by Missy LaRae
The light of the moons was fading, and the suns were cresting over the sky as the last of the remnants on the altar dispersed. Talon had stood silently off to the side the entire moonrise, and waited until every last piece of his father was gone.
It was time for him to leave, time for him to rest his eyes. His bones were weary, and he felt so much older than he was. He’d aged in the few days since he’d boarded Avedal One full of hope and purpose. He didn’t know what to do now. He knew where he wanted to be, but the direction his life had taken was something he never imagined Amatia Prime had in store for him.
“Talon.” He turned at the sound of the voice behind him. Falling to one knee he put his right hand over his heart in a sign of honor and respect for his King.
Derrick A’fal looked at the youth kneeling before him, and his heart hurt for his pain.
“Please stand up. Walk with me for a moment please.” Derrick’s deep voice was a soothing baritone. He wore his ceremonial battle uniform, but had shed the outer tunic some time in the middle of moonrise. With the sleeves of his uniform shirt rolled to his elbows he set off, knowing that Talon would fall in to step beside him.
“I’ve spoken at length with the King of the Sword, and he’s asked me to take you and your brother into the Palace of Fire until you are of age, and are mated. I know you have family here in your village, but I did want to give you the opportunity to tell me yes or no either way. You would have every advantage we could offer you at the palace.” Derrick stopped and turned towards him.
Talon stood looking towards the edge of the clearing where the homes of his people were built into the trees. He’d only been to the Palace of Fire one time when he was much younger, but he knew that his answer would be yes.
“If I do this, if I live in the Palace of Fire, will I be able to be in contact with Lily, I mean, the Princess of the House of the Sword?” Talon held his breath as he regarded his King.
“Did you become friends with her? Is there a reason that you want to be in contact with her?” Derrick already had a sneaking suspicion what the answer would be, but he wanted to hear it from Talon.
“I don’t know for sure, because I don’t think she even understands it, but I really do think that she’s my mate. I think she’s my Heart. I feel her, even now, in my soul. Every part of me wants to be with her, and it’s starting to kill me inside.” He hated the feeling, and he loved it. He couldn’t get thoughts of Lily’s silver and blonde mane of hair out of his mind. He saw the curve of her lips, and the blush of her cheeks in his dreams.
Derrick looked over at Talon and saw the hope and pain written on his face.
“I can make your desire known to the King of the Sword, but until Lily is able to understand our customs, and makes you her choice as her mate, you will have little say in the matter. Do you understand?” His brown eyes looked into Talon’s.
Talon swallowed before he answered. “I understand, Highness.”
“Then it’s settled, you and your brother will live with me until you’re of age. You may or may not be able to see Lily, but chances are higher living at the palace than here with your uncle. I think you’re making a wise decision.”
They both turned back towards the altar where Talon’s uncle was waiting, Timothy having fallen asleep and been taken back to their house hours before. He knew what he wanted, he knew what he needed, but he also worried that his mate wouldn’t understand, and worse, wouldn’t want him back.
Table of Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
The Prophet Of Dreams Chapter 1
