Born of Defiance

“No need, Ger Tarra.” The nurse jerked her chin toward the door. “We already have a list of volunteers, with more calling in even as we speak.”


Dumbfounded, Felicia gaped at the sight of thirty-five Andarion soldiers in the waiting room who’d followed the medics in. And as her gaze swept them, they offered a salute. At first she assumed it was for her brother, until one of the soldiers came forward and removed his helmet.

He bowed before her. “It is an honor to meet the commander’s female. If you need anything, Ger Tarra, let us know.”

Scowling, she glanced at Lorens. “I don’t understand.”

The soldier straightened. He glanced at the others before he spoke. “Before we moved in, the commander, who has more reason than any to want to brutalize the entire royal family, secured their innocents without conflict. Then after he was assaulted by a coward, he held the knife in his side to keep the rest of us from being harmed. Commander Batur is the most honorable Andarion I’ve ever served under. We are here to guard both of you with our lives.”

A tear slid down her cheek. “Thank you, Colonel…”

“Verrus.”

“Verrus. It is my honor to meet you.”

He gave both her and Lorens a salute before he took up post at the OR doors.

This time, Felicia didn’t have to wait long before a frazzled orderly came rushing through the doors.

“Is there a Tara Felicia here?”

Felicia sighed as she realized what must have happened. She rose and went to him. “I’m Felicia.”

“Are you squeamish?”

“No. I’m a med student.”

“Thank the gods. You’ve got to do something with your male! He’s impossible.”

She suppressed a smile as she followed the female through the doors, down the hallway, and to the table where the doctor was attempting to treat Talyn while he cursed them for it. She heard him long before she saw him.

“Keramon?” Felicia chided in a patient tone. “What are you doing?” She moved to stand by his side.

“Tell them to stitch the damn wound and give me Prinum!”

Felicia narrowed her eyes at him before she glanced to the images on the monitors of his injuries. She looked over to the doctor. “Are those Talyn’s?”

“Yes. As you can see, he has a lot of tissue damage —”

“Stitch the damned thing closed! Now!”

She tsked at Talyn’s shout. “Are you a doctor?” she asked him like a mother to an angry toddler.

“No,” he said sullenly.

She met the gaze of the anesthesiologist. “What all have you given him?”

“Enough to choke a rhino. I can’t believe he’s still conscious.”

When she looked at Talyn, she saw the raw determination in his gaze.

“I need to be on my feet, Felicia… please.”

She stroked his whiskered cheek. There was no missing the feral determination in his gaze.

Finally, she relented. “Give him Prinum and stitch the wound.”

The doctor sneered at her. “You’re a student —”

“Who knows your patient. Trust me, Doctor. If you don’t do what he wants, when he wakes – and he will – you won’t be happy. The Iron Hammer is an Andarion with a steel will and terrifying temper. The Prinum will heal him.”

Growling in anger, he obeyed.

Felicia teasingly touched the tip of Talyn’s nose. “Now play nice and don’t bite the doctor.” As she started to leave, the doctor’s voice stopped her.

“Don’t you dare step one foot outside this room until I’m done with him. You’re the only one he listens to.”

She snorted at that. “He doesn’t listen to me, either. If he did, he wouldn’t have been hurt.”

Talyn reached out for her.

She took his hand and kissed his open palm. “You really are more trouble than you’re worth.”

He ignored her playful chastisement. “Did you call my mom?”

“No. I figured you only needed one female yelling at you at a time.”

“Thank you.” He grimaced as the doctor began stitching his wound.

Felicia sucked her breath in sharply. “Please tell me you took a local.”

“He refused it,” the doctor mumbled. “Apparently, he likes pain.”

She sighed heavily. “What am I going to do with you?”

“Keep loving me… I hope.” He held such a sweet, vulnerable look in his eyes that she had to smile.

“Always that.”

His grip tightened on her hand.

“I wish you’d take something.”

Talyn shook his head. “So long as Eriadne and Jullien are on the run, you, my mother, and your family are in danger. I will not lie in a bed and sleep until I know you’re all safe from harm.”

The doctor gentled his touch. “Is that why you’ve been so difficult?”

Talyn nodded.

The doctor glanced over to his assisting nurse. “Give him thirty RTs of Strisassin.”

“What is that?” Talyn growled.