Page 88 of The Dragon King

Queen Eldinar shifted her gaze from Talon to the gray dragon as the silence lingered.

I won’t forgive you today or tomorrow. But one day, if we live long enough, I will.

That was exactly what I expected from him. “I’m sorry for the way I spoke to you as well.”

Macabre shifted his gaze to me.You were passionate, but not disrespectful. There is nothing to forgive.

Queen Eldinar addressed us again, turning her head back and forth between us because I stood so far away from the other three. “It’s time we begin our preparations. Now that the Death King is our ally, we have nothing to fear from the kingdoms across the mountains. The dragons will be safe outside the forest for the time being.” She looked at Talon. “Do you have a plan, Death King?”

Talon stood there in his armor and uniform, his cape flapping elegantly behind him in the wind, making him look like the king he was born to be. Handsome and tall, he looked like a living portrait that would line a hall of kings who came before him. “I need to prepare my army to sail across the sea. The journey will be long and arduous.”

“And will they sail straight to the Southern Isles?” Queen Eldinar said.

“No,” Talon said. “I have other allies in the south who will come to our aid. If we sail to their lands, they will grant us hospitality until we’re prepared for battle.”

“Who are these allies?” Queen Eldinar asked.

Talon hesitated for a moment, as if he didn’t want to say. “Pirates.”

My uncle turned to regard him in slight judgment.

Queen Eldinar said nothing.

Talon felt the unspoken pressure to speak. “The Southern Isles have a substantial fleet of ships. This battle will take place by land, sea, and sky. They’re the best sailors I’ve encountered, have taught me everything I know, and we need someone with expertise to help so many ships arrive there safely and discreetly.”

Queen Eldinar continued to stare at him. “It’s difficult for me to accept an alliance with plunderers and thieves…but I trust your judgment, Death King.”

“We have no other choice,” he said. “We can’t sail across the sea for weeks and go straight into battle. My soldiers need sustenance and rest. And we need time to study the terrain before we move in. We only have one chance of success. It must count.”

“Then you plan to return to the Southern Isles yourself?” Queen Eldinar asked.

Talon was quiet for a long time, like the idea of returning home made him sick. “Yes. I need to know what to expect. I need to know the number of dark elves. The size of their army. If the dragons are still enslaved. It’s been over twenty years since I’ve been in those lands, and it must have changed in that time.”

“What if you’re recognized?” the queen asked.

“Anyone who supported my family was killed long ago. The only people who would recognize me would be my uncle and his immediate family. All I have to do is stay away from them—and I intend to.”

“And I can investigate in his stead as well,” I said. “If he needs to avoid detection.”

Talon turned to look at me.

I was careful to avoid his stare.

A heavy silence landed on us all.

Queen Eldinar spoke again. “Then we shall return to Riviana Star. The dragons will be safe outside the forest. Their only enemies are the Behemoths and monsters to the east, but they’ll be no match for forty dragons.”

No.

She continued. “The Death King will prepare his army to set sail, and we’ll join his fleet. Khazmuda will guide the dragons to the hideout. Then Talon will investigate the Southern Isles, and we’ll begin our assault. Any objections?”

It was quiet.

“Then we’re in agreement,” she said. “Let’s ride.”

It was a wearying couple of days. The return journey felt far longer without Talon by my side. We rode separate horses, and instead of sharing a tent with my uncle, I slept with Inferno, perfectly warm under his wing while I was tucked in my bedroll.

But I was sad. Lonely. Empty.

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