After I fled Hastrior, the bards that I passed in my Journeying told the same tale of Fraser. How he’d stayed long enough to raid Hastrior’s coffers of as much coin and riches as he could load onto Mayhem before sailing off into the horizon.

That was that last thing I knew to be true of Fraser.

Anything else was an unconfirmed rumor.

From the personal journal of Ozora

Dean of Magics

The Bestiary

****

With magesight, I could see Fraser rise when I heard the chair shatter. Gordon shrieked “No!” and the splash of his feet as he skidded to a stop next to the bench sent another chill wave surging over me.

My head spun as his hands snatched me off the bench and swung me across his chest, clutching at me with one arm.

“Step away from her Gordon.” Fraser’s voice was calm and deliberate.

“Seems more like you should step back.” Gordon’s answer rumbled where he held me pressed to his chest.

“You know you won’t leave here alive if you harm her.” Fraser’s voice softened. Not pleading. Advising Gordon to think carefully about his next action. “Let her go, and let’s talk.”

Gordon’s shoulder shook, and his fingers dug into my arm. I grunted, but it couldn’t make it past the gag. Squirming did nothing but cause his arm to flex and fingers to clutch ever tighter. My groan gurgled at the back of my throat.

Done with this! I summoned my numin once more, sending into the second talisman Cleobah had pulled for me to wear.

One I made for women, to protect them against anyone who might try to take advantage of them. It makes the wearer feel hot as a forge to anyone touching them. Anywhere. Instantly. It won’t burn clothing, and the wearer feels nothing. Only the assailant.

Like the rain talisman, this one activated by touch, but I’d bespelled it so all the wearer had to do was will it. No chants or extra touches needed.

Gordon reacted predictably.

He screeched in my ear and threw me off as fast as possible. I tensed for impact and thudded into Fraser. We still fell, but he took the brunt of it, rolling us both.

I heard a few splashes, sounding like footsteps running away, then nothing but Fraser’s ragged breathing as he held me tight against him. Both of us trembling, waiting.

Nothing happened.

For two breaths, we waited. Three. Then Fraser’s fingers fumbled to pull off my blindfold and remove my gag. I saw his scruffy face for only a moment before his mouth crashed into mine. Time seemed to stop, and I knew nothing but the taste of him, his lips scorching against my own.

Too soon, he stopped, crushing me to him with both arms, his voice hoarse in my ear.

“Ozora. Ozora.”

The rain cascaded over us. His arms tight around me, slick and warm, held me close, trembling as he murmured my name again.

My heart overflowed. I wanted to cry with relief, with joy, with gratitude that we were both whole and together.

His arms relaxed. “I need to get those ropes off you.” He picked me up, then set me on the bench and went looking for a knife, returning within moments.

Once he’d freed my hands, I grabbed his head and dragged him to me. The knife clattered to the floor as his hands slid round my waist and around my back.

Oh sweet goddess, how could I ever doubt this man held my heart? Aching regret coursed through me that I’d nearly destroyed us. Pain mingled with joy sent tears coursing down my cheeks, hidden in the drenching rain.

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His lips brushed my chin, then the shell of my ear before he pressed a series of kisses down my throat, leaving a hot line trailing toward my breasts. His hands came up to cup them, caressing my nipples through the thin, wet linen. My senses reeled, chasing away thought. All that mattered was him, the feel of his wet, slick skin under my seeking fingers, and the pouring rain seeming to make us one.

The ground shook and a thunderous roar rocked the little house, shaking it so hard Fraser was knocked off balance and had to put one hand on the wall behind me to steady himself.

I groaned with frustration.

He laughed, then ducked his head to murmur in my ear. “Don’t worry, I’m not done with you. Just wait.” Delicious tingles ran through me. Gorgeous blue eyes dancing, he added. “I’m going to have a word with that damn dragon about her timing.” Retrieving the knife, he sliced through the ropes around my ankles and offered me his hand as he rose. Glancing upward, his lips quirked into a sly smile. “Want to shut off the waterworks? Or does it quit on its own?”

I reached for the rain talisman, too fast and clumsy, I fumbled with it before stopping the downpour.

Sitting there, staring up at his handsome, grinning face, I was tongue-tied like a schoolgirl, unable to say anything. I hadn’t expected to live through the night once I woke up bound.

I didn’t know what to say to him. Knowing what I did now, after all I’d done. I’d have been crushed by it except he was here, looking at me with laughter in his brilliant gaze.

“I’m so sorry, Fraser!” It was all I had, and the words tumbled from me, rolling like awkward toddlers. It wasn’t enough. What would be?

I hadn’t budged from the bench. Could only look up at him and hope that his kiss meant he forgave me. The laughter faded from his eyes, replaced by something both tender and fierce. My eyes welled as he sank to his knees in front of me. Somehow, he understood what my simple apology meant.

I was sorry for sinking his ship and our relationship.

I was sorry for hating him all these years.

I was sorry for being a snotty bitch to him during these last couple of weeks of training.

“I know.” He whispered as he leaned in. His lips were gentle and soft, a promise that we could do better this time.

“Are you alive in here?” Taenya’s voice came through the door Gordon had left open in his haste a moment before she strode in. The concern in her voice brightened to mirth when she saw us entwined. “Definitely alive. Good news!” She flung up her hands in celebration. “Cassyrra’s got the men outside penned up. Why don’t you come out and let’s get this sorted?”

****

In the end, I cast a teleportal and Fraser’s crew took Gordon and the rest into custody, loading them aboard Mayhem and locking them in the brig. The sun was coming up by the time we returned to the keep, and breakfast already set out for us. I silently blessed Grace and her family.

“What do we do with them?” I asked, sipping my sparkling water and juice. None of us had yet sought our beds, lingering over the remains of our meal.

++ That is a question for another time. They are bespelled. Those implanted sigils are still linked to the Duke but the blocking spell I’ve cast around Mayhem should blind His Grace to their whereabouts. ++ Cassyrra’s deep, motherly voice was stern. ++ Now that we know how this city has been attacked and who did it, we can look at how to counter the Duke. ++

“We must erase all those sigils around Hastrior.” Cleobah said. “The question is how, without tipping our hand.”

++ Indeed, Cleobah. We must tread carefully. ++ The dragon’s tone was solemn.

“At least now we know how this mage school ties in with protecting the East against the Empire.” I said. “Gordon tipped their hand.”

“I always knew.” Cleobah muttered.

“Yes, and about that.” I started. “Where were you while I was getting knocked out?”

“All the time streams, remember?” I so disliked her smug and dismissive excuse. Especially when she paired it with that ruffle of feathers across her leonine shoulders. “I knew how it ended for you two. And I went and got the muscle.” She pointed one wing in Cassyrra’s direction.

“You can all keep talking, but I’m for bed.” Taenya rose and stretched. “I don’t expect I’ll be out till well after noon. We’ll regroup once we’re all rested.” She turned and headed for her tent, but shouted over her shoulder. “Rested! I mean it! Don’t wear each other out.” She could barely get through her words without laughing and walked off.

Fraser had been sitting a few feet away on the couch next to me, but when Taenya left, he eased his arm around my shoulder. “Beat it Cleobah.”

“Did you not hear her?” The sphinx shot back, but she was laughing too. “Just take it back to your tent.”

Eyes like a tropical sea lit when he looked deep into mine.

“Mine’s closer.” I threaded my fingers through his turquoise and cobalt locks. They’d dried in stiff curls that softened under my touch. His expression shifted instantly to mischievous. I didn’t hold back the laughter that burst out when he lifted me in his arms and crossed the short distance to my tent. I’d left the flap tied open.

“Not letting you get away again.” His arms tightened as he stooped, then straightened, ducking through the entrance. “You’re stuck with me. Whether that’s here, learning magic, or ferrying you on your Journeys. You best get used to it.”

He barely fit and had to bend his head to avoid brushing the top of the tent, even this close to the center pole. With my hand around the back of his head urging him, we kissed. Long, slow strokes of his tongue danced with mine like he had all day to taste and explore.

This was not enough. Not nearly.

I pulled back long enough to say, “Put me down—” His growl cut me off, but I laid my hand over his mouth and added, “just trust me.”

I was on my feet in the next second.

“No one better fucking interrupt…”

“Don’t worry.” Snapping my fingers, I cast a forcewall shield around the tent, ensuring it glowed even to regular vision. “No one’s getting through that.”

We ignored the rest of the world for a while, lost in each other. His touch was so familiar, as was his body under my seeking hands. It was as if no time had passed between us.

It was like coming home.

One I never wanted to leave.

****