Fallen Warrior (The Fallen Cross Legion Book 3)

by Aliya DalRae

  Jonathon looked back to Merlin and said, “Katsuro Senshi, please accept my profound apology. I really thought I had things under control, but I’m ashamed to say that this one got away from me. I see Takeshi almost got his way.” He indicated the dagger in Merlin’s gut. “Ya’ll got a good doc?”

  Merlin nodded. “Yes, Master Jonathon. Allon is quite skilled, and I’m confident I will heal.”

  “And this young fella here? You really killed Takeshi?” Martin gave a curt nod and Jonathon let out a long whistle. “Nice job.”

  Merlin exchanged a look with Martin, who lifted a shoulder, as baffled as he was. The male was like no Kurai Senshi Merlin had ever encountered. His casual attitude and new way of thinking would take some getting used to.

  Tas and Viper led a group of beaten Kurai Senshi to the clearing, all of whom dropped to their knees the minute they saw Master Jonathon.

  The Kurai Senshi leader walked before them, shaking his head the entire time. “I can’t believe you ignored my directives and helped that old fool. This is not only the godsdamned US of A, but it’s the twenty-first century for chrissakes. What the hell’s wrong with you? Yuuma I guess I understand. You’re from the old country and I can see you getting pulled into Takeshi’s schemes and talk of the good old days, but the rest of you? I’m truly ashamed. Are you really that narrow minded?”

  One of the males started to speak but Jonathon interrupted. “Don’t answer that. Your actions speak for you.” He paced back and forth in front of the six males, the five prisoners and the servant he’d brought along with him. “I’ve half a mind to bring back seppuku, put old Takeshi’s ritual to use since you all are so set on doing things his way, but to be honest, I don’t know the proper form of it, and godsdamnit, none of you deserve an honorable death.”

  He turned to Mason and with a small bow said, “With your permission?”

  Mason stepped back, giving the Kurai Senshi the room he required. “Matthew.”

  A large Kurai Senshi stepped forward and called out to his fellows. At his command, six males formed a line behind the shamed Dark Warriors. Another word, six swords swung through the air, and six heads rolled to the ground.

  Master Jonathon screwed up his face as their blood coated the earth and he gave Mason an apologetic smile. “Sorry about that,” he said. “But don’t you worry none. We’ll have this whole place cleaned up for you in a jiffy.”

  Chapter Fifty-Nine

  T he medics finally arrived and carted Merlin off to the infirmary. Before he left, he heard Mason invite Master Jonathon to his office for a chat while a crew of Kurai Senshi proved their master a male of his word by getting to work on the clean-up. Not only did they agree to take care of the males they decapitated, but the rest of the dead Kurai Senshi as well. Master Jonathon promised that any traitors unaccounted for would be hunted down and “taken care of.” Merlin chose not to think about that. There was more than enough death and destruction surrounding them for one night.

  As predicted, the casualties on the Legion side far outnumbered those of the Kurai Senshi. Medics under Allon’s direction swarmed the field with triage stations set up in several locations. At last report, nearly a quarter of the Legion Soldiers who fought this night lost their lives to the rebel Dark Warriors. Of the remaining three quarters, virtually all suffered injuries ranging from minor scrapes to critical wounds.

  The infirmary was filled to overflowing, with many of the wounded lining the halls on gurneys and stretchers. As the injured flooded in, Allon and his staff worked tirelessly to save every life. They would have been overwhelmed, but for the arrival of Master Jonathan’s personal doctor and his crew. With their help, and the willingness of the Kurai Senshi to donate blood, most of the severely injured survived.

  Merlin raised a questioning brow when the Sorceress, Sasha, ushered Oz into the infirmary, demanding the Soldier receive immediate attention as none of them would be alive without him. Merlin had to admit, the Soldier looked pretty bad, but it seemed he stood an equal chance of dying at Viper’s hand as he did of his current injuries. Despite the mass of cuts and gashes the Warrior sported, including a nearly severed arm, he still managed to throw some fairly disturbing looks Oz’s way. Between swearing at the medics and threatening bodily harm to the next person who touched his arm, of course.

  None of that mattered to Merlin, though. Now that he was in Allon’s care, he forced himself to relax. It was difficult to believe that, after a thousand years, it was over. No more running, no more hiding, no denying who and what he was or forcing his emotions down for fear of exposing himself or the people he loved. Merlin was free to be whomever he wanted to be.

  And that was one scary proposition.

  From the time the medics carted him off the field until this very moment, Martin never left his side. Allon had to shoo him away several times, as he had become extremely protective. It was nice but would take some getting used to. Merlin had been taking care of himself for most of his life. Other than his brief time with the Kurai Senshi and what little he allowed Mason to do for him, he’d been on his own.

  Allon pulled the dagger free and Merlin winced. Funny how it hurt so much more coming out than it had going in.

  “You okay?” Martin asked, once again fretting over him like an old woman.

  Allon swore under his breath as he examined the wound, more about Martin’s interference than any damage Merlin had managed.

  “I’m fine,” Merlin said. “But I think you’re about to get thrown out.”

  Martin frowned, then glared at the doc. “Let him try,” he said, his sweet face drawn up in a fierce snarl.

  “Really, this would probably go a lot faster if you waited out…”

  “I said, I’m not leaving you. What part of that do you not understand?”

  Merlin laid back against the mattress and smiled. “I tried, Allon.”

  The doctor returned his smile. “It’s okay. I’m getting quite used to protective mates. I must say I’m glad the two of you found your way to each other, despite your male’s overbearing interference.”

  “What?” Martin said. “I’m just protecting my interests.”

  Allon winked at Martin and said, “Don’t worry, son. Merlin was nearly as bad when you were injured earlier in the year. He insisted on giving you his own blood but wouldn’t let me tell you.”

  “He did?”

  “Certainly. Twice was it?” The doc looked at Merlin, who merely shrugged.

  Martin reached in to touch his cheek and eased his face around so Merlin would look at him. “You never said.”

  “Just because we couldn’t be together didn’t mean I could bear to see you hurt. I will always protect you, no matter what.”

  Martin nudged the doctor out of the way, then leaned in for a kiss. “And I, you.”

  Merlin silently thanked the doctor for giving them that moment but wasn’t surprised when he interrupted.

  “I’m nearly finished here. I don’t see any reason why Merlin can’t recuperate in his own bed. Martin, can I assume you’ll give him blood to help with the healing?”

  Martin grinned. “Of course. Sounds like I owe you, anyway.”

  Merlin held his hand out and Martin folded it into his. “No paybacks necessary.” He glanced at the doc, then added. “But I do look forward to finally tasting you.”

  “Wait a minute,” Harrier yelled from across the room where Jessica was patching up some superficial injuries. “You made me stay here for three days last time.”

  Allon looked over his shoulder at the male. “That’s because you nearly died. Plus, I didn’t trust you with that cat of yours hanging around.

  Harrier growled and Merlin heard Jessica say, “Be still, and stop eavesdropping. It’s not polite.”

  “You and Rachel, always harping on me about being polite.” Their conversation decreased into a low grumble and Merlin turned his attention back to Martin.

  “What do you say? You want to take me home?”


  Martin’s smile lit up his entire face, his contact-free eyes sparking with brilliant peridot light. “It would be my pleasure.”

  ~~~~~

  M artin wheeled Merlin up to his room in the chair Allon had insisted upon. Once inside, he helped him onto the sofa and parked the chair in the hallway where Allon said he would send someone to retrieve it.

  He returned to Merlin’s side where he helped his lover stretch his legs out and retrieved an extra pillow which he placed behind his back. “Can I get you anything else?” he asked. “Something to eat? Drink?”

  Merlin sighed. “You can sit down with me and rest awhile. You have to be exhausted.”

  “Would you believe me if I said I haven’t had this much energy in ages?”

  Merlin lifted his brow at him, and Martin laughed. “I’m serious. I feel like I could explode right now, with happiness, relief, excitement, love…”

  Merlin grabbed his arm and pulled him down to sit beside him on the sofa. His smile was radiant and when they kissed, Martin added that to his list of reasons he wanted to burst out in show tunes. Hell, he didn’t even know any show tunes.

  “We have a lot to discuss,” Merlin said, his eyes sobering a bit. It wasn’t much, just enough to bring Martin down from the clouds he’d been floating on since Takeshi died and he and Merlin were able to stake a real claim on their lives.

  Merlin rubbed his thumb over the back of Martin’s hand, his skin remarkably soft for one capable of the level of destruction his Warrior possessed. “Will you bring your things here? There’s plenty of room, and I don’t want to waste another minute of my life without you by my side.” Merlin’s words were soft, and he watched the place where their hands joined rather than Martin’s face.

  For the first time in hours, Martin felt himself plummet back to earth.

  Merlin’s eyes shot to his. “What’s wrong?”

  Martin knew this moment was coming. At least he hoped it would, even as he dreaded it.

  “If you’re asking me to move in with you, I’m afraid I must regretfully decline.”

  Merlin pulled his hand from Martin’s and pushed himself up straighter on the couch. “I was,” he said, the tenderness of a moment ago replaced by a stony detachment. “I thought that’s what this was all about.”

  Martin reached to retrieve Merlin’s hand, but the Warrior pulled it away. Torn, he stood and paced across the room.

  “You have to understand, I’ve worked my ass off for the Legion.”

  “I know you have.”

  “Then you know how important it is for me to make Warrior someday.”

  “I do. And after last night, I doubt that day is far away. In fact, I planned to speak to Mason about it as soon as I’m up and about.”

  Martin was back at the couch in two strides. “See, that’s exactly what I don’t want. Please, don’t say anything,” he begged.

  “Fine,” Merlin said, but his tone indicated he felt it was anything but.

  Martin took a breath and searched for the words to explain to the male he loved exactly why this was so important to him.

  “My family has always considered me a failure,” he said. “I’ve never been able to live up to their expectations. They’ve gone so far as to track me down at Good Times to insist I stop this Soldier foolishness and come home. Apparently, my father is dying, and they expect me to return, to ‘take my place’ as head of the family.”

  Merlin shifted toward him. “I didn’t know about your father. I’m sorry.”

  “I’m not.” Martin threw his hands in the air and sat heavily in the chair closest to the sofa. “He’s a ruthless bastard who thinks the only Vampire worth living is a pureblood. He’s head of the Supreme Council in Cleveland, and the expectation is that I will step into that position when he dies. I disagree with just about everything they stand for, and I refused to capitulate. That’s how I ended up here. As a Soldier, I couldn’t be forced to serve on any councils, as my allegiance would be, and is, to the Legion and the Primeval Consortium.”

  “So, you ran away and joined the Legion to prevent your family from dictating your life?”

  “Yes, exactly.”

  “I respect your choices, Martin, I really do. But I still don’t understand what that has to do with us.”

  Martin stood again, paced again. He stopped and looked up, realizing he was at the doorway to Merlin’s meditation room. The snuffed candles and missing tantou left the shrine looking bare and forlorn. He turned to Merlin, who tracked his every movement from his spot on the sofa.

  “I need something that is mine. Something that I had to work my ass off for. Growing up, that was never an issue. I wanted something, I got it, but it never sat right with me. My brother is a perfect example of the kind of asshole that sort of entitlement creates. I joined the Legion so I could learn how to be a better male on my own merits.

  “Falling in love was never in my plans, and certainly not falling in love with a Warrior. It’s going to be hard enough returning to the barracks now that everyone knows I prefer males. If I were to make Warrior now, they would all assume it’s because I’m sleeping with you.”

  “Are you regretting this before it even gets off the ground?”

  “No! Never.” Martin returned to the sofa and sat on the edge, his hip touching Merlin’s. “Let me put it this way. How did you become a Warrior?”

  Merlin’s smile was soft and thoughtful. “I was the first person Mason found to join him in his mission to create a new Legion for the Primeval, and the first he asked to join him when the Legion expanded into the New World. He was the Warlord. I was his Warrior. We grew from there.”

  Martin sighed. “So, you have no idea what I’m talking about.”

  “No, I think I do. You want making Warrior to mean something.”

  “Exactly.”

  “With everything you’ve done, the many times Mason has called upon you to assist the Warriors, don’t you think you’re already on his radar? Hell, killing Takeshi alone would catapult you to the front of the line.”

  “But no one would see it that way, especially if I pack my bags and move into the manse before the position is even offered to me.”

  Merlin laid his hand on Martin’s leg, palm up and Martin rested his hand on what was offered, laced their fingers together and squeezed.

  “You will stay in the barracks, then.”

  “I have to if I want to feel I’ve earned any promotions I receive down the line. I have to be one of them until I become one of you.”

  “That’s fine,” Merlin said, returning the pressure against his palm. “But here’s the caveat. I get you on your nights off, days too.”

  “So, you’re okay with this?”

  “No, but I understand. As long as you understand, that no matter where you lay your head at night, this is your home, and that bed in there? That is our bed. No matter where you go or what you do, you are mine and I am yours. And until you earn yourself a place among the Warriors, which better be at record speed, your off-duty time is mine as well.”

  “All of it?” Martin raised an eyebrow but couldn’t resist a small grin.

  “Well,” Merlin backed it up. “As much as you’re willing to give.”

  “I think we can work something out.”

  Merlin laid his free palm on Martin’s cheek and stroked the stubbled surface with his thumb. “I’d like that,” he said, his eyes smoky with desire, his full lips looking oh-so-kissable.

  Remembering doctor’s orders, Martin gently folded Merlin in his arms, rested his head against his shoulder and laid soft kisses behind his ear. “Starting now?” he whispered against the falling star tattoo on Merlin’s neck.

  “Yes,” Merlin sighed. “Starting now.”

  Epilogue

  M erlin sat on a stool outside the caged arena, contemplating what he was about to do. Martin knelt at his feet and fiddled with the gloves that wrapped Merlin’s fists. They weren’t boxing gloves, but rather a special invention Viper had create
d specifically for The Main Event. The gloves had fingers in them made with a magically enhanced synthetic mesh, assuring that, should things get out of hand, Vampire claws would not come into play. They had Sasha to thank for that suggestion.

  “I don’t understand why you’re doing this,” Martin grumbled at his feet. “Don’t we have enough fighting in our lives without doing crazy shit like this?”

  “You spar every day. What’s the difference?”

  “That’s work. That’s to prepare for life and death situations. This? It’s just stupid.”

  Merlin smiled at the male, the Soldier, his mate. “He’s not going to let it go,” he said. “When Master Jonathan told me about this arena, it was the perfect solution. Plus, Raven will get his match with me, and if he gets out of control, not only are Nox and Tas on hand, but we’ve got a shit ton of Dark Warriors to help keep him in check. Of course, that won’t be necessary. I’m gonna kick his ass.”

  Martin stood and offered his hand to Merlin. He pulled him to his feet and shook his head. “More than a thousand years old, and you’re acting like a child.”

  Merlin laughed, and it felt good. A thousand years. An entire millennium he’d kept his emotions in check, neither laughing nor crying, cheering or fighting. A thousand years of nothing, but now? Now, he had it all. He put his hands on Martin’s face and pulled him into a long kiss.

  “What was that for?” he grumbled.

  “For you to think about. Once I’m finished with Raven, you and I are going to celebrate.”

  “If you’re still in one piece.”

  Merlin staggered back, his hand to his chest. “You doubt me? I’m wounded.”

  “Yeah, well, if Raven lets his beast out, you could very well be wounded, or worse. I didn’t save you from Takeshi to have you get yourself killed on a bet.”

  “Nobody’s going to die. I’m going to kick Raven’s ass, leave him bleeding on the canvas, then you and I are going home, to our bed.”

  “Where I’m going to kick your ass for putting me through this.”