Page 100 of The Dragon Queen

“When do you think it’ll happen?” I asked as my arms gripped his waist.

“I don’t know,” Talon said. “Bahamut is arrogant. He assumed he could cross into the Realm of Caelum alone. But I assume he won’t be arrogant about this. He’ll build his army and make sure he’s prepared because he only has one shot at this.”

“Just when I thought this was all over…” When we would know peace and happiness. When our only concern would be spending time together as husband and wife and restoring a broken kingdom to its former glory. Enjoying the sunshine with the sight of dragons in the air. Watching the moonlight dance across the surface of the water.

Macabre came in for a landing outside the forest, touching down on the grass gently.

Talon didn’t try to comfort me. Didn’t say anything at all. He climbed down first then helped me get to the bottom without injury. “Macabre, in case we don’t speak again, there’s something I’d like to say.”

Macabre turned his disapproving eyes on Talon, accepting him with little affection.

“Queen Eldinar wants your help but is too afraid to ask for it.”

Macabre stared at him a moment longer before he spoke.She need not fear me. I will grant any request she makes—if it’s within my power.

“I know,” Talon said. “And that’s why I’m going to make it for her.”

I had no idea what this was about, but it must be important if Talon was willing to make the time for it.

Speak.

“General Ezra is human. Within a few decades, he’ll be gone, and she’ll live for thousands of years. Their love is real and true, and it seems unfair for it to end so quickly. But if you were to fuse with him so his life-span could match hers, their love story could last as long as it should. They could have children. But she respects you too much to ask it of you—so I will ask. Khazmuda wishes to remain fused with me, so we’ll always be together until this world is no more. I will ask Inferno to permanently fuse with Calista so I may enjoy immortality with her as well, because I can’t live without her.”

I hadn’t considered the future beyond the next few weeks and months, and it warmed my heart to know that when he said he wanted me to be his wife and the mother of his children, he truly meant it. He didn’t want to commit to me for one life, but for all eternity. He could return to the Realm of Caelum and be reunited with Vivian, but he chose to stay with me…forever.

Macabre considered the request in silence, staring at Talon with guarded eyes.

Talon patiently waited for his response.

Queen Eldinar has devoted her life to others, not just her kin, but to those less fortunate. It would be my honor to grant her a wish that none other can fulfill. I love her like my own hatchling, so I desire her happiness like it is my own.

“Thank you,” Talon said.

Now we must win this battle so I can grant this wish.

The dragons arrived, but there was nowhere else for them to go but remain on the outskirts of the forest. Inferno had stayed behind because his wing was still too injured to carry him across the sea.

It’d been nearly three days since I’d seen Bahamut. So much time, I wondered if Bahamut would return at all.

Talon slept very little. He didn’t return to the tree house to sleep, choosing to sleep under the stars or against the trunk of trees whenever he could. As a result, his look was more grizzled than usual. He’d never been a big talker, but he spoke even less often now, clearly irritated by the situation and his part in it.

Queen Eldinar hadn’t appeared. Once she’d stepped away from us, she didn’t return. But my uncle was there, along with the able-bodied soldiers who were strong enough to protect the tree. After all the battles, only a quarter of the population of RivianaStar remained—and that simply wasn’t enough for what was about to come.

The sun hadn’t set yet, but Talon lay in the shade of a tree, asleep with both of his hands on his chest, his beard thick and dark from not shaving for days. He always wore his armor, remained vigilant for battle.

I sat beside him, my legs crossed, tired but unable to sleep. It was a stressful time, but it was still hard to regret how the situation came to be. It was impossible to regret having Talon back, regardless of how this turned out. It was selfish and wrong, but truth, nonetheless.

They are coming.

Commander Navarrese?

No. The dead.

My heart tumbled into my stomach, landing in a pool of adrenaline.

There’s been no sign of Commander Navarrese. They either march behind the army of the dead, or they are the army of the dead.

I glanced at Talon, who remained dead asleep like he wasn’t privy to this conversation.How many?

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