Squall's End

Claire vaulted onto Talon's back. He sprang from the ground, leaping up into the sky. Beneath her, her Queen's Guard mounted their unicorns, escorted by a riderless Tourmaline, and returned to the city without her. She would meet them later.

It was the first time in months that she'd flown with Talon in broad daylight. They'd been forced into night flights to go unnoticed back at camp, leading up to the attack. Once more, they were free to fly when they pleased.

She blinked, taking in the world around them. "Take me away from here," she managed. Somehow, the thought came out steadier than she felt, much steadier. Inside, she was still reeling, recovering from the aftermath of seeing so many slaughtered dragons littering the landscape. Her throat clogged with smoke and grief.

Talon was tense beneath her. He felt what she felt. Felt her anguish as if it were his own. "I'm sorry," he said, his voice sencere. "If I could have spared you this, I would have."

"There is brutality everywhere, Talon." She blinked to clear her eyes against the bright, glaring sunlight. "My world—my old world, I mean—isn't perfect, either. We might have technological marvels that far surpass Dragonwall's, but that hasn't made humanity any kinder. You can't shield me from the harsh realities of life. You know it, and so do I."

"If there had been a better way—"

"You would have taken it. I know you would have," she said. She was beginning to understand—better than most—the difficulties of ruling. She hadn't yet scraped the surface, young and new as she was. She swallowed against the ache in her throat. "I thought they would all choose their hatchlings over war," she admitted, shifting the topic, thinking of the single pregnant dragon who hadn't gone with the others. Her gut wrenched. "I thought I was doing the right thing in giving them all a choice. But look where it landed me? Only a few—four—made the correct choice in the end. And in the process, I made Reyr so angry with me."

She hadn't forgotten how red Reyr's face had turned, how he wouldn't even look at her afterward. How disgusted he'd been that she wanted to offer those beasts a way out, beasts responsible for killing his twin brother. The thought twisted like a knife in her gut. She'd only been trying to do the right thing. To be a good queen. To put personal feelings aside and act for the greater good of a kingdom, of a world. All those dragons who might have surrendered—and she'd known it would have been few, if any, beyond the pregnant females—would have been judged and dealt with anyway.

But Reyr, and even Jovari, had disagreed with her decision. They hadn't chastised her, hadn't treated her like a child who'd made a mistake. No, it was worse; they'd simply withdrawn from her.

But Reyr had offered his forgiveness in the end. They all had, letting it go, putting it behind them. Was this how it would always be? Walking a tightrope? Disappointing some, just to make others happy? How many more times would she receive this sort of reaction for her decisions?

"Many, many more times, Claire." Talon's admission hardened her stomach. "It is not easy. I never said it would be."

"I...I know."

"This is why I wanted to give you time, plenty of time, to think about becoming my mate. Time to consider what it meant."

An oily, negative thought formed in the back of her mind—a thought that came from a dark place, a place of second-guesses and doubt. Had she considered this thoroughly enough? Had she considered it as thoroughly as she should have? Or, had she merely let her love, her mate bond, make the decision for her?

In the end, had she made the correct choice?

"Only you can answer that, love. But I am here for you. There is still time to change your mind, if you wish?" He disguised his desperate fear, but she felt it there anyway, buried in the depths of his mind.

She sighed. "No. I stand by my decision, Talon. For all the hardship that ruling brings, you make every minute worth it."

A searing warmth burned through her—through him—at her words. His pleased hum was satisfying. The love he radiated with, love for her, would make every challenge worth it.

Talon's iridescent black wings flapped, strong downward thrusts, taking them far away from the battlefield. North, it seemed. She was becoming much better at judging distance, and she only had to drop a little deeper into his mind to simply know.

She leaned forward, resting her face against his glassy scales, closing her eyes. Beneath her cheek, she felt the powerful cords of muscle bunch with each movement. He'd chosen to fly into battle without armor. There hadn't been enough to outfit the hundreds of Drengr they'd taken.

Letting her shoulders relax, she exhaled. Her mind melded to his. The steady beat of his wings lulled her into a trance. Before she realized, she was lost to his thoughts, and hers, caught in some in-between state wandering the lava fields she saw when they were together, and yet, still aware of her surroundings. This stasis was nearly as restful as sleep.

Talon flew and flew and flew, and she rested, reset, and recharged.

The afternoon slipped away in the sky. They didn't talk. Talon simply gave her what she needed—what he needed, too—peace, if only for a short while. Then, with a great deal of reluctance emanating from both of them, he set them on a path towards Squall's End. They would be staying there tonight, before returning to camp tomorrow. There were matters to discuss between Talon and Lord Rhal. She also planned to help their victims, to ensure they had enough food until trade resumed.

That was something a good queen would do, right—?

"I'm not sure if I should laugh or scold you for how you handled the situation with Squall's End and Lord Rhal." Talon's voice cut through her mind, interrupting her thoughts. He'd sifted through everything while she'd zoned out, picking through the events from the moment she'd left camp, to the moment they'd reunited in the city. "You certainly used your newfound knowledge to your advantage."

"Mayr?" she said. So?

"Mayr," he repeated. "Anoa mi cathalla laryara sassih aya kunyn nih baracha ana Andmalla barihon, achen mih barihon, frelikah." ...Now I must explain that you are not merely a Spriten Queen, but my queen, too, his words said.

It took a moment to realize he'd effortlessly slipped into Edunar. Even his accent was perfect. Her eyes widened. But of course. He knew everything she knew, and vice versa. When their minds were melded together, at least, his knowledge would be hers, and hers, his.

A draconic rumble shook beneath her thighs, sending delicious vibrations up through her body. She clenched her muscles, reflexively, then smiled. "Catching on, hmm?" he teased, this time, using words that didn't require a translation. "Perhaps when we are mated, I'll use the fancy trick you pulled on Lord Rhal, and converse with you in Edunar, just to exclude people from our conversations."

She snorted, rolling her eyes for no one to see—

"Did you just roll your eyes at me, Ayas Drollaya?" he drawled.

"Ni," she lied. But the single word turned into a screech as he nose-dived towards the ground, purposefully. Her stomach rose into her throat. Punishment, a mild one, for giving him sass.

"And besides," she shot back, gasping through her laughter. "If we wanted to exclude others from our conversations, you do realize that we can just converse with our minds telepath—"

"Arrhhhh!" She screeched again. Another nosedive. She leaned forward, burying her face in his scales. Her voice turned into full bellied laughter as Talon evened out, sweeping so low to the ground that his lethal talons grazed the long grass. It was magnificent. Utterly magnificent.

All too soon, the city materialized before them. While there were several courtyards large enough for a Drengr to land, Talon intended to stop at its gates and transform, to walk through its streets with her. She wasn't adverse to a walk, especially if it meant more time in his company.

"I am always thinking of you, Ayas Drollaya," he said, reading her thoughts. "We can walk as slowly as you wish, for I know you are not eager to tell Lord Rhal who you truly are."

"Me?!" she squawked.

"You," he confirmed. With that, he backflapped, slowing their speed, then came to a cantering stop before the main entrance of the city.

It took several moments before what he'd said registered. She gasped. "You...you mean to tell Lord Rhal that I'm to be your queen?"

"You, Ayas Drollaya, not me, since you saw fit to establish your identity so firmly."

She was too shocked to argue. Instead, her brow pulled tight. "Then...you wish to make it officially public? That we are mates?" Deep in her chest, her heart flapped wildly.

"Not quite, we will continue to keep the knowledge limited. But, the announcement will be made publicly soon...sooner, rather than later." Because when they returned to Kastali Dun, they would begin planning their bonding ceremony. So, of course the secret would be revealed. She hadn't even realized what that meant—

"Open for the king!" several voices erupted overhead, on the city's ramparts.

Of course they recognized Talon's black scales. Would they be curious about her flying with him? Since they hadn't yet announced their mate bond? She was only known here as the Spriten queen.

She exhaled. Whatever. She was past caring about gossip, past caring what other people thought of her, what they whispered about her.

"You will get used to it, as a ruler," Talon said. It was the last thought that came, as she slid down his body, gracefully landing on two feet, severing their connection. They could still converse telepathically, as she could with all dragons, bu that required effort. It wasn't until they mated, that their minds would truly be connected. A giddy thrill skittered over her skin. For all her nerves, she had equal measure of excitement for this new, unknown phase of her life.

"I will have to get used to many things," she said, this time sending the thought to him, "but I stand by my decision. You are worth it, Talon. You are worth everything."

The time it took for him to transform and come up beside her, arm out and waiting, was a mere inhale of breath. But the warmth that showed in his eyes, despite the blank expression he'd donned for onlookers, sent flutters through her stomach.

"Ayas Drollaya," she said. "My King." She didn't miss the slight shiver that went through him at the affectionate use of his title. The proprietary use of 'my' when she said it. He was hers, completely hers, and she wouldn't let him forget it.

~

She walked with her hand draped through Talon's arm, feeling the bunch of muscles in his bicep. With each movement, they bulged and shifted. Her cheeks flushed. She knew exactly what those arms looked like uncovered. Exactly how magnificent they were—how magnificent he was, scars and all.

Her chest expanded. They would be mated soon, once they returned to Kastali Dun and planned the ceremony. Then, she would finally, truly, know every part of him. What would that be like? To know a king so intimately? To know him as well as she knew herself? Better, perhaps?

She'd been with other men, slept with a few in college, and of course, her ex, Jake. Gods, when was the last time she'd spared a stray thought for him? He seemed a child now, compared to the males she surrounded herself with. No, not mere males, Drengr.

Heat raced over her skin. Something told her that despite Talon's long—extremely long—dry spell, he would make an excellent lover. Something of that knowledge made her suddenly shy, and she was not one to be shy about these kinds of matters.

"What are you thinking ab—?"

"Nothing," she answered all too quickly, cutting him off. He lifted a brow, and she felt her cheeks turn hotter. Gods! Since when was she reduced to a blushing, nervous wreck.

She wasn't.

Squaring her shoulders, she lifted her chin. "Fine, if you must know," she said, keeping her voice low as they passed from the city into the keep's portcullis, "I was thinking about what an excellent lover you'll make—how good you'll be in bed."

Talon made a choking sound; it echoed off the stone walls of the corridor. His steps faltered, but he quickly recovered. "You—"

"Welcome back, Your Majesties," a guard interrupted, greeting both of them with the honorific as they stepped out into the keep's courtyard.

Talon's gaze turned heated, but his face remained effortlessly smoothed, hiding exactly what he might have been about to say. She glanced down, eyes flicking to the hem of his tunic, lower, to his pants, then found his gaze again. He saw where her attention had gone. Flames exploded across the silver depths of his iris, heating them to molten, until the gold flecks smoldered.

"You asked." She shrugged, lifting a brow, keeping her voice barely above a whisper.

"Lord Rhal is expecting you, Your Majesties," the guard added, not having heard or realized they were engaged in such a heated moment. "If you'll follow me, I'll take you there."

"But of course," she said sweetly to the guard, turning her attention from Talon, offering him a brilliant smile. It didn't matter, Talon's eyes remained fixed on her as she led him after the guard. She felt his gaze like a brand, hot and searing over every inch of her skin.

She didn't dare look at him, or she'd lose her composure. Instead, she kept her gaze forward, on their escort. "Penny—steely—for your thoughts, Your Majesty?" she asked.

A low, draconic rumble filled the corridor. The guard glanced over his shoulder, eyes widening, before turning forward again. Like he hadn't heard the sound.

"You do not wish to know what I am thinking, Ayas Drollaya," he growled. "It is not suitable conversation for public audiences."

Heat dripped straight to her core. She hazarded a sideways glance at him and had to look away immediately. The way he gazed at her said enough.

Once they were mated, she'd know exactly how scandalous his thoughts had turned. She welcomed that. Welcomed knowing all the things he wanted to do to her, but wouldn't voice aloud for propriety's sake—

"What's the matter?" he added, smug. "Wraith got your tongue?"

"Oh. Not at all," she managed, making her voice sound steadier than it felt. "I'm just using my imagination to dream up all the things you might be thinking. And I do have quite a vivid imagination, if you were wondering."

Gods, he was fun to flirt with. She probably shouldn't have egged him on, with a guard so near at hand, with people stopping to watch them pass in the corridors. She knew exactly how servants talked. But...they would know soon enough, wouldn't they? The whole world would.

So, she dipped her voice low, sensual, and said, "Mi irjalla aya ah ayas taynai, raklende mihroi." He might guess, from her tone alone, what she implied.

His eyes heated anew. "That's hardly fair, Ayas Drollaya," he warned. But she only smiled. "What does it mean?" His telepathic command rang in her mind.

"Perhaps I should make you beg for the translation?" she replied, catching on to his game. She lifted a challenging eyebrow. "Since it already had something to do with you on your knees?"

His steps faltered again. She hid her smile by pressing her lips together. This king didn't often falter, and she'd already made him misstep twice in the span of minutes.

"I will gladly get on my knees for you, Claire. Right now, I'm thinking about how delectable you'll taste. I'm going to sample every measure of your skin, until I end up—"

"If you'll just wait here, Majesties, I'll inform Lord Rhal that you have arrived."

"We'll continue this conversation later," Talon growled aloud, his head dipping until his lips brushed the shell of her ear, sending chills over her skin.

"I certainly hope so," she managed, heart bursting from her chest, or trying to.

So...Talon enjoyed fantasizing about all the things he'd like to do to her? Well...this was an interesting development. One she planned to explore fully in the days to come.

"This way, Majesties," the guard said, popping back into the doorway. Somehow they'd traversed the entire keep to Lord Rhal's study, and she'd noticed none of it.

"Your Majesty," Lord Rhal blurted, bowing deep, eying Talon first, before turning to her and bowing again. "It is an honor to meet you, to have you here," he added.

"Indeed, I thought it might be wise to use this time to discuss matters of import before returning to the capital."

"Of course, of course." Lord Rhal's eyes darted around the room, uncertain. He wasn't used to hosting royalty. "I see you have met the Sprite queen."

"Indeed, Lady Claire—excuse me—Her Majesty, Queen Claire—and I have known each other quite some time now, ever since she appeared in my kingdom, what was it? Nearly a year ago now? Has it truly been that long, love?" Talon's eyes fell on her, like he was asking her. That rascal. He was spoiling her secret.

"Lady...Lady Claire?" Lord Rhal's voice mirrored his confusion. "But...I don't understand."

She sighed. "I owe you an explanation, Lord Rhal. Perhaps we should sit?"

"Oh. Yes. Right." He rushed over to pull a chair for her, opposite the commanding desk chair he'd occupied before their arrival.

"No need, Rhal," Talon said, eyes narrowing. "I will take care of her."

The lord of Squall's End looked completely beside himself. "Of...of course, Your Majesty. Of course." He strode around his desk and sat, eyes on her, brows drawn together. Talon finished the job, pulling the chair, waiting for her to sit, then scooting it forward. He took a seat in the one beside it.

"They're now," he said. "Do continue, Claire. I believe you were about to explain the situation?"

"Right. Erm. Yes. So...nearly a year ago, Cyrus the White was escaping a band of wraiths and was injured. He landed in my cornfield and died on my watch," she said, starting at the beginning. "It's a story I imagine you know?"

Lord Rhal's throat bobbed. He nodded. "I...yes, I heard it from Lord Davi, who—may the gods keep him—told it to me after hearing it from Lord Reyr. But...you are a Sprite. You can't..." He trailed off.

She nodded, then continued her explanation. She told him of how she'd come to Dragonwall, of how she'd discovered her lineage, gone to train with the Sprites, discovered Queen Jade's deceit, and then dethroned her. By the end of it, Lord Rhal's tan skin had turned paper-white.

"For-forgive me, Your Majesty, it is a lot to take in." His eyes darted between her and the king beside her. "So, you are truly the Spriten queen, then?" She nodded. "And...and they accepted you?"

"They had no choice," Talon said, answering for her. He was the opposite of poised. In fact, he'd leaned back during her story, stretching his long legs in front of him, the epitome of cool, collected, but casual.

"You're enjoying this, aren't you?" she shot at him. The corner of his mouth twitched but he said nothing in response.

It took a number of additional questions before Lord Rhal was finally willing to accept what and who she was. When Talon revealed their mate bond, he was shocked all over again. His face went from its pale color, to deep red. Embarrassment. It was unheard of, he postulated, for a Sprite and a Drengr to be mates. That, naturally, required more explaining, since she wasn't exactly purely Spriten.

But eventually his shock did wear off. After that, Talon was able to move to other matters, political in nature. She allowed him to lead, sitting back, letting her shoudlers relax as she observed him.

There was so much to admire. The way he spoke, with such authority. The manner in which he articulated his thoughts. And even his methods of handling things.

She observed and memorized, hoping that some day, she'd be as fluent as he in the ways of ruling. He'd had centuries to perfect it, she reminded herself. Sometimes, it was difficult to remember that little tidbit, when she was beating herself up for not being better.

"I'm also to understand that Claire has agreed to heal your injured and ensure you've enough fruit and vegetables to hold you over until trade continues," Talon was saying.

Her shoulders straightened of their own accord.

"Indeed," Lord Rhal confirmed. "We are most grateful. I will ensure that the secret is kept, until such time as you deem wise to announce it publicly. I like that history will remember these days as I have. Sprites are a part of Dragonwall, too. I am honored that your people are here to help," he added, looking at her with sincerity etched into his features.

She nodded.

"You are every bit the queen, Your Majesty," he added. His words made her throat clog up. "Now, if we're done here, I'd be happy to show you to those survivors you wished to meet."

"Yes," she managed, voice thick, before rising to her feet. Lord Rhal and Talon did the same. He led them from his study, with Talon at her back. The comforting hand her mate placed against her as she walked, sent warmth radiating through her.

Perhaps she needed to be less harsh on herself. Lord Rhal thought she was a good queen. That counted for something, didn't it? Lifting her chin, she followed him through the keep, determined to show his people, those survivors who had witnessed the horror of dragon fire, exactly what a queen ought to be. 

⭐🌟 DON'T FORGET TO VOTE!!🌟⭐

Hello Bookdragons!

Happy Friday! I'm deep into my February writing sprint month, writing the 4th Lady Witch book, so things have been busy-busy-busy for me. That's probably why my scatter-brain messed up last week's posts. But hopefully you've been able to read them, and I apologize to those of you who had to read Koldis's chapter, which takes place after the battle, before reading Bedelth's chapter, effectively spoiling the outcome. Oops! Although, let's be real, we knew which team was going to win. Hah!

Next week's chapter is from Mikkin's POV. But we see a little bit of Reyr in there too. He's present for like half the chapter. So really, we get to see Mikkin, Jamie, Berbik, Unka, and Reyr. Yay!

Hope you have a great weekend and I'll see you next week!

-Mel