Querteshan guardsman Jamal Fayed is on a routine patrol through the desert area known as the Burning when they discover an injured and unconscious man who looks to be from a nearby country, Perathea. Their two countries have a long history of animosity.<br><br>When Nev ran from his master, he was fleeing for his life and any outcome seemed better than the death he was promised. But Nev has secrets, complicated secrets that involve both magic and his physical form. Can he build a relationship with Jamal amidst politics and military dealings?

Born Magic

“Can you stay with Nev for a bit?” Ishaq asked. “I’m going over to the kitchen to see about getting myself some tea and some broth for…him.”


As Ishaq left, Jamal pulled up a stool and sat near Nev’s cot.


Everything hurt. Yet, he was dimly aware of lying somewhere fairly soft and much cooler than the heat of the Burning. Slowly, he opened his eyes. He was inside a building. Obviously. There was a roof, and he suspected he lay on some kind of a bed. It took a long moment of mental scrambling to recall what happened after collapsing on the sand in the Burning and assuming he was going to die there. He’d been rescued by a man, well, two men in truth.


Scraps of conversation between the two floated back. One was definitely dubious about Nev’s value, the other one…the other one was kind, offering water, holding him securely on the horse during the ride, holding him tighter yet when the firestorm was drawing close.


Chapter 5