by Elle Boon
“I’ll eat anything you serve up, farfalla. You’ll find I’m not very picky. However, I’ll say I’m not a fan of seafood. So, yeah, I guess I should rephrase that. Nothing from the sea for me, please.”
Her eyes strayed to her dagger in his hand. “Do you feel anything different when you hold my blade?”
He lifted his hand, holding the intricate handle in one hand while he ran his finger over the engraving on the blade itself. As a shifter, he could tell there was some sort of magic weaved into the artifact but couldn’t detect what had seemed apparent when she’d held it. There was no glowing blue light from his touch. “Clearly, it’s not an ordinary knife. I can tell there’s magical elements to it, but it doesn’t call to me or my wolf.”
She held her hand out, the blue light he’d mentioned lit up his palm, surrounding the blade itself, sending a tingling sensation up his arm. “It’s a dampening spell that keeps others from being able to use it against the maker. Only I can control it with my powers. As you saw, Jett was able to handle it and had no ill effects, but he didn’t feel the energy of the Fey. Specifically, me.”
Torq opened his palm, allowing the blade to rest in the center. “Are all Fey a certain color?”
Talia shrugged. “To an extent. It depends on our powers. You’d think because I garner strength from the earth I’d be more an earth tone, but my greatest ability is from the air. I think that’s why blue is my glow.” Again, she shrugged.
“That makes perfect sense to me, farfalla. You’re like the butterfly I call you. First of the earth, then you take to the sky as a gorgeous creature.” He watched how his words made her blush. Goddess, he truly couldn’t wait to make her his. The memory of all she’d endured kept his needs in check.
“Alright woman, take your blade and feed me. I’m a wolf. We need food,” he growled playfully.
Her palm came up and just like that, her blade was out of his hand and in hers, without him feeling a thing. Not even a cool breeze. She smirked as she turned toward the small kitchenette. “Well, come on then, let’s not starve your wolfieness.”
Torq laughed. “You’ve been around the Fey Queen too much.”
She stopped. “Does she say such things?”
He paused, concerned he’d said something wrong. “Well, she tends to make up nicknames for her friends. I assumed you’d heard her call her bestie Kellen, the alpha of the Iron Wolves, a wolfie.”
“Hmm, nope, I don’t think I have. Maybe Lula did during one of our training sessions. Let me tell you, that pink dragon is a hard task manager. Does it bother you that I called you a name other than yours? I...I won’t do it again, if so.”
He hated the slight shake to her words; a realization she’d always had to watch what she said and did around the bastard who’d held her captive for so long. As a Fey who drew from the earth and air, it had to be pure hell to have been enclosed in a small concrete cell with no natural light and dank air.
“Talia, let’s get something straight up front. I’m nothing like what you’ve known before. I love that you feel safe to joke with me. You want to call me jackhole? If I’m being one, go for it. A nickname? Goddess yes. That means we’re connected on a level reserved for mates. That’s what I want.” He moved to place his hands on her shoulders. “A connection with you that supersedes any other. I know you have daughters, and I already love them like family. They’re pack. What I want from you is nothing like what I feel for any of them or any other female before you.”
She swallowed audibly. “What if—what if I can’t be all that you need?”
He stared into her blue eyes, hearing the worry in the words left unsaid. With his thumbs, he traced her collarbone. “We’ll take things one step at a time, farfalla. We don’t have to rush anything between you and me. Just being here with you soothes me.”
Talia trembled beneath his touch. She’d voiced her greatest fear to Torq, and he hadn’t immediately run for the hills. Of course, they were already up the mountain, so he’d have to run down, but same principle. Gah, she needed to pull her big girl panties on and stop being a...what was the word Lula called it? Whiner, not wiener as Lula explained. A wiener is what you ate between bread buns, or what a male was if he wasn’t nice. She laughed at the image of the small dragon shifter’s face as she explained the differences.
“What’s that little laugh for?” Torq asked.
“I need to stop overthinking things and listen to what I know is right in my heart and head. What happened all those years ago was an...anomaly. I wasn’t in the right headspace at the time and was easily taken advantage of. I’m not placing all the blame on him, but I think I was an easy target.”
“You’ll never be that again, not if I have anything to say about it.”
The unmistakable rumble of his stomach made her remember she’d promised to feed him. “Do you want to grill, or would you like me to manifest something for us?”
“If by manifest you mean you make something real appear, like now, I say that option.” Torq winked as his fingers feathered along her collarbone, sending a shiver down her spine.
“Anything in particular you want? And before you say me again, that isn’t totally off the menu, but it’s on the back burner.” She eased out of his hold, knowing she wouldn’t be able to concentrate while his touch did crazy things to her brain.
“I really like the way you seem to read my mind. As for what I want, since you’ve tabled my first request, which is you, how about a couple of juicy steaks and potatoes?” He rubbed his hands together; pure delight lit his face.
Talia loved how eager he seemed to experience things with her and wasn’t afraid of her powers. Not that she’d been around many men who weren’t powerful, but they’d been taught early not to play with humans. Of course, that was her family and their thinking they’d been above the lower class Fey, who not only traveled to Earth for fun and pleasure but loved the inhabitants. Talia could still remember her mother’s scornful words as she’d told them she was going to become a Fey Warrior, fighting to protect all of Fey. ‘You think you’ll find acceptance among the other outcasts of the Fey? Why, you’ll be either killed by one of them by week’s end or end up a whore for one. Either option, is none of our concern if you walk out that door.’ Talia looked around the large home that would be considered a mansion on Earth, picked up her pride, which was in tatters, and walked out the door, not bothering to shut it or look back. It had been the last time she’d seen her mother or father.
“They weren’t worthy of you, T.” Torq stood at her back, his arms coming around her, offering her comfort she’d never gotten from her family.
“I guess I was the one projecting that time, huh?” she asked, wiping at a tear that escaped.
He rested his chin on top of her head. “You don’t need to hide anything from me. Not who you are or where you came from. There’s no judging because those things don’t define who you are. They helped create the strong female you’ve become.” He turned her gently, making her look at him as he kissed away her tears. “When things are ugly, whether they’re our past, present, or future, sometimes you gotta cry and realize you ain’t gotta cry pretty. You need to cry, Talia, I’m here to hold you while you do it.”
“What did I do to deserve you?” She blinked through her tears.
“Some would say you drew the short straw,” he said.
“I’d teach them the error of their ways real quick like,” she growled.
“I like you being feisty. Feel better?” He smoothed his thumbs over her brows.
She was getting used to him constantly touching her. Not once had he pushed anything more than these gentle, soothing touches, but her body was already accepting him as normal to her. For her, normal had been cruel and crueler as she grew. Talia wasn’t sure how to react to someone being so—nice and not wanting something from her.
“Ah, that’s where you’re wrong, baby. I do want something from you. I want all of you, but I’ll give just as good as I get.”
<
br /> His words had her jerking in his arms. “Dang it. I’m going to need to be more cautious around you.” She didn’t feel any true need to do any such thing, though. In fact, she found the idea of having another being so in tune with her to be exciting. “Steak and potatoes first, mister. Your stomach’s really loud when it’s empty.”
Torq let his arms drop, giving Talia room to move away and do her thing. He’d never had magically created food before, hoping that it wasn’t bad, but knew he’d pretend it was the greatest meal he’d ever eaten. No way in hell would he ever intentionally hurt his female’s feelings. Nope, he’d choke down every last bite even if it tasted like sawdust ground it shit.
“Voila,” she exclaimed, bringing his attention to the counter behind him.
His nose flared at the scent of perfectly cooked steaks. His mouth watered at the sight, then he spied a plate holding several potatoes that were already split in half with a heaping of butter melting in the center. “Damn, woman, how many steaks you think I can put down?” he asked as he took in the platter piled high with half a dozen juicy cuts of beef.
She shrugged. “I figured you’d eat as much as you needed then I’d refrigerate the rest for later.”
He wouldn’t allow himself to think what the reference to later meant. Hell, for all he knew, she planned to kick him to the porch and come morning make him breakfast for his good boy behaviors. “Well, I hope you weren’t hoping for a lot of leftovers. I’m starving. How about you, you hungry?”
Talia nodded. “Actually, I am. Come on, let’s eat before I have to reheat it all. Not sure how good that’d be.” She grabbed his hand, tugging him around the counter.
Between the two of them, they finished off four and half steaks and three baked potatoes. Well, he ate four steaks, while she had cut her one in half. If he’d still had room, he’d have eaten the rest of hers, but he was pleasantly stuffed. “Goddess, I think I might need a nap.”
She patted her stomach. “I think the potato put me over the edge. I almost asked if you wanted a salad as well. Now, I’m glad I didn’t. Not that I don’t love them, but there’d be no room for another bite.”
His eyes went to where her hands rested. He was glad she no longer looked like a waif. In the time she’d been gone, she’d clearly taken good care of herself. His wolf howled that it was their job. Torq shushed the animal, silently agreeing.
“Let me clean this up, since you whipped it up.” He got up from his seat, stopping at the feel of her hand on his arm.
“It’s just as easy to take care of as it was to create.” She waved her hand, making the counter shimmer, then everything was gone, not a spec of food left.
“Wow, that’s gonna take a little to get used to.” Torq felt a little uneasy at the way Talia used her magic so readily. Did it wear her down, or was it like breathing for her?
“If you’d prefer I didn’t do that sort of thing, I won’t. I mean, I just, it’s not something I think about before doing. I’m sorry if I’ve done something wrong.” She stood up, wringing her hands in front of her.
Fuck, he wanted to kick his own ass for making her feel bad. No way was he going to allow her to bottle her natural abilities or reactions away because he wasn’t used to them. “Stop it, T. You’re remarkable, and I’m blessed to have you in my life, doing what comes naturally to you. You don’t make excuses or pull back from me. We’re figuring each other out, fine tuning this thing between us. It’s different from what others have, but that’s what makes it unique. We don’t have a manual saying we have to do a certain thing a certain way. Just be you, and I’ll be me. If I fuck up, you tell me, and I’ll do the same. Feel me?”
When her nod came, it was like he’d just won a major argument. He’d seen her thinking it through, possibly even searching his mind for his true feelings. He’d left himself wide open, not hiding a thing from her. If Talia needed any reassurances from him, he’d give them gladly, freely. She was his mate. Whatever else, he needed her to trust in him and their bond.
“Alright,” she agreed.
“Want to sit out on the porch for a while?” The evening air always cleared his head.
She smiled and held out her hand. The sweet little female had no clue how much the gesture meant to him. He was sure he’d screw things up at least a dozen times, but in all things, he’d protect her.
They stepped outside, the evening wrapping around them like a warm blanket. He let her decide where they’d sit. Either on the swing big enough for the two of them in very close contact, or the other side in the Adirondack chairs. For him, just being with her was like heaven.
Her graceful movements took her to the swing. He chanced a quick look up at the ceiling, making sure the thing would hold under his weight. The last thing he wanted was to break the damn thing and find himself and Talia on their asses with bits of wood under them. The only wood he wanted to sport was already growing as her scent hit him. A shifter female was different than the Fey. Although technically, Fey had a hand in creating the first of the shifters; therefore shifters were part Fey. He wasn’t sure how their biology worked. Her smell was intoxicating, yet he didn’t know if she was aware she was letting off such a sweet smell.
“What’s wrong, Torq?”
He shook his head, taking a seat next to her. “What are you thinking or were you thinking when you decided where we were going to sit?”
She inhaled deeply before answering. “I was thinking how nice it was, normal even, to be out here with you, a male of my choosing.”
Her words had him sitting back, resting his arm behind her. He allowed his fingers to brush her hair over one shoulder. Never did she flinch when he made small advances on her. He counted that as a win. “Your scent is different out here, than it had been inside. Sweeter, more potent.”
Talia lifted her hand, touching his on her shoulder, yet didn’t look him in the eye as she spoke. “I’ve never actually done something like this.”
“Like what, T?”
She looked at him. “This,” she waved between them. “Ate a meal, then sat outside like a couple. It’s like we’re dating or something, which sounds foolish coming from a woman over three hundred years old.” She quickly covered her mouth with her other hand. “Oh Goddess, did I just blurt out my age?”
Torq laughed. “Farfalla, I already knew you were Fey, and that as such, you were older than me. I wouldn’t care if you were three hundred or three thousand years old. You’re who calls to me and my wolf. Do you know how many wolves have gone their entire lives and never found their truemate?” He waited for her to process his words. “Forever and some never do. Many settle and find love with their mates. For me, knowing who my truemate is, I’d never be able to do that. If you hadn’t come back...” He stopped, not wanting to put that sort of pressure on her.
“It doesn’t bother you, our age difference?”
He lifted her out of the seat and onto his lap. “Talia, you look younger than me. No, don’t shake your head. Hell, I think I have a few grey hairs in here somewhere.” He lifted her hand to his head, letting her feel him, needing her touch.
“I don’t see any, but it could be a trick of the moonlight. I’ll have to investigate properly another time.”
Oh, his woman had spunk. She just needed to find herself, and he was just the wolf and man to help her.
She relaxed back into him, letting him set the pace of the slow sway from the swing on the porch, their hearts beating in rhythm he was sure only happened when a couple bonded completely. Again, he wasn’t sure how it worked, since they were creating a whole new playbook, but he enjoyed another layer to their connection.
“Tell me more about your brother Arynn,” she said, breaking the silence.
He grunted. The last thing he wanted was to talk about anyone other than them, but knowing she was truly interested in his family had him cuddling her closer. “He recently reconnected with his twelve year old daughter Rebel, and her sister, who isn’t his. Wow, that sounded very much
like a bad Maury Povich show. Basically, one night, thirteen years ago, he and I went to a bar, and he was sure he’d met his truemate. A blonde female called to his wolf, sort of. The two of them left the bar, got it on in his truck, which was so not cool since I was supposed to be riding in that thing the next day. Anyway, as soon as the deed was done, his wolf and he both were, for lack of better words, done. Luckily, so was she. Seemed the female in question was at her own bachelorette party and wanted one last hoorah or some shit. Fast forward nine months and she had his daughter.”
Talia turned slightly, bumping his dick with her hip. Her eyes widened. “Oh, sorry.” She blushed.
He waved her apology away. “Ignore him, he’s gonna be getting in the way a lot,” he said with a wink.
“I thought wolves were all about family? How could your brother just leave his daughter for—did you say twelve years?”
There was no accusation in her tone, but he wanted to explain. “Sarah, that was the female’s name, was Dark Fae. Her mother, the self-proclaimed queen of them, had somehow made him think Rebel had no shifter in her. She, for all intents and purposes, appeared one-hundred percent human. My Omega brother thought he was doing what was best for his child. He thought of bringing a full human child back and forth to a shifter community, then having to hide his other side from her, and it just made sense to him to allow the mother to raise her with her new husband. Of course, we now know there was dark magic at work.”
“What changed to make him reconnect?” Talia ran her hand over his chest, making it hard for him to think.
He sucked in a breath as her hand ran over his nipple. “Ah, yeah, seems the female Sarah, and her hubby had died several years ago, leaving the little girl to be raised alongside her cousin, who’d been born only a month before by none other than Sarah’s twin sister Sheila. See, total Maury shit right there.”
She cocked her head to the side. “Who’s Maury Povich? Was he her father, this Rebel?”
Torq laughed, then bent and kissed Talia. When he let her up for air, he rubbed the moisture from their exchange into her lower lip. “I forget you haven’t been privy to many of the things that are common pop culture. Trust and believe, you ain’t missing much by not knowing who he is. Suffice it to say, he’s a television personality who’s famous for doing DNA testing on live television.”