Page 15 of Blood of Dragons

When the stare was too much, I looked away.

I UNDERSTAND YOUR FEELINGS FOR HIM ARE COMPLICATED, BUT IF YOU DON’T KILL HIM, HE’LL KILL YOU.

“He could have killed me, but he let me go.”

HE LET YOU GO THIS TIME. BUT THAT WON’T HAPPEN AGAIN. HIS ANGER WILL FESTER IN YOUR SEPARATION. THEY SAY DISTANCE MAKES THE HEART GROW FONDER. IT ALSO MAKES THE ANGER GROW DEEPER. YOU BETRAYED HIM, AND AS THAT BETRAYAL SETTLES MORE COMPLETELY INTO HIS BONES, HIS RAGE WILL GROW LIKE AN UNSTOPPABLE WEED. WHETHER YOU WANT TO ADMIT IT OR NOT, YOU’RE OFFICIALLY ENEMIES.

I stared at the fire, remembering how palpable that rage was, the way it heated my face just like real flames.

A long stretch of silence passed.LET’S LEAVE FOR RIVIANA STAR IN THE MORNING. I’M EXCITED TO SEE DRAGONS IN THE SKIES ONCE AGAIN.

“Yeah…me too.”

2

TALON

Khazmuda and I returned to the castle.

Days had passed, and we didn’t speak. Not that he didn’t try to address me, but I blocked my mind from his with a wall so thick that it rivaled the rocky mountains that bordered this land.

My time had been spent alone, either gazing into the depths of the fire in the hearth or staring at the ceiling in bed. My time in the wild made me crave the luxuries of home, but after what happened, I lacked an appetite.

All I did was drink.

When enough time had passed, I finally lowered the defense around my mind so Khazmuda could approach if he wished.

It took him less than a minute to feel my mind.Are you ready to talk?

No. But I’m ready to listen to all the shit I already know you’ll say.I sat in front of the fire with a drink in my hand, wearing my trousers and nothing else, the ghost of my lover still in the room with me.

I tried to warn you—but you didn’t listen.

Then go ahead and say it. I told you so.

He was quiet.

Say it.

Khazmuda let the silence pass.

I took a drink from my glass.

More silence passed.

Why did you let her go?

Because I had to.

Why? You were the one with the blade to her neck.

But she was the one with the power.

How so?

Because she would rather die than come back with me—and she meant it. The determination in her eyes was like a beacon of truth. She’d submitted in the past, to men unworthy of her obedience, and now she was done. I could see it in her eyes, the calm defeat, the acceptance.I couldn’t kill her.

She betrayed you.

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