Page 56 of The Dragon King
We left the house and walked across the white sand to where Khazmuda sat, his dark eyes like coal in the bright surroundings. He lowered his body so we could climb up his side into the saddle that had been secured before we left.
Talon helped me up first then climbed up and sat behind me. Like he did on the horse, he secured his arm across my waist to keep me in place before he grabbed on to one of the spikes that protruded from Khazmuda’s spine. “Hold on.”
I grabbed on to his arm then felt us launch high into the sky, my hair immediately whipping around and striking him in the face. The world grew small below as we rose up with the mountains. Khazmuda soared over the land in search of the mighty red scales.
I FEEL YOUR MIND GROW BIGGER.
“We’re getting closer,” I said.Where are you?
THE VALLEY AT THE NORTH PINNACLE. IT’S MY FAVORITE PLACE TO WATCH THE SUNSET.
“He said he’s at the northern tip,” I said.
Khazmuda spoke directly into my thoughts. I feel his mind.Khazmuda changed direction and soared over the land that seemed uninhabited.
“Baby, look down.”
I looked down into the greenery below and saw brilliant scales in the grass. Several dragons lay there basking in the sun, each of them displaying different colored scales that reflected the light of the brilliant sun. “Wow, there’re at least five of them.”
Talon’s arm tightened on my waist as I leaned to the side like I was a child about to fall off the couch. “Hard to believe, isn’t it?”
Khazmuda dropped in altitude as he approached the valley Inferno described. Then I saw his brilliant red scales contrasted against the cool grass, large in size like Khazmuda, with his head held high in pride.
“I forgot how beautiful he is.”
Khazmuda landed more gently than usual, probably because I was a rider instead of just Talon. He dropped his belly to the ground so it would be easy for me to climb down as well. Talon went down first, then helped me get my feet on the ground.
Once I felt the earth beneath me, I ran to the dragon with mighty red scales, the dragon I loved with the same intensity as Khazmuda. I felt a smile pull at my lips as I ran to him, feeling so free I could sprout wings and fly.
He dipped his snout to receive my hug, his eyes affectionate and warm.IT’S BEEN SO LONG SINCE I’VE SEEN YOUR FACE.
I collided with his snout then grabbed on to hug him, to hug a dragon as best I could.
He dipped his head into me then released a low hum, a sigh of satisfaction.
“Your scales are even prettier than I remember.”
I KNOW.
I chuckled before I pulled away to look at him. “We have a lot to catch up on.”
WE DO.He raised his head and looked past me. The second he set his eyes on Talon, they narrowed in distinct disdain.THE FIRST THING YOU CAN DO IS EXPLAIN WHY YOU’VE BROUGHT HIM HERE.
Talon stepped forward but kept his distance, Khazmuda behind him. He looked upon Inferno with a hard gaze, like he expected to be unwelcome…or could read the rage in Inferno’s eyes.
I turned back to Inferno. “Talon has proven himself to be a man of good, not evil.”
Inferno shifted his gaze to me.THE LAST TIME YOU SAW HIM, YOU EXCHANGED BLOWS WITH YOUR SWORDS?—
“A lot has happened since. After you left, General Titan marched to Riviana Star to take me, and he would have succeeded and burned down the entire forest if Talon hadn’t come to my rescue. He saved me and the forest. When the dark elves realized that the elves had a battle to the south, they decided to take the Realm of Caelum from within the forest. We were outnumbered because they struck an alliance with Behemoths and goblins. Without Talon, we all would be dead now.” I lowered my voice to make sure Talon couldn’t overhear me. “I’ve forgiven him for everything, and now he’s the man in my heart.”
Inferno had stared me down with annoyance the entire time, but he must have seen the sincerity in my gaze because his hostility slowly waned.
“You can trust him.”
Inferno stared at me for a moment longer before he released a loud sigh from his nostrils.HE MAY BE A KING, BUTYOU’RE THE QUEEN OF MY HEART. I THINK YOU DESERVE MORE.
“Even if that were true, he’s the only man I want.”