A Warrior's Heart (Shields)
Page 24
“You did what you had to do. Thank you. For Jayna and myself.”
Aimery bowed his head and smiled. “It was the least we could do after all the Shields had done. There was a huge celebration on my realm.”
Gabriel laughed, then stopped to listen. “Why is there not one here?”
“Because Hugh wanted to make sure you were with them,” Jayna answered.
“Go,” Aimery said. “Celebrate with the Shields.”
Gabriel held out his arm and waited for Aimery to grip his forearm. “I don’t have the words,” Gabriel began.
Aimery smiled and held up a hand. “There’s no need. Go. Celebrate and rejoice, my friend. You deserve it.”
Gabriel turned to Jayna and took her hand in his. “Ready?”
“As long as I’m with you I’m ready for anything.”
Gabriel didn’t look back as they strode from the chamber. He didn’t need to. He knew that it wasn’t the last time he would see Aimery.
When he and Jayna reached the great hall, a massive cheer rose. Gabriel looked around the room at the people of Stone Crest once again smiling and laughing as the Great Evil’s hold was gone. When his gaze moved to the dais it was to find his four friends and their wives standing as they waited for him.
With a little squeeze of Jayna’s hand to let him know she was ready, they walked to the dais and stood before Hugh and Mina.
“I’m glad to have you back,” Hugh said. “You had us all worried.”
Gabriel sighed. “I’m glad to be back. I owe each of you an explanation.”
“Nay,” Val said. “Aimery told us everything.”
Gabriel blinked. “What? How?”
“It seems once the Great Evil was defeated, the block on your memories was gone,” Cole said.
Roderick nodded. “Which allowed Aimery, Theron, and Rufina into your mind to see what actually happened.”
“They then told us everything,” Hugh said softly. “It takes a man of great character and strength to do what you did for us.”
“I was merely trying to make up for a mistake,” Gabriel said. “There is no apology good enough or deep enough to make up for my betrayal.”
Jayna turned to him. “Don’t. You didn’t destroy my realm, Gabriel. The Great Evil did. He used you just as he used me. The lies he told me...” She trailed off unable to finish.
Gabriel took her face in his hands and kissed her tenderly. “I don’t care what he did or said. You’re with me now. That’s all that matters.”
“Which is how we all feel,” Val said which brought a chuckle from everyone.
Hugh raised his goblet. “A toast. To a Shield. A warrior. A friend.”
Gabriel choked on the emotion filling him. He accepted the goblet handed to him and raised it up with the others as a loud “here, here” filled the great hall.
Once the cheers had settled down, the group moved to the solar for a move private place to speak.
“What happens now?” Cole asked.
Hugh shrugged. “I’m not sure, though I think we’ll find out soon.”
No sooner had the words left his mouth than Aimery appeared. He gave them a bright smile. “Each of you have put your life on the line numerous times. You fought not only for this realm and the Fae realm, but for all realms. You fought against an evil of just power that there seemed no hope of a victory. Yet triumph you did.”
His gaze moved from one Shield to the next. “The evil is gone and the realms once again safe. In return for your dedication and loyalty, King Theron, Queen Rufina, and I would like to grant each of you a gift of your choice.”
Hugh took Mina’s hand and smiled. “I only want to stay here, Aimery. I’ve found a home at last, and I cannot imagine living anywhere else.”
“That gift was already granted to you, Hugh. However, the Fae will bless this land, you, and your descendants.” Aimery then turned to Roderick.
For a moment, Roderick sat there and returned Aimery’s stare. “You’ve already given me my gift by saving my father.”
Aimery smiled. “Many Fae have gone to Thales to help rebuild your realm. As soon as you are ready, I’ll escort you and Elle home.”
“Thank you,” Roderick said softly. “I speak for all of Thales when I say how grateful we are for the aid.”
“And you, Cole?” Aimery asked. “What would you ask?”
Cole turned to Shannon. “What do you want?” he asked her. “Do you want to return to your time and live there?”
Shannon shook her head. “I just want to be with you.”
“Anywhere?”
“Anywhere,” she responded.
Cole turned to Aimery.
“We would like to return to the Realm of the Fae.”
“So be it,” Aimery said before he turned to Val. “And you? Would you like to return to Rome?”
Val shook his head. “Nay. Nicole and I would like to return to Scotland.”
Aimery nodded and smiled. “You will find a home for you and Nicole that I think will be most agreeable to both of you.” Aimery then turned to Gabriel.
Gabriel shook his head. “I’ve already been given more gifts than I deserve. I was given Jayna, my memories, life, and then forgiveness. That is all I need.”
“Maybe so,” Aimery said. “However, you and Jayna deserve a new start.”
Gabriel looked down at the woman that held his heart. “I asked you once already, but I need to ask it again. Will you be my wife?”
Her lips pulled back in a smile. “The answer hasn’t changed. Aye, I’ll gladly be your wife.”
“Where would you like to live?”
Jayna shrugged. “Surprise me.”
Gabriel laughed and looked at Aimery. “You heard her. Surprise us.”
Epilogue
Gabriel couldn’t believe Jayna was actually his wife. It seemed he had waited for an eternity to call her his, and now that they were joined he couldn’t wait to start their life together.
He was both joyous and sad, for while he wanted to begin a life with Jayna, it meant he and the Shields would be parted. Possibly forever.
Already Aimery had taken Roderick and Elle to Thales, and Val and Nicole had left just moments ago for Scotland. Theron and Rufina had escorted Cole and Shannon to the Realm of the Fae, which left only him and Jayna.
“Are you sure you want to let Aimery surprise you?” Hugh asked as he walked towards them.
Gabriel and Jayna shared a laugh. “Aye,” he answered. “I’ve no wish to return to my people, and we cannot return to Jayna’s realm.”
“I’m going to miss you.”
Silence filled the air after Hugh’s admission.
“It’s been an honor,” Gabriel said. “You’re the finest leader I’ve ever known.”
Hugh took a deep breath before he gave a quick nod. “Thank you. For everything, Gabriel.”
Gabriel looked down at his wife to find her and Mina crying as they embraced. If he thought leaving the Shields was difficult, he could only imagine how the Chosen felt. It almost didn’t seem right that the Shields would no longer exist.
“That’s not exactly correct,” Aimery said from beside him. “Once you’re a Shield, you’re always a Shield.”
Gabriel felt his lips lift in a slow smile. “Is that so?”
“Aye. Now, are you and Jayna ready?”
Gabriel took Jayna’s hand and waited for her nod before he turned to Aimery. “Show us our new life.”
* * * *
As one last gift, Aimery gave each of the Shields the ability to shift through time and space to visit each other.
He smiled as he looked over Caer Rhoemyr. All had worked out as it should.
“You seem mighty pleased with yourself,” Theron said as he joined him on the balcony of the palace.
Aimery chuckled. “You’re the one that should be pleased. How exactly did you explain my execution, then explain my return?”
Theron shrugged. “Once our people realized a Shapeshifter wa
s involved, they knew it wasn’t you. Besides, I never made the announcement you were executed. I just didn’t tell them you weren’t.”
Aimery sighed. “Peace. Finally.”
“Don’t get too comfortable, my friend. You know as well as I when one evil is defeated another rises to take its place. ‘Tis the way it has always been.”
Aimery shrugged. “Maybe. But for now, there is peace, and I’m going to enjoy it.”
* * * *
There wasn‘t a week that went by that Aimery didn‘t visit his Shields.
Hugh and Mina lived a long, happy life together with their five children. Stone Crest prospered for centuries, and it was a place known for its great lord and gentle lady.
Roderick and Elle returned to Thales and rebuilt the realm to its former glory. Roderick took his father’s place as king soon after his return, ruling Thales with wisdom and justice. The love between him and Elle helped set a steady foundation in Thales, and they were blessed with two children.
It didn’t take Cole and Shannon long to find that the Realm of the Fae was the perfect home for them. Because of his service and his battle abilities, Cole found himself in the service of Aimery and his legendary Fae army. Their love was blessed by four children, and as a gift, Queen Rufina gave Shannon immortality so she and Cole could spend eternity together.
Val and Nicole returned to Scotland. The home Aimery had given them wasn’t the small cottage they expected, but a sizable castle situated on a beautiful loch. Val soon came to embrace his role as lord of the castle, and he was known as a fair and just lord, much loved by his people. He and Nicole spent many hours in the loch they loved so dearly. Their blessings were frequent and numerous in their eight children.
As for Gabriel and Jayna, Aimery surprised them well when he sent them to Elrain’s sister realm, Newvale, where Jayna’s mother had fled after Jayna left in search of Gabriel. As another surprise, Gabriel’s beloved wolfhound, Laird, was waiting for him. The couple lived a long and happy life together, content in their love and their three children.
Look for more of the Shield books…
A DARK GUARDIAN
The first book in the Shield series
Dear Reader,
Have you ever wanted to travel through time with weapons crafted by the Fae themselves? To experience adventure so thrilling and dangerous you don’t know if you will live to see tomorrow? Now my men and I are faced with fighting creatures only thought to live in lengend but which have been brought to Earth by evil bent on annihilating all the realms. That is my life – and I love it.
At least I did until I found myself staring into the angelic, innocent face of Lady Mina of Stone Crest. In all the time I have led the Shields I’ve trusted my instinct to keep us alive, yet now I don’t know what to believe. Everything points to Mina as the evil summoning the creatures, but she proclaims her innocence.
I should be able to see through her lies, if she is indeed lying, but my attraction to her blinds me to even that. The last time I found myself so lured to a woman, it nearly cost me the lives of my men. I cannot allow that to happen again. I won’t allow that to happen again.
Yet every time she looks at me, begging me with those blue-green eyes to believe her, I find myself sinking further under her spell. Her mouth is a temptation mortal men will never know and her love will either bring me the peace I thought I’d never find – or the death I’ve managed, thus far, to avoid.
Hugh the Righteous
A KIND OF MAGIC
The second book in the Shield series
Greetings Dear Reader,
I was born an immortal prince on the realm of Thales. I lived the life of grandeur, revered and respected, but my one true love was fighting. I was given a special gift in my battle abilities and soon became known as Thales’ finest warrior. But all that changed the day my brother died and an evil descended upon my realm. With Thales on the verge of ruin, I bound myself to The Shields to protect the realms from the evil that ravages them. But I have a dark secret that I must atone for. Then and only then can I return to Thales and face my family. My special battle skills and my immortality help to keep my goals in front of me. They have always been clear…
Until Elle.
Elle makes me long for things I cannot have. Her innate goodness makes me want to grasp what she offers with both hands, but I know that we can never have what she seeks. Elle bears a mark that signals her one of a chosen few who were sent to Earth as infants. She and the others who bear the mark must be found and kept hidden from the ancient evil that seeks them, for they hold the key to the evil’s ruination.
The only way to keep Elle safe is to keep her by my side, but can I resist the temptation to take her love?
Roderick of Thales
A DARK SEDUCTION
The third book in the Shield series
Dear Friend,
Most would give all they had to be raised in the Realm of the Fae. I had no choice. I was too young to remember anything of my own realm, save for snatches of memories no more than my imagination. But if it hadn’t been for the Fae who found me wandering between realms after mine was destroyed, I would be dead now. It was the Fae who raised me and trained me in weaponry and battle skills unill I became a warrior to be feared. When hat same evil that destroyed my realm threatened Earth and the Fae, I was the first to volunteer for the Shields
With my immortality the only link I have to my past, I take what comfort I can in he arms of women. I want nothing more than one night with them, one night to forget that I can’t remember my family, one night to take what pleasure I can. It isn’t until I find Shannon that I begin to think of more than just one night in her arms.
Shannon has been brought back in time from Chicago to 1244 England because the evil knows what she is – one of the Chosen. Somehow the evil has found the Chosen before the Shields. His plan is to kill Shannon, but I won’t allow that. My duty is to protect her at all costs.
I’ve never known fear until now – until Shannon
Cole the Warrior
A FORBIDDEN TEMPTATION
The fourth book in the Shields series
Salute!
As one of the youngest men ever to have the title of general in ancient Rome’s great army, fame and fortune were my bedmates. I was chosen by the Fae for my mastery of any weapon. Though the Shields like to claim they are stronger because of my skills, I know I am only alive today because the Fae found me before my demons could put an end to my life.
Adventure and danger have always ruled my life, and I thrive on the thrill of the hunt. I am loyal to the Shields, willing to give my life to follow Hugh and the others to fulfill their oaths to save the world.
Who would have known following such great men would lead me to Nicole.
She’s everything I’ve ever wanted in a woman and more. She’s innocent and pure and beautiful of face and spirit. And she deserves better than me. Yet, every time I think of her in the arms of another I find I cannot let her go.
For better or worse, Nicole has bound herself to me. I just pray that the demons loosen their hold before the past catches up with me and repeats itself.
Valentinus Romulus
Author Bio
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Donna Grant has been praised for her “totally addictive” and “unique and sensual” stories. She’s the author of more than thirty novels spanning multiple genres of romance. Her latest acclaimed series – Dark Warriors – features a thrilling combination of Druids, primeval gods, and immortal Highlanders who are dark, dangerous and irresistible. She lives with her husband, two children, a dog, and four cats in Texas.
You can visit Donna at her website: http://www.donnagrant.com.
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Table of Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33