Before Jasper could think more about Viktor, Jasper felt his father’s approach way before Kade was even visible to the group. Kade had a certain aura about him that Jasper could distinguish anywhere. Whenever Kade was near enough to sense, Jasper felt reassured; it was though safety and the promise of a warm embrace were on the horizon.
His parents always told him that he was blessed with the gift of intuition, but this intuition only seemed to apply to Jasper’s family members. He could always sense his fathers and brother when they were near.
Jasper tuned out whatever it was that Eden was saying to Viktor and turned around to scan for his dad. Sure enough, it took less than a minute before Kade was visible on the path coming from the direction of their home. Jasper watched as Kade faltered for a moment and then picked up his pace to a brisk trot, reaching the group in no time.
“Jasper,” Kade’s voice seemed to rumble. Eden’s rambling instantly ceased at the single utterance of Jasper’s name. Even Cora, who Jasper knew had long checked out of the conversation about the Dragonguard, snapped to attention. Viktor, however, appeared delighted at the newest addition to their little group. A wild grin spread across Viktor’s face as Kade’s hand clasped Jasper’s shoulder.
“Kade! It’s been so long!” As soon as Viktor took a step towards father and son, a low tremor ripped through the earth below their feet. Eden let out a surprised yelp and grabbed onto Cora, but it was Viktor’s reaction that differed so starkly from what one would expect at a minor quake.
Viktor’s eyes locked onto Kade and the grin that had reflected amusement mere seconds ago switched to something way more menacing.
“Was that an earthquake?” Viktor asked, pressing forward. Kade also took a step forward, but not to gain distance; only enough to strategically place himself just slightly in front of Jasper. Kade’s hand tightened on Jasper’s shoulder, his unspoken threat to Viktor clear as day: not another step closer to my son.
“I haven’t felt one of those in a while,” Eden piped up, trying her best to capture Viktor’s full attention again. But Viktor was of singular focus.
“Neither have I. And certainly not in Lumen. How interesting.”
“You have some goddamn nerve showing your face here. You’re not welcome in Lumen, so get the hell out of here before I call on our patrol to show you the way out,” Kade spoke through gritted teeth.
“Now is that any way to speak to the man who will be responsible for your son once he’s part of my collection?”
The tension in the air seemed to envelop everyone except Jasper, who patted Kade’s hand and tried to capture his attention.
“It’s okay, dad. Viktor was just telling us about the parameters of our quests.”
“Oh, and I wanted to personally deliver your Dragonguard provisions before you three set off!” Viktor gestured to the three bundles on the ground, tied up in fabric unnecessarily luxurious for the pending quest at hand. Jasper slipped out of Kade’s grasp, but the hand on his shoulder tightened a bit more.
“Cora, can you grab Jasper’s please?” Cora nodded curtly at Kade’s request and gathered all three packages in her arms. She handed one to Eden before walking over to where Kade and Jasper stood, holding out Jasper’s bundle as instructed.
“I want to make sure my potential knights are well provided for!” Viktor said with a clap. As Jasper took the package from Cora, another slight tremor rippled through the earth beneath their feet. “Taking down a dragon is no small task,” Viktor continued, resuming his staredown with Kade once more.
“Leave now, Viktor. Don’t make me ask a second time.” A low snarl escaped Kade’s mouth.
“I forgot how intense Lord Kade can be sometimes,” Eden mumbled to Cora who now stood at her side.
Kade turned his back to the group and gently guided Jasper with him.
“You can bid goodbye to the girls later, Jasper. Your father and I need you home now.”
Jasper looked over his shoulder back at Eden and Cora and waved at them. With wide eyes and slightly open mouths, the girls waved back as Jasper turned around to walk home with his father.
The walk home was quick and quiet. Kade was too worked up to explain himself to Jasper without snapping. Yelling at his son was not on the agenda for the day. Kade made it to the door first and flung it open. If Jasper wasn’t aware of just how sturdy their home was, he would have thought his father broke the door from the hinges with how hard he pulled it open.
“Keirian!” Kade yelled from the front room. Jasper trudged in behind his father and gently closed the door.
“I’m in my office!” Keirian called from across the manor. Kade gestured with his hand for Jasper to follow him, and Jasper knew not to hesitate to obey.
Keirian’s office was a large room filled with neatly organized shelves. One side of the room was dedicated to books and scrolls Keirian would use to run the city of Lumen. On the other, the shelves were overflowing with magical items as well as other knick-knacks of sentimental value. When Kade and Jasper entered the room, Keirian could sense something was off, besides the fact that Kade was yelling.
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