Free A Warrior's Heart (Shields) by Donna Grant

use.”
    Aimery sat back and smiled ruefully. “You did. You had a fever and were delirious, and we almost didn’t listen to you. Is this the first time you remember that?”  
    “Aye. Why didn’t you tell me before?”
    “I thought you knew.”
    Gabriel leaned forward and rested his elbows on his knees with his head in his hands. “I need details, Aimery.”
    “Why all of a sudden?”
    He shook his head. “I don’t know.”
    “You were in and out of consciousness, Gabriel. The fever that riddled your body left you ranting and mumbling when you weren’t telling us what herbs we needed to use to save you.”
    Gabriel raised his head to look at Aimery. “Did I know what realm I was in?”  
    “I don’t think so.”
    “What did I say during my ramblings?”
    “Nothing that made a lot of sense,” Aimery replied. “Most of the time you kept repeating that you were sorry, but for what we never figured out.”
    Gabriel had hoped questioning Aimery would give him some answers when all it did was give him more questions. “Did I say anyone’s name?”
    “If you did, I never heard it. You think you left someone behind? A wife?”  
    “I don’t know. Jayna asked –”
    “Jayna? Who is Jayna,” Aimery asked.
    Gabriel straightened in his chair. “She came to the castle early this morning. Mina and the other women took her in and offered her a place to stay for a while.”  
    “Did anyone question her?”
    “Aye, both Hugh and I have. Hugh has asked that I stay near her for the next couple of days while she’s here to see if I can discover as to why she’s really here.”
    Aimery shut his eyes, and for a long moment he was quiet. When he opened his eyes there was doubt shining there. “She’s here for revenge. It beats strong within her, it’s what drives her.”
    “Mina said the same thing. Revenge for what, none of us know as of yet, but I’ll find out what it is.”
    “She’s not a commoner as she claims.”
    Gabriel laughed. “Aye, we all know that for a lie as well.”
    “She’s cloaked her mind, Gabriel. Be careful.”
    “We will.”
    Aimery crossed his arms over his chest. “Now tell me what it is that Jayna said to you.”
    “She asked if I had left a wife or family behind. I said I hadn’t because I didn’t feel them. But that made me start to question myself. Did I leave someone behind?”  
    “I wish I could help you with that answer, but your mind hasn’t shut just you out, it’s shut even the Fae from prying into it. Whatever you have locked away, you never wanted to remember.”
    “And that scares the hell out of me. What could it have been?”
    Aimery shrugged. “Any number of things. What makes one man sick with worry, another won’t think twice about.”
    “Have you heard word from any realms with immortals? Have you perhaps found where I’m from?”
    The sadness in Aimery’s unusual swirling blue eyes spoke louder than any words. “Nay, Gabriel. I’m sorry.”
    Gabriel rose to his feet and blew out a breath as he began to slowly walk around the solar. “I’ve gone this long without answers, I’ll survive longer.”
    “You might survive, my friend, but I know how much you want the truth.”
    “I used to want to know everything. Now I’m not so sure. Like you said, my mind has blocked my past for a reason.”
    He heard a sigh behind him and then the creak of the chair as Aimery rose. Gabriel turned to face the Fae commander.
    “I planned to visit tomorrow,” Aimery said as he moved away from the chess table. “However, I’ve learned what I needed to tonight.”
    “Jayna?”
    “Nay, though I’m glad to know that as well. I know of the Harpy and the Gargoyle. I must report to the king and queen. My army is still standing guard around the castle and Hugh’s lands. They’ve detected evil.”
    Gabriel nodded. “The creatures?”
    “I suspect it’s more than just the creatures. It’s time to finish this once and for all. Be vigilant,