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Tears streamed down my face—and not from the pain. Talon wouldn’t let until he got what he wanted. Until he was lying on the ground, taking his last breath. He knew every single one of my triggers. Knew exactly what buttons to push and how to get under my skin, and he was only going to use it to his advantage—become more and more spiteful until I cracked.
I’d hate him if I hadn’t already fallen for him.
“You and I were a mistake.” He sucked his teeth, and I shook my head, refusing to believe it. “If I could go back and undo all of it, I would. You were right. It meant nothing. You meant nothing.”
My throat tightened as I searched his eyes, but the once bright emerald orbs were now jaded. I might as well have been looking at a stranger. My heart ached for the Talon I’d grown fond of, but he was nowhere to be found.
He flipped his sword in his hand, grabbed it on its side, and drove the hilt toward my ribs.
I hopped back, barely avoiding the solid metal handle before it could slam into my rib cage, when Talon grabbed me by my collar, trapping me in place. I thrashed under his grip as he cocked his arm back, flicking the sword out from his body and catching the hilt in his hand.
“You promised me any means necessary, Elowyn. I’m calling in my debt.” He swung the blade at my center, the force threatening to split me in two.
“Please stop.” I sobbed. “Please, we can think of something else.”
“You gave me your word.”
Everything felt like it was moving in slow motion as I quietly begged him to stop.
My vision blurred with tears. I brushed quivering fingers along his cheek, hoping his gaze would find mine. Praying to the stars this would end and he’d realize there was another way, but it was fruitless.
His blade inched closer. His hard-set eyes challenged me to do it—his lips mouthing his final words as I drove my blade into his stomach.
I love you.
Thirty-Three
My sword slipped from my grasp, the clang of it hitting the ground not registering with me, as I watched Talon crumple, the once triumphant smile fading from his face. I fell down beside him, cradling his head in my lap, gently brushing his damp onyx hair away from his eyes.
“No, no, no, no,” I cried. “Please wake up. I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry, please. Wake up.”
My fingers trembled against his smooth skin. I pressed my forehead to his, tears dripping onto his cheeks. What the hell did I do?
The guards flanked my right, and I wrapped myself around Talon’s lifeless body, refusing to let them take him out of my sight. Refusing to be without him. There were so many things left unsaid. So many truths left unspoken.
Guilt ripped into my chest.
The guards attempted to pry him out of my grasp.
“Let go of me!” I screamed, resting my head on his chest, desperate to keep him close. To feel his warmth until his body went cold.
But they were too strong. Too powerful. They showed no mercy as they blasted me with magic, catapulting me into the air.
I landed hard on my back—knocking the wind from my lungs—and I struggled to breathe. Not that I was worthy of it after what I’d done.
Slowly turning on my side, I attempted to crawl toward him. “Please!” I gasped. “Please, don’t take him away!” Dropping my head onto the grass, I coughed, taking quick, sharp breaths as I fought for air, collapsing onto my stomach when I finally did.
I didn’t know if I was thankful or not—what made me deserve air when I took Talon’s away?
Lewis.
Breana.
Calandra.
All of them dead. Each one of their deaths was preventable.
And for what? To appease the king’s sick fetish?
