Hesher (Talonian Warriors #3)

Chapter 1

Chapter One

*** HESHER ***

H esher hated to admit it, but for the first time in his life, he was truly lonely.

It was ridiculous since he was constantly surrounded by the thousands of soldiers he commanded and a few trusted friends.

It was true that he had no family. However, the military had been his family from the age of fourteen, when he began early training.

He supposed this depressing feeling stemmed from the fact that after today he would be the last holdout in his close group of friends.

Kelan was already mated, and today Daer would be also.

Worse still, Daer's mate was to be the fourth of the childhood gang: Shara.

Shoving aside the odd feeling, he set his mind on the business at hand.

It was his duty as commander to ensure the safety of the mating attendees, especially Shara.

She was the king's daughter and a rare white weredragon.

Her protection was paramount. Hesher did not foresee any danger since the Savra had been eliminated, but it was best to remain vigilant.

Dressed for the ceremony, Hesher set out to give orders to the soldiers.

He automatically checked the sky and found it clear and bright as usual.

The thick clouds caused by the combination of waterfalls and volcanoes were miles overhead and did not interfere with Talonia's beauty.

No enemies hid among them as they had for the last mating ceremony.

One hundred of his best soldiers were waiting for orders.

The rest would be free to watch the ceremony or spend time with their families.

"I want a weredragon atop every volcano and waterfall within a fifteen-mile radius of the city," he commanded.

"I need ten of you to mingle with the crowd, armed with lasers.

No trouble is expected, but this is a royal mating so the unexpected could happen.

I will be armed, as will Kelan, Tae, and the king. "

"But, sir, we have no known enemies anymore," a soldier stated.

"It is the unknown that worries me. We called attention to ourselves by blasting the Savra out of the sky.

Who is to say it was not seen by others who would seek to destroy us because they did not understand our reasoning?

There may be those that fear we will do the same to them.

They would not be privy to our story or the necessity for that destruction. "

"Anyone would be foolish to attack a planet with the capability of completely destroying their own," the soldiers argued.

"Fools are to be feared. They are willing to take risks that more stable individuals would not.

We have weapons of great power, one given us to use by nature and the other through technology gained from Earth.

If we believe that Talonia is the only world with this kind of power, then we are the fools.

Space travel has become more commonplace, spreading technological designs throughout the universe.

Capturing a foreign ship would give a planet knowledge that could rival ours or even make it useless.

We cannot become complacent or allow ourselves to feel superior.

There will always be someone stronger, better armed, or more technologically advanced," Hesher explained.

The young soldiers were so arrogant these days.

The new weapons and glory from winning a war had caused them to believe Talonia was invincible.

Hesher knew better. He had seen not only what the enemy could do, but what they were willing to sacrifice.

Experience had taught him that though he was strong and intelligent, he was vulnerable and could die just as easily as an enemy.

With his orders given and his speech completed, Hesher went to perform his other duty for the day.

He would stand beside Daer in solidarity as he was mated to the princess.

As he walked, he could not help but smile and shake his head.

He could never have dreamed the young boy who chose medicine over the military would one day win the heart of the ever-elusive Shara.

As children, both had sworn they would never be mated.

Like Hesher, they believed it completely changed a person.

Then Shara had made a ridiculous pact with Kelan, shocking their friends.

Luckily, it had blown up in their faces when Kelan found his true soul mate in Michelle.

He and Shara would have made an awful pair, clashing at every turn.

Hesher did not want a mate. He gave everything to the military: his time, attention, and his love.

There was no room for a woman. He could be killed in battle, and he refused to leave a mate behind to suffer the kind of grief he had witnessed in the faces of those his soldiers left behind.

Often there were children who would grow up without a father.

No, he would not do that to anyone, despite his annoying bout of loneliness today.

Daer was dressed in a suit given to him as a mating gift from Kelan.

It was an odd sight. Kelan had worn them on Earth while running an impressive business, but they were out of place on Talonia.

It gave Daer a formal look that clashed with his easy-going personality.

The violet shirt beneath the black coat was an exact match to his eyes, adding a degree of darkness to his usual teasing sparkle.

Eager to get on with the day, he stated, "Hesher, you are late.

I have been ready for over an hour and paced the floor until I wore a groove in it. "

Hesher laughed out loud. "Actually, my dear friend, I am early.

Most citizens have not eaten their first meal yet.

Sorry, but you will have to continue pacing for a few minutes more.

Are you truly so eager to be placed under Shara's control?

You and I both know how overpowering she can be.

She can go from shy and gentle to demanding in a matter of seconds.

Do you realize how this will change your life? "

"I will let you in on a secret," Daer replied.

"I have loved Shara all my life. The only reason I vowed never to take a mate was because I thought she was out of my league.

I assumed she would choose a high-ranking officer or possibly the king of another world.

Though she was our friend, I still saw her as the rare white weredragon we were told to revere.

By some miracle, she allowed me to become her suitor.

That demanding, overpowering attitude you speak of is a shield for the softness inside.

We have talked for hours about how isolated she has always felt.

Yes, we were her friends, but she was never allowed the freedoms we possessed.

We assumed she had everything a girl could want, living in the palace and being practically worshipped by the citizens of Talonia.

Instead, it was more of a prison. Remember, as children, we often jumped from the tops of waterfalls, tried to climb a volcano, or camped out in the woods.

Shara never followed suit, not because she was afraid or did not want to, but because she was not allowed.

As a princess, she had a duty to Talonia to remain undamaged.

As a rare weredragon, that duty was multiplied a hundred-fold. "

"She never complained," Hesher stated. "She should have told us."

"That was the kind-heartedness in her. We would have stayed behind for her sake, and she did not want us to miss out on our adventures. Knowing all that she has held inside, just makes me love her more," Daer answered.

"Then I am honored more than ever to stand at your side as you are mated.

In all our years of friendship, I still have not learned all of your secrets.

Perhaps, that is a good thing. We will never become bored.

I am happy that Shara found someone who understands her so well and will allow her the freedoms she has missed. "

"What of you, Hesher? Will you ever take a mate or are you still determined to keep your freedom?" Daer asked .

"I have no time for a mate. Every minute is accounted for with military duties.

Besides, I have not found a woman who challenges me enough.

Sweetness and light are good qualities, but I would require someone who argued against my ideals once in a while.

She would need to be stubborn and opinionated, able to stand up to my own strong-willed personality.

The ability to care for herself and not become upset when I have little time to spare for her would make her perfect in my eyes.

Find me a female like that, and I will give her my heart and soul," Hesher admitted.

"I love a challenge, so prepare for the inevitable.

I will find such a woman and hold you to your word.

Beneath that gruff exterior is a heart of gold, and it should be shared with another.

Love will turn that strong will to mush.

You are not immune; I guarantee it. Now, you have managed to distract me from my nervous pacing.

The floor thanks you, for it will survive another day.

I cannot wait any longer. I promise to walk slowly if we can leave now.

If I am still early, it will not matter.

The ceremony will not begin without Shara anyway.

I will just stand and let everyone gawk at my goofy grin. "

"I do not think that is a necessity," Hesher proclaimed.

"Through the window behind you, I saw the palace doors open.

Shara must be as anxious as you. The king has come out to greet the crowd.

That is the signal for me to get you to the ceremonial platform.

I do not suppose you require a push?" Hesher joked.