The Dragon Queen (Death #4)

28. Calista

Chapter 28

Calista

Talon had had drifted off in bed, and while I took advantage of the opportunity to stare at his handsome face, I couldn’t do that forever. Especially when that horrible scar was a dark mass on his chest, a sign of the torture that he had endured for years.

We both suffered, but I had to admit that his pain was far worse than mine.

The sun was about to set, and the light passed through the trees in the most beautiful way. Fireflies were already out, their light faint when the forest still possessed some sunlight, but their appearance meant that dark would arrive soon.

I left the tree house and walked along the dirt path through the trees, knowing this was one of the last times I would get to experience the beauty and majesty of this incredible forest. It had been an asylum for me, but Talon had found me, using his abilities to be where I was—always. It was the place where I’d dropped the armor around my heart and loved him fully, trusted him without doubt, allowed myself to need someone other than myself.

I would miss it.

I knew I would return someday, but I didn’t know when.

I walked for minutes, listening to the faint music that came from the Great Tree, seeing the fireflies grow brighter as the light faded. There was no one else on the path, already in their tree houses ready for bed.

The music suddenly stopped, going from an ethereal harmony to nothing at all. It was so abrupt it made me stop in my tracks, suddenly alone in the sea of fireflies, a warning in my heart that I couldn’t explain. The music always played at different volumes throughout the day, but there had never been a time when it just…stopped.

I changed my direction and headed toward the clearing that surrounded the Great Tree, the place that was bigger than before because of all the trees that had fallen to fire. The stumps had been removed so the ground was flat, the only sign of intrusion, the patches of dirt around the areas where grass should be.

I moved through the fireflies as I approached the tree, squinting in the dark when I saw the movement of a shadow.

My breath went still in my mouth and lungs. That warning I felt in my heart burned hotter. Now I was aware of how alone I was…without a sword. But a rush of courage came forth, and I moved closer, the base of the tree becoming more distinct the closer we came.

That’ was when I saw the guards dead on the ground. There were four of them altogether, two of them with slit throats, and two others that had put up some kind of fight. A lone figure remained, dressed in midnight-blue armor with a black cape that fell down his wide shoulders. He stood before the tree where the door would appear at Riviana’s command.

I let out an involuntary gasp.

The man turned his head slightly, his blond hair visible, his chiseled jawline. Slowly, he turned more fully, his handsome features becoming more visible, a threatening stare in his eyes. He halted when he saw me, eyes far too beautiful for such an evil person.

Our eyes locked.

He studied me with a sour burn in his eyes, anger so potent it came directly from the underworld. He pivoted his body, reached across his back for the hilt of his sword, and then unsheathed it as he stepped off the wooden dais of the Great Tree and came toward me. “I know your face.”

“And I know your name— Bahamut .” My voice came out strong despite my terror. In the middle of the forest without a weapon for my defense, I was faced with the God of the Underworld, a being that had somehow crossed the barrier from his world to ours.

He moved toward me, his cape flowing behind him, the sword he carried so big it looked like it weighed more than me. “A contract is binding. The debt must be repaid. If I can’t have his soul, then I will take yours.”

I could scream for help and someone would hear, but would that someone be enough to make a difference? Talon was too far away, lost in the land of dreams, while I suffered a nightmare. So I pushed my mind to the only person that could challenge a god. Khazmuda, help me!

His mind immediately responded like he hadn’t been asleep. The fear in my voice must have been so substantial that he didn’t ask a series of questions. Where?

The Great Tree.

Bahamut made his move and slammed his blade down into the earth.

On instinct alone, I rolled out of the way and missed the blade by a hair.

He came at me again, swiping the blade right through my torso.

I missed it again, but only because I tripped and rolled back. The second my knees hit the earth, I crawled away as far as I could. “Shit.”

He moved over me again.

Without thinking twice about it, I slammed my boots right into his groin.

He released a growl like a struck dog and stumbled back.

I got to my feet and ran for my life.

“You think you can run from a god?” He chased me, the sound of his heavy body audible as it moved across the grass.

I ran faster than I ever had, pushing my body to speeds it wasn’t capable of. Perhaps it was because I didn’t carry armor or a sword that allowed me to move like the wind. Now I was grateful I wasn’t armed because there was no chance I could duel him anyway.

“ Rooooaaaaaaarrrrrrr !”

I lost my footing and fell, slamming hard into the earth. All my muscles screamed because of the collision. Bahamut’s steps became louder as he descended on me. I forced myself up, but I tried to move too hard and fast and stumbled again.

Thud.

Darkness blanketed me as the sky disappeared.

“ Rooooaaaaaaarrrrrrrrr! ”

I looked up to see Khazmuda’s scales that covered his belly. The terror that gripped my throat faded when I felt his protection, but I knew the danger wasn’t over. I crawled to his chest then squatted, seeing Bahamut standing before him with his sword at his side, looking up at the mighty dragon who protected me with his talons and scales, his fire and his threat.

Khazmuda dropped his head slightly then growled, the heat from his mouth so potent I could feel it underneath him, feel the fire in his belly warm his scales above me. I will rip his head from his shoulders and swallow it whole.

A slight smile moved over Bahamut’s lips before he returned the sword across his back, as if coming face-to-face with a fire-breathing dragon covered in midnight-black scales was somehow comical. “The mighty Khazmuda—guardian of Talon’s soul. What would your king be without your scales and strength? What would he be without my command of the dead? We’re about to find out.”

Khazmuda released another growl before he struck like a snake, opening his jaws wide to bite Bahamut clean in half. But Khazmuda’s jaws closed on air, his teeth clanking when his mouth shut. He lifted his head and looked around, but Bahamut was nowhere in sight. He’s gone.

I crawled out of my shelter and rose to my feet, seeing the empty clearing where Bahamut had once stood. The fireflies had scattered from the area, as if even they knew it was best to stay away.

“ Calista !” Talon sprinted into the clearing, his cape behind him, fully dressed in his armor and sword. He sprinted straight to me, the frantic terror so potent in his eyes it was like he’d already assumed I was dead. Instead of embracing me with a suffocating hug, he grabbed me by the arm and tugged me back like the threat was still there, like he could see something I couldn’t.

He’s gone.

“He’s never gone.” Talon pulled out his blade and marched through the clearing, making his way toward the tree. “Stay with Khazmuda.” He reached the tree and looked at the dead guards who had fallen, their blood soaking into the wood. Then he looked at the front of the tree where the bark remained intact, seeing no signs of damage or forced entry. He stayed that way for a while, waiting for something to happen, evidence that Bahamut would return or that the Realm of Caelum had been disturbed. When he was satisfied, he sheathed his blade then came back to us. “Baby, are you alright?” His hand immediately cupped my face and rested right on my pulse.

“I’m fine. He didn’t touch me.”

He squeezed me against him and pressed a quick kiss to my temple. “Thank you, Khazmuda.”

I would give my life for her—as I would for you.

“I know you would,” he said. “As I would for you.” He looked up into Khazmuda’s eyes. “I need you to travel to the Southern Isles with all the haste you can muster. Tell Constantine and the others to return imminently. This is not over.”

What do you fear, Talon?

“We don’t have time to discuss this. Leave now.”

Khazmuda took a couple steps back, stretched his wings, and launched into the sky.

I watched him go before I noticed the others who joined us in the clearing. The first to arrive was Uncle Ezra, in his uniform for the first time since we’d returned to Riviana Star. Queen Eldinar was behind him, also in her armor like she came to fight.

She strode straight to Talon. “What has happened?”

General Ezra continued to the tree, seeing the dead littered around the base.

Talon turned to me.

“I—I saw Bahamut,” I said. “He killed the guards and tried to enter the tree. He would have killed me if Khazmuda hadn’t protected me.”

Queen Eldinar listened to my words, but her eyes immediately shifted to Talon for answers. She’d always been composed, even in the most difficult of times, even when we’d snuck behind enemy lines in the Southern Isles, but the worry was clear in her gaze.

“He was gone by the time I arrived,” Talon said. “But I know she speaks the truth.”

“Bahamut can’t interfere with the land of the living,” she said quickly, a false attempt to hide her fear. “He can’t step foot in this forest. This is just not possible.”

“My eyes do not receive me,” I said. “It was him—in human form. Khazmuda saw him as well.”

Her eyes remained on Talon, like he was the only one who understood just how bad this was.

But I knew too.

Uncle Ezra returned. “They’re gone. The tree shows no signs of entry.”

“If Calista hadn’t been here to distract him, he would have entered the tree and the Realm of Caelum,” Talon said. “Now he knows we expect him, so he’ll return—but this time with an army.”

“How many?” she asked.

“I don’t know,” Talon said. “He had many servants in the underworld. Dark elves included.”

For the first time ever, her eyes glazed over with a sheen of unspent tears. “We don’t have the numbers. We’ve lost so many in the battles. We’re decimated.”

Talon’s eyes shifted back and forth between hers. “Do not despair, Queen Eldinar. I sent Khazmuda to retrieve the dragons from the Southern Isles. We are not alone.”

“Any aid the dragons provide will burn the forest,” she said quietly.

“I will have my men fight with us,” I said. “Order them to march upon the forest.”

“How?” she asked. “You just sent Khazmuda away.”

“We have Macabre,” Talon said. “Tell him and the others from the Lands of Thalian to come here immediately. You can speak to him because you remain fused.”

I wish I were still fused with Inferno because I could have relayed this message so Khazmuda wouldn’t have to fly there.

“We will not let this forest fall,” Talon said. “We will not abandon you.”

The sheen remained in her eyes, her emotion prevailing over her logic for the first time. “When Riviana forged a path to the underworld, that path must have remained open. It must have broken the powers that separate the two worlds. We’re doomed.”

“We are not doomed, Your Majesty,” Talon said.

“Both the living and the dead are at risk. If Bahamut conquers the Realm of Caelum, then everything we’ve ever known will be destroyed. Because I broke my promise and asked Riviana to spare you.” The tears started to well in her eyes. “This is all my fault. Everything I care for…will be engulfed in black flames. All the living and the dead will writhe in eternal torture because I chose to be selfish. Because I chose you.” Even when the tears streaked down her cheeks, she was still beautiful like falling snow on a winter morning. Even when she looked at Talon like she despised him to her core, she was breathtaking.

Talon couldn’t take her stare anymore. He dropped his gaze.

Uncle Ezra moved his hand to her shoulder. “ Fleur Nia .” When she didn’t respond, he moved his hand to her cheek, catching a tear with his thumb. “This forest will never fall while I live.”

She turned from his cheek like she despised his touch. “Riviana Star will burn—and we will burn with it.” She turned from his grasp like she’d been slapped rather than touched, and then she stormed off.

Talon’s chin remained down with his eyes on the ground.

Uncle Ezra watched her go and didn’t pursue her. When she was gone from his sight, he turned back to Talon. “How much time do we have?”

Talon seemed not to hear him because he remained distracted in his thoughts.

“Talon Rothschild.” Uncle Ezra deepened his voice. “Time is of the essence.”

Talon broke out of his reverie. “I can’t say. Time passes differently there than it does here. Calista said a month had passed since I died, but it was two years in his domain.”

“Which means they could be prepared for war any second.” Uncle Ezra seemed to speak to himself more than us.

“Yes,” Talon answered. “Prepare your army and post them at the tree. I will travel to Shadow Stone and deploy my soldiers. They may not arrive at the start of the battle, but they might still be able to make a difference.”

Uncle Ezra’s eyes glazed over for a moment like his thoughts were elsewhere. “You can no longer raise the dead to fight for you, but he can.” His eyes found mine again, looking for an answer to the question.

Talon didn’t seem to want to answer because he stayed quiet for several seconds. He didn’t speak, but he eventually gave a nod.

Uncle Ezra couldn’t hide the way that disturbed him. “I told her not to spare you. I told her one man isn’t worth provoking a god. I never imagined consequences so dire from that poor decision.”

It broke my heart to listen to both of them tear him apart, like this was his fault when he didn’t ask for any of it—I did. “I was the one who begged for him to be spared. I’m the only one who deserves the blame for what’s come to pass. But it’s not over. We’ve never given up before, and we won’t start now. I’m sorry this has happened, but we can’t forget the army of dragons that are more powerful than the army of the dead.”

“What can they do in a forest where they can barely move?” he asked.

“If we have to knock down trees and burn them, so be it,” I said. “It’s better to lose some of the forest than to lose the Realm of Caelum. The forest will regrow and recover. It may take a very long time, but the elves will live long enough to see it.”

Macabre and the others arrived at the forest within a few hours, flying straight to our location the moment they heard the queen’s plea. Despite the tension between Macabre and Talon, he had no reservations taking both of us to Shadow Stone to order the army to march to battle.

I wanted to remain behind, but Talon refused to let me out of his sight. It was just a few hours over the mountain and to the castle. Commander Navarrese had taken the role as king with Talon’s death, but Talon quickly dethroned him when he marched into the castle. He ordered the soldiers to march for the forest immediately, to not delay for more than a few hours before they began their march.

“Once this battle is over, Shadow Stone and the Northern Kingdoms will be yours, Commander Navarrese,” Talon said. “My kingdom and my home lie across the sky. This is the last order I will make as your king.”

As soon as Talon had made his orders clear, we returned over the mountain on the back of Macabre. The forest appeared calm when we returned, like we hadn’t missed the beginning of the battle.

“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 Riviana Star 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?

Tens of thousands.

I closed my eyes in defeat. Bahamut must be with them if he raised them from the dead.

I do not see him.

That’s so many…

He knew Talon had earned the allegiance of many dragons. If we don’t stop them from reaching the forest, they’ll burn it to the ground.

Why do you say that?

Because they carry torches—every single one of them.

Shit.

There may be more of them than us, but we will burn them with our fire before they reach you. Bahamut is trying to distract you. Focus on the tree and let us handle the perimeter.

Why are you telling me this and not Talon?

I know he’s asleep. Didn’t want to disturb the last moment of peace he may ever have.

I looked at him beside me, his sword on the ground next to him, a gust of wind blowing through his short hair. I’m scared . I couldn’t confide this to anyone but him. Only he wouldn’t judge me. Just when I felt happiness again, it was snatched from me. It happens every time I feel joy. I know I’m making this about me when it’s about everyone, even those who’ve already died, but…

It’s okay, Calista. I feel the same way. We’ve come so far, but no amount of distance is ever great enough.

Exactly.

But this will be the last trial for a long time—if we survive it. Then we will only know sunsets and peace, endless game to hunt and family feasts, bottomless wine and rosy cheeks.

I hope so. I continued to stare at Talon, not wanting to take this last moment away from him.

Wake him. I must speak to Constantine. His mind faded away.

I continued to stare at Talon, memorizing every detail of his face, seeing how different it looked when it was soft and relaxed, compared to his waking moments when he was tense and mad as hell.

My stare must have disturbed his dreams because he opened his eyes and immediately looked at me. He stared for several seconds before he sat up and looked at the soldiers gathered in the clearing. Another moment passed before he looked at me again. “What is it?”

I thought of what I would say and realized less was more. “It has begun.”

He glanced away, all those soft features I loved hardening to stone. “I can’t let the tree fall, even if it claims my life. And that means I can’t protect you. Barron was in my grasp, but I left him to save you from Astaroth, a decision I don’t regret. But I don’t have such liberties with his battle.”

“I understand, Talon.”

“Then you should stay with Khazmuda. Upon the back of a dragon is the safest place for you.”

“And leave you here?” I whispered, hating the thought of him taking this last stand by himself.

He didn’t look at me when he spoke. “You can’t help me with this, Calista. So, you either watch me prevail…or watch me die. All the while risking yourself in the process.”

I could hear the defeat in his voice, the defeat he didn’t show to anyone else like Queen Eldinar and General Ezra. He showed me his full honesty, which meant a lot…but hurt just as much. “You don’t have much hope.”

“If this were a mortal man with mortal means, my outlook would be very different. But Bahamut is the embodiment of evil, a dark creature that sustains off the souls of innocents he consumes. He would have consumed mine if Khazmuda’s grip hadn’t been stronger. I do not have much hope, but hope has never fueled any of my battles.” He grabbed his sword and rose to his feet, sheathing the blade across his back, straightening into the king who fought for all people, not just his own. “Go to Khazmuda—and please don’t make me beg.” He finally found the strength to look at me, and his stare was more hopeless than it’d been before, as if the sight of my face made this all real.

I knew there was nothing I could do to battle the behemoth Bahamut. My skill with the blade was amateurish because I didn’t have the years of practice my foes possessed. I would get myself cornered and slaughtered—not come to Talon’s aid if needed me. “I’ll go.”

Disappointment mixed with relief moved into his eyes, wanting me to go but wanting me to stay. “Thank you…” He closed his eyes for a moment and took a slow breath, like my safety was soothing. Then he looked at me again, a sadness so deep it had no bottom. “I’m not afraid to die. But I’m afraid of being apart from you for eternity. That’s what fuels me—and I hope that fear makes me win.”