Chapter 17
Dra’Kaedan walked down the long, wide hallway of his home with the Reverent Knight at his side. As they got further down the wooden expanse, Dra’Kaedan saw yet another tray of uneaten food outside the door to Lorcan’s room.
“Has he eaten anything since his arrival?” Drystan asked.
“No. It’s been a week. He doesn’t come out of his room at all.”
“He can’t die, but the starvation must hurt like a bitch.”
“I think he’s pretty impervious to pain. The magic bubble surrounding the house? I keep upping the zolt he gets when he tries to leave. It doesn’t seem to make any difference. Every night he’s out there flying into it.”
Drystan let out a sigh and knocked sharply on Lorcan’s door. Dra’Kaedan almost jumped out of his skin a few minutes later when the fallen knight pounded on it with his fist. This time, it seemed they had Lorcan’s attention because he yanked it open and snarled, “What?”
“Lorcan, this is Reverent Knight Drystan Kempe. He’s the leader of the Order of the Fallen Knights,” Dra’Kaedan said with a bright smile.
“Good for him. What do you want?” Lorcan replied without even glancing at Drystan.
“Nice to meet you, Lorcan. I need you to fill out this form so we can give you a Council of Sorcery and Shifters Identification Card,” Drystan said and held the form out for Lorcan to take.
“I’m not filling out any form. I do not want any part of your Council. Go away.”
“Look, it’ll only take you a few minutes. Just fill it out and we’ll leave you alone,” Dra’Kaedan said. He was doing his best to be polite, but Lorcan certainly wasn’t making it easy.
“If I fill out your form, will you release me from this house and your stupid bubble?”
“Yeah, no. Not happening. Sorry. This form will make you an official D’Vaire anyway; you wouldn’t be able to leave without Aleksander’s permission and he’s not going to give it to you until you settle shit with Talfryn.”
“I take back what I said before about it being good you weren’t dead.”
“Lorcan, that’s enough. You can be rude as you want to me, but I’m not going to listen to you insult anyone else,” Talfryn said as he came up behind Dra’Kaedan.
“I don’t want to talk to you,” Lorcan said to Talfryn. Dra’Kaedan decided it would be best if he buttoned his lip and let the pair duke it out.
“Too bad. I’m not going to tolerate much more of your behavior.”
“You have nothing to say about it.”
“Until you kill me or you, I have plenty to say about it. So go ahead. Grab that knife you were so ready to put to my throat when I couldn’t fight back.”
“I told you to go away,” Lorcan said and moved to close the door in their faces. Talfryn reached out and slapped his hand on it preventing Lorcan from shutting it.
“Face it, you can’t kill me. Even if you wanted to do it, it’s impossible.”
“What the hell are you talking about? Get your damn hand off the door. Of course, I can kill you. I will kill you.”
“It’s utterly ridiculous to think you can mortally wound your own mate,” Talfryn said in a bored tone, and Dra’Kaedan inwardly agreed. Magic could be used against your mate, but it took a great deal of power and the results were often weak. He had managed to set Brogan’s pants on fire once, but Brogan was extinguished before any real damage could be done.
“You can’t know that.”
“Try it. Let’s find out,” Talfryn said, his voice straining as Lorcan had begun putting more force behind his attempt to shut his bedroom door.
“I’ve told you, I want you to remember what all you have done. I want you to understand the lives you ruined. I want you—”
“Blah, blah, blah. You’re simply making excuses.”
“I do not fear killing you.”
“I know you don’t. You just don’t want me dead.”
“Bullshit. Why would I not want you dead?”
“Oh, that’s simple. You love me,” Talfryn said before he abruptly let go of the door and it slammed in their faces. Dra’Kaedan heard the distinct thump of some portion of Lorcan’s body smashing into it.
“Well, that was fun,” Drystan said before he leaned down and slid the form under Lorcan’s door.
“Charming, isn’t he?” Talfryn asked.
“He will be once he is happy again,” Drystan replied.
* * *
Lorcan was livid. Twice now Talfryn had the upper hand when they’d conversed. It pissed Lorcan off that Talfryn had gotten the last word both times. He wanted him dead. The man was so wrong-headed, Lorcan thought with a grimace. Yes, he had loved Talfryn once, which was more than he could say for what his mate felt for him. Did his heart race when Talfryn was near? Did he still find him beautiful? Of course, Fate would not allow it to be any other way. That didn’t mean he wouldn’t see to ending his miserable existence.
After all, the alternative would be too much to bear. Without Tally’s death, Lorcan too would have an infinite lifespan. The ghosts of Lorcan’s family, if they could find breath again, would certainly tell him that his demise was a thousand years overdue. It was Lorcan that had led his people to their murders. In the end, it was because Talfryn found him not worthy of love. And while Lorcan could pretend it was all Talfryn’s fault for having a black heart, it was also quite possible he was unworthy of a mate’s affections.
Ignoring the stupid form they wished him to fill out, he sat down on the blanket he was using for a bed and slapped his tangled hair back away from his face. He wanted no part of their Council. All Lorcan wanted to do was end his torment and the pain that went along with it. The recollection of his life before, with Talfryn, was growing sharper with him so close. If he allowed it, those memories could bring him to his knees. The love had seemed so real; if Talfryn had not grown weary of his presence he likely would have been blinded to it being only one-sided until the end of time. Sadly, Lorcan almost wished he was still back there with Tally in his arms.
Chapter 18
Another week passed and Talfryn decided he’d had enough. His stubborn mule of a mate was still not eating. Dra’Kaedan had revealed to him that the fool was still trying to fly through the bubble surrounding their land despite what had to be unbearable pain. It was time to once again confront the lion in his den since Lorcan continued to keep himself isolated from the rest of the D’Vaires.
Talfryn walked up to Lorcan’s room and was surprised to find his mate’s door unlocked. It became clear why once he had it open—the other elf had put up a magical barrier of his own. Being part demon had advantages, Talfryn thought, but it wasn’t going to keep him out, though it might hurt to cross it. He looked around to find Lorcan and saw him lying on the floor with his back to Talfryn. He had a pillow and a blanket and apparently, that was what the idiot was using for a bed. Lorcan had to be asleep because he didn’t immediately jump to his feet and demand that Talfryn leave him alone.
Sucking in a deep breath, Talfryn pushed his body against the magical barrier that separated him from Lorcan. It stung as he touched it, but he wasn’t going to be deterred. He pressed forward and it burned over every nerve ending. Talfryn gritted his teeth against the pain and with a giant lurching step, finally found himself in Lorcan’s bedroom.
He marched right up to his mate and leaned down to poke him in the shoulder before asking him in a near shout, “What the hell are you doing lying on the floor?”
Lorcan let out a roar and then shouted, “Get out!”
“Answer my question. And while you are at it, you can explain why you still stink. You aren’t pissing on the floor, so you have obviously seen the shower.”
The dark-haired elf rolled over to face him and the anger burned in his red and purple eyes. “I do not answer to you.”
“Larissa has made new clothes for you; why aren’t you wearing them? The ones you have on are barely more than rags. You haven’t even combed your hair. It’s
a rat’s nest.”
Lorcan jumped to his feet before repeating, “I do not answer to you.” Then he gave his back to his mate and walked across the room to stare out one of the large windows. Talfryn doubted he could see anything however, he was just trying to put some space between them.
“Get back here. I’m talking to you.”
“I realize that,” Lorcan mumbled but made no move to turn around.
Talfryn crossed the room and once again poked him in the shoulder. “Answer my questions,” he demanded.
“Go away, Talfryn. That should be easy for you. You have practice at it.”
“We aren’t going to have that discussion right now. You aren’t in any frame of mind to listen to what I have to say.”
“I could give a shit less what you have to say about it all these centuries later. Your actions and words have already spoken volumes. Craft all the pretty lies you want. I will not listen.”
“Dammit, Lorcan. Look at me. You don’t have to answer my questions. In fact, I doubt you will, but at least start taking care of yourself.” Talfryn softened his voice as he tried to get Lorcan to listen to reason. It killed him to know that by avoiding food his body was constantly churning with hunger. He would never have imagined a time when Lorcan would refuse to take care of himself, and Talfryn didn’t like it one bit.
Lorcan snorted and turned to face Talfryn. They were nearly the same height, Talfryn being less than an inch shorter. “Why should I do any of those things? I’ll be dead soon anyway.”
Talfryn let out a humorless laugh. “I never took you for a stupid man. Stubborn. Really damn annoying at the moment but not stupid. But your insistence about this whole murder/suicide thing is just plain idiotic.”
Giving his back to Talfryn again, Lorcan took a step closer to the window and kept his gaze outside his bright white room. “I’m no fool. You’re the stupid one if you think I will allow you to live after all you have done.”
“Fine. Let’s settle this now. I’ve lived a long life. Not a happy one but a long one. Go ahead. Kill me,” Talfryn taunted.
Lorcan swung back to face his mate and gave him a murderous glare. “It will be at a time chosen by me. Not you.”
Once again, Talfryn was forced to look at the hate in Lorcan’s purple-red gaze. It still shocked him to see that color staring back at him as did the loathing that was ever-present. He refused to be intimidated and squared his shoulders. “I’m starting to rethink this. You are afraid. I think you’re too damn chicken to even try. You’ve had plenty of chances. Every night I lie in the room next to you. You could easily sneak in and ‘end our torment’ as you put it.” Talfryn used his long fingers to mimic the quotes around his words as he spoke. Then Talfryn was left with no choice but to take a step back when Lorcan suddenly barged into his personal space.
Lorcan’s nostrils flared. “Have it your way. You’re in such a hurry to die? I’ll be happy to oblige you.” He marched across the room and grabbed his tattered knapsack. Reaching into it, he ripped an object from it before tossing the bag back to the floor. Lorcan stalked back over to where Talfryn stood and began to unwrap the object in his hand.
Refusing to give into his desire to take a step back away from the evil intent in Lorcan’s eyes, he dropped his gaze and let out a gasp when the light pouring in through the windows glinted off the large pale amethysts on the blade in Lorcan’s hand. He looked up at Lorcan and could barely force any words through his suddenly dry throat. “You would kill me with our mating athame?”
Lifting the ceremonial knife above his head, Lorcan slowly twirled it and they both watched as the light gleamed off the black and lavender metal and the light-colored gems. Shifting his eyes back to Talfryn, Lorcan lifted the corner of his mouth in a near half smile. “I thought it seemed appropriate. After all, the last time it was used was the day my own life ended though I knew it not at the time.”
Despite the menace radiating off Lorcan, Talfryn lifted his chin in defiance. “My life began that day. I won’t listen to you say anything that would tarnish the moment I became your mate.”
“You won’t have to listen.”
“Oh right. We’re going to die. Get on with it then.” Talfryn narrowed his eyes as he goaded his hostile mate.
Dropping the knife to his side, Lorcan gave him a disgusted look. “Will you shut up? Why must you always have the last word? It was the same when we were together. Even at night, you could not allow us to sleep until you spat out your lie of loving me. More you’d say after I gave you my pledge. It was damn annoying.”
Talfryn’s tone turned sarcastic. “Oh, the cruelty. Having your mate profess his undying love. How you suffered.”
“Do not mock me, mate. I have suffered beyond what you can comprehend.”
“While I lived a life of luxury. Blinded. Filthy. Abused.” He offered Lorcan a glare of his own. “We both suffered, Lorcan.”
His mate’s response was instantaneous. “It was your choice to leave. I would have never known what a liar you are. I would have continued to love you. We could have lived that way forever. But you could no longer abide my touch. You could no longer live a lie. You preferred your blindness.”
“If you truly believe that, you are an idiot.”
“I have already told you to shut up. Nothing you say is honest.”
Talfryn rolled his eyes before lifting them to the sky and muttering, “Fate, help me deal with this crazy man.” Looking back at Lorcan he said in a louder, mocking voice, “Right. Shutting up. Go on. What’s the plan? Going to slit my throat or plunge it into my heart?”
“Talfryn, shut up,” Lorcan bit out.
Chapter 19
Talfryn gave another eye-roll and Lorcan really did see red. He was beyond furious. How dare Talfryn charge in here and demand Lorcan kill him? It wasn’t as if he didn’t have a plan to slay him or that he had any intention of relenting. Lorcan took a step forward and looked at the man he once loved. The wariness in his lavender eyes was rewarding. It was good to see his mate was afraid. Talfryn was responsible for so much pain, it was only fair that his last moments be ones of fear. He lifted the blade that had united them and pressed the tip of it between the laces of Talfryn’s tunic right on the barely glowing black and red sword on his chest that marked him as a chieftain. “You do not deserve to wear the mark of the Acwellan.”
His voice wavered, but Talfryn spoke clearly. “The day I left the Cwylld and became Acwellan was the best of my life.”
“And the worst of mine. My family. My people. They all loved you. They were taken with your fair hair and lavender eyes. So was I. With their great skill, they made you beautiful clothes. Beads to decorate your hair. They gave you the best of themselves. Their bodies were not even burned in proper pyres. I was too busy sitting in a cave wishing for death to take me to see to it. That is the legacy you leave behind.”
Tears welled in Talfryn’s lavender eyes but Lorcan was unmoved. “They deserved better than to see their chieftain mate someone like you. Goodness knows they deserved better than a chieftain like me, but malicious elves destroyed my parents just as you destroyed me. For a thousand years, I have mourned them while you lived with blindness, yes but without any memories of your foul deeds. How dare you say you have suffered? You know nothing of suffering.”
Through tears Talfryn replied, “I would gladly give my life if it meant they could live again.”
“Your life is exactly what you will give. Mine too. Neither one of us deserves another moment of this existence.”
“That’s not true. They loved you, Lorcan. They would have gladly given their lives so you could survive.”
“I would not have them die for me.”
“I know. I know that,” Talfryn began as he wrapped his hand around Lorcan’s on the knife still resting against the sword emblazoned on his fair chest. “But they are gone. I can’t fix that. Know that I would if I could. Our deaths aren’t going to bring them back. It won’t fix anything. And even worse. E
ven worse, my parents and Cadlyr? If we die, no one is going to see that they pay for what they’ve done. Would you truly have the Cwylld still walk this earth while the Acwellan go extinct? You don’t love me, fine. I love you. I always will and I always have. If you need for us to die, that’s fine too, but we need to make the Cwylld pay first.”
Lorcan saw the tears falling down his mate’s face and tried to think rationally. Talfryn’s words were not lost on him; if the two of them died, those disgusting people that had given birth to him would continue to live. Talfryn might have been the one to leave, but it had been the Cwylld that had stormed onto that field of battle with stones that had stolen the magic and lives of the Acwellan. He dropped the athame to his side and watched as Talfryn sucked in a big, stuttering breath.
“Do not get too comfortable with your life. It will still end, but you are right. Your parents and Cadlyr need to pay.”
“I’ll help you. I want vengeance too.”
“I do not want or need your help. I know just where to find them. Without the stones, it will be very easy to kill them.”
“You aren’t doing it without me. They betrayed me. I deserve to get to be a part of any plan to make them pay. You will take me with you.”
“Cease telling me what to do.”
“This is something we have to talk to the D’Vaires about.”
“Why should I care what they think?”
“Because we are D’Vaires now, too.”
Lorcan glared. “You are. I’m not.”
“I really don’t remember you being this annoying. The only reason you aren’t is because you refuse to fill out the damn form. Or eat. Or shower. Did I mention you stink?”
“Get out of my room.”
Vengeance From The Dark (D'Vaire Book 3) Page 11
