Page 5 of The Dragon Queen

She gave a slight nod. “I expected the journey to take longer.”

“The wind has worked in our favor.”

“Will you remain with us for the rest of the journey?” Her gown had its own cape, so it flapped in the breeze behind her.

Talon’s cape did the same, black like the diamonds in his armor. “Since I’m the only one who knows the location of the hideout, I must steer the commanding ship.”

She gave a nod in understanding.

“I came here for Calista. She’s agreed to join me.”

“I understand,” she said. “I would not be separated from my love either.”

“She considers the elves her people?—”

“But you, her home.” She looked out to sea once more. “I understand that better than anyone.”

Talon turned to stare at the side of her face, her blond hair whipping in the breeze behind her. “Is there anything I can do for you before I depart?”

“I have everything I need, Talon.” She turned to look at him.

“Then I shall depart, Eldi.”

She gave him a slight smile. “I’ll see you when we arrive.”

He gave a nod before he turned away and approached me. “Gather your things and meet me at the stern.”

There was a flush to my cheeks and sweat on my palms. The powerful breeze wasn’t enough to fight the perspiration that continued to form as fast as raindrops. My heart raced faster than usual, prepared for a flight when there was nowhere to go.

He stared at me as he waited for my agreement.

“How will we get there?”

“I’ll row us.”

“You would have to row really hard to match the speed of the ships.”

He continued his hard stare. “As I said, I’ll always be a sailor.”

Talon proved his physical fitness by rowing us to the front of the fleet and securing us to the galleon in the lead. Perhaps the water was already moving with the ships and that aided him, but it was impressive, nonetheless.

He had me climb the ladder first before he followed me, carrying my pack for me and then handing it to one of his men when he was on deck. His commander was there, standing with his hands behind his back as he waited for orders.

Talon took one look at the horizon and seemed pleased with the direction of the ship. “We’re about to cross the meridian. There are powerful currents and riptides that can easily set a ship off course. All hands on deck until we arrive.”

Commander Navarrese nodded. “Yes, Your Majesty.”

Talon stepped away and took the lead, guiding me under deck to the cabins below, carrying my bag again. Most of the sailors slept in bunks in a single room, some even in the storage area, and the other cabins were meant for the captain of the ship and the first mate, which was Talon and his commander.

He opened the door for me, showing a bed and a little table with a window above the stern. “It’s not much, but half the journey is over.”

“I’d be fine with a broom closet as long as I got to share it with you.”

He stared at me as one hand rested on the doorknob. My bag still hung over one of his shoulders. It was heavy, containing the dragon armor he’d gifted me, but he didn’t seem bothered by the weight. With gold flecks in his eyes, he looked at me like he could do it forever. Nearly a minute passed before he shut the door and carried my pack to the corner. “I’ll return when it gets dark.”

“You’ll be on the deck all day?”

“Only I know the way.”

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