Page 84 of Blood of Dragons
I felt the life slowly drain out of me like a blade had pierced my abdomen. “Oh fuck.”
“They come from the Wastelands. They’ve never crossed the boundary into our lands before. I’m not sure what provoked such hostility.”
“How can I help?”
“You can’t. I must report to the front line.”
I felt hopeless, unable to provide any assistance whatsoever. I felt terrible about it.
“I’ll escort you to the queen.”
“Why?”
“Because that’s where your uncle would want me to bring you. Come on.”
I followed him as we turned in a different direction, returning to the east where I’d first arrived in the forest. The structure became visible, and the guards stationed there had tripled since the last time I was there.
When we arrived, my uncle emerged out of the doorway and down the steps. He spotted me, and the relief on his face was palpable. “Calista.” He was in his full armor, the metal protecting his body having a bright shine because it looked brand-new. His sword was across his back, along with his bow. “Commander Luxe, thank you for bringing her here. I just returned from her tree house, and it was vacant.”
“We were in the market,” Commander Luxe explained. “I need to grab my things before I head to the front. I’ll see you there, General.” He walked off without saying goodbye to me, his mind on the battle that would shortly arrive at our borders.
“What’s going on?” I immediately asked. “Seven-foot-tall orcs?”
“Don’t worry about them. I won’t let them breach the border of the forest.”
“How big is our army? Can we defeat ten thousand of them?”
His hands went to my arms, and he gave me a squeeze. “All these concerns lie with me and not you. We have the power of the forest at our backs—and that’s invaluable.”
“What about the dragons? They could help.”
“We would never ask for their aid.”
“But you’ve been protecting them all this time.”
“A full heart does good in this world and expects nothing in return.”
“But if they take the forest?—”
“With all due respect, Calista. You’ve been here for a few weeks, and you’re telling me how to do my job. My whole life has been spent preparing for this moment. I won’t let the forest fall—and I would never let my queen fall.” He stepped away. “I leave you here with Queen Eldinar. There’s no safer place for you.”
I turned to the steps, seeing her standing there, not in her white dress with flowers in her hair, but in pristine white armor with two short blades at her hips. Her beautiful long hair was secured in a tight braid down her back. Her look shifted to me—and her blue eyes showed her rampant anger. “I’m not sure if I’m welcome here…” I turned back to Ezra.
“You are.” His hand moved to my arm, and he guided me to the steps where the queen stood. “Fleur Nia, I leave Calista here with you. Retrieve her sword so she’s not unprotected…in case it comes to that.”
Now she gave him the same pissed-off stare. “Queen Eldinar rules the forest—not General Ezra. I would not arm this girl with a simple dagger.”
I knew I wasn’t welcome…
My uncle looked at her, the surprise moving into his gaze…and then the hurt. “I don’t understand?—”
“You think it’s a coincidence that an army marches upon our borders after she’s been here for mere weeks?” She wasn’t the calm and eloquent queen I’d met when I first arrived. Now, her voice rose, and it was deep and angry. “I don’t believe in coincidences, and neither do you. She’s the one they want, and I won’t sacrifice this forest for her—even if she is your blood.”
My eyes dropped, feeling terrible for the marital strife I caused.
My uncle took a full minute to recover from her venom. “Calista didn’t come from the Wastelands. The march of Behemoths can’t possibly be related to her visit.”
She stepped forward, facing him as an opponent more than a lover. “They saw her ride upon a fiery red dragon. They saw it—and wanted it for themselves. They’re monsters, so they wanted it for war or wanted it for dinner.”