Page 42 of The Dragon King

“Why live in a land with such foul creatures?”

She turned to look at me, the breeze continuing to gently pull the strands from her face. “Because no one else wants to live in haunted lands, so we remain at peace. If the humans from your kingdom knew how to pass the mountains and found beautiful soil and unclaimed land, they would invade our forest and cut it down to build homes and castles. The monsters are like spiders—they keep worse creatures at bay.”

“The monsters have never challenged you?”

She shook her head. “We never had a quarrel until General Titan decided to use them for his own benefit. They may know we reside in the forest, but after witnessing the defeat of the Behemoths, I’m sure they’ll stay away.”

“Are they anywhere near us now?”

“No. They live to the west, closer to the mountains. Everything that you see is claimed by nature alone—as it should be.”

I looked at the sunset again, which was nearly over, the rim of the sun sinking beneath the horizon. The air felt warm on the summer evening, a nice respite now that the sun was almost gone. After serving a decade in the Arid Sands, any heat I encountered would feel mild in comparison.

“Get some sleep,” Queen Eldinar said. “We leave before sunrise.” She turned away, her blond hair dancing in the breeze, dressed in pristine white like a lily.

I returned to the campsite I would share with Talon, and he already had a roast over the fire.

I glanced at the elves and saw some of them stare in disapproval.

Talon sat upon the log in front of the fire and watched the flames dance. “We’re outside the forest.”

I said nothing before I took a seat beside him.

Khazmuda joined us, resting his chin on the ground as he enjoyed the light from the campfire.Did you ask Queen Eldinar how many dragons reside in Thalian?

“No,” I said. “But we’ll find out soon enough.”

I wonder if they’ll be different from me. Will their scales be shinier? Their claws sharper?

“Impossible,” I said with a smile.

What if they’re bigger than me?

“Then the war will be easily won,” Talon said. “Because you’re enormous.”

You’re right. I am enormous.

Talon rotated the meat for even cooking then opened his canteen and took a drink. He handed it to me to share. “It’s not water.”

“Then what is it?”

“The good shit.”

I hesitated before I tilted the canteen back slightly and took a small drink. It was like fire down my throat, and I nearly spat it out.

Talon smirked.

With a look of disgust on my face, I handed it back. “That isnotwine.”

“It’s better than wine.”

I reached for my canteen and washed away the foul taste with the water.

Do you think they’ll like me?

I turned back to Khazmuda. “Of course they will. You’re beautiful—on the inside as well as the outside.”

Beautiful?