Prince of Dragons

Chapter Sixty-Two

Just because of the current predicament we were in, with an unknown individual trying to take our lives, I felt immediately filled with distrust, and I found myself growing guarded as I straightened my posture, and made sure I was the only thing he would see—seeing as Narvi was still bare to the world, which was not something I was willing to let the sun dragon see. I didn't trust him—I couldn't trust anyone in this village, even Heltha or her husband. I had been betrayed by people I had been close to, and now that it more than just my life on the line, I wasn't going to risk it.

At the same time, however...deep down, I honestly don't think I ever trusted this man. Something about him just felt...off to me, and I wasn't one to ignore a gut feeling quite as intense as this, not when both of the men I loved were in danger as well. Though, I admit, seeing him here so soon after Narvi was hurt, I was incredibly weary, and there was a little tinge of fear that blossomed deep within my heart as I wondered about how powerful Evander possibly could be.

After all, you don't lead a village of magic users, if you were not capable of doing terrifying things...right?

I pulled out of my spiraling thoughts as the man in question spoke, not one ounce of malice in his voice. "Drakell, good morning, I heard about Narvi and I came to...oh...apologies, if I've interrupted something."

Caught off guard by the tail end of his spiel, I merely blinked dumbly. "What?"

Evander then made a faint gesture towards his neck, a single brow raising with amusement...and it felt like a bucket of ice had been dropped upon my head as a sudden realization hit me, and my hand flew to my own neck—trying to block Evander's view of the apparent hickies Narvi had given me. I was also now acutely aware that I was also shirtless, which made me feel incredibly awkward, and in a sad attempt not to let the sun dragon see that inner emotion festering within me, I straightened my posture and tried to appear unphased.

"Can I help you, Evander?"

Evander stared at me for a moment, and I swear I saw his jaw tighten as if he were irritated with the way I had addressed him. But just as quickly as that irritation was there, it was then gone, replaced by a warm, yet almost convincingly worried, smile. "Aerilyn told me that Narvi had gotten severely hurt last night, and I came over as soon as I could, to give him this," he flicked his wrist, and a gaudy basket filled with teas and herbs appeared in a flash of pale gold light—the thing even tied off with a curly, iridescent string. "Is he perhaps awake? So that I may give this to him? It's filled with healing, and calming herbs, put together by Heltha herself."

Feeling his gaze practically piercing into me, my grip on the door tightened. "Oh, ah, he's still asleep," I lied, gaze caught in his. "He had a late night, last night, so he's pretty tired." I gestured to the basket the sun dragon held. "I can let him know that you dropped this off, once he awakens."

A tight smile fell onto the other man's lips, and he nodded, handing me the basket. "Well, when he wakes up, please do let me know. I wish to speak to him about where he was injured, so that I may ward that area for the children's safeties."

I gave him a false smile. "Of course. And thank you for the basket, I'm sure Narvi will be appreciative," I added, hoping that would get him to finally leave. And he did. With a nod, he walked off and flipped his hand in the air, a pale stream of light engulfing him before he vanished on the spot—much like how Alaban had when he left earlier.

Finally relaxing, now that he was seemingly gone, I glanced down at the basket, not at all trusting of any of the contents inside. I let out a breath and went right back inside to see that Narvi had moved from his position from the floor and was now by the door—seemingly unbothered that he was completely bare for the world to see.