Born of Defiance

Or marrying into a family with a matriarch who’d treat her and her mother like sub-sentient creatures – because Felicia was bastard-born.

Her mother had kindly offered to take out loans for her. But Felicia had refused. Her mother’s health had been ailing these last few years, and she didn’t want to stress her mother any more. Nor force her mother into the indignity of being scrutinized by a loaner or marriage broker. Her mother had suffered enough indignities in her life.

Indignities Felicia hadn’t fully comprehended until her own training had given her a whole new respect for what her mother had been put through because of her father.

Her mother must have been out of her mind as a young Andarion.

Felicia still cringed every time she remembered the humiliating inspection and certification process her agency had insisted on before they’d even list her profile on their site. It’d been a solid year before they’d offered her up for “adoption.”

As bad as her training had been, it was nothing compared to the rude, insufferable males she’d interviewed with, who’d wanted a young companion they could parade around like some show dog on a leash.

Worse, her time to pick a patron had been running out. Had Talyn waited one more day to call for a meeting, she’d have been forced to accept Lord Arux’s offer. She cringed at the mere thought. He’d refused 80 percent of her requests and had been completely unreasonable and offensively rude.

Grateful it hadn’t come to that, she swept her gaze around her meager belongings. Two days? It wouldn’t take her two hours to pack her things.

But in two days, everything about her life would change.

Everything.

She shivered as that reality went through her. The only thing of value she owned was her virginity. Once it was gone, so was any negotiating power she currently had.

Closing her eyes, she prayed that she’d made the right decision. If Talyn was lying to her, she would be no better off than her mother had been.

Yes, she had a six-month probation period with him. But once they slept together, she’d be downgraded to a used whore.

And since he had no paternal bloodline or social standing, she wouldn’t even be able to use that as a way of upping her value.

She would be ruined in the eyes of their society.

God, what have I done?

“So… did you turn him down or agree to adoption?”

Felicia turned at the sound of Glycie’s voice in her doorway. Tall, well stacked, and gorgeous, Glycie always made her feel like an ugly slug in comparison. They’d gone through several classes together, and had both been listed for adoption on the same day. While Felicia had had a few interviews since being listed, Glycie had a staggering amount of males to choose from. So many that the agency had given her extra time to pick the richest one, with the best offer.

“I signed.”

Glycie gasped, then hugged Felicia while giggling with excitement. “Oh, congratulations, sweetie! How was he?”

“Respectful and young.”

Eyes wide, Glycie shouted the good news down the hallway for the others to hear. It was something they always did whenever a companion was adopted by a patron.

Fresca tsked as she came into the room with a slow, sauntering walk. While she was every bit as beautiful as Glycie, she was an utter condescending bitch.

To everyone.

Rumors said that it was what kept her from being in the top tier of companion prospects… which only made her all the more bitter and biting. “Please tell me you didn’t contract with the animal that just left here.”

Felicia frowned at her hostility. “Why would you say that about him?”

Rolling her eyes, she stared at Felicia as if she was mentally defective. “Even you can’t be so stupid as to not know whom he is.”

Insulted by her snide tone, Felicia stiffened. “He’s a major in the armada.”

“And he’s been the Open league Zoftiq champ for years now. He’s killed I don’t know how many males in the Ring. Brutally.” Her white eyes turned even darker and angrier. “When they allowed that ruthless bastard to fight in the Vested league, which they should have never done, he left my cousin with a permanent limp, limited use of his arm, and almost killed him. My cousin said he was like a rabid dog, unleashed. All the years he’s fought, he’s never seen a worse animal. There’s no fighter more feared in the Ring than Talyn Batur. And you signed with him? Are you insane?”

“She’s right,” Rynara agreed as she joined them. “I was his first choice for companion, but I wouldn’t even meet with him. Turned him down flat as soon as I saw his name. Last thing I want is to be in a room with someone so violent and cold-blooded. Never mind at his complete and utter mercy. Just the thought of it gives me chills.” She shivered to further illustrate her point.