Talon

by Alice Wade

  “Is now a good time?” he asked, still eyeing her curiously as she dodged his direct stare.

  “Now is fine,” she said quickly and moved inside, but not before he nudged her in a knowing fashion.

  Laughing at her abnormal embarrassment, he followed, and shut them both inside.

  Talon could not contain his humor any longer and laughed at her discomfort, “Oh, come now, Cuilwen; who was the poor man?”

  She bathed him with a glare that would have burned had she been able to do such a thing, but all it did was to cause him to laugh even harder.

  She was collected in his arms in a swift maneuver where she struggled at first to be set free, but he didn’t relent. “I won’t tease you any longer. You deserved this, but I’m dying with curiosity, who was he?”

  “You are an ill-favored friend, Talon,” she quietly said from his chest.

  “Why? Because I want to know what poor man needs consoling after you’ve shown him the love of an elf maiden?”

  “Please.”

  “Hmm. Who was he?” he pressed again.

  With a tortured groan, she buried her face into his chest and realized he would not let her go until she confessed. “Omar.”

  Talon bellowed a deep, friendly laugh and pulled his arms tighter around her body while he leaned down to her ear, “Good choice.” He released her and bit back another laugh at her blush that spread down to her neck.

  Talon cocked his head to the side evaluating her further, “What I can’t figure out is why you are so embarrassed?”

  Cuilwen turned away and moved to the couch where she dramatically flopped on the cushions. Once there she met Talon’s confused face and moaned, “He caught me off guard. He wasn’t what I was expecting and he surprised me, I never get caught unaware like that, Talon. I’m not known for allowing another control and this human…this man…just turned the table and I let him!”

  Now Talon couldn’t hold back and his gut-wrenching laugh was contagious, and Cuilwen had no way to resist the smile that lifted her lips. She did sound quite childish and now that she’d said the words, she could hear why Talon was amused.

  When his laughter died down and he regained his composure, he approached the couch and joined her. “Cuilwen, dear Cuilwen, sometimes the most intense moments in life are found when you just let go. I’m immensely pleased Omar taught you that. He’s a good man. I have to say though; I took him to be shy and reserved myself. He must have quite the wild side if he took over. I’m impressed.”

  Talon smirked when she blushed again. It must have been some encounter to get this reaction from Cuilwen.

  “He was wonderful,” she turned to Talon and her eyes flashed the worry she’d felt just as Omar shut the door leaving her in the bathing room. “Talon, he agreed to see me again and I’m not sure this is a good idea.”

  “Why ever not?” Talon snaked his arm out around her shoulders and pulled tightly to his body.

  “I…I…” she faltered for a moment. “I can’t stay here, and he will get attached. It’s a mistake.” She rested on Talon’s shoulder and sighed, her emotional guards were completely down so she allowed herself to feel the regret from both angles—regret for doing this now and regret for leaving him later.

  “I’m sure Omar will be fine. He’s a grown man and can handle loving and losing the most incredible woman he’s bound to ever meet.”

  “I hope so. I went in there thinking it would be casual fun, but now…well now I find I’m curious to see what else that man has up his sleeve.” Her head turned up to look into Talon’s eyes, “I want to be surprised again.”

  His soft lips touched her forehead in friendly comfort, “Then let him surprise you.” He felt her relax in his arms but allowed the silence of the moment stretch on for a while longer. The burn in his throat was becoming uncomfortable at this point, since he’d delayed feeding hours ago when he’d prepared Faelwen for the rescue.

  Right now, her clean pure blood was pulling him rapidly towards a craze and he didn’t want that to happen, so he cleared his throat. “I’m sorry to break this moment, but may we complete what we came here to do?”

  She moved immediately and sat up. “Of course. My apologies.” She was already freeing her neck of hair and clothing, as she sat back. “I’m at your disposal, prince.” Her wink let him know she was teasing by using his title.

  Sensually, Talon moved to her covering her with his body while his face smelled along her neck, choosing the spot he’d feed from. His warm breath tickled her skin, causing her to laugh but she didn’t move away. The only sound in the room was her audible gasp when his incisors sank into her neck, followed by a moan of pleasure when his venom raced through her body.

  Cuilwen resisted weaving her fingers through his short hair. Instead she gripped the cushions of the couch, dragging her fingernails over the course fabric as his lips caressed her skin and his mouth suckled her neck.

  He was done in a matter of moments and when he sat back, his admiration for his friend quadrupled. “Cuilwen, I cannot thank you enough for this offering, this gift. I know this must be very ha—”

  Cuilwen’s fingers pressed on his lips to quite him, “Stop. You were always my friend first, Talon. Always. You are happily paired with an amazing woman, so I have no complaints or misguided thoughts that I’m better than she is. I have no regrets over losing you to her. Be at peace, please?”

  He dipped his head in response, but the emotion still blazed brightly in his eyes. She read what he was feeling and pinched off her own emotions before she moved off the couch while straightening out her clothing at the same time. “I have a request that I wanted to discuss with you, now that I have your undivided attention.” She said, pouring two goblets of wine and returning to stand before the couch.

  That piqued Talon’s curiosity, “After all that you’ve done, you should not have to request anything.”

  “I need your approval. I’m very moved by the plight of Lainey and Dace. I saw what Kaen did to her when I broke that connection, Talon. I felt the emotions that poor girl had as that beast ripped her from the one man she loved. I can only imagine what Dace went through and would not be surprised if his feelings were not as violent.” Cuilwen handed the wine to Talon but didn’t sit down. Instead she met his upturned face with an intensity that had Talon sitting back.

  “I want to grant Dace the rite of Maldë.”

  Talon sucked in a hiss through his teeth. He looked at her in disbelief and averted his eyes in denial. He shouldn’t grant this because it was such as sacred custom, one that was so powerful it was rarely used. Maldë was an elven custom of revenge only used in extreme situations. It required the unimaginable skills of a powerful elf to endow the requester magic that they normally didn’t possess. Once gifted, they would be able to match their skills to that of their opponent. He looked back at her and found her confidence staggering. She obviously felt this was something she could do or she wouldn’t be asking. Out of respect for their friendship, he chose to be open minded and asked, “What did you have in mind?”

  “I want to give him a tool that will enable that poor man to seek justice on the crimes committed to him and Lainey. I want to endow him with magic, Talon. Would you disapprove of this?”

  He sat in stunned silence as he stared into her brown eyes. Dace endowed with magic? Cuilwen could do that? He wasn’t concerned with the act of what she was asking, frankly it moved him that she thought of it, but what had him frightened was the fact she could do it. “You’re that strong?”

  A smirk was his only reply.

  “Very well, I see I’ve missed your training and growth since I left. You have my approval on this, Cuilwen. Again, what did you have in mind?”

  “Remember that sword Athradien gave me so long ago as our betrothal gift? The one that is enchanted to be whatever the wielder requires
of it?”

  “Yes, but it’s attuned to your blood only.”

  She waved her hand, “That can be changed. I also want to give him the ability to teleport. If he is going to chase that bastard who has already shown he can do this through stolen magic, I want Dace to be able to follow. What fun is a chase if you can’t pursue your prey?”

  That got a nervous laugh from Talon. “Will it be permanent?”

  “It could be, if you desire.”

  Now there was a thought, Dace teleporting. Talon smirked at this because it would definitely make his thieving activities much easier. The positive side of that would mean it was less risky if he could blink wherever he wanted to go. His smirk spread into a half smile when he realized what it mean to Lainey. She’d be given some assurance that he would be safe in his endeavors. Maybe that would not be such a bad idea considering the circumstances. But then again, if Kaen were gone, Dace could go back to being a blacksmith and not have to steal to stay alive.

  “Talon?” She watched him curiously.

  “Make it permanent,” he finally replied. “Why not?”

  Cuilwen touched her forehead then heart. “Excellent. I’ll arrange this while Faelwen and her team are occupied.”

  “Do that.” He marveled at the concept that Cuilwen had developed these impressive skills. He knew she was powerful, but to grant a person, a human no less, the rite of Maldë…that spoke volumes for her abilities. Grudgingly, accepted she was now more powerful than him and he wasn’t sure how he felt about that. He’d explore those feelings later, because he had more important topics to deal with.

  With a grunt, he changed the topic. “Now, if you will excuse me, I need to see to Kailani. Thank you again, my friend.”

  “Enough. I’m here whenever you have need.” Cuilwen smiled and watched as he rose from the couch and walked to the door, where he paused. “I really am happy for you, Talon. She is just as amazing as you described.”

  He turned just his head to regard her. “Thank you. I got lucky.” Then he was gone.

  Once again, Cuilwen was left alone in a room watching the door close her in.

  * * * *

  Dace received the note that Cuilwen needed to speak to him immediately, and moved quickly through the halls and up two flights of stairs to the room she now occupied.

  Knocking firmly, he waited, “Come.”

  Upon opening the door, he found Cuilwen in a formal outfit that was lavender and shimmering in the firelight. The only illumination in the room came from the raging fire that she had in the hearth, for the curtains were pulled tightly closed. Now where did she get those clothes, he wondered. Magic no doubt.

  He gasped at her stunning beauty and swallowed his insecurities at being in her presence before he entered. As he did though, he could not resist letting his eyes roam her where she sat. The shirt was open at the neck and revealed the valley between her breasts before hiding the rest of her body behind the incredible fabric. He gulped again when his eyes froze on the smooth skin of her full breasts that were visible through the opening.

  Cuilwen had pulled her hair into a dramatic design that started at the crest of her scalp and fell in a full mane down her back. In it, she had tied ribbons, trinkets and flowers. The effect made her elegantly pointed ears prominent and visible, further accentuating her foreign origins. All over her face and arms she had glyphs of objects of which he had no comprehension and on her eyes, she had vibrant lavender paint that made her look alien and slightly frightening for it accentuated their elven almond shape.

  She sat cross-legged on the floor with a sword resting across her knees. Before her was a bowl, a silver platter and a candle. Cuilwen had not opened her painted eyes or shown any sign that she knew he was even in the room. If it were not for her approval to enter, he would have believed she was in a trance.

  “Have a seat,” she finally said softly.

  That jolted Dace from his stunned state and he followed her order and sat on the mat opposite her across the objects between them.

  “I asked you here to give you a gift. I have Talon’s approval, so I now offer it to you freely. You may choose to decline.”

  His mouth suddenly became very dry. This entire scene spoke of magic and power, something that made this simple blacksmith a little uncomfortable. “What is this gift?”

  “After I tell you, you much decide quickly. Once we begin I’ll not be able to stop. Understood?”

  “Yes.”

  “I saw what Kaen did to Lainey. I felt her pain at losing you, Dace. And her sacrifice.” Cuilwen finally opened her eyes and met his uncertain face. “It made me very angry. As her mate, you have the right of Maldë, an elven custom of revenge. I asked permission to grant you this honor by our standards, since Kaen is using stolen elven magic. But mostly,” her voice softened, “I asked because I cried at the depth of despair I felt within her when she lost you. I can only imagine, as her mate, the depth of your anguish as well.”

  Dace was frozen in place. He couldn’t breathe, couldn’t move and his mind was whirling in many different directions. He, a blacksmith, nobody of importance, was being granted a sacred elven rite? He swallowed again to wet his mouth.

  “Dace?”

  “What does this entail so I can make my decision?”

  Cuilwen nodded, “I’ll endow you with magic to match Kaen. The ability to teleport seems to be the most efficient and effective ability.” She watched his eyes widen. “I also have a sword that was given to me by Athradien.” She patted the weapon on her lap. “It is enchanted with magic to be whatever the wielder requires.”

  Dace swallowed another dry lump. Magic. “Go on,” he said flatly.

  “If the wielder needed a bow, the sword will shift to a bow. If cutting through solid stone is required, the blade will shift to become a tool to melt rock. So on and so forth. Whatever you will need Dace, this sword will grant you. All you have to do is wish it.” Her hand stroked the steel lovingly while she spoke, drawing Dace’s eyes down to the weapon.

  It was of medium length, not long, not short. Obviously, it had been constructed for Cuilwen’s height and weight, so the blade was perfectly balanced for her. In his hands, it would be too light he could tell.

  “It will adjust to your body. I see your thoughts clearly in your eyes. Again, it is whatever the wielder needs.”

  “You’d give me this?” he whispered.

  “Yes, for a time. I would ask for this to be returned though. It is a cherished gift given by a dear friend.”

  He snapped his eyes back to her painted face, “Of course.”

  “I wanted you to use it to kill Kaen.”

  Those words sank into his conscious like a rock sinking into a pond. He reeled back and stared at her as the meaning of all this finally crystallized for him. He had never imagined he’d ever be in a position to kill Kaen and all this talk of magic and enchanted swords distracted him from understanding exactly what she was offering. She was giving him the tools to do what he thought impossible. He could be the one to kill Kaen. He would be the one to protect Lainey. Not Talon. Him. Dace. A blacksmith.

  She felt a surge of compassion for the man before her. This was a lot to take in and she read his confusion clearly on his face. “You can refuse Dace. But something tells me that you won’t.”

  He met her alien face and smiled a sinister grin. “You’re right. I just never thought that I would ever be in a position to touch him.”

  “Yes, I agree. Which is why I want to do this for you. It’s never been granted to a human before, and very rarely used in our culture. It is sacred and dangerous for the endower must be extremely skilled. If they make a mistake, I could kill you.”

  “Oh.” Dace looked at the blade then up to her shining eyes then back to the blade—his decision made. Slowly his sight drifted to the objects bet
ween them and saw what was in the bowl—a tiny blade. “Uh, and these?”

  “Tools to be used to transfer the blade to your ownership for a time, as well as providing you the magic to teleport.”

  “Huh, assuming you need to take blood with the look of that blade,” he said nervously.

  She smiled softly, “Yes, but only a little. Nothing drastic, so don’t fear.”

  Dace lifted his chin high, straightened his back and met her interested gaze, “So, all of this could kill me?”

  “If I make a mistake, yes.”

  “Have you performed this before?”

  “No.”

  “Outstanding,” he said sarcastically.

  “Dace…”

  “No, I’ll not back down from this very impressive offer, Cuilwen. I accept the risk and…I trust you. Now, when do we begin?”

  Cuilwen smiled at his bravery and trust, touching her forehead in silent respect before she began. “Right now. First, I need to transfer the blade. Let’s begin by collecting your blood in the bowl.”

  The ceremony progressed and transpired over the course of an hour. Dace was pricked, mentally stabbed and his entire world changed in that span of time. The blade successfully transferred to him, showing its binding by lengthening and increasing thickness to match his body. Cuilwen skillfully completed the endowment and made the ability of teleportation available to this human. All he had to do was think of where he wanted to go and he was there. To test the power, he blinked out to the stables then back to Cuilwen.

  All in all the ceremony was a success, although it left Dace a little unsettled for the entire strategy he’d been counting on using required Talon to be the one chasing this vampire. Now he needed to rethink all his plans, start from scratch so to speak. He needed Omar and he needed Talon.

  When it was all done, he hugged Cuilwen tight, no longer intimidated by her, not after sharing such a personal bond as was required to do what she just did, and left in search of his friends. He needed to prepare.