Jovari the Blue

Chapter 35: Summoning Magic

The Gable Mountains

Talon felt a burst of emotion swell in his chest, drowning out the anxiety that had plagued him for days. Beside him, Claire sucked in a breath. The emotion belonged to her, but they were so entwined, that it became his, too. In this moment, it was hard to feel anything but wonder and love for the little creatures emerging from their shells. Even if they squawked, and clawed their way across the sand blindly searching for food.

Craving was there, tossing rats to each of them. The green that emerged snatched its prize and ripped it to shreds before devouring it, making a bloodied mess. He preferred a cleaner approach to death, but it was young.

Then again, if he ever got his hands on Kane, he'd do exactly the same thing. Preferably with more blood. And some screaming too. Yes, he wanted to hear Kane scream, even beg—

"Oh, look at that little lavender one," Leah cooed beside them, pulling him from his dark thoughts. "That one is my new favorite, obviously."

"Because it's your favorite color?" Jovari quipped.

He shot his shield a glare that Jovari didn't notice; he was too busy looking between Leah and the newly emerged creature. His nostrils flared in irritation as he thought back to the conversation they'd shared. Leah and Jovari had been dancing around each other for days. He'd been furious about their shared kiss. Jovari had disobeyed a direct command. So what if Leah was the one who had initiated it. This awkwardness was exactly what he'd feared. Only, now it seemed they had put it behind them. Perhaps because he had warned Jovari that if he didn't fix things between them, there would be consequences. He didn't need Claire's best friend dying of a broken heart.

He'd never had to impose such a rule with Verath and Desaree. Verath wasn't prone to dalliances. Unlike Jovari, he trusted Verath with Desaree's heart. Not to mention, Verath was hundreds of years older and certainly more mature.

"Can I adopt it?" He blinked, coming back to himself. Leah had scooped up the lavender hatchling, oblivious to its bloodied snout and dead rat breath. It cooed as she scratched the ridges around its little baby spikes on the top of its head.

Claire laughed, the sound reminding him of dust motes dancing in light. His body flushed, turning molten. He couldn't help but stare at his mate, watching her take everything in with delight. He'd take the sight of her over baby hatchlings any day. Then again, he'd take the sight of her spread out beneath him, crying his name, over literally anything.

She shot him a look that said she knew exactly what he was thinking. Her eyebrow lifted in warning. "We talked about this."

"I'm allowed to have thoughts about my mate," he half grumbled.

"Yes, but not while we're in the middle of important, historic moments."

"Bringing you to completion on my tongue is an important, historic moment."

"Gods, Talon." Their eyes were locked, and he reveled in the sight of the heat that rose to her cheeks. He made it worse by sending her an image of exactly what she'd looked like last night, squirming beneath him. She swore and looked away, trying to distract herself with the sight of the hatchlings.

He huffed, satisfied. Getting her back, restoring her memories and magic, had taken an immense weight off his chest. Especially when he was already drowning in anxiety and guilt. So what if he used every possible opportunity between them to distract himself from the crushing fear that followed him everywhere.

He'd done the one thing no king before him had. He'd lost his kingdom. He'd failed.

Claire's head whipped around, her expression anxious. She glanced between him and the others, then blurted— "We're...uh...I need to practice, get back to my mage magic." No one appeared to have even heard her, so wrapped up in the excitement of the hatchlings.