Page 44 of Lies That Bleed
Oh my stars, if we were about to talk about sex I was going to die.
‘Right.’I wanted to change the subject, but couldn’t think of anything to say.
‘I lay eggs that are not fertilized,’she confirmed, and I nodded, feeling like an idiot.
She was like the chickens we had in the barn. A giant magical chicken.
‘Sorry, let’s never speak of that again,’I told her, and her chest rumbled with a laugh again.
‘Hold on,’she said, as she began to descend.
I dug my fingers into her colorful feathers and then we dropped. My stomach gave out and a thrill ran through me. She shot forward faster than I ever thought possible, and laughter bubbled out of me. I had to squeeze my thighs to stay on her and then she slowed in front of my house.
I scanned our large compound, then the smile was ripped from my face. My father was watching us with crossed arms and a curious expression, Zuri perched next to him and glaring up at me. I sat up straighter and leapt off of Liana the moment she landed.
“Father. I’m sorry if I’m late. There was?—”
“Is this her?” He walked towards Liana, cocking his head to the side, making a slow circle around her. I could see the greed in his gaze, the jealousy. No matter how much he tried to hide it, his face dripped with it.
Could I blame him? I’d bonded a Talanagi. He was the emperor. It should have been him.
“Yes, Father, this is Liana. Liana, this is the emperor of Amersea, my father.”
My father bowed slightly to her out of respect, Zuri doing the same beside him. “We are so pleased you have bonded with Aisling. You will make a great addition to my fleet.”
Liana’s nostrils flared slightly. I couldtell something was off with her, a stirring within her that I couldn’t explain.
But she bowed her large, feathered head out of respect, saying nothing to me.
“It seems we are all well met,” I told my father, as he and Zuri relaxed after Liana’s head bow, which was not only a sign of respect but submission. Something my father demanded of all of his subjects.
Meeting another person’s creature for the first time was a bit unnerving. There had been attacks in the past if two creatures didn’t get along well.
“I’m going to get her settled in the barn,” I informed my father.
He nodded curtly. “Then right to bed. You start boot camp tomorrow.”
I grinned at that. I never in a million years thought I’d bond a Talanagi and go off to boot camp with her. Every Imperial Fleet officer present would be staring at us no doubt. They’d be staring at Kohen and Onyx too.
I walked Liana across the large garden and to the huge barn my father had built just for this moment. There were four large stalls, enough for me and the triplets’ creatures when they got them. I slid open the large double doors and then walked her into one of the open stalls. Fresh hay had been laid down and there was water and food.
Liana took one look at it and snorted.‘Oh, my precious child. I am not a pet. I will not be living in here.’
My face fell and I immediately felt guilty. Of course she wasn’t a pet!
‘I’ve offended you? I’m so sorry.’This was the roommate stuff we needed to work out. I reached for her and she nuzzled my hand.
‘Not offended. Just educating you. I sleep among the trees and the stars. I hunt for my food. I drink from streams. I fly where I want and I will never be caged.’
I understood completely. She wasn’t like other creatures and I needed to remember that.‘I’m sorry.’
I walked her out of the barn to the back of our yard where the perfectly manicured lawn stopped and the thick wild jungle began.
She looked content.‘This is better.’
I chewed on my lip, worried now that we might have to work some more things out.‘I start a month-long boot camp tomorrow. We are at war with Luska and boot camp is where we go to learn?—’
She nodded, cutting me off.‘I know how it works. I live near The Wall, I see the war firsthand every day. I will learn to fight beside you, Aisling, and protect you with my life. I will lead you into battle, and one day, when you are empress, I will carry you across the entire world in a victory parade.’
