Page 70 of Blood of Dragons
“Not all men, Khazmuda. We lived in harmony with your kind for generations. Most of the apples on the tree are good, just a few are spoiled.”
He watched me with his intelligent, dark eyes.I’m glad to see you’re doing better.
“Doing better?”
That’s the first positive thing I’ve heard you say since we met.
“I’m just trying to make you feel better, Khazmuda.”
Something you’ve never tried to do before. I can see it in your eyes…they aren’t as heavy.
My eyes immediately flicked away.
Your improvement brings me joy.
“Improvement is a strong word. All I do is work, drink, and sleep. It all seems pointless.”
If this is unfulfilling for you, you can join me.
My eyes remained averted.
You have a much greater purpose than setting traps for crabs?—
“I already said no.”
Why?
I ignored him.
I asked you a question, Talon.
“I heard you,” I snapped.
You’re the rightful king of the Southern Isles, but instead of reclaiming the throne and avenging your family, you would rather sit on a boat and get a tan.
“Fuck you?—”
It’s been almost two years, Talon. Your mind was terrorized by what it witnessed and needed time to mend. That is reasonable. But now you’re ready to wield your sword and be a savior to your people?—
“I’m sorry that your kind has been enslaved, but that’s not my problem. My family are ash on the wind, so returning will achieve nothing.”
And yet, you fish off a boat and achieve nothing every day.
My eyes returned to his face, and I felt my blood boil.
The enslavement of my kind is not your problem? After everything we’ve been through?—
“I didn’t ask you to save me. How many times do I have to say it? You did me a disservice by sparing my life. I could be with my family right now, but you took that away from me—twice.”
His black eyes stared.
I stared back.
You are a coward, Talon Rothschild. He stepped back and opened his wings.
“Don’t act like you saved me out of the goodness of your heart. Don’t act like you fused with me because you truly wanted me to live. You’ve wanted to use me from the start. You keep pestering me to help you because you know you can’t do it yourself.”
He stared at me for a long time.I saved you because I felt your despair from leagues away, calling to me like a prayer. I’ve lost my kin, but I’ve still never known the agony that you felt that night. I saved you because, in that moment, it felt right. Even now, it still feels right. There’s no better ally than Talon Rothschild, the King of the Southern Isles, but there’s also no better friend than someone who’s also lost everything. To willingly fuse with someone is a gift not freely given, but I’ve given it to you because I care for you—deeply. Despite the cowardice you’ve shown in the present, I know you were an honorable man in the past. I hope to see him again someday.He opened his wings and took flight, leaving me alone on the rock.Goodbye, Talon.