How The Warrior Fell (Falling Warriors series Book 1) by Nicole René

roughly pushed the bow to his chest. On reflex he clutched it to him so it wouldn’t fall to the ground.
    “Just so you know, the women of my tribe are usually the ones to hunt,” Leawyn said haughtily and walked passed Xavier and into the tent without another word.
    Xavier followed her with his eyes before turning back to the bird on the ground.
    Tyronian strutted up to it and let out a low whistle, holding the arrow to his face. “Shot it right into the heart!” he said admiringly, walking a few paces to stand in front of his cousin. “Guess she showed you,” he said cheekily.
    Xavier scowled at him before he swiftly turned on his heel and marched back into the tent after his wife. His cousin’s laugher followed him in.

X AVIER CHUCKLED, AMUSED as he watched his wife arguing with his horse. She didn’t know he was there, which made it all the more entertaining.
    “Killix! I swear, if you don’t get out of my way, I’m going to use you for horse meat!” Leawyn huffed when all Killix did was pull his lips up over his teeth and continue to stand in the way of her mare and saddle she held in her hands.
    Deydrey snorted, pinning her ears back at Killix. It was like she huffed and glared at the stubborn stallion the same way Leawyn did.
    When his tiny wife attempted to push the giant stallion out of the way again, the horse turned his neck and nipped her fingers.
    “Ow!” Leawyn exclaimed, dropping the saddle as she clutched her fingers. “You bit me!”
    Killix let out a long whinny, his sides shaking with the sound.
    “Are you  laughing  at me?”
    Leawyn scowled at Killix, who threw his head upwards before snapping it back down several times. Xavier let out a whistle then, and Killix instantly stopped, ears flicking up as he turned his head to look behind Leawyn. She rotated her body to watch Killix trot off.
    Xavier lifted his hand and patted Killix’s strong neck, leaning over to stare at Leawyn. He couldn’t help himself, and grinned ever so slightly.
    “Have you been there the whole time?” Leawyn exclaimed in annoyance.
    Her ire seemed to grow when Xavier felt his smirk widen.
    Leawyn glared at them both (especially Killix) and picked the saddle off the ground and threw it over Deydrey, who was now free to stand in front of Leawyn.
    “Unbelievable,” she muttered angrily under her breath. Deydrey snorted, agreeing with her.
    “I heard that Killix had a crush on your mare, but I didn’t believe it until now.”
    “Yes, well,” Leawyn threw the reins around Deydrey’s neck, “he’s been unbelievingly annoying with the whole thing. It’s unattractive, quite frankly.” She climbed up onto Deydrey’s back. “So you can just forget it!” Leawyn gave them both another dirty glare before she kicked her heels and Deydrey took off.
    Xavier and Killix watched both their respective females trot off.
    “I think you made her angry,” Xavier said wryly, glancing over at Killix when he turned his head to look at him.
    “If she’s anything like Leawyn, I’m afraid you have your work cut out for you.”
    Killix stared at Xavier a bit longer before he again turned his attention to Deydrey, snorting dismissively.
    “If you say so,” Xavier chuckled, shaking his head.
    He pushed himself away from leaning against Killix and lifted himself onto the saddle. He didn’t even need to urge Killix to go before he was making his way all too eagerly to the company of men waiting to move out.
    Or more specifically, Deydrey.

    They rode just as hard as they had before.
    Once again Leawyn was determined to prove her worth and show that she and Deydrey could handle such a hard ride. But it was difficult.
    Well, for Leawyn it was.
    There was a sense of urgency in the way Xavier had the men riding, almost as if he was eager to return home. Leawyn looked over in front of her, watching Xavier closely. She still didn’t agree in leaving so early with Xavier still recovering, but she had to admit he seemed to be