Dawn of Cobalt Shadows (Burning Empire Book 2) by Emma Hamm (free novels to read TXT) 📗

“You’ve always called me Sigrid, so I cannot return the favor.”

“You could take off your mask.” He watched her with an intense stare that made her sweat. “I haven’t seen your face in a very long time, dragon. So long ago you likely don’t remember me even seeing it.”

“I don’t.”

“All the other Beastkin I’ve seen no longer wear their masks. The Bymerians never did in the first place. Why do you?”

She didn’t have a good answer for that. She didn't want to wear it, not really. It still felt stifling, and it was physically uncomfortable to place on her skin. But she also didn’t want to lose the armor that covered her face. For some reason, she was far more nervous to have people see that than anything else.

With a sigh, Sigrid reached up and unhooked the pieces in her hair that held the mask in place. Gently, she tugged it away and set it on her lap. Looking back at Hallmar, she steeled herself for what he would think.

His gaze softened, his lips curved into a smile, and his shoulders relaxed. “You look like your mother.”

“You saw her without her mask?”

“There are still a great many things you don’t know, Sigrid. Some things I will tell you. Others, you need to find out for yourself.” He shook his head. “But you could be her if I didn’t know she was put in the ground long ago. From your forehead to your chin, there’s not an ounce of you that doesn’t look like her.”

The words heated in her chest with pride. “Why did you call us here, Hallmar?”

The relaxed expression wiped off his face immediately. “There’s going to be a war, which you know already. I’m going to Bymere myself to see if I can stop it, but I don’t have high hopes for that.”

“You’re going to Bymere?” she repeated. “They’ll kill you on sight.”

“Maybe. But that is a risk I have to take for this kingdom. Wildewyn cannot fight without the Beastkin, and the Beastkin are no longer part of my kingdom.”

“Then we will fight.” Sigrid ignored the breath Camilla sucked in.

“I won’t ask that of your people. Not after everything they’ve fought for. This Earthen King will give your people a chance to start.” He waved a hand in the air. “Besides, that piece of land has been rotting for ages. If you can make it into something better, then perhaps someday we’ll find a way to trade.”

She eyed him, thoughts whirling in her mind. Was there any reason for him not to command them to fight? Not that she could think of. Hallmar was well within his right to be asking favors, and yet, he wasn’t.

“Why aren’t you asking us to fight?” she finally voiced the most pressing question. “Honestly, please. I don’t care about the politics nor do I wish to read between your words. Tell me plainly, Hallmar.”

He sighed, leaned forward, and braced his forearms on his knees. “If you haven’t figured out why yet, Sigrid, then I won’t explain it yet. Go back to your people. Tell them that a war is coming, and if they wish to fight, I will not stop them. But I will not ask, nor will I dictate what you or your people do. I asked you here to warn you that there will be Bymerians coming to our doorstep if I don’t try and stop them.”

“Then I should go with you.”

At that, Camilla’s feet fell off the arm of her chair and thumped hard on the ground. “No, you won’t.”

“The Beastkin have many more leaders than just me.”

“But you are the symbol of their freedom, not to mention the dragon that just attacked Bymere. You think they’ll kill him on sight?” She pointed at Hallmar. “They’d hang you in the square and set your body on fire, Sigrid.”

“A dragon cannot burn.”

“It can if it’s dead.” Camilla reached for Sigrid’s hand, squeezing it tightly between her own. “I share your worry for him, but we are not just Beastkin anymore. We have a kingdom, people, and a responsibility to keep them safe. That is why he is risking his life, and that is why I cannot let you do the same.”

Sigrid stared into Camilla’s dark eyes and wished for a different life so violently it made her flinch. She didn’t want to be the queen of the Beastkin. She didn’t want to be anyone but Sigrid for once in her life.

Still, her sister was right.

Nodding, Sigrid looked back to Hallmar. “Fine. Go, and let us know when you return. I’d like a full report on Bymere. It’s best to know our enemies well before we are attacked.”

He shrugged. “I think you have more information in that regard than I do. Living amongst them will help, but having Bymerians under your care… You and your people are significantly more prepared than we are.”

And the Beastkin wouldn’t even assist in protecting those who had protected them for so long. The truth stung, but Sigrid knew she wasn’t wrong.

“I will try,” she whispered. “But I cannot promise we will help.”

“That is all I can ask of you.”

Their conversation complete, Sigrid hesitated for a brief moment. She almost wanted to stay for a little while longer. The promise of warmth and civilized conversation was more tempting than returning to the madness of the Beastkin home.

And yet, she knew she couldn’t stay. This was a gilded cage for her people; no matter how much the king had enjoyed their company. She must leave and do something more than revert back to the old ways that, although broken, had been comfortable to her.

She stood and nodded gracefully. “Until I see you again.”

“I hope we do, dragoness.”

It felt too final, this meeting of theirs. She didn’t want it to be the last they had together, but had a feeling he thought it was. That was why he brought her here.

Of all times, she didn’t want to lose him just yet.

Blowing