by Julie Wetzel
After a few minutes, Daniel came back into the room, followed by several men carrying armloads of personal items. “Ladies, if you'll come with me, I'll show you to your rooms.”
Gathering up their baskets, the girls followed Daniel as he led the way deeper into the castle.
Daniel held his hand out, gesturing to a hallway. “Choose whichever chambers you like.” Most of the doors were open, waiting for new occupants. “You may need to change out the linens,” Daniel warned. “The men and I will bunk in the barracks should you need us.”
“And Lord Mylan?” Kathryn couldn't help but ask. His condition rested heavily on her mind.
Daniel pointed to the one door that was shut. “He rests in the chambers at the end of the hall. If there is anything else, please let me know.” At that, he left the women to get settled into their new accommodations.
“Well, that was pleasant,” one girl said sarcastically.
Kathryn hefted up her basket and led the way down the hall. “What did you expect, Lillian? We came in here, unannounced, and ran these men out of their new home. I wouldn’t expect them to be happy to have us.”
The girls fell quiet as they followed her.
“Well, go ahead and pick your rooms,” Kathryn called, choosing the room across from Patrick’s. It was the room farthest down the hall. She tried to convince herself that her choice was due to the fact she was leading this group and had nothing to do with her desire to check on the injured man.
Kathryn’s nose wrinkled as she took in the small room. The bedding was rumpled, and there was a strange musk in the air. Setting her basket on the small chest at the foot of the bed, she quickly opened the window for some fresh air. This had definitely been the room of some man. If the rest of the rooms were as bad as this, they had a lot of work to do. These men didn’t know the first thing about cleaning.
Sighing, Kathryn pulled the linens off the bed and wadded them up. If they started now, they should be able to wash the sheets and have them dry by nightfall. Then they could start on the rest of the castle.
***
A knock on the door pulled Patrick from his sleep. Maybe if he ignored it, whoever was knocking would go away.
The knock sounded again.
What the hell did Daniel want now? “Come in,” Patrick growled. This had better be good.
“Forgive me, My Lord,” a sweet voice sounded as the door opened.
“Kathryn?” Patrick’s mind raced, trying to reason out what she was doing there. He pushed himself up to look over at his visitor.
Kathryn came in carrying a tray. “Yes, My Lord.” A wonderful smell hit him, making his stomach protest its empty state. “I’ve brought you dinner.” She set the tray on a table next to the dying fire.
“Dinner?” Patrick glanced towards the window to see that the light of day was starting to die out. Had he really slept that long?
“Come eat before it gets cold.” Kathryn shifted the bowl and spoon onto the table before turning to the fire. She fed a few logs onto the cooling embers, rousing the flames to light the room.
Entranced by her movement, Patrick stared as her. Backlit by firelight, she seemed more elegant than she had in the village. His breath caught as she turned back to face him. Her hair shimmered in the soft light, enhancing her already beautiful face. Even the slight furrow in her brow and purse of her lips as she looked on him with irritation did nothing to take away from her grace.
Coming over, she pulled his covers back. “Get up, My Lord.”
Patrick was grateful he had just fallen back to bed in his clothing instead of stripping out of them like he normally did.
“Daniel asked me to come check on your wounds.”
Ah, so Daniel had a hand in this. Patrick let out a deep sigh. It would have been nice if she had come to him out of her own desires. He shook that thought away and got up. “My wounds are really not that bad.” Lifting his arm up, he held it out so she could see the bandage falling off the burn. He’d put some salve on and had hastily wrapped it before going to bed.
Kathryn pursed her lips again.
Oh, how he wanted to kiss that look off her face. He took a deep breath, drawing in her sweet scent. The smell of soap and flowers hung heavy on her skin. An undertone of woman rounded the beautiful fragrance out. It made him want to bury his face in her middle and breathe her in.
She reached over and pulled his arm out to examine it, making his skin sizzle under her gentle fingers. “You really should take better care of this.” The way she poked at the burned arm made his toes curl in ecstasy. Even her touch on the sensitive injury was exquisite. He would gladly submit to her just to feel her delicate hands run over his bare skin.
Catching his thoughts before they could push him to action, Patrick shook his head and pulled his arm out of her grasp. “It’s fine.” He stepped around her and started towards the table and the meal she had brought. It was dangerous for a dragon to get too casual with a human. Even a kiss, properly given, could drive the strictest of ladies to great depths of passion. Kathryn was a maiden he was sworn to protect. He shouldn’t be having these thoughts about her, no matter how well her dress hugged her form.
Spinning around, she grabbed him by the shoulder, stopping him. “It’s not! It could sour if not properly tended.”
Patrick spun in her grasp and snaked his good arm around her. Pulling her firmly against him, he looked down into her eyes. The fact that they widened in surprise drove him on. “Do you worry for me, my fair maiden?” he asked softly, searching her face as she stiffened in his embrace. They fit together so perfectly. Her heartbeat and breathing quickened as he watched desire and fear crawl across her features. Her mouth worked a little before she could finally find words.
“Only as much as one cares for their protector.” Sliding her hands up to his chest, she made him give her some space.
Squeezing her again, he crushed her arms between them and bent his face in close to hers. “I can think of other ways a maiden could thank her savior.” He spoke softly, almost against her lips. Both the fear and desire in her eyes deepened at his suggestive tone. He let his breath trickle over her skin.
She swallowed hard. The tip of her tongue darted out, wetting her lips.
For a moment, Patrick thought she would lean in to take his mouth. That thought stoked the fire in his soul. It was all he could do to keep from closing that gap himself and tasting her sweetness.
A blush crawled up her skin as she felt the change in his body. She pushed away from him. “Forgive me, My Lord.” Kathryn pulled from his arms and disappeared out the door in a swirl of embarrassed skirts.
Patrick let her go unchecked. He had done what he’d needed to ensure she would not be invading his space. Had he tried to send her away, she would have protested, but he couldn’t have guaranteed her virtue if he had let her stay to tend him. The events of the last two days had weakened his control, and something about her pulled at the strands still holding it together.
Sighing, Patrick sat down to the meal Kathryn had left for him—stew, with a chunk of crusty bread slathered in butter. He looked over his burn as he dug in. It would need a good cleaning and wrapping, but the wound was in no danger of souring. Burns were commonplace for dragons, and this one would heal just as nicely as the rest of the burns he’d received.
He dropped his arm and glanced towards his now-shut door. Tomorrow, when he had collected his scattered control, he would thank Kathryn for both the meal and her concern. He would also have to think of an appropriate apology. He wanted some distance between them, but not a chasm he couldn’t breach. Patrick let his mind wander to the feel of her in his arms, her sweet smell, and he imagined what her lips would taste like. For tonight, he would revel in her memory and dream of how good they could be together. Tomorrow, he would take up the mantle of protector of maidens and stay as far away from her temptation as he could.
***
Two planks of solid wood and a corridor separated them, but Kathryn didn’t think
it was enough as she leaned against her closed door. She could beat Daniel for suggesting she take that man something to eat and check on his wounds. She had only asked if he was okay because he had slept all day. Wounds such as his could fester if not treated properly. The first sign of souring was a tired patient, so she did have cause to worry.
Kathryn looked around her freshly cleaned room as she thought. Her eyes landed on the bundle of wildflowers she had gathered while they were out waiting for the sheets to dry. She had meant to take them to Patrick to sweeten his chambers, but she had forgotten them in her worry. Taking them to him now was out of the question.
Blushing, she remembered his touch. So warm and strong against her. Kathryn pushed away from the door and went to the flowers. They smelled sweet, but they did nothing to clean her mind of the scent of her new lord. Oh, he smelled good. Musky and spicy. Just the thought of it warmed her insides in a way she never knew was possible. Plucking up the bouquet of flowers, she cracked open her door. His door was shut, and no one was in the corridor. She quickly secured the bundle to his door handle and fled back to her room. Surely he would find them there and take them inside.
What should she do now? Kathryn pondered her situation. She should be indignant. Hadn’t her lord just suggested she pay for his service with her body? But she found that she wasn’t. Her mind kept remembering the feel of his body against hers, his warm breath on her face, and the closeness of his lips. What would it be like to kiss him? She almost wished she had closed that gap and found out. No one had ever held her like that before, and she couldn’t think of anyone she had ever wanted to hold her like that. Her mind churned on the possibilities, and she quickly shook them away. She shouldn’t be thinking of romancing this man. There were nine girls she had to think about. How was she to expect them to keep their virtue when she was thinking about discarding her own?
No, she couldn’t think of Patrick that way. He was their lord and protector, but he was also a slacker. Hadn’t he left his men in Daniel’s care so he could sleep the day away? Yes, that was it. It didn’t matter if he had been severely rattled and burned, he should have been up seeing to his keep and hunting the dragon. Kathryn nodded her head and stormed out of her room, determined to be mad at him. Better mad than that other emotion swirling around and making her want to find out exactly how well they fit together.
5
“The men have a new limerick.” Daniel dropped himself to the seat next to Patrick.
Patrick sighed. “Surely not.” He pushed the food around in his bowl. The great hall was bustling with activity this morning.
“Oh, yes.” Daniel smiled and snatched up a biscuit from the table. “Would you like to hear it?”
“Is there any way to stop you?”
The grin on Daniel’s face widened. “No.”
Patrick sighed again. “Then let’s have it.”
Daniel cleared his throat as if he were going to announce the rhyme to the whole room.
Patrick cringed in anticipation.
“There once was a dragon named Patrick, whose scales and wings were fantastic. He soared through the air, with the greatest of care, and made all of the villagers spastic.” Daniel spoke in a voice just loud enough for Patrick to hear.
Shock filled Patrick’s face. “Spastic!” he hissed. “Surely they overreacted by sending the maidens here, but it wasn’t that bad.”
Daniel chuckled. “There have been no less than five dragon sightings since yesterday,” he said as if he were proud of that fact.
“Five!” Patrick snapped. He was going to have to crack some heads if they were showing themselves so openly.
Another laugh bubbled out of Daniel. “One was a cat in a tree, three were leaves in the wind, and one was a very ferocious-looking bush.” He drew in a deep breath, sobering up. “I’ve had to send more men out to the village to check on these claims. The people are seeing dragons everywhere now.”
Great. And entirely his fault. Drawing in a deep breath, Patrick ruffled his hand through his hair, thinking. “The people will calm down after a few days.” He prayed that was true. “We’ll just have to wait them out. Have the men continue to check into these claims to reassure the village. In the meantime, I want no one in wings.” Lifting up his head, he gave Daniel a serious look. “We can’t afford to panic the people more.”
“But what about the search for the dragon?” Daniel asked.
Patrick sighed. “It will have to be done on horse.” It would take them longer, but his scouts were good. They would locate the dragon’s lair. They had to.
“I’ll pass on the word.” Daniel bit into his biscuit. This was not going to make the men happy.
“The dragon is back!” The words echoed around the great hall as the doors banged open. Everyone froze for a moment before exploding into action.
Leaping from his seat, Patrick raced to the guard panting by the door. “Where is it?” He had to yell over the din to be heard.
The man pointed towards the door. “In the field to the south of the village. The men were just forming up their line when I left.”
“My sword.” Patrick turned back so he could go get his weapons.
A young girl held his sword for him. “Here, My Lord.”
He looked at the weapon. It was definitely the one he had left in his room. How had she known where to get it? Stunned, he took it with a quick word of thanks. He didn’t have time to worry about that now. Belting the sword to his waist, he ran out the door.
“My Lord!”
Patrick turned at the title. He was starting to get used to it. A bucket of cold water splashed into his face, driving the air from his lungs. Another spilled down his back, drenching his clothing. He should have expected that. A third hit him in the chest. Now they were just goofing off. He opened his mouth to snap at the men. The water was needed, but they should have given him at least a little warning.
“My Lord.” The soft voice cut through his ire, and the bucket wielders beat a hasty retreat as Kathryn distracted him.
He stilled as she stepped close to him.
She reached for his hand and placed something in it. “Here.”
Looking down, he discovered two smoke packs—smoke packs he distinctly remembered giving to Daniel. He raised his free hand and curled it over hers. The feel of her delicate hand in his made his blood warm. The noise around him fell away as he looked into her blue eyes. Their color had deepened with fright laced with a touch of desire. Oh, how he longed for an opportunity to push that fear from her heart. “Thank you.” He breathed the words as he caressed her hand. Her breath caught in her throat, making her bosom swell slightly. Just one step would bring him close enough to pull her in for a kiss. His foot moved of its own accord, but the cry of a horse cut through his desire, and the sounds of the world came rushing back in.
“My Lord.”
Patrick turned his head to see two men waiting for him. One held his horse and the other his battered shield. He hadn’t had time to repair it, but it would be better than nothing.
“Be safe, My Lord.” Kathryn stepped away, pulling free of his hand. A blush kissed her cheeks.
So she had been affected, too. He smiled to himself before turning to his men. Grabbing the oversized shield, he leaped onto the bare back of his horse. Thankfully, someone had taken the time to bridle the animal. He kicked into its sides, sending it racing towards the town. Once he had subdued the dragon again, he would be back to pursue his fair maiden.
***
Fear clenched at her heart as Kathryn watched her lord gallop away. Several other men joined him in his haste, but her eyes followed Patrick. She tried to tell herself that the fear was for the village, but she knew that was not the case. She worried her lower lip with her teeth. It had taken every ounce of self-control to keep from begging him to stay. She couldn’t bear the thought of him being injured by the dragon again.
A warmth at her side drew Kathryn’s attention from the retreating party.
&
nbsp; Lillian stood next to her, watching the men. “Do you like him?”
“Of course not,” Kathryn answered flippantly.
“Then why do you look so forlorn?”
Kathryn turned widened eyes to the other maiden. Am I that transparent? “I worry for the safety of our lord and his men,” Kathryn answered as she turned back towards the castle.
“Of course,” Lillian said sarcastically.
“Our continuing security depends on them winning this day,” Kathryn pointed out.
“So your countenance has nothing to do with our good lord Mylan?” The way Lillian said that made Kathryn pause and look at her. There was a suggestion there that the older woman did not like.
“Of course not,” Kathryn snapped. “Come on.” She turned to stride purposefully into the great hall. “There is much to do before they return.”
And there was. The chaos of the men’s departure had left the great hall in shambles. It would take them a while to set it right.
***
Sliding from the horse, Patrick slapped the beast on the rump, sending it back to the castle. It was smart. It would find its way home. Hefting his battered shield, he loped towards the line of men formed up outside the south edge of town.
The dragon paced the field where they had first stood off.
“Report!” Patrick barked as he came to the line.
The creature’s head turned at the sound of his voice.
“It landed a few minutes ago,” one of his men answered. “It’s been pacing back and forth, but it hasn’t advanced on the village.”
Nodding, Patrick watched the dragon. What was it waiting for?
The creature pinned him with its eyes.
“What are you going to do?” Daniel asked as he stepped up behind Patrick. They had talked about ways to kill the beast if it attacked the village again, but this wasn’t attacking. How could he kill a creature for just showing up?
Patrick stepped through the line of men and out into the field. “Find out what it wants.”