Page 26 of Dragon Unbound (Dragon Kings 3)
Chapter Ten
Cullen was so used to having magic, he forgot that not everyone could wield it as they pleased. Once it had been pointed out to him, he was more amazed than ever that the trio had managed to elude capture and remain alive, all while rescuing the children.
“These ruins should be shielded from others finding it. I can do that,” he offered. “It will ensure that those inside remain safe.”
“That would be amazing,” Sian said excitedly.
At the same time, Jenefer said, “We don’t need that.”
Tamlyn sighed and shot Jenefer a hard look. “Don’t be stupid. This isn’t just about us. It’s about the children.”
“Think about it,” Sian said as she turned to look up at Jenefer. “No soldiers or those without magic will be able to find us. We can stay here for as long as we want. You’re always worried about someone getting in one of the other entrances and finding us. This will take that burden off you.”
The fury tightening Jenefer’s face told Cullen that he was making matters worse, not better. That’s when he realized he was stepping on her toes. She was the one who had protected the other two. His solution took her out of the equation. He had no intention of returning to the other side of the barrier without completing his missions. Which meant he had to fix this.
“You’ve done a fine job protecting this place, Jenefer,” Cullen said. “Let me help so you can put your focus on other things.”
Tamlyn smiled at Jenefer. “You’d finally be able to sleep the entire night instead of patrolling all the time.”
“You can spend more time training Tamlyn and me,” Sian added.
Tamlyn then said, “And hunt. I know how you love to hunt for food.”
Sian looked from Tamlyn to Jenefer and nodded. “This place is huge. With the shield in place, we could spend more time together.”
“Fine,” Jenefer bit out, but she didn’t seem as angry as before.
Cullen would have to tread carefully around the warrior. “I doona want to cause contention.”
“Too late,” Jenefer replied sharply.
“Use me and my magic,” he continued, ignoring her words. “What you three have done has worked, but from what I witnessed this morning, that could end quickly. It’s the bairns that matter.”
Something he said worked because Jenefer’s expression softened. She looked at Sian and took her hand. Sian smiled brightly and rose on tiptoe as the two shared a kiss.
When Cullen looked at Tamlyn, she mouthed, “Thank you.” He smiled in reply. This was a small victory, but he knew that Jenefer wouldn’t make it easy. There would be other obstacles, and he would get over them when they cropped up.
Jenefer caught his eye. “Can you shield this place now?”
Cullen nodded as he called up his magic. With a thought, he put a protective defense around the entire compound. “It’s done.”
“Oh,” Sian replied, disappointment on her face. “I thought we’d get to actually see the magic.”
Jenefer quirked a blond brow. “How do we know you actually did it?”
“The shield is invisible, much like the one dividing the humans’ land from the dragons’. We will be able to see the entrances, but no one else will,” he explained.
Tamlyn’s lips curved into a soft smile. “Thank you.”
“Will this shield actually keep people out, or can they walk through it like we can walk through to the dragon’s side?” Jenefer asked.
“Jenefer,” Tamlyn admonished.
Cullen held up his hand to Tamlyn. “She has a right to her questions, and it’s a legitimate one. It’s the same type of barrier we use around our home on Earth. Others will be compelled to stay away, but if they want to get through badly enough, they will. If that happens, I’ve made it so we’ll all be alerted to that fact.”
“Thank you,” Jenefer said after a brief pause. Then she turned on her heel and walked away.
Sian beamed at him. “She won’t admit it, but you’ve taken a great weight off her shoulders. Thanks.”
He returned her smile before she followed Jenefer out of the courtyard. Leaving him alone with Tamlyn once more. Cullen liked her company. Her tenacity and bravery astounded him. To have put her life on the line again and again without the use of magic to defend herself shocked him to his very core.
“What?” she asked with a frown. “You’re staring.”
“I made the mistake of assuming you had magic to defend yourself. When Sian pointed out that neither of you were able to do that, it made me think how you’ve put yourself in danger by going after the children.”
Tamlyn shrugged. “I have to. If I don’t, they’ll die.”
“Even so, you’ve lost some, have you no’?”
“Yes,” she said softly.
He walked to the opening in the wall and sat before motioning for her to join him. “These priests must know someone is taking the children.”
“They do, but they don’t know who.”
“How do you get into the temple?”
Her lips twisted as she sat beside him. “I climb the temple wall after I sneak into the city.”
“You do what?” he asked in disbelief.
“I can’t exactly walk inside the temple. The priests are everywhere. I’d never get past them to get upstairs to where the kids are kept at the top.”
Cullen rubbed his forehead in agitation. “Tell me the wall isn’t verra high.”
“I can, but it’d be a lie.”
