Page 32 of The Dragon Queen
So many things. I’ll tell you when it’s done.
A moment later, the butler opened the double doors and stepped aside.
Then he entered…skin dull gray with sickness, ears with a pointed tip, a smile that looked more like a snarl. He wore a fullarmor set that was black like Talon’s, but there was no sword across his back or dagger at his hip.
He took his time as he crossed the room and the plush rug. Instead of taking one of the seats that had been occupied by Jairo and Kael, he chose the chair at the head of the table, far on the opposite of King Barron.
He sat with a straight back that didn’t touch the chair, but he rested one arm on the table, his fingers covered in a black leather glove. “Enjoy your dinner?”
King Barron didn’t answer.
“It’s been a long time since I’ve enjoyed something.”
I wanted to crack the door farther to get a better look at Astaroth, but since he directly faced me, I had to be careful in my movements.
King Barron took a drink from his goblet. “How were your travels?”
He drummed his gloved fingers on the table. “Fruitful.”
“How so?”
Astaroth took a long time to answer, that same smirk on his mouth that was permanent like a scar. “There’s more to our world than what the map shows. Much more. Far to the east is a land with snow and mountains and monsters and vampires. I found a witch there, and she said there’s a second door to Caelum deep in the forest.”
“You found what you wanted but speak with a tone of disappointment.”
The smug smile remained. “Because it’s home to the Ethereal.”
King Barron gave no reaction, like he didn’t know what that was but didn’t want to show his empty hand.
“It’s unclear if they’re aware of the gateway, but whether they are or not, they’re still a problem.”
“At least you’ve found what you’re looking for, Astaroth.”
“Yes, I suppose.” The gray to his skin resembled stone, making him look dead when he was clearly alive. His other arm moved to the table, and he leaned closer to King Barron. “Your men will join us in this fight, and then our deal will be completed. I know when my presence is unwelcome.”
“It’s not your presence but the curse that you bring with you.”
He cocked his head slightly, amused. “I don’t bring a curse. I am a curse.”
King Barron held his stare across the table, the two evil men locked in a battle of restrained diplomacy. “I can’t leave my lands while the Death King remains a threat across the sea. We destroy him first, and then I’ll join you in the battle against Ethereal.”
“That wasn’t our agreement.”
“I need the dragons to win this war.”
“You have the dragons.”
“They won’t serve me without your magic, Astaroth. Once their minds are free and their chains broken, they’ll turn on us.”
Astaroth sat back in the chair and propped one elbow on the armrest. “That’s a shame…”
“I can’t leave my lands vulnerable to the Death King,” King Barron said. “This is how it must be done. We win my war, and then we win yours.”
Astaroth propped his chin on his closed knuckles as he thought it through, his eyes locked on King Barron across the table. He was too rugged to be an elf, but he was too pretty to be human. He was somewhere in between. But his eyes were strange, green with intense flecks of yellow, a color I’d never seen before. “Then we have a deal.” He grinned. “Your Majesty.”
When the maids were occupied, I went to the storage room and let Talon know I was there.
Like last time, he moved the shelf aside just wide enough for me to fit through.