by Tamsin Baker
“What did you give me?” He sighed, his body already pulling him down into sleep.
“Just something to help you sleep, so that I can mend your wounds.”
“Need Seinna.” Gorvan murmured before drifting off to sleep.
Naylaa sighed, torn. It was true, they needed their Unicorns. Gorvan, especially. Seinna would heal him so much faster than she ever could. But Naylaa wasn’t willing to call them yet. Not until the men were secured and she was sure there were no others waiting in the shadows for the Unicorns to show themselves.
A moment later Gorvan was fast asleep, his chest rising and falling in a steady rhythm. She worked quickly and cleaned the deep cuts to his shoulders and neck, plastering them with a special paste she’d made.
She then washed his body clean of the dried blood and inspected his swollen face and tender ribs.
She could find nothing that was pushing out a wrong angle, just much swelling. He would heal and heal well if she could get one of the Unicorns down to him soon.
She covered Gorvan with a blanket and pulled on some warmer clothes herself. She would go and see them. Bronte was still weak from healing the Queen and she wasn’t sure she wanted to bring the white female to the town.
So, who to ask for this great favor?
Naylaa walked to where Bronte should be, but found neither of the Unicorns close by. Fear racing through her, she sent out a call to Bronte.
“Bronte, where are you? Are you all right?”
He answered immediately. We are fine, just hiding.
“Gorvan was hurt today, I’m sorry.”
Silence within their link, then. Seinna is very distressed. We are not close enough to come to you now. I’m sorry, Naylaa.
“It is all right, Bronte. He will live.”
Seinna is in foal, which means she cannot heal Gorvan without endangering the baby. I will come as soon as I can.
A surprised gasp caught in her throat as tears coursed down Naylaa’s face. Her Bronte would have a child. Their town would have Unicorn foal. It was a miracle, a blessing that was to be celebrated.
“I am so happy for you, my United.”
Walking back to the town Naylaa felt lighter and happier than she had in a very long time. The prophecies that had so scared her mother, she had always embraced. She and her Unicorn had found their perfect partners. Together they would have beautiful families. If only she could just get her stubborn mate to see reason.
Chapter Nine.
Bronte arrived just before sunrise and walked quietly into her house. Her rooms were small, but Bronte managed to maneuver himself to offer his horn to the unconscious Gorvan.
Relieved in a way that he was not awake for the power this would take, Naylaa turned his hand over. Bronte made contact with Gorvan’s palm and blew air out of his mouth in shock.
He’s really bad, Naylaa.
Concern pulsed through Naylaa. She knew how hurt Gorvan was. She didn’t need Bronte to tell her.
“That’s enough, my sweet.”
Bronte broke off, making distressed noises in his throat, but Naylaa shook her head.
Bronte needed to be strong enough to care for Seinna, and if he gave Gorvan enough energy to heal completely, Bronte would barely be able to move. With Gorvan unconscious, she would need to be responsible for them both.
The Unicorn pranced forward again, wanting to help more.
I can give him more.
“No, I will do the rest. You go back to Seinna before anyone sees you, and look after your family.”
The indecision within Bronte was strong, but she knew his need to be with his mate would win out.
“Go, please. Before anyone sees you. I will bring him to visit you both in a few days when he is strong enough to heal.”
She pushed at Bronte to get him moving.
I will tell Seinna I need to come back in a few days.
Naylaa watched as her United galloped away from the town, the shine of his healthy black coat shimmering in the darkness.
Relief coursed through her. He was safe, they were safe. That was the most important thing to both of them, and Gorvan had proven that.
Naylaa went back to her lover and lay down next to him, gratitude for her United coursing through her. The cuts on his neck were healing quickly now, and his breathing seemed easier.
She had not allowed Bronte to give all of his energy over to Gorvan, but it would be enough to see him better within a few days.
She nestled into the side of her intended mate and fell into a deep sleep.
NAYLAA CAME AWAKE TO the most pleasant sensation. A warm body was nestled behind her and soft, wet lips pressed against her neck.
“Gorvan,” she moaned, feeling the connection to this man pull tighter than ever.
“Naylaa,” Gorvan sighed, wrapping an arm around her waist and burying his head into her hair.
She sensed his distress just before a tremor ran through his big body.
“You’re going to be fine, Bronte healed you,” she soothed, rubbing the arm that held her.
“I thought I would never see you again. Never get to hold you like this again.”
The words came out slightly muffled but she heard every one.
Not willing to take advantage of his weakened state, she raised a hand and stroked his hair.
“You are well. You are safe.”
Another tremor went through his huge frame, so she continued to stroke him.
Slowly, his hold on her lessened and his head fell back onto the pillow. Gorvan’s breathing slowed and he fell asleep once again.
Naylaa closed her eyes and focused on their energy. It was in balance, at peace. She had never felt this with anyone before. Gorvan must have made a decision, because his very essence wanted to be with her.
“WHEN DID YOU FIRST meet Bronte?”
Naylaa looked up in surprise from her place on their bed. Where had that question come from?
“When I was three. My mother had met him years before that, but she waited until I was old enough to explain everything. How old were you?”
Gorvan dropped his head and began to run his hand along her foot.
“I met Seinna when I was twelve.”
Naylaa sat up straighter in bed, his earlier avoidance of these details coming back to her. “That late?”
Gorvan nodded, rubbing his thumbs into the base of her feet. As far as distractions went, it was a good one.
She groaned in bliss as he kneaded out the stress of many days on her feet. It took an effort to bring her brain back to the conversation, but she did it.
“Why were you not alerted earlier? Why did no one know?”
Gorvan grunted in annoyance. “Oh, everyone knew it was possible, from the time of my birth, but they didn’t tell me. Poor Seinna was left to grow up by herself. Both of us feeling the hole in our un-united flesh but not knowing the cause. When I found her and touched her for the first time, it was as though my body became whole. My soul became rooted to the Earth. I don’t know how to explain it better.”
Naylaa sighed and smiled. “You don’t need to explain it to me, I know how that feels.”
She allowed her eyes to close and sighed again.
“That was how I felt when I looked at you for the first time.”
The softly spoken words drifted over the space between them and her eyes snapped open. Gorvan was doing his best to avoid her gaze, but he was talking.
Forcing herself to relax, she reached out a hand and stroked along Gorvan’s leg.
“How did you feel? The same as when you found out about Seinna? Hadn’t anyone ever told you that you would have a soul mate?”
Gorvan grunted again and Naylaa watched the emotions ripple across his face. Disbelief, happiness, surprise. He looked up at her this time and smiled.
“My mother told me, but she also said that very few United people find each other. The men of the town, who didn’t realise what I was, told me not to worry about ever finding a true mate. Tha
t love was a fallacy and I should just enjoy the loose women there.”
Naylaa bit down on her lip but couldn’t help the tear that slipped down her cheek.
He must have felt so alone for so long. Even when her mother had gently reminded her that it might never happen, she had always believed her mate would find her.
Fate had united her to one of the only Original creatures left—why wouldn’t she also create a man perfect for her?
Gorvan reached across and rubbed the tear away with his thumb and put it into his mouth, licking the drop from it.
“Don’t cry Naylaa.”
She threw herself into Gorvan’s arms, sobbing in her pain and relief.
“We’ve found each other now.”
GORVAN HEARD A KNOCK on the door and Naylaa greeted someone. A child’s cry burst out, startling him. What had happened?
He pushed his feet to the floor and pulled on a shirt. Gingerly standing, pain shooting through his abdomen, he shuffled to the door and peered out.
Naylaa had a young child on the bench, writhing in pain. She was running competent hands over the boy, paying special attention to his stomach.
Gorvan smiled to himself. Those same competent hands had also healed him while he slept. He would never be able to repay her for saving his life, though he would try.
The child’s mother looked up and saw him, green eyes flashing in maternal protectiveness.
“Naylaa, I’m sorry. I didn’t realize you had company.”
Naylaa glanced up and saw him, concern written in her eyes. He hadn’t been able to walk unassisted yet.
“Mortaan, this is my mate, Gorvan. He was injured a few days ago. Gorvan this is Mortaan and her baby boy, Linnei.”
Naylaa’s green eyes challenged him to rebuke her claim. After what he had said last night, how could he?
“It’s nice to meet you. Is your son okay?”
Gorvan watched his woman go to her cupboards and pull out some green leaves.
“Boil these and when they are cool, get him to eat them. He’ll be okay in a day or so, but I would suggest giving him one every day anyway. It is good for him.”
The mother smiled at Naylaa, a tear in her eye as she took the medicine.
“Thank you, Naylaa, I didn’t know what else to do.”
Naylaa laughed and picked up the still-sobbing little boy for a comforting cuddle.
Gorvan’s heart clenched at the sight. She would look beautiful carrying a babe, both during her pregnancy and after it.
“I’ll bring you some more of that stew you liked last time, Naylaa,” the woman was saying as she walked to the door, disturbing Gorvan’s daydreaming.
“Thank you, Mortaan. Take care of your beautiful babe.”
His woman closed the door and turned to him with a concerned look.
“You should be in bed.”
He smiled back and let her tuck him into bed. They needed to talk, but it could wait until the morrow.
THE NEXT DAY, NAYLAA decided she needed answers. “Tell me about the men who were hurting you.”
Gorvan sighed and looked down at his empty plate.
She’d served him in bed again. She knew he was healing, but he still needed rest. Their bed was also a lovely place to talk in an intimate way.
“Those men are from my town.”
Naylaa nodded, she had guessed as much. She had not seen their eye color, but they were as big as Gorvan.
“I never told you why I didn’t know about Seinna until I was twelve cycles old.”
Nodding, she smiled in encouragement. He swallowed and pushed his plate away.
“My town’s people have long since lost regard for the Originals. They have hunted Unicorns for as long as I can remember.”
She gasped, then waved Gorvan on when he stopped. She had to learn to wait for him to finish before she reacted. He was finally sharing and she didn’t want to jeopardize that.
“My mother had wisely chosen not to tell anyone, including me, about my connection to Seinna, until it became absolutely necessary. It was hard for me to accept, but as soon as I met her I knew I would die for her.”
She knew that feeling well.
“So, we hid her existence from everyone in my town. From my father, even. For ten long cycles. But some men who were hunting near Seinna’s sleeping place found strands of her mane and they began to hunt her instead. You know that white Unicorn’s are the rarest?”
Oh yes, she knew. “And have the most healing power.”
He nodded. “So, we ran. I didn’t know they had connected me to Seinna. I hope they have not harmed my mother.”
A chill went through Naylaa and she laid her hand on Gorvan’s. “So that is what those men wanted? To find Seinna?”
He nodded. “Yes. I don’t think they realized how connected I am to her. They only wanted information on where she might be.” He shrugged his injured shoulders then grimaced in pain. “But I would not tell them anything.”
She smiled at the pride she could see on her mate’s face.
“So, they hurt you?” Naylaa still didn’t understand how two men could do such injuries to another person.
“Yes. They thought by threatening pain and possible death, it would make me tell them where Seinna was.” Again, he smiled.
She couldn’t help the love that flourished within her heart at this declaration. She had always known she would rather die herself than see harm come to Bronte. But she had never had to prove it, to herself or anyone else.
Gorvan had been tested, and he had proven himself worthy of being United.
“I couldn’t imagine what would happen to Seinna if something had happened to me. Thank you for saving me, Naylaa. I haven’t told you yet, how grateful I am.”
Shifting uncomfortably, she blushed and averted her eyes.
“I would have died of my injuries if they had left me there. Thank you.” Gorvan said.
Lifting her head, she gazed at her lover. “You are welcome.”
Naylaa knew she had to talk properly with her lover. About how he felt about her, what his plans were. Because for her, nothing had changed. She would follow him anywhere. They couldn’t be apart again.
“Gorvan, you know that Seinna will be fine now?”
A very guarded look crossed his face, anger sparking. “What do you mean she will be fine? She is United to me.”
Reaching out to touch his hand, it was disappointing and slightly shocking when he pulled it away again.
“Yes, she is United to you, and Bronte is United to me. Do you know that she is pregnant?”
Gorvan’s proud posture slumped, some of the fight going out of him.
“That is why I can’t feel her properly anymore. I thought it was because I was weak from my injuries.”
Naylaa shuffled a little closer, reaching out to her big man again.
“She has mated now, Gorvan. She needs Bronte. Seinna will always be United to you, but her primary bond is now with Bronte.”
The look in her mate’s blue eyes devastated her, and a sharp pain in her chest region made her gasp.
Action was needed. Naylaa swung her leg over Gorvan’s body and straddled him. His eyes were turned down, so she forced his gaze back up by cradling his jaw in her hands.
“I am your mate. I want you to look after me and father our children.”
The pain in her chest disappeared as though it had never been. Blue eyes, as beautiful as they were emotive, burned into her.
“You want me to stay?”
Naylaa couldn’t help the laughter that bubbled up out of her throat.
“Of course, I do.”
Gorvan inhaled sharply at her declaration and she wrapped her arms tightly around his neck.
“I have been thinking about your home.” He said, changing the topic suddenly.
Naylaa nodded encouragingly. What had he been thinking?
“You need more space to doctor your patients. You can’t be treating people on the kitchen table all the
time.”
Naylaa giggled. What a strange conversation to have at such an intense moment. Did he have a point?
“I’ve always done it that way. I don’t know any different.”
Gorvan stroked her back and smiled. “I know, but I would like to build you an additional room onto this house, for treating the people who need your help.”
Naylaa’s heart broke apart and rebuilt, stronger and bigger than it had ever been. She truly loved this man.
“I would love that, and I suppose that would take time?”
She was beginning to understand how he had linked the two conversations.
He nodded and kissed her gently on the lips. “Oh, months, especially if I get distracted.”
Naylaa slipped her dress over her head and leaned back so her mate could suckle at her breasts. If he needed a distraction, then she could definitely provide one.
Chapter Ten.
Naylaa ducked and weaved through the brush, Gorvan close behind her. They chatted happily as they walked. He had become so much more confident and open since his injury. Naylaa couldn’t be happier in her relationship than she currently was.
“Gorvan, I’ve been thinking about your town. Do you think we should go back?”
Gorvan grunted. “Why would we do that after what happened? I’m content here and so is Seinna.”
Happiness flowed through Naylaa at his declaration, but she also worried. Their town had received even more people migrating away from the dry lands in the north.
“I am glad, Gorvan. But no one understands the link between the storm clouds and the Unicorns. Perhaps we need to educate them.”
Naylaa stopped to turn and look at her mate.
He stopped also and bent down to kiss her gently. “You are too good, Naylaa. I only care that you, Bronte and Seinna are well.”
Naylaa reached up a hand and cupped her mate’s beloved face.
“I love that you care so much for us, but as a healer I feel the need to help others. Do you think your townspeople should know why they don’t have water, Gorvan? Should we travel to your town and help?”
Gorvan grunted. “Probably, Naylaa, but I don’t feel like risking Seinna’s health whilst she is with foal. Perhaps afterwards, we will. My town does need saving and we can help. You are right.”
