Page 72 of The Dragon King

All he did was stare.

Khazmuda spoke to me privately.This is hopeless, Pretty.

Leave my home and never return—and leave my island.

When Khazmuda returned me to the beach, Talon sat on the sand in front of the dead fire. He was in the shade of a palm tree as he looked out at the water, in just his trousers, like he’d come out there as soon as he woke up.

Khazmuda dropped me off then opened his massive wings and departed to the skies.

I joined Talon by the cold campfire. “Good morning.”

His arms rested on his knees, his hair matted from the way he slept on the pillow. He stared at the fire like it still burned. “Khazmuda told me about your conversation with Macabre.”

I’d assumed I couldn’t make it worse, but I somehow had. “I didn’t think it was possible to dislike a dragon.”

“Just like Khazmuda said, one bad apple doesn’t mean the tree is rotten.”

“I know, but he’s blatantly selfish,” I said. “When I reminded him what you’ve done for the elves, he said their island would have persevered even if the elves had been killed. Didn’t care whatsoever about Queen Eldinar. He made no effort to make Inferno accepted here. Honestly, he’s a fucking asshole.”

A painful smirk moved over his lips. “I caught on to that.”

“I don’t know what to do.” It really did feel hopeless. It was impossible to convince someone who didn’t have an ounce of empathy. Who only cared for himself. “You can tell he doesn’t care about the other dragons at all. That he hasn’t lost a moment of sleep over it. That he’s too busy fucking all the females who live in his cave.”

He massaged his knuckles on his knees, like he felt old pains return to the joints. He had been livid and fiery last night, but today, he seemed subdued and hopeless. There had always been a fight inside his bones, but that fight seemed to have died.

“I don’t know what to do.”

He remained silent, eyes still on his hands.

“We’ll figure out a way.” It sounded like a lie, but I wanted to believe it. Needed to believe it. I wanted to avenge Vivian and Lena as much as he did now. Wanted to save the dragons Talon spoke so highly of. When he didn’t say anything, I looked at the side of his face.

He continued to stare at his hands.

“Do you think we can do this without the dragons?” I asked, hoping he had an answer to this dilemma.

He remained quiet for a long time, like he had no intention of speaking. “I haven’t received word about the Southern Islessince I left long ago. I have no idea how it’s changed, how many dragons live, even if my uncle is still king. But when I left, there were a hundred dragons in the skies raining down fire and burning us all. Even with my armies and the dead, I can’t fight enemies in the air. Khazmuda and Inferno will either be slaughtered or imprisoned.”

“If we kill the dark elves, it’ll free the dragons.”

“But I know nothing about the elves. I don’t know their numbers or their organization. I assume my uncle offered them something in return for their participation, but I’m not sure what that would be.”

“Then we can travel to the Southern Isles and investigate. Figure out the structure and make a plan.”

“They’ll spot our dragons leagues away.”

“Then we can fly somewhere nearby and sail.”

“It’s been a long time, but they could recognize me.”

“But they won’t recognize me.”

He finally turned to look at me.

“I could become a maid in the castle. Learn whatever I can and report back.”

“That’s risky.”

“Every part of this journey has been risky, Talon.”

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