Lexi gripped Sebastian’s forearm with both hands, hanging on tightly as pure pleasure coiled within her body. She let out a slow moan as her orgasm washed over her. Her entire body shook with each throb of pleasure.
She felt Sebastian grip her tighter and hold her closer as his release pulsed deep inside of her. She felt the wash of heat as he coated her with his essence. His deep moan against her neck gave her even more pleasure.
“I love you,” she whispered, collapsing against him and counting her blessings for his strength. He would not allow her to fall.
“I love you, wife,” he told her, kissing the sensitive skin between her neck and shoulder.
He held her securely, caressing her body tenderly as her breathing slowed. Slipping his right hand over her belly, he splayed his hand over it and pressed against its firmness, loving the miracle of their child growing within her.
Easing out of her body, he gathered her within his arms and carried her from their bed. Making his way to the healing pool, he lowered her into the water, sitting on the submerged ledge seat and holding her while the clonar stones did their job. He was glad to see that she required very little healing. The stones pulsed blue for only a short time before the golden glow took over.
“This is nice,” Lexi whispered, leaning against his shoulder and relaxing into his care.
She couldn’t help but smile as he placed a possessive hand over her belly. He did it all the time. Whenever she was close to him, he surrounded her with his arms and caressed her belly with his strong hands. She didn’t think he was even aware of it. Sometimes he was talking to Torin or one of his brothers, his conversation never faltering as he encircled her within his embrace. It was really beautiful.
The people of their world saw the affection and care that he had for her every day. He was truly a wonderful, caring man who was a good role model as both a husband and a king.
“I would ask that you rest today, Lexi,” he said after a moment.
“I’m meeting Jayna at the training common after breakfast,” Lexi told him, tipping her head back to look up at him. “She’s turning into a really skilled warrior.”
“I am concerned, my love. You should not be exerting yourself now.”
“Jayna goes easy on me,” Lexi told him, laughing softly. “I just go through the training routines. We don’t actually spar.”
Sebastian sighed softly, relieved. “Will it upset you if I admit to you that I am relieved by that?” he asked her.
“No. Not at all. I understand, and I agree,” Lexi told him, kissing his shoulder gently. “Our baby is the priority right now.”
“You both are,” Sebastian whispered, kissing her temple and hugging her carefully.
Chapter 39
“Jayna, be sure to keep your weight on the balls of your feet,” Lexi told the young woman as she walked her through the sparring routine in the center of the training common. “You’ll be able to change direction and keep your enemy off-guard if you do.”
“I will endeavor to do so, Lexi,” Jayna said, swinging the sword over her head, holding the grip with both hands, and bringing it down with a strength that would kill an enemy.
She spun around and swung the blade out, feeling the power of the move and realizing that Lexi’s training had been correct. Her balance was better. Her attack was more sure and accurate. She had never in her life felt so competent and strong. It was all because of Queen Lexi.
“Very good, Jayna!” Lexi called out, standing and walking over to embrace the young woman. “I’m so proud of you, honey.”
Jayna laid her sword down and hugged Lexi back, careful to keep her hold gentle. She was very protective of Lexi and the baby she was carrying. She already felt such a close connection to the child and was proud to be named protector.
She cried out in horror when her queen suddenly weakened and fell to her knees. The warriors that were on the training field stopped their sparring and ran to them. Jayna knelt down beside their queen and held her close.
“Lexi,” she whispered. “Torin! Get the king! Get Landon!”
“No!” Lexi called out the command.
Everyone around her froze. Accepting Torin’s outstretched hand, she was thankful when he helped her to stand. She faced them all calmly. True, she was tired and sweaty from her time training Jayna in the heat of the day, but she was not the delicate flower that they all assumed her to be because of her condition. It was time to show them just how strong and capable she was.
Lifting her sword, she swung it at Torin’s head, delighting in his surprise. She was even more delighted when he turned in a circle, raising his own sword and meeting hers with full strength. The warriors on the training field eased back to form a circle around them and watched the two engage in the fight that would be talked about for days.
“Very clever, Lexi,” Torin told her as he grunted and met each of her offensive moves with skill and strength.
“Had to keep you on your toes, warrior,” she teased him, laughing softly at the gentle smile he gave her before he went to his knees and thrust his sword upward. She easily deflected the attack and moved behind him to place her blade at Torin’s throat.
“Do you concede, warrior?” she asked him, laughing softly at the low growl that escaped him.
“I do not,” he told her firmly, gripping her forearms and pulling swiftly so that she lost her balance and began to fall forward. Catching her easily, he lowered her to the ground as he cradled her upper body on his lap. “Do you concede, my queen?”
Lexi laughed with complete delight. Torin’s respect of her skills had never wavered. Even during her pregnancy, he acknowledged that she was skilled, strong, and capable. Yeah, he had been overly protective of her and was always concerned about her health and her baby’s well-being, but he didn’t coddle her. She was grateful for that. The rest of the warriors followed his example, honoring her place within their ranks despite their natural tendencies to protect and care for her as their queen and as a mother-to-be.
“Help me up, Torin,” she told him quietly. “I’m not exactly light on my feet these days.”
“You are, Lexi,” he disagreed gently as he stood and lifted her to help her stand beside him. “You are strong in your ability as a warrior, and beautiful in your role as a mother. I am honored to know you and fight beside you.” He leaned in and kissed her cheek lightly, remaining close so he could speak privately to her. “I thank you for bringing happiness to Sebastian and hope to our world.”
She wrapped her arms around his waist and hugged him tightly. “You’re the best, Torin,” she told him. “Thank you for loving Bree.”
“It is the easiest thing I have ever done,” he whispered.
She released her hold on him and stepped back, turning to face Jayna and smiling at the concerned expression on the young woman’s face. Jayna was going to be the perfect protector for their daughter. She reached up and brushed aside the strands of golden brown hair that had come free from Jayna’s hair tie.
“Are you well, Lexi?” Jayna asked her worriedly.
“I am.”
“You did not feel weak?”
“No. I didn’t.”
“I do not understand,” Jayna whispered, her eyes clouded with confusion.
“Jayna, you must remember to use whatever means necessary to best your opponent,” Lexi told her, speaking loud enough for all of the warriors to hear her. “Whether it’s using your strength and your skills as a warrior, or using deception, you must do whatever it is that you need to do. Use your enemy’s prejudices against them. If they think you are a weak woman, allow them to think it and then prove them wrong.” She turned to face Torin, winking at him. “Right, Torin?”
“I would never disagree with you, my queen,” Torin responded, bowing reverently.
“Especially when I just took you down,” Lexi told him, laughing at the flush of embarrassment that came to Torin’s strong features.
“I believe I did the same to you, Queen
Lexi,” he told her, his blue eyes burning bright, the violet specs within them sparking.
“You certainly did,” Lexi acknowledged. “Only your kindness saved me from falling hard onto the ground. I thank you.”
“I thank you, as well, my friend,” Sebastian’s deep voice resounded from behind them all.
Lexi turned to see him standing among the circle of warriors. His arms were crossed against his chest, and he was looking at her with pride. She could also see the concern in his eyes.
“I’m fine,” she assured him.
He nodded once, lowering his arms and walking toward her. When he gathered her within his embrace, she sighed, glad for the connection. When Sebastian had told her that the need to touch your life mate would ease as the bond grew stronger, he hadn’t been completely truthful. Yeah, she no longer felt physical pain when she was apart from him, but her heart ached with the missing of him.
“Thank you,” she whispered.
“For what, my love?”
“I needed your touch.”
Sebastian looked down at her and smiled. “As I need yours,” he told her honestly.
“Lexi, are you certain you are well?” Jayna asked as she came to stand beside them.
“I am, Jayna. I was just demonstrating the power of deception,” she explained, stepping out of Sebastian’s arms to face the young woman.
“I will remember the lesson,” Jayna promised. “I am concerned, my queen. It is very warm, and you look flushed.”
“It is warm,” Lexi agreed. “I think I’ll go for a swim in the lagoon. Would you like to come with me?”
“I would love to,” Jayna said without hesitation, reaching out and hugging her queen before she thought better of it. That connection made her feel something that concerned her. “You are experiencing muscle contractions within your belly. Are you certain you are well?”
Lexi laughed. “You sound like Sebastian,” she said as she looked over her shoulder at the incredible man that she adored.
“You are experiencing contractions, Lexi?” he asked her, slipping his hands around her and pulling her back so he could hold her against his chest. He covered her belly with his hands. “I can feel the tightening. I think you should go and see Landon. He should examine you to make certain that you and our child are well.”
Lexi pushed out of his arms and turned to face him. “I’m not going to see Landon. Jayna and I are going swimming at the lagoon.”
“Lexi, please,” Sebastian said quietly. “I am concerned.”
“I know you are, but I’m fine,” Lexi told him gently. “The contractions are normal. They’re called Braxton Hicks contractions. Every woman has them. They’re preparing my body for the birth of our baby. Don’t worry. When I’m in labor, I’ll let you know.”
“Truly?” Sebastian asked, worried.
Lexi leaned into him, settling her head on his shoulder and kissing his neck softly, smiling as he immediately embraced her and held her close. She melted against him, giving herself over to his strength.
“Truly, Sebastian,” she whispered finally. “I will be sure to tell you when I’m in labor. I want you beside me when I have our baby.”
“I would be nowhere else,” he vowed, turning his head and kissing her forehead lightly.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Lexi walked along the water’s edge at the lagoon. She smiled as she thought about the day that she had met Sebastian here. She and her sisters had known that Altavesta was their destiny, but they had believed that they would be helping the people of this world by fighting beside them against their common enemies. Never did they think that they would find the men who would own their hearts.
That’s exactly what each of them had found in the men of this world. Each of her sisters had found good, kind, and loving men. Their parents were thrilled for all of them, often speaking to them through their dreams and telling them so. It was nice to have the connection to them.
Even little Hanna had found a little buddy in Millie and Dante’s little boy Tarak. He was very protective of her and had a wonderful effect on her. Lexi had never seen Hanna laugh so much as she did now that Tarak was her daily playmate.
All of Dante’s people who had arrived from Vilkas had proven themselves to be good, hardworking people. It still amazed Lexi to see them shift into their wolf forms, but it had quickly become the norm.
Millie, her sister Nadine, and the rest of the women who had been the scientists who had manned New Beginnings , had recognized the goodness of the people of Vilkas. It was easy for Lexi and her sisters to trust their instincts. The scientists were good people who were very protective of Lexi and her family. They would never risk harm coming to them or to the people of Altavesta.
Sebastian recognized this, as well. He also had known of the planet Vilkas and had respected its people. He had welcomed the remaining members on the accompanying transport with open arms. His only regret was that he hadn’t known that they were in danger. The Guardian Warriors would have gone to help them and would have included them in the worlds that they protected.
Dante was the alpha of his people. He was a fierce protector of all of them—especially Millie. Lexi saw how much love he had for the quiet woman. She truly believed that you could tell a lot about a man by the love and respect that he showed his wife. What she saw when she looked at Dante was a loyal, loving, caring, and proud man who loved his mate, their children, and his people. He was very much like Sebastian.
The way that the wolf shifters recognized their mates was through scent. It was no more amazing than the people of Altavesta knowing they had met their life mate by touching them. There were miracles everywhere. Lexi was so thankful that she was living in a place where those miracles led to such joy. Millie and her group of scientists had found their mates among the men that they had saved from slavery. It made Lexi happy to see Millie so much in love.
“You are thinking a great deal, Lexi,” Jayna called to her from where she was relaxing in the warm water of the lagoon.
Lexi laughed softly as she waded into the water, swimming over to Jayna and lying on her back to float weightlessly. She was aware that her belly bobbed above the waterline and was reminded once again of the miracle of the life growing within her. She loved being pregnant. She didn’t feel awkward or big. She felt beautiful. She felt treasured. The way Sebastian looked at her, made love to her, and enjoyed her, were the reasons that she felt that way.
“I was just thinking how lucky I am,” Lexi answered honestly. She lowered her legs and allowed the buoyancy of the water to help her tread water, moving her arms and hands to turn and face Jayna. “I love this world.”
“This world loves you, Lexi,” Jayna told her. “You have brought happiness to our king and hope to our world.”
“Jayna,” Lexi whispered.
“No, my queen, it is true.”
“Jayna, we’re not alone.”
Jayna turned to look in the direction her queen was looking and froze at the sight before them. At least thirty Gorin stood on the sand just at the edge of the lagoon. The warriors that had traveled on the transport with them to keep watch from their places within the foliage that surrounded the lagoon were nowhere to be seen. Jayna feared for them. Had the Gorin killed them?
“What should we do?” Jayna asked.
Despite the gravity of their situation, Jayna’s voice held no fear. Lexi was proud of the young warrior that she had become. Whatever was going to happen, they would face it together.
Closing her eyes, she centered on the life within her and saw the bright glow of her daughter’s white light of magic. She wrapped her violet magic around it and drew a shield of protection around all of them.
Lexi was worried. She could feel that the magic within her was focused on bringing her baby into the world. She had been having contractions for the past few hours. They were growing in intensity and coming closer together. She had wanted to relax in the warmth of the lagoon until she knew she was closer to giving bi
rth before alerting Sebastian.
She had heard of many women experiencing false labor and didn’t want to say anything until she had been certain. The last contraction made her know that this was not false labor. Her baby was coming. And they were surrounded by their enemy.
“Stay by my side, Jayna,” Lexi told her as she took the younger woman’s hand and moved toward the shore.
She concentrated on the magic within her and increased the strength of the shield of protection around the two of them. She didn’t know if it would be strong enough to withstand the attack of these horrible creatures, but she was going to do everything she could to protect Jayna, herself, and Sebastian’s baby.
Once they were standing before the Gorin, Lexi looked beyond them to the warriors she could see lying on the ground within the tree line. She was relieved to see their chests rising and falling with each breath. She didn’t know how or why they were still alive, but she was thankful for it. She also didn’t know how the Gorin had gotten through the new defenses of Altavesta. They had been certain that the adjustments to their detection system had finally provided them with complete protection against the Gorin. They had obviously been wrong in their belief.
Another contraction took hold, this one stronger than the last. She gripped Jayna’s hand tighter as she took deep, even breaths while the pain peaked and ebbed. She knew that Jayna was aware of what was happening by the protective stance she took beside her, standing slightly in front of her as she held Lexi’s hand.
She felt her shield of protection waver and was worried that she wouldn’t be able to keep it strong. She hadn’t thought to ask Sebastian if the shield could be weakened by her own lack of concentration.
“What do you want?” Jayna asked, her voice strong as she faced the Gorin.
The largest of their enemy stepped forward and raised his right hand to point at Lexi. A flash of green light exploded from his hand, surrounding both women and tightening the band of energy around them. Jayna cried out in pain, turning to Lexi to embrace her and hold her as they both leaned against each other. Only the protection of Lexi’s shield gave them the ability to remain upright.
Alexa's Warrior Mate (Guardian Warrior Mates, Prophecy of Salvation Book 1) Page 50