Chapter 5
TALON
I was back on my feet once again, my body finally healed from the trauma of the cursed blade.
The platinum was still a part of my skin, constantly absorbing the curse with its purity.
As time went on, the platinum started to fade, changing color closer to that of coal or lava rock.
It was a contrast against my olive skin, the ugliest scar anyone could ever have.
But I was still here, so I was grateful for the hideous mark.
I’d started to train again, to build the muscle that I’d lost from lying in bed for months. I worked with Hawk at the soldiers’ barracks, sparred with him while he used his left hand to give me a fighting chance.
When I took Lily out for a drink, we didn’t discuss anything deeper than the moment we were in.
I knew she’d been through a lot, and I just wanted to enjoy her company.
Not ask her what life had been like in the underworld, if she still wanted to be with Callum, or what her plans were for the future.
So we got a drink, played some poker, and kept it light.
Pretended none of that terrible shit had happened.
I walked into my study, where Viper was waiting for me in his full suit and armor out of respect for meeting with a king. Although, he was the one person who didn’t need to go through the charade.
Instead of sitting behind the desk, I took one of the armchairs and faced him. “Thank you for coming all this way.”
“Thank you for offering me a gift. As I said before, I expect nothing but your allegiance in our time of need.”
“I understand, but I still wanted to give you something else as well.”
He gave a slight nod. “Before we continue, something has plagued my mind since yesterday.”
“I’m listening.”
“I spoke with Callum in the courtyard when we ran into each other.”
Must have been when I’d taken Lily out to the pub.
“I know my own personal interests make me prejudiced against him, but he said something that’s drawn my suspicion.”
Even though Callum wasn’t my first choice for my daughter, I’d come to accept him.
To relate to him and his heartache, because we had so much in common.
And I couldn’t deny that his love for Lily seemed genuine.
But the fact that he was ever the god of the underworld would always make me uneasy. “What was it?”
“He said I would be a worthy option for her if it didn’t work out between them.”
I raised an eyebrow. “I don’t understand your suspicion.”
“It was the way he delivered the last part—if it didn’t work out between them.
Why would a man say that to his rival? As if he has doubts.
After everything they’ve done for each other, how could he possibly have doubts?
” He cocked his head, resting his chin on his closed knuckles. “Doesn’t make sense to me.”
“I understand what you’re saying.”
“I’ve spoken to Lily about this relationship more times than I want to admit.
She made her choice, and I feel like if I provoke her again, that would be crossing the line.
Her boundaries are set, and I’m not the type of man to push through someone’s walls—unless it’s in battle.
So I wanted to bring it to your attention in case you wanted to speak to Callum about it.
It seems like you two have a decent relationship, and perhaps he would enlighten you. ”
“Yes, perhaps.”
He straightened in his chair. “Alright, now that I’ve gotten that out of the way…what gift did you want to bestow upon me?”
“Well, I’ve spoken with the dragons and asked if anyone would be interested in joining you in your kingdom.
If you fuse with one of them, it will allow you to communicate with the other dragons here and, therefore, me, so if you did ever need aid, I would be able to answer that call.
Not to mention having a pair of dragons to safeguard your kingdom would make you a bigger adversary to your opponents. ”
Viper stared at me blankly for a few moments before he could fathom a response. “You want to give me dragons?”
“Dragons that have volunteered to relocate somewhere new. See a different place. They’re free dragons in my realm that I protect, so I can’t order them to do anything, but they have chosen to do this.”
He gave a slow nod. “As kingly of a gift as this is…it isn’t dragons I want.”
I held his stare as the discomfort pooled in my stomach, understanding exactly what he wanted without having to hear it.
His stare hardened as he looked at me, as if he wanted me to exchange the gift I’d offered for something he truly wanted.
“My daughter is not a sheep, Viper.”
“I understand that. All I want is for you to notify me when and if things go awry.”
That request made me uncomfortable too, to exploit my daughter’s heartbreak.
“You prefer me to him.”
“I never said that.”
“But I can tell you do.”
I severed eye contact as I took a breath, hoping that when Hawk decided to settle down, it would be a much easier process than this.
I’d dreaded the day that my daughter would choose a man to spend her life with, but I hadn’t anticipated it would be as horrific as this.
A tense love triangle between the god of the underworld and a vampire. “I’ll let you know.”
Viper gave a nod when he got the answer he wanted. “Thank you, Talon Rothschild. Then I’ll take my dragons and be on my way. Presenting my king with ferocious dragons may repair the rift that continues to divide us.”
A subtle reminder of what he’d done for the Southern Isles.
“Just to be clear, they’re volunteering to change locations and offer their loyalty to you—within reason.
If they convey any mistreatment to me, you’ll have an army of dragons raining down fire on your entire kingdom. They’re allies—not servants.”
“I understand, Your Highness. And I appreciate what you’ve offered.” He rose to his feet. “I suspect this may be the last time we see each other.”
I rose to my feet as well. “It may.”
He extended his hand to shake mine.
I took it, both of us gripping each other hard, and then he silently dismissed himself, his cape shifting behind him as he exited my office.