at the end. He said nothing to confirm, deny, or acknowledge. The fact that she was even affected by pain that wasn’t her own shocked him.
“Why would you care?” he finally grated, reaching out a hand for the cup. She knew his pride would not let her help him. That is, until she saw the trembling in his arm. A sympathetic look crossed her gentle features as she handed him the cup, guiding it to his mouth.
Her hand was over his, her other holding his chin back. He wondered what she felt, what drove her to help him like she was. Auro would not have let her be so caring, he knew. The water sluiced down his throat refreshingly
“Because you’re going to get us out,” she said, pulling the cup from his lips and standing. His hand latched onto the hem of her gown, stopping her from moving. Jamie looked down at him with wary eyes, grabbing the material and pulling on it in her direction. “What?” she asked, nervous.
“Where are you going?” he asked, tightening his grip on the skirts.
“To get you water...”
He dropped his hand, ignoring the confusion in her eyes. Talon didn’t say anything as she walked away, listening to the sounds of running water. There was a soft sniffle. The water turned off, and she came back out.
Her face was clear of emotion, a now full cup cradled in her hand. As she sat down beside of him, something happened. Something frightening. Something...that he wanted. A memory — or was it a fantasy? — assailed him. Jamie was there, or at least a woman who looked dangerously close to her.
In her arms a bundle was wrapped, the soft wail bouncing from the walls. Her corset was undone, the dress partially falling off of her shoulders. As much as Talon tried to deny it, she looked beautiful — much like a goddess.
Talon was sitting beside her, not lying, and he had a hand on her slim waist. The feelings rushing through him caught him off guard. She was his wife, completely devoted to him, in love with her as no other had ever been. The look in her eyes as she stared up at him, a silent smile playing on her lips, said that she felt the exact same as he did.
The babes wails calmed, and in the silence it was serene. Fire played behind her head. The vision was so violent and painful, yet so serene and heartfelt. Talon felt like he was feeling an out of body experience, laying there in front of Jamie yet in his mind, he saw their death.
Jamie’s soft hand landed on his shoulder. He jerked, looking up at her with wide, panicked eyes.
“Talon?” she asked, peering down at him. The fear that she had felt in front of him was gone, replaced with concern. He took a breath, reaching for the cup. Talon growled when she held it back.
She ignored him. “When was the last time you ate?” Jamie asked, pulling back the duvet absently to look at his sunken stomach.
And all of the cuts.
He saw her face pale and forgot about his anger. Talon’s lips tightened, staring at her empty arms. There was no babe there, her breasts were not as full, and her dress was not sliding down her body.
Talon almost growled with frustration, then covered it up by groaning, shifting on his side.
“I think...” Her wane whisper trailed off. “I think I’ll go start a bath for you.”
He didn’t acknowledge her. The shuffle of her skirts alerted him that she was standing up, as did the weight of the bed lifting. Then she gasped, and the soft patter of feet sounded before she was slamming the bathroom door behind her.
Talon stared at the wall. Why had Auro let this happen? Jamie... He growled softly, fisting his hand around the thick material of the duvet. He definitely wanted the woman. Her odd features were appealing to him, as hard as he tried to ignore them. The image of them burning together, her features so serene and happy as she gazed at him, came across his mind.
That was definitely not a fantasy. Auro and Lyne had known the woman would become a weakness. He suspected that Jamie knew nothing of how cruel and sadistic they really were, or she would not have hampered for Lyne on his behalf.
What had happened between them? He could recall, barely, Auro picking him up. The cold skin had seemed searing at the time.