“You love her.” Lord Moore watched Kaden tucking Olivia in and tenderly smoothing her hair.
Kaden raised his head, making eye contact again. “Yes,” he said, his features soft, vulnerable and honest. He carried the chair, placed it next to the bed and sat on it.
“Sleep. I’ll watch over both of you.” Kaden sunk into the wooden chair.
Lord Moore shook his head. “There’s too much on my mind… Too many questions. I presume you could answer them?”
Kaden’s gaze slipped to Olivia. He inhaled, letting the breath out slowly. “I guess there is much to tell. Now is as good time as any… while she sleeps and rests… She doesn’t need to relive it all over again.”
“I agree.” Lord Moore kissed the top of his daughter’s head. “Let us start with your name.” Olivia’s father raised his eyebrow at Kaden. He chuckled when the younger man shot up embarrassed, his cheeks flushing slightly while he offered apologies for forgetting his manners.
“With everything that has happened, manners are the last thing on my mind. Sit back down, boy, but tell me your name.”
“I apologize again,” Kaden said as he sat down. “My name is Kaden Underwood.”
“And I am Lord Connal Moore.”
Kaden nodded in return and relaxed back into his chair. “I feel like I’ve known you for a while… Olivia has spoken highly of you, and with much adoration.”
A sad smile appeared on Connal’s face as he gazed down at his daughter, his eyes shining with pride and tenderness. “So tell me,” he turned his attention back to Kaden. His expression hardened, lips tightened. “How have you come to steal my daughter’s heart? Why would you be worthy of her?”
“I don’t think there’s a man in this Kingdom or in the known world who is worthy of Olivia.” Kaden didn’t hesitate in answering. “I can only be honored, humbled and thankful she has chosen me to give her heart to. Although, after all we’ve been through together, I feel like I’ve known her for years. She has changed so much from the first time she stumbled into my cave.” Kaden recalled and chuckled slightly at the memory of Olivia’s persistent fear that he would eat her.
“Your cave?” Connal narrowed his eyes at Kaden as he looked him over once again. He didn’t look like a beggar or act like one. On the contrary, he seemed well educated and of noble blood.
“Ah… yes… I guess I should start at the beginning, when I first met Olivia. It will probably explain the motivation behind the recent attack. If you would just listen at first, by the time I finish, a lot of your questions will be answered. There are many things that will seem highly unbelievable to you, but by the end, those will be explained as well.” Kaden waited for his words to sink in.
Connal nodded for him to continue.
“I met Olivia a few days after she fled from home. She stumbled into my cave with a pair of wolves chasing her. Back then… I was still a dragon…”
Connal’s eyes widened and his eyebrows shot up, almost getting lost in his thick hair. Kaden continued quickly to avoid being interrupted as he unfolded the whole story to Olivia’s father. He took a few breaks in the retelling, bringing some water for Connal or taking a few sips himself.
The range of emotions that ran through Connal were stumping. By the end, he didn’t know what to feel, didn’t know what to say. The things he learned… what his Violet had been through, the guilt that was now probably eating at her, the fact that the man in front of him was older than himself - and could turn into a dragon! It was a lot for him to comprehend and for his mind to process. The headache settled in again, pounding behind his eyes, pulsing in his ears. Connal closed his eyes tightly and concentrated on his breathing, letting everything settle in.
Kaden waited. After all of his years spent as a dragon, his patience was formidable, except when it came to Olivia. He listened to the sounds of her breathing. It was comforting. He had noticed her breathing rhythm change towards the end of his explanations to her father.
Connal sighed. “So, in conclusion, the prince is behind all of this?”
Kaden nodded.
“And you can turn into a dragon… you?” That specific piece of information was hardest to digest. It made Connal question Kaden’s sanity.
“He speaks the truth, father.” Olivia’s voice surprised both men. She sat up and yawned. Her eyes were red-rimmed and slightly puffy, with dark circles framing them. The smile that usually brightened her face was missing. Olivia fought back tears but couldn’t hide her feelings. Not in front of her father and her man.
“Olivia,” Kaden leaned closer and took her hand into his own, “How are you, love?”
Olivia squeezed Kaden’s hand as she looked toward him and shrugged. “I don’t know… I keep waiting, keep expecting her to walk through the door, greet me with a smile and a hug. I know it is a silly notion but I cannot help but hope.”
“We will get through this together,” Connal said taking Olivia’s other hand.
She offered him a weak smile. It never reached her eyes. “I know, father. It still hurts though. But I love you and I will be here for you, whatever you need.”
“And I will be here for you, my dearest Violet. You have been through so much. You are too gentle a soul to have to live through all of that.” Connal pulled his daughter into an embrace and she couldn’t help but cry again.
Kaden brought her a cup of water. “Olivia…”
Olivia extracted herself from her father’s embrace, wiping away the tears she couldn’t seem to control.
“Have some water.” Kaden held the cup to her lips. She took it into her hands, sipping slowly until it was empty.
“Thank you.”
Kaden caressed Olivia’s cheek and she leaned into his palm, closing her eyes while she enjoyed the comfort of his touch. When she looked up at Kaden, she saw the love and support in his gaze. She gave the cup to her father and threw herself at Kaden. She needed him to let her fall apart, to take all of her burden, because she would have to be strong for her father and everything that would need to be done.
Olivia buried her face into Kaden’s neck and he wrapped his arms around her. He murmured words of love and support. She gave herself fully to Kaden, she gave him her heart to protect and put back together.
Kaden cupped Olivia’s face in his hands. He kissed her forehead. He couldn’t even fathom the thought of losing Olivia. He brushed his lips against hers. It was a tender declaration of his love, nothing more.
Connal cleared his throat behind Olivia, and she hid her face in Kaden’s chest. He didn’t say anything, didn’t scold. He knew Olivia needed Kaden, and it was innocent comfort she sought.
“Are you hungry?” Kaden asked, breaking the awkward silence. It was a good excuse for him to give Olivia some alone time with her father. They needed to talk.
“Yes.” Olivia stepped out of Kaden’s embrace and sat on the bed again, her stomach grumbling. “Obviously.”
Kaden chuckled and turned his attention to her father. “Lord Moore? Can I bring you something as well?”
Olivia’s father was quiet for a few moments, his eyebrows furrowed in concentration as he studied Kaden with a new purpose.
“Yes,” he said. “And call me Connal.”
Kaden smiled at the acceptance, kissed Olivia’s forehead and left to get them some food.
Chapter 32
Kaden closed the door behind him with a soft click. He shut his eyes and leaned back, gathering his thoughts and feelings for a moment. The whole situation brought an ache to his heart. He wished he could take Olivia’s pain away, he would gladly carry it for her. All that he could do now, the only way to help, was to be there for her. To pick her up, put her feet on his and help her make the small steps forward.
He ignored the voices from the other side of the door, not wanting to intrude on their privacy and pushed himself away. Not knowing where to go, he followed another set of voices, mixed with ones he recognized. He found his way to the common room, where a small gathering o
f people sat around the table, listening to Charlie speak.
The room was simple, just like everything else he had seen thus far in the servants’ quarters. Simple, but giving off a feel of family and belonging. First, he noticed a long wooden table, able to fit at least fifteen people around it. Leftover food and pitchers with drinks were spread on it. To his left was a set of double swinging doors, which he assumed led to the kitchen. On the wall behind the tables was a huge fireplace, but no flames crackled within. It was flanked by two large windows, the one on the right open, the breeze ruffling white curtains. In front of the hearth he saw a large, cozy couch and three armchairs. Lastly, his eyes fell on Disa and Pup eating greedily in the farthest corner, away from the people who kept glancing at them with suspicion and fear.
Bast sat on Charlie’s left. Cassiel stood in the doorway and Kaden approached the knight, stood shoulder to shoulder with him. Cassiel had taken his armor off, but his weapons were still at his sides.
Cassiel noticed Kaden but didn’t say anything. He knew Kaden would speak when he wanted to and the knight didn’t want to pry.
“Kaden!” Charlie said as soon as her eyes found his figure looming in the shadows, blending into the background just as much as Cassiel.
Twelve heads turned and looked at Kaden with various expressions on their faces. Some of them displayed awe, some disbelief, but all of them fear.
“You told them.” Kaden took a step into the room and chairs scraped on the floor as some people unconsciously inched back and others rose to their feet, retreating away from him.
“They needed to know. And stop scaring them.” Charlie chided as she narrowed her eyes at Kaden’s approaching form. Bast put a comforting hand on her shoulder. “And you lot really have nothing to fear from him. What I just told you is the truth. He has only protected the Lady of your house so far… he would not harm her. He would not harm any of you either.”
“It was not your story to tell.” Kaden crossed his hands over his chest as he surveyed the people with a scowl on his face until he found the person he was looking for. “Master George… Olivia… Lady Olivia and Lord Moore are hungry.”
“I will see to it.” A plump looking man rose to his feet all too willingly and scurried away.
“It is as much my story to tell as any of us here.” Charlie argued back.
“This is her home, Charlie, her people –”
“And that’s exactly why they needed to know the truth. The whole truth.”
Kaden sighed. He pinched the bridge of his nose. “You’re lucky Órva’ar is dormant at this moment.”
At the sound of the threat in Kaden’s voice Bast’s eyes snapped toward him, her free hand reaching for her weapon without pause.
“They lost friends and family… they lost… Olivia’s mother. They needed to know; these people would have found out sooner or later. Olivia would have told them anyway. You know she would have, with or without your approval… I thought… I just wanted to make it easier for her.” A tear slid down Charlie’s face as she mourned for her friend’s loss. She wiped it away, still keeping her eyes on Kaden.
Charlie was right and Kaden knew it. “You’re too reasonable. I guess it is expected with you and Olivia being such close friends.” Kaden let his hands fall to his sides. “You are right. I apologize.”
“It’s fine. I understand. How is she doing?”
Kaden neared the table, the people still apprehensive of him, watching his every move as if he was going to pounce on them at any moment. He chose to ignore this and just show them that he was no threat. Example would convince them much faster than telling them.
He sat on the chair the plump man had vacated and turned his attention back to Charlie. “She’s…” he ran a hand through his dark hair “She’s heartbroken. Her pain is almost palpable. She really loved her mother, and with everything that has happened… she feels guilty.”
“Of course she does.” Charlie shook her head in disapproval, “She’s Olivia, even though she’s got nothing to feel guilty about. I hope you’ll… we will prove her wrong. I know it’ll take time.”
Kaden nodded. “I wish I could take away her pain. At least she has her father. She fell asleep at some point so I told him everything. He’s a bit apprehensive of me, but accepting, at least he seems to be. I left them to talk. They need a few moments now, alone.”
A hand was laid on his shoulder, and Kaden looked up. An elderly woman gave him a tentative smile. In her other hand she had a plate filled with the leftover food.
Kaden’s features softened. “Thank you.” He took the plate and offered a small smile of gratitude in return.
The woman nodded to the rest of the family. It was as if the ice had just been broken and everyone relaxed a bit, sitting back in their places.
“You too, sir. Come and eat up.” The woman gestured Cassiel over. He was glad to oblige.
“So…” Kaden scanned the faces around the table, everyone’s attention riveted on him. “Tell me what happened.” He took the bread, broke off a piece and dipped it into the stew.
The sound of a deep, despairing sigh drew Kaden’s attention. It was George who spoke up. “It was bloody chaos. In all our years at the Moore estate something like this has never happened.”
Kaden took a bite of the bread and nodded for George to continue.
“I was out in the field when a group of five men appeared. I rode up to meet them, as I did when you came along with those merchants. I asked about their business on the estate. When…” George shook his head “when I confirmed to them it was the Moore estate they attacked.”
“One of the men threw himself over the fence and knocked me to the ground as the others charged forward… and there were more men coming from all around the estate. I think there was about fifteen of them. I know they were fewer than us, but we are not fighters.”
Kaden narrowed his eyes. “It’s not your fault. You did your best. Those men are ruthless and seasoned warriors.”
George shrugged but continued, “I was lucky to roll away just as my horse reared up and stomped over the bandit. He did not get back up again. I quickly mounted the horse and rode back. Oh, the sight that met me… Everyone was trying to fight off the bandits, but they didn’t seem interested in us. One of them noticed Lady Moore retreating into the house. She was tending to the garden, you see, but… I guess he recognized her by her clothes... they went for the fine dressed ones. I tried to get to her on time, tried to taunt the man… but…” George hung his head, hiding the guilt and tears pooling in his eyes.
“You tried your best.” Charlie sniffed and wiped the tears off her cheeks. Bast took Charlie’s hand in her own and gave it a comforting squeeze. The people around the table were quiet, eyes brimming with tears as the scene played out in their minds again.
“Not good enough, it appears. The bandit got to her first, pulled her back by her hair and –” George choked back a sob. “It was a quick death. I jumped off the horse and then heard a sound I’ll never forget. Lord Moore screaming.” The stable master took a moment, along with a deep breath so he could go on. He kept his eyes on the empty plate in front of him.
“His cry drew the attention of all the bandits. They turned toward him and we realized they wanted him next. I jumped onto the back of the first bandit I came across… we struggled, everyone fought. One of our men came to help me. I don’t even remember who it was, it was all a blur. We took the bandit down and when I looked up I saw an arrow lodged into Lord Moore’s right shoulder. The shock on his face… I will never forget. He fell forward and hit his head. The impact made the arrow sink deeper and out his back.”
George’s hands were fisted on the table, his knuckles white. “They presumed him dead. They just left.” He looked up and saw Kaden’s eyes ablaze with fury, as they flickered back and forth from yellow to black.
Kaden’s grip on the table channeled his anger, the dent deepening as his fury grew. “How many…” he cleared his throat. “How many
casualties?” he hissed through gritted teeth.
George gulped at the sight of Kaden. “They lost six men, we lost five but more were injured, two children were hurt. They were in the wrong place, in the wrong time.” The stable master put his elbows on the table, hiding his face in his hands. He couldn’t hold back the tears anymore.
Kaden shut his eyes tight. Órva’ar had heard everything and the emotions warring inside were overwhelming. He was fighting off the urge to shift into a dragon in that very instant and seek out the bandits. His nostrils flared and smoke billowed out.
Cassiel jumped up at the telltale sign of Kaden’s pre-shifting state. The chair scraped back and toppled over. As it smacked against the floor, everyone scrambled to their feet. They huddled away from Kaden. Bast yanked Charlie up and pushed her behind her back.
Cassiel placed his hand on Kaden’s shoulder and squeezed. “Kaden? You need to breathe. You are terrifying these people.”
Kaden’s head snapped toward Cassiel but Órva’ar was the one looking at him. Cassiel stood his ground and didn’t remove his hand.
“Órva’ar, you need to calm down and let Kaden get back in control. What would Olivia say if she saw you now, scaring her people? And if you fully take over, you’ll hurt them, you’ll destroy their home. Olivia would be mad… disappointed in you. She would be sad… Don’t you think she has enough to deal with?”
Órva’ar struggled, dealing with Kaden’s emotions in addition to his own was hard, especially when they were as powerful as now. When they shared them, the feeling coursed so very strongly through them. Yet Cassiel spoke true. The best thing to do was for Órva’ar to retreat, hide and deal with it in the recesses of Kaden’s mind, thus easing the stress for the human. He closed his eyes and did so.
When Kaden looked at Cassiel again, he was in control. “Thank you.”
Cassiel nodded and, when he was satisfied Kaden had full control again, he went back to his seat and continued eating. It almost reminded him of dealing with Magnus’ temper.
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