Chapter 5 – Second Chance
The next day, Jehoash and Ejaz waited outside Brenson's room at the hospital. Jessabelle was in with him, and had requested to talk to him in private. Jehoash held baby Jackson in his arms, something he had not been able to do in far too long. The little boy tugged on the edge of Jehoash’s cloak, giggling.
Ejaz had not told Jehoash about the talk he had given to Jessabelle the previous night. The hunter was not even sure if it would make a difference, but he thought he should try. It was not in his job description, sure, but Ejaz felt like Jessabelle needed to know what she meant to Jehoash. What their baby boy Jackson meant to Jehoash.
Jessabelle exited Brenson's room with a somewhat solemn look on her face.
Jehoash was concerned. "Is everything okay?"
Jessabelle nodded. "It's fine. Brenson and I have...mutually agreed to go our separate ways..."
Jehoash raised an eyebrow. "Oh, I see...sorry to hear that." He lied. "So...what now?"
Jessabelle smiled. "Everything happens for a reason, Jehoash. Only time will tell." She leaned forward and kissed Jehoash, taking Jackson from him at the same time.
Jehoash was stunned, unable to speak.
Jessabelle giggled and walked down the hospital wing. "I'm going to check on my brother. I'll see you later, alright my lord?"
Jehoash could only watch as Jessabelle made her way down the hallway. He was simply too taken aback to react in any real way.
Ejaz waved a hand in front of the king's face. "Hello! Earth to the dragon king!"
Jehoash blinked. "I...ah...yes, sorry, sorry...I guess I didn't expect..."
"Her to come back?" Ejaz interrupted. "Yea, women, they always do what you least expect."
Jehoash sighed. "I suppose...but I'm not complaining in this case."
"Just don't mess it up again." said Ejaz. "In my experience, sometimes life gives second chances, but I've never seen it give thirds."
Jehoash nodded. "I lost them once. I won't do it again."
"Of course..." replied Ejaz. “I have faith you'll manage. Now, regarding my fee..."
Jehoash smiled. "I see your reputation precedes you, hunter. But I have already held up my end of the deal."
Ejaz raised his eyebrows. "What do you mean?"
"The sword." said Jehoash.
Ejaz's eyes widened. He had stowed the sword in a hollow tree for safe keeping. "You promised me a dragon's hoard!"
"Yes..." answered Jehoash. “...and that sword is all I have left of my hoard, you see. I can assure you it is worth far more than its weight in gold. I told you: it is made from my brother's own fang."
Ejaz wanted to argue, but he knew Jehoash was correct. Dragon fang swords were legendary, and some even thought of them as myths. That sword was worth a fortune. "So..." asked Ejaz. “...what is the sword called, anyway? So, ya know, I know what to call it when I sell it off or whatever."
Jehoash smiled again. "Kinslayer."
Ejaz pressed his fingers into his eyes and held his head down. "You must be joking..." When he looked up again, though, the dragon king was gone. Ejaz just shook his head and made his way out of the hospital. His job complete, he had to find a way to get home.
Later that week, after retrieving the sword and procuring a car, Ejaz decided to swing by Jessabelle's home one last time. The place was a wreck; completely destroyed in the fire. He glanced across the street to the for-sale home he had used during his stakeout. He noticed the sign on the front lawn now read "sold" and there were a few furniture delivery vans in the driveway. He looked through the front window to an unusual, and beautiful, sight. He could see Jehoash, now dressed in a normal human's clothes, rocking his son in his arms as Jessabelle ran around setting the dinner table. The two of them were smiling, laughing, talking, and, quite obviously to Ejaz, in love.
Ejaz smirked as he saw Jessabelle give Jehoash a quick kiss on the cheek as she ran back to presumably finish dinner. Jehoash walked his way over to their window, still rocking his son in his arms, and he noticed Ejaz sitting outside.
Jehoash smiled at the hunter and mouthed the words "Thank you."
Ejaz waved at Jehoash and pulled away from the home. He had never seen a monster, let alone a king, become something so human.
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About the author: Finnian Valko is a secretive individual only known by his penname in the literary world. His first book, A Different Sort of Life, marked his first entry in what he hoped to be a long line of thought provoking tales that readers would find interesting and captivating. Now he completes a second tale, Passion Flame, one he believes to be an even better story overall. He hopes you have enjoyed reading it.
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