Page 70 of The Dragon King
He continued to regard me.How does this make you feel?
“Heartbroken.”
I know it must be hard to know he pledged himself to another.
The Talon who was happily married was a different man than the one I knew today. He would have been happy and open and vulnerable. If I’d met him in that time period, I probably wouldn’t even recognize him. “In some ways, it hurts. It hurts to know that he loved someone else so deeply, that the love perseveres even decades later. But he was a different man than he is today. I’ve fallen for the broken version of him because I was just as broken on the night we met. Our connection is deep because of our struggles. It endures the greatest hardships because the foundation is thicker than bedrock. That was then…and this is now.”
You’re mature for someone so young.
“I always assumed he had a long list of lovers.”
It’s not the length of the list that matters, but the quality. Therefore, there are only two names on that list.
A small smile spread my lips. “Thanks, Khazmuda.”
He dipped his snout down and gently rubbed the side of my head with his smooth scales.Of course, Pretty.He pulled away and looked at me once again.
“We need to convince Macabre to join us.” It felt like an impossible task. After Talon had insulted his character, there was no going back. If Macabre didn’t feel obligated to do the right thing, he would feel less obligated if he hated the person who asked for help.
I don’t see how, Pretty.
“We have to. Now that I know what happened to Talon, I have to figure this out.”
Dragons are the most stubborn creatures.
“But not more stubborn than me,” I said. “Could you take me to him?”
Khazmuda turned his head and looked at the cabin.Without Talon?
“I don’t think Talon will be an asset at this point.”
Khazmuda continued to consider it.
“It’s not like I can make it worse.”
Perhaps. He lowered himself to the sand, letting his belly hit the earth.Let’s try.
Khazmuda carried me up the mountain to the cave Macabre occupied. It was visible even from a distance, the blackness distinct in contrast to the beautiful colors of the tropical paradise.
We came in for a gentle landing on the grassy field that led to the edge of a cliff. There were no trees, so there was plenty of room for dragons to land or lounge. I climbed down his side then looked into the cave.
It was so dark, I couldn’t see a thing. “Shall we go in?”
Even if they don’t like you, they won’t hurt you. Not when you’re here as the queen’s guest.
“I wasn’t worried about that, not when I’m with you.”
He dropped his snout and rubbed it against my shoulder.Thank you, Pretty.
We slowly entered the cave, the light disappearing as we became engulfed in shadow. It seemed to go on forever until we spotted the light in the distance, the light of a low-burning fire. We continued, the details of the cave coming into view once we drew closer to the light.
Then I noticed the reflection of light on many sets of scales. Five dragons were spread throughout the large cave, all sleeping near the walls. I spotted Macabre toward the back of the cave, snuggled close to two dragons I assumed had mated with him last night.
Unbridled annoyance burned inside me because Talon’s accusations had been correct. Macabre preferred to enjoy this easy life than to think about others less fortunate. He’d rather sit on his scales all day than help those in need.
Macabre seemed to realize we were there because his eyes suddenly popped open. He stared right at me, his eyes the same color as the smoke that rose from the fire that was about to go out. He slowly rose to his feet, his lovers sliding past his scales, and made several steps forward to approach us.
But he stopped by the fire, his hostility evident.