Kastali Dun

Claire blinked, her vision blurring with tears, wetness coating her lashes. "Something in your eye, love?" Talon's amusement was impossible to miss. She huffed, ignoring his tease. The sight of Kastali Dun in the distance twisted her emotions into tight knots. She spread her fingers against his glassy scales, grasping as much of his neck as was possible, feeling his muscles shift with each flap of his wings.

Home...

That single word carried so much with it. She'd been in Dragonwall for nearly a year, and somewhere along the way it had gone from a detour to a destination. A place she wanted to lay down roots. All her life, she'd never felt such a profound sense of belonging. Not until this.

But there was guilt, too. Guilt for the loved ones she'd left behind. A sadness that came hand in hand with it.

"You are exactly where you need to be," said Talon, his voice filled with pride.

It had been her decision to arrive on Talon's back, rather than Tourmaline's. She might have been the Spriten queen, but Dragonwall was her heart and soul, and this place, this city, was to be the lifeblood of her very existence. This is where she'd rule, where she'd build a life, where she'd forge new memories, new experiences. She wanted to see it from the sky, with the person who would be beside her every step of the way.

A pleased rumble spread from Talon's chest, up through her legs. He was a constant presence in her mind when they flew together, when her skin made contact with his scales, joining them. It allowed him to see everything, except for those few bits she kept locked deep, like the needling fear that she'd never be good enough for an entire kingdom.

Beneath them, she saw her contingent of Queen's Guard and handmaidens riding astride their unicorns. They'd slowed their pace to a lazy canter, allowing the Drengr to keep up. The capital city loomed, its vast expanse stretching to the sea, showing off the giant edifice towering over it all. The ruling seat of Dragonwall. The great keep beckoned in the distance, promising a hot bath, delicious food, a plush bed...it would all have to wait.

Talon made a lazy turn in the sky, circling lower, until he brought them to land just outside the city's gates. She dismounted, breaking contact with her mate, already feeling emptier for it.

Moments later, her Queen's Guard appeared, unicorns coming to a stop. Looking them over, her chest expanded. They dismounted, carrying their belongings in packs across their backs. Their armor shone like starlight, bright even in the daytime.

Amidst the bright, she caught a glimpse of dark. Tourmaline made his way through the contingent, stopping before her. This is where I leave you, Queen.

"Must you go?" she whispered, knowing the answer.

A city is no place for a unicorn. We are free creatures, unbound by walls of stone.

"I know," she managed, stepping close to him, wrapping her arms around his neck, rubbing her face against his sleek coat. His response? A patient snort. But he let her fuss, even as tears filled her eyes."We had some good adventures you and I, didn't we?" Her words came out choked.

The very best. I shall miss you, Queen Claire. He stepped back, then lowered his head in deference. She gaped at him, at the silvery liquid filling his dark eyes, pooling up. And when he next blinked, a droplet of it fell like a tear, forming into a beautiful pearl.

She gasped, lowering to pick it from the hard earth. "It's..."

A unicorn tear, freely given. Carry it with you and I shall know if you have need of me.

Her throat constricted. "You...thank you," she managed. She clutched it to her chest, then stepped back, colliding with a warm body. Talon's hands came up, squeezing her shoulders, keeping their bodies pressed together.

"You have my thanks, Tourmaline," he said, his voice low. "For helping my queen."

Tourmaline's head bobbed. Whatever was said, if anything, was for Talon's ears only. Her abilities, it seemed, only encompassed the dragons.

She watched, eyes wet, as Tourmaline turned and walked away. Only then did she notice the rest of her contingent bidding similar goodbyes to their unicorns. Talon lowered his lips to the side of her head, kissing her ear as they waited. As they watched the other unicorns form up around Tourmaline. The beautiful creature lifted his black head, horn pointing towards the sky, and neighed. A final goodbye. The others followed. And then, they bounded forward, racing north, back towards their forest. A blink later, and they were gone.

A heavy sigh fell from her lips. She stared at the place they disappeared. Some day—some day she'd see him again.

"Shall we, my queen?" Talon squeezed her shoulders. It was time. They'd already discussed this.

She nodded and turned to him, slipping her arm through his, holding her staff in her other hand. They would return to the keep on foot, walking through its streets. He led her to the front of their group. His Shields and her Queen's Guard formed up behind them, and nestled between them were her handmaidens and Saffra.

"All hale the king!" came a shout. One of the city's guards.

"The king has returned!" came another, as word spread.

The city gates were already open for the day. Those passing into and out of its midst stopped to stare before bowing. With Talon at her side, they strode forward, a royal procession. Guards jumped to attention, offering their king a formal salute as he passed.

"It's good to be home," Talon mused, his voice low as they moved beneath the portcullis and through the city's walls.

As they walked from the courtyard to the streets, she looked over everything with fresh eyes. When she'd left for Esterpine, ruling from Kastali Dun had been a mere possibility. A duty she'd yet to accept. The city hadn't changed, but she had.

Citizens stopped as they passed, gasping, whispering, pointing, all before bowing. She caught faint exclamations of surprise. "The king! The king has returned!" Words spoken over and over.

Talon's eyes were often upon her. She felt the familiar brand each time he glanced down, each time he studied her. What was he searching for? And, did he find it?

Nearly an hour later, the walls of the great keep came into view. A slow smile stretched across her lips. She stopped to gaze up at it. Once, the sight had brought a deep sense of fear, symbolizing a step into the unknown. She'd come here as an outsider, an accused criminal, scorned by an entire kingdom. Now there was a new fear, a different fear, but still, a step into the unknown. She was no longer an outsider, but a Spriten queen, her veins thick with the blood running through the kingdom. Two contrasting facets in constant struggle. Order with disorder.

Now she knew the truth. She had just as much claim to Dragonwall's throne through Irelia, as she did to rule Esterpine. She was meant to be here.

A gentle hand squeezed her arm. Talon—reminding her that he was with her, beside her. A breath burst from her chest. She squared her shoulders, offering a single nod to no one in particular, then steeped forward into the new life she had accepted.

~

The queen's quarters transformed around her, white sheets pulled from furniture, sending dust motes into the dazzling sunlight. It streamed through the tower's windows creating patterns on the floor, across the plush rugs beneath their feet. Servants in tower livery rushed about. The Great Keep of Kastali Dun had an entire host of servants on hand, however, those serving in the king's tower were distinguished. They wore white and gold, a symbol of their position. One of the highest caliper, and compensated as such.

She stood rooted in place, Feowen at her side, frowning as he surveyed everything. "Well, I suppose it's not the crystal palace, but it will do."

She barked a laugh. "Thank the gods. That place makes me uneasy."

"Oh, come now, Ayas Drollaya" he teased, hands clasped behind his back. "It wasn't so bad."

It wasn't just the servants buzzing about. Her handmaidens took stock of her wardrobe, and oversaw the moving of her belongs, transported from her old suite down the hall, to here. Beneath this floor, on the lower levels of the tower, her Queen's Guard had already scampered off to inspect their new lodgings, rooms that had once been prepared for a different queen's delegation.

She could picture Isabella here in this very space, picture her studying her new accommodations, rooms that the first king had constructed especially for her. There were Spriten touches everywhere, from the forest colors to the shape of the furniture. She could even smell it in the wood. Calming.

The queen's portion of the King's Tower occupied its lowest levels, even grander than those above. Two thirds of the tower held everything Irelia had needed to keep her contingent happy. She had her own dining room, sitting room, study, wardrobe closet—which Claire was already intimately acquainted with—bathing chamber, and more. Like the other levels, a large covered balcony spanned the length of each tower floor, and the glass doors were already thrown open to accommodate the sea breeze.

She walked towards them, giving the tower's servants more room to work. Her lungs expanded, breathing deep as she emerged into the fresh air. Feowen stayed close, just a step behind. She studied the large balcony. A staircase on one side connected it to the levels above and below.

A tiny smile pulled at her lips.She was tempted to go upstairs, to find the balcony leading to Talon's study. That's where she'd find him, brooding over paperwork.

He'd brought her down here, given her a chaste kiss and said, "This is yours, my queen, to do with as you see fit." Then his eyes had flicked towards the bedroom. "And find some use for that sleeping chamber, because it's my bed you'll be occupying henceforth."

"Henceforth?!" she'd merely taunted, teasing his archaic use of the word—not so archaic to him.

He'd caught her meaning nonetheless. "Fine. Forever more." Then he'd tugged her braid, teasing her, and left.

A wistful sigh fell from her lips. She braced her forearms on the balcony wall, leaning out over the cliffs, to look upon the sea.

"Gods, you're besotted." Feowen adopted the same stance, coming to stand beside her.

She snorted. "As if you don't get all dewey-eyed whenever Jeanine's in the room."

"Hardly. I'm more dignified."

"Oh?" He didn't rise to her taunt, looking out over the water. She nudged him with her shoulder. "What do you think?"

His face remained passive. "It's so...grand."

"Wait, my tower? Or the sea?"

"The sea, you idiot." He nudged her back.

"Did you just call your queen an idiot?!"

"Only the best, greatest, wisest, most beautiful idiot."

They burst into laugher, and she looped her arm through his, leaning against him as they stared out into the vast beyond. When their mirth settled, they fell into comfortable silence.

Ships dotted the water, arriving and departing, going about their day to day. She watched them come and go. Wondered about the people on board. About what their lives were like. Soon, a ship would come bearing Desaree and Jocelyn, and they would all be together again. Somehow, she'd gone from having one person, Desaree, to having an entire mob of them.

"Do you think they'll be happy here?" she asked Feowen, failing to disguise the worry riding her voice.

"Your Queen's Guard?" He kept his face forward, eyes gazing off into the distance. She made a humming sound. "I don't see why not. They will miss their forest, yes. But you are their queen. Serving you is their purpose. Besides, you have given them permission to return home, if and when they wish." He fell silent a moment, and then, "This is a new experience for all of us, a time of self discovery."

"A quest...?"

"Exactly. We Sprites are no strangers to it."

"And you? A mighty prince of the forest, will you be happy here?"

"I'll be happy wherever my queen wishes me to serve."

She snorted. "That's bullshit, Feowen. Be truthful."

He sighed, eyes still on the horizon. "Mi haan nih veraf," he said at last.

"You don't know?" She frowned. "Well...I did ask for honesty."

"You did indeed—"

"Ayas Drollaya? Haan aya yasklle en balaam?" Selphie appeared in the dooway, a stack of plush towels in hand. She stood from her braced position, took an eager step towards her, then paused.

Feowen stood with her, placing a hand over his heart. "Go and have your bath, Ayas Drollaya. I'll see that everything is managed." She opened her mouth to protest. "You are allowed to indulge, as queen. You need not wait until the rest of us are settled."

Still, she hesitated.

"Gods, Claire. Go! Wash the stench of travel off. I'll manage the rest."

"Okay," she finally said, turning away from him. She followed Selphie into the tower. "I would prefer to use Talon's bathing chamber," she said, when it was clear Selphie was leading her towards the queen's. "This one can be used by my contingent."

Selphie faltered. "Aya kunyn cinaha?"

"Neem. I am sure."

Selphie nodded, motioned to Miera to follow, and the three of them took the stairs, leading up into Talon's main floor, then off to the bathing chambers. Both of her handmaidens looked mildly uncomfortable. "You should bathe in your chambers, Ayas Drollaya," Miera said, speaking in Ednuar. They'd done it heavily since coming to the capital. It was nerves.

"Ni. He will be my mate. We will share a bedroom and bathing chamber. The lower levels, the queen's levels, will be for all of you, mostly."

Selphie and Miera shared a look.

"Neem." She sighed, switching to the common tongue. "I know it will be less convenient for you to drag my gowns up here."

"Ni, Ayas Drollaya," Selphie said. "Aya kunyn outah barihon."

"I may be your queen, but that doesn't mean I'm going to take advantage of it. I care about the things that inconvenience you. However, in this, it is my one ask. Talon wishes to share my bed, and I his. I do not want to exist entirely apart from him. These floors will remain his, and those below, mine. But our bed and our bathing chamber will be shared. You may move some of my things, whatever you'll need to ready me for each day, into his chamber. He won't mind."

"Aya...aya kunyn cinaha?"

She laughed. "Neem! I am sure."

At last, they nodded, accepting her ask. The tower's servants threw them glances, but made no protest as they closed themselves into the king's bathing chamber. A rush of memories came back as her eyes fell on the giant pool. It felt so long ago, that day Talon had found her, brought her here, bathed her with the gentleness of a caregiver.

Her cheeks flushed.

She began removing her clothes and made her way to the tub, climbing the marble stairs before sinking into its depths. Selphie and Miera rushed into action, gathering soaps and loofahs to wash her hair and body. They chatted easily in Ednuar, mostly about the things they'd seen upon entering the city.

Claire was content to stay silent and listen to their excited words.

It was better this way. While the lower levels that housed her Queen's Guard had small, shared bathrooms between them, none were as lavish as the queen's bathroom. And none had a pool quite like it. She wanted them to have it. There was no need to keep it for herself. And the same with the other rooms there. This would be their apartment, and she'd share most of Talon's space.

Except, perhaps her study. She was eager for that little slice of paradise. It had its own set of shelves, a desk where she'd keep her important papers. A frown pulled her eyebrows together.

What important papers?

What sorts of duties would she inherit now that she was easing into this new role? In the forest, most of her duties had been overseen by advisors, and she'd merely made final decisions, as the matriarch. Up till now, Talon had managed everything himself, with the help of his steward and lower council. She'd seen the evidence of his work strewn across his desk. Would he pass some of it off to her?

A door closed. She peeled an eyelid open. Talon swept into the room, his shrewd gaze quickly taking everything in. "Leave us," he commanded.

Both Miera and Selphie shared a glance. They'd long since finished with her hair, and sat off to the side, still quietly chatting as she enjoyed the hot water. At the sight of his massive, towering body, they jumped to their feet, eyes darting between king and queen. "I am perfectly capable of seeing to my queen's needs," he assured them.

They scuttled from the room.

She sighed, letting her head fall back against the lip, letting her eyes close. "You make them nervous," she said, enjoying the darkness that the backs of her lids offered.

A gentle chuckle turned her insides warm. His boots clicked across the tile, coming to the tub. A moment later, his lips pressed to her forehead. He crouched at the tubs raised lip, mouth whispering against the shell of her ear. "How are you settling in, Claire?"

She opened her eyes, a smile tugging at her mouth. "Better, now that I'm in the bath."

He made a humming nose, then stepped away, went to the door and locked it. Something curled deep in her center. He stayed in her line of sight, shedding first his sword belt and baldric, weapons clunking to the tiled floor, then his tunic, boots, pants, all in a heap, until he was naked before her.

Her mouth went dry, tongue stuck to the roof. Shameless. She was so shameless as she looked him over, took him in, especially the places that left her cheeks heated. He noticed her scrutiny. His lips twitched with smug, male satisfaction. His gaze remained fixed on her face as he moved to the tub's stairs and climbed in. When he submerged, sank onto the ledge opposite her, a low groan pulled from deep in his chest.

She squeezed her thighs together, suddenly far too hot. A sheen of sweat kissed the parts of her skin above water. His head tilted back, eyes closing. His massive chest and broad shoulders remained above the water, on full display for her, corded arms stretched out along the lip. For a moment, she simply stared as every worry line disappeared from his features, leaving only his scars behind. "Come here, love," he rumbled, as if sensing her stare.

Like a magnet, she was moving before her brain realized it. He opened his eyes, then pulled her against him, settling her onto his lap. Her skin was an inferno. Talon's acknowledging chuckle only made it worse. "You're burning up," he mused, fingers trailing down her spine, sending shivers in their wake. "Hot as dragon fire."

Her stomach fluttered.

Next, his lips found her shoulder, placing a tender kiss against her skin. Her thoughts began to race, and she did everything she could to distract herself from the building ache. "Did you finish all your work?" she blurted, then winced at the awkwardness of it.

He huffed, lips pulling away. "Hardly. There were hundreds of missives on my desk. My steward sorted out the most important. A few highly pressing matters. That was all I could stomach before the stench of travel got the better of me."

This time, he laid a soft kiss on her cheek, eyes focused entirely on her face.

He was always doing that, little tender gestures. But there was nothing tender about the arm that wasn't hooked around her waist. That one moved down her chest, cupping possessively over her left breast. Kneading and squeezing, almost painfully. A mewing cry fell from her lips—needy.

"Soon, love," he whispered against her temple. And then, "Have they already washed you?"

She managed a nod.

He sighed, clear disappointment. "Well then, would you like to wash me?"

Her heartbeat turned into a roar. "Yes," she whispered, squirming free of his lap. Anything to put a little distance between them. Distance, before she lost complete control of her senses. One second more, and she'd have thrown his wishes out the window. Waiting for the bonding ceremony? Bah. She'd have pinned him to the bath wall and wrapped herself around him. She'd have claimed him the way a queen ought to claim her king.

Instead, she grabbed the soap and led him to the center of the pool.

"Hold still," she ordered, her voice low. A command, really, because if he let his hands wander, she wouldn't fare well.

He clicked his tongue. "My queen, so bossy. Is this how you're going to behave in bed, too?"

She froze, then continued her motions. "Because if so, it won't go over well."

The low threat sent shivers straight through her. "Is that a threat, Your Majesty?"

"It is. Boss me about all you wish, but in the bedroom, I'll leash that smart mouth of yours and enjoy every moment you try to defy me. We'll see just how far a queen's boldness gets you."

Her breath came in pants. She couldn't form a single word. It wasn't the first time Talon had murmured wicked, wicked things to her.

Gods, he only made this harder.

She should have been appalled. Shocked by his domineering behavior. But she only wanted to hear more. More, more, more—

"Are you going to finish washing me today, my love? Or have I shocked you senseless?"

She made a choking noise, only to realize she'd been standing there, staring at his erection beneath the water for at least ten seconds. Oh, gods! With more force than she intended, she continued with her motions, blood singing, heat rushing past her cheeks.

Eventually, the trickling water helped to calm her down.

There was something so familiar about the act of washing her mate, as if she'd done it a thousand times already. She lingered over certain scars, sometimes kissing them. When her lips found the underside of his jaw, he hummed and his arms strained, fists clenched to keep from reaching for her. It was hard for him—hard to resist her pull. A small smile spread across her lips, knowing the power she had over him, glad that she wasn't alone in all she felt.

Each time she rinsed the loofah, the sound of trickling water was cathartic. She was cleansing more than just travel grime from his body. She was washing away the things he'd done to free Squall's End. Putting the memories to bed—letting them trickle away. She was giving him a fresh start, a new beginning, one that had her in it. And when the two of them emerged from the bath, and Talon wrapped her in a fluffy white towel, she was eager to face whatever challenges that new beginning was sure to bring.  

⭐🌟 DON'T FORGET TO VOTE!!🌟⭐

Hello Bookdragons!

I had SO MUCH FUN writing this chapter. Even going back over it just now, and making some edits and enhancements, has me grinning like a fool. I just adore these two. Ugh. I can't. 

Life has been chaotic for me lately, between some events for work, as well as my upcoming author event next weekend. I've felt a bit discombobulated. But things will all calm down again after April. Phew!

I hope you are all having a great week.

See you next time.

-Mel