Page 93 of The Dragon King

Talon.

The blacksmith is producing the armor. The ships and army are being prepared?—

Those things don’t concern me. You’re what concerns me. I watched your interaction with Calista but couldn’t hear the words.

They weren’t meant to be heard.

We’re so close to battle, and you’re spending that time attacking Calista?—

Trust me, it’s the other way around.

Talon. His frustration was audible in his tone.What happened?

I knew I couldn’t dodge Khazmuda. Not when we were connected like this.I told her I didn’t want anything more, and now she assumes I just wanted to fuck her and leave her.After every conversation we’d had, every moment we’d shared, the fact that I’d told her about Vivian, how could she possibly believe any of that horseshit?

I think that’s a fair assumption.

I felt my anger rise again.How?

If you don’t want anything more than what you have, then that means it’ll never be more than what it is. Which means you don’t want her to be your mate and you don’t want to have hatchlings with her. That means you think she’s an unsuitable partner.

It means I think I’m going to die in the battle, and I would be a fucking asshole to let her believe we would be together forever when I knew full well we wouldn’t. Maybe I look like an asshole, but I’m just trying to protect her.

You aren’t going to die, Talon.

I closed my eyes because the pain was too much.

I will burn anyone who comes near you.

I didn’t speak. Couldn’t do it.

When Khazmuda spoke again, he was gentler.Whether you live or die, all you have is this moment. And you’re wasting it. Of all people, I thought you would realize that better than anyone.

If I’d known my last night with Vivian would be the last time we were together, I would have done things differently. We hadn’tfought, but we hadn’t made love. Her pregnancy had made her insecure about her body, and no matter how much I’d shown my desire, she’d dismissed my advances. Now, I wished I’d done something more to make her feel attractive. I wished I’d made more of an effort to spend time with my mother and sheathed my favoritism for my father. Even if everything was going to end the same, I had a few things I would have done differently.

After Calista left with Inferno, you sat exactly where you sit now, simmering in your anger and wasting time until you finally did something about it. When General Titan marched on the forest, you dug your boots into the earth like a stubborn mule until the very last possible second. Now, here we are again, sitting here and wasting time. Why don’t you learn, Talon?

Shame flooded me.

You can’t change what’s to come. But you can change every moment that comes before it. I could die. Calista could die. All three of us could perish. And I think it would be a lot easier to die knowing everyone I love knows how much I love them. I know your heart, Talon. I know it feels the same way.

Chapter 18

Calista

Riviana Star didn’t feel the same as it had when I left.

Talon had been with me, and we’d made a life together in each other’s arms. Our nights were filled with passion, and our days were filled with adventure. When I stepped into my tree house, I could feel his presence everywhere, as if he were right next to me, as if he would project his mind and appear in the armchair or at the head of the dining table.

Our last conversation continued to play in my mind and made me feel guilty, as if I were the one at fault. I’d ripped him apart in retaliation for ripping me apart. My pain had nowhere to go but out, so I unleashed my destruction on the person who’d hurt me most. Since we were close to battle and all our lives could be forfeit, I should have held him close rather than pushing him away.

But I’d accepted less than what I deserved my whole life, and I wasn’t going to do it anymore. It didn’t matter how much I loved him—I wouldn’t settle for a man who found me disposable. I’d told him I loved him I don’t know how many times, and each time, he winced like he didn’t want to hear it.

It made me angry all over again.

Queen Eldinar informed her people that they would fight to save the dragons across the sea, and once her announcement was made, all other projects were halted to prepare for battle. New armor and weapons were produced, and with the exception of a few elves who would remain behind, everyone packed their belongings for the long trip.

Talon had taught me the blade several times, but I still lacked the skills that Queen Eldinar and my uncle possessed. I could hold my own for a time, but not forever, not when I wasn’t fused with a dragon. That extra strength, that aided focus, made me comparable to the other great warriors.