Fire Bonded

By M.A. Abraham

Lyra and Raine live on a mountain, next to a ski resort where they teach snow sports on a daily basis. It’s a perfect foil for two Ice Elves who are Guardians of the last portal. Things get interesting when Telion and Riven arrive to escort the two women who are their Life Mates to the Elven Empire. There they find that not only is the portal weak, but inaccessible. As things turn from bad to worse, they are left with no choice but to travel to the deep north to find Pianth. They are about to find out this is the least of their concerns, for even when they finish with their task, they learn the Elven Empire is preparing to go on a move that is bonded by fire. About the Series My 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! #RomanceIsntJustForValentinesDay Read stories from 3 of your favourite authors in this brand new Romantic series. Follow characters in Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter settings as they navigate their love lives in tales of varying degrees of romantic heat. #RomanticallySeasonal Each book is a standalone with a separate releases from and featuring the following authors: C.A. King, USA Today Bestselling Author M.A. Abraham BSA

• Language: English
• Publisher: M.A. Abraham
• Release date: Dec 14, 2021
• ISBN: 9781005057886

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

FIRE BONDED

Book Four of the Elven Sentinel Series

FIRE 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.

FIRE BONDED

CHAPTER I

A scream rent the air around Talion only a moment before one of laughter followed in its wake. Talion stopped to watch a young woman glide down the slopes on skies that slid over perfectly formed layers of snow. This year the slopes were well padded, a skier’s dream. There were many people gliding or jumping over the mounds, as if to give their spirits flight. Talion smiled as he watched the expressions on their faces and allowed their delight to surround him. It was this Talion had been missing, the sharing of joy, and the elation of others. Talion moved closer to absorb more of the thrill of the moment from the ambience of the scene, and he felt complete.

Lyra, a voice called a moment before Talion moved, and a young man flashed past on his way to the bottom of the slopes. Quit your dreaming and get a move on.

Talion smiled as he pulled his mind away from his thoughts and chased after the man. By now, all he could see of him were the powdery mists of snow flying in his wake. Talion wasn’t worried about losing him though. He was faster and better on his skies. Talion laughed as he caught up to this stranger. Then chose a mound of snow to use for a foundation for his jump. A moment later, Talion was airborne, and gleeful.

Talion was not alone in his elation, for other skiers followed his example, so close on his heels, Talion could almost feel the heat of their breath on the back of his neck. Someone was determined to catch up with him with the intention of passing him. Talion was equally determined not to allow it to happen. Faster and faster, they plowed down the side of the mountain until they reached the base and came to a snow-misted stop. Both Talion and his challenger were laughing, their breaths labored with their efforts, as their eyes shone in elation.

The mystery skier smiled widely. That was fun. Do you want to do it again? Or are you ready to call it a day?

Talion replied, I can do this for as long as you.

The mystery skier crowed, Then the challenge has been issued and accepted. I have yet to be defeated on the slopes.

Talion quickly accepted and replied, Prepare to be bested, for I won’t stop until I am victorious.

Lyra arrived just in time to hear the challenge issued. She watched her friend with the stranger, and then, as her friend removed her goggles and helmet, she commented, Well, we both know how this day will end, as it always does. In a draw, with everyone sitting in the common room of the chateau, sipping cocoa and watching the fire crackle on the hearth in a semi-sleep state of exhaustion. No one will give an inch, and you will both sleep like the dead when it is over.

A single look at the beautiful young Elven woman who had challenged him had convinced Talion he had found his Life Mate. Equally important, she was one of the two Elves he had been sent to hunt down. If everything went well, they could be heading for home by the time this day was over.

With the end of his task in sight, Talion decided he could afford to spend some time playing, and this was the perfect place to do it. First, Talion wanted to know the name of the Elf who would be spending this time with him. He offered his hand to Lyra first, and then introduced himself. I am Talion.

Lyra grinned as she reached out to shake Talion’s hand and replied, I am Lyra, and my athletic friend is Raine.

Talion immediately held his hand out to take Raine’s. Raine?

Raine rolled her eyes expressively, expecting to get teased as she often did about her name despite the sense that this man was different somehow. I know. How could someone with a name like Raine love snow so much?

Talion chuckled as he replied, That is what happens when an Ice Elf falls in love with a High Elf. You get the best of both worlds.

Much to Talion’s surprise, Raine seemed not to react to his comment at all, though he thought she should have. Raine just bent, took off her skis, and headed for the lifts to the top of the slopes. It was Lyra who showed signs of being disturbed by what Talion said.

The moment they were alone, Lyra reached out, grabbed Talion’s sleeve, and asked, What kind of comment was that?

Talion tried to look innocent as he spoke. I have no idea what you are talking about.

Lyra narrowed her eyes. Don’t you dare try to hand me that innocent act. It isn’t going to fly. Lyra reached out and placed a hand to Talion’s ear and gave a satisfied hum. Just as I thought. You are going to have a lot of explaining to do when Raine returns, if she does.

This was not what Talion wanted to hear. "What do you mean, if Raine returns?"

Lyra replied, Do you think for a moment Raine didn’t catch on to you the same way I did?

Still trying to sound somewhat dense, which wasn’t far from the way things were at the moment, Talion replied, Forgive me if it seems like I am not following your meaning.

Lyra sighed, not really surprised. I think we better have a talk before Raine gets back. Follow me.

CHAPTER II

Lyra didn’t take Talion to the common room of the chalet as he’d thought she would. Instead, she led him to one of the cabins that sat at the edge of a great forest. The moment they walked through the doorway of the small building, Lyra pointed at the couch to indicate he should sit. She then went to the fireplace where he joined her to light a fire. It didn’t take long between the two of them to light the logs that had been set there earlier and for the flames to emit enough heat to be felt throughout the room.

As Talion sat in the spot Lyra had designated to him, Lyra went about making enough tea for everyone, in case Raine decided to join them. It only took a short time before she set a tray on the small table in front of Talion and poured the beverage as she spoke. You are Raine’s Life Mate, aren’t you?

That comment shocked Talion. How do you know?

Lyra rolled her eyes as she sat across from Talion and explained. I’ll grant that you both controlled your reaction to your meeting very well. But there is no real way to hide something like that enough to keep another Elf from recognizing the signs. Raine was thrown the most by the discovery. That was why I said Raine may or not come back. You were right on the mark when it came to guessing her ancestry, too.

The slamming of the entrance door startled both Talion and Lyra, and they turned in unison to watch Raine storm into the cabin. Raine immediately confronted the two of them. I want to know who you are and where you come from. I want to know what you want from us, and I want to know it now.

Lyra hid a grin, and, while that was insulting enough in Raine’s estimation, Talion didn’t even try. Instead, he rose to face Raine on an equal level. There was no disguising the amusement Talion was feeling, and in a huff, Raine turned to storm back out.

Talion wasn’t nearly as amused by the circumstances as he appeared. He hadn’t come all this way to find a Life Mate, although he had been told there was a high likelihood that it would happen. Talion had been sent to this side of the boundary to find these two Elves, and then to bring them back to the Elven Empire. He hadn’t been given a lot of time to accomplish his goal, either.

According to the information the scholars were finding in the books that had been found under the Book Aerie, there was only one portal still in existence to connect this part of the world to their homeland. As Talion had the best tracking record amongst the warriors, they had decided he had the best chance to find these Elves. But even Talion hadn’t