Page 73 of The Dragon King

He looked at the cold fire again.

“I think that’s our best option.”

“Maybe,” he said quietly.

The Talon I knew was authoritative and decisive, finding a path even if it was riddled with obstacles. But now, he was overcome with defeat, a depression that seeped so far in his flesh it hit the bone.

I wanted to make it go away. “What was she like?”

He stilled at the question before he stitched his fingers together. “I told you about her because I thought you should know. Thought it would help you understand why I have to do this and there is no other option but success.”

“It did help me understand.”

He continued as if I hadn’t spoken. “I never want to speak of it again.”

My eyes dropped at his words.

“So much time has passed that it’s hard for me to picture her face. If I saw her again, I would recognize her, but my mind is unable to recall her appearance on memory alone. I loved her deeply, and I will always love her, but the passage of time has decayed my heart and my mind, and I’m not the same person I was when I loved her. I’ve learned to let her go. She died because I failed her as a future king, a husband, and a father. I don’t deserve to speak of her. I didn’t deserve her when I had her. I will strike down the man who took away her life in her honor, but it still won’t exonerate me.”

“I think you’re being unfairly harsh?—”

“I didn’t ask for your opinion, Calista.”

I stilled again as if he’d struck me.

“This is the last time I’ll speak of it.”

I spoke with the guards at the double doors, and once they gained permission from Queen Eldinar, they allowed me entry into her royal chambers.

I entered the wooden cabin with the husk roof, seeing vases of flowers everywhere, the grand dining table outside on the patio that faced the mountain. Queen Eldinar was seated there, flower stems on the table in front of her while her hands worked with a pile of twigs.

My uncle sat in a nearby chair, watching her work like he was content just to be with her.

I approached the table and waited for her to acknowledge me.

My uncle shifted his gaze to me but said nothing, wearing a casual shirt instead of his armor and sword.

Queen Eldinar secured the twigs with a tiny piece of string before she looked at me. “Take a seat, Calista.”

I pulled out the chair and sat down beside her.

She returned to her work with the flowers.

“What are you doing?” I looked at the tropical flowers on the table, an array of bright colors like pink, orange, and purple.

“Making flower crowns for the hatchlings,” she said with a smile. “After they saw mine, they wanted some for themselves. They’ll look so beautiful against their glorious scales.” She tied another section of branches together, completing half of the circle. Shefinally gave me her full attention, her hands together on the table. “Will the Death King be joining us?”

“I came alone.”

She gave a slight nod. “We’ll depart tomorrow morning. As much as I love it here, I can’t leave my kingdom for long.”

“I understand.”

“What do you seek?”

I could tell Talon was in a dark place, just as he had been when he’d become a fisherman and a pirate. In a state of shock, he needed a moment just to exist as he recovered from the painful disappointment. So, I decided to take matters into my own hands. “I spoke with Macabre again. I know Talon said some impolite things to him, but now that I’ve spoken to him privately, I’m in agreement. He’s one of the most selfish beings I’ve ever encountered.”

Queen Eldinar took in that comment in silence, retaining her composure and her reaction.

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