Page 57 of The Dragon King
Inferno continued to stare at me.YOUR AFFECTION FOR HIM IS PROFOUND.
I blinked at the observation, feeling the sting of truth in my heart. “It is…”
The disappointment in his eyes was evident, but it slowly started to fade.THEN I WILL TRY TO LOVE HIM AS WELL.
I felt the affection burn my eyes. Felt the rush of gratitude. “Thank you.” I pressed my palm to the soft scales around his snout and rested my head against the side, so close to his razor-sharp teeth but completely unafraid.
When I turned back to Talon, he was where he’d been a moment before, still staring at us. “It’s nice to see you again, Inferno.”
I spoke aloud for Inferno. “You as well, Death King.”
“Queen Eldinar granted us passage to these lands so we can make our plea,” Talon said. “Have you had any success of your own?”
NO.
Talon’s eyes tightened in disappointment.
BUT I HAVEN’T MADE A PLEA OF MY OWN. I’VE SPENT MY TIME TRYING TO BUILD A RELATIONSHIP WITH THE DRAGONS. THEY’VE WELCOMED ME TO THIS ISLAND, BUT THEY CONTINUE TO TREAT ME AS AN OUTSIDER. THEIR RELATIONSHIPS HAVE ENDURED FOR ATHOUSAND YEARS, SO IT’S NOT EXACTLY EASY TO ENTICE THEM INTO FORMING NEW FRIENDSHIPS. I SPEND A LOT OF TIME ALONE, UNFORTUNATELY. BUT I’M STILL GRATEFUL BECAUSE AT LEAST I’M FREE.
Talon gave a slight nod. “I’m sorry to hear that.”
THEY’LL OSTRACIZE ME EVEN MORE WHEN THEY REALIZE THE COMPANY I KEEP.
“What can you tell me about Macabre?”
HE HAS MANY MATES AND MANY HATCHLINGS.
“I thought dragons were monogamous?” Talon asked.
THEY ARE. BUT HE’S NOT.
“He sounds popular.”
HE HAS VERY NICE SCALES.
“The more I hear about him, the less I like him.”
HE WOULDN’T BE REVERED BY THE OTHER DRAGONS IF HE WERE UNKIND.
“Why would the female dragons be willing to share him with other mates?”
BECAUSE GROWING THEIR POPULATION IS OF THE UTMOST IMPORTANCE. A DRAGON IS PREGNANT FOR TWO YEARS BEFORE THEY LAY THEIR EGGS, AND ONLY ONE OR TWO OF THOSE EGGS WILL HATCH. THEY LOST SO MANY OF THEIR OWN IN THE GREAT WAR. MACABRE IS THE EQUIVALENTOF A KING, SO MANY FEMALES WANT TO HAVE HIS HATCHLINGS.
Talon crossed his arms over his chest as he considered what Inferno had shared with him. “I intended to speak with Macabre directly and ask for his aid to free the dragons in the Southern Isles. But now I fear he’ll have no interest in speaking to me.”
YOUR ASSUMPTION IS CORRECT. THEY HATE HUMANS. THEY WILL BE VERY DISPLEASED TO SEE YOU ON THIS ISLAND.
“Perhaps you and Khazmuda could convince him together.”
WE CAN TRY. BUT I DON’T THINK THERE IS MUCH INCENTIVE FOR THEM TO LEAVE THIS PLACE AND RISK THEIR LIVES. EVEN THOUGH THE GREAT WAR WAS LONG AGO, THEY ARE STILL GRIEVING THAT LOSS. THEY’RE STILL HEALING. WE PROCESS TIME DIFFERENTLY FROM MORTALS. WHAT HAPPENED ONE HUNDRED YEARS AGO FEELS LIKE YESTERDAY. WHAT HAPPENED ONE THOUSAND YEARS AGO FEELS LIKE A YEAR. THEY’RE ONLY INTERESTED IN REBUILDING THEIR SOCIETY. AND SINCE THE SOUTHERN ISLES IS SO FAR AWAY, WITH A LANDMASS IN BETWEEN, THEY’LL NEVER BE AT RISK FROM YOUR UNCLE’S TYRANNY.
Talon turned quiet and looked toward the sea, standing tall as the breeze flapped his cape. His handsome face had hardened into consternation, the thoughts pounding behind his eyes and underneath his flesh. He spoke aloud, but he seemed to speak only to himself. “I didn’t come this far for nothing…”
It hurt to see his disappointment and not be able to do anything about it. I couldn’t rush off and confront Macabre myself. “The best thing we can do is to remind them how itdoesaffect them. They may not know these dragons, but they’re still dragons. And if the situations were reversed, they would hope their kin would come to their aid.”
THE DRAGON POPULATION HAD DROPPED CONSIDERABLY SINCE THE AGE OF MAN. THERE ARE SO FEW LEFT. IT DOESN’T MAKE SENSE TO RISK WHAT LITTLE THEY HAVE FOR NO GUARANTEE.
“How many dragons live on this island?” Talon turned back to Inferno.