by L B Keen
Swallowing, Bird’s eyes squinted, as she stared down at her hands. “I’ve been offered up, along with the blood of my people.” Wanly, she smiled. “It is odd. I had never thought to be sold in this world. I feel that I allowed myself to grow weak and accustomed to nothing more than a dream.”
Talon observed her silently for a long time. The two were parted from those who milled around by only his back. Hearing the band preparing to begin another waltz, he reached out his hand. She turned questioning eyes towards him. “Would you give me the pleasure of this dance, Princess?”
She knew she shouldn’t, as she stared down at his white gloved hand. She knew her mother wouldn’t approve. Yet, as she stared into twinkling burgundy eyes, she felt that no matter her choice, he’d accept her choice. Reaching out, she lightly set her hand in his. His hand was larger and clasped her smaller hand in his. As he drew her forward, her eyes didn’t leave his as they moved towards the dance floor.
Room was made immediately for them, as Talon led them to the center of the floor. He brought her hand to his shoulder and rested his hand on her waist.
In silence, they stared at each other as the music began, a slow and haunting tone that bound them as they turned around the floor. Bird grew more and more enchanted as he led her around the floor. His height fit her, and she felt as he led her around the room that she’d finally found the place where she began.
As he whisked her around the floor, Bird could only let herself be swept away by the dark gaze of the man before her.
***
He didn’t wish the music to stop. As he held her in his arms, he grew more and more enraptured with her. He, the monster, wished to claim this woman in his arms for all eternity. The music wasn’t what jailed them in the ever-turning spins and box step. No, it was her and her opened gaze that absorbed him. As his hand held hers, he imagined they were alone in this magnificent ballroom.
That the loft ceiling reflected only them two. Her body would be bared before him and the long and tight waist under his palm would radiate heat against his palm. As he pulled her excruciatingly closer, and his lips captured hers, they would perform on this floor an ancient dance as he laid her down upon it, his tongue tasting her every part. He would leave no part of her untasted. Her cries would draw him on, as her hands buried themselves in his hair.
Together, they would cum and he would be wrapped in her heat that he prayed burned him alive. As her nails marked him, and their cries of passion became the sweetest of music, that nothing, not even a violin, could compete with.
The gown she now wore would wrap around them, tying them together as they rested in each other’s arms, satiated and full of passion. Then, and only then would he pierce her long graceful neck with his teeth, drinking in her sweetness and life.
***
His eyes were dark as he drew her closer to him. Bird knew she should caution herself against being swallowed by it, but as they spun and spun, she felt herself falling deeper. A part of her craved it; the hidden darkness and yearning in his eyes.
A madness to be sure, but as he drew her closer, she ignored that it was their second turn about the floor and continued as if they were alone in the room. The muttering of those there faded as they continued their mad dance.
Her lips softened and her heart beat faster as her skin heated. He stared at her as if she was his long-lost love, and that there was nothing that would stop him from claiming her.
He had said before he’d known loss. She wondered idly now who he had lost, and if it was memory of said woman that brought such a haunting expression to his eyes now. Bird was stunned by the wealth of jealousy at the thought that the man who held her now had loved someone else.
“I will be leaving in the morrow.”
She jerked her eyes to his face, almost missing a step. Catching herself, Bird swallowed. “You are leaving?” she stuttered, shocked at the immediate feeling of loss she felt. She averted her gaze. “So soon?” she whispered.
He didn’t know whether to feel elated at her clear despondency at his leaving or to feel guilty for the bond he’d created in her for him. “I wish to see you once more, alone, before I leave.”
She brought her gaze up. “Alone?”
He nodded. “At the mines.”
Blinking, Bird searched his face for a hidden motive. Seeing none, she thought of her mother’s warning against him, but Osis had brought the fate of being sold once more, and despite her love for her mother, Bird wished to be free once more of responsibility and duty that was being thrust upon her. Closing her eyes, she gave a short nod. “I will meet you there, before dawn,” she whispered just as the music ended.
The two parted, curtsying and bowing to one another, a secret knowledge passing between them before Bird was swept away by eager suitors.
Talon retreated, leaving her. He would see her before he left. It would be on borrowed time, but he wished for even that much as he headed for the terrace to await the news of his sedan’s arrival.
He leaned against the railing, staring over the desert beyond to the sea, the very sea that would part him from her.
“I did not believe it at first.”
Not expecting anyone else to have left the ball, Talon turned around to see the glowing edge of a cigar. A man stood against the wall, hidden by the night. The lit torches from inside giving no light where he stood.
“Who goes there?” Talon called, narrowing his eyes. Slowly, the man walked forward. His clothing was that of the Egyptians, though he wore no wig. His strong figure was familiar and Talon’s eyes widened as a face he’d never thought to see stepped closer. “Jorin?!” he exclaimed in shocked surprise.
The second prince had changed from the cocksure male of his memory. His pale figure had become warmed by the sun, and his figure had been hardened. He was nearly as broad, if not more so, than Talon. He, unlike Fitzwilliam and Talon, held the dark-brown hair color of his mother. His reddish-gold eyes held a sardonic amusement.
Talon was so taken aback by the second prince’s appearance, he barely was able to defend himself against his sudden attack. Jorin rushed forward, his eyes filled with rage as his hard hand grasped Talon’s throat.
Talon gripped his arm, wincing at the strength of his brother.
“Do you know how I’ve dreamed of this moment?” Jorin said, his teeth gritted and nostrils flared as he lifted Talon. “I’ve fantasized on how I would kill you! Every waking second that I felt the slavers lash against my back, I prayed to live long enough to take your life.”
He tightened his hold on Talon’s throat. He had become harder. The savagery in his gaze was not missed by Talon. Jorin meant to kill him, and as Talon contemplated through his pained gaze, he slowly released his hold on Jorin’s arm.
Confused, Jorin’s eyes narrowed. “Fight me!” he demanded, spitting his words out. “Fight me, brother! Face to face!”
Talon, barely able to shake his head, choked out a few words. “No…Not worth it…” He wasn’t going to fight his brother. In fact, as Talon stared down at Jorin’s angry expression, he felt himself growing weary of having enemies. No one sided with him, no one. Not even his father wished to be by his side simply out of affection.
If he was meant to die here, beyond the ballroom of brightly dressed men and women, out of sight of Bird before she learned of his true identity… Talon felt his strength leave him completely.
Jorin, confused and frustrated at his lack of fight, released him, retreating a few steps back. Hitting the floor hard, Talon choked, trying to inhale precious air. Regaining it, he lifted himself and leaned back against the railing, remaining seated on the floor. He observed Jorin, who stared as if he was the crazy one—which was a strong possibility.
Releasing another cough, he observed the agitated male. “Do you, like all the others, believe I had a hand in your death?”
“Of course!” Jorin shouted, his expression black with fury. “There was no one else who could think of such an evil scheme. I’ve had to endure treatme
nt not worthy for a dog!”
Talon leaned his head back, chuckling. Immediately, Jorin was upon him, hissing. “You laugh at my suffering?”
Talon, nonchalant in the face of his brother’s fury, shook his head. “No, I laugh that you would think I profit anything from your death. No,” he said with a shake of his head. “Dear brother, I gain far more satisfaction in you living in misery. Your death is useless to me. My vengeance sought you to suffer on the plain, not the next.”
“And why should I believe you!” Jorin demanded.
“Because…it is clear who wished you out of the picture, dear brother,” Talon said, his voice mocking. “Did you think you being praised by parliament and being favored by the Haute Ton would gain our father’s approval?” He released another laugh, shaking his head ruefully. “Our father has no intention of letting one of your blood on the throne, now or ever.”
Jorin stared at him in disbelief. “You would have me believe that our father is the one who sentenced me to the life of a slave?”
Talon slowly came to his feet, using the railing as leverage. “You are not required to believe me. Only, you should very well know who your father is. What our family is capable of.”
Loosening his cravat and straightening his coat, Talon feigned interest in removing invisible lint from his shoulder. “I’ve no illusion as to whom our parents are. One could say you are the lucky one, for you’ve spent these last three years out of sight, beyond the reaches of their plotting and scheming.”
Jorin sent him a resentful look. “Oh, yes, I am ever so lucky to have felt whips upon my back and chains upon my wrist and ankles.”
Talon tilted his head, looking over his brother slowly. “And yet, here you stand, at a royal ball, nonetheless. How did you come to be here, Jorin?”
His mouth working, Jorin turned away from Talon. “My master was invited, and so as his personal servant, it only seemed appropriate that I come as well.”
There was a certain air around Jorin when he mentioned his owner that prevented Talon from asking any more questions. He wondered idly if his father had known what his younger brother would experience when he’d plotted Jorin’s disappearance. Jorin had been a confident and intelligent man, but there was a certain wild air to him that even Talon felt slightly intimidated by.
Gathering his thoughts, Talon straightened, lifting his chin. It wouldn’t do for him to continue showing submissive air. His brother had caught him at a bad time. Ordinarily, Talon would have easily fought off Jorin’s attack, but as he’d been feeling maudlin, he’d been ready to throw it all away—revenge and his life.
“So,” Talon spoke up, walking over to his brother’s side, not looking at him. “What is it you want from me, aside from my death?”
Jorin glanced at him darkly. “Want?”
“Yes,” Talon said, turning to face him. “What is it you want from me? Surely, you have more than just death on your list. Wouldn’t it be grand for the famed golden prince to return with the prodigal son?” He smirked, his eyes flashing with amusement. “Your mother wouldn’t be pleased, of course, what with her already giving Fitz her full support. Your return may cause a great unpleasantness.”
“Unpleasantness?” he scoffed. “For you or the royal house?”
“Both,” Talon said, before adding, “but if you wish to return, I will gladly take you back. If anything, it will be amusing to watch Father try to reason your sudden return.”
“Sire…” Both men turned towards the entrance where a servant stood, his head bowed. “The sedan is here for you.”
Talon nodded, waving the servant away. He glanced at Jorin. “My ship will be departing tomorrow evening. If you wish to return to London, you may join me.” With those briskly spoken words, he quickly left the terrace.
Talon hadn’t planned on offering his brother any sort of help, the words leaving his mouth before he’d time to think them over. Still, it was enough that one of them remained in a hell of his own making. Though he still despised the children that carried the blood of the hateful queen, he would much rather fight against them head on rather than by sneaky tactics such as the one’s he’d used before.
He couldn’t explain his change of heart to himself, but it may have stemmed from his desire to seem worthy in a certain female’s eyes.
Chapter Thirteen
Long after the ball had ended, after she’d dismissed her servants for the night, Bird changed her clothes, preparing for her meeting with the prince.
Making sure to leave without awakening any of her lady maids or alerting Dua wasn’t an easy task as the palace guards roamed the passageways, and never grew lax in their inspection of the grounds.
Arriving at the stables, she whistled, calling to Abi, a young man who’d she’d befriended her first week in the palace. He was a tall and wiry youth who eagerly took her silver, though he gave a worried look. “Princess, are you sure you should be leaving without Dua or Fi?”
She smiled, mounting the horse he’d prepared for her. A tall Arabian, who was known for its gentle nature. “Do not worry, I will be back before either know I’ve gone.” Leaning down, she pressed her lips to his cheek. “If I do not return before the first crow, then you may alert them to my absence.”
With that, she clicked her tongue, maneuvering the horse forward.
It didn’t take her long to reach the high caverns, which led to the mines. She felt anxious. For a mere moment, she questioned what she was doing. Would she truly meet the prince, alone? As she drew closer, she began to doubt her decision. What if his invite had been a hoax, a mere passing thought that he soon forgot once he was on his ship back home.
Slowly, her anxious thoughts grew. As soon as she broke through the entranceway, they were laid to rest.
The prince stood, leaning his back against the wall of the cave, only in shirt-sleeves. He didn’t notice her at first for his eyes were on his boots. His brow furrowed as if in deep thought. She kicked her horse’s side so it moved at a quicker pace.
Hearing something, Talon lifted his gaze from the toes of his hessians to see Bird riding towards him. Nearing him, she stopped her horse and dismounted without his help. Unlike the times before, she wore no scarf and no layers upon layers of robes. Instead, she was in a simple white gown that was loose and reached her bare feet.
He blinked. She wore no shoes.
Noticing where his gaze was pointed, she shifted her gown to cover her feet, laughing nervously. “It is a habit I’ve yet to grow out of,” she said. Grabbing the reigns of her horse, she smiled. “At one point in my life, I would have begged to wear them, and now…I always seem to forget to put them on.”
Meeting her soft gaze, he felt something shift within him. “I wasn’t sure you’d come.”
“I wasn’t sure I would either,” Bird admitted, before walking past him, leading her horse over to the post. Tying it there securely, she turned around, facing Talon. “It would be detrimental to my reputation if we were caught alone.”
“Then why did you come?” Talon asked, moving to her side, his eyes delving into her own. “You cannot trust that my intentions are pure.”
She shrugged, a wistful smile coming to her lips. “Maybe I hoped your intentions were of the un-pure kind.” She extended her hand out to him. “Come. You wished to see Ilia, did you not?”
Not saying anything, he took her hand, allowing her to lead him towards the entrance. Just like before, a door appeared from thin air, and as before, she led him into the dark cavern. This time, she didn’t light the way, as she led him onwards to the main chamber.
Entering it, they walked hand in hand. Down below, the air wasn’t as cold as it was outside of the mine. Releasing his hand, she finally faced him when they stopped on the landing. She walked further towards the edge of the lapping water, her eyes focused on the statue. “I’ve been told that I will be obligated to announce the one I wish to marry on the morrow.”
Her back was to him, so she didn’t see the stricken
look that came to Talon’s face.
“My mother has said that my initiation will be postponed till then.” Lifting her hand, Bird rolled her wrist and a light slowly grew above it, a fluttering blue flame. Talon’s eyes widened at such a show of magic. “It seems that nothing I desired will come to fruition.” She closed her palm, punctuating her words with the sudden darkness which surrounded them. The only light left, a dark and purplish glow that came from the pond before them.
She turned around, only to stop short when she found Talon right behind her. She had forgotten for a mere moment that she was not alone.
His gaze searched her face. “Is that all you desired? Freedom, and to become a priestess like your mother? Is that all you wished for?”
Her heart echoed in her ears as she could smell his dizzying scent of earth and iron. She dropped her gaze to his lips, a slow hunger growing within her. Scared at her own desires, she whispered, “No, that is not all.”
Reaching out, Talon let his fingers trace her cheek, the feather light touch causing her to shiver. “What else is it you desire?”
Bird closed her eyes as he cupped her cheek in his hand. How could his simple touch have such an effect upon her? Reopening her eyes, she met his gaze boldly. “You, I desire you.”
The rush of need and hunger that arose was barely controllable, but Talon refused to give in to them so easily. Instead, he asked her, “Do you know what it is you are asking of me? If you give yourself to me, there will be no other. You would belong only to me.” He leaned in closer, pressing his forehead against hers. Closing his eyes, he spoke, his voice taut. “I am not a kind man. You would be giving yourself to a monster. My sins are not easily forgiven.”
Bird brushed a hand along his arm. “Then here and now, I absolve them.” He drew back, staring into her eyes, seeing only understanding and sympathy. “No matter your sins, I gladly welcome your touch.”
He should have resisted, he should have moved away from her and her innocence. Instead, like the very monster he proclaimed himself to be, he took advantage of her loss of memory and took her lips with his own.
