A Warrior's Heart Read online

  The Shields Book 5:

  A WARRIOR’S HEART

  By

  Donna Grant

  A WARRIOR’S HEART

  Donna Grant

  2

  © copyright December 2007, Donna Grant

  Cover art by Eliza Black, © copyright December 2007

  ISBN 978-1-60394-091-7

  New Concepts Publishing

  Lake Park, GA 31636

  www.newconceptspublishing.com

  This is a work of fiction. All characters, events, and places are of the author’s imagination and not to be confused with fact. Any resemblance to living persons or events is merely coincidence.

  A WARRIOR’S HEART

  Donna Grant

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  Chapter One

  England, 1123

  Stone Crest Castle

  If Danielle had known what she would become, she would have plunged the dagger in Gabrielle’s heart when she’d had the chance. That decision had cost her her soul, and she paid for it every day. She didn’t like what she had become, but her mother had told her that in order to survive one had to adjust.

  Danielle had certainly adjusted.

  As she stared through the growing darkness at the imposing mass of stone that was Stone Crest castle, she thought about the people within its thick walls. A shiver raced over her skin, but it wasn’t due to the icy night air. She had finally found Gabriel.

  And it was time he paid for his crimes.

  Danielle smiled and pulled the hood of her cloak up to cover her head and face.

  Getting into the castle wasn’t going to be easy, but she was certainly up to the challenge.

  After all, she had waited nearly an eternity to see the look on Gabriel’s face when she confronted him.

  “Gloating

  already?”

  Danielle stiffened until she felt the familiar wash of air as He moved around her.

  He might not have a form, but he was the most powerful being in any of the realms.

  “I know I shouldn’t,” she answered as she kept her eyes on the castle.

  A tsking sound came from behind her then a warmth enveloped her. “My dear, Danielle, did I teach you nothing?”

  She smiled and breathed deeply. “You taught me to survive, and for that I owe you everything.”

  “Do you think I kept you alive just so you could out your revenge against Gabriel?”

  For the first time in centuries, Danielle felt a gnawing of worry. “I assumed so, aye,” she said softly.

  “That was part of it, my dear,” he whispered in her ear. “However, once I regain my form, I’m going to need a queen, someone who knows how to rule with beauty, grace, and the iron fist of vengeance. In other words, Danielle, I need you.”

  Danielle didn’t know what to say. For too many years all she had cared about was finding Gabriel and killing him. Never had she thought about a husband or a family. It had always been about Gabriel.

  As if reading her mind, He asked, “Just what had you planned on doing once you killed Gabriel?”

  “I don’t know. I’ve never thought about it.”

  “I think the time has come for you to think about many things. My mission is A WARRIOR’S HEART

  Donna Grant

  4

  nearly complete. For the first time since time began, evil will dominate the realms. No longer will good triumph and punish. It will be our time. Think about it.”

  And just as suddenly as He had appeared, He vanished. Danielle pushed aside His words. She needed to focus on Gabriel, on finding him and sinking her blade deep into his heart as he had done to her so very long ago.

  A WARRIOR’S HEART

  Donna Grant

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  Chapter Two

  Gabriel splayed his hands against the cold stones of the battlements and looked out over the valley of the land. Already he missed Laired. The wolfhound hadn’t wanted to leave with Aimery, but Gabriel knew he wouldn’t have time for the dog as they fought the evil. The merriment inside the great hall reached him even outside, and, though he hadn’t wanted to hurt Hugh or Mina’s feelings, he hadn’t been able to celebrate.

  Too much had happened in Scotland. In the back of his mind he had always known he didn’t wish to discover his memories. He had feared they would be as tarnished as the nightmares that plagued him, nightmares he had never told anyone about.

  When the Fae had found him, Gabriel had been all but dead. Yet, with their healing abilities, the Fae had healed him, but they hadn’t been able to help him with his memory loss. For a long time he had craved to know of his past, who he was, if he had a family or a wife. He wanted to know details.

  Yet always, there was this underlying fear that someone was coming after him.

  The Fae had assured him it was only due to his extensive injuries, and for awhile Gabriel had believed them. Until recently.

  Discovering he was immortal should have been a joyous occasion. Instead, it had only made him realize his past was deep and dark, a place he wanted no part of. He would like nothing better than to say he was the man he had become, but only fools discounted their pasts. He had sinned. He knew it in the marrow of his bones.

  He didn’t know how he had sinned, but he had a sneaking suspicion he would find out very soon.

  “There you are,” Cole said as he sauntered up, a big smile on his face and a mug of ale in his hand. “Mina demanded I find you and give you your ale.”

  Gabriel tried to smile as he accepted the mug. “I wouldn’t wish to upset the lady of the castle. However, I would imagine it was more likely Hugh that sent you to find me rather than Mina.”

  “All right,” Cole said with a loud sigh as he leaned his back against the stones and looked at Gabriel, his brown gaze leveling on Gabriel. “We all know something is bothering you. What we don’t know is why you aren’t coming to us for help. We are your family, your brothers.”

  “I’m fine,” Gabriel lied. “I’m just worried that the Great Evil isn’t done with us.

  Now that all four of the Chosen have been found, he can be defeated.”

  Cole raised his brows at Gabriel’s words as he folded his arms across his chest.

  “We’re all worried about the evil, and, if you expect me to believe the words you just spoke, you don’t know me as well as you should.”

  Gabriel sighed and raked a hand through his long hair. “Cole, sometimes things are better left alone.”

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  “Like your past.”

  “By the gods,” Gabriel bellowed and pushed away from the wall. “Leave it alone. I beg you.”

  Cole pushed off the wall and dropped his arms. “Nay. As I said earlier, we are your family, and family look out for one another.”

  Gabriel shook his head as he realized the futility of arguing with Cole.

  “Have you remembered your past?”

  Gabriel cringed and turned his back to Cole. “Nay.”

  “The only thing you know is that you’re immortal. That shouldn’t be something for you to fear.”

  “What I fear is my past,” Gabriel said softly.

  Cole moved until he stood in front of him. “Your past is exactly that, my brother. It doesn’t matter what you did or who you were. We know what you are now, and that’s what counts.”

  Gabriel felt something touch his hand and looked down at the mug of ale. He took it and looked up to see Cole smile before he walked off.

  The ale was just what Gabriel needed. He leaned his head back and took a long drink, the liquid warming his body and soul as it slid down his throat to his belly. He glanced out over the land again and could have sworn he saw something moving near the forest. With a step
closer to the wall, he stared at the spot and waited, but nothing moved.

  Gabriel took a deep breath and decided he had done enough worrying for the night. The four Chosen had been found and the end of the Great Evil was coming. It was time to celebrate with his family, his brothers.

  When Gabriel reached the great hall, he stopped at the balcony that overlooked the massive room and gazed down at the people below. Bright banners and beautiful tapestries adorned the walls for show as well as to help with heat. An array of shields, swords, battle axes, and other weapons could also be found hanging.

  Along with the large hearth putting off vast amounts of light and heat, every twenty spaces or so a candelabra hung from the wall. Around the dais several more standing candelabras were placed.

  The people of Stone Crest dined on roasted pheasant and potatoes, the aroma making Gabriel’s stomach growl with hunger. His gaze traveled to the dais where the Shields sat. Hugh, their leader, and his wife Mina sat at the center of the table. Hugh had not only found his mate upon coming to Stone Crest, but he had found a home, as well.

  To the right of Hugh was Roderick. Roderick was an immortal prince from the realm of Thales. To Roderick’s right was his wife, Elle. Next to Elle sat Nicole who Gabriel and Val had battled a Griffin to free, and then Nicole’s husband, Val, a Roman general.

  On the left of Mina sat Shannon and Cole. An empty chair beside Cole was Gabriel’s place. He wanted to join them, needed to join them, but he found it more than difficult. Each of the Shields had found their mates while battling the Great Evil, and though Gabriel would never admit it, he longed to find a woman for himself, as well.

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  Donna Grant

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  The yearning he felt deep inside his chest when he watched his friends with their wives left him feeling desolate and as though he would never be whole. It was almost as if he had lost his mate.

  With a deep sigh he made his feet move and descend the stairs that led him into the great hall. Cheers rose from the Shields as he approached. Gabriel smiled and raised his mug of ale as he walked the length of the long table to his seat.

  “I’m glad you joined us,” Cole said as he leaned toward him. “We were becoming concerned.”

  Gabriel sank into his chair and looked at the trencher laden with food. He shrugged and began eating. Cole knew him well enough to know that he didn’t wish to talk. Though, from the corner of his eye, Gabriel could see Hugh and the others casting glances at him from time to time.

  What began as a very tasty meal soon lost all flavor as he pretended to act as though all was fine. When he finished, he pushed back his trencher, drained his mug of ale, and forced a smile as he looked at Mina.

  “The meal was excellent, my lady.”

  Mina smiled, her blue-green eyes reflecting worry. “I’ll be sure to tell the cook.”

  He rose and started around the table when Hugh stopped him. “Where are you going?”

  “You all celebrate. I’ll keep the first watch,” he threw over his shoulder.

  Hugh sighed loudly as he leaned back in his chair. “I worry about him. He hasn’t been the same since he and Val returned from Scotland.”

  “Nay,” Val said softly. “It was like discovering his immortality made things worse.”

  Nicole, Val’s mate, tsked as she threaded her fingers within his. “Give him time, love,” she said, her Scottish accent thick.

  “We don’t have a lot of time,” Roderick stated.

  Hugh looked at his wife and held out his hand for her as he stood. “Are you ready for bed, my love?”

  Mina smiled as she accepted Hugh’s hand. Her blue-green eyes twinkled as she gazed up at him. “Always.”

  Hugh tucked Mina’s arm in his and looked at his men. “The Fae are guarding Stone Crest. However, I think it would be wise of us to keep a lookout ourselves. The Great Evil hasn’t been foolish before. I doubt he’ll start now.”

  * * * *

  Gabriel leaned his head back and sniffed the wind. It was faint, barely discernable, but he was able to smell it. Evil.

  He shifted his shoulders as his hand gripped the pommel of his sword. The need to kill the Great Evil was overwhelming, and, for only an instant, Gabriel almost left Stone Crest to do just that.

  “Your thoughts are troubled,” a refined, deep voice said from beside him.

  Instantly, calm surrounded Gabriel. He didn’t need to look to his left to know it was Aimery. The Fae commander had always managed to calm the thoughts in his mind.

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  Donna Grant

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  “The evil is nearly here.”

  “It already is here.”

  Gabriel swiftly turned to Aimery. He needed to see the truth in the Fae’s shimmering blue eyes to believe him. But Aimery wouldn’t meet his eyes. The Fae’s gaze was directed over the land, to the forest Gabriel had stared at most of the evening before he joined the others in the great hall.

  “The smell of evil is faint.”

  “I know,” Aimery said softly. “It isn’t the Great Evil, nor anything as great as the Griffon. This evil is something … different.”

  Gabriel understood now. “It’s something we won’t expect.”

  “Exactly.” Aimery faced him then. “Why were you thinking of finding the evil alone?”

  He shrugged, unsure now of anything. “I had a powerful urge to seek it out and kill it myself.”

  “That would be folly, my friend.”

  Gabriel saw the doubt in the Fae’s mystical eyes. “I’m not part of the evil.”

  For long moments Aimery stared at him. “Nothing we have ever done has opened your past to you, Gabriel. We don’t know who you were, your family, or even where you are from.”

  “I know.” Aimery wasn’t telling him anything he didn’t already know.

  The Fae commander crossed his arms over his chest, causing his long, flaxen hair to shift in the breeze. “Though immortality isn’t an unknown occurrence, there are few races throughout the realms that are immortal.

  Gabriel’s stomach clenched, and the blood in his veins ran like ice through him, chilling him to his very soul. “What are you saying?”

  “I’ve sent out runners to the realms who are immortal.”

  He turned away, unable to hold the Fae’s gaze any longer. Aimery had always been someone Gabriel looked up to. He had been the one to find Gabriel and even helped to nurse him back to health. He owed Aimery greatly, but there was one thing he feared above all, and that was letting Aimery and the Shields down.

  “I don’t want to know,” Gabriel finally said. He braced his hands against the rocks once more and let his head drop, his chin resting against his chest.

  “What do you fear?”

  Gabriel lifted his head slightly and glanced at Aimery. The Fae stood regal in his tunic of silver with blue threads that matched the blue in his shimmering eyes perfectly.

  The sensuality of the Fae was what made them so alluring to humans, just as their magic made them a target for anyone who wanted power. The Fae were elegant, noble, and beautiful in their manners, dress, and looks.

  “You know of what I fear by reading my thoughts. Why do you want me to speak them?”

  “Because I think you need to hear them aloud.”

  Gabriel shook his head. “Nay. I have a duty, Aimery. I gave my word, my vow, to the Shields. My word is all that I own in this world. I refuse to lose it now.”

  “No one doubts you, Gabriel. The Shields all know that you are one with them.

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  They simply worry about you.”

  A chuckle escaped Gabriel as he let his head drop between his arms. “And you, Aimery? Do you know that I am one with the Shields?”

  “Aye.”

  But Gabriel knew the truth by hearing the hesitation in Aimery’s voice. He didn’t prod the Fae more. There was no need. Gabriel had the
answers he sought.

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  Donna Grant

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  Chapter Three

  Danielle couldn’t stop her hands from shaking. All night she had stayed in the woods and watched the castle as a lone man walked the battlements while she waited for the rising of the sun.

  Snow had begun to fall thick and heavy just a few hours before dawn, but Danielle hadn’t minded. She had stayed huddled under the pine trees in the forest. But now the time had come. It was time to venture into the castle and find Gabriel. Find him and kill him.

  She took a deep breath to calm her racing heart. After she adjusted her cloak and pulled the hood up to hide her face, she began her walk to the road that would take her to the castle gates.