by L B Keen
“I did not ask you what you needed,” Talon said, his voice determined. “You will rest, and I will have your cousin look you over to assure me you are well.”
Turning his gaze to Dua, he snapped, “She will stay here until she’s been thoroughly checked by her healer cousin, and after, she must rest. Do you understand?”
Dua gave a short nod and Bird narrowed her eyes. “You would think to command my man?”
Talon leaned down, forcing Bird to lean back as he stared directly into her surprised eyes. He whispered harshly, “You will rest!”
Bird glared up at Talon. The man had just survived death, but before her, he now barked orders. She would resent him if she did not know it was for her own good that he spoke in such a way. His magenta eyes had narrowed on her before he turned on his heel, only pausing next to Essa, who’d just entered with a bowl of water, and another servant who held a tray of white cloth.
“See to it that she remains in bed.” He said this without looking at her before leaving the room to join his brother in the hallway.
Essa watched him leave, only to turn her amused gaze towards the contrite looking Bird. “Are you sure he is the man you wish to marry?”
“Oh, hush you,” Bird groaned, letting herself fall back upon the pillows. She stared at the ceiling. “He is the only man who will bark at me for my own health.”
Setting the bowl on the side table, Essa directed the servant to set the tray of cloth on the edge of the bed. “Is that so?” She rolled up her sleeves with deft hands. “Then, you are both a good match.”
Sending her a side glance, Bird lifted. “I do not like your tone of voice.”
Releasing a small laugh, Essa motioned for her to turn. “I apologize, your majesty. I will try in my efforts not to laugh.
Turning, Bird gave her back. “I sincerely wish you would.” Her attention was caught by the sight of birds flying beyond the window. Her eyes turned wistful. “I will miss you… when we leave.”
Essa paused in her untying of the laces that held Bird’s gown. “And I you.” She briskly returned to unlacing the ties. “But if this is what you desire, then I will wish you happiness.”
“My heart for a crown…” Bird repeated her earlier words softly. Turning, she gently took Essa’s hand, and somberly, she met her cousin’s gaze. “I haven’t fully thought on my words, but… I wish to control some of my life, and with such a thing, I could.”
“Do you truly seek to rule?” Essa asked. “I only ask because, since the day I met you, you sought freedom and wished to only wander the desert.”
Frowning as she thought over her words, Bird turned her gaze slowly towards the sky that looked over the ocean at the edge of the city. Seagulls flew high over as she searched herself for the answer. “I still seek freedom, but I’ve lost the naivety that comes with the loss of suffering. Prior, I did not have memories of suffering. The Wellings were horrid people, but it was to be expected. No, the pain prior to me coming here was what truly had broken me, and now with those memories, I know everything in life requires a payment… even freedom.”
“And you are paying with your heart.”
Simply smiling, Bird gently released Essa’s hand. “I believe that it isn’t a question of heart, but of my soul… that which I sold long ago.”
Still kneeling on the bed, Bird fully faced the window, her silence signaling the end of their conversation. Essa released a sigh. “I confess you have more control than myself.”
Turning, she reached for the white cloth. Lifting it, she dipped it in the water and pulling the gown further down to reveal the wound, she pulled the arm further out and proceeded to clean it.
The cool cloth felt refreshing against her skin. Bird could barely feel the pain from her wound. She was so accustomed to pain that what threatened her more so was things that pained her heart and soul. She’d told Talon her price, but was she speaking truth? Did she truly desire the crown? She held hate for only one man, and that was Fitzwilliam. He’d cast her into this fate, and yet, if he had not, she would not have known who she truly was.
It was a puzzle that could only be solved with her return to the country that harmed her more than any other. She reached up, pulling the ribbon that held her up, and as her heavy hair fell, she felt more than saw the shift in the air. Something had changed. As she glanced over her shoulder, she found familiar red eyes observing her.
She could feel his need for her, but she knew as surely as she knew her own mind that he would not come to her this night. Though he clearly desired her, he would not touch her.
He was within her and it was odd knowing such a thing. A man who she reviled, a man she had been sold to and instructed to seduce, stood behind her now more savage than prince, more man than royal and she never felt as desired as she did now.
A flair of light caught her attention and she turned her attention back to Essa, who was currently using her healer’s magic to rush the effect of a salve she’d rubbed into the wound. Once she removed her hands from her arm and retreated back over to the side table, Essa spoke once again. “That’s the best I can do for now, but if it burns or itches, send a messenger, and I will return posthaste.”
Bird nodded, as she turned, watching Essa as she gathered her items and the servant assisted her. She was taken aback when Essa suddenly moved forward, wrapping her arms around her and whispered, “I wish to gain even a quarter of your strength.”
Bird laughed, patting her cousin’s back. “It is not courage you seek, but foolishness.”
“Then we both shall be fools,” Essa said as she pulled back. “I love you as Octin loved his warriors.” Teary eyed, she gently pressed her hand to Bird’s cheek before she turned, the servant following. They both left the chamber, passing Talon without a glance.
“Dua,” Bird called to the pale warrior who’d stood silently throughout. “I shall speak privately with the prince.”
Sending a glance in Talon’s direction, Dua gave a reluctant nod, quickly exiting the room. Talon entered the chamber fully, shutting the door behind him.
“Do you often strip naked before your man?” was the first question he spoke as he neared the bed.
“Do you often observe as a maiden is being bathed?” was her quick retort as she lifted her chin defiantly. “Dua is loyal and has guarded my back many a time when I wished to bathe beyond the palace walls.”
“Beyond the palace walls,” he repeated, his voice drawling. Lifting a hand, his fingers brushed the side of her exposed throat. His lashes were lowered, hiding his thoughts. “I am still surprised you came for me… Pigeon.”
“And why is that?”
“Do not pretend we did not part on good terms,” he whispered, his fingers still trailing her skin, creating a cold trail along her heated skin. “Truly, I believed you would gleefully enjoy my suffering.”
“No!” Insulted, Bird covered his wandering hand with hers. Her eyes were narrowed. “I would never wish such suffering on anyone, not especially upon you.”
His lashes lifted as he met her narrow-eyed gaze. “My brother…” He swallowed. “Did you truly love him?”
“Yes,” Bird said, her lashes fluttering before she met his gaze again. “But the moment your carriage arrived and I realized he would not keep me… that he would sell any and everything for the Lady of Carthage… it died.” She smiled humorlessly. “I am no fool, Talon. I was merely a tool. No one, not even you should feel the need to make such a plain statement.”
Talon swallowed. Pulling his hand from beneath hers, he lifted both hands and rested them against her cheeks, forcing her to look at him. Searching her face, he spoke, “I will not share you, Pigeon. If you become mine, bonded by marriage and blood… there will be no returning to a life without me by your side. Do you truly desire it?”
“Do you love me, Talon?” Bird asked softly, her wide gaze peering into his own.
“Yes, yes I do.”
She leaned up, her lips barely touching his. “Then… y
ou’ve my answer,” she whispered.
With a groan, he leaned down, his lips crashing into hers as he devoured her. His hands dropped from her face and he brought his arms around her, drawing her close. The taste of her, the feel of her drove him wild. He could not do without her flesh against his, her breathless panting in his ear. As her hands pulled at his shirt, pulling away, Talon stilled her hands with his own. Breathing heavily, both of them found the other with eyes like glowing stones and both found hunger in each other’s eyes.
Gritting his teeth, Talon cursed himself. He would not take her this night… not before he spoke with her cousin to assure himself she was healed fully. Pressing his forehead against her own, he closed his eyes in an effort to regain control. Brushing his lips across her forehead, he quickly withdrew with no word, and made haste in his retreat from the room.
Bird’s brow furrowed as she watched Talon exit. She released a heavy sigh when she realized her previous assumption had been true: Talon would not take her this night. With this knowledge, she could not prevent the feeling of disappointment that arose. Just as the vampire desired blood, a siren desired touch.
When Dua returned, followed by a servant carrying a tray with her nightgown on it, she stood and prepared herself for a long night of tossing and turning.
After bathing, Talon stepped out onto the veranda, seeing his brother Jorin sitting before the fire that’d been lit by the servants. His hair was still wet, so he chose to take the seat next to his brother.
Both men sat in silence for a long moment, allowing the comfort of the afternoon sun and desert wind to bring them comfort.
Leaning down, Jorin picked up a tankard. “This sweet drink the Katari have created could easily trump the ale of Wessex.”
Scoffing at this, Talon watched as Jorin took a deep drink. “You have been too long from Britain if you are saying such things… brother.”
“That may be true,” Jorin conceded, his eyes narrowing on the dancing flames. “But, though I wish to return, I would be lying if I did not admit that this country, and countries further from here, hold a certain zeal for life, that is sorely missing in our very own Great Britain.”
“You’ve traveled to so many?” he asked.
Talon had wondered where Jorin had been sent, and where he’d gone for him to know so much of other countries. And now as he observed his brother, he realized Jorin appeared like their ancestors of Vikings and Saxons. The last time he’d seen him had been at the ball. His brother no longer appeared the spoiled and favored second prince. Only favored by the queen, of course. He was still of the House of Echimedes.
Jorin drank deeply from his tankard before he spoke. “I was sold on an island, the Caribbean, to be exact. They did not wish me for fields or for chopping wood.” He swallowed, not once glancing at Talon. “Before… when I was younger, I never thought there was such evil in the world, but there… on that plantation of both white and Negro slaves, I learned that evil can be anywhere.”
His expression screwed up with rage and he turned shiny eyes towards Talon. “I killed and burned the entire place down before getting on a ship and traveling with a Dutch trader where I was betrayed.” The rage left his face and he returned his gaze to the flames. Jorin laughed. “And on it went until I found myself in a pit, fighting men far stronger and fiercer than I. And now I am here,” he said, lifting his tankard to finish what was left of his drink.
Talon nodded, glancing up when a female servant came from the inside, bringing out another tankard, and some fruit and bread. “It will not be easy… taking the throne. Our brother is to be marrying Gwen. It was that stipulation that would have given me the throne.”
He took the tankard but did not drink. He glanced towards the second floor of his lodgings. “It is obvious that it will not happen as easily as we’d wished.”
Jorin smirked. “Has anything been easy for our family?” He shook his head. “We will return, and then from there, we will see what must be done. But, if you do not give me my ships and men, I will take my revenge from your hide.”
Talon’s eyes flashed as he smiled, giving view to his white teeth. “I welcome you to try.” He punctuated his statement by taking a deep drink.
The two men continued their conversations until the sun had hidden once again within the ocean.
Chapter Eleven
“Are you sure you wish to do this?”
Talon laid on the bed behind Bird as she was dressed in a blue skirt with golden print and a short-sleeved blouse that covered her chest. She lifted her arms as she was wrapped in the sari. Her hair had already been braided back and dressed with small ornaments shaped like flowers.
“Am I sure of what?” she asked, meeting his gaze in the mirror. “If you’re asking of my confronting my father, then yes, I am.”
“And your mother?”
Her eyes immediately darkened as she abruptly turned around. “I do not regret my choice. My mother will either welcome my choice, or she will not. It will not change the path I have chosen.”
Talon swung his long legs over the side of the bed and reached her side within two strides. Invading her space, he frowned. “I do not doubt you, but if you are rejected, renounced even, will you be able to live with your choice?” He searched her expression. Bird’s lashes fluttered as she searched her soul for an answer.
She lifted a hand and covered her stomach, swallowing. She had as of yet told Talon of the child that rested within her. The child that was growing slowly, as he’d been bound for nearly four months due to her mother’s own command, a command her father had not been unaware of.
Dropping her hand, she twisted the same hand in the folds of her skirts. “You need not worry,” she said, her voice steady. “I will not change my mind. You are my husband and we shall take Britain… no matter what.”
Reaching up, Talon rested his hand on the back of her head. Pulling her closer, he pressed his forehead close. The two closed their eyes and simply stayed that way, sharing strength that both needed, though both could be said to be strong, stronger than many others.
“Kahlia…” Essa paused when she saw the intimate scene of the prince and her cousin standing in their chamber. The two seemed in their own world. Even as they drew away from each other, neither removed the gaze from the other like two beasts who’d conceded that they were equals. Once she had her cousin’s full attention, she continued, “The palanquin has arrived.”
Bird gave a nod and she passed Talon, whispering, “I will succeed, and we will both leave here.”
Talon closed his eyes, breathing in her scent as she passed him fully and left the chamber, her servant following closely behind. Gathering himself, he quickly followed behind. He would need to be present for the contract signing, or, too, raise his sword to fight for his right to Bird’s hand in marriage. He was prepared for either.
When Bird arrived at the palace, it was to find the palace guards awaiting her at the gates. Essa had tensed immediately at the sight of them, but Bird had known she would face such a situation. Her escape and disappearance for two whole days would, of course, have been found out by her father.
As she was helped down by Dua, she remained calm in the face of their stern stance. The captain, Aziz, stepped forward and placed a hand over his heart to show respect. “Princess, I am to escort you to the Great Hall.”
“And who is it that currently occupies the Great Hall, if you don’t mind my asking.”
He lifted his head, coming to attention. “The four suitors your father has chosen, those who would be most suitable for marriage.” He finally met her steady gaze. “I am to escort you there voluntarily or…”
Dua stepped forward immediately, his eyes narrowed and pose threatening. “Or what, palace dog?” he spat.
The guards behind Aziz immediately reached for their weapons.
“Enough, Dua!” Bird commanded sharply. Her hands came together before her and she gentled her expression. “I shall follow you, Captain Aziz. I also wish
to speak with my father.”
Giving a jerky nod, he turned on his heel. “Make way, we escort the princess!”
“They will be furious with us,” Essa whispered as she walked to Bird’s side. Her eyes were dark with worry as she met Bird’s gaze. “I do not think it will be easy.”
“My dear cousin,” Bird responded calmly, “there is nothing they can deny after I reveal their crimes.” With that, she boldly stepped forward and followed her escort, Dua leading the way.
It didn’t take long for their party to arrive at the thick, dark wooded doors that held the Great Hall just beyond them. Inhaling deeply, Bird waited for the guards at the door to pull the heavy doors open to reveal a hall only half filled, but her mother, the queen, sat on their thrones. Their expressions were stiff and her brother stood to the side.
She didn’t meet his stare, as she would not bend here. This was the battle she would fight and she would win. With those thoughts, she braced herself and stepped forward, each step bringing her closer to the raised dais.
As her steps drew her closer, she felt strengthened when she thought of the lies they’d told her, each time her fate had been controlled by others. She’s lost more of herself, and with that relization she grew surer of her path.
“You may stop there,” her father spoke, his voice hard. He stood, narrowing his eyes on her. Their dark color made her inwardly shiver, but she refused to do so outwardly. “You have disobeyed my direct order, Kahlia.”
She didn’t say anything; it was true, after all. She had left her chambers and ran to save Talon.
He shook his head. “Can you not understand? All your mother and I wish for you is happiness, and marriage to one of those I’ve chosen would bring you such. Yet, you continue to disobey me—”
“I will marry.”
