Page 62 of A Fate so Wicked

“This is going to sting a little,” he warned, placing his palm on my wound. “Try to be as quiet as possible, okay?”

I could only nod as I took a deep breath, trying to ready myself, but he didn’t give me any other warning.

Light emitted from his palm, and I stifled a cry. Without thinking, I gripped his shoulder for support. My head dropped, meeting his forehead as I bit back tears and reminded myself to keep quiet.

I felt his hand come up, his calloused palm gripping the nape of my neck to keep me still, and I melted into his touch.

“Breathe, it’s okay. I’m almost done.”

With a weak nod, I tried to do as he said, but I was restless, vague memories of those first few nights in that stars-awful dungeon floated into consciousness. I searched Talon’s face—the bright, warm light. “It was you. You’re the one who healed me, aren’t you?”

Talon winked. “I couldn’t let my champion suffer, could I?”

We shared a breath as the light faded, his hold on me never wavering long after the pain dissipated. My breaths remained heavy—for reasons unrelated to the magic—as Talon and I remained locked together.

He dragged his hand away from my arm and allowed his fingers to stroke my healed skin.

I quivered.

“You’re good as new.”

Good as new. I took his word for it, unable to pull my gaze away from his, transfixed as they reverted to their original color.

Talon flashed a sheepish grin. “This is usually the part where someone says thank you.”

Huffing a laugh, my forehead rolling against his, embarrassed by my own thoughts. “I’m sorry,” I breathed. “I’m so used to taking care of other people. I guess I forgot what it’s like to be on the other side of that.”

Talon’s face was full of contemplation as he studied my features. I’d never wanted to know what someone was thinking so badly before in my entire life. “I should get back to my duties now.” He pulled away from me at that, and my chest tightened.

Reality slammed into me. Our reality. Our differences. And I cringed. “Yeah, that’s a good idea.” What was I thinking? I couldn’t believe I’d allow myself to be that unguarded. Especially with him. These twisted feelings were going to ruin everything. “So, um, when’s the next training session?”

Talon flicked the dagger back into his sleeve as he stood and straightened his shirt. His usual hard-set features back on his face, like nothing just transpired between us. I don’t know why, but it made my stomach sink.

“Let’s give it a day so you can recover. Meet me then in the training room at sunrise.”

I nodded and turned for the door, exposed and self-conscious, as he strolled to the other side of the room. In an act of self-soothing, my arms folded across my middle.

“Have a good evening, Elowyn.” His tone felt soft on my ears.

As soon as the door shut behind him, I yanked the cream tunic over my head and stomped over to my bed, plopping down face-first, letting the comforter muffle my groan. I refused to give Talon any more thought or read into whatever that was. It was nothing—a guard helping his prisoner. I’d be better off not to read into it.

Yet, the way his touch lingered on my thigh begged to differ.

I flipped through our conversation in my head, processing every word, every touch, analyzing what it meant. If it meant anything. Wondering why his sultry voice stoked long-forgotten feelings inside me. How I wanted to punch him in the nose like I did Rhett Belmont, however, struggled to breathe when his gaze washed over me with subtle intensity.

It made no sense.

The longer I was in this star-forsaken realm, the less anything made sense.

I rolled over onto my back and stared at the mosaic painted on the ceiling, pushing my palms into my temples to soothe the developing headache. I didn’t know if it was from the magic or my conflicted feelings about Talon. But I knew my brutish, handsome guard would be my downfall. That was, if the trials didn’t take me out first.

At this point, I’d take whatever quelled these crippling thoughts.

Seventeen

“Keep your arms up. Like this.” Talon slid behind me and positioned my hands in front of my face. His smooth touch warmed my exposed skin, sending a wave of heat to my core.

I hated being close to him—how my body reacted to his nearness.

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