Page 20 of Enchanter of Dragons
The beauty of the moment was enough to bring tears to Fersen’s eyes as he stared up in awe at his new mate. He didn’t have the words to express how incredible the experience had been for him, so he hoped their newly formed bond would convey the depths of his feelings to Jaega.
It was disappointing when Jaega’s knot finally released, and he pulled out. Being so full of his beloved was the best feeling in the world. Fersen had never felt so close to someone or so loved. Now that he could sense Jaega’s emotions and thoughts, it was so obvious that the dragon shifter had a deep sense of affection for him. How had Fersen gotten so lucky? If he had known Jaega was waiting for him, he wouldn’t have spent so many nights in captivity in despair, wishing he were dead.
Jaega lay down beside Fersen, then guided the unicorn shifter to rest on top of him. Fersen melted into a satisfied puddle in Jaega’s warm embrace. His heat had abated for the time being, so Fersen could fully enjoy being held by his mate as if he were the most precious treasure in the world.
“We were not too rough, were we?” Jaega asked in concern, brushing the hair from Fersen’s face. “Was it too uncomfortable or?—”
Fersen shushed Jaega’s concerns. He wasn’t sure how to convey that to Jaega, so Fersen did his best to focus on the deep sense of satisfaction their union had brought him. “Surely, you can feel how perfect that was. I didn’t know it was possible to feel so much pleasure.Wow.”
Jaega nuzzled against his new mate. “Then I am glad. We wanted it to be a wonderful experience for you.”
“It was thebestexperience,” Fersen assured him. He let out a contented sigh. “I’ve never felt this good in my life.”
“We feared our touch might bring back unwelcome memories.”
“I worried about that too, but your touch was so gentle and different from how King Decius used me that there was no room for those awful thoughts when I felt so good.” It was a huge relief for Fersen.
“We are glad to hear it.” Jaega caressed Fersen’s back, sending little skitters of shivers through him with each touch.
Fersen looked at his arm resting on Jaega’s chest, marveling at their entwined markings. The cycles of orange colors representing his mate brought him more joy than he knew how to handle. He could hardly believe that two days ago, his life was at its lowest point, and now he was at an unfathomable high.
They remained in companionable silence, enjoying being near each other and indulging in their newly formed mating bond. Fersen’s mind roamed. He wanted to imagine their life in Valzerna together, but without having ever been to that kingdom before, he wasn’t sure what to envision other than a life of happiness with a loving mate.
It made Fersen realize something important. “If I’m your mate, does that mean I need to stop using contractions when we get back to Valzerna?”
Jaega chuckled. “Given that my previous mate aggressively refused to stop using contractions or swears, it will not surprise any member of my family that you use them.”
The comment raised an interesting question for Fersen. “Why have you been drawn to two commoners instead of an aristocrat, who is actually on your social level?”
“The court and the courtiers bore me. All that political jockeying for my brother’s favor is exhausting. I am much happier in the barracks with my men, where I do not have to worry so much about decorum or an overly flirty aristocrat taking umbrage with my refusal to accept their pushy advances.”
Fersen nuzzled against Jaega. He could only imagine how quickly that court game would grow tiresome. “Is there a reason the royal court refuses to use contractions? Because it’s not just your family, according to Olina.”
“The founding rulers of the kingdoms of Talwyn decreed that, due to our long lives as shifters, we had the luxury of time to speak in full words. It is a stuffy, old tradition, but I am so accustomed to it now that I would find it hard to change.”
Fersen stroked his thumb against Jaega’s broad shoulder. “You don’t have to change for anyone, and certainly not me. But I would unlearn the habit if I needed to.”
“Tatsuki found Caprina’s rejection of the court rules humorous, so you have nothing to fear in that regard. They would even get into competitions for who could come up with the most creative swears.” Jaega chuckled at the fond memory. “Speak as freely as you wish.”
“That’s a relief. Despite my best efforts, I’d definitely screw up,” Fersen said with a laugh. “The last thing I want to do is embarrass you in front of your family.”
“I cannot be embarrassed of someone I am so proud of.”
Jaega’s words were a balm to Fersen’s battered heart. “But what happens when they find out about how we met?” Fersen wouldn’t want Jaega to keep any secrets from his family, but the thought of them knowing the truth of his captivity was humiliating.
Jaega guided Fersen’s chin up so they could make eye contact. “I told you before: your secrets are your own. I will tell them we met during my Shadron campaign, but they do not need to know the exact circumstances.”
Fersen frowned. “I don’t want you to lie to your family, though.”
“It is not a lie since that is how we met,” Jaega pointed out. “I respect your need to keep the truth of your captivity to yourself. I will guard your secret, even from my oldest brother.”
“But isn’t that treason or something?”
Jaega smiled reassuringly at Fersen. “While my allegiance will always be with my dear king and the Ariake clan, my loyalty to you will always take precedence.”
Fersen hugged Jaega as best his position allowed. “You really are the best. I’ll never understand how I got so lucky.”
“I consider it a reward from fate for surviving a life of such painful sorrows. It is fortunate for us that Sophina is a generous deity.”
