Magical Lover

by Karilyn Bentley

  “Did you hear that?” he asked his men.

  “No, sir.”

  “Didn’t hear nothing, sir.”

  He looked right at Keara, his eyes narrowing. She felt Thoren tense behind her as a trickle of sweat ran down her spine. Her surprise at the satchel’s vanishing act almost caused their capture. If Lord Simon saw them, it would surely mean Thoren’s death. Would Thoren dole out a punishment for her almost getting them caught?

  She glanced over at him. His jaw thrust forward. This close she saw the stubble from where he needed to shave. His eyes locked onto Lord Simon, staring at him as a hunter would prey. Thoren remained motionless, if Keara hadn’t felt his heart beat from where her back pressed against his chest, she would have thought him a statue. How a person could remain so still confounded her.

  After what seemed like an eternity, Lord Simon turned around, returning to his post by the door. Keara exhaled a breath she didn’t realize she held.

  Thoren led her back into the room behind the shop where Enar, Lily and Jamie hid.

  “Is everything in the bags on the horses?”

  “Yes. Packed and ready to go.” Enar’s voice whispered across the room, although Keara still couldn’t see him clearly.

  Why could she see him at all?

  Thoren moved her so they stood in sight of the horses, which stood by the back door. He flicked his hand and the horses’ packs disappeared. Wasn’t she good for keeping her gasp internal? Thoren motioned toward the bag on the floor and it also vanished.

  She needed to learn that vanishing trick. Then the next time Jamie interrupted her and Thoren she could transport him to another room. Better yet, she could make Lord Simon disappear right off her property. Or maybe only small things could vanish since Thoren hadn’t made the lord disappear.

  And since Lord Simon remained standing, the potential remained for her to be caught and the others killed. Good thing she didn’t need to speak, she couldn’t even swallow.

  “Is there any way out of here besides the front or the back door?” Thoren turned to Keara.

  She shook her head.

  “There’re the sewers in the cellar.” She was surprised to hear Jamie say. “Leads to the south river.”

  Keara gaped in the direction of her apprentice, too shocked to say anything. How had he known that? She didn’t even know and she had lived here her entire life. Of course, she had heard of—and smelled—the sewers, but didn’t realize anyone but the thieves and lazy, non-working maintenance men knew their location. Maybe she wouldn’t ask Jamie; she might not want to know the answer.

  “To the cellar then. Jamie, you’ll lead once we’re at the bottom.”

  Once down the stairs and out of sight of the open trapdoor, Enar handed the ball back to Thoren, appearing suddenly in front of Keara, Lily still attached to his arm. Her friend’s hair stood out in the darkness, a pale shine against the almost complete blackness. Keara reached for Lily, grabbing her ice-cold hand with all her strength.

  At least they were together. For now.

  Keara clung to Thoren’s hand as he led them into the darkness, away from her shop, away from her old life and into a new one.

  May the Goddess go with her.

  ****

  Thoren led Keara toward Jamie, who stood against the far side of the room. His night vision allowed him to see clearly, but he doubted anyone else could, if the stumbles and grunted curses meant anything. He didn’t dare use his magic to light the room, fearing the men above might notice.

  Kill and protect. The dragon in him roared, wanting to kill the one that meant harm to Keara, finding running away unacceptable. It took all his will to tamp the beast down, and despite his efforts, his ears smoked.

  What in the name of the Goddess was wrong with him? No other Draconi female had ever affected him like this. Of course, no other Draconi female had ever been threatened in his presence, so maybe this was just the way males reacted when females were in danger.

  That must be it. Females should be protected, cherished, not chased through cellars and sewers by a regiment of scurrilous soldiers. No wonder his inner dragon was upset.

  Focus on the situation at hand. Focus, focus, Thoren.

  Jamie stood in front of a small iron door built into the stone wall. Thoren placed his hand on the dampness of the wall and leaned into the opening, taking a deep breath. Big mistake. He choked on the rank smell of human excrement, mixed with dead animal. He pulled his head back, trying to smother his cough, eyes tearing from the effort. Jamie made a face as he breathed in the rank air.

  “You’ll get used to it. Come on!” The boy ducked through the opening, standing in the smelly, rock-lined tube.

  Jamie had a point about leaving. Thoren tried breathing through his mouth, which didn’t help much, as he walked through the small door, bending over double in the sewer in order not to bump his head. Enar cursed, bending his legs in a duck walk.

  “Warriors are not meant to crawl around sewers.”

  “Nothing besides rats and small boys are designed for it, my friend.”

  Enar snorted. A small click echoed through the tunnels as Jamie pulled the iron door shut. Darkness settled, broken by the trickle of water under their feet and the thick scent of sewage in the air around them.

  “Jamie, in front.”

  Jamie splashed by the others, unimpeded by raw sewage, to stand in front of Thoren. Thoren focused on his hand, drawing his magic until a blue flame danced in his palm, illuminating the dank walls of the tunnel. Keara’s hand touched his back, causing a shiver up his spine. The light flickered before growing brighter.

  “Best keep it down, Draconi. I have no desire to burn in this tunnel.” Enar chuckled.

  A splash, followed by scurrying feet, heralded the movement of a rodent. Keara’s grip tightened on his shirt. His beast roared. She trusted him to protect her, to save her.

  What was wrong with him today? Where were all these emotions coming from? Talk about channeling one’s inner demon.

  What if she was his mate? What if all these emotions of protect and kill meant she belonged to him? Just what he needed. He didn’t want a mate. He wanted to remain a spy. Maybe in another twenty years or so he’d want to settle down, but not now. All he had to do was convince his dragon Keara was not his mate.

  Something told him the beast wasn’t believing it.

  Water dripped into the small stream they straddled. Thoren focused on the steady drip, gaining control over his emotions. He needed to stay focused on the task at hand, and get them all to safety. Trying to decide whether Keara was his mate had no bearing on the fact that she needed to be protected. And the only way to do that was to leave this town.

  Unfortunately, leaving the town meant crawling through the sewers, but nothing was perfect. At least no one followed them.

  “Almost there,” Jamie said.

  Goddess be praised. Fresh air directly ahead.

  The tunnel burst open into the side of the town’s wall, the sewage stream falling over the edge into the river below. Thoren closed his hand, extinguishing the flame, before standing next to the opening. Using his magic, he reached out, feeling up along the wall and out across the ground, checking for the presence of humans.

  “All clear. Enar, the bags are on the ridge where we first entered this valley. I’ll lead if you’ll guard the rear. They weren’t following us, but they might have figured out where we went.” And with the way his dragon wanted to fight Lord Simon, the last thing he needed was for the men-at-arms to have followed them. The Council would have kittens if he changed into a dragon and fought a group of humans.

  Once out of the tunnel, they all breathed easier. Dragons were not created to traverse odiferous tunnels. Soon they would be at the campsite and then tomorrow would begin the long journey home. On foot. Because Goddess forbid he change into a dragon and fly them home. Oh no. The Council frowned on that. No changing into a dragon unless an emergency arose.

  And walking for two weeks di
d not qualify as an emergency. He hated this part of the job. Why should he walk when he had a set of wings and could make it home in a couple of days? But rules had to be followed. Even if it meant walking home.

  Keara touched his arm and his dragon purred. “Where are we going?”

  “We had a site before we came into town. We’re going there for the night. We’ll begin the journey home tomorrow at first light.”

  She nodded. “All right.”

  Twilight caught sparks in her hair, shimmering in glowing haloes about her face. His heart leapt in his chest as he watched her move, watched her tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. He’d seen plenty of beauties in his journey around Draconia, but Keara’s beauty surpassed them all.

  Maybe once he returned her to Draconia, all these protective feelings would subside. If not, he had a whole new problem. Males reacted this way toward their mate.

  Keara smiled at him and his dragon roared in triumph.

  He cursed.

  Chapter 5

  Keara sat on a log beside Lily, Jamie at her feet, watching as Thoren and Enar laid wards to keep Lord Simon, or anyone else looking for them, at bay. She shivered as Thoren laid another ward. The magic thrummed through her veins, speaking to her in a language she didn’t understand.

  “Do you feel that?” Keara asked Lily.

  “Feel what?”

  “That.” She shivered as Thoren spoke another magic word. “Every time he lays a ward I feel it in my bones.”

  “I don’t feel anything.” Lily continued to stare at Enar.

  Her poor friend. Keara placed a hand over Lily’s. Although Thoren’s ways seemed strange, she was gaining confidence he meant her no harm. With Enar though, she wasn’t as confident. At least not where Lily was concerned.

  Keara glanced at Jamie when Thoren placed the next ward. Her apprentice stared at Thoren, watching his every move, but didn’t seem to react to the magic. Of course he wouldn’t, he had no magic, unlike her. But what did she really know about him? She knew nothing of his life before she found him and as evidenced by his knowledge about the sewers, little of his life since then. How did he know about the sewer tunnels?

  Boys.

  When Thoren returned she’d ask him about the wards and why she felt the magic. He wouldn’t think her strange for asking. At least she hoped he wouldn’t. After all, he worked magic around the periphery of their campsite, how upset could he be if she felt the magic in her bones?

  Funny how over the course of the evening she felt more comfortable and relaxed around him. He didn’t mind the steam coming out her ears, he worked magic and his eyes held no fear when he looked upon her. Even her grandmother’s eyes had held fear. Maybe she would talk to him about his magic.

  Thoren glanced over at her and grinned. She felt the heat rise to her cheeks and lowered her eyes. It was night and technically she was his wife. Would he want to claim her? Her heart raced, thumping like a bass drum in her chest. Being close to him made her blood sing and as long as he touched her she liked the idea. But with him on the other side of the campsite, the whole thought of bedding him made her stomach churn.

  If her luck held, he’d be more interested in talking to her about magic than removing her clothes.

  Right. He was a man and everyone knew what they’d rather do. Deep breath in, slow breath out. No hyperventilating tonight. Slow, deep breaths, Keara. And what about Lily? Thoren might rather talk magic with her, but Lily wouldn’t be so lucky with Enar. Yet outside of sitting straighter than a ruler, her friend didn’t look nervous.

  Keara lengthened her spine and mirrored Lily’s posture. Pretend; pretend until the state of mind becomes reality. A nervous giggle escaped her lips. Great, she was completely losing it.

  Thoren must have finished placing wards around the campsite since he headed her way, Enar following. Lily froze and Keara tightened her grip on her friend’s hand. Lily squeezed back with the strength of a giant, her body becoming still. Enar stopped in front of Lily, holding out a hand, his blond hair brushing against his cheeks.

  “Come, Lily. You will sleep with me.”

  Lily’s hand shook as she gulped. She took a deep breath and with one last squeeze dropped Keara’s hand. Looking Enar in the eyes, she placed her hand in his and allowed him to lead her to the bedroll to the right of the log they sat on. Keara watched, unable to move, as Enar threw a blanket over them, hiding them from view, the blanket blending in with the scenery, making them part of the ground.

  The blanket hitting the ground unfroze Keara and she leapt at Thoren, grabbing his arm. He dropped the blanket he’d been offering to Jamie on the boy’s lap, blinking in surprise at her sudden movement.

  “Don’t let him rape her. He’s going to hurt her!”

  “He’s not going to hurt her.” Thoren touched her arm, but she took a step back until he dropped his hand.

  Did he really know that? No. She started toward where she last saw Lily, but Thoren grabbed her by the arms, halting her in her tracks. “Calm down. He’s not hurting her.”

  “How do you know?”

  “I can see them. It’s all right, Keara. No one is hurting anyone this night.” He turned to Jamie. “Jamie, pull the blanket over you when you sleep and no one will be able to see you. Don’t remove it until we tell you to. Understand?”

  Jamie nodded at him, unfolding the blanket. Holding a section of it over the ground, he peered intently at it and then held it up in front of his face.

  “Hey, check this out! You can see through it, but it disappears when you hold it over the ground.” Jamie waved the edge of the blanket over the ground and in front of his face.

  “It’s an invisibility blanket. It blends into the surroundings to keep you hidden, but you can see through it. It’s also a real blanket and will keep you warm on a chilly night.”

  “Magic?” Keara wondered.

  “Yes. See, magic is not evil.”

  “Of course it’s not,” Jamie chimed in and Keara looked at him in shock. Today was the day for learning interesting things about her apprentice.

  “You can pull that blanket over your head and go to sleep. I’ve set the wards so no one can get in and no one but a Draconi can get out. So don’t worry about people getting in and hurting you or Keara, all right?”

  “You sure?”

  “Yes. And I promised to protect her. You can rest easy.”

  Jamie threw his arms around Keara’s waist, burying his head in her chest. She stroked his back, amazed at his protectiveness toward her. Today was the first day he showed that side. Who knew what other interesting tidbits she’d learn about her apprentice if given enough time?

  “Good night, Jamie.”

  “’Night, Keara.” Jamie lay down, yanking the blanket over his head, blending into the ground.

  Her turn. Placing her hand in Thoren’s outstretched one, she straightened her spine and followed him to their bedroll. Glancing back to where her friends lay, she could see nothing but rocks spread on the ground despite the bright moonlight. Staring hard enough produced a shimmer of energy, allowing her to see glimpses of Enar’s back where he lay on his side. Her shoulders relaxed as she realized Thoren spoke the truth. Enar was not hurting her friend.

  “Satisfied?” Thoren’s voice broke through her thoughts, her head jerking around to meet his eyes.

  “I can see through the blankets. If I can see through them so can others. Are you sure we’re safe?” How embarrassing. If her voice got any higher, she could sing soprano. Taking a deep breath, she tried to calm her heartbeat.

  “You can see them?” His voice sounded surprised, pleased. “Your powers are strong then. That will make it easier for you when you have your unlocking ceremony.”

  “What’s that?”

  “Lie down and I’ll explain.” He gestured to his bedroll.

  Keara looked up at him, down at the bedroll and back up at him. Heat seared her cheeks as she stared at him. Her husband. In the dark. Gesturing toward the bedroll. She
knelt, facing the lumps of darkness that were her friend and apprentice, before lying on her side.

  She felt Thoren lie behind her and then the blanket settled over her, never quite touching her body, the transparent material caressing her with a lover’s touch. Hard to believe this would keep them safe from prying eyes, but since the others were hidden, she supposed it worked.

  Where to start with all her questions? Thankfully, Thoren seemed happy to stay on his side of the bedroll. If she talked enough, maybe he’d stay put.

  “What is an unlocking ceremony? No, wait. You said Enar wasn’t a Draconi, so what is he and why did he claim Lily? No, no, no, never mind, that’s not what I want to know first. First, I want to know why I felt the magic when you laid the wards.” Keara rolled over to face Thoren.

  This close she could see the stubble on his jaw, feel his breath on her face. If he touched her, she’d do anything he wanted. But he kept his hands to himself.

  Was she relieved or upset? Relieved since sleeping with a practical stranger sent shivers down her spine and yet she wanted him to want her. Her body craved his even without his touch.

  Conflicted was not a state of mind she liked.

  “You felt the magic because you’re a Draconi. We feel magic. Because of where you were raised, with a bunch of superstitious, magic-hating people, you never felt it before. You’ll feel more of it the closer we get to Draconia.”

  “So it’s normal to feel magic?”

  “It is. Eventually you’ll learn to control it.”

  “That’s good. So what about Enar? If he’s not Draconi, what is he and why did he claim Lily?”

  A deep breath. “Enar is a Watcher. They guard the Draconi.”

  “I thought you said Draconi worked magic. Why do they need guards?”

  “Good question. I’ve wondered that myself, but have never gotten a straight answer. All I know is that many years ago, before any Draconi alive was born—and since Draconi live for around five hundred years it was a very long time ago—Watchers needed a place to settle and in return for the Draconi generosity of donated land, the Watchers used their warrior skills to guard the Draconi. Since that time, male Watchers are assigned to male Draconi as guards. Enar is assigned to me.”