‘Good, that relieves my mind,’ Jim admitted. ‘We need to test Cassy’s defensive skills and what useful moves we can teach her quickly.’
‘You’re not against me taking her then?’
‘It’s a risk, but I’m sure you’ll do all you can to minimise that. Does she know you need permission to officially court her?’
Drako hesitated and finally shook his head. ‘I don’t think so, but I don’t know what she might have picked up in my head,’ he explained.
There was a knock at the door and Cassy entered. She had three mugs of tea in her hands. Drako jumped up quickly to relieve her of one, handing it directly to Jim before taking the other she had brought for him. They both thanked her and she sat in the chair Jim indicated.
‘Has your father gone?’ Cassy asked Drako.
‘Yes, he had many miles yet to cover to get to another group. He’s asked me to go to Northwalt tomorrow. That’s where I should have gone for the winter and because we didn’t arrive they’re anxious.’
‘You’re leaving?’ Cassy asked.
‘Only for about a week,’ Drako said and glanced at the silently listening Jim. ‘You could come with me if you’d like.’
‘You want me to come?’ Cassy asked in surprise. ‘I assumed you wouldn’t want me in your way if you’re on official business.’
‘I want you to meet my brother and sister. Many of the people here with me are normally under Darius’s control, but it was a large group and we split up to hide. I must report.’
‘He’s older than you?’ Cassy asked.
‘Yes, by four years. He is the heir. I must get his approval to court you,’ Drako added in a little rush knowing Jim was right; she needed to know this despite his frustrated embarrassment.
‘You must get your brother’s consent to have a girlfriend?’ Cassy asked in surprise. ‘So if he disapproved of me what then?
‘If my father and sister also said no then I might not be allowed to marry you, assuming we wished it,’ he added hastily.
‘He might disapprove of me simply because I’m not animus?’
Drako nodded. ‘But you have charmed the clan here. I’m sure they wouldn’t be awkward and you’d be able to do the same with the others.’
‘What of your father? What was his view?’ Cassy asked, determined to know, regardless of the answer.
‘He suggested I take you. He could have told me not to. Actually I think you impressed him,’ Drako said feeling his mood lighten.
‘Because I made the bench?’
‘No, because you snapped his head off,’ Drako told her with a grin. ‘Can you ride?’
‘Yes.’
‘Do you have a favourite horse?’ Jim asked, entering the conversation.
‘Yes, Prue. She’s in stall 7.’
‘Good. Drako why don’t you go get her horse, one for yourself and mine in stall 23. We’ll join you down there in a few minutes.’ Jim watched Drako swallow the last of his tea and rather reluctantly leave the room.
Cassy turned to face Jim, feeling nervous all of a sudden.
‘Are you sure you want to go?’ Jim asked her seriously. ‘You barely know him and it sounds like it’ll be a rather public proclamation of intent to each other. It’ll also be a bitter journey in this weather.’
‘I know it’s risky on all counts,’ she acknowledged quickly. ‘But if this is what he wants, then I will go and meet his brother.’ She noticed Jim was now chewing his lip; clearly, he had something else on his mind.
‘I need you to help him,’ Jim said slowly. ‘He will find this trip difficult.’
‘Of course I will help in whatever ways he needs. But what do you think he will find particularly difficult?’ she asked perceiving he had something specific in mind.
‘Keeping his hands off you,’ Jim said deciding to be blunt. ‘Forgive me for mentioning it, but I saw you kiss him on the stairs. He is not allowed a sexual relationship until you’ve been approved and now you’re agreeing to go with him, he feels you at least want him more than casually. Don’t tempt him. I’d also rather not have to explain to your family how you became pregnant at school to an animus warrior.’ He paused eyeing her and making sure she had absorbed that warning. ‘Will they approve of him?’
Cassy shrugged uneasily and Jim got up and pulled his coat on. She wondered what her parents would think to her having an animus boyfriend, never-mind the fact he was also considered a dangerous fugitive. However, she was now getting the distinct impression that Drako wanted something more serious. He, and all of them it would appear, were thinking ahead and assuming marriage in the not too distant future! She now realised why Jim had asked if she wanted to go. She had not considered what it would tell his people. She wondered if she was wise to allow him to think she was confirming a serious commitment before she had actually spent any time in his company. She followed Jim to the outer door, pulled her coat from the rack in the alcove beside it and walked with him to the stables. She was aware Jim kept glancing at her.
‘He’s serious enough to be thinking of marrying me?’ Cassy asked Jim quietly.
‘Seems that way,’ Jim said. ‘You didn’t know?’
‘No. I mean I know he’s attracted to me but we haven’t spent any time together. It’s rather a premature thought isn’t it?’
‘This trip isn’t to get married. Keep in mind that Trent ordered Drako to go primarily to inform the rest of the clan that his people aren’t joining them and also that they are safe. Make sure everyone knows that you view it as merely being an opportunity to spend some time together and meet some of his family. Don’t let anyone read any more into it just yet. He had to tell you about the approval thing; well I told him you should know,’ Jim conceded. ‘Just so you would understand he wasn’t rejecting you should any heated moments occur between you.’
‘I’m glad he told me, but why do you think it such an issue? We’ll be camping out in subzero conditions. He can grow fur but I’ll be in as many layers of clothing as I can. That’s hardly romantic.’
Jim laughed at her droll comment but the gaze she was favouring Drako with as they saw him waiting outside the stables negated having to be romantic. They were in love. They would find ways to be alone together.
‘Good job someone else will be going with you,’ Jim commented.
‘Why?’ Drako asked.
‘You two will be spending all your time gazing into each other’s eyes. Anyone could come and hit you over the head before you even noticed their presence.’
The hunter standing with Drako abruptly laughed. ‘He’s certainly been too preoccupied to hunt recently. Cassy is the cause is she?’ Freddie added. ‘So where are you off to?’
‘I’m heading for Northwalt tomorrow. Cassy might come with me,’ Drako told him. ‘I’ll need someone along to share watch duty,’ he added, aware Freddie had turned in surprise to eye her with a calculating gaze. ‘Do you know anyone who’d want to see family or just make the trip?’
‘I’ll spread the word and catch up with you later.’ Freddie stepped clear of the horses, but remained.
‘Thank you,’ Drako said and noticed Freddie watching as Cassy mounted her horse. He was clearly assessing her as well as her competence with the horse.
Cassy shifted her horse alongside Drako’s big black stallion and touched his knee. ‘Ready?’
‘Yes. Where are we off to Jim?’ Drako asked turning his attention from his friend’s assessment. Did he approve? Freddie could be frustratingly difficult to read sometimes.
‘The training ground. After you,’ Jim added with a regal wave.
Cassy glanced at the three men aware they were all watching her. She wheeled her horse quickly and set off up the track at a brisk canter, keeping her horse firmly in check even when Drako’s stallion came alongside snorting playfully at her mare. Drako smiled at her and her uncertainty eased. She glanced back; Jim followed just far enough away to avoid the clods of snow kicked up by their horses.
‘They
view your invitation for me to go with you to Northwalt as significant, don’t they?’ she asked. ‘Is that the word he’s really going to spread?’
‘I suspect so. Sorry,’ Drako said and bit his lip. The thought his people would be gossiping about them was uncomfortable enough without Cassy having to know it might have significant repercussions. If any seriously disapproved of her, he would have to find out why and try to bring them round. A small number of disapprovals were acceptable; no group of people were of the same opinion on everyone. However, the woman he married would in all likelihood, wield co-leadership power. What was dear to her would undoubtedly affect his allegiances. These factors meant his choice, and those of his family, would always be scrutinised.
‘Is this just because you’re their leader?’ Cassy asked.
‘Yes. They need to know my wife will also have the best interests of the clan in mind.’
‘So if you’d chosen Janice, would you be so worried about their acceptance?’
‘No.’
‘Because she’s animus?’
‘No, because she hasn’t the spirit to be a leader. You are not a follower; you would lead. That is why they need to know you.’
‘You need to get to know me first,’ Cassy chided him. ‘I will accompany you so we can spend some proper time together. I am not agreeing to anything else though. I don’t yet know if you’ve got lots of annoying habits, or a wooden leg,’ she added archly.
Drako heard Jim snigger from behind them and supposed she was right; he was getting ahead of himself talking of her as his wife. He was pressurising them both unnecessarily. He could not help how he already felt about her though. They arrived at the training ground and he jumped down from his horse and was at her side in one swift motion.
‘Cassy I’m sorry,’ he said softly. ‘I know this all seems like I’m taking a few too many things for granted. I don’t, I assure you. I’m just planning in the hope of a rosy future,’ he added.
‘You need to slow down,’ she chided letting him help her down from her horse to join him. ‘Your customs are strange to me. I’d normally expect some time to elapse for us to learn each other’s ways and to get comfortable with the idea of your being my boyfriend before hearing you talk of marriage. You seem to have missed a rather large step going from friend to meeting the parents. Please slow down.’ She let him hold her against his warm body so she could read his thoughts and pass him hers. She felt his relief that his eager haste to grasp his father’s suggestion to introduce her, had not yet pushed her away. She wanted him but she made sure he understood he was pushing her too quickly.
Jim passed them, leading his horse to the stalls. They broke apart hastily and followed his lead to see to the horses.
‘Have you had any lessons with a sword?’ Jim asked her handing her a wooden practice sword.
‘Some,’ she admitted warily. Jim suddenly looked very tall, powerful and businesslike.
‘Defend yourself,’ Jim told her and launched into an attack. She parried quite well but he could feel her uncertainty. He speeded up the attack forcing her to concentrate fully and she improved. He found he could not get much past her, but like Amelie, her strength waned fast. He stepped back suddenly and cast a small spell that tweaked the sword from her grasp. She looked shocked and worried. ‘Your turn,’ Jim invited. Her eyes narrowed and suddenly not only had his sword left his control, but a force shoved him off his feet onto his backside.
‘Well done,’ Jim told her aware she stood wide-eyed and puffing. He got up, absently brushing sand from his clothes. ‘Remember what you are Cassy,’ he told her calmly.
‘What do you mean?’
‘You’re a woman, so any attacker would probably target you guessing you to be the weak link in a warrior chain. Men will go to great lengths to defend a woman under their protection. Even to sacrificing themselves. Attackers would also seek to capture you to bring Drako to heel. Having said all that, the other thing you are is a wizard. You are not a helpless woman. You are actually a strong wizard with courage and a brain. Do you know how to shield?’
‘No,’ she said nervously; that was an advanced technique. The thought she might put Drako in danger left her cold with fear.
‘I’ve found shields useful many times,’ Jim said. ‘There are a whole variety of shields; you can adapt the spell to suit your needs. I like this sort. See, I am completely protected above and all around, but my feet are free. That means I can walk away from trouble and still hear what’s going on around me properly. Try it.’
Cassy followed his instructions eagerly and had soon accomplished the same kind of shield. Jim pushed her shield with his hand and even tried to pierce it with his sword but it held.
‘Walk with it, good. Now go to Drako and add him.’ Drako shivered as the bubble swallowed him. ‘His head’s still sticking out; he’s a lot taller than you remember,’ Jim advised. ‘You should always keep your shield small to minimise the power it takes. Tailor it to fit your need. It takes strength to hold this kind of spell for more than just a few minutes, or under attack. Drako has plenty of magic too remember. Take his hand and let him lend his strength. Walk together, get used to how that feels. Now, that shield could also repel anything touching it; it doesn’t have to be passive. Amelie did one and two attackers rebounded onto their backsides. Louis was one,’ Jim added to Drako.
‘That was Amelie? Louis thought it was you at the time,’ Drako said, indeed having heard about it.
‘I showed her how, but I was injured at the time of our first meeting and not feeling too strong,’ Jim admitted. ‘She gets very protective,’ he added.
‘More than you?’ Drako teased.
‘You and she are a matched pair,’ Cassy observed and moved closer to Drako wishing for the same connection. She skimmed Drako’s upper thoughts lightly and found he wished for it too. What’s more, he hoped he had found his true partner in Cassy. She met his warm dark eyes and he squeezed her hand gently.
‘Right, I’ll leave you to discuss what you need to take tomorrow. If either of you are short of anything see Mrs White or me. It’s going to be a bitter trek Cassy, make sure you’ve got warm kit.’
‘Thank you,’ Drako said to him sincerely and watched Jim mount up and head back. ‘He didn’t hurt you did he?’ Drako asked anxiously.
‘No, but he’s certainly strong. No one has pushed me that hard in training before. I’m worried how I’d fare against a real attack,’ she admitted. ‘He could have got around my defences and hit me any time he wanted and that’s a scary feeling. I thought he was untrained?’
‘He was, but knowing that he asked me to teach him. He’s a fast learner and as you say, he has natural strength and quick reflexes. However, if we came under attack on our trip, I now know you could probably hold your own long enough to get a shield up. That to me is very reassuring. I’d prefer to know you were truly safe whilst I dealt with any nastiness.’
‘I’d prefer it if we were both able to walk away from danger,’ Cassy told him. ‘So, aside from warm riding clothes, do I need anything else? I’ve to meet your brother; do I need something nicer to wear?’
‘Not for him,’ Drako said overtaken by a sudden burst of jealousy that took him by surprise. Cassy was watching him with raised brows; her touch probably meant she would have felt all that. She seemed amused by his reaction although she said nothing. Normally such emotions could be kept hidden and private but now she was able to touch his mind she could know every uncensored thought, and that was an embarrassing revelation.
Cassy was indeed monitoring his thoughts; it was the easiest way to get to know him. She discovered Drako had always lived in his brother’s shadow. Darius was older, the heir and something of a bully. As children, he often simply took whatever he wished from Drako. He had even had to wear Darius’ cast off clothes. Now however, Drako had something Darius, to his knowledge, did not: Cassy.
‘You worry a lot,’ Cassy observed.
‘Only on matters that are i
mportant to me,’ Drako responded and raised her hand to his mouth. Doing so he realised her hand was very cold. It was bitter out here, even sheltered from the wind in the shed. ‘Let’s get out of here; it’s too cold to chat.’
‘Good idea,’ she responded and they collected their horses. ‘So what do you recommend I bring? Do I need to find a tent?’
Drako hesitated. ‘I don’t want to take a packhorse. If it would be acceptable to you, would you mind sharing my tent?’
‘Is that going to be acceptable to your people?’
‘I imagine whoever decides to come with us will share our tent too, probably to act as chaperone,’ he admitted.
‘Ah, so no-one can point the finger of doubt at us?’
‘Yes, but it’s probably more for your honour as much as protection from me.’
‘I understand,’ she told him aware he wondered if a complete lack of privacy would be humiliating to her; whether he was pushing her tolerance too much. ‘I’m used to sharing my sleeping quarters, not that there are any men in my dorm,’ she grinned at him. ‘But I haven’t a problem sharing a tent. I’d rather it was with you alone though; I trust you.’
‘I remember the first thing you ever told me in my head. It was your wish to snuggle up to me on a cold night,’ he teased and watched colour rise in her cheeks.
‘You were a cuddly bear at the time,’ she responded and glanced so speculatively over him that he laughed in delight.
They cantered slowly along the track, the snow dulling the sound of the horse’s hooves. Even their horses seemed to be looking at each other playfully. They headed directly for the stables and dismounted. Cassy heard the instructions Drako gave David, his man now working there.
‘They’ll need rugs in the day too won’t they?’ she asked.
‘I’ll find something appropriate for the lady’s horse sir,’ David assured him and took both horses away.
Clan Green Bear: Wizards of White Haven Page 9