Talon

by Alice Wade

  Daerwen scrutinized Talon’s emotional reaction to the mere mention of her name and sighed, “Your bond is great, with this woman, is it not? I can feel the tether that binds you strongly and all through your healing it was wrapped quite close around your heart, keeping her close.”

  “She is my life,” Talon whispered.

  “Yes, well I can see that,” Daerwen cleared his throat and shifted, conflicted with his emotions and trying to find the words he’d practiced so many times in the event Talon woke in his presence. “Talon.” Talon stared in hopeful fear at the sound of his name on his father’s lips. It had been a dream to ever think he’d hear it again uttered with such tenderness, such love. The only times it has been said when it was accompanied by a curse then followed with Cûrion. He was afraid if he moved, the entire dream would fade and he’d be back in the darkness, alone and desperately wanting to be set free.

  “Talon,” Daerwen began again after swallowing his own intimidation and reacting to the hope that blazed brightly in his son’s eyes, “I called a meeting of the Lords not too long ago. I don’t know about you, but I’ve had enough of this torment and punishment. I can’t carry this regret with me any longer and I,” his hand covered his mouth while a strangled sound broke free. Swallowing a few times to loosen his constricting throat, he said, “I miss you and want you home, son.”

  Talon cried out and closed his eyes. This was a dream. This had to be a dream. This wasn’t a conversation that was taking place and must be a figment of his imagination. “I’m imagining all of this, aren’t I?” he whispered.

  Daerwen was at his son’s side in seconds and knelt down in order to be eye level with Talon. His gentle hand caressed his cheek and begged him to open his eyes. “It is real, son. I have never felt such failure and hopelessness as when I arrived to that tower and saw my son,” again his voice failed and the pregnant pause was enough get his composure, “saw my son lying there near death in a pool of your own blood. I failed you. Many times over. Seeing you like that, injured and lost—it broke me.”

  Talon let the tears fall freely now. He no longer tried to deny the mass exodus and watched his father with a growing hope. Something that he denied himself from feeling in centuries.

  Daerwen continued after having to look away from Talon, the intensity of his blue eyes was rattling him and he was afraid he wouldn’t be able to continue, “It has aged me years and I can no longer support the decision from so long ago. Cuilwen has been persistent as well, more convincing with the aid of Athradien when he joined her cause.” His long fingers continue to absently stroke Talon’s cheek while he spoke, “When the remaining elves returned home, I made my decision. I called the meeting and heard first hand testimony on your honor, your humanity and above all else your love. The Lords needed to hear the entire tale from beginning to end. I’m ashamed to confess that I also needed the confirmation, but we all heard.” Daerwen weep aloud as he finally looked back to his son, “You are not the monster we believed you to be and neither is that dark haired beauty lying next to you.”

  “W-wh-what are you saying?”

  “I have lifted the banishment, son. You are free to come home at anytime.”

  Talon’s face contorted in varying stages of despair. He squinted his eyes tight, forcing more tears to fall. This was the outcome he had wanted all those years ago; he needed to hear this love and understanding, this compassion that was now flowing from his father in waves. He was confused and scared, recently converted then abandoned, and this was the father he needed, not the cold dispassionate king he encountered, “Why now, Iondwë Daerwen?”

  The use of his formal title wounded Daerwen but he tried to ignore it, the only evidence it bothered him was a slight twitch at his cheek. “I don’t know. All things happen when they are meant to happen, Talon. Maybe you needed to experience your time away from our lands in order to find Kailani and eliminate your nemesis. We will never know. What I do know is that with the testimony from the warriors, the First Maiden and Athradien, your honor has been restored.” Daerwen ran his hand over the short cropped hair and smiled, “Now you can let his grow back to its proper length.”

  Talon shook his head, “No, it stays short as a reminder.” He turned to face his father struggling to compose his own speech that he practiced for centuries. The words didn’t come so he improvised, “Why? Why did you turn your back on me so quickly Iondwë Daerwen?”

  Again that use of the formal wounded him. “Please drop the formalities. Your punishment is lifted.”

  “Please answer me,” Talon desperately urged. He still felt this could be a dream and wanted to hear this answer before the image faded if it were.

  His father shrugged in guilt, “I was hurt. You disobeyed me when I knew there were vampires prowling our borders. You knew this as well and went to investigate out of arrogance when I specifically ordered you to stay home.”

  “I disobeyed you hundreds of time before that, so was being hurt enough to abandon me like that?” he choked out, his pent up anger breaking free.

  “No, not enough. I listened to the council of my Lords and that is where I owe you an apology, son. I should have listened to the council of my heart. I’m sorry; I should not have turned on you so.” Daerwen’s severe emotions related to his guilt poured forth and he wept with his son, lowering his face to Talon’s shoulder and waited for this overwhelming feeling to pass. He cried trying to wash away the hurt that his horrible decision had created.

  “I needed you,” Talon moaned through is tears, choking as the moisture drained down his throat and sending new pain throughout his body.

  Daerwen looked up and cupped his face, caressing his cheek lovingly while he did so, “I know. You looked so scared and I’ll never forgive myself for turning my back. I hide behind anger and bitterness until that damnable sword sent a call to me, asking for help. I wasn’t about to deny you again.”

  Talon choked again and looked at his father in the eye, “What did you say?”

  “This human Dace must have wished or willed for help. The sword responded by calling me,” he had not removed his hand. “Son, my beloved child, will you forgive me?” Daerwen knew there was a chance Talon would deny him, especially after all he’d done and said. No child should ever have to feel such abandonment in its time of need and he had forced his beloved son into that position. He rejected him out of ignorance and fear, fueled by the hurt of his son’s disobedience. No, Daerwen thought, he has every right to hate me.

  Talon was stunned and slightly confused. All the feelings of hurt and anger he’d buried upon his long banishment melted in that one request. He missed his father and wanted nothing more than to share his council once more. With a tentative nod, Talon forgave and immediately found himself covered with his father’s body as he tried to hug him without causing pain.

  They stayed like that for quite some time, being interrupted by the Dunai’s as they gently carried Kailani’s wasted and frail body back into the room. Her hair was washed and braided in the traditional elven style. She’d been dressed in a loose fitted royal robe that didn’t restrict any of her movements. The luxuriously soft fabric wouldn’t aggravate her injuries that he could still see and never seemed to heal right, even with her vampire abilities.

  Talon sensed her the moment she crossed the threshold and struggled to sit up to watch. She was asleep and at peace but he felt her strong heart beat as if he had his head resting on her wonderful chest, “Kai,” he whispered in anguish.

  The sound of his voice registered a response and the corner of her sensual lips twitched giving him hope she was going to be all right after all. Reaching out with his mind, he pushed and whispered into the void that was her conscious, “Come back to me love. Fight. Come back to me.” He felt her in the void of her mind and pulled on the tether that bound them. “Please Kailani, you promised you wouldn’t leave me alone. Come back, please
, come back.” He pleaded over and over in her mind until he felt a flicker of recognition. That was enough.

  Daerwen watched the silent exchange and waited, “Is she close?”

  “No, but I felt her just now, tentative but she’s there,” his voice deepened with suppressed torment. “She’ll come back.” Talon was fixated on his mate as nothing else mattered at the moment. She was alive. Kailani was alive and in elven lands, with him. “F—” Talon dipped his head and started again, “Father, what if any decisions were made relating to my mate?”

  Daerwen looked between his son and the object of his fascination and smiled, giving up on holding any attention while she was in the room, “I overruled them on this one too. She is allowed to stay here with you, Talon. I have given her our house mark on her palm so she can pass unhindered through our lands. Anyone who brings her harm is subject to death, since she is now the royal princess standing at your side.”

  Talon sucked in a breath and looked at his father, “You’d do that for us?”

  “To make up for all the wrongs I’ve done? Yes, without question.”

  “And my ward? You know of her as well?”

  “Of course. She may come for short visits Talon, but I cannot grant her permanent residence…yet. She is young and must prove herself before she can reside here with you.”

  That earned a snort from Talon, “You don’t know Lainey. She has more honor and control than most young warriors.”

  From the door the most wonderful voice answered, “Why thank you Talon, I appreciate that compliment.” Lainey stood there watching from the sidelines, hesitant to interrupt. She was garbed in an elven shirt and pant set that hugged her thin body but flowed like water around her curves. Someone had found the exact color of her eyes and matched the accents of her beige outfit. Little dragonflies in the most stunning green flirted around the sleeves and collar.

  Talon completely lost his composure at seeing such a familiar and dear face. He groaned out her name in an emotional greeting, “Lainey!”

  The pixy faced woman of intense beauty entered and rubbed his hair in comfort, “I’m well, Talon,” then she smirked, “You took your time finding your way home.”

  He snorted, “You are too young to speak to me so, show some respect,” he said in a voice thick with emotion.

  That got a laugh, “Right, so young that I fought off hundreds of rabid newborns and didn’t even get a scratch,” a look of pride came over her face. “You would have been proud of me that day Talon.”

  He smiled then laughed, “I already am. I’m not surprised though, it was Kailani who trained you for that fight, not I. I would have locked you away,” he teased.

  “Like you could have denied me—he hurt me too. That reminds me, Dace is here you know. He’s out with the craftsmen now, observing the elven art of metalworking. I think he has a desire to get back to his training and begin a blacksmith shop again,” at the mention of her mate, she looked outside in Dace’s direction and smiled.

  “This is a dream. This is not real,” Talon chanted to himself again. There was no way that his father would let all these tainted beings in his land, nor would the people welcome them.

  “No dream, Talon. We’re all here; your family is here. Omar is running the inn now that there is no need for the renegades. A few have gone home to their original families, but most have moved their remaining families to the building. They’ve created their own community and life is slowly getting back to normal there. In regards to the crown, a cousin fourth removed was found still living and old enough to rule, so he’s been crowned as our next king and the monarchy is back on track as well.”

  “How long have we been ill?” Talon whispered.

  “Here? Eight months. You were both severely injured by the tainted magic Kaen stole. Athradien explained that the magic in the blade that cut you was warped and the toxin within Deandra spoiled due to the taint within Kaen.”

  Something passed through her eyes that had Talon stopping her, “You are not spoiled.” His eyes pleaded with her to believe him but she brushed past the sentiment and continued.

  Before she did though, Lainey looked tenderly at Kailani, “She fights for you Talon. She’s been fighting for you from the start. Her wounds are slow to heal, even after all this time, but I hope that once she is awake and can feed properly, it will help speed the healing.”

  Talon reached up and grabbed her hand to pull her down to the bed where she sat rubbing his palm with her thumb. Finally she choked on her tears as they finally consumed her. Her face was turned downward but slowly she lifted her wet face and looked at him. “Talon, I thought I was going to die when I heard you’d fallen. I was lost and afraid I’d be alone, well not totally alone, but you know what I mean. I’m just so glad you are back with us,” she said as she reached up to drag her fingers through his hair before she moved off to regain her emotions thus changing the subject away from her memory of losing her guardian. “I’ve been going back and forth to check on things, as well as getting settled. Dace and I are thinking of staying in the city and reopening his master’s blacksmith shop.” Lainey approached Kailani and brushed a few braids away from her face. “We are going to be fine,” she whispered before looking back to her guardian with profound love.

  Talon was still shocked and not comprehending how this all could come to be. He was speechless and stunned, his eyes were darting between Lainey and his father when he finally blurted out, “How?”

  “Cuilwen.” Daerwen added, “She is tenacious when she wants something. I guess she wanted to bring Lainey on her first trip home but Athradien denied her. She badgered me and the lords until we relented. She arrived half way through your ordeal and there has been a remarkable improvement in both your recoveries since. Cuilwen is gloating that she was right, making her quite difficult to be around at the moment,” Daerwen said with humor and received a chuckled from Lainey.

  “I’m not sure how Athradien is managing, but he is. Their binding ceremony is tomorrow, which is why Dace and I are here.”

  “Really? So soon?” Normal duration from betrothal to binding was no less than two years. This was yet another breach from their strict elven tradition that rocked Talon’s understanding and sent him back down the train of thought that this was a dream.

  “Again, she is tenacious. But in this so was Athradien. They haven’t stopped mooning over each other since she accepted him, it’s becoming tiresome. We just want them to be bound so their lives can begin,” Daerwen said again with humor. It was very evident that he held a deep affection for the First Maiden and it showed in this very large change of tradition. Daerwen rose, “Rest, Talon. We will be back later.”

  With that he touched Lainey’s arm and she started to move towards the door following Talon’s father out, but stopped. “I’ll inform Cuilwen you are awake. She has been quite adamant that her ‘offer of help’ still stands and I’m sure you are hungry. I’ve been feeding you myself and Cuilwen as well, but others have stepped forward trying to keep your strength up.” She choked, pausing for a moment, “Talon, I’m glad you are back.”

  * * * *

  Talon demanded that they be moved to his quarters where he could lay beside Kailani instead of separated by air. He needed to feel her warm skin against his and curled around her tight as he pressed their naked bodies together. He’d thought he lost her this time. He really believed she had died.

  True to her word Cuilwen and a short list of others offered themselves to help him regain his strength. He vowed that once he was strong enough, he’d depart for human lands to hunt, rather than consuming the pure elven blood that hummed around him constantly. He promised himself he would give the People no reason to find accusation against him or Kai, so they’d hunt elsewhere.

  Within a few days he was strong enough to stand on his own and within a week he was taking short walks. He would n
ot leave Kailani for longer than a breath so even if he could run for miles, he’d still only walk to the front of the path and back regardless.

  Today he had moved her to the sitting room where she could lie on the chaise with the healing sun on her face. The breeze was wafting the scent of blooming jasmine into the room along with the sounds of a mocking bird off in the distance. Home. Talon thought as he closed his eyes. I’m home.

  He didn’t hear Cuilwen enter, but suddenly she was just there. She had not stopped glowing or wearing a smile on her face since Athradien bound her to his soul. She carried that joy into the room and that made Talon smile as the room became markedly brighter.

  “Hi,” he greeted before he looked back to the woman nestled against his chest.

  “Any change?” Cuilwen approached and checked her life force by waving a hand over Kailani’s face.

  Talon watched his mate’s face for any sign, “No.”

  The touch on Talon’s shoulder was enough to rattle his emotions, but he swallowed the behind his controlled exterior, but she saw through it, “Patience, she feels stronger today.”

  “She’s so frail, Cuilwen. I should be weaker than she, but she is wasting away and there is nothing I can do to help her.”

  “Just love her. I believe this in the core of my being that those that are sick find the will to live when they are surrounded by those they love. Miracles have happened, Talon. That is the main reason I fought so hard for Lainey to be here, so love her. Love her with everything you’ve got,” her voice was passionately whispered, but the power of her message was felt deeply.

  “I do.”

  “Then be patient. She’ll come back.”

  * * * *

  It was early morning that found Talon drifting close to awareness and waking from a very loving dream with Kailani. He experienced the most incredible explosion of heavenly bliss where his seductive mate coerced from him release after release of absolute pleasure. As his mind finally released the final emotional visages of that glorious memory, his throbbing erection twitched against her back as if mocking him. Talon moaned and with remorse he looked at her slumbering face and prayed for the day he once more feel her love that way, and could freely love her without the tainted curse of Kaen, since that bastard was dead.