Born of Defiance

Talyn shrugged it aside. “We make our own realities. See what we want to see.”


Lorens shook his head. “Given the blood flowing in your veins… I pity the morons about to unknowingly walk into the Ring with you. Nothing in this universe is deadlier than a War Hauk protecting their own.”

“Yes, there is. A Winged Batur out for blood.”

Saren clapped him on the shoulder. “It is my honor to have you as part of our family.”

But Talyn could never be legally tied to their lineage, and they all knew it. Still, it was enough that her father accepted him. It was much more than Talyn had ever expected from either of them.

He put the contact back in. “Thank you, mu aseseran. Now if you’ll excuse me… I have to go grovel to your daughter and make amends.”

Saren laughed. “Your mother taught you well, boy.”



Felicia wiped at her tears as Talyn sheepishly entered the bedroom. He approached the bed slowly.

The moment he saw her tears, he sat down and pulled her into his arms. “I’m sorry, Felicia.”

“Then don’t fight. It’s not worth it.”

“If I don’t fight them, I lose everything. Even you.”

She scowled at him. “What are you talking about?”

“You didn’t read the challenge, mia. Merrell has named your contract as his prize if I bow out or lose. While I might be able to get out of Chrisen’s challenge, I can’t legally dodge Merrell’s. Not without losing you in the process.”

Sick to her stomach, she cupped his cheek. “What is Jullien’s challenge?”

“My life or freedom. His choice.”

She sobbed. “I did this! Oh gods! Why did I challenge them? I was trying to protect you and instead…”

“Shh,” he breathed against her hair. “You stood up for me, Felicia. Publicly. Never apologize for that.” He removed his contacts before he kissed away her tears.

“You should hate me for this.”

His eyes darkened as he slid his hand beneath the hem of her shirt. “I could never hate you. Your smile and the taste of your lips are what I live for.”

Felicia choked on a sob as he kissed her breathless. How could he be so understanding? She wanted to kick her own butt for doing this to him. “I love you so much, Talyn.”

Smiling down at her, he slid her panties off then pushed her skirt up so that she was bared to his hungry gaze. “I love you, couriana. I always will.”

He nudged her thighs apart so that he could taste her. Gasping, she laid her hand against his cheek as he tormented her with pleasure and drove all her anger away. As he licked and teased, she lost herself to the sensation of his tongue and lips. And when she came, she cried out in pleasure.

His breathing ragged, Talyn entered her and drove her orgasm even higher and made it more fierce as he thrust against her with hard, furious strokes. Cupping his cheek, she stared into his eyes to watch as he lost himself to his own pleasure. In that moment, she wanted to be his wife so badly, it burned like a bitter ache inside her. More than that, she wanted his children. To be able to scream out to the universe that he was hers alone. It wasn’t right that she couldn’t claim him the way she needed to.

But in her heart, she knew the truth. She would always be his. No one else would ever make her feel the way he did whenever he held her.

In his eyes, she was beautiful.

She clasped him to her, then frowned as she realized he was still mostly dressed. “Oh my God, Talyn! You’re still wearing your boots and pants? Really?”

He bit his lip in that adorable way that was uniquely his as color darkened his cheeks. “You didn’t seem to notice. Besides, you’re still wearing your clothes.”

Laughing, she nipped his chin. Then more horror consumed her as she realized something else. “My father and brother are right outside! How am I supposed to face them after this?”

“I don’t know why you’re freaking out when I’m the one they’re likely to shoot. Or geld.”

She laughed again until there was a sharp knock on the door. Stark cold terror and embarrassment filled her entire body. Had they heard them?

“Talyn?”

They both cringed at the sound of Lorens’s voice. Talyn slid from the bed and pulled his pants up, then fastened them while Felicia quickly straightened her clothes and the bedcovers.

With a sheepish look at her, Talyn cracked open the door. “Yeah?”

“We have a massive problem. Someone just made an attempt on the tadara’s life and they’re blaming you for it.”

“What?”