Warcry

wooden shield.
    The wyvern’s gaze fell on her, and it screamed in rage as its tail lashed out to hit squarely on the shield. The stinger struck the wood hard enough to splinter. Atira stumbled, keeping the shield up as she fell by the horse.
    The wyvern danced over her, shifting its stance on the body of the horse, looking for her.
    Heath raised his sword, ready to charge. Before he could move, Atira slung her quiver of lances toward him, skittering as it slid over the stones to his feet. “Heath,” she cried out as the tail lashed in again.
    Keir came up behind him, but Heath beat him to the lances. He lifted and threw without even hesitating.
    The lance, with its black stone tip, pierced the monster’s neck.
    Thick blood gushed forth, and the wyvern screamed, rearing back. It screamed again, then staggered. Atira disappeared as it flailed about and collapsed. Warriors and guards surged forward, swarming over the beast, to make sure of the kill.
    Heath ran as well, his heart in his throat. The wyvern’s body had collapsed to the side, its dark wing covering the dead horse and his . . .
    Voices were raised, asking questions, shouting orders. Heath ran for the place he’d last seen Atira. Many hands aided him, pulling back the monster’s wing, struggling with its weight. Its hide was slippery with blood.
    Heath held his breath, seeing Atira tucked between the bodies of the horse and the monster, curled under her shield. His stomach clenched when she didn’t move, didn’t breathe. Sun God, no . . .
    Atira lifted her head, her hair in disarray and her face covered in blood. Not hers, thank the Sun God. Heath took in the breath he didn’t know he was holding.
    Atira blinked up at him, her face lighting up like a beacon. “If this is the start of our bond, I can’t wait to see what the rest of our lives will bring!”
    Heath paused in the chaos and confusion around them and could not help but laugh with weak relief. Ignoring it all, he offered his hand to his ladywife and pulled her into his arms, sealing their bond with a kiss.

Berkley Sensation Books by Elizabeth Vaughan

    DAGGER-STAR
WHITE STAR
DESTINY’S STAR
WARPRIZE
WARCRY