Talon

by Alice Wade

  She moved towards the door, “Just be ready. More clothes will be sent so you have something to wear, and for the love of everything growing–go bathe.” She didn’t wait for his reply and slipped from the door.

  Chapter Fourteen

  The room was quiet except for the sounds filtering in from the outside village. Talon allowed himself time to drift off into his fantasy, selecting the one image that would elicit the greatest response.

  In his mind’s eye, Kailani walked before him, swinging her hips in that delicious sway she did when she was trying to seduce him. Each hip, scantily clad beneath the soft fabric of her robe, swayed gently from side to side. Talon felt his sexual fire ignite with each swish, his pulse picking up with each sway.

  Oh Kai, it won’t be long before this is no longer a fantasy, he thought as his hand stroked his painfully hardened cock, each finger wrapped tightly around his shaft. The feeling was like fire through his body, radiating from his groin where his hand seduced him to release while his mind toyed with his desires.

  Kailani was now in their room at the inn, with her back to him, teasing him by slowly exposing one shoulder as she giggled seductively at him. His own hand moved faster along his shaft tracing his thick veins, as he watched the dream unfold before him. Next he had her slip her other shoulder from beneath the flimsy robe as she let the fabric fall to her waist, exposing her muscular back to his perusal.

  Talon allowed himself to get lost in the passion of the moment as his pulse raced with the building orgasm. Heat billowed from his shaft and sweat appeared in tiny droplets on his brow as his hand pumped faster along his length.

  When her robe dropped to the floor, he knew it would not be long as he envisioned her perfect body, firm and on display before him. This was the third time he’d worked through this vision, having her do different things each time. The first and second fantasy, he had her on the bed so he could explore his memory of her succulent body. He’d opened her layer by layer until she was fully exposed. This time, he wanted her to bend over and show him what he already knew from behind.

  Kailani then bent down as if reaching for something on the bed and the action exposed her region fully, showing him the most heart stopping view. A flash of heat soared through his blood, causing his pulse to pound in his ears. He threw his head back and growled as the searing fluid pumped from his cock to explode all over his belly and continued until he was dry. The image of Kai faded with the orgasm and the tingling that extended to his toes dulled to almost nothing.

  “Holy shit. I hope that is the last time I need to do that,” he said quietly as he searched his inner self to see if he was done. No burning urges remained and he sighed in contentment that he’d not broken his vow to Kai unnecessarily. He didn’t ravage Cuilwen earlier, which he felt close to doing if she had not left when he asked. Otherwise she would be in this bed now. Instead, he was grateful it was his hand releasing him from his torment and not his former lover.

  It had been an hour since they parted and Talon knew he should get ready, bath and all, before she arrived again. Thankfully, he would not be driven to consume her this time. The only thing that held him back an hour ago was the raw emotion of seeing his father.

  Rising from the bed, he located the side room where hot water ran freely by the ways of magic. He eyed the tub with a certain relish, releasing a loud sigh, before turning the knob, sending a flow cascading down in a soothing rush.

  He gave a sniff and chuckled, for damn he stank. He knew it and Cuilwen was right. By elven standards he was absolutely filthy. Just as he was about to step in to the scalding hot water, there was a tentative knock at the door, causing him to curse while he located a towel to wrap around his waist.

  “Yes?” Talon barked as he cracked the door, finding an elf maiden standing there, terrified. In her arms was a wrapped package, tied with a bow that clearly announced it was from Cuilwen.

  “I was instructed to deliver this to you, Pr…” She stopped herself from saying ‘prince’ then flushed a brilliant red at her humiliation of her near blunder. “It’s all right,” he comforted as he snatched the package from her outstretched arms. That motion was enough to dislodge the towel, which slipped lower on his hips, exposing the ridged muscles along his lower abdomen. The elf maiden stared in shock as his perfectly formed body became visible

  Talon groaned, closing the door and not wanting to apologize, so he just ended her humiliation by shutting her out. It was perfect timing for just at the door closed, the towel came completely off and slid the floor leaving him butt naked standing there.

  Inside the package, was a pale colored fabric of the most exquisite weaving, carrying a geometric design of overlapping squares. The pants were loose and flowing, with the waist closing with a belt. The top also hung loosely around his frame with the chest open as was the common fashion for warriors.

  Talon looked at the outfit, a bit disgruntled that she would do this to him, because he should not be wearing this. If he walked out dressed in this, he would essentially be claiming his right to be a warrior and that just wasn’t the case. “Damn you Cuilwen. You can’t force this.”

  “Yes, I can.” Her musical voice piped in through the window. “I suggest you replace that towel for I’m coming in now.”

  He quickly grabbed it and had in around his waist by the time she waltzed through the door as if she lived there. “You said you’d be back at dinner.”

  Talon glanced at the sun, then back a Cuilwen in question, “Has Daerwen changed when you dine since I was last here? The sun sits too high.” His ice blue eyes were flashing with annoyance and his body language mirrored it.

  “I know. I wanted to see your face when that arrived. Priceless.” She stood near the bathroom and saw the tub of steaming water, “Oh good, you were taking a bath.” Sitting down on the couch, she announced, “I’ll wait. You go wash that stench off your body.” She made a few annoying shooing sounds before he growled at her with his incisors bared, but he complied. He was irritated he now needed to rush through the hot bath he had moments before been looking forward to enjoying slowly.

  “You know,” she said through the cracked door spying his utterly gorgeous body slathered in soap. His hair was slicked back but the shortest pieces stood at attention in spikes all over his head. “I have no idea why you are being so shy. It’s not like I haven’t seen you naked before.”

  That made Talon smile, but he smothered it quickly before she got a glimpse from her vantage point. “Just stay quiet while I finish, will you?”

  Cuilwen laughed her chime-like laugh and sank further into the couch. “I know I said dinner, but I thought we could take a walk before, you know, through the garden and beyond. You haven’t seen it in quite some time and your father has made some improvements.”

  “I already told you I don’t want that. I just want to get an answer so I can go home. If you haven’t noticed, this is not a friendly visit.” He didn’t mean it to come out so cross, but his annoyance at her intervention in the wrong areas grated on his tenuously balanced nerves.

  “It will do you some good while you wait. I just left Daerwen and we’ve received word that Athradien is indeed missing. I wanted to discuss that with you before we sat down to dinner.”

  “Why?” She heard the sound of splashing and could tell he was rinsing off. She was tempted to look but resisted.

  “Because I want to plot out a plan with you. If it is Athradien, then I have few choices of which warriors to bring with me. Our friend is quite skilled at warfare and I don’t want to bring the wrong magic along only to be destroyed by one of our own.” She picked up the peacock feather in her fingers and twirled it. “I have invited all potential warriors to dinner so we can select them tonight.”

  “Wise, but premature. I haven’t been granted permission to bring any of you yet.”

  “That decision is closer th
an you know.” The water stilled as he absorbed that information. She chanced a look and saw him sitting in the tub, knees bent while he was frozen in mid-rinse.

  “How close?”

  “Closer than earlier this afternoon, that’s for sure.” She dropped the feather, “Will you please hurry?”

  “Be still. I’m going as fast as I can and it’s not easy with my size in this tiny tub. Do you or do you not want my ‘human stench’ removed from me?”

  “It would be greatly appreciated. My apologies, Prince. Take your time then.” She chuckled and relaxed while he finished.

  When he emerged, Cuilwen sucked in a sudden gulp of air for he was stunning. Talon, her handsome prince stood before her, in the most spectacular outfit fit for his title. His hair was wet and drying, his smooth skin silky clean. She had not noticed before now, but his cheeks carried a light beard, something elves never grew. It struck her as odd for not seeing it before, and accepted that it suited him. She didn’t allow her eyes to travel lower for she feared she would dishonor herself by blushing and decided to look away before she did.

  Piercing blue eyes watched her as her face moved through numerous emotions, settling on a half smile when she was done. “Do I meet your approval, First Maiden?”

  “Oh yes, quite.” As she rose, he touched her cheek tenderly, “Thank you. This visit would have been horrendous without you. I do appreciate your misguided assistance, even if I don’t know how to show it.”

  She waved his hand off and tugged him towards the door, trying to ignore her own desires. “You are welcome, now can we go?”

  “What’s your rush?” he questioned as she forced him out the door.

  Cuilwen watched him look in longing down each winding path that intersected their way. She didn’t want to interrupt his thoughts just yet, preferring he were caught up in the emotion of being home when he saw the purpose for this walk.

  Walking arm in arm, they strolled through the large grassy field that spread for as far as the eye could see before dropping off into the sea. When the wind rolled off the sea, it flattened the grass as if a hand smoothed out hair. It was as if it were alive. Cuilwen loved this place, and so did Talon. Casting a quick look up, she saw his struggle and smiled secretly. This majestic green field was where he played as a child. How could he forget it?

  When the violent pounding of the waves could be heard against the rock cliff, Talon paused to look at her in question. She’d led him to the turbulent ocean his father loved to watch and he wanted to know why. His attention was diverted when another rolling wave crested until they smashed against the rocks spraying water fifty feet into the air. The impact could be felt from where they stood.

  “I want to show you something and if you delay any longer, you will miss it.” She threw him a look of exasperation over her shoulder, “Move it.”

  Talon could only laugh as he lengthened his stride until they walked side by side. She paused only briefly at a fork in the trail before directing them to the right.

  “Now be quiet and watch. Sit there,” she pointed to a bench, “and wait.”

  Talon complied, confused by her actions but didn’t question her. She was up to something and he just better wait than argue. He didn’t have long to wonder, for Daerwen suddenly appeared on the bluff and made his way towards a bench that overlooked the sea. From this distance, Talon clearly saw the red highlights in his recently washed hair and made out the design on his robe as he traversed the trail to his location.

  “Cuilwen, what is the meaning of this?”

  “Just watch.” She whispered, leaning into his shoulder. “Just watch.”

  Daerwen sat on the bench while the twenty or so guards assumed protective positions around him. Some disappeared into the surrounding landscape. From his robe, Talon’s father removed a disc shaped item and held it on his lap, while he reverently stroked it with his thumbs.

  Talon’s heart stopped.

  “Breathe.” Cuilwen whispered, trying not to release the tears she felt building at her friend’s reaction to what he was witnessing.

  Talon was unaware he had held his breath, but when she said those words, he released the air trapped in his lungs.

  He knew that item. He’d made it for his father when he was young and it was one of Daerwen’s cherished belongings. A flurry of emotions at the fact that his father still carried it after all these years inundated him.

  “You see what he’s holding don’t you? He comes here every night at the exact same time. Do you recognize the time?” she whispered in his ear, her hand resting on the exposed skin of his chest so she could feel his heart.

  Which pounded wildly in his chest, “My birth.”

  “Yes. Now, how can you say he does not still love you? How can you think he hates you so?”

  “Why are you doing this?” His voice was low, but the pain clearly affected his speech.

  “It breaks my heart to know you feel he no longer loves his son.” Cuilwen reached up and tilted Talon’s face to hers, “He loves you. I wanted you to know this, even if he never forgives you. You are still remembered.”

  He saw the moisture in her eyes which stilled the reproach he was about to deliver. “Cuilwen, it changes nothing. This was a wasted effort, but I appreciate your intent.”

  “Not wasted; not to me.” She effortlessly rose off the bench and held out her hand, “Come, let’s take that walk before dinner. You have been avoiding telling me about Kai and I want to know her before I meet her.”

  “Thought you wanted to plot out whom to bring?” He asked. His eyes had not left the still form of his father.

  “Oh, I do. We have plenty of time to discuss both.” She touched his shoulder to break the spell of the sight before him, “Come, he will be here awhile. I think you’ve seen what I wished.”

  “I’m at your mercy, aren’t I?” he asked with humor and a little defeat. She was effectively manipulating him and he had nothing to say about it.

  “Now who is being wise?” When Talon stood his full height, he towered over her, forcing her to look up into his stunningly handsome face. Again, she felt the pang of regret at losing him, but she would not spoil this chance to be with him again on those negative feelings. No, tonight she would enjoy his company and save all regrets for later.

  “You are horrible. I see I’m your prisoner, go ahead and ask what you want to know.”

  “Tell me about Kailani.” Cuilwen pinched his arm quickly, “From the beginning, and don’t skip anything.”

  He laughed and pulled her close to his body as they slowly walked down the rocky trail.

  “I first saw her in her village fields, working to harvest her crop.” His voice rolled smoothly as he told of he and Kai’s history, bringing them current. By the time they arrived at the pond, Talon had become accustomed to talking about his mate to his former lover. It all came easy for him now. In that short walk, he’d explained all of the wonderful things about Kai that he loved so much and explained their current situation with the renegades, leaving out a few details such as Lainey and her role in all of this.

  “You are leaving a few things out, it feels.” Cuilwen stated. She could hear the profound emotion in his voice and it touched her. She was amazed at the depth of love held for his mate. She was jealous, more for the fact she didn’t have someone who loved her this passionately. Cuilwen was happy for him though. After all he’d been through to hear him practically bubble over with emotion whenever he talked of her was cute. It was good to see him happy.

  “Hm. Yes, indeed.” He didn’t elaborate, earning him another pinch from his friend.

  “Full disclosure,” she cautioned.

  “Kailani was recently captured by Kaen, the leader I just mentioned. While imprisoned, she met a woman who was to be converted by Kaen and tortured. Kai intervened and adopted the woman, who w
e both now care for as our own. Her name is Lainey and her betrothed is Dace, the leader of the renegades.”

  “So, you have a family then.” This hurt Cuilwen tremendously and she wasn’t sure she was successful in hiding that in her voice.

  Talon looked down at her, hearing it clearly. “Yes, I have a family—if that is how you want to define it.”

  “You have a family.”

  He stopped walking and let go of her hand as she continued on, “Cuilwen.”

  “It’s all right. I’ll be fine.” She slowed and turned to face him, “Does it hurt that someone else built that family with you? Yes. Does it hurt to know I’m not that woman? Yes.” She turned her back to him and looked out over the peaceful pond as it rippled in the early evening breeze, “It’s all right, Talon. I’m fine. I’m just happy you at least have that, given the circumstances. At least I was able to show you that you still have a father. ”

  “Please look at me.” He closed the gap between them, forcing her around but she would not meet his searing blue eyes, “All of this is my fault.” Talon lifted her chin up and forced her to look at him. “I’m sorry.”

  She pulled away, walking off. “I’m all right. Let’s just focus on how I can get you back to them.” She suddenly whirled around and spread her arms, “I’m at your disposal, Prince Talon. I’m yours to command.” She bowed, hiding her emotional torment.

  “I would never order you to do anything,” he said softly. “Stop this formality.”

  She ignored him, needing to change the subject. He was perceptive enough to see that, so let her. “Athradien is known for his skills at manipulating objects.” Talon nodded for he already knew this, “We should be prepared for anything to be turned against us.”

  “If he is controlled. I cannot believe he’d succumb to all of their demands. He is the son of a clan leader; he will put up a fight.”