Forged in Magic by B A Tortuga

Author:B A Tortuga [Tortuga, B A]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781951532697
Publisher: Turtlehat Creatives
Published: 2020-05-10T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 12

Jericho knew it was just before dawn when he woke.

Owen was no longer sleeping beside him, but Stella was kicking restlessly, and Asta was cooing. Someone was coming. He turned his face toward the door, listening hard. A creaky wagon.

It was the day.

He refused to mourn. He had more than he deserved. He’d come home. He’d had time with his Owen. Now he needed to pay for the gifts he’d been given.

Jericho rose, pulling on the clothes they’d cast aside at some point last night.

He didn’t hear Owen, so his lover must have woken already. He tugged on his kit, swallowing hard to keep his panic at bay.

Owen’s boots scraped on the floor as he came in through the lean-to. “Hey, sleepyhead.”

“Owen. I’ll be dressed in a second.”

“Okay. Barthe is rolling in.”

He nodded. He’d heard.

Stop it, child. We love to go. You know that. We will rescue the children and come home for good.

“Shut up, Stella.”

“Is she being calm and cool?” Owen’s voice held laughter.

“Of course. This doesn’t faze her at all.” Evil old wonderful bitch.

“She’s something else. Asta has been agitated. Stella knows.”

“She’s smarter than all of us combined.” And he knew it. Unquestioningly.

“She is.” Owen grunted. “Taking these bags outside.”

“I love you.” It seemed important to confess, as they may not get a chance to do it again.

“Love you, critter. We need to ride.”

“I know.” He pulled his kit together, leaving the house to slip in to saddle up his beloved one. “Are you ready?”

I would follow you into Hell itself, Jericho. I will never leave you behind.

Thank you, dear heart. I love you so. She was such a part of him, seeped into his bones. Maybe it was deeper even. Stella had soothed his soul when he hadn’t had a hope.

Now he had to have faith, blind faith. The idea made him laugh.

That was awful.

I know! It was worth it.

Silly man.

“Good morning to you, Jericho. You look better than when I saw you last.”

“Thank you, Master Healer.” He felt unsure. How was he supposed to yammer on with someone he’d never seen?

“It’s a good day to start an adventure. I asked the bones, and that was what they said.”

“Excellent. Hopefully they said we’d come home successfully.”

“That part I didn’t test yet.” Barthe chuckled, the sound a bit nervous.

“No. No, that’s a ways away. Do you have a guardian as well?”

“I do. His name is Lain.” Barthe sounded so proud. “He’s in the wagon, since I try to keep him rested. He’s a ferret.”

“Lain. This is Stella. She’s amazing.” He put Stella’s blanket on her, her saddle.

He heard a chitter and a few clicks.

He’s very sweet.

The ferret or the healer?

Both, but I meant Lain.

You’re not allowed to like the healer more than me, he teased.

I said he was sweet, not that I wished to follow him home. Her wry tone made him laugh.

I need to find you some fine stallion—a mustang.

Bah. I do not need a mate.

“Are you two talking about us?” Owen asked, laughter in his voice.

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