Page 40 of The Dragon King

Her shrewd eyes slowly softened at my words. “May we speak in private—friend?”

I looked at Calista.

She gave a nod and didn’t seem wounded by the exclusion. She wordlessly left the chambers and went back into the forest.

When she was gone, I looked at the queen again.

“Come.” She rose from her throne then moved farther into the chambers, showing a grand table with high-backed chairs that could accommodate twelve guests with plenty of spacing. A slender trench-style vase constructed of wood ran down the table in the center, at least twelve feet across, and white flowers grew from the soil compacted within the container. She took a seat at the head of the table, wearing a white dress with a flower crown upon her head. “Sit.”

I pulled out the chair to her left and pivoted it to face her directly.

“This is where General Ezra and I have our meetings—as equals.”

Because we were also equals. “You honor me, Queen Eldinar.”

“I respect you, Death King.” She sat back in the chair, her legs crossed, her hands together on the table. “Calista and I have never connected because of the circumstances of our meeting. I wasn’t given the luxury of embracing her as an aunt because of my duty as queen. To make the attempt now would be forced and disingenuous.”

“Calista isn’t the type to hold grudges. She has a heart that forgives easily.”

She smiled. “Because she’s young. Despite her hardships, she has a zest for life that only exists in youth.”

“Perhaps.”

Her fingers stitched together. “Just because that relationship between us doesn’t exist doesn’t mean my affection also doesn’t exist.”

General Ezra had made his disdain for me clear. I’d hoped that had changed after the battle, but perhaps it hadn’t.

“As I said before, she’s young. And you’re a man who may seem the same age in appearance but is many decades older in spirit.”

“With all due respect, I find this hypocritical, considering the age gap between you and General Ezra is a century rather than a couple decades.”

She didn’t flinch at my comment, a soft smile on her lips. “And I think General Ezra would have benefited from a conversation similar to this. I did my best to deter his affection, but he was adamant the moment he saw me. It’s a selfish love, to use all of his youth, while I barely spill a drop of mine.”

I was surprised by her honesty but gave no indication of it.

“But there’s a major difference between us. I was able to return General Ezra’s affections and agree to a life together. The last conversation you and I had still troubles me because I sense you’re unable to give Calista the same—for reasons I’ll never know. We are new friends, and I won’t interrogate you about matters that don’t concern me. I only ask that you consider the devastation you’ll leave behind.”

I’d underestimated the queen’s intelligence and shrewdness and wouldn’t make that mistake again. “It weighs on me every day.”

Her eyes absorbed my stare along with that answer. “I warned Calista that this love would be brief. It’s hard to know if she took that warning seriously, based on the way she continues to look at you—the way my husband looks at me.”

A sword pierced me through the chest, the guilt carving into my heart like a sharp knife.

“Each of you is experiencing a different version of this relationship. While you dread its impending doom, she lives for the sunrise. Manage her expectations to protect her gentle heart. For you, this is another moment in your long life, but for her, this is her life—because you’re her life.”

Chapter 8

Calista

We were given horses to ride to the edge of the forest, stepping out on the eastern side and to the flatlands beyond.

Khazmuda flew from the south to meet us there, and once he soared overhead, Queen Eldinar and the elves in charge of her protection all looked up to admire the black dragon that blocked out the sun.

He glided down, and his heavy body hit the earth with a distinct thud that sent tremors through the ground. He folded his wings and looked down at us all.

I climbed off the horse I shared with Talon then jogged to him. “I’m so happy to see you.” I ran into one of his powerful legs with enormous talons at the end and hugged him as best I could, my hands unable to meet on the other side of his girth.

He dropped his head and rubbed the soft side of his snout against my hair, a puff of hot air releasing from his nostrils and making my strands dance for an instant.I missed you too, Pretty.

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