Chapter 16 Lily
LILY
We mounted our dragons then left the Empire Colonies.
Halfway to the Southern Isles and just before it got dark, we landed in a location close to our original camp.
Wordlessly, the dragons hunted for dinner while Hawk prepared the tents and I built the fire.
I’d told King Ithaca I would consider his words and send a reply shortly.
Hawk and I hadn’t discussed it yet. We both seemed to be deep in thought as we considered it.
Zehemoth returned with the elk he caught in the forest, and after Hawk cleaned the animal and we took our small portion to cook over the fire, Zehemoth ate the rest. Movack caught a bear and ate that entirely on her own.
The meat roasted over the fire, and I sometimes turned it on the spick to make sure it was thoroughly cooked on all sides. Juices dripped into the flames and made them sizzle and rise as they hissed.
Hawk sat on the log across from me and stared at me through the flames. “So?”
“No.”
He gave a slight nod in agreement.
“The dragons are so loyal to our father. Many of them would do it just because I asked. But I wouldn’t feel right about it.
Maybe if King Ithaca were someone I liked…
or somewhat respected…it would be different.
But I fear he would force them to breed and then have an army of dragons for himself.
Might not be an issue now, but in a decade, it could turn into a serious problem. ”
“I didn’t even consider that.”
“But I do respect his perspective, because he’s right. It does feel wrong that only a handful of us are blessed with eternal life while no one else is.”
“You earned that blessing.” Callum appeared on another log to my left, sitting by the campfire like he was a member of our party.
“Your grandfather ruled the Southern Isles and peacefully coexisted with the dragons that shared their border. Never tried to use them for their own gain. And then your father reclaimed the throne and returned their freedom to them. If any one person has proven their altruism and commitment to world peace, it’s your father.
He’s earned those gifts because he earned the unconditional love of his dragon.
They’ve blended their families together despite the fact that you aren’t even the same species.
If King Ithaca had been in the same position, he would have used whatever power necessary to coerce that fuse. He does not deserve it.”
Hawk stared at the fire, unaware of everything that Callum had just shared with me.
“I’ve known Movack since I was born. If she told me she didn’t want to fuse with me, our relationship wouldn’t change.
If she said she wanted to fuse with someone else, I wouldn’t be angry with her.
The love we feel for those dragons has nothing to do with what they offer us. ”
“I know.”
“And King Ithaca doesn’t understand that. All he sees is power.”
“But the ability to live forever, that’s something everyone wants.”
Callum turned his head to look at me. “Not everyone.”
My eyes flicked to his briefly before I looked straight ahead once more, doing my best to pretend he wasn’t there.
“What are you saying?” Hawk asked. “That we should do it?”
“No. But I understand why he’s obsessed with it.”
“You think he’s bluffing? That he’ll withdraw his alliance if we don’t comply?” Hawk stared at me over the campfire, cast in the bright glow, his armor reflecting the color of the flames.
“I’m not sure. If we’re conquered, then he knows he’ll be next.”
“And if we prevail, he’ll be next,” Hawk said. “So either way, he loses.”
“I guess.”
“So it does sound like an empty threat to me.”
“There’s a third option,” Callum said from between us.
My instinct was to look at him. It made me wish he were there in the flesh, that he was a part of this circle as much as he was a part of me.
“The Barbarians become his new ally—and you’re the enemy.”
I felt my heart drop like a stone into the pit of my stomach. Felt a flush of terror move over my arms and form bumps everywhere. “What if King Ithaca becomes allies with the Barbarians? In exchange for their help, he claims some of the dragons for himself.”
Hawk stiffened when he heard the suggestion, his ungloved fingers stitching together tighter at the prospect.
“From what you described of the Barbarians, they don’t seem like the type of men to have alliances.
And even if that endeavor were successful, you thoroughly explained how you can’t force a fuse with a dragon, so that would be pointless.
If he wants to fuse with a dragon, there’s only one way to accomplish that—and that’s through you. ”
“Or force and torture and other unspeakable things.”
“I still think that would be far too risky on King Ithaca’s part. Plus, he would have to find the Barbarians, and who knows where they are. He’d have to comb the seas for golden ships, and before he could even board one, he’d be sunk to the bottom of the sea. That’s not an outcome I fear.”
I wondered if it was something that Callum feared, but I couldn’t ask.
“Then I have no choice but to say no. And if he revokes his aid, there will be consequences for that. I will remove him from power and select one of Father’s most trusted men to rule the Empire Colonies to ensure an ironclad alliance in the future. ”
“And what about King Ithaca?”
“I’ll kill him,” I said simply.
Hawk stared at me over the fire.
“You don’t demand dragons like cattle and threaten the Southern Isles and get away with it.”
“Seems a little harsh.”
“And you think Dad would do anything differently?”
He didn’t have to consider it for long before he gave a nod. “You’re right. He wouldn’t.”
“Break an alliance in our time of need and threaten us when we’re most vulnerable…that makes you an enemy. And the Rothschilds bury their enemies, only to raise them from the dead once again—to fight for us.”
We left at first light for the Southern Isles, and after nearly a full day of flying, the cliffs came into view, the magnificent castle at the very top with the village below.
A few dragons were visible, flying in the far distance, a normal sight of the kingdom, as typical as a cloud on a sunny day.
We flew to the open courtyard at the top of the cliff, and our dragons landed far more gently since we didn’t have an audience. I climbed down from Zehemoth then felt the cobblestone for the first time in what felt like an eternity.
Hawk climbed down and came to my side. “It’s nice to be home…and it’s not a war.”
I turned to Zehemoth. “Thank you for everything these last few weeks. Catch up on some rest.”
He dipped his head and rubbed the soft part of his scales along his cheek against me. I don’t believe any of us will rest until this is over. You’re a queen as mighty as you are beautiful. He pulled away so our eyes could meet. I know your father will be proud when he’s learned all you’ve done.
Or disappointed. “Thank you, Zehemoth.”
I know you want to see your father. We’ll speak again soon. He walked farther toward the edge of the cliffs then opened his wings before he tipped forward and took to the skies. Movack took off afterward, both of the glorious dragons brilliant in the sunlight.
“Let’s go see Dad.” Hawk took the lead and headed to the castle.
I watched him go, needing a moment before I could get my feet to respond.
The last time I saw my father, I watched him slip out of consciousness, watched Aunt Eldinar pull the enormous blade out of his shoulder.
He was dead for a moment before the dragons brought him back to life and stabilized him.
He was the strongest man I knew, and it had nearly killed me to see him like that. So weak and vulnerable.
And now he depended on me to save both him and his kingdom.
I wasn’t sure if I was doing a good job, so I didn’t feel worthy enough to sit at his bedside.
I didn’t want to face my mother either because there was no doubt Khazmuda had shared everything with her by now.
She was just as sharp as Dad, and she would figure out my secret quicker than my aunt did.
“It’ll be alright, Xivin.” He suddenly appeared by my side, dressed in his dark blue uniform, his armor, and his cape, the king of the dead, while I wore everything that represented my family and the kingdom.
We looked like enemies who should strike each other down on the battlefield, but we were more than allies or friends.
“I’m scared to see him.”
“Talon Rothschild will return mightier than he ever was before.”
“I don’t want Talon Rothschild,” I said with a heavy breath.
“I just want my dad.” There were so many things I wanted to share with him.
Throughout that entire journey, I’d wanted to turn to him for advice, and I was constantly reminded he wasn’t there.
“My whole life, I wanted to prove I didn’t need him…
and now that he’s gone, I realize how much I’ll always need him. No matter how old I get.”
Callum watched me in silence, his hard eyes slowly softening in a pained expression.
“I miss him so much. It kills me.” The second I’d set foot in the Southern Isles, I’d felt a wave of emotion that swallowed me whole. Felt the water flood my lungs and drown me to the bottom of the sea. It was easy to suppress when I was busy or exhausted, but now I was forced to face it.
“I promise you will have your father back, Xivin.”
I turned to him, my eyes feeling warm from the tears that fought to break free. “How—how can you make a promise like that?”
He stared at me just as hard and deep as always. “Because I won’t stop until that promise is fulfilled.” He moved into me and cupped the back of my head before he kissed me on the forehead. Then he disappeared an instant later, a ghost who faded into the abyss.