Born of Defiance

He was damned.

And he had no doubt she would be the angel of death that delivered the killing blow to his worthless heart.





Chapter 11





F

elicia smoothed the collar of Talyn’s black shirt down. His mother had returned to her post yesterday, and it’d been the two of them alone ever since. Something she’d enjoyed a lot more than she should have.

“Remember, I’m having the dinner here, so that as soon as you’re sick of my brother, all you have to do is say you don’t feel well and I’ll eject him from the condo.”

Talyn laughed at her. “The way you say that tells me you want me to feel sick before dinner is even served.”

She wrinkled her nose at his perceptiveness. “He’s always been a bit of a booger with me. I’m hoping he’ll be on good behavior. If he’s not? I might be the one who starts feeling ill.”

He kissed her brow. “One frown and I’ll toss him out myself.”

The building intercom buzzed. Felicia stepped away to tell security that it was fine for her brother and nephews to come up.

Talyn took a minute to finish dressing. In all honesty, he dreaded this. He’d seldom had a decent encounter with other Andarions. And he’d meant what he told Felicia – if her brother said one thoughtless or mean thing to her, he would toss him out on his ass faster than the male could blink.

Taking a deep breath for courage, he pulled his jacket on and went to join them.

Her brother and his two teenage sons were stepping out of the lift.

Felicia gasped at the sight of the kids. One was average Andarion height… which reached Talyn’s shoulder. His younger brother was an inch or two shorter. Handsome and lean, both had black braided hair that told Talyn the teens were considered adults in their world, and eligible for marriage.

The fact that Felicia didn’t hug or touch them was a big clue as to how they normally treated her – like she wasn’t family or friend. And that seriously pissed him off. How dare they disregard her so. She was worth more than the rest of the Andarion race combined.

With an apprehension that didn’t help his mood, she stopped in front of them with her hands primly folded in front of her. “Wow! You two have really grown. Look at you, Brach. I think you’ve grown a foot since I last saw you. And you, Gavarian. You look like you’re about ready to join the armada with your paka.”

His hands folded behind his back, Gavarian blushed. “I start my service next fall.”

Talyn froze as he realized why her brother was so familiar to him. And why he had the bearing of a staunch military official.

Minsid hell…

Yes, his usual bad luck was holding fast. No wonder Felicia hadn’t bothered telling him her brother’s full name. Talyn would have balked over this disaster.

“Commander ezul Terronova.” Talyn gave her brother a sharp salute. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, sir. Welcome to my home.”

With a bright smile, he waved Talyn’s salute off. “None of that. We’re not in uniform here, Major. Just having a nice dinner with family.” He held his hand out to him. “Call me Lorens.”

Talyn hesitated before he reached out and shook it. “Pleased to meet you, sir.”

Laughing as he stepped back, Lorens passed an amused look to Felicia. “He can’t help it, can he?”

Her face lighting into a beautiful smile, she shook her head. “He’s always very proper.”

Talyn fell into a relaxed military pose similar to Gavarian’s. “Sorry. My mother beat me down when I was young over my manners.” He turned toward her nephews, who were eyeing him with a mixture of fear and awe. “Which of you is the birthday boy?”

The older one, Gavarian, stepped forward. “That would be me. I’m turning eighteen.”

“Happy birthday.”

“Thanks.”

Brach smiled so wide, he exposed his fangs. “Mine was last month. My paka took me on my Endurance. Did your paka take you for yours?”

Talyn cringed at the most natural assumption. “I went with my matarra.”

Brach made a face at the mere thought. “For real? What did you do with your mom?”

“Got grounded for a year over my actions during the climb, ate more vegetables than the gods ever intended Andarions to eat, and had to do all the dishes. Definitely a lesson in Endurance… in more ways than one.”

They all laughed.

Felicia gestured toward the dining room. “And speaking of vegetables, everything is ready. I’m sure you boys are hungry.”

“We’re always hungry, Felicia,” Brach said as he skipped toward the table.

Lorens snorted. “We’re going broke on the food bill. Either of you know someone willing to pay a fair price for a healthy Andarion teen?”