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Why I always felt different.
The inexplicable way I felt deeply connected to this realm and never my own. It should’ve brought me comfort, a sense of peace, but I only quivered with fear. I wanted to tear out of my skin. I felt dirty. Revolting. I couldn’t be like these evil creatures. I couldn’t be one of them.
“Wait. You knew this entire time?” I asked, although my question came off as more of a demand.
He approached with caution, but I took a step back, not wanting to be anywhere near him. “Elowyn, you need to let me explain.”
“I don’t need you to explain anything,” I spat. “You said all that stuff about running away with you. Made me believe you cared about me, and all the while it was because I’m some fabled princess you hope will save your stupid realm?”
The muscle in his cheek fluttered. “It’s not like that.”
“No? Then what’s it like, Talon? Because not being transparent and omitting the truth—is lying!” I pushed my fingers into my temples, subduing my headache. “Was it fun for you? Hm?” I went on, “Getting a stupid human girl—a halfling—whatever you all think I am, to fall for you?”
“I never lied to you. Everything I said was true!”
It felt like my chest was being split in half as tears stung my eyes. “Yeah, well, we all know the fae are masters at bullshitting. I’m sure there was some half-truth loophole verbiage in there somewhere.”
“That’s not true, and you know it. What did you expect me to say?” His hands shot out from his sides in exasperation. “By the way, Elowyn, you’re a halfling and heir to the entire Faerway kingdom? Hope that doesn’t fuck with your head. Good luck with the trials?”
I scoffed, shaking my head. “So, this was all a big, elaborate charade to pacify me, then?”
“For fuck’s sake, Elowyn, that’s not at all what I’m saying.” He growled. “You’re choosing to hear what you want to hear?—”
“No, for the first time, I’m hearing you loud and clear, Talon. You’re no better than any of the other fae in this stars-forsaken place. I knew it was a mistake to fall for you!”
“Damnit, Elowyn, why are you doing this? We can talk about this later.”
I didn’t know if I was being irrational or if I meant anything I said. I didn’t know anything except I had an overwhelming urge to claw out of my skin and scream. Or cry. Or both.
Talon didn’t hesitate this time and continued to stalk toward me despite my objections until my back was flush against a tree.
He cupped my face, pulled me toward him, and rested his forehead on mine. “I knew you were stubborn, firefly, but you’re not thinking straight. I’ve never lied to you. I’ll explain everything, I swear it, but please let us leave. I don’t want to restrain you.”
Stars, he was beautiful. It was all I could do to keep from touching him—to run a finger along his tanned skin and trace his sharp features. To kiss him. But his words held me prisoner. I’d grown too comfortable with Talon, cared too much about him to trust my judgment. Regardless of his intentions, or if he blatantly lied to me, you couldn’t have one without the other.
What was hope if not a lie we told ourselves about the future? I tried to control the shake in my voice as tears seeped from my eyes. “I can’t even look at you right now.”
“Firefly,” he started, but just when he opened his mouth to finish that sentence, the king’s guard ripped through the shrubs, silencing him.
He thrashed against an invisible bond as he was flung backward, being dragged through the dirt and mud toward the shrubs they’d come from. It didn’t take long, however, before Talon ripped through the bond with a flash of magic and was on his feet—sword drawn.
He went toe to toe with a familiar-looking guard, letting him get a few hits in before Talon whipped around and slammed his blade down, cutting the guard’s hand clean off.
A few more desperately ambitious men flanked his right, attempting to take him down, but one by one Talon sliced open their insides and tossed them aside with as much effort as a sigh.
I slipped behind the large oak—my eyes locked on the carnage in front of me—hoping if I remained out of sight long enough, they’d forget I was there when a cold blade pressed into my throat.
I remained as still as possible as metal encased me, preventing me from escaping.
They pinned my arms behind my back.
“Talon!” I screamed, bucking and thrashing under their firm grip as they forced me out of the forest.
I caught his wide-eyed expression just as they pulled me beyond the bushes. His concentration faltered just enough for a blast of magic to hit him in the chest.
An ear-piercing scream escaped my throat as I watched Talon fall to his knees, watching helplessly as they hauled me away until he was no longer in sight.
“Talon!” I sobbed, repeating his name over and over again when an invisible gag slapped over my mouth, silencing my wails.
