Page 5 of Kiss of Death
I placed my hand on his snout and leaned into him, closing my eyes as his warm breaths moved over me. “You too, Khazmuda.”
Show them the fury of the Rothschild blood that runs through your veins. Show them that Talon Rothschild still raises his sword—through you. He withdrew from my grasp, stepped back and opened his wings, and then with a mighty war cry, he launched into the sky.
I watched him fly off, the pain in my heart starting to grow in size. I had the support of men and dragons, allies across the sea, everything I needed to prevail. But I didn’t have the one person I wanted, the one person who could get me through this. “Callum…where are you?”
Zehemoth dropped down into the courtyard behind me. It was completely dark now, the moon and stars in the sky our only illumination besides the torches. The men cast a light over the ocean toward the north, a spotlight if anyone were to sail acrossit.Hawk has fused with Movack. Once we fuse together, you’ll be able to remain in contact with him wherever you are.
“Okay.”
Zehemoth came closer to me, dipping his head so our eyes could see each other.I know the Southern Isles are about to be at war once again, but is there something else that bothers you? Weariness doesn’t rest in your eyes…but sadness.
I needed Callum there, and with every passing hour that he didn’t appear, the more I feared that he wouldn’t come. That I was doomed to fight in this battle alone without him. That I wouldn’t be able to look at him every time I was scared and draw on his strength. And I was also worried about him, wondering if he needed help, but I was unable to do anything about it. “I’m worried that I’ll fail.” Heat slowly began to burn behind my eyes, a warning of tears that wanted to be shed, but under no circumstances would I show such weakness. So I kept those tears locked inside a vault made of dragon scales. “I’m worried that I’ll lose my kingdom to soulless assholes, that they’ll kill everyone I know and love, that I’ll fail everyone who believes in me. That perhaps that belief was misplaced.” I looked at the sea again, hiding my face from Zehemoth.
It was not misplaced,Sunieth.
I felt the warmth of the torches on my cheeks, smelled the salt air from the ocean down below. Tried to savor these final moments of peace.
I’ve watched you prepare for this battle. I’ve watched you fight vampires. I’ve watched you carry the kingdom alone on your shoulders. I believe in you without doubt, Lily—and I knoweveryone else does too.He gently tapped me with his snout, trying to get me to look back at him.
I turned, feeling my eyes start to smart from his affection.
I don’t say these words because you’re my best friend. I say them because I believe in them with my talons and scales and also, my heart.His dark eyes reflected the torchlight, looking at me with the same love as Khazmuda.It would be an honor to fuse with you, Queen Lily Rothschild of the Southern Isles.
I ran my hand gently over his snout, feeling the smoothness of his scales closest to his face. Different areas of his body had sharp scales and spikes, so his face was the only way to show emotion. “The honor would be mine.”
I saw them arrive on the sea in a line of fire, their ships ablaze with torches all around their galleons—like they wanted to be seen. Dozens of our soldiers were tasked with protecting the castle grounds in case the enemy made it this high. They weren’t there to protect me, because I didn’t want to waste men serving me when I had an army of the dead at my command.
Zehemoth was beside me, on his belly so we would be as close to eye level as possible.
I stared at the lights on the fleet of ships, seeing them glide over the flat surface of the calm sea, in a rigid formation like they were expert seamen. They could control an entire fleet of ships in unison with just their sails, even when they were unable to communicate with each other over such a large distance—and in the dark.
“Their strength is at sea.”
There are many ships. More than I can count.
“I assumed their attack from the sea was the distraction, but perhaps the vampires are the distraction.”
They’re at a disadvantage against the cliffs.
“I agree. I feel like I’m missing something.”
A loud horn called into the night, coming from behind me, in the direction of the village.
Hawk and I were both fused with sibling dragons, so we were able to communicate with each other.They’re here. My brother’s deep and calm voice sounded in my head, with a hint of resignation.They carry no torches, but we can see them approaching our bonfires.
If they carry no light, that means they can see in the dark.
Yes.
Their fleet approaches. At least fifty ships, maybe more. Hundred men on each…that means five thousand.
Which means I face the other five thousand.
I decided to remain on the top of the cliff where the castle was located to watch the scene of the battle unfold, to have an aerial view on both sides, to communicate with Khazmuda and the other dragons.How far away are they from you?
Close. Two hundred feet.
Send in the dragons.
