How The Warrior Fell (Falling Warriors series Book 1) Read Online Free PDF Page B

possessed and crackled accordingly. He was dangerous, and powerful; Leawyn could only imagine what he was like on the battlefield. The thought made her shiver. She would never want to witness that, to see the true darkness in his eyes come to life.
    They stood staring at one another across the room; the quiet intensity of his stare made her feel ill at ease. When Xavier took a step towards her, Leawyn couldn’t help but take a step back.
    “Don’t,” Xavier warned, his voice low. Leawyn stilled instantly, eying him warily as he slowly made his way to her. He took a couple more steps and stopped.
    “Come here,” Xavier demanded.
    Leawyn took a few timid steps forward. When she was within arm’s reach, he caught her wrist and pulled her the rest of the way to him. With one hand he pushed a lock of hair away from her face and hooked his thumb under her chin, tilting it to the side so that a freshly made bruise caught the light. He studied it, his dark eyes filled with intensity. Finally, Xavier did something Leawyn never would have expected.
    His touch turned gentle as he tilted her chin up more and laid a gentle kiss on it. His kisses created a path down to her neck and collarbone, brushing the other bruises, both new and old, that marred her skin there.
    “Pack a bag. You’re accompanying me and my men,” Xavier said against her skin. He kissed her neck one last time before turning and walking out the way he came.
    Leawyn stared after him in bewilderment.

    “Are you out of your mind?” Tristan demanded as soon as he reached Xavier.
    Xavier said nothing in response, barely sparing Tristan a glance as he continued to load up his horse
    “I just saw Leawyn packing a bag. She said you demanded she go with us?” Tristan asked, pointing behind him in his wife’s general direction. “Tell me my ears have mistaken me!”
    Xavier tightened the girth of his saddle and continued to ignore his brother. Tristan gritted his teeth in frustration, stepping in front of Xavier and blocking his path.
    “Xavier, she cannot go with us,” Tristan said firmly.
    “I don’t believe I asked for your opinion, nor do you have a choice in the matter,” Xavier said coolly. The fixed glare was the only warning Xavier gave his younger brother of the danger Tristan invoked by questioning him.
    “She cannot come with us, Xavier. It’s no place for a woman,” Tristan quietly reasoned with his brother.
    When Xavier’s eyes only narrowed in response, Tristan’s anger grew.
    “She could get killed!” Tristan yelled in frustration, drawing the attention of some of their tribesmen.
    Xavier’s temper got ahold of him, and he suddenly shoved Tristan against the tree behind him, forcing his back hard against the bark.
    “Why the sudden concern for my wife, brother?” Xavier asked dangerously as his grip tightened on Tristan’s tunic. “What does it matter to you what I do with  my  wife?”
    “She’s a liability, Xavier,” Tristan gritted out. “She’ll get you killed. She’ll get us  all  killed!”
    “What I do with my wife is none of your concern!” Xavier hissed. “She’s  mine, ” he snarled possessively in Tristan’s face.
    They glared at each other, tense silence stretched between them. After several heated moments, Xavier released Tristan’s tunic roughly as he backed away.
    “Do not question me again, brother,” Xavier warned, his eyes telling of the promised danger if Tristan were to do so.
    Turning his back on Tristan, Xavier marched up the hill to go get his wife.
    “You’re making a mistake, Xavier!” Tristan yelled at Xavier’s back angrily.
    Xavier’s steps paused, his fist clenching.
    “She’s going to be your downfall.”
    Xavier cocked his head and met Tristan’s eyes. Tense moments passed before Xavier turned back around and continued walking away.

I T TOOK THREE days of hard riding to reach their destination. The only moments of respite Leawyn was granted was when they stopped for their