By the time she and Phrym crossed through the city gates and made their way to the stables, it was already late afternoon. She had spent the entire morning and a good part of the day outside of the city. She and Phrym must have ridden much farther than she had previously thought. Jahrra sighed as she handed her semequin off to the stable hand, knowing Jaax would be absolutely furious when she walked into the house at such a late hour after such a long night.
Jahrra shook herself. She wouldn’t let Jaax’s anger get to her, not when she had had such a wonderful morning after all. And that was something else Jahrra had to think about as she began the trek up the hill towards her home. She had to find a way to keep the knowledge of Denaeh’s presence away from Jaax. Again.
She had done it before, while living in Oescienne, but her life hadn’t been so complicated then. Jahrra snorted in laughter as her jaw cracked in a great yawn. Oh, how uncomplicated her life had been only a few measly years ago! Jaax was easy to handle then: he hadn’t been around. And although she had Eydeth and Ellysian and their nastiness to deal with, it wasn’t nearly as bad as Shiroxx and Rohdann and the politics that unfolded within the Coalition.
As she wove her way up the tree-adorned hill, trying to keep her eyes open as the weariness finally settled upon her, she went over the pros and cons in her head in regards to her Mystic friend. If Jaax found out about Denaeh and in turn discovered that she planned to stay in contact with her, she would have let him down terribly. But, if she turned her back on Denaeh she lost a potential source of information, information that could prove vital for herself and the Coalition.
Jahrra turned these thoughts over in her head and only when her boots began to crunch on the crushed gravel in front of her guardian’s estate did she finally come to a conclusion that should suit all parties: she would contact and interact with Denaeh only when necessary. No more sneaking off into the woods if she had a problem or disagreement with Jaax. She also decided that it would be in everyone’s best interest if she only divulged what information was essential to the Mystic. No more complaining, no more pouring out of her soul. Denaeh would only get what she asked for and maybe less, depending on the situation.
It was clear Jaax didn’t trust the Mystic but that didn’t mean Jahrra couldn’t, to some degree. Besides, if neither of them bothered to elaborate on why they mistrusted the other, then she couldn’t very well make a good judgment on who was more trustworthy than the other. She would respect Jaax’s good judgment but not to the extent that it forced her to disregard her own.
Although it was still relatively early, the lamps outside the grand house were lit and when Jahrra pushed open the smaller door Neira met her on the other side. The maid’s brown eyes widened in surprise before beckoning her inside. A fire was burning brightly in the main entrance room but no lanterns or candles flickered. Jahrra could detect the spicy hints of food in the air but there was no sign of Jaax anywhere. Jahrra had a feeling that was worse than finding him in the great room waiting for her.
“Where have you been!?” Neira hissed as she slid the bolt in the door behind her. “Master Jaax has been beside himself with worry!”
Jahrra felt herself pale a little. “I, I needed some air after that meeting and I lost track of time.”
“You needed the entire day to get some fresh air! Just wait until your guardian returns. I’ve never seen him in such a state!”
Neira was wringing her hands in the towel she kept hanging in the apron tied around her waist.
“He’s not here? Where is he?” Jahrra assumed he was just in his office.
“No,” Neira swallowed, “he’s–”
Her words were cut short by the sound of the great door scraping against the stones of the floor.
“We checked there, Jaax, at least three times.” The wearied voice belonged to Kehllor but it held a tinge of concern as well.
“Yes, but she could show up there at any moment. We have to look again.”
Jaax sounded strained, frantic, entirely not like his normal, controlled, dominating self. It actually frightened Jahrra. She swallowed and stepped forward, the light of the fire dancing over her figure.
Kehllor saw her first, his sharp eyes flashing and then melting in relief. He grinned and took a breath, “I think our worries are over.”
Jaax frowned and shook his head slightly then glanced over in her direction. The light in the room made it hard to read his expression but as soon as he saw her his composure visibly changed.
“Jahrra!” he breathed, rushing over to her as fast as he could in the limited space.
He lowered his head to her level and actually pressed his broad forehead against her body, closing his eyes and sighing deeply. Jahrra had no idea how to react to such behavior from him. She imagined that if he had been able, he would have grabbed her up in a hug and wouldn’t have let go.
Swallowing back a strange rush of emotion, she lifted a hand and placed it between her guardian’s eyes. “I’m okay Jaax,” she said in a strained voice. “Why did you ever worry yourself so?”
He breathed deeply and released it slowly, his hot breath warming Jahrra’s skin. Eventually, he lifted his head and gave her a scrutinizing look, one that was more familiar to her.
“Kehllor told me what Rohdann said to you after the meeting.”
His voice was rough and she could see the fire building in his eyes again.
Jahrra grimaced, then flushed. The sudden realization of just why they were so worried flooded through her. If Kehllor had heard every word of her exchange with the black Tanaan dragon and had repeated it to Jaax, then her failure to return home directly after the meeting would look very bad indeed. She felt absolutely terrible now, thinking about what she had put her friends and guardian through.
Jahrra shot Kehllor a pleading glance but the other dragon merely gazed into the fire as if it had sprouted a mouth and was now speaking to him.
“I didn’t think Kehllor heard everything that was said,” she grumbled.
Jaax stretched to his full height, sitting down and gesturing for Jahrra and Kehllor to do the same.
“He informed me that Rohdann made a few insults and a few threats, and,” his expression softened a bit, almost becoming a grin, “that you put him in his place.”
He wasn’t angry. Jahrra couldn’t believe it. Jaax wasn’t angry even though she had scared him half to death?
“You aren’t angry with me?” she said in disbelief.
“Oh, aye, I’m angry you forced yourself into the meeting and that you disappeared for several hours afterwards, without telling anyone of your whereabouts.”
Jahrra started to form an excuse but Jaax held up a clawed finger. “But I am not angry at what you said, to the Coalition on my behalf and to that parasite Rohdann afterwards. Perhaps I was wrong to ask you not to attend. You proved to our allies that you are capable of forming well balanced opinions and that you have the right to do so, considering you are the one expected to perform all the miracles when the time comes.”
He looked over his shoulder at Kehllor and the golden Tanaan just shrugged.
“I’m more angry at myself for not listening to you earlier. I’m sorry, Jahrra, for forgetting you are no longer a child.”