Jovari the Blue

Chapter 8: One Condition

Battle Ground, Indiana

Talon stepped from the cornfield and right into Claire's path. She gasped and froze, her eyes going round as she gaped at him. He froze too, caught up in her gaze like he'd been snared. The sight of her standing before him, close enough to touch, felt so godsdamned right. He wanted to drag her into his arms, to kiss her, to bury his nose in her hair and inhale her scent. He wanted her so badly, every bone in his body ached.

It was careless to risk himself like this—he knew. He'd caught her taking an afternoon walk, and seen the opportunity for what it was. He might not get another chance like this for days. So he'd made his move.

Did she recognize him? After all this time agonizing, did she truly see him and know him? His heart pounded harder in his chest. Then—

"What—?! Who—?!" She took in his manner of dress, eyes drifting down his body, lingering on the sword currently strapped to his back. The blades in his bandolier. Something flashed over her features and her mouth opened. To scream? To shout for help?

I'm your mate! he wanted to cry. Instead, he held up his hands, placating. "Please," he found himself saying. Was that a shiver he noticed racing through her at the sound of his voice? "I...I just want to talk. Do you recognize me?"

Her brows drew together. She rubbed her chest, right over her sternum. Then her eyes narrowed and flashed and she said, "Is this some kind of sick joke? You show up here dressed all old-fashioned because you saw me on TV and thought it would be funny to play a game?"

He couldn't help the small grin that pulled on his lips. Gods, he'd missed this side of her, the side that didn't fear him when everyone else would have cowered or stammered their way through their words. But his lips flattened again almost as quickly. "I wouldn't joke about something like this. I came to bring you home—"

"I am home—"

"Your true home, Claire. With me, in Dragonwall."

She sucked in a sharp breath. "Dragonwall? You...you know about Dragonwall?"

"So, you remember something?" A flare of hope filled his chest and his pounding heart began to calm.

"No. I mean, I don't remember anything. But Irelia said—"

He blinked. "Irelia? Surely you don't mean Princess Irelia?"

Because that would be impossible.

Claire's lips parted and her head tilted. "You know her?"

"I know of her. Explain," he commanded. A mistake as soon as it was out of his mouth.

She drew herself up, then crossed her arms. "I don't owe you—"

The corn stalks behind him cracked and a voice said, "What our good king meant to say, was that Irelia disappeared from our world a long time ago, and is presumed dead. So he is confused as to how she could have said anything at all."

"Jovari," he warned.

Claire's eyes darted between them, taking them both in. "And who are you? Another supposed person from Dragonwall? How do I know this isn't some elaborate prank? Did someone tap our house and listen in on our dinner conversation last night? Is this all a joke to prove I'm some kind of—"

"This isn't a joke," both he and Jovari said in unison. Talon pinched the bridge of his nose then exhaled. "Look, there's a lot you don't remember, obviously. But I promise you, I can explain everything if you'd let me. You've been in our world for about a year, and then you were sent back here and your memories bound—your magic bound."