Page 113 of The Dragon Queen

His eyes found mine again. “It’s okay to love him, Calista. I’m still happy for you.”

“Thank you. That means a lot.”

“There’s no doubt in my mind that he would do anything to protect you. That he would give his life for yours without a second thought. In that regard, there’s not much more I can ask for in a suitor. You will never need for anything—and you will be happy.”

Chapter 33

Talon

Upon Khazmuda’s back, we left the Riviana Star and flew across the sea, a fleet of dragons behind us above the clouds in the sunlight and the moonlight. When we arrived at the Kingdom of the Southern Isles, it was dawn.

Khazmuda landed in the courtyard, the trees burned to the ground, the stakes still erected on a pile of ash, half of the castle destroyed. It was once a glorious place, but it’d been stripped to a graveyard of stone.

I left Khazmuda’s back and walked to the edge of the cliff to look down at the village. There was damage below, but most of the city had remained intact during the battle, the fighting taking place in the sky.

It had been strange to return here the first time, but it felt right the second time. The place would never be exactly as I remembered it, but perhaps it could be better.

Calista came to my side but remained quiet, giving me a moment to soak it all in.

Free of revenge and self-hatred, I was able to stand there and appreciate the breeze on my face, savor the sunlight as it tanned my skin. It’d been a long time since I’d known peace, so long it took me moments to recognize that it had returned.

Calista turned and stared at the side of my face, watching me overlook the kingdom that had been pried from my hands.

I turned and met her look.

A hint of a smile was on her lips, a love in her eyes that reminded me of the way my mother used to look at me. “Where should we start?”

I focused on the aspect of the kingdom that had been severely neglected—and that was the people. They had been starved, with no resources, and I opened the gates so people could come and go as they pleased. I ordered every able-bodied sailor to fish in the sea and feed everyone in the Southern Isles. The crops had died and the livestock withered, but the ocean was right on their doorstep. Barron had cared more about containing his citizens than letting them sail from the harbor to fish.

It was maddening.

Now that the dark elves had been slain, Calista helped the farmers work the fields, tilling the soil and planting seeds in the hope they would grow. The castle was in ruins, so Calista and I slept in a tent in the courtyard, but prioritizing my palace felt selfish under the circumstances. Once I took care of the people, I knew they would take care of me.

“Your Majesty, we have someone at the docks who wishes to speak with you.” The soldiers had already accepted my leadership even though I hadn’t been coronated. When I returned with the dragons, the authority was automatically granted to me.

I stood at the edge of the city before the docks, watching the sailors bring their catch to market—where it would be given freely. Currency was banned for the moment, and everyone worked to bring society back to its former shine. “Lead the way.”

He walked down the stone pathway that hugged the cliff, moving closer to the port and the line of docks. When we approached a galleon made of dark timber and black sails, a smile crept on to my lips.

He stood on the pier, in his black cutlass with the holes in the arm, his tanned skin leathered from a lifetime at sea. He wore his hat, a rip in the flap from an enemy’s sword. His mouth started in a soft smile before it widened to a grin. “King Talon Rothschild of the Southern Isles—among us peasants.”

I smirked as I walked up to him, seeing the blue eyes that looked like the sea.

He stared back, his eyes flicking back and forth, emotion so potent he didn’t need to speak.

My heart hurt, but it never felt so free.

“I heard rumors that the rightful king had returned to his throne. Had to see it myself.”

“Here I stand a king—but forever a pirate.”

His smile slowly started to fade. “You’re a better king than you ever were a pirate, Talon. You always had more integrity thanthe rest of us. Always cared more about people than treasure. I thought you were weak—but then I realized I was wrong.”

I expected him to ask how I had returned from the dead, how I stood before him as a man rather than a ghost, but he never did. “There’s a place for you here—all of you—if you wish to take it.”

“And serve a pompous prick like you?” He grinned. “I’ll pass. My heart belongs at sea—until the day it claims it.”

I smiled back. “You’re always welcome to visit. And don’t be surprised when you see a black dragon headed for the Hideaway for a visit.”

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