“It would seem your great and powerful orb believes itself to be a bird. Or perhaps an egg that needs hatching?” Segreti chuckled in amusement, a deep rumbling sound that could easily be mistaken for distant thunder.
Forcing his attention away from Segreti, Ezra considered his choices. If he shifted into his tiger form, he could easily climb up into the tree and reach it. However, his big furry paws wouldn’t be able to hold on to the orb to bring it down, and he didn’t want to chance the blasted thing taking off again. Its smooth, hard surface would prevent him from sinking his fangs into it, and he certainly couldn’t fit the whole thing in his jaws. Wait a moment…
Ezra snapped his fingers and smiled brightly at Segreti. “I can sit on you!”
Segreti appeared startled, and Ezra could have sworn his cheeks had gone pink. Perhaps Segreti was feeling a little under the weather? Ezra would offer to help with any healing once he’d completed his task.
“I beg your pardon?”
Ezra studied the orb in the branches, then with a decisive nod turned back to Segreti. “How tall are you in your bear form, General?”
His plan seemed to have dawned on Segreti, and he grinned wide. “Oh. Right. At least ten feet tall.”
“Well, if you shift and I sit on your shoulders, when you stand, I should be able to reach it.”
Segreti nodded. “How do you know it won’t take off again?”
Ezra glared at the orb. “It better not, if it knows what’s good for it.”
Segreti chuckled, and Ezra arched an eyebrow at him. Why was the general amused?
“Very well. Let’s fetch your orb.”
Ezra took several steps back, observing Segreti as he prepared to shift. He had heard many a tale regarding General Segreti. He was a warrior of legend, his heroic feats captured in song. As the fiercest of Orso warriors, he was even greater in stature than Khalon, certainly wider and more muscular. His biceps were so thick Ezra couldn’t wrap his hands around one if he tried. His shoulders were impossibly broad, his chest expansive. His whole body appeared as if chiseled from the great Orso mountain his realm was known for, from his square jaw down to his tapered waist and strong legs. The strength that radiated from Segreti was impressive. Each thigh was almost the size of both of Ezra’s combined. As a masculine specimen, he appeared perfectly proportionate.
Segreti clapped his hands together, drawing Ezra’s gaze to their size. His fingers were long and calloused. Segreti was a man who forged swords, who’d spent centuries pushing himself to his limits. Ezra was grateful the Orso queen, Verity, had released Segreti from his pledge. The general deserved to live out the rest of his immortal life in peace, without fear of being called out to battle. He’d already served far longer than any general, thanks to the previous bastard of an Orso king.
It was the swiftest change he’d ever seen in an Orso. Their bulk and mass impeded how quickly they could shift, especially compared to Soldati, but General Segreti was an Orso warrior of great experience and power. He shifted, the ground trembling beneath Ezra’s feet when Segreti landed on all four paws. He was the largest Orso that Ezra had ever laid eyes on, with golden-brown fur that looked wonderfully soft despite the various nicks and scars around his body. His left eye was open, the pupil and iris a foggy white with a sliver of amber around the iris. The scar remained, running from his brow over his eyelid, and down to his cheek.
Ezra stepped before Segreti, his frame all but eclipsed by the Orso, and Segreti hadn’t even stood on his hind legs yet. Segreti lowered his head in a show of respect, and what Ezra sensed to be… uncertainty. As if fearing Ezra would reject him in his bear form. Why would he think such a thing?
“My, but you’re magnificent,” Ezra said with a broad smile. He slowly placed a hand to Segreti’s head, in awe of how thick and soft his fur was. “General, I’ve never been awestruck by an Orso until this moment.”
Segreti let out a huff and nuzzled Ezra’s side, making him chuckle. He then lowered himself to the ground, and Ezra climbed up, mindful not to tug too hard at Segreti’s fur as he did. Once he sat across his wide shoulders, he patted Segreti’s head.
“I’m ready.” Ezra surprised himself by laughing when Segreti stood, the sudden movement forcing Ezra to throw his arms around Segreti’s head so he wouldn’t fall. “That was quite thrilling! Now, please, as close to the Eye as you can get.” He held on as Segreti turned and stepped up to the tree. “Steady, General.” Slowly, Ezra reached out and grabbed the orb. “Aha! I don’t know what’s gotten into you, but I do hope it’s out of your system. I have the orb,” Ezra informed Segreti, clutching the temperamental orb under one arm while holding on to Segreti with the other.
As soon as Segreti lowered himself to the ground, Ezra carefully climbed off. The orb pulled at his arm, and Ezra stepped back quickly, snagging his cloak with his bootheel. He flailed an arm and gasped as he fell back. Instead of hitting the hard ground, he landed in Segreti’s strong human arms. Ezra blinked up at Segreti, who stared down at him.
“Good catch, General,” Ezra said cheerfully. “I’m pleased to see retirement has done little to impact your agility and vigor.”
Segreti’s eye widened. There was that flush again. “Oh, um, thank you.” He straightened, and Ezra ended up a little closer to Segreti than was proper, but for some strange reason he couldn’t fathom, he didn’t mind. Segreti’s scent was pleasant—a woodsy mix with many layers, one of them Segreti’s own Orso scent. He stood unmoving; his cheeks rosy in color.
Ezra lifted his arm and laid the back of his hand to Segreti’s brow. “Are you unwell, General?”
Segreti looked puzzled. “Unwell?”
“Your face is flushed.”
“Oh, uh…” Segreti cleared his throat, and Ezra smiled warmly.
“I know! I’ll make you some herbal tea. It’ll work wonders. You’ll see.” He started for the south gardens but realized Segreti hadn’t moved. He turned and arched an eyebrow. “Come along, General.”
Segreti chuckled, and in two long strides was beside Ezra. “I’ve spent many a century following orders, but I daresay yours have been the most pleasing.”
Ezra lifted his gaze to Segreti’s. “Forgive me. I meant no disrespect.” He’d been told many a time he could come across as brash. It wasn’t his intent. He simply had no time for pretenses.
“There is nothing to forgive, sweet Ezra.” Segreti took hold of Ezra’s hand and kissed it. “It’s certainly no hardship to follow you. Dare I say, I find myself eager to see where you might lead me.”
Ezra nodded, though he was somewhat perplexed by Segreti’s behavior. As they walked together, Ezra discovered he rather enjoyed Segreti’s presence. Despite his stature and Orso nature, he exuded a pleasing sense of peace. Odd, since Ezra had always cherished the time spent on his own. He wasn’t quite sure what to make of it, or of the quiet, smiling general at his side.
Chapter Two
Fascinating.
Segreti found himself enraptured by the Soldati healer. Truth be told, he’d been beguiled by Ezra for centuries. The Soldati had fought alongside the Orso in many a war against the putrid demons that threatened the human world. It was where Segreti had met the gentle healer and voice of the Soldati Eye. His beauty had struck Segreti first, from his soft features and chestnut-colored hair to his eyes—bluer than the brightest cloudless sky. From the moment he’d heard Ezra’s first quiet words, Segreti had been charmed, and he often wondered whether the healer had bewitched him in some manner. No other had stirred emotions in Segreti the way Ezra had.