Jasmin part 19

ALDREK

Jasmin is excited about our incoming trip, but I am hesitant. I will be out of my element, on land I don't know, surrounded by people I don't want to talk to. Jasmin is the only person I care to converse with. She brings me happiness.

But we will go. I must keep my word.

The night comes, and Jasmin breathes heavily beside me. I stare at the glittering sky, unable to rest. I feel uneasy. Paranoid. Now that I have Jasmin, I fear waking up and losing her.

When the sun begins to rise hours later, I finally allow myself to rest for a few hours. When I hear footsteps approaching in the morning, I jump off the bed I stalk toward the door. I crouch and wait for an enemy to barge in. There's nothing, so I return to my angel, that sleeps on the bed.

I let her rest for as long as possible and then woke her with kisses across her soft safe. She smiles, and although I want to stare at her all day, we have to get going.

I order a bath and breakfast platter to be brought up and give her privacy to bathe. There is little to pack, so we are quickly in the misty backyard, walking into the unknown.

I shift to my full form and watch Jasmin closely. Her childish amazement is adorable. She runs a full circle around me, gaping. If I could laugh in this form, I would, but all I can do is puff my chest proudly. My female's astonishment is flattering.

She climbs atop me, and I wait patiently for her to get comfortable. There's a flat spot in my back free of scales. All males have this, as we were made to be ridden by our females. I never thought I would fly anyone on my back. This is a first.

I take off slowly and don't fly too high for Jasmin's sake. The trip is long, and I doubt we will make it today.

Things are peaceful for the first few hours. The wind is cool, and Jasmin is safe atop me. But I see two fathers of fire flying below me, and their presence is unwelcome.

I have a bad feeling about their sudden appearance, and I want them gone. With my claws outstretched, I blow a wave of fire. They quickly turn to evade it. One circles and leaves, but the other climbs higher.

He's smaller than me, so I have no fear of defeat, but I don't want him anywhere near Jasmin.

I clench my gut and blow another gust of flames, more ferocious and extended. It drains me of energy and focus, but I hold steady. I fly in a circle for thirty consecutive seconds and set the sky on fire.

The male finally gives up, unable to break through my wall of flames. They would have to be blessed by a god to defeat me. He goes after his companion, confirming my fears that they had been trying to ambush me. I don't carry any jewels other than Jasmin. They wanted her.

I fly towards the mountain for cover. I look back repeatedly, but I don't see them.

I land and let Jasmin slide off me. Already, she's rambling with questions and trying to check me for injuries.

I shift back and hug her against my nude body. She's trembling, unused to the violence.

"I'm fine," I assure her. The only thing I feel is rage.

How dare they try to ambush me? I'm a fucking cage-fighting master and possessive of Jasmin. Did they think I would let them take her and not evaporate the sky?

"Aldrek…"

I relax my hold on her. "They were after you," I say and scan the distance. "I am not surprised."

"What do we do now?"

"I'm going to have to fly faster and harder. I don't know where they appeared from. Can you hold on to me tighter?"

She nods vigorously. I hate how concerned she looks. This morning, she had been so thrilled about this damned trip.

I'm tempted to leave her for a few minutes to chase down those fools and rain their ashes upon Le'vris. But I must get Jasmin to safety.

I shift back and let her climb. Then, I soar high. I try to navigate the air currents smoothly, but I can only do so much. For hours, I fly. There are no more ambushes, but I remain on high alert. It's night when I spot our destination. There are torches lit in a circle formation.

I land, and a father of fire descends in half-form.

"Who the flames are you?" He asks before locking eyes with Jasmin.

He's surprised.

I exhale, blowing a guff of hot air. That's the only warning I offer because I'm itching for a fucking fight.

He looks irritated, but his attention moves back to Jasmin when she climbs off my back.

He squints. "Jasmin?"

This day just keeps getting better and better, doesn't it?

"Where is Madam Cuero?" She asks, staying close to me.

"On her way." He smiles at her. "It is good to have you back. Errol will be pleased."

"Errol will be ducking dead!" I interject and step up to the male that is so eager to dismiss me.

He scowls at me, and I stand toe-to-toe with him. If he wants to fight, I will bring him a coffin.

“Aldrek,” Jasmin calls for me.

I want to disengage, but violence is calling my name.

"Jasmin! Oh, sweetheart, what are you doing here?"

An older woman in a long blue nightdress runs towards us.

"No, boys! Don't fight!" she scolds.

Boys?

The other male steps away from me, and I remain where I am, almost disappointed he didn't swing a fist.

Jasmin embraces the unknown woman.

“Madam Cuero, this is Aldrek.”

"Ah, yes. Crux's neighbor. How have you been?" Cuero asks.

I don't have time for pleasantries. I need to get Jasmin food and shelter. "My female needs a room."

Jasmin makes a sound at the back of her throat– likely of embarrassment. I'm not concerned by this. My priority is to take care of her.

Cuero looks unphased by my curtness. "Of course, but I should warn you… Errol is still on these grounds. You might see him, Jasmin."

With my inner fire still raging, I roll my shoulders. I want to meet this famous Errol, so he knows he has been replaced.

"Lead the way to him," I tell Cuero.

This breaks her out of her collected demeanor. "I don't think that's a good idea. You are agitated."

Hell, yes, I'm bloodthirsty after today's attack. I don't like knowing there is another dragon smoking to see Jasmin. I must tell him that I'm here, ready to bear all my teeth for her.

"We won't see him," Jasmin says. "Not now, Aldrek."

She sounds firm, and I'm proud of her for it.

I snag an arm around her and hug her, sniffing her neck without caring who is looking.

"Fine," I cave. "I will not seek him out."

"There is no need to," the other father of fire says. "He is coming."

I toss my head up and scan the dark skies. There he is. Errol is flying toward us in his half-form.

He just made this way easier for me.

I shift and meet him mid-air.

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