Page 32 of Blood of Dragons
Talon didn’t age, but he wasn’t an elf and he didn’t seem to know Riviana Star existed, so I didn’t know what kind of magic ran in his veins to maintain his appearance. He’d said his family was killed thirty years ago. Based on that math, he should be in his fifties or sixties by now.
Commander Luxe stared at me for a while, giving me the opportunity to say something. When I didn’t, he continued. “General Ezra tells me you were fused with a dragon. A dragon with fiery red scales.”
“Yes, that’s true.”
“And then you unfused with him so he could travel to Thalian.”
“Yes.”
“A noble sacrifice.” Like Queen Eldinar, direct eye contact was no discomfort. It seemed normal in their culture to be as forthright as possible. “Is that why you’re sad?”
“Why do you think I’m sad?”
“You’re lucky enough to be accepted among the elves in Riviana Star, but you’d rather sit alone in your tree house.”
My eyes dropped to the coffee table where I’d set down my book. “I guess I feel alone…”
“General Ezra says he’s your uncle.”
“But we aren’t close. I’ve never known him.”
“Now is your opportunity.”
If Ezra pursued a relationship with me, I wouldn’t fight it, but I was still wounded by the coldness he’d shown me. I was vulnerable and broken, and I needed warmth and affection…not cold rejection. The damage was done. “Perhaps.”
“Something else troubles you.”
“When you’re connected to someone the way I was connected to Inferno, it’s hard to let go.” He didn’t just light the fire in my veins and merge his soul with mine. He gave me an intimacy I’d never known, a friendship that was pure and real.
“I can’t imagine.”
I looked up at him again.
“I can’t tell you where Thalian is located, but I can tell you he’ll know nothing but joy in the beautiful wildlands. The Guardians of Thalian watch the horizon always, ready for a battle that’s not coming.”
“I’m sure he’ll be happy there, and that makes me happy.”
It was the first time he broke eye contact, looking at the book I’d been reading. “I’ll leave you in peace.” He rose to his feet and walked to the door. “You know where to find me when you’re ready.”
The sun set beyond the trees, and dusk arrived with a crisp coolness. Fireflies danced in the air and brought a glow into my tree house through the open windows. Riviana’s song changed, becoming more solemn and quiet.
I sat on the couch with my book in my hands, but my eyes kept moving out the window by the front door, mesmerized by the glow of the fireflies and the light it cast upon the canopy. It was a peaceful place, but it would take a long time for that peace to heal my heart.
My eyes turned back to my book, and I continued where I left off.
But then I felt something.
It was hard to describe. It was a change in energy, the peace replaced by an intensity so potent it had the wrath of a forest fire. Riviana’s music was suddenly muffled and distant. The light felt dimmed. I felt the edge of a sword against my neck when I was alone.
My eyes lifted to the armchair Commander Luxe had occupied earlier that afternoon.
I expected it to be empty, but it wasn’t.
There he sat, leaning back in the armchair with his hands over the wood of the armrests, looking at me with that stare he’d given to me countless times.
I jerked and dropped the book into my lap. My eyes closed as I gave a gasp, and when they reopened, I expected him to be gone,a trick of my mind, a glimpse of a dream because I’d fallen asleep on the couch…but he was still there.
Talon—The Death King.