Alexa's Warrior Mate (Guardian Warrior Mates, Prophecy of Salvation Book 1)

by Bernard, Lynnette

  What he wanted was to look upon the beauty and kindness of Bree every moment for the rest of his life. She had fire within her, but the gentleness of her soothed him like no other ever had. He wanted the miracle of a bonding with her, knowing that he had no right to desire such a thing.

  He dared to turn his gaze upon Bree once again, unsure what he would see on her face as she looked at him. He could not bear to see her pity or her disgust. He cursed himself for giving in to his weakness. He should remain strong. He should keep himself from her in order to keep her and her daughter safe. He should not encourage the voice within his mind that pushed him to get close to her. It would not bode well for the sweet woman if he did.

  “I have to say, Torin, I’m relieved and impressed that you didn’t get upset with all the insults that Gaiya hurled at you,” Bree told him honestly. “Not every man is able to remain calm when a woman attacks his virility.”

  She did her best to keep the smile from her face. Looking at her sisters, she knew that they had heard Gaiya call him a Neanderthal with a little prick, too. Each of them had always been able to hear Gaiya speak within their minds from the time Gaiya had been five years old.

  “You heard what she said to me, my lady?” Torin questioned. At Bree’s nod, he sighed softly. It was one thing to have his manhood questioned privately. It was another when the woman you wanted was allowed to hear such an accusation.

  “None of us think poorly of you, Torin,” Bree said gently. “We are thankful for your honor. Some men are quick to act out and hurt another when they are angry.”

  “Only a man with no honor and no respect for women would lash out in anger toward a woman,” Torin said softly.

  “That’s true,” Bree agreed, remembering the cruelty of the man who had hurt her. She did her best to shake off that memory and concentrate on the present. “I am still appreciative of the calm you have displayed.”

  “I thank you for your kindness, Lady Bree,” he said, bowing slightly. His face was very close to Bree’s forehead. He could smell her delicious scent and was filled with the need to gather her within his arms and hold her, but he knew that he could not.

  He turned away from her and saw that Sebastian was watching him intently. He straightened and stood tall, daring his friend and king to say something, but Sebastian remained silent. He nodded to Sebastian, acknowledging his discretion.

  A feeling of concern tickled the back of his neck. Something was wrong. Something was affecting Bree. His instincts were screaming at him to care for her. He turned toward her and saw that she had turned very pale. He knew true fear as he saw how she wavered slightly on her feet. Her violet eyes locked with his, and he was drawn deeper into her soul. There was no one and nothing that could stop his quick decent into the kindness of her heart.

  She was clutching Hanna to her chest and looking at him with wide eyes. His fierce warrior was afraid. Of him? Of being attracted to him? The first was unfounded. The second was understandable.

  His pulled himself out of his stupor and lowered his eyes to the wound on Bree’s arm. He was snapped out of his internal thoughts at once and was brought back to the important matter at hand. He had a job to fulfill as a Guardian Warrior. He had given his oath to his king. The people of their worlds were their priority. Bree and her daughter were at the top of the list of the people he protected and cared for.

  It did not matter that he was not worthy. Whether Bree was disgusted by him, or the thought of being life mates with him, did not matter. It did not matter that he should not desire the gentle warrior before him. What did matter was that she needed his protection, and he was going to do whatever it took to care for her and her little one.

  “Landon,” Torin barked, knowing Landon would be beside him in an instant. He was a good warrior, a good friend, and a skilled healer. “Get the medical supplies. Lady Bree has an injury.”

  Before Landon had a chance to move, Callie stepped forward. “No, wait,” she stayed him with her gentle voice. “I will heal her.” She turned to look at Lexi for approval.

  “Callie, do what you must,” Lexi told her gently. “Don’t be afraid. I trust Sebastian. He’s a good man. His men are good men. Mom told us we would find them and had to help them. She was right. So was Dad. We have to trust them to keep our secrets.”

  Callie smiled shyly as she looked at Sebastian. She could see the connection between him and Lexi. It was a good connection. Their auras matched. They were both surrounded by a soft golden glow that was haloed by violet. Only goodness could produce such an aura.

  Turning, she stepped forward and reached out to embrace Bree with her left arm around her sister’s back. She drew Bree’s body close to hers so that they touched, chest to chest. With her right hand, she parted the ripped sleeve of Bree’s shirt and carefully examined the gaping wound. It was a clean cut across Bree’s bicep. She could tell that it was deep.

  Callie knew that Bree was in pain. She could sense the agony Bree was experiencing through their link. She also knew that if she didn’t heal the injury, Bree would have muscle damage and very probably not retain full use of her arm. As gently as she could, she covered the wound, closed her eyes, and concentrated. A violet glow emanated from her hand to encompass the injured flesh of her sister’s arm.

  Lexi watched her sisters as the familiar color of healing surrounded them both in a soft glow that the Gallagher family knew all too well. Callie had often healed them from the time they had been children. Her gift had manifested itself at a very young age.

  Lexi remembered when Callie had been only seven years old. Daria had fallen in their backyard and had broken her ankle. Callie had been so distraught, she had gathered Daria into her arms and hugged her tightly. That violet glow that signified her using her healing power had glowed brightly for the first time. Within a matter of moments, Daria had sniffed away her tears, kissed Callie on the cheek, got up, and ran off to play with Evie.

  That moment of compassion and healing had been repeated often over the years. Callie’s heart and emotions had linked herself to every one of them. She was there beside them in an instant whenever they had sustained injuries, comforting them and healing them quickly. They were all so very thankful for her gift.

  Callie concentrated on healing Bree, blocking away any other thoughts or outside stimulus. She couldn’t get distracted—not when Bree’s health was at risk. She centered her healing on Bree’s arm, following the path of her pain to her soul. Callie let out a soft whimper of pain as she took Bree’s pain within her heart and diffused it, scattering the pain to the universe as she directed her healing ability.

  She let out a sigh of relief when she felt Daria come up behind her and embrace her as she used her gift. Daria was the one who could ground her and keep her strong until the healing process had been completed.

  When Callie released her hold on Bree, her sister’s arm was perfectly healed and held no scar. The only testament to Bree’s injury was the rip in her shirt and the blood that soaked its sleeve. Callie smiled sadly at her sister, wishing she could take away the deeper pain that still kept up residence within her heart. Nothing Callie could do would erase that pain. Bree had to find her own way out of the torment that still haunted her.

  Looking at Torin, she pulled her gaze away quickly. She saw the connection between him and Bree. He would be the one who would help Bree heal—if she allowed him to.

  Callie stepped back and looked directly into Sebastian’s surprised eyes. “I’m sorry I didn’t heal your forehead when you were injured,” she apologized sincerely. “We were afraid to reveal ourselves to you until we were sure that you were the warriors that we were meant to find.”

  “It is understandable, Lady Callie,” Sebastian answered, still in awe at having witnessed the healing ability he had suspected Callie possessed. He bowed slightly as she stood before him. “I am pleased and relieved that you are able to heal your sisters.”

  “I’m able to heal your men, too,” she offered. “I will
have to touch them, though. Would that be all right?”

  “You do realize, Lady Callie, that you chance touching your life mate if you choose to aid my warriors,” Sebastian reminded her softly.

  Callie accepted his words, but she had to make right what she hadn’t done before. She looked toward Lexi, anguish filling her as she thought about Sebastian’s injury that she could have easily healed, and the many warriors who were now injured and needed her.

  “I can’t not help them,” she told her oldest sister quietly.

  “I know, Callie,” Lexi acknowledged, reaching out to hold her sister’s hand. “It’ll be all right. If you find your mate, it was meant to be.” She stepped closer and embraced her sister, looking up to speak to all of them. “I am very happy to have found my destined mate. Sebastian is a good man. He makes me happy. I wish the same happiness for all of you.”

  Sebastian smiled down at her, unable to contain the joy that her words gave him. Before he had a chance to speak, Callie embraced him, carefully pulled the bandage from his forehead, and covered the cut over his left eye with her hand. A violet glow surrounded him at once. He felt the power of Callie’s healing and remained still as her gift blessed him. He felt warmth seeping into his skin and closed his eyes to accept the healing power that filled him.

  Lexi slipped her hand into his and squeezed it lightly, telling him with her touch that she was sorry for causing him pain and keeping secrets from him. She did not need to feel guilt over anything.

  “Do not, Lexi. You did as you needed to do in order to keep your family safe,” he told her gently as Callie lowered her hand and stepped away from him. “I thank you for your healing, Lady Callie.”

  Lexi sighed with relief that Sebastian had finally been healed. She reached up and touched his forehead lightly with the tip of her index finger then followed the masculine slope of his forehead. She smiled when Sebastian turned into her touch and held her hand so he could place a tender kiss in the center of her palm. It sent shivers of desire and happiness through her. He was such a kind and loving man.

  “Thank you, my lady,” Sebastian told Callie sincerely. “We are grateful for all that you will do for us on this day.”

  Callie smiled and stepped back, unsure where to begin. There weren’t many injuries among Sebastian’s men, so the odds of her finding her mate by touching those that needed to be healed weren’t that high, she supposed. But it was definitely going to be a risk.

  She realized that it was a risk that she was willing to take. She took a calming breath and looked at the happiness and love that Lexi obviously shared with Sebastian. Callie thought it would be wonderful if she found her own destined mate.

  Looking around the group of men, she tried to focus and search her heart. She didn’t feel a draw to any of them.

  She sighed softly. She honestly didn’t think there was anyone on this world meant for her.

  Chapter 19

  “I am curious as to your power, Lady Francie,” Sebastian said with humor as he turned to face Lexie’s sister. “I would like to know how it was that you hurled those heavy boulders at the Gorin.”

  “I can move things by focusing my mind on them. It takes only a thought. I direct the energy with my hands,” Francie told him, blushing slightly as all the men’s eyes were suddenly trained upon her. She saw their shock. She also saw their respect. Although she was honored by it, it also made her feel isolated. They would all look at her differently now.

  She wanted to find a man who saw beyond her strength. She wanted someone she could be soft and gentle with. She didn’t know if that was ever going to happen for her. Maybe this world of Altavesta would lead her to her destiny in more ways than one.

  Their mother had told all of them that they would find their new lives here on this world. She also told them that they would find their true loves. It was a nice, fairytale kind of thought—one that Francie didn’t have much faith in despite her mother’s gift. It was hard to believe when you were so incredibly lonely.

  “And you, Lady Daria?” Sebastian questioned her as he turned his attention to Daria as she stood beside Callie.

  “I have visions,” Daria answered hesitantly, unsure of their acceptance of her ability. She turned to look at the men who surrounded them and held her head high. She was not ashamed of what she was able to do. If they didn’t believe her, that was their problem.

  Her eyes settled on the warrior called Landon who stood behind Torin. The short-cropped, light brown hair on his head begged for her touch. The black markings on his chest and the intricate tattoo on his right arm beckoned to her. She wanted to travel her fingers across them and learn what they meant. She had to resist. She knew in her heart that she could not resist for long, though. Landon was hers.

  As she watched the heat in his eyes blaze brightly as he gazed at her, she knew that this man was going to be the most important person in her life. She had seen him in several visions. In one vision, she had watched him as he gave medical attention to the warriors that she now knew. In another, she had seen him very sad, sitting in a cushioned chair in a dark room. That vision had quickly morphed into another one that had shown her that the room was part of a quaint cottage beside a lake of crystal blue water. She had seen herself reaching out and offering him her hand.

  At that point in the vision, Landon had gathered her within his arms, touched her face gently, and kissed her slowly. Daria still trembled at the remembrance of that kiss. When she had come out of her vision, she had actually been able to feel a lingering of the warmth of his mouth on hers. She still heard the soft words of love that he had spoken to her. Her heart ached with need as she thought about the adorable children that had surrounded them. That vision had been the best vision she had ever experienced.

  The possibility of her future with this gentle healer was now very real. She had to put aside her shyness. A beautiful life awaited them both—if she just had the courage to walk over to him and touch him. But there was no legitimate reason for her to go near him right then. She smiled sadly as she looked at him one last time.

  Turning, she walked toward the two men who were standing beside the main campfire. Both of them needed Callie’s help. She stood beside Callie and placed her hand on her sister’s shoulder, making certain that she was in contact with Callie’s skin as Callie concentrated on healing the first warrior. The connection wouldn’t be made otherwise.

  She had always helped Callie. It was something that the two of them had perfected over time as they had been growing up. When Daria touched Callie, Callie was better able to focus her healing ability. Daria held no ability to heal, but she was a magnifier of Callie’s gift. On the other side of the coin, Callie was able to help Daria regain her strength after every vision that she experienced. Each didn’t know what they would do without the other.

  As Callie reached out to touch the first man to heal the long cut along his thigh, Daria sighed as she moved her hand to touch her sister’s arm. She concentrated and drew upon her ability to help her sister. It was going to be a long day, and she was going to be completely exhausted when they were finished.

  “I will aid you and your sister, Lady Daria,” a deep voice called to her as its owner stepped toward her and knelt beside her.

  Daria knew it was Landon without having to turn around. She had already felt the beginning of their bond drawing her to him. His kindness called to her soul. She could sense his closeness at all times. She could also feel his strength as he gave her support. She didn’t think he even realized that he was offering it.

  When Landon was near her, the weakness that she often felt whenever she experienced a vision was not as severe. The heavens had certainly chosen the right man for her. She hoped he would understand and accept her visions now that he knew that she experienced them.

  She believed that he would be able to help her through every last one of them. During one of her visions, she had seen him carry her to their bedroom, settle her gently in the middle of their bed,
and climb in beside her to hold her tenderly as she fell into a healing sleep. That vision told her that Landon would be the one to help her recuperate every time the visions took their toll on her.

  She wished she was as strong as her sisters. She was as weak as a newborn kitten after each use of her ability. She hoped that Landon wouldn’t think less of her because she needed to rest and recharge.

  “I will help you in whatever you need, Lady Daria,” Landon vowed as he stood as close to her as he dared. “I know I must not touch you or your sisters, but know that I will support you whenever you need me.”

  Daria looked over her shoulder to face Landon, knowing she hadn’t successfully masked her surprise at his words. It was as if he could see into her soul and know her fears.

  “You know that I’ll need help?” she asked him quietly, almost afraid to voice the question. It worried her. She didn’t want him to view her as weak.

  “I have seen that you expend a great deal of energy when you use your gift. It concerns me,” he told her gently.

  The short moment that Daria had helped Callie heal Bree had shown him an intense glow of power that pulled on Daria’s strength. He saw her weakening before him, and it gave him cause to have great worry for her health.

  “You don’t need to be concerned,” Daria told him quickly, pushing aside the sudden warmth that filled her at his caring.

  “I do,” he told her firmly. When he saw that he had confused her with his words, he sighed softly and ran his fingers through his hair to scrub at his scalp in order to calm himself. “I do not wish to interfere, but I am drawn to you. I believe that I am directed by the heavens to be certain that you are safe. I also have a feeling that you will need me to ensure that you rest.” He hesitated slightly, smiling at her as he searched her beautiful eyes. “I believe that you are a stubborn woman who does not take care of herself.”