I had just set down my empty container when the door swung open and a very tall, very muscular man burst into the small space. Wyn squealed and jumped up, practically throwing herself at him. The man grabbed her as she wrapped her legs around him, his face moving to nuzzle her neck. I couldn’t help the stab of jealousy that rushed into my stomach at seeing such raw, heartfelt emotion.
Talon was large, so large that seeing the two of them together looked uncomfortable. He had slick, light-brown hair that was cut a bit shaggy and the same refined features that I had grown used to seeing on Ilyan. Beyond the straight lines of his face, there was little resemblance between the two. Talon almost looked like a barrel-chested football player, grown and stretched too tall. His arms were large and cylindrical, his legs long and slender. It was disproportionate, but looked good on him.
He finally pulled away from her, the surprise obvious on his face at seeing me sitting there. It took a moment for recognition to set in.
“Sorry about this,” Talon said in an airy voice that didn’t really match his size. “Wynifred has spent most of her time with you, so I haven’t seen her much.” He tried to remove her again, but she still stayed tight. Finally, he accepted defeat and went to sit on the bed and allowed her to stay positioned on his lap.
“I’m Talon, by the way,” he said
“Joclyn.” My voice was barely above a whisper.
“So, Joclyn, you seem to be all that anyone is talking about now.”
I could tell Talon meant his comment to be just a conversation starter, but the way he looked at me made me uncomfortable.
“Why?” I asked, alarmed.
“Well, last of the Chosen Children, and all that.” He flung his hand mindlessly to the side.
“Oh.” My shoulders slunk and I looked down to my lap.
Talon laughed, a big booming sound that fit his body better than his voice did. My head snapped up to see Talon and Wyn, who had finally emerged from her hiding spot, both looking at me.
“Jos prefers to hide, Talon. She doesn’t like to be noticed.”
“Well, she will just have to get used to it then,” Talon said. “She’s the talk of the town! Finally, someone who can beat the socks off old Edmund!” He gave the air two rough punches with his hands, jostling Wyn around.
I felt the color leave my face.
“Talon, you can’t say that,” Wyn scolded as she detangled herself from her husband to sit next to him.
Talon opened his mouth to argue, but I cut him off. “It’s all right, he’s probably right anyway,” I sighed. “After all; if I’m going to save Ryland, I might as well knock the socks off somebody.” I felt my shy resolve melt away at the thought of saving Ryland. As much as I wanted to stay hidden, I wanted to save Ryland more.
As if on cue, a loud knock sounded on the door, followed by a deep voice announcing Ilyan’s arrival. Wyn rolled her eyes, but Talon only laughed again, nudging Wyn as if preparing for some great joke. He got up from the bed and moved to the door in two strides, throwing it open and instantly going down on one knee, his head bowed in reverence. Even in this extreme position, I could still see the wide smile on his face.
“My liege, I bid you welcome to my humble home. It is an honor to welcome you into my presence.”
Ilyan walked in, looking thoroughly un-amused, and shut the door behind him.
“Get up, Talon. You look ridiculous,” Ilyan scolded. Talon jumped up and clasped Ilyan’s arm tightly, his white teeth flashing.
“Sorry, Ilyan, I just didn’t want our guest to get the wrong idea.”
Ilyan turned away from Talon to face me, his smile widening just a bit as he passed Talon to kneel before me, taking my hands in his. I wanted to pull away from the close contact, but I didn’t.
“Are you all right? Are you in any pain?”
“I’m fine. A little stiff when I move, but nothing hurts like it did.”
“Good, I’m glad to hear it. I had hoped to keep you in bed for longer, but it seems I need to make things like that an order.” He smiled before turning to Wyn who wilted a bit under his gaze.
“I am sorry, Ilyan. I couldn’t stay in that room another moment. It’s so dark and musty. Besides, I hated the 60s,” Wyn grumbled and folded her arms.
“Yes, but my mother loved them.”
“Your mother?” I asked, my voice catching on the word. Odd, since I wasn’t even talking about my own mother.
“It’s okay,” Ilyan said. He had caught the heartbreak in my voice and brought his hand up to rest against my cheek. “You will get used to the pain you feel now. It will become part of you, eventually. I promise. But in the meantime, it’s okay to cry.” His voice became so low, I was sure that Wyn and Talon couldn’t hear him. I nodded numbly at him, and he smiled, finally letting his hand drop from my face. My body loosened gratefully at the end of the contact.
“Now!” Ilyan announced, jumping up and clapping his hands together. “The Council has decided that it is worth the risk to go and remove Ryland from within Edmund’s grasp.”