Page 1 of The Dragon King

Chapter 1

Calista

All Queen Eldinar had to do was give a subtle nod, and her men scattered like a school of fish. Uncle Ezra did the same, stepping off to the side, his hands behind his back with his eyes still locked on Talon.

Talon moved away as well, heading back to where Khazmuda remained at the campsite.

Since Queen Eldinar stared at me so hard, I knew she wanted me to stay. We stood alone together, in the clearing outside the forest, her eyes locked on mine with the same sheathed hostility she always wore. “There is only way to execute this plan—by having the Death King enter Riviana Star. This greatly displeases me, but I see no other way.”

“He said he wishes you no harm?—”

“Because of his affection for you—and a man’s affection can change in an instant.”

My heart gave a painful squeeze. “I don’t think he would have fought in your war if his affection were so weak.” I’d betrayed him, and he still saved me. “I turned my back on him, but he’snever turned his back on me.” The guilt was heavy in my throat, like a rock that couldn’t be swallowed.

Her eyes narrowed.

“And I don’t think my uncle’s affection for you could ever change.”

“You insult my husband with the comparison. What we have is love, and what you have is a mixture of lust and convenience. I won’t deny the Death King is a beautiful man, so I understand why you’ve been cast under his spell. But make no mistake, the depth of his affection for you is barely skin-deep.”

A rush of anger hit me hard like an arrow against armor. “With all due respect, you know nothing about him—and you know even less about us.” My fury lit up quicker than a match against flint, the flames higher than the treetops. I might have agreed with her if this had been weeks in the past, but now, everything had changed, our relationship had deepened, and I would fight for it tooth and nail.

She stared at me long and hard, a hint of disapproval in her gaze. “I hope I’m wrong, for your uncle’s sake.”

It was the first time I realized Queen Eldinar was more than a monarch…but also my aunt. No maternal affection came from her, not a hint of it in her gaze. And I wondered if that was because she knew her love with my uncle would be a mere second in her very long lifetime and a relationship with me was simply not worth the effort.

“I will permit the Death King to enter our forest, but he will be under my supervision at all times. Guards accompany him wherever he goes, without exception. I know that your relationship with your uncle has barely had the chance to bloom,but I see that it’s meaningful to you. For that reason, I trust that you will protect this forest, if need be.”

“I would protect this forest even if he weren’t my uncle,” I said. “Riviana Star is a beautiful place, and it’s an honor to call it home. But as I said before, the Death King would never hurt your forest or your people. Your concern is needless.”

“We’re a very capable race. Great allies for the battlefield. I’m sure he’s realized that.”

I stared, unsure what she meant by that.

She seemed to sense my confusion because she continued. “He conquered your lands because he needed an army for his war. His chances would be even greater if he had the elves to serve him. For that reason, I will always be suspicious of him.”

“He wouldn’t do that?—”

“Why not?” she demanded. “What’s the difference between us and the humans?”

I held her gaze without an answer because there really wasn’t one.

“I hope that by giving him access to the dragons, whether they agree to his war or not, he’ll leave us in peace.”

“I don’t see how he could force you anyway. You’re much stronger than humans.”

“He can command the army of the dead, can have us executed by our own kin. He could threaten to destroy or invade Riviana, the gateway to Caelum, in order to ensure our participation. It causes me great pain to permit him into our forest, but I fearit’s necessary because the dark elves are a greater threat at the moment.”

“I know this doesn’t mean much to you, but I really don’t think he would do that.”

“You’re right. It doesn’t mean much to me,” she said. “Because you have no evidence for your claim. He said himself he’s not evil, has only done evil things to survive. I think that enslaving the elves for his war falls into that category.”

I still didn’t believe it, didn’t believe he would ever do such a thing, but I let the argument die.

“Do not let him near the Realm of Caelum—under any circumstances.”

“I don’t even know where it is.”

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