Magic and Mayhem: How To Date A Dragon (Kindle Worlds Novella) (Baba Yaga Saga Book 2) (17 page)

Nathaniel glanced off into the trees and yelled. “Zenos, you promised to protect them and to train them. You nearly broke that promise today. Come help us, mage. I command you to keep your word.”

Carol didn’t even react when a giant black gorilla appeared outside the circle. Maybe she’d become shock proof in the last hour. He morphed into a younger version of the mage who’d tormented them. There was gray in his hair, but he wasn’t as portly. He wasn’t young but he wasn’t old either. He reminded her of Professor Smoke and looked nearly as good now.

“Feck off, druid. I’ve already broken more magic laws today than Jezi-blah-blah has broken in three centuries. There are prices to be paid for this level of shite. Because of ya, I can’t hold my human form more than a short while.”

Nathaniel lifted his chin. “Break one more rule… for the girl. You know why.”

“Yes, I heard. The whole forest heard that Pissy Missy doesn’t want to die a virgin. Someone with a deadly aim like hers ought to be able to do a little better than a fecking elf for the job.”

Carol glared up at him. “Don’t be insulting. Iren saved my life.”

Zenos rolled his eyes. “And I saved all three of ya by fetching help. I don’t see ya throwing yerself at me and offering yer maidenhood.”

Carol sniffled. “Please… I can’t handle this. Help him if you can. At least try.”

Zenos blew out a breath. “Bollocks, girl. Stop yer blubbering. I was teasing ya. I swear… immortal or not, ya two witches are going to be the death of me. Move over.”

He used his hand to motion her to scoot away.

Stooping to his knees in the dirt, Zenos rolled the elf boy over and back. Sighing, he put a hand on the boy’s back where the lighting had entered. He hoped this worked. Sometimes nothing did.

“
Restituetur
,” he commanded, the words echoing in the woods. He could only hope the wrong powers weren’t hearing.

The lightning came out of Iren and balled itself into Zenos’s hand. Turning he sent it into a tree which sizzled as the lighting burned a hole through it. The boy coughed, gasped, and opened his silver gray eyes. He immediately searched for Carol who crawled over and kissed him with no thought as to who was watching.

Zenos rolled his eyes again. “This is too fecking sweet for me,” he complained, rising to his feet. He wobbled a bit until a set of small strong arms came around him. He looked down at Carol gazing up at him in adoration.

“Thank you, Zenos. I promise you’ll be proud of me as your student. I swear on Morgana The Red.”

“Do ya think I’m impressed by ya swearing on that conniving siren?”

“Well, I’ll honor my promise just the same either way,” Carol said.

Unwilling to dignify the child’s solemn reply, Zenos lifted his chin. “Yer fellow virgin over there isn’t going to get off so lucky as you and Jezi-blah-blah. She has no true love to kiss her. Without the dragon, she might wither away from a broken heart before the spell wears off.”

Carol chewed her lip. She glanced at Iren as the Jezibaba and Nathaniel helped him to his feet. Iren wasn’t her true love the way Professor Smoke was for the Jezibaba. But Iren cared enough to save her. That was a pure form of love… and as true as caring ever got.

Carol got an idea and snickered, mostly because she knew in her heart of hearts it would work. “Well, actually I know someone who absolutely adores Hildy. It may not be true love in the typical sense, but I think it might turn into it some day. Love is it’s own kind of magic, right?”

Zenos chuckled beside her. “Ya talking about the little bear shifter?”

Carol looked up in surprise. “Are you like constantly spying on us?”

“It’s a special spell called
near omniscience
,” Zenos said. “I’ll teach it to ya if ya want.”

Carol nodded and smiled. “I think that would be very useful for a Baba Yaga.”

Zenos snorted. “Yer dedication to yer calling is going to break the elf’s heart.”

Carol sighed. “Probably, but we’ll always be friends. Can you stand by yourself now?”

“Yes, little Pissy Missy. I’m fine,” Zenos declared. “I’ll be changing forms shortly. The weakness goes away when I do.”

“I like the gorilla,” Carol said. “How many forms can you take?”

“All creatures but one,” Zenos said tightly. “Want to see my new favorite?”

“Yes!” Carol said, running to link her arms around a wobbly Iren. She hugged him tight as she watched.

Zenos morphed in to a twenty feet tall firebird. His phoenix form was as tall as any dragon she’d ever seen. He lifted into the sky and flew away, his wings making enough wind to blow the last of the cursed powder off all of them.

Carol watched until he was out of sight and then turned to Iren. “How are you feeling?”

“Not up to deflowering either of us, but I promise I won’t let you die a virgin.”

“I can’t believe you heard that,” Carol said, blushing as she dipped her head.

“It was the reason I hung on long enough for the mage to bring me back. I saw my ancestors waiting for me in the grove. I didn’t want to die a virgin either. They laughed at me for wanting to come back to you, but waved when I got yanked into my body.”

Carol giggled nervously and hugged her new elf boyfriend as hard as she could.

“What about Hildy?” Iren asked as they turned to limp that way. “You need to save Ahmed. I don’t think she’s turning loose. He came and got me. I will always owe him for that.”

Carol saw the Jezibaba pull a reluctant Hildy to her feet. The cats sat in front of Hildy and hung their heads as the Jezibaba scolded them for not being there sooner to help. Ahmed glared at them from Hildy’s arms and growled low. What bothered her most was that her friend ignored a nearly naked Nathaniel standing nearby. That was wrong… completely wrong. The warlock’s naked butt was an awesome sight not to be missed.

Carol lifted her chin and stared at her friend. “Hildy’s going to be fine. I know how to fix her.”

“Did Zenos tell you what to do?” Iren asked.

Carol shook her head. “No. I just know. It’s hard to explain.”

“I believe you,” Iren said.

Carol snickered. “You are turning out to be the best boyfriend ever. Does your naked butt look as good as Nathaniel’s?”

Iren snickered and winced. “Just wait until we start our learning project together. When I get done with you, you’ll never look at any guy’s naked ass again without thinking about me.”

Both of them laughed at his bragging as Carol transported them back to the safety of the campus.

Carol grinned as Iren shook his head. “You amaze me,” he said.

She looked at Hildy curled up with Chuck in her arms. She hugged him close. The small shifter really was like a teddy bear for her. The kid adored her. He’d planted kisses all over Hildy’s face the moment she’d suggested it. Now he wouldn’t leave Hildy’s side. That might be a problem, but one that wouldn’t keep her awake at night.

Ahmed jumped off her bed and barked at the air. Carol laughed. Two seconds later Jezibaba popped into the room. Her familiar was great about warning them. He and Hildy’s cats weren’t getting along well though. They were going to have to get separate rooms. It was time.

Carol sighed.

The Jezibaba turned from looking at Hildy. “Why are you sighing? This was nice work.”

Carol nodded. “I know. It’s not about Hildy. It’s how everything is changing so fast.”

Jezibaba looked back at Hildy and pointed to the bed. “They’re bonded on some level now. Shifters sort of jump through puberty in a year or two, instead of ten like humans do. I think Chuck will be looking for her when he comes of age. I’m going to have to speak to his family and see if they can find ways to keep him away and busy.”

“Did I hurt him? Please tell me no. Hildy gets all nuts about shifters and it tends to give her super powers. It’s the only time she ever kicks my ass.”

Jezibaba laughed. “No, Carol. Your ass is safe. You didn’t hurt him. What you did was save Hildy and that’s what Chuck would have wanted anyway. Your job was to connect the energy dots until they led you to the most optimal solution.”

Her sigh of relief was loud. “Do you ever get to take a vacation from this stuff?” Carol asked, her voice wistful.

“Not really,” Jezibaba said dryly. “I found hobbies were good for relieving my stress.”

“What kind of hobbies?” Carol made a face. “You’re not talking about cooking and sewing, are you? I hate crafts. Goddess, please… no finger paints or watercolors either. And don’t get me near a kiln.”

“I’m sure you’ll be able to find some fun and fairly safe project capable of holding your interest,” Jezibaba declared.

Carol fought a smile when Iren ducked his head and chuckled. “Stop,” she ordered.

Jezibaba crossed her arms. “I’m afraid I do have to restrict you to campus for a while. The three of us will need to travel together until your magic training is completed. The other exception is Zenos. You two will be allowed to travel with him. He’s a grumpy old fart, but I know he would protect you well.”

“I understand,” Carol said quietly. “I don’t like being restricted, but I get why it’s necessary.”

Jezibaba walked over and put both her hands on Carol’s shoulders. “Now we need to discuss the big thing. How are you dealing with what you did to Nigel? It’s been a couple days.”

Carol swallowed. “Umm… is it bad that I still feel no guilt?”

“Hmm…” Jezibaba murmured. “We’re going to keep an eye on that. It’s not good to be hard-hearted in our line of work.”

“What about that creep was remotely redeemable? I can’t help hating him. He tried to kill me. He almost killed Iren. He was going to let Thane take you and sell you to bad people. He worked for the traitors on the Council of Witches. ”

“And we still don’t know who that is because why…” Jezibaba prompted.

Carol blew out a frustrated breath. “We didn’t get a chance to torture… I mean… interrogate the prisoner because I took him out instead of wounding him,” she recited. She sighed deeply when the Jezibaba patted her cheek in approval.

Beside her Iren looked away to hide his grin. “If you say anything bad right now, you’ll be bound and gagged before you can blink,” Carol threatened.

Iren chuckled. When the Jezibaba stepped away, he mouthed “You’re so hot” and held out his wrists to tease her. A blush covered her face because hot was exactly what the elf could make her any time he chose to do so. That kind of power was a bit unnerving. She could only hope she eventually became immune to such things. At the moment, all she could think of was doing more research with him. Not the tying up kind though, she wanted his hands free so they could roam around. That was so much more fun.

“Want to go hang out at the cricket field?” Carol asked.

Iren grinned. “Sure. Let’s go.” He reached a hand out.

Carol looked at the Jezibaba for permission. Her mentor nodded.

“Go. Have fun,” Jezibaba said. “I have some things to do myself. The cats are going to stay right here at her side until Hildy’s back to being her old self. Right?”

Jezibaba turned to glare at them. They stopped licking themselves and all three nodded their tiny cat heads. She turned back and motioned with her hand for Carol to leave.

Carol snickered at the situation. The Jezibaba was more her mother than her own mother had ever been. Surprisingly, she didn’t mind that at all.

“Come on, Ahmed,” she ordered. Her familiar trotted over to stand between her and Iren. He leaned against her leg so he could transport with them. Ahmed was back in his blue sweater and leg warmers today. They seemed to be his comfort clothes.

“Good boy,” Carol cooed to her familiar, glaring at Iren when he laughed at her. “Hey… I love my familiar. He’s the first real pet I’ve ever had. And I think his camel form is hilarious.”

“I know. He’s perfect just like you,” Iren said.

When he took her hand and squeezed, Carol had a moment of perfect peace. It probably wouldn’t last, but she was definitely learning the value of living in the moment.

***

She found Damien sitting in the chair when she got back to her room. He frowned at her immediately. So much for a warm welcome.

“I’m sorry. You were right and I was wrong.”

Jezibaba shook her head. “No apology can change your disloyalty to me these last few weeks. I don’t think I’m ever going to trust you again.”

Damien nodded. “I understand why you would feel that way right now. A part of me even wants to give you time to be mad and work your way towards forgiving me. However, the fact that you were right about the threats to the girls makes it important for us talk… even if you don’t want to talk to me.”

Jezibaba shrugged. “You’re right. I don’t. If you didn’t trust me before, why would you start now?”

“Because it’s time we shared our truths. Why have you stopped transporting?” Damien asked.

“I walked here because I needed the exercise,” she lied. “Why are you in my room uninvited again?”

Damien rose and went to her. He put his hands on her shoulders. “I came to wait for you, because I can’t stand us fighting any more. I want to know what’s so wrong with you that you’re not using your power. I know now I’ve been stupid and neglectful in my support. I’m trying not to be that way anymore. Please talk to me.”

“Damien… all this drama… it’s really not necessary.”

He rubbed his hands over her upper arms. “Shut up and let me grovel. I’ve been practicing in my head all day. You know how difficult I find being wrong, not to mention having to admit it. We have that failing in common.”

Her snicker of amusement gave Damien the first real hope he’d felt about their situation.

Jezibaba snorted. “Your defense of your arrogant character does not sound one bit like groveling. Do you even know the meaning of that word? I’m not sure you do, Professor.”

Damien leaned in and planted a quick kiss on her cheek before speaking. “I’m sorry I hurt you by not supporting you when I should have, Elenora. I’m equally sorry what I was thinking about you isn’t our truth. You see… I liked the fantasy of thinking you were just a normal woman. Now I realize I can’t keep such thinking and keep you safe at the same time. Not listening to your instincts about Thane almost got you killed… and the girls killed too. If that had happened, I would never have recovered. I owe the contrary mage for intervening, even though his help lacked proper manners.”