn’t help but agree with whoever had called that out.

  “Keep moving and spread out more,” Xavier ordered. No one said anything more, and instead followed their chief’s orders.

  “Nice and steady, Deydrey. Attagirl,” Leawyn murmured soothingly to her restless mare.

  They all went at a slow pace, avoiding the areas that seemed weaker than the others. Some men were already across on stronger ice and waiting for them.

  Leawyn took a step forward slowly, keeping her eyes on the ground at all times. She stopped, her heart going to her throat as the ice groaned disapprovingly and a small break appeared.

  She stared down at the crack in mounting horror as it spread, the sound of the ice splitting loud in her ears.

  Oh, Goddess, no.

  She only had a second to scream out Xavier’s name before the ice under her feet collapsed and she plummeted into the deathly cold ice water.

  XAVIER KNEW HIS men, brother, and cousin did not agree with his choice of crossing the ice, but it was the only way.

  He couldn’t risk the chance of the only safe road being ambushed. If it were just his men with him, he might have considered it, having faith in their fighting capabilities. But it wasn’t just him and his men. He had Leawyn to consider, and he refused to take the chance she would be caught in the crossfire and hurt.

  He would not risk her life.

  Though, even he had to admit the bird she shot out of the sky was impressive.

  But he’d never admit that to her face.

  Ever.

  They were almost across the frozen lake, most of his men already standing on the bank, waiting for the rest of them to cross safely. He was just about to exhale a sigh of relief when he heard it.

  A low groan followed by the sound of cracking ice and a sharp, shrill scream.

  Her scream.

  “Xavier!”

  He whipped around just in time to see the ice collapse under his wife’s feet, plunging her into the icy depths below.

  Xavier didn’t even think as he ran towards her, watching as the ice cracked more. Deydrey fell into the water too; the mare gave a shrill cry of distress as she struggled to swim and jump back on the ice.

  Xavier skidded to a stop a few inches away from the gaping hole and searched frantically for Leawyn, barely noticing Tyronian did the same.

  “Leawyn!” Xavier shouted, plunging his arm into the icy water and searching for her, trying desperately to grab anything. He lifted his arm out of the water; the freezing temperature caused pain to shoot through his arm, which quickly became numb. He ignored it and plunged back into the water again.

  “I don’t see her!” Tyronian shouted, his eyes scanning the murky water, his expression grim. Tristan struggled to pull Deydrey up, but the panicked mare was so frantic on surviving she only dug herself deeper into the icy water.

  “Keep looking!” Xavier ordered, frantically continuing his search. He couldn’t lose her. He had to find her.

  He needed to save her.

  He could feel his heart constrict in horrible pain with the knowledge that Leawyn surviving was next to none. A burning sensation was building behind his eyes as he pulled his arm back from the water; his limb was so numb, he no longer had the strength to move it. It seemed like time had slowed and hours passed until Xavier slowly stood.

  He looked up, his face pinched in despair as he gazed around. Tristan’s mouth moved in slow motion as he yelled and dragged Deydrey up. Killix’s shrill whinny was loud and drawn out, echoing in his ears. Tyronian was still searching the ice around him, his face frozen in a look of desperation.

  Xavier was about to numbly tell them to stop looking, that it was no use. Leawyn was gone.

  That he had killed his wife with his decision to bring her with him, and to cross the frozen lake.

  That he failed her. Just like his mother.

  But that’s when he saw it.

  A small hand pressed against the ice, and floating blonde hair.

  Xavier didn’t realize he shouted out to Tyronian and Tristan as he rushed to the spot, pulling out his sword as he did so. He fell to his knees and looked down, just in time for the hand to hit against the ice one more time and disappear.

  Xavier lifted his sword high in the air above him and plunged it down straight into the ice, hilt first. The ice barely cracked, but Xavier refused to give up and continued to ram his sword onto the lake. When Xavier’s sword was raised, Tyronian’s blade took its place and slammed down onto the ice.

  Together, they hacked frantically at the frozen surface, and with one last hard thrust, it cracked and split open. Xavier threw his sword to the side and reached down into the dark depths. Tyronian quickly followed suit, and together they blindly tried to grasp Leawyn’s hand.

  Xavier moved his arm to the left and brushed against somethi
ng soft. He instantly turned and grabbed it.

  “Tyronian!” Xavier yelled as he put both hands into the water and started pulling. Tyronian reached down and grabbed on, pulling with Xavier until Leawyn’s head popped out above the water. They each took a shoulder and pulled upwards until she was sprawled on top of the ice. Then they dragged her lifeless form away from the weakened part and onto solid ground.

  Xavier and Tyronian took in Leawyn’s unconscious form, quickly shedding their cloaks and wrapping them around her. Her lips were dark blue, her skin was deathly pale, and some of her long locks of hair had ice clinging to them.

  “She’s not breathing!” Xavier yelled, taking in her still chest.

  “Blankets! We need blankets!” Tyronian yelled loudly, turning his head towards the rest of the men. “Quickly!”

  Xavier bent over and started to pound on her chest, trying to shock her heart into beating again.

  “C’mon, c’mon!” he mumbled, pushing onto her chest harder.

  Xavier lifted Leawyn up and shook her. “Breathe, Leawyn! Breathe!” He took several of the blankets offered to him and wrapped them around her. “Leawyn!” Xavier shouted down to her, shaking her more roughly.

  Tyronian and Tristan crowded around Xavier, Tyronian’s eyes openly spilling over with his tears.

  “Xavier . . .” Tristan said quietly, his voice thick as he rested a hand on Xavier’s broad shoulder.

  “No!” Xavier shouted at him, shrugging his hand off and pushing down on her chest again. “She’s not dead!”

  “Xavier, she’s gone,” Tyronian choked out, staring down at Leawyn’s frozen body. “She’s gone.”

  “She’s not dead!” Xavier hissed out, his eyes on her pale face. “I refuse to believe she’s dead!”

  Tyronian and Tristan were silent, each of their faces drawn up tightly with their pain.

  “Wake up!” Xavier yelled down at Leawyn, scooping her still form into his arms. Leawyn’s head rolled to the side limply, her arms sprawled over Xavier’s bent arms. Xavier stared down at her as he continued to desperately will her to breathe.

  She didn’t.

  He threw his head back. The anguished scream ripped out of his throat and echoed throughout the mountain as he clutched her limp body tighter to his chest. Tyronian and Tristan bowed their heads, sitting back on their knees as Xavier continued to shout his pain to the heavens.Xavier grew silent, staring down at the once lively face of his wife. He traced a calloused finger down her cheek, brushing a wet strand of hair away from her face.He tightened his grip around her, cradling her as he stood up and made his way to the bank where all his men were standing, silent.He tried to ignore the fact that Leawyn’s head lay over his elbow limply, and instead forced himself to think she were sleeping.

  He said nothing as he passed his men, who made a path for Xavier to walk through, each staring sadly at their lady chief in his arms. He made his way towards his horse, who was leaning over Deydrey’s form on the ground. When Xavier stopped in front of him, Killix lifted his head and put his muzzle on Leawyn’s cheek, blowing air on it as he nudged her gently a few times. Xavier was just about to pull her away from Killix’s continuous nudges, when a soft moan escaped her blue lips.

  Xavier looked down, holding his breath, hope making him immobile. Her blue eyes fluttered open, and she squinted up at him. “X-Xa-avier?” she stuttered in a hoarse whisper.

  Xavier nodded quickly, pulling her up closer to him. “Yes, Leawyn.” He breathed in relief. “You’re safe.”

  Leawyn moaned again, shivering. “Deydrey?” Leawyn asked weakly.

  Xavier looked up and over at Deydrey, who was still on the ground. He completely forgot about her horse.

  Xavier shook his head, his lips thinning. “I don’t know.”

  Leawyn’s eyes closed tightly, her face scrunching up in pain. “S-save her. Pl-ease,” she whispered through chattering teeth before her eyes closed again. Xavier had a moment of panic, thinking she was once again lost to him, but then he saw her shallow breathing.

  “She’s alive!” Xavier called out to his men in joy. Tyronian and Tristan pushed their way through and stopped beside him.

  “I can’t believe it,” Tyronian cried in awe.

  “Tristan, build a tent and a fire. We need to get her as warm as possible before we attempt to travel home again,” Xavier ordered. Tristan wasted no time and quickly rushed away from him, shouting out orders to the men as they all rushed to do as Xavier said.

  “Tyronian—”

  “Don’t worry, I know,” Tyronian interrupted. He looked down at Leawyn one last time before he hurried over to Deydrey.

  It felt like forever to Xavier as he waited for Tristan to set up the tent. Each moment that passed, Xavier’s anxiety grew. Finally, Tristan called him over and Xavier rearranged his grip on Leawyn as he walked to the tent his brother and men hastily set up. He set her down gently on the animal fur on the ground by the fire. After unraveling the damp blankets from around her, he noticed she was only in a slip. Realizing she must have taken it off under water to get rid of the extra weight, Xavier couldn’t help but quirk his lips.

  “Smart girl,” he murmured as he reached out with his small dagger and cut the slip in half. He pulled it from her body so she was completely naked. Not giving her nudity much attention, he stood up and quickly shrugged out of his own clothes until he too was bare. Lying down behind his wife, he pulled her tightly into his arms so she was flush against him and piled the stack of blankets the men left over them both.

  He needed to get her warm, and he needed to take her home where she belonged.

  THE FIRST THING Leawyn realized as she slowly gained consciousness was the warmth surrounding her. The second thing was she felt very ill. Thirdly, there was someone rubbing something cool over her forehead.

  Blue eyes met green as she stared at the young face of a girl she had never seen before.

  “Who are you?” Leawyn winced at how scratchy her voice sounded.

  The girl gave her a kind smile, though Leawyn noted it was a bit hesitant. She instantly felt bad for the way she addressed the obviously young girl.

  “I’m sorry,” Leawyn said softly. “That was very rude of me.”

  The girl’s green eyes widened before she quickly shook her head. “’Tis not r-r-rude, Lady Chief. It was m-m-y fault. I shouldn’t have—”

  Leawyn raised a brow at the girl and smiled kindly when she instantly stopped talking.

  “I don’t see how taking care of an unconscious sick person, who suddenly wakes up and demands answers in the rudest way, is your fault,” Leawyn said, giving the girl a look of amusement. “Now, I will ask again—though much more kindly.” Leawyn smiled when the girl giggled. “Who are you?”

  “Namoriee,” the girl said quietly, looking away from Leawyn’s eyes shyly. She was a skittish little thing.

  “Namoriee, what a pretty name!” Leawyn praised. “How old are you, Namoriee?” Her grin grew when Namoriee ducked her head again, blushing. “S-sixteen s-s-summers,” Namoriee mumbled quietly.

  “Why haven’t I seen you around the village?”

  “I was at the Asori tribe with the healer I serve.”

  Leawyn nodded in understanding. It was not unheard of for healers from other tribes to go to the Asori. They were the best healers, after all.

  “Have you been taking care of me this whole time?”

  Namoriee shook her head once. “No, I only recently—”

  The door opened, cutting her off mid-sentence. Both girls looked over to see Xavier’s massive form entering the hut, his eyes instantly landing on Leawyn.

  Namoriee immediately shot to her feet. “Chief X-Xavier. I was j-just going to g-g-get you,” Namoriee stuttered fearfully, avoiding Xavier’s eyes by staring down at her feet.

  “I just woke up,” Leawyn agreed, taking pity on Namoriee, who was obviously fearful of her husband. Not that she could blame the girl.

  “Leave us.” Xavier’s eyes never left
Leawyn’s.

  Leawyn’s brows drew together, giving Namoriee one last kind smile as she quickly made her way out of the hut. She eased her way past Xavier and practically ran out of the door once she did.

  “You could have said that a bit more kindly. She’s obviously skittish.” Leawyn glared disapprovingly.

  Xavier said nothing, and Leawyn’s apprehension grew when he made his way over to her, his massive form giving off an aura she couldn’t distinguish.

  “Xavier?” Leawyn questioned wearily, eying him.

  Without warning, he hauled her into his strong arms and crushed her to his chest. Leawyn gasped. He grabbed a fistful of her golden locks and angled her head before he gave her a hungry kiss that knocked her breath away. She stiffened, eyes wide in surprise. Xavier pulled back and stared into her eyes intently. She felt her heart skip when they flashed with an emotion she’d never seen before.

  Xavier stared at her a moment longer before he dipped his head and captured her lips with his own again. This time, his kiss was gentle, even though his grip was fierce. His lips were soft against her own as his tongue swept into her mouth and caressed hers. He lowered Leawyn down until her back was pressed against the soft bed pallets, and hovered over her.

  They stayed like that for a while, lips meshed together. Xavier’s kiss was bold and strong and consuming. He pulled away so his head rested against hers, their faces so close Leawyn could feel his lips and his warm breath.

  Keeping her gaze captive, his hand traveled down the side of her body until he gripped the edges of the slip she was wearing and slowly inched it up over her hips. Leawyn’s breath shuddered as she felt his calloused hands travel over her right hipbone, the touch butterfly-soft, and move down to the inside of her thigh. He stopped his hand when it rested over the place that had been touched only by him.

  He pulled back a bit to watch her face as he gently petted her. Leawyn bit her bottom lip, her breath hitching at the slow build of pleasure from the tiny, swollen bundle of nerves he was touching. His thumb flicked against the sensitive spot, while his fingers dipped into the wetness gathering there. Leawyn moaned softly when he eased his thick finger inside her, her hips bucking involuntarily at the sensation.