Page 102 of The Death King

My intention is not to insult you?—

FOOLED ME.

I just think you deserve more. You deserve the land and the sky. You deserve to be free. This is not free.

He stared, and this time, there wasn’t a growl. AND LET ME GUESS—THE ONLY WAY FOR ME TO BE FREE IS TO SERVE YOU.

I would never ask a dragon to serve me. But I would ask to be allies. Khazmuda and I aren’t enough to usurp the dictator who sits upon the throne of the Southern Isles. The armies I’ve claimed aren’t enough?—

WHAT OF HER? YOUR ALLIANCES SEEM TO HAVE GROWN.

I stared at him before I looked at her over my shoulder. “Speak to him—with your mind.”

She hesitated as she looked past me, staring at the dragon that would make any man lose his bladder. My name is Calista—and it’s an honor to meet you, Inferno.

He blinked. Tilted his head slightly. Narrowed his eyes on her face. SHE SPEAKS.

She, too, has the gift.

Calista hesitated before she spoke again. The first time I saw Khazmuda, I was in awe of his power and ferocity. And now, I look at you and can’t help but admire the color of your scales, the way you look like the fire that burns in your belly. I thought the novelty of seeing a dragon in the flesh would wear off after my time with Khazmuda, but after looking at you, I realize I’ll never get used to your beauty.

To someone else, it probably felt like false flattery and manipulation, but I knew she spoke with sincerity.

Inferno seemed to be as mesmerized by her. WHY DO YOU COME HERE, CALISTA?

To ask for your aid. Talon shared his story with me, and I wish to avenge his family and free the dragons who have been enslaved by dark magic. Talon is right—we need more help if we’re to accomplish that.

TWO DRAGONS AND TWO HUMANS AGAINST AN ENTIRE KINGDOM AND AN ARMY OF DRAGONS CONTROLLED BY SHAMANS. AM I THE ONLY ONE WHO SEES HOW PREPOSTEROUS THAT IS?

We’ll find more dragons.

He shifted his gaze to me. THERE ARE NO MORE DRAGONS.

I disagree.

THEN WHY AREN’T YOU PROPOSITIONING THEM INSTEAD OF ME?

Because I still haven’t found them.

His stare shifted back to Calista. I ASSUME YOU EXPECT ME TO FUSE WITH YOU.

I don’t expect anything, Inferno.

BECAUSE THAT IS AN INTIMATE REQUEST FOR STRANGERS.

We ask for your help—in whatever way you wish to give it.

I HAVE FAR MORE TO LOSE IN A FUSE, AND YOU HAVE FAR MORE TO GAIN. THAT IS A REQUEST I’LL NEVER HONOR.

I was disappointed but unsurprised. To expect a bond so strong to happen in an hour was unrealistic.

Again, I didn’t ask you to.

MY INTELLIGENCE SURPASSES YOURS, HUMAN. I KNOW WHAT YOU SEEK. IF YOU FUSE WITH ME, YOUR ABILITY IN BATTLE WILL BE UNMATCHED. YOU CAN AID TALON WITH THE BLADE. BUT MAKE NO MISTAKE, JUST BECAUSE WE BOTH LOST OUR KIN THAT DAY DOES NOT MAKE ME OBLIGATED TO HELP YOU.

You’re never obligated to help us. But you should feel obligated to help those you left behind. You shouldn’t be sitting in this cave alone while others suffer. Wouldn’t you rather die than continue this lonely existence? Isn’t death preferrable to this?

Inferno stared her down, his intelligent eyes fixed in place.