Magical Lover (8 page)

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.”

“Draconi live for five hundred years?” She would live that long?

“Around about there, yes. Because we live so long we don’t usually have many offspring.”

Five hundred years? Keara’s mind stuttered trying to think of that many years. Might as well give the poor brain a break and ask what will happen to Lily.

“I’m sorry. That’s going to take me some time to get used to. Five hundred years? Back to Lily. Why did Enar claim her? What’s going to become of her?”

“I don’t know. Enar won’t hurt her, he’s my best friend and I know he loves females almost as much as he loves a good fight, but although I know Watchers claim women, I have never seen a claimed woman and Enar changes the topic every time I go near it. There’s a lot about Watchers I don’t know.”

Judging by the hard set of his lips, there was a lot about Watchers he knew and didn’t care to tell her. Hopefully his lack of knowledge didn’t bode ill for her friend.

Back to more questions. If she filled her head full of new information, she wouldn’t have to dwell on whether or not the Draconi would accept her.

“And the what-did-you-call-it ceremony?”

“Unlocking?”

“Yes, that one. What’s that?”

“All female Draconi have limited powers until they reach puberty. After puberty, they undergo a ceremony to unlock their powers. You must have strong powers because you can see through the invisibility blanket with your powers locked.”

“And that’s good?”

“Oh, yes. That’s very good. Females usually have the strongest powers, but the males change into dragons.”

“Dragons?” Big scary mythical creatures? That was what he shape-shifted into? Until his hand clamped on her forearm, she hadn’t realized she’d scooted backward.

“Like the shape of your mark. Don’t be frightened.”

Relaxation coursed through her veins. Why was she backing away from Thoren? She should be trying to get closer to him, to join with him as one being, to become his.

What on earth was she thinking?

“You’re casting a spell on me.”

A hint of white gleamed as he smiled. “No spell. Just my touch.”