Page 38 of Cast By Flames (Dragon's Breath)
“Mommy says I get bigger every day.”
“Your mother is right much of the time.” He guided Orion back to Aidan. “But don’t ever tell her I said that, or she might use it against me. I do have a reputation to keep.”
Had Aidan just entered an alternate world? Not only was his brother an entirely different person, but he spoke about the slayer as if he respected her. While Bailey had said he’d avoided doing anything to upset her during the journey and obeyed her orders fully, Aidan had hardly believed it.
He studied Zoran’s jovial features. “You seem to be in a good mood today. I don’t think I’ve ever encountered a more cheerful border guard in all my life.”
“Seeing you and Orion has made a difference,” his brother said, his body relaxed as he let go of his nephew’s hand. “Also, I’m finally home after five years, and there is no other place I’d rather be than here.”
“I told Phoebe and Ruari that you have returned, and they’ve both promised to visit soon. If not for their duties, they’d likely have already come.”
Zoran nodded. “I understand. There is much to do and little time.”
He spoke carefully, sensing Aidan was avoiding talk of war. There was a time when he wouldn’t have worried about such things, but once again, his brother had proven more adept at considering others. Perhaps when the danger passed, they’d carve out some time to discuss what had happened during his absence. It must have been monumental for such a drastic change.
“I need to speak with the refugees, but you may visit with Orion for a few minutes while I do so,” Aidan said, feeling generous to give them some space.
Zoran gave him a look of gratitude. “Thank you, milord.”
As he walked away, he could hear the two of them talking and laughing. They behaved like the best of friends. Aidan suspected he’d have to let Orion visit his uncle often, or he’d never hear the end of it. How did that little boy charm everyone so easily? Before yesterday, he’d thought Zoran was the coldest and most ruthless shifter he ever met.
Walking a short distance up Highway 9, he reached the refugees' convoy. They had several wagons pulled by two horses each, plus a couple of others riding their mounts. It seemed to be the latter’s job, along with a few dogs, to keep the cattle together.
While Aidan had spoken to his brother, the guards had checked the humans to ensure none of them were infected with dark magic. They stepped away, announcing everyone was clear.
“Hello, Elen,” he said, smiling at a woman he’d met twice in the past when he’d crossed through the town of Watonga. “I’m glad you came and made it safely.”
“Can’t imagine how the settlers did it back in the 1800s during the Oklahoma land run,” she said, climbing down from the lead wagon. She was a middle-aged, plump woman with graying brown hair and tanned skin. He assumed she was in charge since the rest of the town always acceded to her orders. “It wasn’t easy.”
“No,” he said, having no idea what she meant by a land run. Some sort of race on land? “But I appreciate you making the journey.” For one, he wouldn’t have to worry about thembecoming absorbed into the Kandoran army, and also,more human hands would help with the war effort.
A man cleared his throat. He was walking from one of the other wagons, which contained half a dozen children of various ages. Aidan recognized the male from his last visit to Watonga and nodded at him.
“Glad to see you came as well, Dave.”
He appeared in his mid-to-late thirties and had scruffy dark blond hair and weathered skin. A short distance behind him stood a brunette woman with an arm around a girl who must have been about twelve. They were his wife and daughter.
Almost six years before, dragons attacked them, and they’d been badly burned. The little girl had nearly died from her injuries. Thankfully, Danae had been there to heal her, so the child fully recovered. No scars remained.
The man cast his gaze toward the shifter guards surrounding them. “Are we safe here?”
“You’ve just crossed the border and should be fine from this point, but I prefer not to take any chances,” Aidan said, then motioned toward Orion. “I wouldn’t have brought my son if I was truly worried.”
Dave’s eyes widened. “That’s your son? Cute kid.”
“Thank you.”
“How much farther do we gotta go?” he asked, cocking his head. “It’s been a long day keepin’ the children and animals in line. Won’t be lyin’ if I admitted we’re hungry as hell, too.”
One could only imagine how they’d traveled with so much while trying to avoid Kandoran dragon patrols. The fact thatthey’d made it was a testament to their determination and grit. They would be excellent additions to the fortress village.
Aidan noted everyone appeared healthy and whole, merely exhausted. “Did you run into any trouble?”
“Surprisingly, no.” He nodded toward the two men on horseback. “We were near a town we thought was abandoned when we saw some green dragons comin’ but those guys helped us hide in time. That was our only close call since we avoided travelin’ when they’re usually out.”
“And the men decided to join you?” Aidan asked.
“Yeah. They’ve been wantin’ to leave for some time, but they didn’t know where to go until we told them about this place. The chickens, two horses, and a milk cow belong to them. Hope that’s alright.”
