Born of Defiance

He winced. “Felicia, I can’t give you anything.”


Biting her lip, she searched for the words to make him understand that in this universe that hated him for things he couldn’t help, she loved him for what he was. “I don’t need things, Talyn. In spite of who my father is, I grew up with very little. For the most part, I was raised in one-room efficiencies. It’s why I know how to cook and take care of myself. Material objects don’t matter to me. They never have. But you do. You’re all that matters to me.”

Still, he shook his head as if he couldn’t fathom her words. Or her loyalty. He brushed his hand over her bruised cheek. “I can’t put you at this kind of risk. I can’t.”

“Talyn —”

“I’m stralen, Felicia.”

Her breath caught in her throat. “What?”

He reached up and pulled a contact out of his left eye and then his right. There underneath, the entire iris was bloodred. “It was temporary at first. I only had it for a few hours whenever we had sex. But after I came back from Onoria and you touched me again, it became permanent. It’s why I told you I had a headache the first time we slept together. I didn’t want you to feel obligated to me because of it. Now you understand… I have to keep you safe.”

Horror and happiness mixed inside her. It was what every Andarion female dreamed of having in her life. A stralen male who was hers, alone. One who would never stray.

That was the fairy tale.

But the reality was that he would die for her. Without hesitation. That he would be driven to protect her, no matter the cost to himself. He would never have a sense of self-preservation when she was threatened.

“Talyn —”

The intercom buzzed. She started to ignore it until she heard Aaron’s voice.

“I have an enforcer here to take Tara Felicia’s statement.”

Talyn cursed. “Show him up.” He rose to his feet. “I have to put the contacts back in. I’ll return in a second.”

No sooner had he gone than she covered her mouth with her hand as she remembered finding contact solution in her bathroom after he’d reported to the palace. She’d stupidly assumed it was his mother’s, and had even wondered why it was in their bathroom instead of the guest room.

Now she knew.

Stralen.

Everything had just become more complicated and at the same time clearer.

Like muddy water.

The lift pinged. Aaron led the enforcer off. Rising, she realized that she was still in her torn dress. Just as she started to excuse herself, Talyn returned with her bathrobe. He draped it around her and met her gaze.

Weird. With those contacts in place, there was no sign of his condition at all. It was shocking really that they concealed it so completely. Had he not told her, she’d have never known.

“Tara Orfanos,” the enforcer said with a slight bow. “I’m sorry to have to disturb you, but I’m sure you’d rather file your report here than come down to the station and do it.”

She nodded.

Aaron cleared his throat. “I’ll put your food in the kitchen until you’re ready.”

“Thank you.” She gestured to the armchair. “Would you like a seat, officer?”

The male nodded and sat down before he pulled his ledger out and navigated through it. But he kept glancing up at Talyn in a strange way that said he knew exactly who Talyn was.

“Are you a Ring fan?” she asked him.

The enforcer actually blushed. “Yes, mu tara. A huge one.”

She took Talyn’s hand in hers and led it to her cheek. “Then to answer your unspoken question, yes. He’s the Iron Hammer. You’re not crazy.”

A wide grin broke across his face as he shot back to his feet. “Ah, I knew it!” Biting his lip, he slid his stylus into his pocket. “This is so inappropriate of me, but could I please shake your hand?”

Talyn held his arm out to him. “Sure, Officer…” He glanced to the male’s name tag. “Hawas.”

The enforcer shook his hand quickly, then returned to work. “I’m so sorry for what happened to you, mu tara. I promise, we’ll make finding the male who did this a priority. No one attacks the Hammer’s female!”

Talyn didn’t speak as he sat down next to Felicia.

“I have most of the details and a description from your security guard. What I need are the specifics from you. Do you know him? Have you seen him before? Did he say anything during the attack?”