Talon

by Alice Wade

  Omar narrowed his eyes while inspecting her face. “What are you so afraid of?” he whispered.

  “Losing him, like,” she paused, “like I lost Talon.”

  “Then love him as much as you can, First Maiden. Give him everything and hold nothing back. That way, if you do, at least you can carry that with you.” Omar kissed her forehead before releasing her to tend to his fire. “I highly doubt that elf will leave you, though. From what I hear, he withstood the pain of torture holding you close to his heart. That kind of love does not come around often.”

  Cuilwen was shocked at his acceptance and felt humbled by his advice. “You really are special, Omar. You’d have made an excellent elf,” she said again shaking her head. “Here I thought I’d need to explain, and you’re the one counseling me.”

  He chuckled, “Yes, well you looked like you needed a friend at the moment.” His handsome face turned in her direction. “I’m always that first, maiden, a friend. Now go tend to your whatever you call him. I’m sure he’s probably missing you at the moment.”

  “My bonded,” she said in a chuckle. “Thank you for a wonderful experience, Omar. I count myself lucky to call you friend. Please take care in the coming fight. I really am tired of losing friends.”

  “I will. Hopefully, we’ll see each other at the end of all of this and toast to our success. Now go. I’m tired, and I want to find my bed.” He made a shooing motion with his hands but halted her at the door. “Wait, one last thing. I’m honored you found me interesting at all and shared a piece of yourself with me. You’ve ruined my view on sex, and accept all encounters after this will pale in comparison to your perfection that graced my bed, or tub in this case.”

  Without turning around she laughed. “Take care of yourself, please.” Then she was gone.

  * * * *

  “Say that again?” Frigid temperatures chilled the room as Kaen’s temper turned.

  “The elf was taken from us, sir.” The poor soul who was chosen to tell Kaen this knew he’d probably get killed after this report, but he was the unlucky one pulled out of line to do it.

  “How?” The temperature dropped again.

  “Elves sir. At least ten of them. They had magic, according to a witness and they slaughtered the coven members sent to defend our ‘guest’.”

  Kaen laughed. “Something must be wrong their eyes, for elves don’t wal…” He paused as it dawned on him where the hell Talon had disappeared to. Kaen threw his goblet at the wall and spat out a long list of curses as the reality of the situation became crystal clear. It wasn’t Talon that had broken his link to Lainey; it was another elf! “Damn that man!” he screamed, his voice so loud it rattled the windows.

  The vampire lurched backwards, anxiously eyeing the door and his escape but could not find the courage to actually pass through it.

  Kaen had not forgotten him though, and growled, “Anything else?”

  “No sir,” he said shakily.

  “Then leave my sight. Now!”

  The vampire practically flew from the room moving at a speed that blurred his movement. “Deandra!” Kaen next yelled.

  “No need to shout, dearest. I’m right here,” she said smoothly gliding into the room.

  “Talon has brought elves. How many I don’t know. I want the coronation moved inside. I don’t trust that vampire as far as I can spit.”

  “It’s too late Kaen. The event is in two hours. It can’t be moved. You will just need to ensure your coven is in place and paying attention,” she said this while inspecting her fingernails as if there were dirt under each one. When he was in this type of mood, it didn’t pay to make direct eye contact.

  “Move it,” he growled deeply.

  “No. I want my crown and the only way to move it at this point would be to cancel and start all over again. That could take days, dearest,” she chanced a look and cringed. He was so fully entrenched in his vampire qualities that she actually stepped back. It was unnerving to see him this way with eyes blackened, both sets of fangs fully extended and his talons out. He radiated predator, and she responded with an increased heartbeat and sweat beading on her forehead.

  She shivered as a drop of sweat trailed down the back of her neck and through the valley of her spine. “Think about it, Kaen. You want this as much as I, so let’s just get it over with and we can take certain precautions to ensure nothing goes wrong.” Deandra’s feet were still moving her back towards the door she entered from.

  Off to the side, she caught Faelwen lurking in the shadows. He made eye contact and then added mentally to her, “Tread carefully, princess.”

  Kaen looked about ready to murder her. Based on his erratic behavior and stiff body language, she could tell he wasn’t thinking with a rational mind. It was unnerving to see him clench and unclench his talons, another indication he was unstable. And it was to be expected. His plans were crumbling down around him and he was powerless to stop it at the moment.

  “Faelwen, I know you’re there. Step out,” Kaen growled. When the vampire stepped forth, he bowed but kept his eyes directed at the floor, not Kaen.

  “Since my lovely wife is filled with such sound advice of late, make it happen. Enlist the entire coven to be in attendance and have the rabid ones ready in case we have any need of them. Now go.” Kaen whirled around, “Not so fast dearest,” Deandra froze.

  She held her head high and faced him, meeting his eyes dead on, waiting. “Deandra, dearest. Where do you run? Afraid of another lesson?”

  “No Kaen, but I have learned that it’s best to leave you be when you are this angry,” she answered honestly.

  “Well, since my anger is not directed at you, I would think you haven’t anything to fear,” Kaen approached and tilted her head higher by placing his index finger under her chin. “I’m craving my wife and hope that your wonderful skills in bed can help calm my spirits before this damn ceremony.” He kissed her then, hard and uncaring at first but when he scented her arousal and her acceptance of his savagery, he softened his touch into a more passionate embrace.

  Deandra wrapped her arms around his neck, snarling in his ear when he broke the kiss to caress her neck with his lips. “Patience,” he whispered against her skin, but his action conflicted with his words for he picked her up around the waist and teleported them to their bedroom where he carefully laid her on the bed. He was being very gentle with her, exaggerated even, because all he wanted to do was hurt something and Deandra wasn’t something he wanted to harm at the moment.

  She recognized his need to be rough and appreciated his concern but she was a vampire now. Not some fragile human. She took his hand with talons still extended and dragged it down the front of her shirt, shredding her clothing as it went. “I’m not breakable, Kaen,” Deandra said in a throaty whisper, “Use me how you wish.”

  And he did after he hissed low and practically drooled at the suggestion. She wasn’t injured in any way, and no mark was left on her body, but her insides were throbbing from his need to be rough. There was no tender lovemaking in his make up that day, no; it was brutal and ultimately fantastic. Being sired by Kaen, and linked to his mind, a part of her craved this as well, so she didn’t mind these little forays. Quite the opposite, they excited her.

  When he was finished and relaxing as his climax faded, Kaen rolled over to look at Deandra. “You my dear are something else. If I’d known you’d be such a good match with my likes and dislikes, I would have turned you months ago.”

  That made her smile. “Your loss dear,” she patted his face. “Now, can we please go bathe so our wonderful servants can dress us in the coronation gowns?”

  He laughed and leaned in to kiss her with his normal level of tenderness. All his anger from earlier was gone so he was once more calm and composed. “Once again, your wisdom is inspiring.”

  “Wait, am I hearing
you correctly? Are you implying I’m right again?” she teased. “Because if that is the case, one would start to argue that I’m your equal, my dear husband.”

  “Don’t get ahead of yourself, Deandra. I only am acknowledging that you make good recommendations, dear,” he said while smirking at her gall.

  At this point, she was already off the bed and leaning against the door frame in a seductive pose, “Pity. I really could be a grand partner, Kaen. I’m much more suited to share power than be shuffled amongst the lower ranks of the coven.”

  Another laughed exploded from his mouth, “Dearest, I detect bitterness in your voice.”

  “Another day and another time we can have this conversation. For now, get moving Kaen. We’re late.”

  “Yes, ma’am!” he said with sarcasm. “I’m off for my bath.”

  She bowed in his direction, “Good, I’ll see you shortly and then we shall claim what we both have desired for a very long time.”

  As he passed by her, Kaen stopped and grabbed her wrist, lifting it to his lips where he kissed her sweetly sending another wave of shivers through her body. “That sounds fantastic, dearest.” After he released her, Kaen smoothly walked to his own bath and was soon shut behind closed doors while he was prepared.

  Deandra followed to her room and smiled, immensely pleased she was learning how to tame her vicious husband and hoped that maybe, just maybe he’d let her live for a little while longer.

  * * * *

  Athradien was sitting up in bed, remarkably better with the healing that Cuilwen had performed. He admired the smooth skin of his outstretched hands in amazement after touching his face feeling all injuries gone.

  She was strict in her applications and repeated it often enough that he was almost back to normal with the exception of his ribs. She could not get them to mend without help, so he was left to his own natural healing and accepted that it would just take time.

  When the door opened and Cuilwen walked through, his entire face lit up with a brilliant smile. He was still not sure when his fortune changed, but by some miraculous stroke of luck, Cuilwen was his.

  “How are you feeling?” she asked as she responded to his brilliant welcome with a smile of her own.

  “Much improved, thank you.” He was still beaming and couldn’t stop.

  Cuilwen actually blushed and turned away to get him a glass of water. “So, have you seen Talon yet?”

  “He just left.” His response was a little distracted for he watched her every movement, admiring the curve of her waist and the swell of her breast. She was perfect. His mind immediately strayed to what was beneath that fantastic fabric and he felt himself stiffen with desire. Shifting on the bed, he adjusted but didn’t remove his eyes for one second.

  “And?” Cuilwen turned and faltered when she faced him. The intensity of his stare announced his hunger very clearly and it was enough to knock her a little off kilter.

  “He gave us his blessing.” Athradien extended his hand and she closed the distance to accept it. “And I informed him of all I know of my captors and what weapons I created for them so he can use whatever pieces were of interest.” Once he had Cuilwen in his grasp, he pulled her down to the mattress where he started to wrap her in his embrace, but she stopped him with a hand on his chest.

  “Athradien, drink this first,” she thrust the water at him, watching that he drank it. When the cup was drained he carelessly tossed it to the floor and completed what he started by pulling her tightly into his arms and rolling them both so she was beneath him on the bed.

  “Happy now?” she teased, but didn’t get a chance for any further conversation because his lips found hers unerringly and he stole her ability to think while he showered her with his love again.

  Neither of them heard the door open until a throat was cleared loudly from the entrance. Both looked up in surprise to find Nethlhindornien standing there with a half smirk on his elegant face. “So this is where you run off to First Maiden. Now I see why my leader is healing so quickly.” He resisted barking a laugh as both their faces flushed a deep red, “Talon needs you, Cuilwen. I was sent to fetch you because it is time. The coronation starts in less than an hour.”

  Athradien sighed and buried his face in her hair. “Damn,” he said the curse heavy with emotion, because he wasn’t ready to let her go.

  “I’m sorry you can’t fight with us, Ath. It’s unfair, but think of it this way, if I get through this event, we have the rest of our long lives to make up for lost time.” She kissed his forehead since his head was still buried in her hair, “I’ll be back as quickly as I can.” When he lifted his face to look down into her eyes, she kissed him soundly. “I’ll be back.”

  “You better. I withstood a lot to finally claim you First Maiden. I’ll be very annoyed if you leave me now.”

  “Then I’ll do my best to make sure that does not happen,” she kissed him again but his despair bled into his emotions for the kiss was a little more desperate than before. “I’ll be back, Ath.” Cuilwen reached up and caressed one of his ears comfortingly; stroking the sensitive skin until he closed his eyes in acceptance, his head leaning into her touch.

  “I’ll be waiting for you,” he said then rested his forehead against hers in an emotional endearment before he reluctantly released her to Nethlhindornien.

  Once they were gone, Athradien took his pillow and covered his face and yelled into the feathers until he was hoarse. He had never felt so helpless and felt the painful urge to fight at her side, to protect her, even though he knew she was more skilled to defend herself. That made him chuckle; he’d probably just be in her way! How very foolish of him to think he could protect the First Maiden at all. At least she had the sword he made her so long ago, the one wrapped in enchantments of love and devotion. It was bound to protect her no matter what. That alone gave him any sort of peace while he frustratingly waited for her to return.

  Athradien ground his fists into his closed eyes. “Come back to me, Cuilwen. Please just come back to me,” he moaned.

  He could hear the gathering people downstairs. He could tell it was a large assembly on the ground floor. Damn it. He growled in frustration. I shouldn’t be here in this bed! He made up his mind at that exact moment, his path suddenly clear.

  Athradien hissed softly as he swung his legs over the side of the bed and rested the soles of his feet on the planks, breathing through the agony. The pain of moving like that was intense, so he waited. Funny how when Cuilwen was in his arms, the pain was inconsequential, but now, the simple act of standing was excruciating.

  “I won’t lie here while others are in danger, I won’t be left behind,” he whispered to the empty room.

  It was a bit of a challenge to stand, but once up his body recovered equilibrium. Within minutes he moved towards the door biting back the pain shooting from his ribs, causing him to flinch but not enough to deter him. Athradien took a few more deep breaths before he opened the door to master his pain. He pulled it open and froze.

  He found the elves lined in the hallway in a corridor of honor, two on each side, swords raised in salute. Talon, Cuilwen, and Nethlhindornien stood with arms crossed at the end, a smirk on each of their angelic faces.

  “What is the meaning of this?” Athradien called as he evaluated each of the elves in attendance, trying not to show his shock.

  Talon looked at Cuilwen and winked, and then at Nethlhindornien. The smile he graced Athradien with was warm, “Well, my friend, we all knew you would not be left behind, so we waited for you to come to the same conclusion and join us.”

  Athradien just stared at those gathered and couldn’t move. He had never been given such an honor before. Ever. And doubted he would ever again, well with one exception—the day Cuilwen finally said her vows binding herself to him forever would match, even surpass this moment.

  “Tha
nk you, Prince Talon.” His half bow was a sign of his loyalty and friendship, and his face showed the definite signs he was still healing for he wore a grimace of pain. A slight motion from Cuilwen had Athradien’s lips curl slightly for she was about to rush to him, but she stopped herself.

  Talon nudged Cuilwen. “You have the First Maiden to truly thank. She saw into your heart and knew this outcome. Come friend, let’s go hunt some vampires.”

  Athradien met each of their eyes, at times stopping to clasp a shoulder, touch a face, or smile as he passed. They were here for him. They had traveled off their sacred lands for him, and now they waited here, for him.

  When he reached the end of the line, he grunted through the pain as he knelt before his prince, going down on one knee, “I’m honored, Prince Talon.”

  Talon rolled his eyes toward the ceiling and groaned. “Oh, get up. Are we not friends? Did I not ask you years ago to never do that before me again?”

  Athradien laughed and stood to his full height. “Yes, but…”

  “But nothing. Come, I’m happy you are well enough to join us. It’s been too long since we hunted and this is a most dangerous prey.”

  “I could not agree more,” Athradien’s eyes fell to Cuilwen in her battle armor. She was standing calmly with a sword in a scabbard at her side and his eyes pinched in annoyance. “Where is your sword, First Maiden?”

  Cuilwen looked down suddenly and then sheepishly back to her bonded. “I lent it to Dace, Athradien. He has more important needs this day than I.”

  Athradien approached and stood directly before her, worry creased his brow as he looked into her eyes.“Your life is not important?” he whispered in a challenging tone.