Kiss of Fire (Imdalind, #1)(70)

I looked down at the contents of what Wyn had just handed me, and bile rose in my throat. It looked like someone had shredded the branch of a tree and boiled it with leaves, carrots, potatoes and tomatoes. Wyn was already chowing down on some purple goo. I could already tell this would take some getting used to.





TwentyTwo


The Listy didn’t taste as bad as it looked. As long as I didn’t look at what I put in my mouth, I could almost imagine it as a really thick meat stew. I didn’t know how long I could last eating leaves and carrots, though. As much as I loved a good vegetable, I missed meat already and I was only one meal in.

Wyn finished two containers of food in the time it took me to finish my one. The entire time, she talked about how much she had missed normal food. I let her babble; the majority of what she said washed over me as noise.

My anxiety had not left yet; I was still far too restless for Ilyan’s return. I needed to know when we were leaving.

I ate another spoonful and forced down the gritty leaves again. I was surprised that I wasn’t starving. I was hungry, but not ravenous like I should have been. According to the news, everything had happened almost two weeks ago; meaning the half of a chili-cheese burger I had at Ryland’s house was the only thing that had sustained me for so long. I asked Wyn and she waved it away, saying it was all part of the healing process.

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.