The Dragon Queen (Death #4)

1. Talon

Chapter 1

Talon

It took a week for Queen Eldinar and the elves to reach Shadow Stone. My men had been informed of their approach and the fact that they would be joining us on the long journey across the sea. The elves had been a mere legend to the humans, so they were surprised. But no amount of warning could prepare them for the sight of the dragons when they crossed the mountain range.

Brilliant scales in every color in the sky, their mighty roars like the call of a horn over the lands. Khazmuda had been the lone dragon in these lands, and every soldier who gazed upon him couldn’t resist a long stare. But the sight of so many powerful beasts in the skies was a humbling and awe-inspiring experience.

When Queen Eldinar reached the castle, she looked unaffected by the long journey across the mountains. Neither tired nor disheveled, she appeared fully rested, like she’d slept in her own bed the entire way.

When her blue eyes locked on mine, a subtle smile appeared. “It’s been a long time since I’ve entered these lands.” She glanced at Commander Navarrese from where he stood off to the side, probably because he hadn’t been able to control his gaze since the moment she’d arrived.

General Ezra gave him the death stare.

“I’ve made accommodations for you in the castle. Once you’ve had your rest, we’ll begin our journey.”

Her eyes moved to her husband, trying to extinguish his anger with her silent stare.

General Ezra finally shifted his gaze to me.

“We can rest on the journey, Death King,” she said. “But thank you for your hospitality.”

“You’ve traveled for a week straight?—”

“I will fight alongside men for the sake of the dragons, but that doesn’t mean I trust them.” She glanced at Commander Navarrese again, as if to make an accusation.

The stone walls closed in and suddenly made the air scarce. Without turning to look at my commander, I gave him my order. “Commander Navarrese, you’re dismissed.”

A heavy moment of silence passed before his footsteps became audible and he departed.

My eyes remained locked on her. “I’ve informed my men that you’re a guest in my lands. They will respect that.”

“With all due respect, you conquered these lands and usurped a king whose family ruled this throne for generations. They bow to your authority because of the unquestionable power you wield with your magic and your dragon. They have no love for you.”

Her words stung, but I didn’t show it.

“But the people of the Southern Isles do—and that’s where you belong.” A slight smile moved over her lips, as if she was trying to counter her harshness with kindness. “My people will sail on their own ships. We will fight as allies in this war, but we will part once our mission is done.”

“Then we will prepare to depart.”

“Thank you, Death King.” She turned away, wearing a green gown that exposed her shoulders but had a long train behind her. A crown woven with fresh flowers remained in her hair, keeping the forest in her heart even when she was so far from her kingdom.

General Ezra followed behind her, his broadsword across his back, along with his axe and bow, prepared to protect his queen as if they’d just stepped inside a war. They departed the castle and let me stand there alone.

Calista came to my side. “Are you ready?”

I continued to stare across the room to the double doors on the other side, the doors they’d just walked through. The ships had been prepared for the long journey, with enough water and provisions to get us there safely, assuming we avoided the storms and enemy pirates. “Yes.” I turned to look at her directly, seeing her in the dress one of the maids had made for her, her soft hair framing her face. She wore no crown, but she was still my queen.

“I hope you don’t take offense to what she said?—”

“I don’t take offense to the truth,” I said. “She’s right. No passage of time will dull the wounds I’ve inflicted on these people. Just as the people of the Southern Isles will always despise the man who took my kingdom and burned my kin.”

Her soft eyes watched mine like she had words to share but couldn’t form them on her tongue. But her empathy and kindness glowed like sunshine. “Time didn’t heal my wounds. It was you.” She continued to stare, shifting her eyes back and forth between mine. “You’re an easy man to hate. But you’re an easier man to love.”

The ships were prepared for the voyage, and now it was time to depart. These lands had never felt like home to me, but it was suddenly hard to part with them, knowing I would never see them again. I took in the castle one last time, remembered the battles I had won with little effort as I’d claimed these kingdoms in my name. In my grief, I had been numb to the catastrophe I caused to others. I’d burned their homes and killed their kin. I’d slain a king and all his kin so my power would be unquestioned. I had been incapable of such horrors before I lost my family, but once I’d lost those I loved, I didn’t give a damn if everyone else suffered the same.

But now, I was ashamed.

I would never understand how Calista could look past all that, pardon unforgivable crimes and love me so deeply. A greater man would reject her love because he knew he was unworthy. But I wasn’t that man.

“Your eyes are sad again.” She stood beside me, dressed in her traveling attire and boots, looking at me with the softness of a rose petal.

I pulled my gaze away from the castle and met her eyes. “I felt no love for this place when I came here. It never felt like home, just a foreign land where I didn’t belong. But now…I will always think of it fondly because of you.” Because she was the light to my darkness, the humanity restored to my broken soul.

“Talon.” Her hand moved to my arm, but the details of her grip were indistinguishable through my armor. “You will see it again someday.” She said it with such belief and sincerity that it almost felt true.

Almost.