Born of Defiance

“I just received word from Commander ezul Nykyrian himself. Any prisoner or prisoners who defeat or kill Talyn Batur will be instantly released.”


Talyn’s stomach hit the dirt as he heard those words. Words that sucked out every bit of camaraderie from his fellow inmates. He looked to Maren, who gave him a sad smile.

“Sorry, champ. We’d kill our own mothers to get out of here.”

Talyn cursed as he mentally calculated the number of males around him.

It was bad. But not as bad as the number of males he knew were here beyond them that he couldn’t see.

So this is how I die.

Just like he’d lived every day since he’d been forced out of his mother’s womb.

Fighting with everything he had.





Chapter 13





“L

ena? Is something wrong?”

Galene blinked at the tizirah’s unexpected question. She’d thought Cairistiona was still sleeping. But she was awake in bed and frowning at her.

“Forgive me, Highness. I didn’t hear what you asked.”

“You look upset and worried. Is something wrong?”

She smiled at the tizirah and shook her head as she slid her link back into her uniform pocket. “I’m fine.”

“Don’t lie to me. We’re alone, and you’re the only friend I have. The only one who believes that my baby is still alive.” Cairistiona held her hand out toward Galene.

Taking it, Galene allowed Cairie to pull her down beside her. The tizirah laced fingers with her and sighed before she closed her eyes.

Unsure if the tizirah was lucid or not, Galene bit her lip as she saw her future. Cairistiona had been one of the most capable military commanders in Andarion history. Fierce. Confident.

Against tradition, Cairistiona had boldly and defiantly taken a human tiziran as her lover. Because Aros was an heir to an empire every bit as powerful and vast as theirs, Cairie had known from the beginning that they could never marry. Even so, she’d birthed twins for the man she loved.

Two boys.

Ironically, the twin who was named for his human father – Jullien – had looked the most Andarion, and her son who’d appeared the most human had been named for Cairie’s father’s paternal lineage, Nykyrian. Pictures of both boys hung all over the walls of her bedroom. But it was Nykyrian’s photo the princess slept with. His stuffed toy that she kept in her bed with her at all times.

Against every reason, Cairie swore he was still alive. Even though his body had been identified and buried. She refused to believe it.

Maybe it was easier that way.

“Aros called last night,” Cairie whispered. “Did I tell you that?”

“No, Highness.”

Aros Jullien Triosan was the human father of Cairie’s sons. He’d tried to marry her many times over the years, but neither Cairie’s mother nor his government would approve the alliance. His government out of fear of an insane Andarion female sitting on one of their thrones, and the Andarion tadara out of fear that Cairie would wake from her stupor and take the throne that was her birthright.

The tizirah clutched Galene’s hand tighter. “He’s being pressed by his senate to name another heir. The humans don’t trust my Jullien.” She opened her eyes to look up at Galene. “Do you trust him?”

“He’s a fine boy, Highness.”

She laughed. “You’re lying. I’m not asking the military commander for her opinion. I want to hear from my friend who played with him when he was a boy.”

Galene glanced around the room. In truth, she hated Jullien and always had. Obnoxious and cruel, he had relentlessly picked on her when she’d been a girl. It was why she’d spent her time at the palace with Tahrs Nykyrian. He’d been a sweet, quiet boy who reminded her a lot of Talyn.

But that was something she could never tell the tizirah who’d birthed them. “Your friend is afraid that we’re not alone here and she doesn’t want to see you drugged more.”

Cairie nodded and blinked slowly. “They’re afraid of me.”

“Who?”

“My mother. She’s afraid I’ll depose her. It’s why she drugs me. But I don’t want the throne that makes my family so vicious. It killed all my brothers and sisters. Except for Tylie, who doesn’t want it either.” Cairie pulled Nykyrian’s toy to her chest. “Why are you so sad, Lena?”

“I haven’t heard from my son.”

Cairie gasped. “Where is he?”

“With yours.”

She relaxed instantly. “Then he’s fine. Jullien knows to take care of what I love, and I love you. I always have. Therefore I love your son, too.”

“And I love you, Highness.”

Smiling, Cairie snuggled closer to the toy. “I shall call Jullien tonight and tell him to have your Talyn contact you.”

“Thank you, Highness. I would be forever grateful.”

Cairie lifted her head and listened. “Nykyrian?” she called. “Is that you, keramon?” She started to leave the bed, but Galene caught her.