His words were like a steamy caress, sending heat swirling from my chest all the way down to my tiptoes. I opened my mouth to object because why couldn’t he do both? But the door of the training room slammed open, tearing me away from my protestations.
Hayden barreled in, and his eyes darted between Talon and me and our disheveled appearance. He kept his face neutral, but amusement danced across his sparkling azure irises. “Hope I’m not intruding, but you’ve got some visitors, Azara.”
“Visitors?” I squeaked as I ran a hand through my ruffled locks.
“Yup. They’re with Logan and from what I heard, they’re super VIPs so I wouldn’t keep them waiting.”
“So no shower then?” I was covered in sweat, my workout clothes stinky for sure.
“No shower,” said Talon. “Thanks, Hayden. I’ll take her up.”
Our angel roommate scanned the training room. “That’s what we need down here by the way, our own private shower. Don’t you think, guys?” He winked as he sauntered out.
Heat blossomed along my cheeks, but I grabbed a towel and covered my face, pretending to wipe the sweat off. No one ever made me blush like these guys. It was silly really. They all knew Talon and I had been a thing, but now that we were supposed to be just friends there was so much more pressure to behave.
Talon tossed me a water bottle, and the heat subsided. I gulped down the cool, crisp liquid as my mind whirled. Who could these mysterious guests be?
Chapter Twenty-Eight
“Do you know who the visitors are?” I glanced at my dragon escort as we walked the halls in silence. He’d been oddly quiet, an unexpected tension rolling over his broad shoulders since Hayden had appeared in the training room.
“Maybe.”
“What?” I cried and jabbed my elbow into his side. “Why didn’t you tell me someone was coming to see me?”
He shrugged. “Because it was supposed to be a surprise.”
My pulse accelerated and anxiety twisted my insides as the warden’s office came to view. Could it be… No.
Talon’s hand closed around the antique knob, and his eyes met mine. A jumble of emotions swirled through the glimmering silver surface. “Ready?”
“I hope so.”
He yanked the door open, and my jaw dropped.
“Mom? Dad?” Hot tears filled my vision as my parents’ familiar forms raced toward me. Warm, strong arms reached me first and I buried my head in my dad’s chest. Tears spilled over as my mom wrapped her arms around my back.
“Oh gods, Azara, thank the realms you’re okay.” My mom’s choked words elicited another sob to break free.
“I’m so sorry, Mom.” I bawled into my dad’s chest as my mom rubbed my back. “I messed up big time, Dad.”
They hugged me for what felt like forever, and my heart swelled. I wanted to disappear in their arms, to pretend none of the awful things had happened since I arrived at Darkblood Prison nearly six months ago. A flood of memories assaulted my skull as I breathed them in, as they hugged and kissed me, while whispering soothing reassurances.
Finally, my dad released me, holding me out to arm’s length. “We were so worried about you, kid. When Logan told us what happened, I wanted to murder him.” He shot the warden a dark glare, and a twinge of guilt pierced my chest.
“Why didn’t you come to us from the beginning?” Mom’s eyes nailed me, and more guilt poured through my insides.
“I was embarrassed. I didn’t want you guys finding out what I’d done.” I suddenly felt like I was five years old again.
“What Thax had made you do, apparently,” Dad hissed.
“This is all our fault, Azara.” Mom took my hand and ushered me to the couch. She sat down beside me, squeezing my palm. “We started this with Thax’s mother, Luxora, decades ago. You shouldn’t have had to fight our battle.”
“Yeah, Logan gave me the cliff’s notes version.”
Again, my dad glared at our warden.
“It’s not Logan’s fault, Dad. Please don’t be mad at him. I begged him to keep the truth from you—him and GG.”
Mom’s eyes widened, the cobalt blue threatening to swallow me whole. “My father knew about this?”
“He’s been a big help,” I muttered. “And so has Logan and—Talon.” My eyes flitted across the room to my dragon protector who leaned against the door. His eyes were glued to my father, and it took me a second to decipher the look of awe.
Ryder Strong was a legend at the SIA. Ella had mentioned Talon’s obsession with him, and now he was finding out he was my dad.
I ticked my head at Talon and motioned him closer. “Mom, Dad, meet Talon. He’s pretty much the reason I’m still alive.”
Crimson flooded my big, burly dragon protector’s cheeks as he marched over. He extended his hand, and I could’ve sworn his big fingers trembled as he reached for my dad. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, sir.” Dad eyed his hand and crossed his arms over his chest. So embarrassing. Talon cleared his throat, dipping his head and gave my mom a weak smile. “And you, of course, Mrs. Strong.”
My mom gave him a warm smile and took his hand. “Please don’t call me that, it makes me feel old. Luna is fine. From what Logan tells us, we owe you a big thank you.” She jabbed her elbow into Dad’s side and shot him a sidelong glance. “Don’t we, Ryder?”
Dad mumbled something under his breath and finally met Talon’s excited gaze. I had to smother a laugh. I’d never seen the big dragon so enthusiastic or awkward. He was having a total fangirl moment over my dad, and I was loving every minute of it.
“Thank you,” he finally muttered when my mom nudged him again.
Did Logan fill them in on all the details? Did they know about the blood bond, everything?
“It’s been an honor protecting and getting to know Azara.” Talon shot me a quick glance before turning back to my parents. I couldn’t help the grin from exploding across my face. Right, just friends.
“He took a blood oath,” Logan interjected. “Believe me, she’s been under the best protection she could have.”
“Then how did she end up in Thax’s clutches?” Dad growled. He pulled Mom into his side and memories of them flooded my mind. My parents were nauseatingly cute. He’d always protected her just like Talon did. Thax’s resurgence must have brought up a tidal wave of their own dark memories.
“It was my fault.” Talon’s head hung low as he murmured the words. “I lost sight of her in a mission, and he swooped in.”
“Because of Ella,” Mom added.
Apparently, Logan really had filled them in on everything.
Mom squeezed my hand, her sweet smile filling all the cracks that had broken me in the past few months. “Your Aunt Tempest and Uncle Drake are mortified. Ella made a terrible decision to protect her family, and they’re beyond devastated what it cost you.”
Ella. I wasn’t sure I’d ever be able to forgive her, but wouldn’t I have done the same to protect my parents? Hadn’t I already?
“Well, this is over now, Azara.” Dad stood and tugged me up with him. “I’ll speak to Maxim first thing in the morning, and we’ll have you out of here by tomorrow.”