Born of Defiance

Nodding, Galene sat down on the bed beside her to inspect her cheek and lip. “I know. I was struck once in training and my eye watered for days.” She cupped Felicia’s chin in her hand and tilted her head back very gently. “I’m so sorry about this.”


“It wasn’t your fault.”

“I somehow feel like it is.”

“Don’t, Commander. I’ll be much more vigilant in the future. No more texting while I walk.”

Galene patted her hand. “Have you told your brother?”

“Not yet.” She cut her gaze toward Talyn. “I figured one highly irate male filled with bloodlust was all I could handle tonight. Like you, Lorens would head straight over, and then I have a bad feeling the two of them would team up and go looking for a head to bust.”

Galene laughed.

Talyn, not so much. “He needs to be found and taken out of the gene pool.”

Felicia gestured at him. “See.”

Completely unrepentant, he crossed his arms over his chest. “My job is to protect the females who are important to me. I’m not my father. I don’t walk away from my responsibilities.”

“You shouldn’t blame your father for that, Talyn. He didn’t know I was pregnant when he left me. That is solely on me for bad judgment. Had he known, he wouldn’t have left.”

Talyn let out a derisive scoff.

“Why didn’t you tell him?” Felicia asked Galene.

“I didn’t want him to stay out of obligation. That would have been wrong. As stupid as it sounds, I wanted him with me because he loved me. That is where I was selfish. If I could go back, if I’d only known then how hard that decision would make Talyn’s life, I’d have told him and just dealt with it. But I was a stupid kid who thought that things would work out differently. That somehow magic fairies would swoop in and make it all wonderful and fun. I had no idea just how mean-spirited and cruel Andarions could be. Never mind my own family.”

Talyn touched his mother’s shoulder. “You did what you thought was best.”

“For me.” Closing her eyes, Galene moved his hand to her cheek. “I’m so sorry for what I’ve done to you. I wish I could change that day and my reaction.”

“Matarra, don’t. It’s been my honor to be your son. Regardless of assholes.”

Felicia wasn’t sure which of them was crying harder. Her or his mother. Galene pulled Talyn into her arms. “No mother has ever borne a better son.” She kissed his cheek.

As Talyn pulled back, the intercom buzzed. Excusing himself, he went to answer it.

No sooner had he left the room than Galene’s link buzzed, too.

Suddenly afraid, Felicia swallowed. “Is there something wrong? Are we under attack?”

Galene scowled even more deeply as she met her gaze. “Talyn’s signed up for four blood title matches? Is he out of his mind?”

Felicia sputtered, unsure of what to say.

“I’ll kill him!” Furious, Galene got up to go after him.

Suddenly terrified for Talyn should his mother get her hands on him, Felicia followed and drew up short as an older couple entered the foyer to meet Talyn, who was waiting for them.

She exchanged a confused frown with Galene as she belted her robe over her nightgown.

Solemn and respectful, Talyn inclined his head to the couple.

The elder male appeared as baffled as they were. His disbelieving gaze danced over Talyn. “Major Batur?”

“Was. I’m now Lieutenant Batur.”

The fury in the older male’s eyes was tangible. “Because of what you did for our daughter?”

“For many reasons.”

The female looked past his shoulder. “Your mother and female?”

Talyn stepped back. “Yes. Deputy Commander Galene of the Winged Blood Clan of Batur and Ger Tarra Felicia… this is Pyra and Selahan of the Fighting Blood Clan of Altaan.”

Felicia choked up as he gave her the highest honor by claiming her as his true lady.

Pyra smiled as tears filled her eyes. Covering her heart, she bowed her head to them. “It is my greatest honor to meet you both, and especially you, Commander. I commend you on your noble and honorable son. He is a light to our race.”

“Indeed,” Selahan agreed. “He is a credit to you both.”

Her hand shaking, Pyra pulled out a set of prayer beads that held a small Asukarian emblem on the end of them. “I don’t know if you’re Yllam Orthodox or not —”

“I am,” Talyn breathed.

She smiled as a tear slid down her cheek. “These were my Berra’s. They belonged to her grandmother who gave them to her as a Confirmation gift. It would be our eternal honor to hand them over for your child, one day.”

“Ger Tarra, I can’t take a piece of your family history.”

She pressed them into his hand. “Please. I know what you did for my precious daughter. How hard you fought to keep her safe. Had it not been for you and your friends, we would have never known what happened to her. Never had her body to send her on her way to eternity. She would want you to have these so that she can always watch over and protect what you love.”

In true Andarion fashion, Talyn cupped her hands with his and inclined his head to her – a gesture of supreme respect and appreciation. “I shall treasure them always.”