Chapter 13 Lily
LILY
Hawk had his mug of coffee beside him at the table, along with an empty plate of breakfast. He watched me take the seat across from him, stared at me as he took a drink from his coffee. “You look like shit.”
“Good morning to you too, asshole.”
“I’m serious,” he said. “You look like you didn’t even sleep.”
Because I’d slept for about three hours uninterrupted.
When I opened my eyes, Callum was gone, and the sting of the loss hurt like it always did.
“I had a nightmare and just couldn’t get back to sleep.
” I got the bar maiden’s attention and ordered a coffee.
I didn’t have an appetite, not when my stomach was all screwed up from not sleeping.
He watched me as he took another drink, clearly analyzing every expression and every word.
I was too tired for his suspicions.
The bar maiden brought the coffee, and I took a big drink like it was water. “Packed and ready to go?”
“Yeah. You?”
“Yeah.”
“Movack said they hunted this morning, so they’re ready for the journey.”
“Good.” I had bigger things to focus on right now, but Callum always seemed to be at the forefront of my mind.
He was the person I wanted to spend every moment with, to share every aspect of my day with—and no one could see him but me.
It was the most fulfilling and lonely relationship of my life.
I took another big gulp of my coffee. “Okay, I’m ready. ”
“You can take a couple minutes.”
“It’s already almost noon. We should get going.”
“Alright, Your Majesty.”
“Ugh, don’t ever call me that again. At least in private.”
He chuckled. “Will do.”
We paid the tab then headed to the beach, where Zehemoth and Movack waited for us.
We secured our packs to their saddles before we climbed up their mighty flanks and took to the skies.
It was a cloudless day, so the sun made their scales warm to the touch.
We flew over the different tropical islands below, and I looked at every single one and wondered if one of them was the private island Callum and I had shared.
He never told me where it was, and I didn’t ask either, maybe because not knowing made it more special.
It was a shorter flight to the Northern Kingdoms than the Southern Isles, but it still took all day and night to arrive over the landmass.
I knew we were close when the temperature dropped exponentially, going from tolerable to downright cold.
There was a bite to the frigidness too, making my nose sting every time a gust came through.
I’ve spoken with Macabre. Queen Eldinar knows of your arrival.
Thanks, Zehemoth.
She said she’ll meet us at the castle.
We can go to Riviana Star afterward.
She said she wanted to save time.
She tried to confront me about the powers bestowed upon me during the battle, but because of the circumstances with my father and the sheer number of dead in the forest, her interrogation had been mild. But I suspected she would now pry into me like a lockpick.
It was dark when Zehemoth made his descent, and the lower we flew, the more the snow started to hit us in the face. Torches from the kingdom were visible down below, and Zehemoth found the enormous courtyard atop the castle where the two dragons could fit when they dropped us off.
The wind howled, and the snow whipped me in the face as I climbed down from the saddle and landed.
This castle had been home to my father long before I was born, before he’d even met my mother.
It was hard to believe because I couldn’t picture him in this ice-cold climate when he was more suited to the long summers of the Southern Isles.
Will you be okay?
My dragon scales are harder than stone and warmer than a fire. Zehemoth dipped his head to look at me as the wind threw my hair about. Don’t worry about me. I’ll let you know when Macabre approaches. They’re about an hour flight away.
Alright.
Go inside before your lungs get infected. Mine are constantly warmed by the fire in my belly.
Hawk and I headed for the double doors that led to the inside of the castle, and the guards posted there opened them wide to allow us entry. The second we stepped inside, the chaos outside was muted and I could feel the warmth surround me like a glove.
“Bad time to fly, huh?” Hawk said as he brushed the snow off his shoulders.
A group was soldiers was there, and they detained us for a moment before the commander arrived, his dark uniform different from the others because of the gold embellishments to his armor. “Queen Lily Rothschild, we weren’t expecting you. Do you have news?”
“I need to speak with Steward Eliam.”
“It’s past midnight,” he said. “Is this urgent?”
“Do you think we’d come at midnight if it weren’t urgent?” Hawk asked.
The commander straightened his spine as his hands moved behind his back. “Your journey must have been long. I wasn’t sure if you’d like to retire for the evening and speak in the morning.”
“We’ll speak now then retire afterward,” I said. “Queen Eldinar will arrive shortly.”
He conceded with a nod. “Follow me.” Commander Azai escorted us through the castle to the large study that had a wide fireplace and a seating area behind a massive desk with an enormous window behind it, the frost visible in all the corners.
We sat in the armchairs, and then a butler arrived to start the fire and provide refreshments along with a wooden board with slices of cheeses and cured meats.
I sank into the armchair, all my muscles tired from holding my spine straight for the last twelve hours. And I was dead tired, so tired I could fall asleep right in this damn chair. I closed my eyes for a bit, and when I felt that heavy presence infect my entire chest, I opened them again.
Callum stood by the window, an invisible shadow to the world but everything to me. He watched me with a hard gaze, providing comfort even when he didn’t say a word or make a gesture.
“Don’t fall asleep on me,” Hawk said.
My eyes were forced to shift away from Callum. “I can’t wait to get this over with.”
“I can’t wait to be home.”
“But remember, the next time you’re home, you might be at war.”
We sat there for at least thirty minutes before Steward Eliam graced us with his presence.
A younger man than most for the position, he’d become the steward by a free election because of his involvement in the community of Shadowstone.
He served in the military and volunteered to help the less fortunate during the harshest winters.
He didn’t seem like an ambitious man, which was why my father approved of the appointment.
“I apologize for my delay,” he said as he took a seat. “My wife is ill.”
“I hope it’s nothing serious,” I said.
“No.” His hands came together on the desk, fingers interlocked, his uniform rumpled because he’d dressed quickly. His hair was still matted from where he’d been lying on it in bed. “It happens every winter. She’s just…more sensitive to the cold.”
“Something you don’t have to worry about in the Southern Isles,” Hawk said.
“Yes, she’s mentioned that a couple of times, actually.” His eyes stayed on me even when Hawk spoke, a sign of respect. “How can I serve you, Your Majesty? I hope your father has safely returned to the Southern Isles.”
“He has,” I said. “Thank you for providing passage and guarding his ship.”
He gave a nod.
“I’ve just arrived from the Brigandine Empire to the east. They’ve agreed to provide aid in the coming war.”
“War?” he asked.
“The Barbarians that attacked Riviana Star will challenge the Southern Isles.”
“But Queen Eldinar made it sound as if most of their fleet was destroyed on their retreat.”
“Yes,” I said. “But there are many more. And I’m sure she mentioned their cursed blades and the dire effect they have on any of those who sustain an injury from their tips.”
His fingers tightened together further, and he gave a nod.
“I’m certain they will attack the Southern Isles, and we need to be prepared when they do. So I need you to prepare your army and your militia for imminent attack. The Brigandine Empire may arrive here first, so I ask that you provide them aid when they do.”
“You’re that concerned about this enemy?” he asked. “Yes, their blades are troubling, but the might of dragons can’t be challenged.”
“A good leader never assumes a victory. They fight hard like they’re outnumbered ten to one, even if they have the upper hand.
I think it’s best to prepare for the worst instead of assume the best. I’ve fought them in the forest, and they’re strong fighters who wield cruelty with their blades.
I’m not sure if their blades can pierce dragon scales, but if they can and they get close, that could be a terrifying outcome. ”
“Perhaps. But dragons can sink their ships with fire.”
“Not if they’re made of gold,” I said. “I have a gut feeling that this battle will be more than we bargained for, so I’d appreciate it if you took it seriously.”
“I am taking it seriously, Your Highness.”
“If you’d been in the battle yourself, you would understand how foreboding they really are. So please prepare your army for an attack that can strike any moment.”
“Yes, of course, Queen Lily Rothschild,” he said.
Queen Eldinar has arrived. She’ll be there momentarily.
Thanks, Zehemoth. “Queen Eldinar has landed on the outdoor terrace. She’ll be here any minute.”
He gave a nod in understanding and fell silent. He didn’t fill the room with meaningless conversation, thankfully. I was too tired for that.
Callum continued to stand by the window, his big arms crossed over his chest, looking at me most of the time.
Queen Eldinar entered the room a moment later, dressed for the cold weather in a heavy white coat that looked like the snow that swirled outside the windows.
She unbuttoned it then hung it on the coatrack before she entered farther into the study, dressed in the same armor I’d seen her wear for battle—except this was pristine, like it’d never seen war.