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He followed me. His unbearable, looming presence like a nagging thorn in my side.
“I know you get off on torturing humans, but can you quit following me? There are acres of land to stand on. You don’t need to be a foot away from me.”
Talon took a singular step to the side, and I shook my head, unsurprised.
“I’m on patrol tonight. It’s my responsibility to monitor you—at all times.”
“Sounds more like a stalker, if you ask me,” I mumbled under my breath.
He huffed a laugh. “Don’t flatter yourself. That would imply I was, in some way, infatuated with you, but I can assure you that couldn’t be further from the truth. I have a job to do, Elowyn. And I plan on seeing it through until you’re released.” He shrugged. “Or dead.”
I fumed. All I wanted was space to breathe, but stars forbid I did that. I couldn’t do something as simple as inhaling oxygen without someone sucking it up.
“It’s not only my life at stake here, you know?” I faced him. “This isn’t another day for me like it is for you. My mother and I don’t get the luxury of living forever.”
Talon clicked his tongue. “We don’t live forever. I mean, granted, we’re practically immortal. We age like gods?—”
I scoffed. “Just when I thought you couldn’t be any more of an ass,” I said. “You’ve got to be the most arrogant, big-headed man I’ve ever encountered. Simply being around you makes me want to claw my skin off.”
“Faerie,” he corrected.
My eyebrows rose, not understanding.
“You said I was ‘the most arrogant, big-headed man’ you’d ever encountered. I’m a faerie.”
An incredulous laugh escaped me as I hung my head. “Stars, you’re insufferable.”
Talon stalked toward me again, closing the gap he’d only just allowed. “Me? That’s rich coming from you.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
It was his turn to laugh. “You’ve got to be the most hot-headed, mouthy human I’d ever encountered. I’m not your enemy, Elowyn. Drop the attitude.”
“Rot in hell.” Energy crackled between us as our gaze clashed.
Talon stood toe to toe with me, his hard body pressing into mine like an impenetrable wall. My arms brushed his chest as I folded them across my middle and pinched myself to calm my nerves. I didn’t appreciate his condescending assumptions about me or his smug, self-righteous attitude. Like he somehow knew me. He was nothing more than a relentless thorn in my side, whose sharp jawline and hooded eyes just so happened to infuriate me.
“Don’t think for one second that because I’m being tolerant, I’ll keep putting up with this behavior,” he snarled into my ear—a reminder of how quickly he could overpower me. “Now drop the attitude.”
I couldn’t help myself. The words spilled out. A final taunt. “Regretting your decision so soon?”
He licked his bottom lip, sizing me up.
I hated the way he studied me—even more the way my body crackled under his scrutiny as if it was going to combust into flames. My treacherous, untrustworthy body. I told myself it meant nothing, that anyone would have the same reaction to his nearness.
“Good luck finding someone else to train you, Elowyn.” Talon stepped back and turned toward the castle, my skin growing cold from his absence.
I’d pushed too far. I always pushed too far. All reason flew out the window when I felt backed into a corner. It was how I’d ended up a prisoner in the first place.
Guilt rippled through me. Sure, I didn’t like him, but without him, I couldn’t compete in the trials. I might as well have kissed my only shot at saving my mother goodbye.
“Wait,” I called out.
Talon paused but didn’t turn around.
“Fine. I—I’ll try to watch my mouth,” I forced out. The words tasted like acidic on my tongue. It was a loaded promise, one I wasn’t sure I could keep, but if it kept me from the gallows, I’d make a solid effort. Regardless of how much it pained me to think about.
Talon turned his head to speak over his shoulder. “Get your rest, firefly. Training begins in less than three hours.”
