Chapter 8

Duran stepped outside the keep the next morning after completing his meditations, into the still lingering thick humidity of the prior afternoon’s storm. The coming days were going to be trying and challenging, and he wanted to be as best prepared as he could be. A deep breath filled his lungs when he finally hit the outdoors and open sunlight, pushing energy into his muscles while keeping the worry of their journey and their plans to the background. Striding through the keep grounds, his goal was the tanner’s to find an arm strap before they left.

It amazed him as he noted all the activity surrounding him: how full the keep had become, the energy of life all around him now as many smiled and waved to him in greeting. The people who had first accepted the offers to be at the keep had adapted quickly, and more were finding a footing, also accepting Jayce and what he could mean for their futures. Their arrival had spurred more to investigate, which was good. It meant the stories going around about Jayce were positive. The truth about Lord Morrow’s heritage was taking hold and people were starting to feel hopeful again. He could sense the vibrations in the air, the unspoken energies filling a person’s soul. Life was still hard, life still had demands, but now there was a possibility for the future. A future that had only been told in the tales of their ancestors.

Open trade, wide alliances, deep friendships. All of this had been lost when King Bail had been murdered. The current ruling family didn’t have the fortitude or awareness of their own people’s plight to do the job, not to meet the demands of the people living to keep them on the throne, leaving the world in a kind of stasis, unmoving.

None of them truly had any idea how strong a tether Carden had on King Bucol, or as Master Theil had wondered, if he was even still alive. He was a young ruler, the only son of this generation, and had no heirs. The silence out of the castle in the last few years was unusual.

For these reasons, he knew this moment was where he was supposed to be. This was his trial. He knew it as well as he knew his own brown hair. He’d been goddess blessed with Remy and couldn’t be happier in the discovery of his familiar. The sun was up and slowly warming the air surrounding them. The signs of yesterday’s rains were everywhere in the damp walls and puddles but wouldn’t last long as the day progressed. He wondered what the world would look like by the time they returned. Would the seasons have changed? They were far enough north to have snow, yet it wasn’t for months. How much time will have passed while living three days of it? It was impossible to know. He’d never been to any other world, much less the land of the dragons. They existed. Knowing had always been enough for him.

Ruminating over the coming day and avoiding one of those leftover storm puddles, he hopped wide and almost tumbled over Royce when he appeared right in front of him. “I’m sorry!” he gasped, his face aflame as Royce’s fingers gripped his biceps to keep them both steady. A sudden inhale of air filled his lungs with the man’s scent, something wild and sun warmed that drove Duran crazy. He balanced on the ball of his foot to try to steady his weight. “I didn’t see you there.”

Royce’s lips quirked gently, not at all disturbed Duran had almost sent them both to the ground. “It happens. Where to this morning?”

Duran’s skin heated beneath Royce’s fingers; he was aware he was still holding him, nearly chest to chest. Goddess, how this man made his heart flutter when he was this close. He looked into pure azure sky eyes and wanted to sink into them. Unbidden, his own eyes tracked over his face, over broad features that smoothed to an almost baby-faced countenance. Sinking to his lips, the desire to taste them, to lean forward and close the gap between them almost overtook him before managing to shake some sense into his actions. “The tanner’s. I’d like an arm guard for Remy before we leave,” he replied, grateful his voice sounded normal, revealing none of his inner turmoil.

Royce took a step away, ensuring he was stable before releasing him. “May I join you?”

Duran nodded. “Of course. Rune hasn’t appeared yet, so we have time.”

Royce’s pace was loose and kind of slinky, soft-footed and nearly silent. He’d witnessed the grace and strength of his snow leopard the day before, low to the ground and compact but not lean. Much like the man. Strength oozed from defined muscles even if he was relying on memory to imagine the flat stomach and strong movements of his back. Did the cat take from the man? Or did the man resemble the cat?

He didn’t really see Cedri in the tiger form of his cat at first glance. Cedri was tall with dark blond hair and earthen brown, almond shaped eyes. He was taller than Royce and while he was broad in the shoulder, he was leaner. There was regalness in his tiger as well. Considering the comparison, maybe he could see Cedri in his tiger and vice-versa. Maybe there was more to the skin shifters than he’d originally believed. There’d been rare opportunity to get to know them. He was glad now for their friendship.

“Have you wondered what will happen here in the three days we’ll be gone?”

Duran’s feet stuttered then froze to a stop, not far from the tanner’s shed. He shouldn’t have been surprised when Royce’s thoughts mirrored his own. It made him realize Royce’s concerns were as deeply entrenched in Jayce’s success. A blush flared high on his cheeks under Duran’s perusal. “It would be a lie to say I hadn’t. Are you worried?” Duran asked.

“Aren’t you?” Royce seemed troubled, his eyes wide.

“To a point. The variable of time is something I can’t control,” Duran explained. “What part of it worries you the most?”

“Not knowing if we’re going to be coming back,” he said, then quickly evaded. Royce crossed his arms, putting up a wall between them now, as though he’d unwittingly allowed his worry to surface. “Never mind.”

But Duran caught him by his elbow before he could physically slip away. “No. It’s a possibility. Any of us could be hurt, or die,” he agreed, a shiver crossing his heart. He hoped speaking the truth wasn’t a bad sign. It was only a possibility and accepting wasn’t the same as asking the universe at large to make it happen. He hoped. “It’s also possible we will utterly fail and this is merely going to be a farcical travesty to be lamented for years to come.”

Thick, light blond hair swayed when he shook his head hard. “No! It can’t be. Can it?”

“That’s just it. I really don’t know. But I have to hope we will succeed. I have to believe we were given this challenge for a reason. I have to believe the goddess’s request and the information I was given had purpose. I have to have hope.” Duran noticed they were mostly alone in their area, so he leaned close to ask, “If you had one wish, one wish to see come true before we leave, what would it be?”

Royce gazed at him for what felt like an eternity. The silence hung between them, making him wonder if the other man would answer. What he asked for was not anything Duran was expecting.

“I want to kiss you.”

Duran blinked. “Me?” he chirped, completely taken by surprise even as his heart thumped in full agreement all over again.

Royce nodded, once. Firmly. “Yes. You. I’ve been trying to get you out of my head since we got here. Even my leopard wants to get closer. I can’t think around you, I can’t see straight unless I know where you are. It killed me to leave you in the woods, and I’ll always hate that I had to make the choice.”

Duran licked over his bottom lip, unable to avoid the tantalizing image of Royce’s kiss for himself now that it had been spoken. He could envision it so easily as he allowed himself to embrace the moment, the heat of wanting his kiss. With the awareness of a floodgate opening, his body shivered in reaction to the suggestion. It almost overpowered him; he had to fight the confusing reaction down. His request was so unexpected. It took him a moment to formulate a response. “And there is something wrong with wanting to give me a kiss?” Was there something wrong about being mage? About Royce being a skin shifter?

Royce stared him in the eye. “Now that I’ve got to know you, I’m not sure I’d be able to stop.”

Duran heard a buzzing in his ears as blood rushed like wildfire through his veins. Everything about this conversation, about these revelations from Royce should be creating a cold barrier between them.

They weren’t.

If anything, as achingly frustrating as it was, Duran had been craving the exact same thing now that he recognized the signs for what they were. Desire. The possibility of tasting this man was making his blood sing with wanting now that he knew Royce was craving as much as he was.

“And that would be your wish?” he asked, pushing the heaviness of want in his throat away with a hard swallow.

Royce met his gaze with bold eyes full of heat. “If I had the ability, yes.”

Duran countered, determined to not be ruled by whatever this was between them. He was stronger than this. “In three days’ time, when we return, I will grant your wish. My wish is to be able to return together so I can fulfill yours.” There. Now they had to both return, safely.

Royce studied him for a few seconds before a broad smile overtook his lips. “I see what you did there.” He nodded once in acceptance, then said, “Then let us complete your morning’s needs. After you?” He stepped gallantly to the side, permitting Duran to walk around him.

Duran led the way to the tanner, proving he was stronger, in charge of his own body’s wants. He kept his deeper doubts and thoughts hidden, scrabbling to keep his control wrapped around him. He wasn’t sure if he should be ecstatic he’d managed to avoid a catastrophe or if he was disappointed Royce had agreed so willingly to make them both wait.

What had he done? This one man, a skin shifter, had turned him absolutely inside out for days. And now he’d be thinking about Royce’s lips, about his kiss, when he was about to face dragons. Madness!

Duran’s attention was gratefully pulled upward and out of his thoughts when Remy glided over his shoulder to land on a tree branch right above their destination.

“Morning, love,” Duran called. “Did you have a good night?”

Whuu.

“Glad to hear it. You want to see the straps?”

Whuu.

“It’s almost like he understands you,” Royce offered, chuckling at the owl’s antics above them.

“In a way, he does.” Duran heard Remy’s laughter through their bond. A growing and deepening bond. Their conversation drew the ear of the tanner from the corner of his shed.

“Morning, master elf, sir.” He greeted both warmly, with a jovial smile. He wore a heavy leather apron over work stained clothing showing the marks and scratches of years of his labors. Brown hair was liberally scattered with gray, but it was the laugh lines around his eyes that tugged at Duran. It may have been a hard life, but this gentleman had a good life to share. “How can I serve this grand morning?”

“Are you Mikkon’s pap, Leto?” Duran asked.

“That I am,” he replied with a flash of concern in his wise gaze as he studied the pair. “That boy hasn’t gone and done a foolish, has he?”

“No.” Duran immediately put the older man’s fears to rest. “I need a strap for my arm, a bird bracer and he said you were the one to see.”

“Oh! Well, yes! That would be me.” He laughed with kind boisterousness. “Can’t help a father’s concern when his son’s name is mentioned.”

Duran and Royce both chuckled. “Your son is doing an exemplary job with his new position,” Duran offered to soothe ruffled father feathers.

“That’s good to hear! He was so excited when he was picked by Bankor. Now enough about the youngster.” He winked. “What kind of bracer were you lookin’ for?”

Duran held up his arm and detailed what he wanted. The etchings could be spelled to provide energy and strength to Remy whenever he was resting on the bracer. Excitement filled him as he went over the specifics of the design carvings. Leto grabbed a bit of charcoal out of one of his apron pockets and wrote down the details on a parchment, drawing out ideas as Duran described them. When Duran approved with a smile, he knew the work he was going to receive from Mikkon’s dad was going to be one of a kind.

When he was satisfied, Leto said with a confident smile, “That’s doable. Give me a few days for the cutting and etching.”

“Of course, but if you have a strap for right now, I’d like to buy it as well.”

Leto shuffled into the space and lifted stacks of cut leather. “Hmm… I have a strip of tanned hide leather here. Where did I see it?” he muttered as he moved skins and stretched leather out of his way. “Aha!” He tugged until the length popped free where it was half buried. “Let me see your arm.” They fussed and then Leto took it to the back to cut and smooth the edging and punch holes for the tie. “Not as pretty as some, but serviceable until I can get you the piece you want made.”

“This is perfect.” Duran twisted his arm to ensure the leather cords were well knotted and tucked out of the way and wouldn’t impede movement. “Remy,” he called. The owl drifted down to perch atop the front counter. He hopped around to inspect the stained leather then twisted away with a flourish of wings.

Whuhuhu.

Duran laughed. “I know, but I’m getting you a nice one made. I promise.”

“A fussy pet, huh?” Leto asked, following the interaction with curiosity.

“Not a pet, but yes, he has his own tastes.” Duran laughed when Remy extended and fluffed his wings boldly. Duran smiled through his laughter, hearing him loud and clear. “Don’t take that tone with me; you know perfectly well I’m right. The one he’s making will be beautiful, you’ll see.”

Royce chuckled. “Spoiled,” he murmured.

Duran shrugged, grinning unrepentantly. What could he say? His familiar was a special little beastie who got what he wanted. He paid for the straps saying, “I’m leaving today to attend to a duty for Lord Morrow. If you don’t see me for a while, don’t worry. I’ll be able to pick up the new bracer when I return.”

Leto bobbed his head. “Not a worry. I’ll be happy to hold it for you.”

“I can’t wait to see the finished work. Thank you again.” They shook. Duran faced Royce. “Breakfast yet?”

“I haven’t.”

“Let’s eat then we’ll see when Rune will be ready.”

They were chatting at the dining hall table over nearly empty plates when Rune and Jayce appeared. Jayce was reservedly quiet. Duran’s gaze flicked between them. There was an edge to both, a strain they were attempting to hide. The separation was going to be hard on them. They’d already faced so much together. And Jayce would be without his first counsel for some time. Not knowing if Rune would return had to be among the hardest aspects they would face so early in their relationship.

“Morning Duran, Royce,” Jayce offered, taking his seat at the table, Rune immediately on his right. He reached and squeezed Rune’s hand briefly before calling to the kitchen.

Royce replied, “Morning my lord, Master Rune.”

Duran smiled. He knew Royce was a keen type of soul. He understood the dynamics required when there could be witnesses. He reached below the table and cupped one of Royce’s hands to gently hold it for a few seconds before he could argue the urge. A single moment of connection made his soul sing. He didn’t know what the future would bring for himself and Royce, but what he was learning appealed to him greatly. And wasn’t that confusing all on its own?

Two ladies from the kitchen brought out warmed plates of food to place among those on the table already. Even with a mostly full stomach, the fresh wave of warmed bread and broiled meats were still making his mouth water.

After Jayce took his fill, Rune did the same. “Been to the tanner this morning?” Rune asked before he bit into a roll, motioning a hand toward his arm.

“Yes. I’m having a special one done for Remy.”

“That owl is a character,” Royce offered with a teasing nudge, elbow to elbow. Duran nodded. Remy was definitely his own kind of special.

“They usually are,” Rune offered with a knowing smile. “Iba has been a part of me for a very long time. They are extraordinary in their own right, and we will never forget that.”

“Do all mages earn familiars?” Royce wondered.

Rune and Duran both shook their heads. Rune motioned to include Duran as he said, “No. Not all magic is compelled by nature. A familiar strengthens a user’s bond to their magic if they draw from nature’s sources. Though I’ve always believed it’s more a blessing than a compulsion merely because I have natural magic.”

“Natural magic?” Royce was nibbling through the remnants on his plate while absorbing every word said. Duran’s heart was bursting with Royce taking such an interest in the mages surrounding him, to learn about them.

“I can commune with the living force of most rooted plants and trees.” Rune nodded toward Duran to continue the explanation.

“And I can see a natural energy aura around people. It’s rare.”

“Yet you’re both fire mages, isn’t that right?” Royce’s gaze flicked between them.

Duran answered. “Yes. That is our elemental mage magic. Natural magic can appear in anyone: elf, human, fae. Witches are usually very strong with nature. It’s believed the reason some mages are found by familiars is because of the strength of their natural magic, as familiars are very common with witches and healers.”

“I had no idea. This is fascinating to hear firsthand. Shifters have our animal half, and we’re born with it, from our parents, as our mother’s animal bears dominance. They’re strong souls in their own right, but it’s a partnership, I guess. We can’t control any magics, though the shift has a magic of its own. Contorting like we do wouldn’t be possible without it as we take on every part of the animal we become.” He rolled a shoulder then focused on Rune when he started to speak.

“I didn’t know much about shifters either until your group joined us,” Rune offered. “Most are reclusive. I imagine for many necessary reasons.”

Grayson walked into the dining hall with Ulcieh and Cedri right behind, taking their seats at the table to also join in the meal. Leodinn and Brin were scant seconds behind, filling the table to nearly full and the room with their presence. Duran was glad to see everyone together before they left. Then he realized none of the guards were present.

“Where are your other guards?” Duran asked, looking around the room and only seeing his friends.

Jayce’s smile drooped a few degrees. “They’ll be more visible later.”

Royce poked him. “He wanted to be alone with his man,” he said in an aside, flashing a teasing grin toward Jayce.

Jayce snickered. “Well, he’s not wrong,” he pointed out to Rune who was scowling from across the table. He leaned close and said something privately into Rune’s ear that widened his eyes. He then lowered between his shoulders and laughed, his frame trembling with his mirth.

Duran couldn’t believe what he was seeing. Master Rune was blushing! He popped a bit of food into his mouth to stifle the urge to ask what had been said. Though for as long as he’d known Rune, he’d never seen him as happy as he’d been since he’d finally accepted his feelings for Jayce.

“When everyone is done here, please meet in the antechamber for a quick gathering.” Jayce’s frame was tight when he stood sometime later, Rune following to reach his feet when they were done with their food. The visible tension on his face said everything without saying a single word.

It was time.