Magical Lover (25 page)

Thoren’s presence made her happy. Being around him, learning new things, his patience with her, all made her realize how much she cared for him. Dare she use the “L” word?

Keara glanced at Thoren, smiling as his eyes twinkled. How did she go about convincing him to marry her? To love her? He seemed to enjoy her company, which was a plus in her favor. And yet, sometimes she saw a distance in him too. As if he’d rather be doing something, anything, besides being with her.

At least that distance was gone today. Today, he acted like she was the best thing in his world. Why had she not paid more attention to relationships and less to herbs? Maybe then, she’d know how to keep alive his attitude toward her.

Picturing herself sifting through space, she reappeared in front of Thoren. He grabbed her about the waist and swung her around. She squealed.

“Great job! Let’s go eat lunch. I can hear your stomach growling.”

****

Thoren had no sooner crammed his mouth full of food when he heard dragon-song billowing through the windows of the dining room. His fork froze halfway on the down stroke to his plate. Why was an adult male flying around the Temple? The males who remained in dragon form stayed on lands some distance from the Temple and they only flew in on holy days. Since today was not a holy day, why was the dragon here?

Judging by the looks on the priestesses’ faces, he wasn’t the only one with that thought. Keara continued to munch her food, but even she realized something unusual happened since the entire room stopped eating and turned to the windows.

Aryana hurried to the panes of glass overlooking the Courtyard, Thoren behind her. As if given permission to move, the priestesses and acolytes trailed behind, crowding around the open windows.

A dragon landed in the Courtyard, blood-red scales gleaming in the sunlight, his wings flapping before settling against his back. The beast’s thoughts drifted through the minds of the curious faces watching him.

I need to speak to the High Priestess, please.

Fafnir? Thoren squinted. It definitely looked like the dragon he’d left to Enar’s care. So where was Enar?

“Is that Fafnir?” Keara asked, pushing aside a priestess to stand beside him.

“I better get down there.” Which was the last thing he wanted to do. He’d rather ask Keara to be his mate, but getting the words to come out proved harder than imagined, and he might as well do something useful. Starting with finding out where his Watcher was.

Ari disappeared, followed by half the priestesses. Giving Keara’s hand a squeeze, Thoren transported himself to the Courtyard, reappearing next to Fafnir.

The dragon stood, wings folded, the expression on his face suggesting he’d rather have his scales bent backward. Thoren felt a stab of pity, knowing he would hate to be in Fafnir’s scales, so to speak. After spending years away from Draconia—and those years in a cell—Fafnir had to be feeling shame mixed in with a heady dose of freedom.

Or at least that’s what Thoren would feel. How embarrassing to admit that non-magical beings managed to confine you in a cell for over twenty years. It gave him the chills to think about it.

Where was Enar? And Jamie? And Keara’s friend, Lily? Why did Fafnir arrive without them? Had something happened?

Fafnir raised an eye-ridge at Thoren’s appearance. Thoren looked over his shoulder, expecting his aunt to be behind him, but instead he faced a whole lot of landscaping.

Things have changed if the High Priestess is requested and I get you instead.

Thanks.
Thoren crossed his arms.
Where’s my Watcher?

A few hours behind me. Where’s the Halfling female?

Safe.

She lives?

Yes. She’s watching.

Fafnir’s head swung toward the windows of the dining area. Thoren turned in time to see Aryana walk through the Temple doors in all her splendor followed by an array of priestesses. No wonder he arrived to greet Fafnir before she did. He forgot the requirement that the High Priestess greet first time male guests in the robes designating her station.

The dragon’s eyes widened as he watched Aryana approach. Fafnir’s nostrils flared and Thoren clenched his fists. The dragon should know better than to make eyes at his aunt, the High Priestess. Head held high, Aryana seemed oblivious to the male appreciation turned her way.

She stepped next to Thoren, wearing the green velvet dress that signified she was the High Priestess. Gold embroidered dragons danced down the front of the dress, gold roses circled the hems of the sleeves. Upon her head sat a gold tiara in the shape of a dragon, his thin body elongated into a circlet that highlighted her black hair.

As she approached, Fafnir remembered the politeness protocol and dropped his gaze, bowing his head, male appreciation banked.

“I am the High Priestess Aryana. How may I help you?”

Thoren listened as Fafnir explained his predicament, ending by asking if anything could be done to reverse his dragon form.

Ari placed a hand on Fafnir’s flank, a strange look dancing across her face before disappearing. “I’m sorry, but I am unable to help you. However, I will research the matter. There might be a way, but I cannot promise you anything.”

Fafnir sighed, his breath blowing beads of dirt across the grass, ruffling the hem of Aryana’s dress.
I had to ask.

His head popped up, twisting away from Ari, his gaze sharpening on a point behind Thoren. Thoren didn’t need to turn to know Keara stood behind him. Fafnir’s interest in Aryana was one thing—she was an attractive female who garnered a lot of male staring. But the fact that Fafnir focused so intently on Keara’s presence made steam rise in the back of Thoren’s throat.

She belonged to him.

Thoren pressed his lips together in an attempt to keep a snarl off his face. Wasn’t this wonderful. The dragon inside wanted a fight with the dragon standing in front of him.

Focus, Thoren, focus. No fighting on the Temple grounds.

Keara stood beside him, one hand raised in greeting. “Hey, Fafnir. Nice to see you again. Where’re Lily and Jamie?”

Fafnir’s lip curled, exposing a row of pearly whites in a dragon grin.
They are coming. How are you? Is this male treating you well?

Keara wrapped an arm around Thoren’s waist. “Very well, thank you.”

Fafnir nodded and glared at Thoren.
He better.

Why did the dragon act protective of Keara? Probably since she came from the same dilapidated town he was found in. All Draconi males tended to be protective of females, whether or not those females belonged to them.

But still. Keara belonged to him. Did Fafnir imply Thoren couldn’t keep care of his own female?

Aryana narrowed her eyes at Thoren and turned that look on Fafnir. Her lip caught between her teeth as her eyes darted between the three of them. Thoren recognized her look, that brain-whirling look of concentration. Problem was, he didn’t care. Something about Fafnir’s focus on Keara brought his dragon halfway out and it was all he could do to keep the other half in place.

“Fafnir, you must want purification. If you would follow me, I’ll lead you to the ritual baths.” Ari gestured with her hand and with one last glare at Thoren, Fafnir turned and walked with her around the corner of the Temple, the priestesses following, their murmurs like a flock of gnats’ wings.

Closing his eyes, Thoren breathed deeply. A couple of breaths and a cleared Courtyard later, he managed to bury the possessive, jealous dragon deep inside. When he opened his eyes, Keara stood in front of him, arms crossed.

“What was that about?”

“Fafnir asked if Ari could change him back into human form. She can’t.”

“I caught that. I mean that stare and glare between the two of you.”

She caught him in the act. He shrugged. “Fafnir doesn’t seem to like me.”

“You think? Why?”

“We’re both...protective of you. This creates problems.”

Her brows dug a trench through her forehead. “Why? I think it’s nice that you both want to protect me.”

She didn’t understand. Now was the perfect time to inform her. To let her know she had a mate who would bond with her for life. But did she want him?

What difference did that make? It was biology, plain and simple. Plus he was giving up a promising career to be her male, didn’t that stand for something?

Yes, yes it did. And yet, Thoren wanted her to need him. It meant more to know that the female he bonded with chose him too. Would Keara find the news she belonged to him no matter what a good thing or a bad one?

He needed to ensure she found him a good thing.

“I’m glad you think so. Because I’m very protective of you. I don’t like other males focusing on you the way he did.”

“He was just being nice. Speaking of other males, why aren’t there more here?”

“Because the Temple is run by females. Females have the direct link to the Goddess. Males only visit here. Would you like to return to lunch? I’m hungry.”

Smiling, she disappeared. Once Enar arrived and they met with the Council, he’d talk to Keara about bonding. With any luck she would be receptive.

A Draconi male was nothing without his mate.

Chapter 15

How did the Draconi choose their mates? Maybe Aryana told her and she didn’t listen. Was it common for a female to ask a male to join with her, or was that taboo? Was sex casual or only offered during rituals? What did she really know about Draconi customs?

That question Keara knew the answer to: little to nothing.

Aryana returned to the dining room as Thoren and Keara rose to leave. The High Priestess would know the answers to all her questions. Provided she would talk to her.

“Thoren, I need to speak to Aryana.”

“What? Why?”

Wild dragons couldn’t make her tell. “I need to speak to her about what expectations she has for me. Now that I’ve returned to the land of the normal I need to know.”

“She’s busy. She’ll need to return to Fafnir to complete the purification ritual. You can speak with her later. We need to return to your lessons.”

“Maybe, but I think I’m going to ask her anyway.”

Using her newly learned magic, she appeared in front of Aryana. The High Priestess blinked, her fork hovering in midair.

“I need to speak to you.”

“About?” Aryana stuck a piece of food in her mouth.

“I need to know some things.”

A chew and a swallow. “Can it wait until tomorrow?”

“Um,” Keara looked over her shoulder at Thoren, who stood where she left him, arms crossed, a glower like an impending storm on his face.

“I see. Have a seat while I finish eating.”

Keara sat across from Aryana, looking at her clasped hands.

“Might as well loosen those lips. I have things to do.”