by E. L. Todd
“Let’s not speak of him.” His eyes immediately went back to his bowl as he swirled his spoon around.
Cora gave a wince at his sharp coldness. “I’m so sorry… You really have no idea.” His disappointment was a worse pain than the physical agony she endured at the hands of the Steward of Easton. Emotional pain was far worse than physical…as she recently learned.
“Even if I’d known whom you were saving, I would have done it anyway. Even if I’d known it would cost me the position I’ve held for thousands of years, it wouldn’t have changed anything. So, don’t be sorry.” His eyes remained out the window, watching the birds sit on the nearby branch.
“It’s hard not to be…”
“A man’s duty is to his family.” His eyes shifted back to hers. “Everything else…comes second. It was also time for me to step down. General Aldon is the person I recommended for the position—and Queen Delwyn was wise to listen.”
“It seems like you’re the one still in charge.”
He watched her without reaction, his fingers still on the edge of his spoon. “As I said before, I’ve been in the position a long time.”
They disobey a queen’s orders in favor of his. That means he’s earned the unquestionable loyalty of his people—more than their own queen has. I liked him when he served under King Valnor. I like him still. He’s a good man. Loves you like a hatchling.
I know he does. “I’m surprised Queen Delwyn has allowed me to come back at all.”
Callon dropped his gaze back to his bowl, scooping up a bite that was now cold.
It’s because of him.
How do you know?
It’s been a long time since I’ve been among the elves, but I do remember one thing. It’s not about the words they speak—but those they don’t speak.
“How did you convince her?”
“I didn’t.” He took a bite, a long and slow bite. “I blackmailed her. Not out of desire, but necessity. When she questioned me about our whereabouts, I spoke the truth, a veiled truth. She is my queen, and I respect her and serve her without reservation.”
“How did you blackmail her?”
“Threatened to tell the elves who you really are.”
Queen Delwyn is corrupt, it seems.
I think it’s more complicated than that.
Nothing is complicated unless we make it complicated.
“That probably pissed her off.”
His eyes went back to his bowl. “I had no other choice. If I were still her general, it would have been different…but I’m not anymore.”
“Then that was stupid on her part.”
He scooped another bite of oats onto his spoon. “She responded emotionally. Not strategically.”
Not a good quality in a leader.
Have you met Queen Delwyn?
No.
“So…what does she know exactly?”
Instead of taking the bite he took so long to prepare, he left it in his bowl. He seemed to be finished because he abandoned his food this time. Elbows rested on the table, and his arms folded on top. “That you went to save someone from the empire. I joined you to keep you alive. That’s it.”
“So, she doesn’t know about—”
“No.”
“Well, thank you for keeping it quiet.”
His eyes flicked away out the window.
If he hadn’t deceived his queen, you would have been exiled from Eden Star—even he couldn’t prevent that.
I know.
“Queen Delwyn asked if I’d been seen, and I couldn’t lie. The empire knows that we’re allies now. The battles have been on hiatus, but we still remain at war. That hiatus may end now.”
He’s right.
“Shit…”
Callon’s eyes narrowed.
“Sorry,” she said quickly.
“They’ve been searching for you, but now they know exactly where to continue their search. As a firsthand witness to your abilities, I’m unsurprised that finding you is their priority.”
“But the forest can’t be breached…right?”
“Nothing is guaranteed.”
They gave me sanctuary…and now I give them war. “I shouldn’t have come here.” The consequences of her actions were heavier now that this place wasn’t just a mythical forest. It was her home now. Images of the forest burning came into her eyes, the tree houses crumbling to the ground, the throne on fire.
“This is your home. So, yes, you should have come here.”
Her eyes moved back to his.
“Whether it’s one or all, we protect our own. We will protect you.”
“I don’t want to be protected. I want the forest to be safe.”
“Like you said before, King Lux would have come eventually. He might just come sooner now. That’s the only difference.”
“Not if I leave Eden Star and they follow me…”
He gave a slight shake of his head. “You’d buy us time. But nothing more.”
The guilt consumed her. Drowned her.
He continued to stare at her. “I will do my best to prepare you for what’s to come. And when it arrives, you will have my sword, shield, and bow to get you where you need to be.”
Your very own general.
“Thank you, Tor-lei.”
His eyes dropped to his rejected food.
“I hate to ask for more, but…”
His eyes returned, serious and focused.
“Would it be possible to convince Queen Delwyn to march on King Lux first?”
He absorbed the question before he gave a shake of his head. “It’s possible. But not probable. Until the war is brought to our borders, we won’t engage. We’ve lost enough battles to know that it’s hopeless. In this regard, I’m in agreement with her decision. Too many men. Too many dragons.”
“What if we had allies?”
Callon stared at her differently now, his eyes narrowed like tips of arrows. “Sor-lei, what happened after I left you?”
Don’t tell him.
We can trust him—
I said, don’t.
“I have some powerful allies now. That’s all I can say.”
4
The Hidden Passage
Her tree house was exactly as she left it.
The only difference was the dishes that she left in the sink. Instead of sitting there covered in mold, they’d been washed and set out to dry on the counter.
Callon.
Her sword leaned against the wall at her bedside, and her bow and quiver of arrows were left on the counter. Her old clothes still hung in the closet, so after a bath, she donned something more comfortable and sat up in bed.
The night darkened, the birds quieted, and soon it was just the crickets and occasional crack of a branch from a heavy owl. Arms folded over her chest, she stared into the darkness, seeing the moonlight shine off the canopy. We need to tell him.
No.
You just said you liked him.
I do. Doesn’t mean I trust him. He hates dragons, like all elves.
Well, he saved Flare from the Steward of Easton.
For you.
Doesn’t matter why he did it.
It matters greatly.
So, what’s the plan here? My entire purpose in bringing you is so you can speak to Queen Delwyn and negotiate an alliance.
That was before I realized you are unanimously disliked and the queen is corrupt.
Corrupt is a harsh word…
She denies her people truth. That’s the definition of corruption.
Doesn’t matter because we need her.
Not if she’ll betray me. Could save her people by sacrificing mine.
She wouldn’t do that—
Every elf they’ve lost is a consequence of my ill decision. Wouldn’t hesitate—if it were me.
She’d never forget the look on Callon’s face when he saw the red scales and long tail of a dragon. He’d been so livid, he’d almost chosen to stay behind. That feeling of detest must be
mirrored throughout society. Callon is loyal to his people—but he’s more loyal to me. Any secret I confide in him is safe.
Ashe turned quiet.
We need to tell him, Ashe. He can’t help us if he doesn’t know.
He hates dragons like the rest.
He does. But he’ll change his mind…and then change the minds of everyone else.
“Rise.”
“Mer…?” She turned in the bed instinctively, pulling the sheet over her head to block out the sunlight.
“Cora.” His voice deepened, commanding her like an army.
“Dude, I’m so tired—”
“Expect to always be tired from now on.”
“Ugh.”
“Now.” His voice grew louder, the threat scary.
“Geez, okay.” She threw the sheets back and rubbed the sleep from her closed eyes. “I’m awake. Just let me get breakfast started—”
“No breakfast. Get dressed and meet me downstairs.”
“No breakfast—”
He was gone.
Freakin’ psychopath.
Nothing.
Ashe?
Still nothing.
Wish I got to sleep in…
Callon struck down her branch. “Weak.” He blocked her punch then threw her arm down, making her spin slightly. “Clumsy.” He gave her a shove, sending her tripping backward across the grass until she regained her footing. “Have you forgotten everything I taught you?”
“No.” She brushed off her pants and straightened. “I wasn’t kidding when I said I was tired. Haven’t slept in two days…”
“I’ve fought a battle for four days—and never slept.”
“Well, I don’t have a bazillion years of experience under my belt.”
He tossed the branch aside, the instruction concluded. “I don’t know how much time we have. But whether it’s a lot or little, we can’t afford to waste it.”
She wiped her brow with the back of her wrist, getting rid of the sweat that had started to drip down her face. “I know. I’ll be ready to go tomorrow.”
“Why didn’t you sleep for two days?”
“Traveling.”
“You ran for two days straight?” he asked. “Were you chased by the Shamans?”
“No.”
His eyes bored into her face, silently demanding an answer.
“We need to talk…” She headed to their packs by the waterfall.
He watched her walk away before he followed her. They sat together by the water, just as they had months ago.
Hungry, she opened her pack and took out the container Callon had packed for her.
The little red cardinal emerged, landing on the grass in front of her, giving out a few chirps. His mind suddenly felt strong against hers, like they were side by side, pressing against each other.
“Hey, honey. Nice to see you.” She fed him a few berries then watched him fly away.
Ashe?
I’m here.
I need to tell him.
Be discreet.
Always. “I need to tell you something, but it absolutely has to stay between us.”
Callon watched her with the same expression, and if that was the face she met on the battlefield, she would be thoroughly intimidated. “If anything you share poses a threat to Eden Star or my queen, I will report it.”
“It doesn’t. But if you share it with anyone…it could be a threat to someone else I love.”
His eyes narrowed.
“Will you promise to keep my secret?”
“Yes, Sor-lei.”
“You can’t ask any questions either…just need to accept my information.”
He gave a slight nod.
This is okay?
Yes.
“I have allies that have pledged to fight with Queen Delwyn—if she accepts.”
His dark green eyes were different from her own. Deep. It was the only indication of age—because they were full of years of sorrow, of wisdom, of experience.
She lowered her voice to a whisper even though they were alone. “Free dragons.”
As he’d agreed, he didn’t ask any questions. His eyes shifted back and forth quickly, his only visible reaction.
“I’ve returned to convince her to accept the alliance.”
He tore his gaze away, his eyes still frantic, absorbing the information with a display of emotions across his expression.
She let him have all the time he needed.
He didn’t question you.
Because I was right—he can be trusted.
After a couple minutes of quiet reflection, Callon turned his attention back to her. “Your proposition will be unsuccessful.”
“Why?”
“They are not our allies. I can speak on behalf of Queen Delwyn when I say we have no interest in helping the beings that caused all of this in the first place. The reason I’ve lost my wife…my son…my brother. The reason everyone has lost someone.”
As I expected.
“Callon—”
“I will keep your secret. But you have no chance of convincing Queen Delwyn.”
“I do…if you help me.”
His head snapped in the other direction, dismissing the suggestion.
“You fear that King Lux will cross the desert and march on Eden Star. Can you think of a better ally than a fire-breathing dragon that wants to rescue their imprisoned kin?”
The dismissal continued.
“We have to put the past behind us if we ever hope to have a future.”
Callon stared at the stream as if he didn’t hear a word.
“I wish you knew how sorry—”
Cora.
The sigh released, slow and heavy.
He needs time. Give it to him.
I need to eat.
In the days that had passed, Cora and Callon trained in their hidden meadow, and once she had adequate sleep, her skills returned to her. She was still easily disarmed and had no chance against someone of his experience, but she redeemed herself from that first day.
But Callon barely spoke to her. If he did, it was about training, and that was it.
Cora failed to block the hit coming her way, striking her right in the ribs. She groaned and fell to her knees. “Geez, you got me good.”
Callon threw down his stick. “I shouldn’t be able to get you at all. Do better.”
“I’m working on it.”
“Work harder.”
“What do you think I’m doing?” She cupped her ribs as she glared at him. “I’m out here every day, giving it my all—”
“Stop the excuses.”
“They aren’t excuses—”
“They are to me.” He stepped away, his shirt showing his muscled mass through the thin fabric. When he was dressed in his armor, he was even thicker, far more ominous. But he was just as ominous in nothing but breeches and a tree branch.
Cora, I need to eat.
Yeah, heard you the first time.
Then obey.
Obey? Ooh, that was the wrong thing to say.
If you obeyed, I wouldn’t be hungry right now.
Let’s just remove that word from our vocabulary right now.
It offends you.
Yes.
But I’m Ashe, King of Dragons. I don’t understand.
Would you ever tell Diamond to obey?
Silence.
Now you get it. She pushed herself to her feet, coated in slick sweat. I’m not sure how to get you out of the forest…and then back in again.
I need to eat every few days—so we need to figure this out.
Callon turned his gaze back on her, disappointment still there.
Yes, I know.
I could hunt here. They’d never know—
Yes, they would. That’s not an option. Especially if we’re asking for their aid. “Callon?”
Do not tell him.
We have no other choice. Unless you want to starve?
He gave a quiet snarl. No.
/> “Callon, I need you to help me with something.”
“I’m in the middle of helping you with something else right now.” He flashed her a look of annoyance, a growl with his eyes.
“Can you get me in and out of the forest without being seen?”
The annoyance faded like the sun setting over the horizon. It turned into razor-sharp focus. “Why?”
Do not tell him.
Ashe—
He’s not ready. Trust me.
“I…I can’t say.”
His breathing changed, growing heavy, and his eyes sharpened.
“I need to come and go as I please…without being seen.”
His jaw clenched next. “I grow tired of your secrets.”
“Please. I promise that my intentions are innocent.”
“Someone could follow you.”
“I’m not meeting anyone.”
His eyes kept their annoyance because no guarantee would be enough. “If the wrong person becomes aware of this passage, it could be catastrophic for all of us.”
“I would never—”
“Promise me you will never meet anyone by route of this passage.”
“Of course. I promise.”
He stepped away. “After we eat, I’ll show you the way.”
She watched him walk away.
He loves you the way I love my hatchlings.
I know he does…
It was a deep trek into the mountains.
Callon led the way off the path, turning when he recognized a marker in the foliage.
I’m never going to remember this.
I will.
An hour of traveling led them to a mass of boulders between rocky mountainsides. When Callon halted, she knew they’d arrived. “Do you know the way back?”
“Yes.”
He gave her a final look before he began the return journey.
“Thank you.”
As if he didn’t hear her, he kept walking.
Let’s go. I’m starving.
She walked through the passageway, roots of trees crossing the gap and growing overhead. The path became narrower, just wide enough for her to pass through. Farther she went, reaching an opening on the other side. I’ll wait here for you. Be discreet.
Dragons aren’t meant to be discreet.
She suddenly felt the world spin, felt her soul tear in half, her vision blur.