Talon

by Alice Wade

  They were both naked and wrapped in the warmth of a soft wool blanket with his body molded around hers. Sighing again, he leaned in close then buried his face in the nape of her neck, and just inhaled deeply. She smelled so good. Even if this was all he got ever again, he’d take it just to feel the pounding of her heart next to his and being able breathe in the delicious scent of her skin. The awake Kai would be better, but even asleep she aroused him wildly without doing anything at all. Talon sniffed again and slowly exhaled letting his breath flow over her skin slowly, as if he were caressing her tenderly.

  “Will you stop that?” her raspy voice croaked, as she attempted to wet her dry mouth with a few loud swallows.

  Talon froze; afraid to move. When he felt her squirming in his arms, he helped her to roll over at the same time he reached for the water glass near the bed.

  She held his eyes as she drank. Then a single tear filled her lower lid and slipped down her cheek. It broke his heart, but he still said nothing. When another tear followed the last until her face was streaked, Talon couldn’t withstand the pull and the power she held over him broke.

  The water glass went tumbling to the floor as Talon gathered Kai into his arms and kissed her as he’d never kissed her before. Her soul soared to the edge of heaven and hovered there while Talon kissed her so tenderly and with unrestrained passion that she nearly burst.

  She finally placed her shaking hand on his bare chest and pushed with what strength she had, which wasn’t much. Talon leaned up on his arms, but didn’t release her; could not let her go now that she was awake. Kailani looked around the room then back at her mate perfectly whole and unmarred. Something didn’t fit. She remembered every last moment. She remembered Kaen cutting him down and she remembered in horrendously slow motion the sword as it dropped towards Talon’s neck…Being here, with him now, in this room mean only one thing, “Talon, are we dead?”

  He chuckled softly before he kissed the tip of her nose in amusement, “No. We were ill for a long time, you longer. I’ve been waiting for you to come back to me, Kai.” He said in a hushed tone, “I knew you’d find you way home.”

  “Where are we?” The surroundings were so foreign and earthy that Kailani could not place what city would boast such artistic design. There were trees growing through the walls and flowering vines that covered the ceiling. One entire wall was opened to the night and overlooked the most incredible valley that was illuminated with thousands upon thousands of fireflies.

  “Welcome to my home. We’re in elven lands and in my personal room,” Kailani weakly raised an eyebrow in surprise and disbelief. “My banishment has been lifted, so that’s one good thing to come out of this tragedy.”

  Kai cleared her throat, as the dry tickle of hunger was becoming annoying, “And there’s more good things that came out of it? Please do tell.” She ached from head to toe and could not envision anything good at the moment.

  “You,” Talon claimed her right hand and peeled it slowly open to display the dazzling tattoo of a dragon on her palm. The detail was exquisite and the design impeccable. He watched the confusion on her face and added, “This is our House symbol. It means that you are officially my bonded and are allowed to stay at my side without objection,” he chuckled at her shock as he placed a very gentle kiss over the tattoo. “My father has granted you full privilege of our lands and you will be shown respect equal to anyone of your status, love.”

  Disbelief didn’t begin to describe what she felt. Horrified shock was better. Kailani knew immediately what that ‘status’ meant and with each word he uttered, her emotions ranged from shock, to horror then to amusement.

  “Oh, no. This is not good.” She turned her face away and bit her lower lip, hiding her smile.

  Talon watched at her reaction confused, so bunched his brow in question before he asked, “I thought you’d be happy. We don’t need to hide anymore; we can live in luxury and I can finally spoil you as I’ve always wanted to do.”

  He heard a sound that he thought was crying but when he turned her face to him, he was met with pure unhindered amusement. This was the funniest thing to her. She was a farmer’s daughter and a vampire. Not a princess!

  “Me! A princess? You’ve got to be kidding me, Talon. Me?”

  It took a moment for the surprise to wear off, but when it did, he couldn’t help but return her warm smile, “Yes, you.”

  She narrowed her eyes in a glare, “I won’t get all dressed up and parade around. I won’t.”

  “You won’t if you don’t want to. I won’t make you,” he laughed, rolling over her body gently so he’d not hurt her. “But will you stay here with me?” He looked down upon her lovely face with burning hope and desire.

  “I go where you are. I always have. Always will.” With that Talon lowered his face and captured her lips in another tender kiss that had her moaning a sound that again had Talon pulling back, “Did I hurt you?”

  Kai shook her head holding back a few more tears, but seemed to remain in control. He saw something in her eyes though that had him hanging his head in shame, “I’m sorry, love. I’m ignoring what you probably need more than your over-attentive mate smothering you.”

  As he rolled off, her hand remained in contact with his perfectly smooth body and trailed around to his abdomen where she allowed her finger to trace the wicked scar that now decorated his center in a ragged line almost all the way across. He let her explore then added when her finger traced the length, “Kaen’s sword was tainted.”

  With extreme care, Talon slowly pulled the wool blanket so it slid slowly down her body exposing her to his eyes. Kailani stared in outrage at the wicked marks that decorated her stomach and ribs, but he traced her slash scars that had just recently healed, with a very light touch. Each one glowed pink screaming new skin, so he was even gentler than she had been on him, “Deandra was warped. You were poisoned far worse than I was.” Vivid images of her lying in the coma reminded him just how close he came to losing her completely.

  Talon leaned down and kissed each mark, one single caress for each wound. “But you survived,” he whispered kissing lower until hovered above her navel. “Tell me to stop at anytime. I don’t want to hurt you in anyway, but,” he rested his face against her stomach and held his breath while he found the will to slow down, “but Kai, I’ve missed you.” When his face lifted and his searing blue eyes bore into her soul, Kailani whimpered for the pain she felt from that look had nothing to do with her injuries.

  “I thought you were dead. For a second time in a week, I thought you were dead.” She was crying again as she tilted her head as her joy at seeing him whole and alive burned through her. Her hunger forgotten, she just could not stop staring at him.

  He ducked his head and planted another kiss on her navel, “So did I,” he smiled against her skin then raised his head. “You will be happy to know that it was Dace who saved us.”

  “I know. I watched him cut down Kaen, but I was so dizzy that I couldn’t tell if he completed that strike. I was convinced he had.”

  Talon carefully rolled away and moved back up to her side where he traced her injuries again. “He didn’t. I’m very much alive and aching for you, my love.” To prove his point, he rolled lightly against her leg in evidence. “You took so long finding your way home.”

  “I felt you while I healed. I wasn’t so far gone that I didn’t know,” her words were choked out through her tears as she finally found the strength to run her fingers through his hair, marveling at how soft it felt.

  “Mm. My father said we are tightly bound, stronger than he’d expect. Because of that, he made the decision he did,” his eyes found hers as she explored his hair, “He is waiting to meet you.”

  A groan interrupted her weeping and caused Talon to chuckle at her angst again. “This is not funny,” she snapped in mock insult, “I really am a horrible princess.
My fangs ruin the image.” She let her incisors extend, baring her teeth with the intent to look scary.

  “Beautiful,” he moaned just before he kissed her, fangs and all, “Not scary.”

  “Hmm.” Kailani wiggled to shift positions and ended up gasping as pain shot out in hundreds of directions stilling her motions immediately.

  Her heart felt like a fist gripped her tight and then shot fire through her veins. Her tiny fist gripped his hair as the pain wracked through her core, disorienting her to the point she nearly passed out. “Kai?” Talon knew better than anyone the agony she was in as her body woke up; remembering how to move. It was like fire as each muscle recalled what they were designed for and screamed in protest at being dormant for so long. “Honey?”

  “What’s wrong? Why does it hurt so badly?” She had clenched her teeth to ride out the pain. Through it all, Talon remained close and waited until the worst of it passed.

  “You are still healing, and it will just take time.”

  Kailani sighed as the discomfort faded to a dull throb and she was once more able to move without causing another explosion of hurting. “That was awful.”

  “I know. What helped me was hot water, so do you want to try a bath?”

  She did her best to smile, but the twinges of ache reminded her not to move too quickly. “Only if you promise not to molest me. I don’t think I’d survive it,” she teased.

  That earned her a kiss on her nose. “I wouldn’t dream of it…well, yes I would, but I won’t tonight,” he winked. “First things first though, I need to find Dace. He demanded to be the first to offer you blood, so make your royal self presentable if you can.”

  He bellowed out a laugh at her glare then found a loose robe that he carefully dressed her in after he found pants. “Now wait here.”

  “Wait a minute. You said Dace. As in Lainey’s Dace?” Kailani wasn’t sure she heard correctly and thought maybe that there was an elf here with a similar name.

  “The very one. It’s another of the good things, Kai. Lainey and Dace have been given limited access so they can visit us from time to time.” Talon clearly saw all this was too much information and Kailani was quickly becoming overwhelmed so paused, “Love, there is plenty of time to bring you current. Right now, you need to eat.”

  She nodded, trying to hold back another flood of tears. Kailani watched as his shirtless body slipped out the door and tried to make sense of everything that was happening from the information Talon told her. She just could not believe that she was here, in elven lands and witnessing the restoration of Talon’s honor. It was just too unbelievable.

  Then her hero walked in the door, wider than any elf and broader in the chest. His shaggy hair still flopped across his forehead and his hazel eyes were alight with joy. Dace Veridan. The man who saved them.

  “Kailani, it warms my heart to see you awake,” Dace didn’t pause at the threshold longer than to make eye contact then rushed to her side and tenderly touched her face. “Lainey has been frantic, so your emergence will be a celebration indeed. I won’t be surprised if she won’t be crashing through that doo—” Lainey threw open the door before he even finished and flew to the bed.

  Her voice cracked and her hand trembled as she reached out and clasped the young vampire’s hand, “Lainey,” she was so overwhelmed. This was too much. Too much.

  “Shh. Talon was a wreck after he woke too. It took a few weeks, so just eat. Take what you need—get strong,” Lainey said softly.

  “You are sharing your mate?” Kailani asked surprised, one eye raised.

  There was a squeeze on her hand then Kailani heard Lainey whisper, “It’s only fitting, since you shared yours.”

  Silver eyes flashed in amused hunger, “Too true.”

  A throat cleared, and both women looked to see Dace patiently waiting with his collar open, “Any day now,” he jested.

  Her musical laugh filtered into the room as she indicated for him to lean down and then her instincts took over. As the warmth of his offering sped through her body, she could not help but think this first meal was the most incredible she had ever tasted.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Days passed, and Kailani gained her strength. Like Talon, it took a while before she could walk very far, but before long and with the assistance of his strong arm, she was able to make it to the garden.

  “All right, so I got here, but how am I supposed to get back?” she asked, dubiously eyeing the long path back to their room.

  “My shoulder,” he patted his body loudly, “Now sit, my father will be here shortly.”

  “Do I have to meet him today? I look awful.” When he looked at her in astonishment, she added, “You know, I’m not very princess like and all.” That got a smile on her handsome mate’s face.

  “He won’t mind your disheveled appearance. Sit,” he ordered again and supervised her doing so. “You look beautiful, Kai, so stop worrying so. He’s been giving you space to recover, so I think he understands.” Talon tucked billowing strands of her chestnut hair behind her ear and smiling at her reassuringly, “Relax.”

  “Talon, it’s not every day you meet your father- in- law who is an elven king, and you are sitting in a garden in the middle of heaven. Allow me some nervousness,” she grumbled to his amusement.

  “Well, he’s been waiting for a long time to meet you, regardless,” Talon replied.

  The sound of chimes blowing in a breeze alerted the two that they had company and they looked up just as three warriors approached and fanned out. Behind them walked Daerwen with a smiling Lainey on his arm and Dace trailing behind at a more respectful distance. Closing the rear of the party were servants that carried trays piled high with pastries, fruit and some unidentifiable dishes that defied her logic.

  Talon’s eyes radiated affection as he watched his father approach, and this didn’t escape the notice from his silver-eyed vampire, “It’s good to see you happy now, Talon,” she commented as he turned to her and smiled.

  “Yes, I guess I am. I didn’t realize how much I missed him until I came home. Now things feel right.”

  “You are radiating that, so I would agree,” she was interrupted then before she could say anything more as Daerwen approached and claimed her hands as she sat on the bench looking up into the most stunning face she had seen next to Talon. It was hard to tell from a far, but close up she could clearly see the resemblance in their eyes—both were warm and bathed her in love.

  “Kailani, it is an honor to finally make your acquaintance,” he dipped his head to kiss her turned palm, letting his lips graze the tattoo.

  She fidgeted in his grasp but didn’t pull away, “The honor is mine, ah,” she struggled with what to call him so he saved her.

  “Daerwen, please call me Daerwen,” he whispered.

  “It is an honor.”

  The light haired elf looked to his son, a small smile on his mouth, “If you will please excuse me son, I wish to speak with Kailani alone,” he motioned to Lainey and Dace, “If you will show them the pond?”

  “Of course,” Talon paused at her shoulder and looked down. “Will you be all right?”

  Kai smiled at his lovely blue eyes. “Yes, I’ll be fine.”

  His father was watching him with a curious expression.“I’ll take care of her.”

  “I know,” he said with a dip of his head, giving her another caring look. He moved off with Lainey and Dace trailing behind arm in arm. Talon led them across a broad expanse of manicured lawn to the pond. There was a long wooden bench that hugged the shoreline where Dace promptly sat down and leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees.

  “Something bothering you?” Talon was perplexed by the man’s nervousness but chose to remain standing.

  Lainey looked away finding something in the bushes to be very fascinating at the mome
nt. That alone piqued Talon’s curiosity, “Is there something wrong?”

  Lainey moaned and shook her head.

  “Dace?” Talon turned to the man and was about to use a coercion when he looked up and startled Talon with the intensity in his hazel eyes.

  “Lainey and I are at odds on a topic I wish to discuss with you,” he finally answered.

  Lainey’s moan of displeasure was clearly heard and that had Talon walking a little closer so he could sit down and face them.

  After a moment, Dace hung his head and locked his fingers behind his neck, “Talon, I, I,” he stumbled and couldn’t find the words. Regardless if he wanted this or not, saying them to Talon was the hardest thing he had had to do.

  Talon waited.

  “Talon,” he began and lifted his head. “You have a family with Kai and Lainey, right?”

  “Well yes, but that includes you too, Dace,” Talon was confused where this was going.

  “For a time yes. But not forever. I,” he paused again, then met his angelic face head on and pinned him with a stared that burned with a hopeful desire, “I want you to convert me. Lainey won’t do it and I can’t ask Kai.”

  The sound of Talon’s exhale was loud as he sent the air out through pursed lips. He sat back and stared between Dace and Lainey and could not find anything to say.

  Dace hung his head again to avoid reading the disappointment me glimpsed in Talon’s eyes. He instead toyed with the grass using the toe of his boot, “Say something.”