Magical Lover Read Online Free PDF Page B

Watchers had lived among the Draconi for generations and planned to for generations more.
    Which told him nothing. Including why his friend insisted on claiming a woman from this backward town.
    Thoren ran a hand through his hair and glanced at Enar. “Promise me you won’t hurt her.” If Lily hurt, he knew Keara would too and keeping her pain-free seemed to be his new goal in life.
    “I don’t hurt women.” Enar glared. “So, you think Keara is the trace of magic you sensed, or do you think the Halfling boy is?”
    Way to change the topic, Enar. “I don’t know. I definitely sensed magic in this town, but it might have been Keara. Maybe we should search the town for the boy.”
    “Or not. That crowd was pretty riled up and might come back. And since the Council rules forbid you from turning into a dragon while on a mission and razing this town to the ground, we need to leave. The sooner the better. We’re returning with a Halfling female, so the Council will be pleased.”
    “As much as I hate to say it, you’re right. Keara’s safety comes first. We’ll leave as soon as she gets packed.”
    A creak of the stairs, the whisper of shoes on wood. Thoren turned his head and saw Keara creeping down the stairs. Her gaze caught his, dropped to her feet and rose slowly. That look shot through him like a punch to the gut, piercing through his resistance. Was she ill? Did she need his help? He needed to touch her, to calm her fears, to soothe the hurt her pain caused him.
    “What will you do with my bride price?” Her voice cracked.
    Leave it here? “We can’t take it. I’m sorry. We only have two horses.”
    “Then what can I take?” Her hands clasped in front of her waist.
    “One bag.”
    “One bag!” Fists slammed into her hips. “Are you crazy? How am I supposed to get all this,” she gestured around the room, “into one bag?”
    Was it too much to ask for a female to take one bag? He had sisters; he knew the request was outrageous. But they had no other choice. How was he supposed to get an entire store on a horse?
    “What about one bag for my personal items and one bag for store items?”
    Thoren glanced at Enar who shrugged. “All right. Two bags. How much of the store are you planning on taking?” On the other hand, the store was valuable. Even he, who knew next to nothing about herb craft, realized the value of the vials and potions lying on the shelves and cabinets.
    “As much as can fit in two bags. This is my life. I’m an apothecary.” Her forefinger circled her thumbnail, over and over. “What will I do in your land?”
    “You may do whatever you like. The priestesses have herb lore. You could talk to them.”
    “I would be allowed to do that?”
    “Of course. Why wouldn’t you?”
    She shrugged, her lips turning down.
    “Why don’t you go pack your things?”
    She took a deep breath and released the air with a sigh. “All right. But I’ll come back down and you can help me pack up the store.”
    “It’s a deal.”
    He watched the alluring swish of her hips as she climbed the stairs. Keara had the power to keep him from his mission, to keep him rooted in Draconia and enjoying every moment of it.
    Bugger it. The sooner he could drop her off, the quicker he could return to his love: his work as a spy.
    But with Keara in the picture, spying no longer seemed as pleasing.
    ****
    Keara paced the floor of her bedroom, running her hands through her hair, pulling the strands loose from her braid. Jamie sat on his pallet, his gray eyes watching her movements. Thoren wanted her to leave her home, her shop, the only place she knew. The town might not be welcoming to her, but the shop held memories of her life. How would she be able to pack that?
    And Lily. What would become of her friend? Enar frightened her, although she doubted he meant Lily harm. Would going with Enar be better for her friend or worse?
    She should be thankful that although Thoren didn’t consider them married, he still