Born of Defiance by Sherrilyn Kenyon Read Free Book Online Page A

normally eat with your friends?”
    â€œDon’t have any.”
    She scowled at his emotionless tone. “None?”
    â€œI’m a bastard,” he said simply.
    â€œYeah? So am I.” Yet she had a ton of friends. Well … depending on the time of the month.
    â€œYour father isn’t an Outcast, Felicia. I have no paternal lineage. At all. My caste class is-12-6.”
    â€œOh.” Yeah, that would be a problem in a society that placed high importance and all personal value on dual family lineages. The only thing lower than his standing was an Outcast male.
    Something no Andarion wanted to be.
    While her parents had never married, both her mother and father came from elite noble families with very prestigious standings. Her caste was miles above his, which was even more rare on Andaria. Females always took care to tie themselves to males who were either equal to or above them in standing. The only exception being the royal eton Anatoles, who, as the ruling family, were the highest caste in their empire.
    His eyes filled with remorse, Talyn shifted in his seat. When he spoke, there was no emotion in his tone at all. “If you want to terminate your contract with me before I taint you, I’ll understand. You won’t have to worry. I’ll pay the severance fees and you can go back to your agency.”
    â€œTalyn,” she breathed, touching his hand. “I don’t care about your father or his standing. I’m more than happy to be here with you.”
    Before he could respond, the waiter returned with water. “Are you ready to order?”
    Talyn inclined his head to her. “What would you like, mu tara ?”
    You on a platter.
    Unfortunately, Talyn tartare wasn’t one of her options. “I’m not sure. What do you recommend?”
    â€œI’m in training, so all I’m eating is lean white meat with nothing on it and whatever plain grain they have. I don’t recommend that.”
    She screwed her face up. “Seriously?”
    He nodded.
    She looked to the waiter. “What do you recommend?”
    â€œThe sunset steak is exceptional. As is the summer salad.”
    â€œI think I’ll have the steak, well done.”
    â€œAnd to drink?”
    â€œWine.”
    He took the menus without asking Talyn for his order.
    As she opened her mouth to speak, a human male hesitantly approached their table.
    â€œHammer,” he said to Talyn, whose face turned even more rigid. “You ready for tomorrow night?”
    â€œI am.”
    â€œGood. I’ve got a month’s credit riding on you. I’m looking forward to the payout.” He held a small link and stylus out to Talyn. “Would you mind signing this for my grandson? He’s a huge fan of yours.”
    Only then did Talyn relax a degree. “Sure. What’s his name?”
    â€œGelun. G-e-l-u-n.”
    Talyn signed it and handed it back to the man, who smiled happily.
    He clutched the autograph to his chest. “I won’t keep you from your female. Good luck tomorrow night.”
    â€œThanks.”
    Felicia arched a brow at the strange occurrence.
    â€œI’m a Ring fighter.” Talyn took a drink of water.
    â€œOne of my friends told me that after I’d signed our contract. I had no idea before then. What made you want to be one?”
    He sighed heavily. “They wouldn’t let me into OT, otherwise.”
    â€œOT?”
    â€œOfficer training.”
    Felicia felt sick at what he was telling her. Ring fighting was a brutal blood sport where opponents tried to kill each other for entertainment. Many times, they succeeded. Honestly, the entire sport and those who participated in it repulsed her. “How long have you been fighting?”
    â€œNine years.”
    That shocked her even more. Who in their right mind would allow their child to participate in something so horrific as a baby? “You were an infant when you