by JF Jenkins
"He waits," Navi answered. "He's known to keep a book on him. If he goes anywhere, it's never so far away that he couldn't get to me quickly."
"Now that is devotion," Gwen said with awe. The two went to their usual grove of trees and sat in the shade.
"Yes. And I'm sure he'd be here if it were allowed. He takes his job seriously."
"He takes you seriously. How long have you two been in love with one another?"
Navi gave her a side-glance, her eyes opened wide. "I don't know what you're talking about."
"You know I won't say anything," Gwen said, waving her hand. "It's not obvious if that's what you're worried about. I don't think even Jason can tell, but I see the way you look at each other. How long has it been going on?"
Navi shook her head. "Nothing is going on, nor will anything ever happen because Lynx would know. He'd be able to smell it. And the minute he found out, he'd send both Chris and I off to be executed for treason. Because it's okay for him to cheat on me, but not for me to cheat on him. He only let one wife get away with that."
"Who?"
"Lenora, his first."
Gwen nodded. "I see."
"Yes, she is the reason why he won't hold on to a wife. He'd rather move on before she decides to. It's a philosophy he's passed on to his children."
Gwen frowned at this. She didn't think Jason would abandon her on a whim for anyone else. Hopefully, he trusted her to not do the same. They were in this together—at least that's what she thought. Why would he invest so much time in making sure she was comfortable and safe if he were going to ditch her for another? It didn't make sense.
"He still loves her," Navi added. "They have a strange relationship. She's trying to earn back his trust and affection. He likes to watch her beg for forgiveness. Naturally, I'm a threat to her."
"When really, you'd like nothing more than for him to go back to her. Then you could be with—"
"Yes." Navi cut her off. "I'd rather not talk about this again, especially not here."
Eyes were watching them and ears were listening. Showering and getting dressed especially made Gwen paranoid. She didn't want to think about who could be watching her and when. Back on the farm, she'd had all sorts of freedom to do and say what she wanted. All of it was gone now. While Jason assured her it probably wasn't as bad as she was imagining, he also stressed the need to be careful.
She pulled out her book to start reading again. Navi fixed her hair, preparing herself for her morning social obligations. She got this out of the way first thing. Then she returned to Gwen for some peace and quiet.
When Gwen had first arrived, the story of her marriage to Jason had spread like wildfire. Several of the wives came to try and be friends with her, but she blew off their attempts. None of them came across as genuine. Their desire for friendship was done solely for their political gain. They soon learned it best to avoid her, and this created a safe haven of sorts for Navi. Gwen was more than happy to help.
She had just started the next chapter of her novel when she noticed Kat walk by. She did regret blowing her off because of the stress it put on Jason's relationship with his brother. He tried hiding it whenever they spoke about Matt and Kat, but she could hear the tension in his voice and see the sadness on his face. Now she wasn't sure how to fix it because she wasn't the type to go out of her way to make nice with anyone. Plus, Kat irritated her. A lot. There was no way for her to win in this situation.
"I feel bad for her," Navi said with a sigh.
"Why?" Gwen raised an eyebrow. Because she's vapid, shallow, and boring? But she held her tongue.
"Because she's going to lose her husband."
Gwen paused her reading. "Jason said his brother is on some kind of a mission, but he didn't say anything about it being dangerous. It's been about three days, and I know for a fact he's been checking in."
"That's not what I mean. She's losing him because he's changing."
"That happens when you grow up," Gwen pointed out.
Navi nodded. "He's turning into his father, though, which is too bad because he used to be so sweet."
Gwen rolled her eyes. "I don't feel any pity for her. I'm sure she'll adapt accordingly. She certainly knows how to play the same political games he does." She went back to reading her book.
"I think they're both being manipulated."
She shrugged. Even if they were, what was she supposed to do about it? She watched as Kat laughed at something Lenora said. It disgusted her even more. "I don't think you need to worry about her. She fits into this world perfectly."
"She's pregnant, you know."
"Actually, I didn't."
"I don't think anyone does, but I've seen enough of them in my time here to know. She has 'the Glow,' as everyone else calls it. I wouldn't know from experience, but I do recognize it when I see it. Lynx always told me that when the twins have children, it's going to change the world." Navi paused. "I just hate the idea of two people so innocent being used. Matthias thinks its love. Lynx talks about him like he's a tool. If I'm right and she is pregnant, she will be one too."
Gwen admired Navi's huge heart. She didn't have it in her to tell the woman that nothing they did would make a difference. If Navi couldn't make Lynx stop whatever he was doing, she didn't see how she or Jason could make a difference either.
"What kind of a tool?" she asked. She promised Jason she would try and be more helpful. For him she'd make an effort.
"I know you know about the upcoming war," Navi said, lowering her voice. She kept her body language light, though, to throw off anyone who could possibly be watching them. "Matthias will be the force which ignites it. I don't know why his offspring will be important, but it has something to do with the twins being Touched. I think Lynx will use them as a weapon to win."
This is getting scarier everyday. For the first time since coming to live with him, Gwen wished she could have the telepathic connection the other wives had with their spouses. She wanted to tell him everything now while it was still fresh. Plus, she could use his reassurance.
Off in the distance, Kat laughed again, and Gwen couldn't help but frown. Lenora played with the young woman's hair. Navi's words replayed inside her head.
Lynx isn't the only one using them.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Hungry. The word popped into Kat's head and she instantly recognized it as her child's voice. Having Matt inside her head was more than enough for her. Adding a baby on top of that was just about pushing her over the edge. Thankfully, the child only communicated simple things to her, but they weren't always things she wanted to do.
I just ate. She sighed, rubbing her stomach, hoping that the motion would calm it. Kat was almost positive the baby was a girl. Something about the tone in the voice felt feminine to her. She'd always wanted a daughter, not necessarily so soon after entering into marriage, but these things happened sometimes.
Hungry.
If I eat anymore, I think I'm going to be sick.
Hungry!
Her stomach cramped up and she groaned. She searched the suite for something small like a candy bar. She'd just finished lunch with the other women at the pool not too long ago. What she wanted to do more than anything was take a nap, which she wouldn't be able to do if she felt like garbage. Hopefully something small would appease the baby until dinnertime. Lenora had invited her over for a grand feast tonight to help keep her company while Matt was away. She didn't want to spoil it by eating too much beforehand.
She opened up the candy bar, the taste of the chocolate lingering, which instantly helped bring her mood back up again. With Matt gone, she was on edge. What made things worse was the worry she had over his mission. Every day she'd check in with him to make sure he was okay, and when he'd tell her he had yet to complete his task, her heart sank a little.
Happy.
I don't want to be happy. I won't be happy until he comes home. Kat released a slow breath, grateful she wasn't completely alone. How did a child, an in
fant, understand her emotions so much better than anyone else? From all of her experience with babies, they didn't come across as being perceptive of much. Perhaps things were different in the womb. Since Matt was a dragon, that might have changed things a lot, too.
Exhaustion washed over her. She lay down to do what she had originally intended to do: nap. She didn't want to mope over her husband being gone. The less she thought about him, the faster the time passed. That's why she was so grateful for her friends. They kept her busy and distracted. The only time she thought about him was when she was alone back at the castle. She made sure to only rest when she absolutely could not be awake any longer. It helped with her not being able to think. If she was too tired to focus, then she couldn't linger on negative thoughts.
Awake.
No, I need to sleep. You make me so tired. A small blessing in disguise at the moment, because she wouldn't have slept on her own without such an intense need to. The baby took so much of her energy sometimes, and when it did, she felt a small warm tingle all throughout her stomach—like magic. I wonder if it that's what it is.
Awake.
Kat closed her eyes, curling up on her side. She grabbed Matt's pillow to hug. You stay awake then. I need to rest.
The warm tingle returned inside of her, and she smiled.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Oceina City was nothing like home. Matthias spent a lot of time checking out everything around him when they arrived. The buildings reached higher than he'd ever imagined, some covered by clouds. There were no skyscrapers in Inero City. He'd seen pictures, or some in the distance when traveling with the Terran, but never from the ground. They were massive glass towers that glimmered in silver, emerald green, blue, or indigo. Beautiful but intimidating as well. He didn't want to think about being in a building so tall.
He traveled with four other members of the Royal Guard. Matt was the youngest and the leader of the operation. They respected him, though. They'd gone on other smaller missions together and were considered the best of the best. He felt confident in the task they were there to do.
They'd spent the first day there taking in the sights and exploring the city to become more familiar with the area. They had to know their playing field. Despite the city's size, Matt doubted there were more people than in Inero City. Once they felt comfortable with their surroundings, the five began to trail the great Oceina Lord, Orion. They did so in shifts and in groups no larger than three.
A week passed. Matthias was itching to finish the task and go home. The Great Lord lived a boring life. Everyday was exactly the same: The man left to work somewhere in the city, would later go back home, then stayed there until late in the evening most days. On occasion, he left to run an errand or two in the city. For the most part though, Orion spent his time with his family. Every night at around eight o'clock, he and his son left to walk around a nearby park. It was shortly before then when the Inero guardsmen gathered together after a small break.
"I think tonight is the night," Matthias said as he stood outside the luxury apartment building the Oceina family called home. He scoffed at the idea. An apartment for royalty? What was wrong with these people? Upon first entering the city, he'd thought perhaps they lived in the tallest skyscraper. A beautiful silver and blue building with an almost halo-like silver ring circling its top. It disappointed him to learn the building was used solely for business. Shouldn't something so beautiful have a bigger purpose?
The five were all together, standing in a small circle, acting as though they were waiting for a cab. The other four men exchanged an uncertain look, but their cool composure remained. The retaliation could be great, if the Oceina people had the guts. The water dragons were far too passive for their own good.
"Tonight is the night," he said, removing all doubt from his statement. It was time to take charge.
"Don't you think we should spend a little more time observing, sir?" The man who asked the question was Emery. At thirty years old, he was the oldest member of the group and, generally, the most obedient.
Matt stepped in front of him. Their eyes locked. Though Emery had nearly two inches on him, Matt's firm stance made him more intimidating. His shoulders squared and he held his head high.
"I'm tired of being here," Matt snapped in a whisper. "There is no need for us to stay any longer. The man is pathetic. It's time to put him out of his misery. We can be home by tomorrow night."
The door opened to the apartment, and the Dragon Lord stepped out with one of his sons. The young man couldn't have been much older than Matt. He vaguely recognized him from the council, but couldn't remember seeing him again after the opening of the meetings.
"Right on time," he whispered. He waited for the two to cross the street and turn the corner at the end of the block. Matt knew where they were going. He had their routine memorized.
The park was directly across from them, hidden behind a ten-foot-high stone wall. The main entrance was about two blocks away. The duo went in that way, walked the entire two-mile trail, then exited through the back, closer to home.
Matt motioned for the others to follow him to this second entrance. Fewer people walked by it. In general, the park was dead at this hour of night. It would be perfect.
The group quickly ran across the street and went in the opposite direction of the Great Lord. They turned the first corner, some twenty feet ahead of them. Halfway down the block was the back entrance.
The trail was the only part of the park that was lit. Soft blue lamps spaced three feet apart left the area with a romantic and magical glow. This was the kind of place Matt would bring a woman, not a son, but perhaps they walked there simply because it was convenient. He needed to stop trying to understand these strange people. The five men ducked into the trees, disappearing into the dark. One by one, they all transformed into their dragon shape.
Matt was the fastest. His body grew two feet taller, and he felt his face forming a lizard-like snout full of fangs. When he opened his eyes, his vision shifted as his eyes moved over to the sides of his head. He could feel his legs gain more muscle and power and his tail grew out from behind him. The last things to take shape were the sharp claws on his feet and hands.
When they were all in their dragon shape, they moved quickly and silently through the forest. Their powerful legs made it easy to dodge fallen tree branches with each stride.
"Stop, we'll wait for them here," Matt ordered once they were more toward the middle of the park. This was the darkest place along the path, as well as the furthest away from potential bystanders.
Forty minutes passed before his ears picked up the sound of their chatter. He needed to rely on his hearing more than sight.
"I have the rest of them in the bedroom for you to read," Orion said.
"Thank you," his son replied.
Matt rolled his eyes at how weak this 'man' was. This would be a piece of cake. Whatever the two were discussing was of little interest to him. Something about journals and the son's dead mother? The topic was obviously a stressful one for them both. He could hear the tension in their voices.
The two walked past Matt and his men, completely oblivious. The Inero guards were camouflaged well in the darkness of the trees. Carefully, Matt conjured up a small ball that glowed red like fire and threw it at the son. It hit him in the back of the head, immediately rendering him unconscious. Orion stopped and knelt down to check on him. Matt used this as an opportunity to step out from hiding.
Orion didn't so much as bat an eye or look up at him. A disappointing reaction. Matt had hoped for fear.
"I was wondering when you'd finally come," Orion said, his eyes never leaving his son.
"You were expecting us? Perhaps you're not a stupid as I originally thought," Matt sneered, speaking in the dragon language.
"Nor am I as blind. But I suppose that is why you are here. I've learned too much."
"That is the least of our worries," Matt said, pointing a claw in the direction of Orion's son.
"Bind him until I figure out what to do with him."
"He's not your concern," Orion said. For the first time, he looked at Matt. The man's blue eyes were wide. Every so often, he looked back at his son. Matt made sure to give him the opportunity to watch the boy be restrained to a tree by the other members of the guard. The smell of sweat and dirt stung his nostrils. He loved it. He loved the power and control he had over the great leader.
"I decide that."
He stalked over to Orion. He leaned down and grabbed the man by the throat. The two locked eyes, and it disturbed Matt to see the fear in the Great Dragon Lord replaced with peace.
"Does death not scare you? It should, especially knowing that your life has been such a waste of time."
The Dragon Lord did not react. "My life is not the one being wasted."
"Let him go!" A voice in the distance shouted. Matt's gaze drifted past Orion's face to see the Great Lord's son had regained consciousness.
He's awake. Perfect. He could watch his father die. With one swift movement, his claws ripped through Orion's back and pulled out the man's heart. He watched the blood and gore splatter to his feet, pleased with his work. Father would be proud of him.
"D-dad? Dad!" his son cried. Matt couldn't help but laugh.
"What should we do with this one?" Emery asked, gesturing to the young man tied to the tree. He wasn't even bothering to struggle.
Matt paused for a moment, trying to decide the best course of action. "As far as I'm concerned, he can be an example as well."
As soon as the words left Matt's mouth, the son's eyes glowed bright blue—his whole body did—and fire of the same rich color surrounded him.
The Inero guard moved closer to Matt. He was Touched, and he would be the only one powerful enough to protect them all from the water magic, their weakness. He closed his eyes, focusing all his energy on one spell— teleportation. He wouldn't be able to take them far, but at least they would be out of the reach of the water dragon's strange blue fire.
