Born of Defiance

A group of soldiers started forward in the crowd, but were stopped by Sentella members who emerged to form a barricade and protect her.

Felicia adjusted her mic. “Before you arrest me and drag me off into banishment as you’ve done so many other innocent Andarion citizens whose only crime was breathing, I want Andarions, and the rest of the Nine Worlds, to know the truth about our ruling lineage. I am not a rebel. I’m a mere college student who’s studying pediatric and physical medicine at North Eris. I never asked to be a tool for certain members of the royal family to use to cripple an Andarion warrior as noble and honorable as Talyn Batur. I didn’t believe what I thought were the lies spun by those who hated our government and tadara. This is not the Scythian Age. Or the time of Justicale Cruel. Who in their right mind would believe such crimes could happen in this day and age? I didn’t want to believe that Merrell Anatole killed my brother to marry his wife. Or that his brother raped my sister and then forced her to sign a nondisclosure or be killed for it. Nor that Chrisen Anatole would try to kidnap me in broad daylight, outside my own home – just to strike at Talyn for a grudge he holds against Talyn’s parents. Those things happen on human worlds. They don’t happen here. Not to our race.”

She pressed her link again. This time, it was Merrell and Chrisen blatantly discussing their crimes and laughing over them. Anger rose up from the reporters.

Felicia nodded. “It’s in their own voices. Check your inboxes. Each one of you has a copy of these recordings, and more that have been unencrypted and delivered to your e-mails, and to every news agency in the Ichidian Universe, as well as that of The League prime commander. It is time for these criminals to be held accountable for the atrocities they’ve committed against their family and us! Are we cowed humans to be terrified of standing up to such tyranny? Or are we not the same warrior race that birthed a family of thirteen brave males and females who, united by blood and determination, held back an invading army to protect our brethren?”

A cheer of support went through the crowd.

Felicia struck her heart with her fist and raised Talyn’s Warsword high – the Andarion sign of honor, and a challenge to enemies. “Andaria forever! I know Chrisen Anatole went to school with humans, but it’s time our royal family member is reminded that he is supposed to be one of us! Not one of them. Get in the Ring, Anatole. Be the Andarion you claim to be! Set Talyn free! Death to all tyranny!”

The crowd began chanting the words with her.

Talyn stared with total incredulity. Proud and awed, he couldn’t believe that Felicia would do something like this for him. Why would she risk her life and future?

If that wasn’t shocking enough, the guard opened the door to his cell and stepped back to make room.

Unsure whether or not this was a trap, Talyn hesitated and eyed the guard.

A tic worked in the guard’s jaw. “Those cowardly bastards have issued a League contract out on your female’s life. We have two of our own and Sentella with her, but we know you want to protect her yourself. Like the decent Andarion you are. Good luck, Hammer. Gods travel with you. Get him in the Ring and feed him his teeth.” He saluted Talyn.

His mother met his shocked gaze. “I have a transport waiting.”



Felicia chewed her nail as her father and brother paced the living room, yelling at her for what she’d done with the media.

Her father glared at her with his white eyes. “You should have cleared this with me. What were you thinking?”

She lifted her chin proudly. “That I’d had enough of Talyn being punished for nothing.”

Morra’s green cheeks darkened. “Sorry, my lord. I didn’t realize when I showed Felicia the files we unencrypted that she’d run off half-cocked to the media. She seems so laid-back and sweet. Innocent, even. Who knew she was a sleeping lorina?”

“I could have warned you,” her father scoffed. “She’s her mother’s daughter.”

Felicia opened her mouth to remind her father that he liked that about her mother, when all of a sudden, the elevator pinged. Expecting it to be another attack, she spun, ready to fight.

It was Talyn and his mother. With a happy shriek, Felicia bolted off the sofa to assault him.

Talyn let out a slight groan as Felicia literally launched herself into his arms and wrapped her body around his. He staggered back at the unexpected reaction as she rained kisses over his face. Closing his eyes, he savored the sensation of holding her. Of feeling her body pressed flush to his.

Until she pulled back and saw the bruises. She gasped before she gently fingered them. “What happened?”

“Nothing, but I am seriously pissed at you.”

“For?”

“Putting yourself in danger. What were you thinking?”