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Jhovam whimpered a little more, his mind now flashing with the trauma that happens when the dragon and human switch. He felt the rage of Ygrashmak blended with the fear of Jhovam. He felt the worry of his dragon blended with the pain of himself. It was unsettling, and he couldn’t seem to grasp the mixed memories and emotions.

He rocked back and forth within the grass, finding some comfort in the embrace of the other dragon. Jhovam was having a hard day, and none of this seemed to get any easier. He let out a soft whimper before burying his head in his arms, weeping. He longed to have Ygrashmak to talk to, but the bond was blocked off for the moment. Why? He did not know, and his imagination invented great horror stories.

Jhovam sniffled slightly before looking up at the multiple dragons and single woman. His mind began to repair itself, and he felt a dropping sensation when he saw the woman. At that moment, Jhovam felt more afraid of the woman instead of the troup of dragons.

He backed up against the crimson beast, eyeing the woman with new realization. If she was a mistress, then he would be in great trouble! He was outside his compound, and that was a punishable offense. He could be whipped, or starved, or encased in a box, or even worse! If he was gone long enough, he swore that he would have been killed slowly and painfully as justified punishment. An involuntary shudder ran over his body.

“I-I’m sorry, m’lady! I didn’t mean to get out of the compound!” He stuttered, and began to panic again. The previous mixed mind he experienced helped protect him from this fear, but now that he had a grip on his identity, he knew the terrors of the female gender.

Jhovam glanced nervously at the dragons, then at the crimson one’s eyes, and then back at the woman. He has learned not to say no to a woman, and so he hesitantly, but quickly, nodded to her. He slumped and relaxed against the dragon, now rubbing his scales unconsciously.

“Y-yes, that would be very nice,” Jhovam said cautiously, “very nice indeed.” His eyes were still wide with a mixture of shock and fear, and he looked around at the group yet again. He eyed each dragon, taking in their hues and demeanor. For some reason, now that the shock was almost gone, he found these creatures not to be horrifying beasts, but stunningly beautiful creatures. They seemed quite easy on the eyes, and he marveled at their scale’s gleam and shine, as well as the streamline form of their bodies.

Jhovam slowly risen from the side of the crimson dragon. He patted the warm scales absentmindedly before approaching the woman. His demeanor still suggested that he was frightened, emotional fragile, and confused, but he found his own inner strength that he could depend on.

As soon as he fully stood up, he bowed deeply to the woman. “Thank you, ma’am.” Rising from his bow, he flashed a weak smile before answering the question.

“I do not know where Rashmak is. He sort of . . . forced a switch on me. I did not help him with it, and in fact resisted. It was painful.”

He looked down at his feet, then back up at the woman. “I believe he might be wherever I was, and I as in the noble Eldic Estate in the southern half of the magnificent nation Feretris.” His prideful words matched his prideful tone, and he gave the impression that he was proud to be a slave for such wonderful people and such a wonderful society. He grinned, then nodded to the woman. “I am sure you’ve heard of it.”

Jhovam stopped by her, looking slightly confused. “Am I hurt? Well, I do not feel the pain or nausea anymore. As soon as I switched, it went away. But I did feel different. Like I had memories I never experienced mixed in with those I have. It was . . . disorienting. Almost like I took someone else’s mind and chopped it up, ate it, and accidentally threw up onto my own thoughts.” Jhovam spoke in a hushed tone, as if it wasn’t right to say this kind of thing out loud. He seemed almost fearful of his own words.

“I couldn’t feel myself, but I tried so hard. So hard . . . and I think I have a hold on my thoughts now. I am me again.” Even though he couldn’t put his feelings into words, he was content with what he said. It was true, after all. He was him.

“What do you mean? Too young? Is this about what Cedric said?” Jhovam sounded slightly worried. He broke his promise to the dragon man, and he was fearful of the consequences. He said he wouldn’t switch, and he switched! A slightly sickening feeling rumbled in his stomach as his imagination conjured up scenes of punishments. His skin paled as his thoughts grew more wild.

“I am Jhovam Eldic, Slave of Mistress Marean Eldic of the noble Eldic Estate.” Jhovam’s chest puffed out slightly as he said his title, obviously proud of his rank. He then looked down at the door under grass, then let his chest disinflate. “You live underground? Under grass?” What a ridiculous idea! Who’d live underground when you can have perfectly good tents and a clean, fresh breeze? Who in their right mind would give that up?

“Why do you live underground?” He looked at the woman with an obviously quizzical expression, the vivid orange of the setting sun contrasting heavily to his blue eyes.

Jhovam frowned slightly at the hole, then at the woman. “I also hope I am well.” With those words, he took a deep breath and walked into the hole. Jhovam wasn’t too fond of dark, enclosed areas. It distressed him to an irrational level when he was much younger. Hopefully, his courage would hold strong underground, away from the outside.

When he descended underground, he peered at the cavernous space in front of him. A small bubble of fear and panic began to rise in Jhovam’s fragile mind, but he managed to suppress it. For the moment, at least.