He went rigid as soon as the words registered. "I mean, I um…
"
"It's okay," she whispered before licking his ear and sending chills over him. "I know you're a
Dark-Hunter.
"
He pulled back and frowned. "How do you know that?
"
"A friend told me.
"
"Who?
"
"Does it matter?" She slid herself against him and placed her hands on his shoulders so that she could stare at him. Her dark brown eyes scorched him with sincerity. "I told you I would never betray you.
I
meant that.
"
"You're not supposed to know that term.
"
"I know.
"
Talon glanced away as he feared what would happen to her if anyone found out she knew about the Dark-Hunters and their world. "What else did your friend tell you?
"
"That you're immortal. She didn't know how old you were, but said that you sold your soul for vengeance against your clan.
"
He narrowed his eyes. "Did she tell you why?
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"
"She didn't know why.
"
"What else did she say?
"
"That true love could restore your soul to you and free you from your oath to Artemis.
"
It was true and yet in his case it didn't matter. Free or not, he could never have her. "Provided I want my freedom, you mean.
"
"Don't you?
"
He looked down at the floor.
She cupped his chin in her hand and forced him to look at her. "Talon?
"
He took her hands in his and kissed each one, then held them. How he wanted a lifetime with this woman. It was all he hadever wanted.
It was the one thing he could never have.
"It's not an easy question to answer, Sunshine. I took an oath and I always stand by my oaths.
"
"Do I mean anything to you at all?
"
Talon flinched at her question. He would gladly sell his soul all over again for them to spend the rest of eternity together. "Yes, you do, but you have to admit that we barely know each other."
"I know and yet when I look at you, Talon, I do know you. I can feel you so deep in my heart that it aches. Do you not feel that too?"
Yes, he did. But he couldn't tell her that. He didn't dare. There was more than just feelings standing between them. There was the wrath of two ancient gods who would be extremely unhappy if he chose to be with her.
"I live a dangerous life, Sunshine. There's no guarantee whatsoever that Artemis will ever hand over my soul. There have been numerous cases in the past where she's refused Dark-Hunters that request, and even if she does give it up, there's still no guarantee you will pass her test and free me.
"Not to mention the small fact that I pissed off a major Celtic god centuries ago and every time I allow myself to love a human, he kills them. Why do you think I live alone in the swamp? Do you think I enjoy being a hermit? I would love nothing more than having a Squire or a human friend, but I don't dare."
That familiar steely look came into her eyes as if she had a plan. "Who did you tick off?"
"Camulus."
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"What did you…" Her voice trailed off and she had a faraway look, as if she were remembering something. "You killed his son."
Talon closed his eyes. How he wished he could go back and undo his actions that day. Had he just stayed home with Nynia and grieved for his uncle, none of this would have happened.
"Yes," he breathed. "I thought his son had led the attacking party that killed Idiag."
"Because you chose to marry me and not his daughter."
He nodded. "I was blinded by grief and didn't take time to learn that his daughter had married someone else." He swallowed as he remembered that day and the agony that still lived inside his heart.
"Nynia tried to stop me and I wouldn't listen. After I had slain their warriors and king, Camulus came to me on the battlefield and cursed me. I didn't learn until afterward that my uncle's attack had been staged by his illegitimate son, who was trying to get me and Ceara out of the way so that he could be king. Then it was too late. The die had been cast and all our fates sealed. The truth of it all didn't come out until my death."
He cupped her face in his hands as the agony of that day washed through him anew. "I'm so sorry for what I did to you. What I did to us. There hasn't been a day in my life when I haven't wished that I could go back and right that wrong."
"You didn't do it, Talon. You did what you thought was right." Sunshine held him close to her, trying to soothe his guilt and pain. "Surely there is some way to beat Camulus's curse. Isn't there?"
"No," he said. "You have no idea how powerful he is."
She pulled back to look at him. "But have you ever tried to appease him or talk to him about it?"
Before he could respond, her door crashed open.