Page 107 of Enchanted Crown
Jagen’s scales seemed to ripple along his skin like I had seen Esta’s do before when she was angry and doing her best not to shift, and then in the next moment, a large dragon stood before us, taking up so much space that Emric had to jump out of the way.
My initial thought was that he had to be giving Zaire a run for his money in the biggest drake contest. My second thought was that another Mallick heir was healed. And thirdly, there was no other way to put it, Jagen was far uglier than his sister. He seemed to have spikes protruding from his head. But that slight green iridescent hue to his scales reminded me of Serkan.
A dragon I would never forget.
May I fly?Jagen sent me.
“Only briefly.” I understood this part. Amory wanting to run. The winged shifters wanting to fly. With my own wings always begging to be used, I understood this part full well. Once finally back in their forms, they wanted to stretch and use them.
With huge wing beats, he was above us, and as he tucked in his wings to come back down, he split the air with a roar. A roar which promised no one could dare come for him or his family again.
I looked to Emric with a grin. “Really somewhat disappointed I cannot do that.”
“I’m more disappointed you can’t breathe fire,” Emric deadpanned.
Jagen landed and shifted, Malachi there to catch him as his body began to go limp.
He looked to me. “Thank you.” Those were the last words which left his lips before sleep took him under.
I rodewith Zaccai back to Halikaara, a backup plan should the man carrying Jagen’s human form lose his hold on him.
It wasn’t that I did not trust Malachi’s men. It was that Jagen was a large man unconscious on a horse. We had all agreed this was safer than a carriage, but seeing how rattled Jagen had been moved me to ensure that nothing would go wrong.
I communicated to Esta the entire trip back about moving Charlotte as I had promised Jagen.
We arrived without issue. I waited until I saw with my own two eyes that Jagen was sleeping in bed with multiple guards protecting him before I moved to find some lunch.
“Are you ready to return to Emric?” Zaccai asked me from his human form.
“They’ll likely already be done by the time we get there,” I told him.
“I—I still think we should go.”
I stilled and turned on him. Too many of Esta’s advisors had proven themselves unworthy since I arrived in Dra Skor. Zaccai was newly appointed general as Morana’s replacement, but was he another one of them? “Is there something I should know, Zaccai?”
His eyes went wide and he didn’t hesitate to put his hands in the air. “Nothing in regard to your men!”
“Then why are you suggesting we go with my men so vehemently?”
He let out a sigh. “Because I have been given an order that we should keep you out of the castle today.”
“By whom?”
“Your mate.”
Esta,I snapped down the bond.
Yes, Moon?
I almost murdered Zaccai. Is there something going on today?
I could feel her disappointment and a bit of her mischief.Yes. I am planning a surprise for you. Now be gone.
You would dismiss your mate?
I would. It’s a surprise you will like. Now go.
I shook my head as my eyes went back to Zaccai. “I am sorry.”
