Ezkai Bjorn is offering JaxhisEzkai leathers?
My Ezkai accepting Jax as the Blood Sentineal should make this easier. But instead…it only tightens the grip of anxiety’s claws around my chest.
Jax takes the bundle. “Thanks.”
“These are not Ezkai leathers,” Bjorn grunts. “Just leather. Don’t get the wrong idea. You’re the only one going with the General. So, you must serve her proper.”
Jax nods and with a whirl on his heel, heads out.
I exchange a glance with Ezkai Bjorn. He’s steady as rock, keeping his oaths and promises to guard me with his life seriously. I can’t find the right words to express the gratitude.
Thankfully he saves me. He presses a fist to his chest and bows at the waist. “Farewell, General. May your hunt be successful.”
“Thank you, Ezkai Bjorn,” I say and he leaves.
Ezkai Emil approaches next and offers me his respects, too. When he straightens his back, he wears an easy smile. “We’ll be waiting for you and your dragon, General.”
I return a smile. “Thanks, Ezkai Emil.”
He leaves me with the three monks in the stables to wait for Jax.
Uneasiness crawls under my skin with each passing second. Midnight’s red eyes are on me, and I swear, if he wasn’t a horse, I’d say he’s sneering at me.
With a sigh, I turn my back to the stallion.
Elder Arcon meets my gaze. “Remember, General, dragons honor strength and power. But they hold vulnerability in equal regard.”
“Got it,” I say with a nod.
Not sure I agree with the monk. The Order of Ezkai is built on honor and power. The trials I fought to win were built on bloodshed and death. Not sure Ekios leaves much room for vulnerability.
But I don’t argue with him. There’s no time, nor is there a point.
Finally, Jax returns, dressed in Ezkai Bjorn’s old leathers.
He’s strikingly handsome on any regular day. I noticed it a long time ago, and accepted how unfortunate that is, too. But in Ezkai leathers…While he still holds that same nonchalant mischievous aura around him, Jax looks like…a protector. A soldier who won’t hesitate to strike.
I’ve never seen him like that. Not until this moment.
He approaches Midnight and with ease, hoists himself into the saddle. Sitting atop a powerful horse, with his wide shoulders and muscular frame, Jax is a lethal weapon.
It takes me a moment to realize I’m staring at him.
When he quirks an eyebrow at me and says, “Ready, General?” I snap out of it.
I clear my throat and grab the reins of Luna. “Yes. Let’s head out.”
Once I lead Luna out of the stables and hop into my saddle, Elder Arcon approaches me and says, “Head north until you come across the feeding grounds. From there, you can identify your dragon and track it to its den.”
I nod and lightly squeeze Luna’s sides with my calves. Luna strides forward, and the monastery fades into the morning fog behind us.
CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE
JAX
The forests surrounding the monastery are lush, and vast. After a couple of hours traveling north, the wide path we follow narrows to where we have to ride one after another because there’s not enough space for two.
I take the reins and lead, with Nix riding not far behind me. She’s lost in thought for most of the day. I leave her be.
