He lets out a groan. “Gonna come down your throat and you’re going to swallow every drop like the good girl you are. Aren’t you?”
I can’t answer with him in my mouth, but I look up at him through my lashes and nod as much as I can, and that’s apparently all the permission he needs.
He comes with a muffled curse, hips jerking as he spills hot and thick down my throat. I swallow reflexively, taking everything he gives me, and the mess of thoughts in my head goes completely, blissfully quiet.
When he finally pulls out, I’m boneless, centered, and breathing normally for the first time in hours.
Talon immediately drops to his knees in front of me, hands cupping my face, thumbs wiping away tears. I didn’t realize I was crying.
“You with me?” he asks softly.
“Yeah,” I whisper. “I’m with you.”
He kisses my forehead, then my nose, then my lips. “You did so good, Princess. So fucking good.”
“I needed that.”
“I know. I could see it.” He pulls back slightly, studying my face. “Better?”
“Yeah. Better.”
He stands, helping me to my feet, and immediately starts fixing my dress and smoothing my hair, making sure I look presentable. “Think you can go back out there?”
I consider it. The questions will still be there, the lies will still be necessary. But the spiral has quieted, and I feel like I can handle it now.
“Yeah. I can do it.”
“That’s my girl.” He kisses me again, deeper this time, “And if you start spiraling again, you find me or Dredyn or Jasper immediately. We’ll take care of you.”
“Let’s go back before someone notices we’re both missing.”
“You go first. I’ll follow in a minute.”
Dinner is winding down, dessert has been served, coffee is being poured, and clusters of guests have started breaking off into smaller groups.
I slip back into my seat beside my mother, who barely glances at me.
“Where were you?” she asks.
“Ladies room—needed a moment.”
“You were gone for fifteen minutes.”
“It’s been a long day.”
She studies me for a beat, and I can see her cataloging every detail—my slightly flushed cheeks, the way my hands aren’t shaking anymore, the fact that I seem calmer than I was an hour ago.
“Indeed,” she says finally, then turns back to her conversation with the Secretary of State’s wife.
I exhale slowly.
Across the room, Talon has rejoined Dredyn and Jasper at their table. Our eyes meet, and he touches two fingers to his chest briefly.You okay?
I nod slightly.Better.
Finally, mercifully, the dinner begins to break up. Guests start filtering toward the exits, heading to after-parties and private receptions scattered across D.C.
My mother stands, smoothing her gown. “The car will take us to the National Gallery reception. Your father is expected to make an appearance.”
