Page 9 of Enchanter of Dragons
“Given how your kind was hunted down, I would not feel right with you traveling all the way to Morven without an escort to keep you safe. The roads are too dangerous. It would be my pleasure to make sure you get home safely.”
In truth, Fersen would feel better having somebody as strong as Jaega protecting him on the long journey. “Are you sure you don’t mind? It’s so far out of the way from Valzerna.” Morven was one of the most western kingdoms of Talwyn, while Valzerna was the farthest east.
“I would not offer if I did not wish to accompany you.” There seemed to be no limits to Jaega’s kindness.
It filled Fersen’s stomach with butterflies. The more time he spent around the dragon shifter, the more attracted to him he became. And now that he had washed the scent of the battlefield off him, he smelled downrightdivine. Fersen’s unicorn lay dormant most of the time, but Jaega’s appearance had clearly piqued his interest. They were drawn to the kind general in a way they had never experienced before. It was enough to bring heat to Fersen’s pale cheeks.
Those were thoughts best left alone, so Fersen focused on eating instead. He was less likely to get into trouble that way.
Chapter5
Jaega
Once dinner was over, Jaega and Fersen sat by the fire again. Fersen heaved a contented sigh as he settled back into the comforts of the chair. “Thank you for the delicious dinner. You’re really spoiling me.”
Jaega chuckled as he settled himself. “It is my pleasure.”
Fersen’s smile was tinged with a hint of sadness. “It made me realize how much I miss having meals with Olina.”
“Is she the owl shifter you mentioned earlier?”
“Yeah, she found me when I was a child and took me in. When she moved to Kunushi with her mate, she was kind enough to let me continue to stay in her house. I miss her terribly. I guess I got so used to the loneliness that I forgot how nice it was to have company and someone to talk to.”
“Does she ever come back to visit?” Jaega asked.
“She did a few times. But once she had kids, it became a lot harder for her to make the trip since she lives almost all the way north in the town of Kalindi. I understand, but I still miss her. She’s the closest thing to family I have left in this realm.”
The situation tugged on Jaega’s heartstrings. “Would you like to go visit her before we return to your home?”
Fersen’s jaw dropped. “Oh, I couldn’t possibly ask you to take me all the way north to see her in Kalindi. You’re already doing enough as it is taking me to Morven.”
“After everything you have been through, a visit with her might do you good,” Jaega suggested.
Fersen shook his head. “Honestly, it might make going back to my empty house without her even harder. I think it’s best for me to go straight home. But thank you so much for such a generous offer.”
“In that case, I will offer you a promise. After you have had the proper time to recover, send me a letter whenever you wish to see her in the future. I will come to escort you myself.”
“But—”
Jaega held up his hand to stop Fersen’s protest. “No buts. You deserve to spend time with those you love.”
“Why would you do that for me, though?” Fersen looked genuinely baffled. “Rescuing me is one thing. But offering to drop everything so I can take a trip to spend time with my friend is above and beyond any duty you have to me.”
“Fate never acts without reason. Perhaps the reason the Fate Power brought me into your life was so that I could bring you and Olina back together once more.” The Powers were the deities who lived in the Divine Realm. They controlled everything within the Living Realm.
“But you’ve already done so much! I couldn’t?—”
Jaega gently talked over him. “That is why it is no trouble for me to offer to do a little more.” When Fersen continued to struggle, Jaega tried a different tactic. “If it makes you feel better about accepting, you could consider it more restitution for the harm Torval inflicted on you.”
“He didn’t actually harm me, though.”
Jaega shook his head. “I disagree. Even the mere threat of what he was intending to do was harmful enough. I will not abide by such depraved behavior.”
Fersen tilted his head as he silently regarded Jaega for a long moment. “You’re genuinely upset by what he did, aren’t you?”
“Of course I am. I hold myself and my men to a higher standard. Such actions are abhorrent and against everything I believe. It is distressing to realize I have such an odious creature in my ranks. And he will be dealt with accordingly.”
“What will happen to him?”
