Page 103 of Wrath of the Dragons
“I’m open to debating that,” she states, pointing to the ocean. “You just told me I need to drink water.”
“Not saltwater.” I smack her on the ass, and she laughs again as I turn back to the others. “Don’t follow us.”
Ryder gags in response and Finnian makes a series of kissing noises.All hells, how did this become my life?I take us to a section of beach hidden by a lush forest filled with palms and hibiscus flowers and set Elowen on her feet. I tug her skirt down her legs and lean forward to playfully bite her thigh. She squeals and smacks me on the shoulder as she tugs her top over her head.
“I am a married woman, sir.” She gasps, swaying her hips as she walks into the sea.
“Damn right, you are.” I remove my pants, and catch up to her, wrapping her legs around my waist as a warm wave crashes into us. She shrieks, tightening her limbs around me as it barrels past, and I swim out past the break far enough that she’s able to enjoy the swells without being pummeled by them.
“Do you miss the ocean when we’re in Vareveth?” she asks, gliding her arms across the crystalline surface.
“Sometimes,” I answer truthfully.
“What’s Imirath like in the summer?”
I think back to blurry memories from childhood. “When I would venture into Zinambra, the ocean was a lighter blue than it was in the winter and a lot warmer. Some beaches had towering waves and others had small ones. People would fry fish on the docks for only a few syndrils and others would sit along the streets eating dishes of various seafoods and rice, washing them down with fruity wine. It was cooler in the mountains, but wildflowers grew all over the forests and in some places the tree cover was so thick you couldn’t see the sky.”
Elowen sighs, looking to the horizon. “I’ve been thinking about what comes after all of this, and I know you love the sea…so I was thinking we could spend the warmer months in Imirath. I…I don’t think I’ll ever be able to live in the castle again, but we can build a new one right on the water.”
I know she’s drunk, but the sincerity is real. “I’d like that.”
She smiles softly, resting her hand against my scarred cheek and pressing her lips to mine. I dip us under the surface, keeping us locked together as the tide blocks out the world around us.
Chapter
Fifty
Elowen
I stand at the bow ofthe ship, letting the sea air caress my cheeks and whip my curls behind me. There’s something so calming about being on the water, and when I look at Cayden sharpening his sword while gazing at the shore, I wonder if he gets the same freeing feeling aboard a ship as I do on dragonback.
We leave Zario behind and cross the river that splits it from Zraka and spills over steep cliffs into the ocean. My skin prickles with awareness, and the hairs on the back of my neck stand. I feel like I’m being watched. I look over my shoulder, but nothing is out of the ordinary. Finnian, Ryder, Saskia, and a few crew members pile breakfast onto their plates. Cayden’s gaze still hasn’t found mine, but my eyes drift to the river and the mountains in the distance. Something tugs in my chest like someone tied a string around one of my ribs, and Cayden’s eyes flick to mine.
“Did you feel that?” He nods while setting his whetstone aside, granting me his full attention. “What’s in those mountains?”
“They’re uninhabited for all I know, infested with venomous snakes and other reptiles, not to mention the monsters native to this kingdom.”
Venatrix screeches as she glides closer to the river, only spreading her wings wide to alter her course when I get too far away for comfort.“Hmm.” I keep my eyes on the falls as we continue sailing past, not moving until they’re out of eyesight.
Ser Rhys escorts Prince Zarius onto the deck, and I dig my fingers into my throbbing temples in an attempt to alleviate the dull headache before he gives me another. A water mage ventured into the city to collect the remainder of their things from Zario early this morning, so at least the prince looks more presentable than the previous day. Nothing fancy, but his red linen shirt isn’t wrinkled or reeking of rum, and he’s donned some silver jewelry to add a bit of regality.
“Queen.” Zarius nods to me, seeming much more formal than last night. “King.”
“Have you thought about our offer?”
“Do I have a choice?”
“Everyone has a choice. It just depends on whether you’re able to live with the consequences,” I answer.
“I have terms,” Zarius states, and Cayden gestures for him to proceed. “As I mentioned yesterday, I do not have an army, and my father has other heirs from his new wife who citizens may favor. After this is settled, you will sign a treaty between our kingdoms, opening trade to both Galakin and Vareveth as you requested, but I require you to fight with me as I will join you. If there is rebellion in my kingdom after I retake the throne, I need the demon king and dragon queen to help quell it.”
I exchange a glance with Cayden, but it’s a fair deal. Seeking Zarius out to place him on the throne so we can secure an alliance with Thirwen will all be for naught if he can’t hold it. “Yesterday you said you didn’t want the throne. Why the sudden change?”
He rolls his lips, tilting his head to the side as he contemplates. “Perspective.”
I look to Ser Rhys standing stone-faced by his side and wonder how much sway he has over the prince. Whatever his influence, I’m grateful for it as I clasp my hands behind my back to avoid a handshake. “Very well.”
Strands of white hair brush against his sharp cheekbones as henods and bows his head slightly to glance at the markings on my and Cayden’s skin.
