by L B Keen
King Malic cleared his throat and continued, turning his gaze towards Jorin. “All I ask of you, my son, is for you to return the Lady Essa to Katari. She is not yours to keep and their king is quite put-out that you kidnapped her from their country before she was to be sent off to be married.”
Hearing this, Bird could not help but jerk her head up and stare in slack-jawed wonder at Jorin. He sent her an amused look but she did not think it was so amusing. How had he kidnapped her cousin and she remained unaware of it? Mentally, she winced at the implications of what he’d done. Essa would never be allowed back into their country. As she knew Jorin appeared robust and manly, there was little possibility the man hadn’t already shared passion with her cousin. Bird released a silent groan. What had Essa been thinking?
“No, I will not.”
“Jorin!”
He did not flinch at his mother’s sharp chiding; his eyes remained steady on his father. “I’ve become weary of being bound, and have grown accustomed to the freedom to doing as I choose. A throne would be nothing more than a golden shackle. Also, Essa has gladly agreed to being my wife.” He ignored the groan that came from Bird. “And we will live our lives the way I wish. So,” he stood, bowing at the waist and pulling his hand from his mother’s. He walked towards the exit, only to pause next to Talon to whisper, “I will still expect my pound of flesh, brother.”
“I eagerly await your cleaver, brother.”
The two had shared challenging looks before Jorin continued on his way out of the room.
Queen Anne’s eyes stared in disbelief at the door. With a few words from her husband, both her children had willingly taken themselves out of the running for the throne. Would he now easily give the throne to his eldest? Her heart stilled in her chest as her icy fingers curled into the top of her gown. Her tranquility had been shattered, and now, she wished desperately that she held her rosary in the palm of her hand. She needed to think and calculate how she could succeed her purpose and her father’s wishes.
“Hmm, it seems you are all that’s left, Talon,” his father said with mild amusement. “I expected it would be opposite of this, but then again, I never once believed you would truly gain me the rights to the Katari metal.”
Talon smirked, his eyes holding no amusement. “I shall be honest and express my own surprise in gaining the rights to their country’s metal.” His hand squeezed Bird’s shoulder in an effort to soothe the sting of his next words. “I believe it’s my luck of buying the right servants.”
Malic nodded at these words and tossed the scroll onto the table. “Well then, I will go ahead and speak my demands. “I will give you my throne, my crown, my kingdom, but you must abandon your Katari princess and marry the daughter of the French nobility. I have already spoken with the Katari King. If Princess Kahlia requests for annulment, he will allow her return, and you will be allowed to keep the rights to the mines there.” Malic smiled, the serpent of Eden. “It is simple.”
His father said it was a simple choice, but for Talon… it was not so simple.
All his life Talon had been focused on the single and truest goal, and that was to claim the throne. To wear the crown that his stepmother desired so much. It was the beacon by which he’d committed his crimes and wore a false face for for so many years.
A woman was to be the obstacle between him and said crown now, a woman he could yet fully trust loved him.
His hand rested on her shoulder and he could feel his body’s natural cravings arise. Yet, he could not utter his immediate denial of his father’s offer. Yes, to his father, who’d forsaken his own mother, the choice was easy, simple. Bearing no thought at all, it wasn’t a choice that could be made lightly, but a choice such as this was clear.
He could see his stepmother, Queen Anne, expected him to make said choice. All in the room believed he would abandon Bird. After all, in their minds, she was a heathen princess from a country whose only fame came from its ability to mine the strongest metal on earth.
“A kingdom for my heart.”
Those softly spoken words returned to him then. A soft hand laid atop his, pulling him from his thoughts. Bird half-turned in her chair to look up at him, her eyes empty of emotion and holding no demands. She softly smiled and spoke words that cemented his choice. “I am not weak, Talon. I am capable of caring for myself, and our child. You must not hesitate in making your choice clear.”
Did she not trust that he would choose her? As he searched her expression for a clue to her thoughts, Talon’s brow furrowed. Did Bird doubt him and his loyalty to their love?
He had not thought there would be a possibility that she would feel unsure as he did. They were drawn to one another, and despite their bond, it would be long before they would become easy with the love that was growing amongst the weeds of their life choices.
His cruelty, her love, two things that had prevented them from seeing the possibility of them in the past.
Her brown eyes slowly became purple once more and stayed that way as they trailed his features before they rested on his gaze. “I am no longer without power as I was before. If you decide you will take hold of all that you desired, then I will leave without complaint.”
“You will not,” Talon said in a harsh whisper, having decided earlier on what he would do. “If I cannot have you, then the crown… and this cold kingdom mean nothing, and would be but a place of torture.”
Lifting his eyes to his father, he straightened and boldly faced him. “As glad as I am for your offer, it would seem that I must decline it.”
Blinking, Malic’s eyes narrowed on Talon. “Are you sure?”
“I am,” Talon asserted, returning his gaze to Bird. “I have never been surer of my desire.”
Malic had not expected his son to choose such a path, and as he glanced at the woman who sat before him, he wondered if she had known of what his choice would be.
Grunting, he stood. “Then there is only one thing to speak of.” Malic smirked in the face of his eldest son’s confusion. “And that is who I’ve chosen to be my heir as none of my own sons have wished to be. I am left with my hope for the generation after.” He glanced down meaningfully at Bird’s stomach. “It would seem I’ve no choice but to name your child as my heir. Let us pray that you give birth to a son, princess.”
Both she and Talon bowed their head as the king left the room, raising them soon after, only to meet the angry eyes of the queen, who stood, her eyes primarily focused on Talon. “You have not won. Be assured, this is not over.” Turning sharply, she marched from the room, leaving the two of them alone in the empty room.
“It would seem I have paid a heavy price to keep you by my side,” Talon drawled as he came around her and knelt. “I feel as though there is something you have not told me.”
Lifting a hand, she brushed his cheek and shook her head. “You are thinking over much. It’s simply as I believed it would be.” She smiled, a certain amusement in her voice. “A kingdom for a heart… You have merely paid the expected price.”
He searched her smiling face. “Did you know this would happen?”
“No.” She shook her head. “I merely believed in the probability that your father wouldn’t much like it if you married a heathen princess.”
He observed her silently for a long moment before he leaned forward and pressed his forehead against hers. “It would seem you’ve married a simple prince then, dear.”
Bird laughed. “Woe is me. I so desired a king.”
The two chuckled together, merely enjoying the end to their long struggle.
Chapter Sixteen
A week later, Talon stood in the study of his estate, watching Bird and her cousin out in the garden. The two women had brought with them fruit and a blanket and were currently conversing while enjoying the sun.
It was a different sight compared to the days he’d watched a dark-eyed Bird walk through it with a compelling, yet dark look in her eyes.
“Pinwin,” he called to the old b
utler as he turned. “I believe my wife to be far more cunning than I.”
Pinwin set the tray holding tea and sandwiches down. “And why do you believe that, sire?”
“Well,” Talon started as he came from behind his desk to take a seat, crossing his legs. “When we were returning from where I’d been held prisoner, she mentioned she would trade her heart for a throne.”
Straightening, Pinwin merely raised a brow.
“Yes, I know. I thought as you are thinking now, that she sought to be my queen, but… when my father asked me to choose between her and the throne, it became quite clear what she truly desired from me.”
Leaning forward, he picked up one of the delicate porcelain cups, smirking, his red eyes glowing with humor. “I should reveal to her at some point that Dua is free to come and go; she does not need to hide him from me.” He took a small sip before lowering the cup and glancing at Pinwin. “It is quite frustrating when she ruins my own plotting with her scheming.”
“Brother, it is better to have a woman plot in your favor, than against it.”
Talon turned his eyes to Jorin, who was currently being quite scandalous as he’d forgone a cravat and jacket, then crossed his legs at the ankles and propped his legs on the table. Ignoring the disgruntled look Pinwin sent him, he took a large bite of the sandwich. “So, what will you do about the queen? Even if your father has decreed your wife’s child shall be crown prince, it does not mean she will remain quiet. Mother is not the type.”
Talon scoffed. “I am not worried about your mother. I am more worried about your elder cousin. Duke Asher has been offered the chance of marrying into our household, and with this offer, do you think the man will let dead dogs lie?”
Jorin reached forward for another sandwich. “Not likely, but… if he desires to keep such a possibility open, he will have to stay his hand for a period of time. Well, brother, you have a battle ahead of you.”
At hearing this, Talon narrowed his eyes on Jorin. “I’ve a battle ahead? Are you not going to help me, brother?”
“No, why should I?” Jorin said cheerfully. “I am of the House of Echimedes. You Tudors will have to fight the good fight and win… but I am open to giving favors.”
“I should bar you from my home,” Talon growled in annoyance, “but my wife would be displeased if I did such a thing since you’ve married Essa.”
Smirking, Jorin glanced down and saw that he’d eaten all the sandwiches, and said, “Tal, be a good brother and send your butler for more sandwiches.”
Queen Anne of Echimedes moved through the London museum, her eyes focused on the painting before her that depicted a bloody and dark battle. Something about the painting called to the savage part of her that many of her kind had tied and hidden within themselves. Their society could no longer function on the animalistic urges they held within.
“You have failed.”
She tensed. Turning, she found herself confronting her cousin. The Duke of Asher was not very tall, but he held himself with authority and the years of power that their family had held onto with a tight grip.
She turned away from him. “It is merely a setback. You, yourself, lost your chance. How is Lady Gwen doing?”
His jaw tightened as he came to her side. “She is well. She is with child.”
“Oh,” the queen said simply. “My son will be forced to take her hand it seems.”
“It is the least he should do. A child born out of wedlock would be a disgrace for both of us.”
“My husband has already agreed to a wedding by proxy.” She glanced at the duke’s stiff expression. “I’ve learned you’ve been promised something instead of greater value.”
Some of the stiffness in his posture melted away as his nearly black eyes grew a tad bit warmer. “Yes, the king has offered a match if his son Talon’s wife bears a daughter. Her hand will be given to one of my choosing.”
Anne sent him a skeptical look. “And who of our house has a boy child within the appropriate age?”
“Grandfather disowned my youngest sister’s daughter when she made the choice to marry a man he did not approve of. She has sent me a letter begging for help, as her current husband has died and she has just recently given birth.”
Anne’s eyes widened, her expression turning incredulous. “You speak of Esther! Did she not marry some Scotsman?!”
Asher nodded. “Yes, and it would seem the clan is not happy to have an English woman’s child become their laird.” A cunning smile came to his lips. “She wishes for me to help her claim her child’s birthright.”
“And, of course, you will, for a price.”
“You know me well, cousin,” Asher said as he fully faced her, his aura leaking out. “We demon born know each other well. The boy will put our blood on the throne, I can assure you. After which, there will be nothing to stop our rise to power.”
“Well, if that is what you believe,” Anne said, her voice dripping doubt. “The king is still receiving notes from all parts of the United Kingdom. Cracks have begun to form.”
Asher stiffened at that, his eyes narrowing. “Cracks? I thought the gates could not be opened for many more years. What has changed?”
“No one is sure, but as it continues, our two worlds will once again become one, and it will not be a good thing. The most disturbing is that the human world has moved faster and farther than our own.”
Asher frowned, his brows creasing. “Were we not simply five years ahead of them the last we checked in 1540?”
Anne nodded, turning away from the painting. “Yes, but it appears since last we checked, some integral change has occurred and the humans’ calendar now reads 2017. But, another advisor has brought forth information that each portal accesses a different time of the human world. Malic is desperate to find a key to closing all of them once more.”
“Well, I will also look for a way to solve this issue. This world was hard for us beings to come by. I am loathed to lose it, or our peace.” Turning, he quickly left, leaving Queen to continue her tour of the museum.
THE END
How does one deal with the end of a book? I can only say, it’s easier to start a tale than to end it. I’ve been surprised by those around me who’ve expressed love for this series. And of course, I already know that everyone is eager to know, “What next?”
Well, what can this young author dare to reveal? Hmm? I mean, I can’t reveal everything lol, so the best I can do is say that what may come, hopefully by holloween—will be brilliant. I’ve been thinking how I’ll express the growth of Talon and Bird, then I still have Fitz…who I feel needs some sort of HEA. It wouldn’t be right to leave him smoldering in Wales. What do you all think?
Either way, it’s been a long journey, even had to fight a case of Laryngitis, to finish this love…. So, CRIMSON BIRD 3, brings to an end to Talon and Bird. So, it’s time to continue some of my other loves, if your looking for dynamic and different check out Three kings and their Kat, if your looking for sci-fi hit up A Heart Desguised.
Other than that, shamelss plug, I hope you continue to enjoy my writing and don’t hesistate in contacting me on:
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Email: [email protected]
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COMING JUNE 6 th!
"The goddess Freya blessed me with a vision. I stood upon the hill and
watched a Rome burned..."
All her life, Alina was told that just because she was a female, she could not ever become a true warrior. The eldest child of Kaiser and Ayanna, refused to believe that.
Deeply in love with her childhood friend Eryx, the young woman would like nothing more, than to retire with him, and have his children. Her parents even built a city for their protection. Though they are not in Roman territory anymore, they know their families are not safe unless the empire promises to eternally leave them alone. But they know Rome would never accept it.
When the goddess Freya shows Alina a vision of the future, she must make a choice: eternal love or eternal peace?
The time for negations is over.
Now is the time for anger.
Now is the time for hate.
Blood will be spilled and fire shall rain from the sky, as the weak shall fall,
and out of the ashes, a new dynasty, a new empire, shall rise.
They have sent their message to Rome, a message that will make the blood of all who try to oppose them turn icy with fear.
"BURN…"
Can you say EROTIC THRILLER? Oh, yes..you don't want to miss TRAIL of DECEPTION coming JUNE9!
COMING JUNE 13th!
They say never judge a book by it's cover, yet that's what been happening to Diamond Williams all her life. One of the Broken, used and abused until she ran away. Now she found herself in Las Vegas where she became a 'Bottom Bitch' for it's King. But for the sake of her daughter Dalila, Diamond is always looking for a way out...
Jonathan Somerset was one of the Fortunate. The only son of the Duke of Beaufort, he was in Vegas for a short trip of relaxation. Booze and girls was all he wanted, yet he wasn't prepared when he found so much more...
