A Warrior's Heart (Shields) (34 page)

His sweet Jayna.
 

Gone from him forever.

“Gabriel?”

His heart plummeted to his feet as he heard Jayna’s voice.

“Gabriel, please come back to me,” she whispered.

For a moment Gabriel was afraid to move, afraid to even think that he could open his eyes and find his beloved beside him. But the need to see Jayna outweighed his fear.

Slowly he opened his eyes and found himself staring at the bed hangings of his chamber. He moved his gaze to the left and found bright light streaming through his window.

Then, he turned his gaze to the right and saw...Jayna. Tears fell down her cheeks as she gave him a heart-stopping smile.

“You came back to me,” she cried as she leaned over to place her lips atop his.

Gabriel didn’t care how either of them was alive as he raised his arms and brought her atop him. He placed his hands on either side of her head and gazed into her hazel eyes.

“I love you. I’ve always loved you, and nothing will ever change that. I cannot take back the betrayal of your family and realm, but I will do whatever you ask in the hope that one day you will trust me again.”

A soft sob was her only response, and Gabriel panicked, thinking that she could never forgive him.

“You silly fool,” Jayna said through her tears. “I forgave you the moment I saw you in the bailey. I know what you did was a mistake and not something you knew would happen to my realm.”

Gabriel let out a pent up breath and crushed her to his chest, and he rained kisses over her face. “Don’t ever leave me again. I cannot survive without you.”

She pushed up and wiped the tears from her face. “Thanks to Aimery, I’ll be with you for some time.”

Gabriel felt peace surround him for the first time as he held Jayna in his arms. Finally, he was whole again, and a bright future awaited them.

“As much as I’d love to stay in your chamber, the others are waiting for you,” Jayna said as she slowly climbed off the bed.

Gabriel sat up and took a deep breath. The skin was still pink from his many wounds, but nearly all the pain was gone. “How long have I been asleep?”

“Days,” she said and clasped her hands in front of her.

There was relief in her eyes, proof that she had sat by his side worrying for some time.

He pulled on the tunic she handed him, then pushed the covers away from his legs and rose from the bed. He tugged on his trousers and then his boots before he faced her again.

“I thought you had died.”

“She nearly did.”

Gabriel spun around to find Aimery leaning against the stones of the hearth. He smiled at the Fae and gave a nod of thanks.
 
“Why didn’t you tell me you helped her?”
 

Aimery pushed away from the stones. “The Great Evil needed to believe she was dead. I didn’t have time to tell you otherwise.”

“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 was 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.