Air Bonded

By M.A. Abraham

Jenna, Julia, and Alissa are three orphans who were taken in by an elderly couple. The land they live on has been theirs for centuries, it is where they have stood guard over one of the last few portals in existence. They can see the nimbus that marks its location from their farmhouse, and like the others of their calling, they refuse to leave it untended. Riehl, Goldier, and Falcon know what and who they are looking for. Disguised as apple pickers, the Elven males arrive to find their Life Mates being held at gunpoint. The weapons the enemy is using is beyond their experience and they will have to handle the situation with great care and without exposing their Life Mates to even more danger. the SeriesMy Book is also a part of.... Romantically Seasonal, a brand new multi-author, multi-book, multi-series set!!!!Love can happen to anyone, anywhere, and in any season. It’s Romantically Seasonal...Three amazing authors have written stories based on love throughout each of the seasons,but with a unique voice!#RomanceIsntJustForValentinesDayRead stories from 3 of your favourite authors in this brand new Romantic series. Followcharacters in Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter settings as they navigate their love lives intales of varying degrees of romantic heat.#RomanticallySeasonalEach book is a standalone with a separate releases from and featuring the following authors:C.A. King, USA Today Bestselling AuthorM.A. Abraham BSA

• Language: English
• Publisher: M.A. Abraham
• Release date: Sep 21, 2021
• ISBN: 9780463091852

M.A. Abraham

I don’t really know what to say about myself.I have been writing books since before I became a teenager. Most are still hidden in the closet. I used to make up my own stories as a child, everyone used to act them out while we were playing outside. As a teenager someone issued me a challenge. I told her that her stories stunk, she told me to do better.My job growing up was to play guardian to my little brother, keep him safe. That meant I ended up getting into more fights than enough – makes sense now that I write about warriors.My family will try to tell you that I’m not innocent, I have a personality that keeps them on their toes. Over my lifetime and theirs I have earn several nicknames – The Godmother, The Evil Christmas Elf (comes from making my nieces wrap their own Christmas presents), Mistress of Ambush. My favorite response to them when they try to get me into trouble is just to look at them with a wide doe eyed expression and say “Moi?????”I have a seal point Siamese cat named Snoop, named after my favorite cartoon character and hobby. I have a “healthy” but small collection of Snoopy memorabilia. He is a character alright; never met a cat who can talk back like he does. He expects daily dosages of adoration on his schedule when he wants it – not when it’s convenient for me and he HATES snow.I come from a very large family (mostly brothers) and I could outrun the whole works of them (I’m the shortest!). It was called survival.This book has been in the making for a long time now. Over a half a year to write it, about the same amount of time to edit it, and probably about the same amount of time to get the art work and website! I have learned you can’t control the timelines of other people – Murphy likes to step in.So for now I am setting up good luck charms everywhere... didn’t know I had that many stuffed Snoopy’s. *Fingers, legs, toes, eyes and anything else I can crossed*

Book preview

AIR BONDED

Book Three of the Elven Sentinel Series

AIR BONDED

M.A. ABRAHAM

COPYRIGHT 2021

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I would like to take this time to thank my editing team, Eniko, Fran, Candice and Marjorie for their continued support and efforts in correcting my poor grammar and literary efforts. Without them my books would be unfit for reading. A good backup team is priceless and I hope to one day be able to find a way to repay each of you for your support… and Becca… what can we say, you continue to be my foremost reason for being out in the public eye, your talents are endless. And, last but definitely not least, I would like to thank Cora Graphics for the wonderful job she did on my cover. A good cover is priceless and you have made this one as masterpiece. Also, a special thank you to Betty Olsen for going over it, one more time, just to be sure.

AIR BONDED

CHAPTER I

Emperor Lothriel, a strained-sounding voice called to him from the entrance of the palace. I think you better come have a look at what is going on outside.

Lothriel didn’t want to see whatever it was that could cause one of his palace guards to lose color. Lothriel would rather go somewhere to hide, so no one could find him. He had more decisions to make than he already knew how to handle, and every time someone called his name, it seemed like there was more of those to make.

When Lothriel didn’t immediately respond, the guard chased after him, Please, your Majesty. The City of Torendal is being invaded. We need your expertise.

With a sigh, Lothriel turned around and demanded. What do you mean, the City of Torendal is being invaded? I feel no danger.

The guard quickly added. There is a report of over one hundred and fifty Eagle Claw warriors heading in this direction, and they are all armed. They are dangerous.

Emperor Lothriel frowned, and then headed for the exit. As Lothriel walked, he grumbled to himself. Of course these warriors would be armed, they are Eagle Claws, and everyone knows there is no one in that family that isn’t dangerous. But what are over one hundred and fifty Eagle Claw warriors doing in Torendal?

The guard trotted beside Lothriel, and at his Emperor’s mumbling remark answered. No one knows why they are coming, but they are.

Lothriel sent out a mental bellow. Gabriella, report. Lothriel then left the building to come face-to-face with Gabriella and Cambria. Further afield, there were dozens of men carrying more weapons on them than Lothriel figured porcupines had quills.

Gabriella and Cambria exchanged a glance as Lothriel glared at them, and then openly grinned as Gabriella spoke. You bellowed, Emperor Lothriel?

Lothriel warned. Don’t start, Gabriella, I am not in the mood. What is this all about?

Gabriella lost no time in explaining. You were looking for candidates to cross the boundary and bring the girls from the orchard back home, along with the books they are guarding. These are my picks. I am sure they are the best the Empire has to offer.

Lothriel sighed. Of course they are, they are Eagle Claw warriors.

Cambria poked a forefinger into the air to make a point as she happily added. Ah, Emperor Lothriel, these are not simple Eagle Claw warriors, these are special talents.

Without giving a thought to whom he was talking to, Lothriel asked. So what makes them more special than their relatives?

Cambria chuckled, knowing that Lothriel had to be really preoccupied with something special to have missed her point. Cambria decided to take pity on the busy monarch and explained. They are all Tratchars with secondary talents.

Gabriella added. As you seem to know what you are looking for when it comes to the other side of the boundary, we thought we would gather those who would suit the purpose the best.

Cambria pointed out what she felt Lothriel should have realized on his own. You are sending warriors into wooded areas to fight a battle. So, they will need an advantage. A Tratchar can pull those girls into the tree trunks along with them. This gives them the opportunity to hide where their enemies cannot find them. If you choose Eagle Claw warriors, you know they are going to know how to fight better than anyone else. Some even come close to matching Gabriella for knowing what the enemy will do next.

Lothriel sighed. Cambria had a point, although he wasn’t about to admit it. Instead, he decided to divert Cambria and Gabriella’s attention. Fine. I will walk amongst them to see what my instincts tell me.

Cambria replied, No one is expecting more.

Gabriella looked at Cambria, and then sent her a mental message. Should we tell him that a rumor has been spread that any Elf who he sends to the other side will immediately find their Life Mate?

Cambria snickered as she responded, And burst his bubble? Not a good idea. I think he would prefer to believe they are here because they would do anything for the King and the Elven Empire.

Gabriella shook her head and replied. That is the truth too. They all would do anything for the King and the Elven Empire. The Emperor knows our motto has been bred into us for generations. Nothing is going to change that.

Cambria disagreed, Except our Life Mates. If it were different, the High Lord General Gabriel Eagle Claw would never have left his position in the Empire for his Life Mate. There is something about Life Mate bonds that transcend our sense of duty. It goes deeper than what we were taught to believe.

Gabriella, unwilling to concede the point, shrugged and replied. Perhaps.

Lothriel didn’t pay any attention to the two Eagle Claw sisters who followed in his wake to see who he would pick. Lothriel couldn’t remember the last time he saw so many Elves with similar features. They all had the blonde hair and the silver blue eyes of their ancestors. It was difficult to believe they weren’t all from the same set of parents, no matter how impossible this seemed. Not even Eagle Claw families had more than six children, and even that was rare. Most Elven families were happy to have two offspring.

Lothriel had barely reached the halfway point when he stopped in front of one of the Eagle Claw warriors and asked, What is your name?

Lothriel didn’t know why this Elf that had caught his attention, but something about the man told Lothriel that he should be the one chosen to lead the group Lothriel was about to send across the boundary.

The Eagle Claw warrior bowed deeply out of respect, and then stood at attention once more as he replied. I am Falcon, Emperor Lothriel.

Lothriel frowned as he thought about the name for a few moments. It was a different one for an Eagle Claw. Why were you called Falcon?

Falcon replied, As a descendant of Marious and Tamarak, I have not only Tratchar power from some other relatives, but also a strong affinity with birds. I ride the Battlebirds when I get the chance, but my Tratchar talents keep me in high demand for the most part.

Lothriel nodded as he replied, They would. You will come with me. I want you to lead the group across the boundary to bring back the girls and the books they have in their possession.

Falcon gave a nod, then fell in behind Gabriella and Cambria as they passed him. The moment Falcon took his place, a smug smile crossed his face. He was certain he knew what this meant, and he couldn’t have been any happier.

It didn’t take long before Lothriel stopped in front of another warrior to ask. What is your name?

Again, the Eagle Claw warrior gave a deep bow before replying. I am Goldier, your Majesty.

Lothriel thought for a moment and then answered. You will also be going across the boundary. Take your place beside Falcon.

A few more rows later, Lothriel stopped in front of the last Eagle Claw warrior he had any intention of sending and asked, What is your name?

The Elf bowed, as his cousins had, and replied, Riehl, Emperor Lothriel.

Lothriel nodded in satisfaction. You will be going with Falcon and Goldier when they cross the boundary. I want you three to report to the High Lord General Gabriella Eagle Claw for briefing, then you will be taken to your destination. Are there any questions about this? When there was no response, Lothriel turned to look over the rest of the crowd and ordered. The rest of you are to go back to your homes.

As they began to move toward the exit to the city, Lothriel looked at the three chosen Elves, and to make sure they understood what was expected, he again asked, Are you sure there is nothing you need to know from me?

No, your Majesty. Falcon replied, as the other two shook their heads in response. Any questions we have at this time can be directed to the High Lord General Gabriella Eagle Claw. We assume she has this all worked out by now.

Lothriel burst out laughing as he admitted. You are undoubtedly right. So, let’s go and see what she has come up with.

CHAPTER II

As Goldier, Riehl, and Falcon stood at Gabriella’s side, the rest of the Eagle Claw warriors left the Torendal valley. By the time the Emperor Lothriel reached the doors of his palace, the field had been vacated, and Gabriella was leading the three Elves Lothriel had chosen into her war room for a briefing.

Goldier, Falcon, and Riehl followed Gabriella wearing identical grins. They were certain they knew what was coming, and they were excited. Not only were the three Elves certain they were about to meet their Life Mates, but they were going to have a real adventure while this was happening. Could life get much better for an Elf than this?

The moment Gabriella turned to face Goldier, Riehl, and Falcon, she frowned at them. The trio was still sporting smiles so wide that she hated to have to break the news she had for them. It was probable that they were about to meet their Life Mates, but it wasn’t a certainty. If they didn’t realize this by now, they had better wake up. It was Gabriella’s job to provide this wake-up call, something she figured she was better doing sooner than later. I hear rumors that everyone believes that when they are chosen for one of Lothriel’s pet assignments, it means the Emperor Lothriel has been using his foresight to make a connection between them and the Elven maidens on the other side of the boundary. I am curious to find out who would believe such drivel.

Not one of the three Eagle Claw warriors who were standing in front of Gabriella so much as twitched or gave a squeak to give the impression they were as guilty as the next man for giving the idea credence. Goldier, Falcon, and Riehl stood at attention, looking forward with blank faces that told Gabriella they were shutting her out. Gabriella was not about to allow this to happen, not as long as she was in command. What is the matter? Do none of you have the balls to admit this is true?

Gabriella looked directly at Riehl, Goldier, and Falcon, noting the slight telltale flush of anger that touched their cheeks. Good. Gabriella decided. She would rather deal with their tempers than their blind refusal to face the truth.

With a knowing smile, Gabriella continued. "No one can blame