Blood of Dragons (Death Series Book 2) by Penelope Barsetti

Author:Penelope Barsetti [Barsetti, Penelope]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Hartwick Publishing
Published: 2024-09-27T00:00:00+00:00

With Vivian’s hand in mine and her bag over my shoulder, I walked her to the stables and prepared a horse for her to ride.

“Prince Talon, His Majesty requests your presence imminently.” The soldier appeared from behind me.

I worked the saddle onto the horse because the stableboy was busy preparing all the other horses for battle. “I’ll be there when I can.”

There was a pause before he spoke again. “He said now.”

I turned around to look at him.

Vivian immediately shrank back from my wrath. So did the soldier.

“I will come when I’m able. My wife needs me right now.” I turned back to the saddle and properly secured it before I attached the bag to the side. It contained a couple changes of clothes and linens, but it also had food and water to last for her journey.

He made the mistake of grabbing me by the shoulder. “Prince Talon, I’m sorry⁠—”

I spun around and shoved him back as I pulled my blade free. The blade was at his neck a moment later, my hand gripping the front of his shirt.

Vivian gave a gasp.

“Listen to me.” I gave him a hard shake. “I said, I will be there when I can.” Then I shoved him so hard he tripped backward.

I turned back to the horse and tied the reins to the post. “Come here, baby.”

She came forward and looked at the horse warily.

“Don’t worry. I’ll ride with you.” I grabbed a step stool and put it beside the horse so she had a leg up. I grabbed her hand and helped her up. Then I gripped her so she could swing her leg over and mount the horse.

I removed the stool and untied the reins before I led the horse out of the stable, pulling him away from the building so I could mount him in the open and take off.

“Talon.”

I stilled when I heard my father’s voice, the defeat in his tone.

I turned to look at him, the horse releasing an impatient breath at my arm.

He looked at Vivian on the horse then back at me, his eyes glazed in hurt. “You would give up so easily…”

“I will fight with you, Father. But I must prepare for the worst.”

His eyes stayed on me, the disappointment evident.

“I’m going to take Vivian to the harbor. She’ll leave for the east on a manned ship. Mother and Rosella can join her if they hurry.”

“Your mother and sister would never abandon their home,” he said. “And we need that ship and those men for battle. War is about the many, not the few.”

“I don’t care.”

My father gave me a sheathed look of anger. It was dull to others, but it was a forest fire to me. “Enough of this. You’re wasting valuable time when we should be deciding our next course of action⁠—”

“Begin your preparations in my absence. I’m unavailable until my wife and child are safe.”

“You would put them before your kingdom⁠—”

“Damn fucking right.” I placed my foot in the stirrup and climbed into the saddle behind the horn, Vivian behind me.

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