"Jaenor?" Rena’s voice broke through his thoughts.
"Are you all right? You haven’t said much since we left."
Jaenor looked up to find everyone watching him with concerned faces. "I’m fine," he said quietly. "Just tired."
But that wasn’t really true, and they all knew it.
Something had happened back in the village when Morgana took him to the side, something that had shaken him deeply.
Rena wanted to ask what it was, but something in his expression told her this wasn’t the time.
As the night grew deeper, the others rolled out their blankets and lay down to sleep.
The fire burned low, casting a warm glow over the camp.
Soon, only the soft sounds of breathing and the occasional pop from the dying fire could be heard.
Rena asked for Jaenor to sleep with her but he said he will join her later.
As he couldn’t sleep.
He sat by the fire, poking at the embers with a stick and watching the sparks fly up toward the stars. His mind was full of questions and worries that wouldn’t let him rest.
After what felt like hours, he heard soft footsteps behind him.
Morgana emerged from the shadows and sat down beside him on a fallen log.
"Couldn’t sleep?" she asked gently.
"Yes," he admitted.
"Too much to think about."
They sat in comfortable silence for a moment, both watching the fire.
Then Jaenor spoke the worry that had been weighing on his heart.
"You said that no Arkwright males were left alive," he said quietly.
"If you tell anyone that we’re related, then what happens? Won’t that put me in more danger?"
Morgana nodded thoughtfully.
"You’re right to be concerned. We should keep it hidden then. Don’t tell anyone about your heritage. Only you, me, and Darian know the truth."
Jaenor glanced over at where Darian was sleeping peacefully by the fire. "Do you trust him? Really trust him?"
"With my life," Morgana said without hesitation.
"He’s been my companion for fifteen years. He’s saved me more times than I can count, and I’ve saved him just as often. Trust doesn’t come easy to me, but Darian has earned it completely."
Jaenor was still cautious of them both. He didn’t really know them, and for the time being he needs to be mindful.
"There’s one more thing," Morgana said, her voice becoming more serious.
"When we’re traveling, if you ever see coven witches, hide as much as possible. Do not let them see you. Do you understand?"
"Why?" Jaenor asked, confused.
"Aren’t witches supposed to be wise women who help people?"
Morgana’s expression grew dark.
"Some are. But the coven witches are different. They don’t like men using The Origin power. They believe it should belong only to women, that men corrupt it somehow. To be blunt, they believe it’s their birthright, and seeing men using it, they think it will be tarnished."
She looked at the faint red glow that still flickered around his hands. "If they saw that power in you, they would try to take it away. Or worse."
A chill ran down Jaenor’s spine that had nothing to do with the night air. "How would they take it away?"
"There are... methods," Morgana said grimly. "None of them pleasant. And none of them leave the person alive afterward."
Jaenor stared at his hands, at the red haze that had seemed like such a gift when it helped him protect people.
Now it felt like a target painted on his back.
She raised her hand over Jaenor, and the red haze around Jaenor disappeared.
"For now, I made it disappear, but you still have to be careful."
Jaenor nodded, still an unease crept up.
"Don’t worry too much," Morgana said, noticing his expression. "Coven witches are rarely seen. But it’s good for you to know the danger."
She stood up and brushed off her cloak. "Try to get some sleep. Tomorrow we’ll continue south, toward safer lands. And Jaenor?"
"Yes?"
"You’re not alone in this. Whatever comes, we’ll face it together."
As she walked back to her bedroll, Jaenor felt some of the weight on his shoulders grow lighter. He was far from home, far from everything he knew, and carrying secrets that could get him killed.
He wasn’t sure how to feel exactly about Morgana.
Aunt? It felt weird for him to start calling her Aunt, and he wasn’t in a hurry either. He would take his time, knowing her and the powers inside him.
He poked the fire one more time, then finally got up and walked towards where Rena fell asleep.
He lay beside her and stared at the night sky.
Above him, the stars shone through the strange trees of this new land.
As he was staring at the starry sky, Rena moved and turned to him.
She put the blanket over him and said, "What were you talking with her about?"
"Nothing, she just asked if I was worried about my mother."
Rena put her head over his chest and said, "She will be all right, and they all will be."
"I know. But all of this seems...frustrating."
"Let me take away your frustration," Rena said as she moved her hand towards his pants and shoved them inside.
Jaenor’s eyes went wide, and he looked at others quickly; they were a little away from them, asleep.
He could hear Baren snoring.
Jaenor looked down at her. "Rena, I don’t think it is..."
He groaned as he could feel her fingers caught hold of his shaft, and within no time, it was hard and erect, poking out of his pants under the blanket.
She was moving her hands up and down, up and down. "Forget about everything, Jaenor. And look at me."
Jaenor tried to resist, but the sensation was overwhelming. Rena’s touch was too much to ignore, and he found himself giving in to her advances despite his initial hesitation. He closed his eyes, feeling her soft hands jerking him.
Rena’s soft voice whispered in his ear, "Just focus on us right now." Jaenor felt a rush of desire as he finally surrendered to the pleasure she was offering.
She kissed him deeply, her lips tasting of sweetness and temptation. Jaenor’s mind went blank as he allowed himself to be consumed by the passion between them.