Page 50 of The Dragon King
“Talon,” Calista pressed. “I felt you leave the bed, and you were just gone…”
Tell me.
I’m fine. Now, give me a moment.“I just needed to be alone.”
“To be alone.” She said the words slowly like she didn’t understand. “Why? Why would you need to be alone?”
“I just did.”
“And how could you be so alone that Khazmuda couldn’t feel you?—”
“Because I closed my mind to him.”
“Why would you disappear for a day when we’re supposed to set sail for the dragons? Queen Eldinar had men searching for you in the water?—”
“I’m sorry I alarmed everyone. It wasn’t my intention.” None of this was my intention. I didn’t want to leave the warmest bed I’d ever known and face a soul-eating monster across a dark table.
Calista continued to shift her gaze back and forth in disbelief.
“Let’s just drop it.”
“Is this because of last night?” Her anger started to fade and was quickly replaced by hurt. “Every time we get closer, I feel you pull away. And it fucking hurts?—”
“No, that’s not why.”
“Then…then explain to me why you just disappeared like that. Why would you scare both Khazmuda and me like that? Why you would hold up everyone for a whole day because you needed to be alone?—”
“Calista.” I couldn’t tell her the truth. Couldn’t tell Khazmuda the truth. It would kill them both. “Do you trust me?”
She hesitated when asked the question. “Talon, of course I do?—”
“Then let this go.”
Her eyes continued to flick back and forth in unease, like that wasn’t enough for her. But she didn’t say another word.
I pulled her into me and locked my arms around her, my chin dipped to rest on the top of her head, my arms like solid bars of a cage. I squeezed her against the plates of my armor because I didn’t want to let go. I wanted to feel her little body against me and close my eyes, get the horrible vision out of my head, to treasure the peace and joy in my life before it was savagely ripped from my grasp.
We boarded the galleon and set sail at dawn. The waves were calm at this hour, the sun barely crested above the horizon over the edge of the world. The winds were in our favor and filled our sails in the direction we wanted to head, and the large ship glided through the water with ease.
I stood at the bow of the ship and looked at the open sea beyond, still shaken by the image burned in my head. Movement in the air caught my eye, and I spotted Khazmuda soar through the skies, his black body distinct against the backdrop of blue and pink with fluffy white clouds.
I want answers, Talon. He turned his head to tilt his gaze to me down below.
Calista accepted my silence, but Khazmuda wasn’t so understanding.I’ll give them to you when the time is right.
What secrets do you keep from me?
Everyone has secrets, Khazmuda.
Not I. I keep nothing from you, Talon Rothschild.
I looked out at the ocean again, feeling the pain of guilt.
I feel the weight you carry. Let me carry it with you.
I ignored his words even though it pained me to do so.Queen Eldinar said it may be a week of sailing. Will you make it that far?
Don’t question my strength.