Lizardfolk Boyfriend: Jasper 3 (special preview)

Jasper had to travel away for a few days. Having been hired with Odd to take a guard job while some royal traveled through the eastern continent. He had been gone for a while now, so you and Nora had taken to stay with one another while they were away. It was nice to have Nora around some days, as Charlotte hated it when her father wasn’t around. She was such a happy baby otherwise, quiet and easy to please like her father. But when Jasper was gone she was extremely fussy and much more prone to crying at the drop of a hat.

Nora enjoyed having you around too, as she still was new to this world. Having fallen from some other ‘world’ not long ago, she was still getting used to everything here. Her tales of where she came from often entertained you. It all sounds so magical, though it was still hard to believe.

“How did you and Jasper meet?” Nora asks one day.

You look up from Charlotte, who is smashing a crocheted doll into the wall and giggling. “What’s that?” You fidget with a lock of hair.

“I told you how Odd and I met. I’m curious how you and Jasper met.” Nora’s smile curled upwards at the corner, making it crooked.

You hadn’t told anyone how you and Jasper met. You’d been keeping it secret all this time, worried if word got out you and Jasper would be found by your relatives in Sothen. You swallow, looking back at Charlotte who has taken her doll and is wiggling its arms.

“It’s a long story,” you whisper.

Nora notices your change in attitude. “Is something wrong?”

“Not exactly,” you murmur. “It’s just-” Nora is your friend, not only that she has no connection to Sothen or anyone from there. At least, if her stories are to be believed. Odd would have no connections, your family would rather die than have dealings with a Tiefling. “It’s dangerous for me to talk about.”

Her eyes widen and her jaw drops. “Dangerous? You’ve got to be kidding!”

“It’s true.” You gently touch the jagged scales at the top of Charlotte’s head. “Jasper stole me years ago. But that is not how we first met.”

Nora creeps closer. “He stole you?”

You give her a harsh look. “I’ve not told anyone this, but I feel I can trust you. If you prove me wrong-”

“I won’t!” She gasps. “You don’t even have to say another word if you don’t want to.”

You sigh. “I sometimes wish someone else knew our secret. I would at least have someone to talk to and bother besides Jasper. Because ever since we had Charlotte, I sometimes fear my past even more than when we first came here.”

Nora sits down beside you and places her hand on the small of your back. She doesn’t say anything, she just lets you talk. You told her everything, about your Uncle and his betrayal of your family. About Jasper and the army of Beauties he used to lead. You told her about the night Jasper took you and ran away. How you both fought, how you fell in love with him. It felt like a relief to share this story, finally, with someone you felt safe with. By the time you were done with the tale, Charlotte was asleep in your arms, your small tail twitching and nudging against your leg.

“Sounds like he loved you all along,” Nora murmurs.

You nod. “He said he did. Said I was the only soul in Southen who showed a speck of kindness.” You smile at the memory, glancing down at what that kindness created. “I can’t wait for him to come home!”

“Should be soon. I don’t doubt they’ll be returning home any day now. I can feel it.” Nora rose from sitting. You prayed they would. It had been long enough already.