dragon archives 02 - pursued by a dragon

by Linda K Hopkins

  More days dragged by. The full heat of summer had arrived, one endless day of heat after another. At night Cathryn flung the shutters wide open, desperate to feel the air circulating through the room, but she would lie awake, hot and sweaty. When she did finally succumb to sleep, it offered little in the way of rest as dragons plagued her dreams.

  Another market day rolled around, and Cathryn stood at her window watching the crowds milling towards the market square. She had lost track of the days since she had seen Aaron, and she felt a sense of despair creeping into her heart. Had Favian given up on her altogether? As she watched the milling crowds, she was seized with a sudden determination to join the throng. Even if only for a few hours, she would put her torment behind her and enjoy the morning. Securing her purse to her waist, she picked up a basket and headed out the door, following the people heading toward the cobbled square in the center of town.

  A visiting merchant caught Cathryn’s eye, and she headed to his small stall to inspect the finely crafted wooden sculptures that decorated his table, picking up one of an eagle in flight. The craftsman had captured the form so well, Cathryn could imagine the bird taking flight from her hand as she watched.

  “This is beautiful,” she said with a smile. “Do you have other animals?”

  “Yes, Mistress,” said the man, laying down a small block of wood he had been working on. “Over here I have a wolf, and somewhere … ah, yes, here it is … is a rabbit.”

  “Lovely,” said Cathryn, leaning forward to inspect the pieces. “What about other creatures?”

  “What kind of creatures do you have in mind, Mistress?” asked the man, turning his brown eyes on her.

  “Um, well, how about a dragon?”

  “A dragon, hmm? No, I don’t have any dragons, but I do have a lion.” Cathryn looked at it politely, before placing it back down with a smile. She was about to turn away when she felt a shiver run down the back of her spine. Spinning on her heel, she scanned the crowds, certain she was being watched. All around her people were bustling from one stall to the other, and the market buzzed with activity. Peasant wives haggled with vegetable sellers, ladies inspected cloth, and men held swords up to the light, their fingers running over the smooth and deadly surfaces. Children chased each other, their hands sticky from buns and other sweetened delights as they wound through the throngs. No-one gave Cathryn the slightest notice. Taking a firm grip on her basket, Cathryn pushed her way back into the flow of people, her attention fixed on a stall on the opposite side. The crowd thinned as she approached her goal, and she quickened her step. She was almost there when a warm hand clamped around her arm, pulling her into a darkened passageway. Confused, she looked up into a pair of dark blue eyes, burning with faint spots of yellow.

  “Favian,” she gasped, “you’re here! I’ve been waiting for you. Did you get my note? When did you return?”

  Favian released the hold on her arm, and took a step backwards, his arms crossed over his chest.

  “I believe you wanted to see me,” he said coolly. His tone brought Cathryn up short, and she took in a deep breath, eyeing him carefully.

  “Yes,” she said. She looked back at the crowded marketplace, then slowly turned back to him. “Why were you waiting for me here? Why didn’t you come to the house? Where have you been?”

  “I understand the nuptial agreement with Geoffrey Beaumont has been annulled,” he said.

  “Yes?”

  “I also understand this annulment is a result of a change in Beaumont’s circumstances.”

  “What? No. Where did you hear that?”

  “I got the news from your friend Peggy last week.”

  “Last week?” she gasped. “You have been in town for a whole week? And you never came to see me? Surely you knew I wanted to see you? Why?”

  “I’ve been watching you,” he said, leaning a little closer. “You’ve been very busy, haven’t you?”

  Cathryn stared at him in astonishment.

  “Yes,” she hissed, “busy keeping myself distracted.” She watched as the yellow flecks in his eyes flared for a brief moment. “Why did you not come to see me?” she asked again.

  “I knew what you had to say. Since you were no longer marrying Geoffrey, you had decided to accept my offer. But Cathryn, I refuse to accept second place.” He leaned closer, bringing his face to within a few inches of hers. “You would not break the contract for my sake, but you expect me to accept the scraps.”

  “Scraps?” she demanded incredulously. “You consider my love for you mere ‘scraps’? I had already broken the contract when I heard the news about Geoffrey. I was ready to give you the whole meal, Favian Drake.” She turned on her heel, but Favian caught her by the arm.

  “I don’t believe you,” he said. She took in a deep breath, then turned to look into his face.

  “Your belief or disbelief does not change the truth, Favian,” she said. “I refuse to continue this conversation here, but you can call on me at home if you wish.” Shaking her arm free of his hand, she stepped out of the shadows and turned in the direction that led home. She heard Favian fall into step beside her, but ignored him, instead lengthening her stride as she marched in silence down the lane, her eyes straight ahead. She could feel him watching her as they walked, his long stride easily matching hers, and she lifted her chin slightly. A glint of silver caught Cathryn’s eye, and she darted a quick sideways glance to see the sleeve of his tunic pulled up to reveal a silver bangle on his wrist. She quickly looked forward once more.

  They reached the house in silence, and Favian followed her as she pushed the door open and walked into the long hall of the house. She paused a moment to put down the basket, before swiftly walking to the parlor, Favian still close on her heels. As they entered the room, Favian closed the door quietly behind him as she turned to look at him for the first time since the market.

  “How could you?” she said. “You knew I was waiting to see you, and yet you did nothing to relieve my anxiety. Why?”

  “You think I should come whenever you beckon?” he retorted. “Your contract with Geoffrey may now be annulled, but you would not break it for my sake. And yet you expect me to hang around your feet like a lap dog!”

  “I did break it for your sake!” she shouted. “I told Geoffrey that I would not marry him before I knew about his bankruptcy!”

  “Dammit, Cathryn! How can I believe you? You have pushed me away at every opportunity.” She took a step back as he strode towards her. “You are destroying me!”

  She saw the flames flare into his eyes in the moment before his hands wrapped around her neck in an unbreakable clasp, and his lips descended on hers, hard and unrelenting. She struggled against his hold, but he slipped a hand down her back and pulled her even closer, molding his body to hers. His grip around her neck loosened, and his kiss softened, coaxing a response from her, and she felt her resolve slipping as his tongue teased hers. She heard a soft moan, startled to realize that it had come from her, and he buried his hand into her hair, stroking and teasing her as her hands slid around his back. He pulled away from her lips and trailed kisses down the side of her neck as she held him close, before once more claiming her mouth. She was breathless when he pulled away, his forehead resting on hers.

  “Never before have I been so tormented,” he said. “I cannot bear the thought of walking away from you, but cannot accept second place. I want you to be completely mine, and want your complete acceptance of what I am.” His eyes blazed into hers as he spoke, his heat pressing through her clothes and into her skin.

  “There is no second place, Favian,” she said. “You already have all of me.”

  “I wish I could believe that,” he said softly. A sound at the door made them draw apart hastily, and Favian closed his eyes as Father walked into the room.

  “Cathryn,” he said, looking at Favian as he slowly opened his deep blue eyes. “I see we have a guest.”

  “Yes, Father. This is Favian Drake.”

  �
��Hmm,” said Father, subjecting Favian to intense scrutiny. “Favian Drake, eh? About time you showed up! I’ve been asking around town about you. You seem to be a bit of a mystery, although I have not heard anything averse about your character. I was not very happy when Cathryn informed me of her intention to break the betrothal agreement with Geoffrey Beaumont, but it would appear fate made a timely intervention.” Favian threw Cathryn a quick look that expressed both regret and satisfaction, before returning his attention to Father, who had not paused. “When are you planning to exchange vows?”

  “One week hence,” Favian said, “and then return to Drake Manor.”

  “Drake Manor? In one week?” protested Father, turning to face Cathryn. “What about the business? I need to return to court at the end of summer.” He turned back towards Favian. “Do you intend to reside permanently at Drake Manor?”

  “We have not yet discussed that,” Cathryn quickly interposed before Favian could respond. “I will not abandon you while you still need my assistance, but Felix is quite capable of handling things for you.”

  “Hmph. This is what comes from marrying for love,” he said darkly. “You turn your back on the things that are important.”

  Beside her Cathryn could feel Favian tense, and she reached out her hand to him, wrapping her fingers around his as Father watched with a frown. She took a deep breath to steady her tone.

  “Although you consider my actions self-serving, Father, I consider my future happiness to be of even greater importance,” she said. “I am not turning my back on you or the business, but you must understand that my place from this moment forward will be with Favian, wherever that may be.” She cast a quick glance at Favian, catching his smile of approval. Father looked at her from beneath lowered eyebrows.

  “Very well. I can see further argument now would be futile. However this discussion is not at an end, daughter. And,” he added, turning to look at Favian, “I would like a few words with you. Come and see me in my study before you leave.”

  “Of course,” Favian said as the older man strode out of the room.

  “One week?” Cathryn said as the door closed, leaving them alone once again. “I thought you were doubting my love for you.”

  “I would marry you today, fool that I am, although it appears I owe you an apology for thinking you broke with Beaumont because of his bankruptcy. I should have trusted you.” He looked away for a moment, his expression pensive, before returning his gaze to her. “I also owe you an apology for the things I said in the woods. I said them because I was angry and wanted to shock you, and although they had an element of truth, I was exaggerating greatly. Later I was deeply ashamed, which just fueled my anger. Being angry with you allowed me to justify my own despicable behavior, and even when you gave me proof of your regard for me, my mind refused to countenance it.” He held up his hand to reveal the bangle. “But deep within my beastly heart, I could not deny my love for you, or that you loved me. I’ve worn this every day since that day in the woods,” he said. His expression was filled with remorse as he gazed at her. “Please forgive me,” he whispered.

  “Of course I forgive you,” she said, wrapping her hands around his neck and pulling his face down towards hers. “You’re only human, after all,” she finished with a grin. His laugh was muffled as he brushed his lips against hers.

  “I love you,” he said. He pulled away a few moments later, but when he started to tug the bangle from his wrist, she stopped him.

  “I know this is something usually worn by a lady, but you gave me something, and I want you to keep it as a token of my love for you. It doesn’t contain a part of me, like your pendant does, but it does carry my love.”

  “Give me a lock of your hair,” he said, “and I will meld it into the metal.”

  “It will just fall out,” she said, but she crossed over to a basket of needlework and withdrew a small pair of scissors. He smiled and walked to where she stood, and carefully separating a few strands of her hair, he took the scissors from her hand and snipped them off. Tugging the bangle from his wrist, he held it in his palm.

  “Ready?” he asked.

  “For what?” she said, confused.

  “For this,” he replied, bringing the bangle up to his mouth and gently blowing. A stream of flame burst from between his lips, and Cathryn pulled back in shock, then leaned forward to look as Favian gently pressed her hair into the softening metal, creating ridges along the edges of the filigree. Turning to a pitcher of wine, Favian dropped the bangle into the liquid, where it sizzled and hissed.

  “Wine?” she said.

  “I needed something to cool the metal, and since there is no pail of water, I used what was available,” he said with a grin. He fished the bangle out of the pitcher and shook off the drops of liquid. Taking it from his hand, Cathryn inspected it closely. It was still warm, but no longer soft.

  “How does a dragon wear a bangle?” she asked as she wrapped the jewelry around Favian’s outstretched wrist.

  “Come fly with me,” he said, “and I’ll show you.”

  “Fly with you? In town?”

  “No,” he said. “While I go chat with your father, ride out to the oak tree in the meadow. I will find you when I am done.” She smiled as he headed out the door.

  Chapter 32

  Cathryn slid off her horse, her eyes searching the heavens. The sky remained empty, however, and she returned her attention to her horse, using a long length of soft cloth to hobble her mount. A flash of light high in the sky caught her attention, and she looked up to see a dark shadow against the blue, growing larger as it approached the earth. As it grew closer, she could see enormous wings opened wide, with the form of a man hanging between them. He dropped down right in front of her, his bare chest mere inches away as his feet touched the ground. In his hand he held his tunic, and he threw it onto the ground near Morana.

  “Come,” he said, wrapping his arms around her. The ground disappeared from beneath her feet before she even had a chance to respond.

  “Where are we going?” she managed to choke out as the air rushed past her face. She wrapped her arms around his back and held tightly, her face paling as she saw how high they were climbing. Favian leaned back and smiled into her face in amusement.

  “I won’t let you fall,” he said. “We are going somewhere completely private.”

  “Oh,” was all she could manage to say before the wind sucked her breath away.

  The land beneath grew distant as Favian climbed into the clouds, his powerful wings flexing through the air with ease, the muscles in his back taut against his skin. With each beat the wings brushed against Cathryn’s hand as she clung to his waist, and she cautiously stretched out her fingers to stroke the smooth, silky surface of his wings as they carried them aloft. At her touch, he bent his wings inward slightly, bringing them closer to his body and her reaching fingers. His arms tightened around her, and his face dropped into her hair as he stroked her back.

  “No wings,” she whispered into his shoulder.

  “If I wanted a woman with wings, I could have had one,” he said, his mouth near her ear. “It is you I want, and you are perfect just the way you are, fully human.” She smiled, and stretched her hand a little further.

  He brought them down to land on a small rocky outcrop at the top of a mountain peak. The air was much colder this high, and she shivered when Favian stepped away from her.

  “Are you not cold?” she asked.

  “I have fire flowing through my veins,” he replied. “No, I’m not cold. In fact, this is the perfect temperature.” He laughed at her grimace. “I’ll keep you warm,” he promised. Taking her by the hand he sat her down at the edge of the rock, and sitting behind her, pulled her between his legs, dropping his feet over the edge of the ledge. Tentatively, Cathryn followed suit, pulling back when she saw how far a drop it was, then leaning against Favian’s chest as his arms wrapped around her. She snuggled into his warmth with a sigh.

  “Comfortabl
e?” he asked with a laugh.

  “Mmm, yes,” she said. “Nothing like a dragon’s hide to keep you warm.”

  “Just as long as you don’t seek to remove the hide from the dragon, all will be well,” he said, nuzzling her neck.

  “Why did Father want to speak with you?” she asked.

  “He wanted to assure himself that he was not letting his daughter marry a monster.”

  “And was he satisfied?”

  “I’m not sure ‘satisfied’ would be the correct term, but I think I convinced him I was not about to lock you away in a dungeon.”

  “You didn’t tell him what you are, did you?” she asked.

  “Absolutely not,” he said. His tone was serious, and she turned to look at him. “We guard the secret of who we are very jealously, Cathryn. It is very important that you never tell anyone what I am. The knowledge of our existence can be a significant danger to humans.”

  “Why?”

  “Because humans fear dragons more than any other creature. They would seek us out in an effort to kill us if they knew we existed, but the only way a dragon can be killed by humans is if he allows that to happen. Instead of a dead dragon, you would have dozens of dead humans.”

  “Why would a dragon allow himself to be killed?” she asked. Favian gazed into her face for a long moment before looking away with a sigh.

  “There is usually only one reason. Love.”

  “Love? I don’t understand.”

  “Aaron saw both of his parents being killed by humans. His mother was killed by a jealous lover, and in his anguish, his father did nothing to defend himself when the villagers came after him. He was in his dragon form and the villagers believed he was responsible for Eleanor’s death.”

  “That’s terrible.”

  “It is. And it is the reason why Aaron has tried to deny his humanity. But many humans lost their lives that day as well, so the agony was not confined to dragons.” Cathryn turned back to view the panoramic vista once more.