Page 28 of The Dragon King

“Partially,” he said. “That’s the reason they’re nearly immortal.”

“I had no idea.” But now, it made complete sense.

“It’s a secret among their kind.”

It was a lot to soak in, but I slowly absorbed it. “I was afraid that was the end for her.”

“As was I.” He looked at the trees that surrounded us before he looked at me once more. “You were right about him. If we had listened, the people would have been spared.”

I would never gloat about something like that, so I said nothing.

“Where is he?”

“I—I don’t know.”

His eyes narrowed at my answer.

“My heart tells me he needs space. He’ll come to me when he’s ready.”

Uncle Ezra looked down the path again. “I think he’s ready now.”

I followed his gaze and spotted Talon a distance away, still in his armor and uniform like he hadn’t returned to the tree house to shower or change. He’d spent his time somewhere else, deep in the forest where he could truly be alone.

A rush of feelings bubbled inside me like a warm bath. All the adrenaline from the battle had disappeared, and now my heart was soft as a cloud. I didn’t say goodbye to my uncle before I ran to Talon, wanting our bodies to finally come together.

His intense eyes grabbed on to mine, and he squatted down slightly to catch me when I ran into him. He scooped his hands under my ass and lifted me up, my legs circling his waist as we came together. I hugged his neck, and I brought our faces close, so thankful to be reunited.

“Are you okay?” I whispered as I looked into his dark eyes.

“Just a few scratches.”

“That’s not what I mean.” I continued to look into his eyes and saw the way they winced slightly. “You were gone all night.” I saw the line in the ground he drew with the tip of his sword. Understood the boundary he didn’t want me to cross. Our time together had become intimate and uninhibited, so I understood him better than I had before, understood things he never explained.

“I’m okay,” he said. “What about you?”

“Just a few scratches.”

“Good. What about Queen Eldinar?”

“The healers think she’ll survive.”

“Glad to hear that.” He lowered me back to the ground, and our eyes were no longer level. He had to dip his chin to look down at me. “Are we needed here?”

“I don’t think so.”

“Good. Because I’m hungry, dirty, tired—and I want to be with you.”

The sunlight came through all the windows and brightened the tree house, but we were both so tired that sunshine wouldn’t stop us from sleeping.

Talon showered then walked around the tree house in just his boxers, and that was when the bruises were visible. Down both arms and across his chest and stomach. He didn’t seem to knowthey were there. Otherwise, he wouldn’t parade them around. He looked through the kitchen for something to eat.

“I’m making a meal.”

“I hope it’s steak.” He closed the cupboard and dropped into one of the chairs, his hair still slightly damp and messy. Despite the fatigue and the bruises, he looked so handsome sitting in the sunlight, his dark eyes a little lighter than usual.

“I’m sorry.”

“Then I’ll need to leave soon. Can’t eat this shit much longer.”