Page 37 of Blood of Dragons

“No.”

“Bahamut.” I had no power against this god, couldn’t even touch him, but I commanded him like I did, because this partnership had lasted ten years.

He watched me, eyes perpetually angry.

“Give me more time.”

“I think this has nothing to do with your ambitions. Your desire to connect with her is entirely personal.”

“It’s both.”

He turned his gaze back to the fire. “This will cost you, Talon.”

“I know.”

He vanished, disappearing in silence within the blink of an eye.

When I returned to the castle, it was late, but Commander Navarrese was stationed on the ramparts, like he was waiting for me.

I left Khazmuda’s body and felt my boots hit the stone under my feet.

Khazmuda immediately took off to find a comfortable spot in the field to retire for the evening.

I headed for the double doors where the commander waited, the guards placed on either side of the doorway.

He stood with his hands behind his back, but his eyes carried a hesitancy.

“What is it?”

The hesitancy remained in his gaze, as if he didn’t want to answer me.

“It’s late, Commander.” I had a bed waiting for me, a bed that would hold my body but not my dreams…because I hadn’t slept much since Calista and I parted. Too riddled with guilt and stress, I spent my evenings drinking and staring.

“General Titan has been spotted.”

The turmoil in my life had made me forget all about him. “Bring him here, and I’ll burn him alive.”

His eyes dropped down for a second.

“Yes?”

“The last time he was seen, he was marching to the White Mountains…with a small army of his loyal supporters.”

I’d expected him to march here, to attempt to claim Calista as his own and face me. “So, he flees?”

“All the ships are in our harbor, so he has no other option.”

“But there is no passage through the mountain.”

“Looks like there is,” he said. “What are your orders?”

I was too preoccupied with other matters to hunt him down. Ever since Calista and I had parted ways, she was always on my mind. “If he wants to leave, good riddance. Have our scouts follow him to the other side. I want details of the terrain and the land beyond.”

“Yes, Your Highness.” The commander gave a quick nod before he stepped through the doorway that the guards opened.

I made the journey down the hallways to my royal bedchambers, the fire in the hearth because the servants had prepared it for my return.

But I wasn’t alone.