Page 43 of The Dragon King

“She means you’re terrifying and have scales the color of midnight,” Talon said. “They’ll fear you and respect you—and that’s the foundation of any good relationship.”

“I meant what I said,” I said. “You don’t have anything to worry about. They may not like me and Talon.”

No one likes Talon. But everyone loves you, Pretty.

I smiled.

“Thanks,” Talon said coldly. He approached the fire and removed the spit to slice up the meat. I wasn’t sure when he’d hunted, but he’d caught something in my brief absence. He divided it between us and handed me a plate.

“No, thank you.”

He hesitated before he tipped his plate and let my portion roll onto his. “You need to eat.”

“I packed food.”

“We aren’t in the forest anymore, and you aren’t one of them.”

“I know, but it still makes me uncomfortable.”

He let the conversation fade and ate in silence.

I’ve gotten fat since you’ve been in the forest. All I do is eat and sleep.

“I didn’t notice,” I said.

It’s hard to notice on a dragon.

“I noticed,” Talon said with a smirk.

Khazmuda released a quiet growl.

“You know I’m kidding.” Talon finished his dinner then wiped his hands. “If you give me your rations, I can cook something for you.”

I grabbed my pack and pulled out the medley of black potatoes and vegetables seasoned with rock salt. There were also some nuts to add a crunch to the dish.

Talon pulled out a pan from his pack and sautéed everything over the fire. It was done quickly, a lot quicker than his meat, and he dumped it onto his plate before he handed it to me.

“Thank you.”

It was dark now, the stars bright overhead, brilliant as sunshine because there were so many of them. A streak flashed across the sky, like a star had fallen from its place in the heavens.

Talon stared at it for a while before he looked at the fire once more.

I finished my dinner and returned the plate to his pack.

Khazmuda had closed his eyes like he was ready to sleep.

Someone approached our campfire, becoming visible in the smoke. In his armor and uniform stood Commander Luxe, his long blond hair hanging around his face.

Talon rose to his feet as if he’d been provoked.

Commander Luxe looked at him instead of me.

Talon stared right back, flames in his eyes.

“Death King,” Commander Luxe said. “May I have a word?”

My eyes swung back and forth between the two men.