Page 13 of Enchanter of Dragons
“Where did you get this from?” Fersen asked as he pulled out some bread and fruit before passing the bag back to Jaega. “Thank you.”
“Of course.” Jaega took out meat jerky Grisden had included for him. “Our Enchanters can make anything magical. At the castle, we have enchanted armoires, from which I can summon anything I can picture in my mind. The servants at the palace refresh the food daily while I am away on my travels.”
Fersen blinked in astonishment. “Wow, I didn’t even know such a thing was possible!”
“I have no idea how it works myself, but our Enchanters are clever at making the impossible possible.” Jaega took a few more bites of his lunch. “I also have a private armoire that only I can use. Not even Grisden has access to it, although I trust him with everything.”
“Your Enchanters really are amazing.” Fersen leaned back against the tree trunk as he continued eating. “I thought I was good at magic, but they make me realize I don’t know very much of anything in comparison.”
“I imagine you are self-taught since you lost your parents so young,” Jaega said.
“Most of what I learned was from Olina, but she wasn’t the strongest magic user. Once she left, I learned a lot from trying things on my own to see if I could manage it.”
Jaega pulled another stick of jerky out of the bag. “How long ago did she leave for Kunushi?”
It took a moment for Fersen to do the math. “A little over a hundred years ago. It seems like it’s been a blink of an eye and an eternity, all at the same time.”
The dragon shifter chuckled. “Yes, time is funny like that.”
Fersen’s expression turned serious. “I’m just glad Olina wasn’t there when King Decius’s men grabbed me. I don’t want to imagine what horrible things they would have done to her.”
“Then do not dwell on such awful things,” Jaega encouraged him. “Today is too lovely for such heavy thoughts.”
Fersen smiled, making him even more beautiful in Jaega’s eyes. “You’re right.” He sighed in contentment. “There were some dark nights when I thought I’d never see the light of day again, so it’s the best kind of heaven to enjoy such a sunny day outside. I’ll never be able to thank you enough for rescuing me.”
“Your happiness is thanks enough.” While Jaega meant those words, his dragon rattled in his cage at the thought of leaving Fersen alone and unprotected in the forests of Morven. Who would keep him safe from harm if another evil person found out about his heritage and wanted to kidnap him? They were disquieting questions that Jaega had to push from his mind. He had no claim on Fersen, so he had no right to insist that the unicorn shifter come back to Valzerna, where he could keep an eye on him. Under Jaega’s watchful protection, nothing bad would ever happen to Fersen again.
“How far away are we?” Fersen took a sip of water from the canteen. “I can’t really judge from that high in the sky where we are.”
“We should reach the Reflorna and Morven border by nightfall. I would suggest we stop for the night and continue to your home fresh in the morning.”
“Would you mind if we set up camp in the forest and not in one of the towns?” Fersen rubbed the back of his hand with an anxious expression. “Being in a city with so many people makes me really uncomfortable. I’m too scared someone will notice what kind of shifter I am and cause problems.”
It was an understandable concern. “It was actually what I was planning to suggest we do.”
Relief washed over Fersen’s expression. “Good. I’ll feel a lot safer that way.” He hurried to correct himself. “Not that I don’t think you can protect me! I just prefer not to tempt fate.”
Jaega’s dragon preened once more at hearing Fersen praise their prowess at protecting him. But Jaega did his best to ignore it. “I have no desire to put you in harm’s way, even if I can defend you from anything. I will seek a cave for us to rest in tonight.” It would be easier to guard Fersen that way. Being out in the open was too dangerous, especially when Jaega’s instincts feared something ominous was lying in wait for them at Fersen’s home.
Chapter8
Fersen
The world looked so different from high above the clouds. Fersen felt on top of the world as he looked down at the landscape rushing by beneath them. He felt untouchable and safe from any harm.
But would that be the case when he reached home? It had always been a safe and sacred place, but King Decius’s men had shattered that illusion when they kidnapped him. How would Fersen ever feel safe there again, especially once Jaega left to go home to Valzerna? When the dragon shifter was with him, Fersen felt like nothing could harm him. Losing that sense of security scared Fersen.
He would have plenty of time to dwell once he was alone. Fersen wanted to enjoy what little time he had left with the magnificent dragon shifter before he left, never to be seen again. Why did that thought hurt Fersen’s heart so much?
It was a disappointment when they landed again. Fersen was quickly becoming addicted to the joys of flying high in the sky.
The sun was beginning to set as Jaega led them to a small cave. It amazed Fersen how the dragon shifter had spotted it from so high in the air. Along the way, they collected wood to use for a fire to keep them warm at night. There was just enough light for them to see into the cave to set up the wood, which Jaega ignited with his orange dragon fire.
To his surprise, Jaega summoned a bed roll that was large enough for them both to use. “Oh!”
Jaega chuckled at his shock. “It is a great deal better than sleeping on the hard cave floor.” He gestured for Fersen to join him in sitting on top of it.
Fersen sat in front of Jaega, running his hands over the plushest fabric he had felt in his life. “I’d say so. It’s so soft!”
