by JF Jenkins
He laughed. "And here I was hoping puberty was working some amazing magic on my appearance. I only look a little different?" Her observations were right on. He'd wondered if she'd noticed how he and his brother aged slower or the fact that his nails were in fact trimmed down black claws.
"You are taller, more handsome, and stronger. I still noticed though," she said then kissed his forehead.
Matt let out a playful and dramatic sigh before rolling onto his back. "As long as you still think I'm handsome."
"There are a lot more dragons than I realized," she said.
He shrugged. "There need to be a lot of us if we're going to stay safe from the other tribes. They're larger in size and strong in magic. Our best defense is our numbers."
"No, I just meant I didn't know so many of the men here were dragons. Maybe I'm only noticing they're different now because they smell funny," she said, scowling. He thought it was adorable.
"I have a great sense of smell and you're gaining some of my abilities," he said. "It's called transitioning. Sometimes it can be a bit painful, but if you stay close to me, you'll be just fine. Eventually you'll get used to all of the changes." He hoped so, anyway. He didn't think he'd ever understand. Things like a heightened sense of smell and good night vision were things he'd been born with. He couldn't even begin to imagine what it must be like to gain them so late in life.
He sighed, cradling her close. The time he had alone with Kat was short. Soon his military duties would occupy him even more than they already did. As much as he wanted to tell her about all of this, he held it in. The last thing he wanted to do was spoil their honeymoon bliss with bad news.
"You know I wouldn't ever let anything bad happen to you, right?" he said, kissing her cheek.
"I know. I trust you. So what do I get to do all day while you do your dragony things?"
"Whatever you want?"
Kat let out a heavy sigh. "You mean sunbathe and look pretty like all the other women? Be a bimbo?"
"No, I said whatever you want," he repeated. "Most of the wives spend their time there, but you don't have to if you'd rather do something else. The important women lay around the pool while others work. Not that you aren't important, but I mean in social standing."
"And I am one of those?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Well you are my wife and I'm the favorite," he said. He rolled away from her and climbed out of the bed. Finding his clothes on the floor, he started getting dressed.
"Where are you going?" she asked, her dark, almond-shaped eyes watching his every move. Yum.
Matt smirked and wiggled his eyebrows at her. He loved sharing his thoughts with her. Now he never had to guess what she was thinking or feeling. Takes yum to know yum.
She stretched her petite body. He got a flash of her smooth, long legs. "Where are you going?" she repeated.
"I'm hungry. It's dinner time."
"Good, I'm starving too. What are you going to bring back?" she asked with a hopeful smile.
He had to think about this. After all, he always had dinner with his family. She was part of his family now, and she could come along, of course, but to eat just the two of them? Did couples really do that? Then he remembered his father would go on dinner dates with his wife at least once a week. Lynx knew everything about women it seemed. Then again, the man tended to get married about three times in a year along with his countless mistresses. He knew how to woo properly.
"Yes, we can get dinner just the two of us in the kitchen. I'll make us something," he finally said. Matt didn't get the chance to do much cooking, so this would be an interesting adventure.
Kat settled into the bed covers. "I don't want to move though," she said, giving him a smile, her dark eyes lighting up. "We should eat in here. It would be sweet."
Sweet? Was she was being serious? That's sweet?
Yes! She giggled.
What's sweet? Jason chimed in.
Eating in the bedroom? Matthias was confused. He'd heard about it, seen it in film and in pictures, and even read stories about it. It didn't make sense to him. It sounded more messy than anything else.
Yeah, it's supposed to be, Jason said.
Yes! Kat repeated at the same time. The two voices in Matt's head at once were giving him a headache.
If she wants it, do it, Jason said before Matthias had to ask if it was a good idea. Keep her happy.
Matt frowned. What about his happiness? He liked to eat with his family. They were just as important to him as she was. Plus, they'd been in the bedroom practically every free second he had. Getting out for a little bit for some air would be a welcome change in scenery.
"If you're going to make that face, then I'm not hungry anyway," Kat said.
"Huh?" Matt's frown deepened. "It's not a problem. I just don't understand why you think it's so special."
"I could show you," Kat said, throwing the blanket up around her more. She hugged it to her tiny body. He didn't want her to hide. She was the most beautiful girl he'd ever seen. Everything from her shoulder-length dark hair, to her tiny, precious toes, was amazing. I just want some real time with you. I've barely seen you today. I thought you were mine?
"What are you talking about?" Matt said out loud. The last thing he wanted was Jason getting involved in this tiff. "We spend a lot of time with each other."
"Eight hours of sleeping and twenty random minutes a few times a day doesn't count for a lot of time. I think this is the most I've gotten you to talk to me all day, which isn't like us. We've always talked a lot more. Maybe I'm worrying over nothing, but I don't want things to change just because we're being intimate now. If anything, we should be closer."
"We are closer."
"Then spend some real time with me. We used to go out and explore, enjoy being together. Do that for me now."
"So you want to go out then? I thought you said you didn't want to move?" he said, raising an eyebrow at her. Plus, he thought she was being melodramatic. He'd practically worshipped her during all of his free time. What more do you want from me?
Never mind. She let out a deep sigh then flopped onto her pillow. "I'll see you in an hour I guess."
"Kat, what's wrong?"
"Go to dinner. I'll be here cleaning up."
He sighed, made himself presentable, then left. That wasn't how he had pictured ending his first full day with her.
Chapter Nine
Gwen stared at Jason. He promised to show her his transformation into a dragon but he kept stalling every time she brought it up. The bathroom, lunch, dinner, yard work, everything else seemed a lot more important. It was getting to the point where he had to be doing it on purpose. Did he not want to show her? Or was it all a lie? She clenched her fists in anger at the thought.
"Admit it, you're not really a dragon," she said, glaring. I knew it. Something else is going on. This is all some kind of trick and he's trying to—
She stopped mid-thought, her jaw dropping as she watched him grow at least two feet taller. His clothing and skin melted away into rusty red scales. His legs turned into powerful haunches, a long tail came out his backside. Next, his arms adjusted their position on his body and shifted so they were slightly higher. The already-present black claws on his hands grew longer and sharper. Finally, his head elongated, taking on a lizard-like snout. All of his hair melted into skin. She couldn't recognize him. He'd gone from human to great lizard in thirty seconds right in front of her eyes.
A scream caught in her throat. The last thing she wanted to do was startle him. When she looked into his eyes, she still saw him there. While the shape was similar to that of a lizard, she saw his soul. His vertically slit eyes had the same depth as the dark brown ones she stared into every so often.
"You're a-a-a—" she stammered.
"Dragon?" Jason said in a low rumble of sounds she barely recognized as words.
"Y-yes, a dragon. How is this possible? I don't—"
He held up a claw to silence her. As quickly as he ha
d changed into his dragon shape, he returned back to human. The only thing out of place was the slight wrinkling of his brown pants and button-down shirt. He ran a hand through his hair then glanced her way. "Are you okay?"
It took her a moment to calm down, but once she did, she acted as though nothing out of the ordinary had happened. She didn't want him to see her so weak. If he thought she was afraid of him, he could use it to his advantage.
Gwen forced a smile to her face. "I'm impressed. Not only are you a dragon, but you're an intelligent one. I'm surprised you can speak with that huge mouth."
"I speak well with it but not so well in English. There's a dragon tongue. Some humans naturally understand it. It's an ability the wives get when we mate. Since we haven't, I didn't expect you to know what I was saying. I'm impressed you picked it up without the gift."
"I used a little deductive reasoning. It sounded similar. So those who naturally have the ability, the humans I mean, why is it they can understand without mating?"
He shrugged. "Only God knows why they do. Some say it's to help bridge the gap between our two species. Others say it's some kind of divine appointment. Those who can are usually chosen to be priests in the temples."
"You're a dragon."
"Yes."
"I'm not sure how to feel about this."
"What's important to me is that you believe me. With that comes the understanding. It'll be easier for me to keep you safe. I know you still don't want to trust me but I hope it helps."
Gwen shook her head. "I'm going to do the dishes."
Chapter Ten
Jason entered the castle library. He made his way across the soft, plush carpeting, his feet barely making a sound as he went to the back where his appointment waited. Gwen was at home, working on getting settled. Jason gave her the project of unpacking and organizing, both to give her a distraction as well as an excuse to have some time alone. She no doubt needed the space after the show he had just given her. She swore on the lives of her family she wouldn't run away from him. And he believed her. Besides, his meeting in the castle library would be a short one, and one he needed to do without her.
"Miss Navi," Jason said, approaching the young woman, holding a bow.
The twenty-year-old beauty stood up and leaned down to give him a hug. "Don't 'Miss Navi' me. I might be your stepmother but I'm not old," she said with a teasing terseness.
"My apologies," he said with a smile. He waited for her to sit down again before continuing. "You know I don't think you're old. I just don't want to get in trouble for being disrespectful in case someone happened to pass by."
Navi rolled her dark eyes then crossed her legs. "No one is ever here but me and Chris," she said, gesturing to her bodyguard standing five feet away from her, leaning against a wall. "No offense to you, Chris, but you don't count as a person. At least, not according to my husband Lynx."
"None taken, Miss. I enjoy being an 'it,'" he said with a smirk.
She gave him an affectionate smile then turned back to Jason, immediately sobering. She adjusted her skirt to cover more of her legs. Jason saw how she looked at Chris and, even if she was married to his father, he didn't fault her for having a wandering eye. Lynx was not a good husband. He liked his women too much, and while he was currently loyal to her just as she was to him, it would only be a matter of time before he cheated. He always did. Hopefully sooner rather than later so she could finally be done with him.
The quiet of the library was relaxing. No wonder Navi spent so much of her free time here. Jason would have frequented it more if it didn't mean actually entering the castle. Any time he walked into the fortress, he tended to get pulled aside for something. He hardly ever made it out to the massive treasure trove of books. They were everywhere, lining every wall, and reaching up to the fifty-foot ceiling. He imagined every book ever printed was on those shelves.
The two tried to meet up as often as possible to talk. While Matt was the favorite of their father, Jason had always been preferred by their stepmothers. Navi had only been married to his father for a human year, but Lynx claimed to love her like he'd never loved before. Which said a lot because Lynx hardly ever spoke about love.
"You wanted to talk?" Navi asked more for show than anything else. One could never be too careful of who was watching at any time. Lynx had a tendency to hire someone to spy on his current wife to make sure she held her vows.
"I did. I wanted your help with my wife," he said. He felt weird saying the word 'wife.' He still didn't feel like he was married.
Navi nodded at him. "Love life troubles?"
"Not exactly. She's shy and not a city girl. I'm worried about her fitting in with the other women. You know how they can get. They're brutal. I don't want them to lash out or take advantage of her."
"So you want me to show her the ropes? Befriend her? Use my power to protect her?" Navi asked, raising an eyebrow. She adjusted some of her long, dark, curly hair with a mischievous smirk. The woman was a sultry vixen even when she didn't intend to be. No wonder she attracted his father so much.
Jason shifted, averting his gaze. "Something like that. I know you like to keep your social circle tight, but I would appreciate it if you at least gave her a chance."
Her smirk faded to a gentle smile, then she sat back in her plush lounge chair. "You know I would do anything for you. You're one of the few people who treats me like a human being and not like a goddess made from glass."
"In their defense, you do have a lot of goddess-like qualities. At the very least you're a saint to put up with some of the things you do."
"Like irritating step-sons?" she said, nudging him with her foot.
"And grumpy bodyguards," Jason said, shooting a look at Chris. The young man only shrugged.
Navi laughed and gave Chris another affectionate smile. Soon all the humor was gone from her face, her brow furrowed in thought. "I did want to ask you about something else. Your father has been talking a lot about his plans with the Oceina tribe lately. Not to me of course, but I hear him on the phone or with his guests. Most particularly—"
"Seth, the child prophet?" Jason couldn't help but roll his eyes. If anyone but Navi had seen it, he'd no doubt be severely punished for it.
He couldn't help it. The boy was twelve years old and claiming to be a prophet from God. Jason would buy into it more if he didn't see so many bad turns for the country. Bad turns that started when the boy began advising his father. Jason did not believe in coincidence.
"Yes, my thoughts exactly. I don't suppose you know anything about it?" she asked.
"No, Father does not talk to me much about military plans. The only thing he wants me to do is train the warriors in defensive spells." Beyond that, Jason was useless in battle. He couldn't stomach blood and violence.
She nodded, her brow furrowing. "My connection with him isn't strong. He's been with so many women, it weakens our bond." She said the word bond with a sour note. Jason was positive she wouldn't have gotten married if she felt she'd had a choice. "You're still connected to your brother, right?"
"Yes, but I don't know what kind of involvement he'll have in anything. Especially with the...did you say the Oceina tribe?" Why would his father want to pick a fight with them? Their water magic was the Inero's weakness and they were nearly three times larger, not to mention all of their technological advancements that had yet to be shared with the other nations. The Inero would never win.
"He mentioned Matthias as being a key. Keep your ears open for me? We can consider it a trade," she said.
Jason nodded, raising an eyebrow. "Why?"
"Chris is from the Oceina nation. Surely you've noticed this?" He had. Chris had fairer skin than the traditional Inero tan, lighter hair, and hardly any Inero had blue eyes.
"Yes, of course I have, but I don't understand."
"Your father hates them. I don't want something to happen to Chris. There's more, though. What Lynx is talking about is a grand-scale operation. He says things like: 'On
ce they're gone for good.' We're a lot alike, Jason, in that we don't believe fighting is the best way to solve problems. If I can stop this, I want to. To do that, I need more information. At the very least, I want those I love to be safe and aware of what's going on. You fall into this category."
He swallowed hard. She was asking him to commit treason, and that didn't sit well with him. He loved his family and his nation, but thoughts of war worried him. He hated violence, death, and destruction. Surely it couldn't hurt for him to keep his ears open a little. "I'll see if anything comes up."
Chapter Eleven
"Thank you for helping me on such short notice. I do appreciate it more than you could ever know," Lynx said, escorting Matt through the castle hallways. They moved quickly to his father's main office.
"Of course, Father," Matt said.
"Please, watch the door. Seth will be along shortly."
Matt raised an eyebrow at the mention of the prophet. This wouldn't be the first time he'd met the boy, but it was the first time he'd been involved with him in any way. Lynx mentioned him in passing and explained how the child had a great divine purpose. The details were still hidden from Matt, however. Apparently, it was privileged information that not even he was privy to. Maybe today would finally be the day the great mystery was revealed.
Seth walked in, bowing before moving back toward the bathroom. Surprisingly enough, Lynx followed him in.
"We won't be long," his father told him.
"You're going to meet in there?" Matt asked.
"Do you know of another place which is private for the two of us?"
Matt shook his head. Of course he could think of a number of better places than a bathroom, but he didn't want to fight with his father. That would be considered disrespectful. "What do you wish for me to do?"
"I need you to stand guard and make sure no one disturbs me. Not even Miss Navi. If someone comes by, tell them I'm ill and you will send for aid if I need it."
