Page 35 of The Death King

I got dressed in the center of the room, the bedchambers mostly dark because the sunlight had been taken away.

You can feel mine too—if you try.

I was still overwhelmed by the intrusion of his words inside my mind. It took me several seconds to recover.

You didn’t answer my question.

I’m okay. What about you?

It’s a cold morning. My favorite meal is hibernating.

What’s your favorite meal?

Bears.

Oh…

Grizzlies, in particular.

Why not other bears?

Because they’re bigger. What do you eat?

Um…not bears.

A delicacy you’re denying yourself.

I’m sure. I sat on the couch in front of the cold fireplace. So you knew Talon wouldn’t kill me…because you would ask him not to.

Yes.

Why?

Because he listens to me.

I meant, why did you ask him to spare me? Because I have the gift?

That was one of the reasons.

What are the other reasons?

You’re valuable. There was a pause. And I like you.

You like me?

I do.

I’m not sure what I’ve done to earn that.

You remind me of Talon. He was just as broken when we met.

I knew that depth of sadness and wouldn’t wish it upon anyone, even him. But he was the man who had taken everything from me, so perhaps he did deserve it.

But I suppose he still is…

I didn’t pry into his backstory. He might have saved me from General Titan’s grasp, but he was still my enemy as far as I was concerned. My father’s dead body on his desk would be forever ingrained in my mind.

You don’t like him.