Page 13 of The Dragon Queen
He was twenty years older than when we met. I’d watched his wrinkles form around his eyes and his jowls grow. But he’d watched me remain forever imprisoned in time.
“Which means you’ve been fused with Khazmuda since the day we met.”
I let my stare be my confirmation.
“You had a dragon as an ally, but you let me take you as a prisoner anyway.”
“Because I didn’t care about anything, especially myself.”
Khazmuda released a quiet growl as he looked at Ethan.
Ethan didn’t flinch. “Sounds like he holds a grudge.”
I do.
I stepped away from Khazmuda and approached the pier.
Ethan followed me a second later, his boots thudding against the wooden planks over the water.
“I didn’t sail here with just men. I came here with elves as well.”
“Elves?” He stopped to look at me. “How did you forge an alliance with their kind?”
“Another tale that needs to be told over a stiff drink.”
“At this rate, we’re going to be too drunk to win this battle of yours.”
Queen Eldinar and General Ezra disembarked their ship. They greeted Calista before they came down the dock toward us. Everyone looked tired and haggard from the long journey, but Queen Eldinar remained preserved in elegance, not that the elves on the ship abstained from water and nourishment so she could have it all to herself, so she could bathe and keep her glowing hair clean.
Ethan released another low whistle as they approached, this one quiet so only I could hear. “She’s prettier than the first.”
“I disagree.”
He gave me a look out of the corner of his eye before one side of his mouth lifted in a smirk.
Queen Eldinar stopped several feet away, her eyes on Ethan.
General Ezra had his hand on his sword, prepared to cut off my friend’s head if he said the wrong thing.
I stepped forward. “Queen Eldinar, this is the leader of my previous crew and old friend, Captain Blackstorm. He’s granted us a respite here on his island until we’re ready to make the second part of our journey.”
Queen Eldinar stared at him before she gave a slight nod.
“Lovely to meet you.” Ethan stepped forward and reached for her hand to kiss it.
My hand went to his shoulder and steadied him.
General Ezra had a tight grip on his sword, and it tightened further, making his knuckles turn white.
“This is General Ezra, General of Riviana Star and husband to Queen Eldinar.”
Ethan gave a nod in acknowledgment. “Lovely to meet you as well.”
General Ezra didn’t let go of his sword.
I introduced Calista next. “This is Calista…” I didn’t know how to describe her because she didn’t have a title. She wasn’t my friend. She wasn’t the leader of any kingdom. But not to give her meaning was a disgrace to my relationship with her. “The queen of my heart.”
When her eyes looked at mine, they had a softness she’d never shown before. The moment was full of other people, but it seemed to be just about us. She didn’t even acknowledge Ethan because her entire focus was on me.