You remember,he said, pleased.
How could I forget?
He made a little happy warble.
Have you always been able to understand the wind?I knew it wasn’t something any of the eagles in the palace could do, otherwise, none of the Zephyrians would have been so surprised by my ability. Was this eagle unique in his ability as I was in mine?
Yes, it’s something all wild eagles learn soon after hatching.
I don’t think any of the palace eagles can do that.
Being domesticated will do that to you,he thought wryly.
I, too, have been able to hear the wind. Ever since I was little. I never knew why, though.
It’s in your blood,he thought, and I glanced up at him.
How do you know that?
He mentally shrugged.Same way I knew you were the one. I can just sense it. Can’t you?
In my blood.It was what Mistral had said, too. This was an ability I was born with, even though I was a Child of Earth.
I glanced at Talon, whose face was a mask of concern.
Then, Tempest, will you let my friend approach me unharmed?
Tempest made a grumbling sound deep in his throat, but then he relaxed his protective stance. The moment he took a step back, Talon strode toward me and pulled me into his arms.
I melted into him, the weight of everything that had happened hitting me at once. He lowered his head so that his face was buried in my neck. “Thank the Lord of the Skies you’re safe.”
I reached up and touched the spot above his temple, my brow furrowing. “What about you? The blow to your head…”
“It’s fine—head wounds bleed a lot,” he said when I gave him a pointed look, my eyes drifting to the dried blood on his cheek.
He took a small step back to look at me. “You’re sure you’re okay?”
I nodded. “It felt like the Devourer drained the life from me, like all the energy inside me had been sucked away. But themoment we bonded, I felt this surge in power return. I think this is what the wind spirit meant when he said I had to find my destiny.”
“I’m at a loss,” he said with a slight shake of his head. “I don’t understand how any of this is possible.” He touched my cheek. “But if bonding with a wild eagle brought you back from the brink, then you won’t hear me complain.”
I leaned into his touch. When I met his gaze, his eyes immediately dropped to my mouth. Warmth blazed inside me. I parted my lips. It was all the invitation he needed as he pulled me close, and his mouth met mine in a searing kiss. Behind us, Tempest fanned out his wings in disapproval, but we kept on heedlessly. I pressed myself against Talon, my hands plunging into his thick hair, but careful to avoid his wound. He groaned as the kiss deepened. His tongue stroked over mine as he held me against the hard length of him.
We kissed each other like it was the last time. And maybe it was. His hands were simultaneously firm and gentle as they roved over my back. When he reached the sensitive skin of my neck, I let out a soft moan.
He pulled away with a shuddering breath, and my insides shook. “I was so terrified I would lose you.”
I felt the loss of him already. My body craved the feel of him against me, but I knew we didn’t have much time. “I’m here and alive thanks to you. But as much as I want to keep doing…that…we have to go back, Talon.” I took hold of his hand, the calluses rough against the skin of my palm. “I can’t leave Shazeera behind. Who knows what the emperor will do to her the moment he realizes I’m gone?” My eyes filled with tears. “I’m terrified for her.”
He shook his head obstinately. “I was an idiot for allowing you to face that thing in the first place. I nearly got you killed. Baz,Zamir, and Kestrel died because I didn’t take the threat seriously enough, and if it had succeeded in taking your power…” He trailed off, his face full of self-reproach. The moment he said their names, the pain of grief hit me hard, making my tears come faster as a lump welled in my throat. I thought of going to Naharu with them, only a few days ago. Guilt nipped quickly at the heels of my grief when I knew I wouldn’t even be able to think about their deaths right now—not when Shazeera needed me. “I refuse to risk your life again,” Talon continued.
“It’s my decision—”
“Then I will go with Neo to rescue her,” Talon interrupted, “and you will stay here, where it’s safe.”
I pushed my hair off my shoulder, suddenly irritated by the weight of it. “You expect me to just sit here and wait to see if you can save her? When I’m too far to communicate with her? You won’t even know what you’re walking into, and you will need my help.”
When he remained silent, Tempest suddenly took a step toward him, his talons scraping against the ground with a menacing sound. Talon watched him warily.
