Keira headed out of the room and made her way towards the dining room, pausing at the entrance when she saw it was empty. Voices drifted down the dark passage from the parlor, and she turned towards them. She could hear Aaron and Favian talking, their voices low. She was about to push the door open when the sound of her name froze her in place. She stepped closer as Aaron’s voice reached her through the door.
“It’s not right, Favian. I shouldn’t even love her.” Keira held her breath and leaned forward as Aaron spoke again. “Just being with her is a torment.”
She pulled back with a gasp, then spun around on her heel. As she ran back down the passage she heard the conversation stop.
“Keira?” Aaron’s voice sounded through the parlor door. “Keira?” The door opened and then Aaron was behind her. “Keira. Stop.” He grabbed her by the arm, forcing her to a halt.
“Let me go,” she hissed, shaking her arm free.
“Keira, please, let me explain.”
“What is there to explain?” She pulled in a deep breath. “Fine. Explain.”
“Keira, don’t you see? I love you too much, and it’s consuming me. I cannot get you out of my mind when I’m away from you, and when I am with you, all I want to do is touch you. I never want to let you go, and it’s wrong. No-one should love that much.”
“How can you love too much, Aaron?” she said, her voice rising.
“I already do,” he said. “I’ve already done things I shouldn’t have because of my love for you.”
“Like what? What have you done that you shouldn’t have done?”
“I saved your father. I revealed myself to that man on the road.”
“How was saving my father wrong?”
“I gave him my blood, Keira! A dragon should never share his blood with a human who is not his mate. And now he feels bound to me.”
“You saved his life!”
“Yes. But only because of my love for you! I am the Master, responsible for my clan, and yet all I can think of is you! Don’t you see how wrong this is?”
“It is wrong to love? No, Aaron, I don’t see that. Love is a strength, not a weakness.”
“Tell me, Keira, how did love make my father strong? He allowed himself to be killed. He could have saved himself, but he chose to die, leaving me to pick up the pieces. He abandoned me and abandoned the clan. I shouldn’t even be Master, but I didn’t have a choice!”
“You are not your father, Aaron.”
“No? His blood runs in my veins. His love for my mother was a sickness, just like mine is for you!”
“A sickness, Aaron?” Keira shouted. “A sickness?”
“Yes,” Aaron shouted back. “I am Dragon Master, Keira, and you have crept into my veins like a poison. But what would you know? You are only human, after all, prone to the frailties of humanity.” He glared at her, then turned around and stormed the opposite direction down the passage, brushing past Favian, who stood at the doorway to the parlor watching her with concern. Angry and humiliated, Keira turned in the opposite direction, passing through the hall and out the door.
She stood against the side of the house for a moment, before turning in the direction of the woods. The tears were stinging her eyes, but she brushed them away, stumbling through the scrubby grass. She headed towards the river, following the footprints left by someone after the dusting of snow they’d received the previous day.
She glanced up at the rocky outcrop, and carefully, mindful of the fact it was icy, pulled her way to the top of it. It was here that Cathryn had said she had first seen a dragon, and it was here that the dragon said he was no longer the same creature he had been twelve years previously. But as she gazed miserably over the trees, she wondered whether he had changed at all.
How long she had been sitting there, she didn’t know, but she turned her head when she heard footsteps crunching through the snow. It was Owain, and in one quick leap, he was on the rock, his footing sure.
“It’s a good place to think, isn’t it?” he said, sitting down next to her. “I used to come here a lot when I was a lad, and Favian and Aaron used to get up to all kinds of mischief around here.”
They sat in silence for a moment.
“You heard what he said, didn’t you?” Keira finally said. Owain nodded. “Is it true? Does loving someone make you weaker?”
“No,” Owain said. “If you allow it to, it makes you stronger. That stands true for dragons and humans.”
“He said I am a sickness. A poison.”
Owain turned and looked at Keira for a long moment, his face sad.
“Ever since his parents died, Aaron has been in control. Of the clan. Of himself. Of everything around him. Even in his anger, he was controlled. And now he finds himself unable to control his love for you, and he doesn’t know what to do.”
“He said he shouldn’t even be Master.”
“Aaron had Mastership thrust onto him before he was ready, but it was just a matter of time. The clan always knew that Aaron would be the next Master.”
“Because his father was Master.”
“No, because from the time Aaron was young, it was clear that he would be a dragon of power.”
“So what am I to do?” she finally said.
Owain stared into the distance for a long moment.
“Aaron’s father was my brother,” he finally said. “When we were children he was always the stronger of the two of us. He could run faster, fly faster, and hit harder. And it wasn’t just me – Zachary could beat any dragon, even those more powerful than him, because what he lacked in inner strength, he had in brute force. So when the old Master died, Zachary was the logical choice to become the next Master. But as strong as Zachary was, he never seemed happy. Even as a child he seemed … needy. Desperate for love; as though something was missing.
“And then he met Eleanor, and all that changed. He loved her with utter devotion, and she became his whole life. For a while everything was good. Aaron was born, and Zachary led the clan as a strong leader should. But then Eleanor lost the baby.”
“Aaron had a sibling?”
“No. The baby died at birth, and Eleanor was devastated.”
“How old was Aaron?”
“He must have been around fifteen. Zachary had sent him to stay with us long before the baby was due so he could devote his attention to Eleanor. I’m not sure Aaron even knew.” Keira nodded as Owain continued. “After the baby died, everything changed. Eleanor was unhappy, which made Zachary unhappy. He started neglecting his duties as Master, and it fell on the elders to deal with issues. He withdrew to Storbrook, staying away for years at a time. Aaron remembers a strong leader and father who suddenly chose to die, but the truth was, Zachary had already given up as Master. Even if he had survived that day, it was just a matter of time before he was forced out and Aaron became leader in his place. Zachary didn’t die because love made him weak. The weakness was already there, and he made a decision that day that he could not live without Eleanor.
“But Aaron is not his father. He is far stronger and far more resilient, but he needs to realize that for himself. He has the strength and power to love you and lead the clan, but he needs to see that for himself. In the meantime,” Owain shrugged, “all you can do is love him and trust that he will figure it out.”
“And if he doesn’t?”
“He will. You have to believe that.” He gave Keira a wry look. “You have dragon blood in your veins now, which means you have plenty of time.”
“Wonderful,” she muttered.
He smiled, then held out his hand. “Ready to head back indoors?”
“No,” she said, “but I will come anyway.” She placed her hand in his, gasping when he pulled her off the rock. He steadied her with a hand at her waist when she hit the ground, then he stepped back and gestured for her to lead the way through the trees.
“Aaron said he should not have saved my father,” she said as they walked.
“Perhaps not, but Aaron is
making far more of the situation than necessary. It is better if we dragons don’t draw attention to ourselves, but we have all done things we shouldn’t have. And saving his father-in-law was probably the best decision at the time, even though it had some undesirable consequences.”
They were close to the house when Will came running out, waving his arms in the air.
“Look, another dragon.” Owain and Keira followed Will’s pointed hand, and sure enough a dragon could be seen circling through the air.
“Max,” Owain said.
“Anna,” Keira said. She turned her gaze to the road, but did not see anything.
“Do you see them?” she asked Owain.
“Yes, I see them. Thomas, Anna, and two extra horses.”
“Good,” Keira said, lifting her skirts and hurrying down the road as the small party came into her view.
“Anna!” She waved her arms in the air as Max landed beside her. “You made it,” she said, turning to him with a smile.
“Did you doubt it?” he asked.
“I did wonder whether you would make it one piece,” she said.
“Quite intact, I assure you. I am a resourceful man.”
“Should I be worried?” she asked, her eyebrows raised.
“No. Your sister’s contempt remains as resolute as ever!”
Keira grinned, then turned her attention back to the approaching figure.
“Keira,” Anna shouted, pulling the horse to a halt and sliding off her saddle. She ran up to her sister and gave her a quick squeeze. “I never want to see a horse again in my entire life. Nor,” she said, turning a disdainful glare at Max, “that annoying, absolutely awful … creature!”
“I see you’ve arrived safe and sound,” Keira said as Max laughed.
“Yes,” said Anna, looking at Max again before responding. “Quite safe and sound.” She held his gaze for a moment before looking away.
“Anything untoward happen?” Aaron’s voice behind her made Keira jump, and she dropped her eyes to the ground as she drew in a shuddering breath. Her gaze met Anna’s as she looked up, and she gave a weak smile.
“One little incident, easily handled. Nothing to be concerned about,” Max said.
“Good,” Aaron said, before turning and walking away.
Chapter 23
Anna looked at Keira curiously. Something was wrong, but Anna could not place her finger on it.
“Aaron seems in a hurry,” she said, glancing up at the retreating figure.
“Yes,” Keira said, and the tone in her voice made Anna look back at her. “He’s been very busy with dragon matters lately.” She took Anna by the hands. “Tell me everything about your trip. Was it long and tedious?”
“Very,” Anna said, drawing out the word. “I think every item of clothing I brought is covered in mud, and” – she leaned closer to her sister, dropping her voice – “I’m not sure I will ever be able to sit comfortably again!”
Keira laughed, and linking her arm into Anna’s, pulled her sister towards the house.
“Come and meet Margaret and Cathryn,” she said. Max had already wandered over to the two women waiting at the entrance to the house, and Anna saw him give the older woman a quick kiss on the cheek. He laughed at something she said as Anna and Keira drew close.
“This is my most troublesome charge,” he said, a grin tugging at his mouth when Anna scowled at him.
“Anna, welcome to Drake Manor,” said the younger woman with a laugh. “And take no notice of Max. We certainly don’t!”
“You know how to make a man feel right at home, Cathryn,” Max said. Cathryn grinned, then turned to Keira.
“I’m sure you want some time alone with your sister, so would you mind showing Anna her chambers? It is the room two doors down from yours.”
“Of course,” Keira said, leading Anna into the building.
After a week of cramped rooms at inns of varying quality, Anna’s chamber was wonderful. It was large and airy, with a huge fireplace where a fire crackled and blazed. A large bed stood in the center of the room, while next to the fireplace was a wooden chair. Keira left her so she could freshen herself, and Anna stripped off her dirty clothes with relief. A basin of water stood on a washstand beside a ewer, a stack of linens piled next to it, and Anna scrubbed off the dust and dirt with a sigh of pleasure. A fresh chemise and gown made her feel transformed into a new, clean person, and she looked at herself in the mirror with satisfaction. Donning a fresh pair of slippers, Anna made her way down the hall in search of Keira. She found her in the courtyard, chatting to Cathryn while two children ran around their legs, playing a game of tag. Keira glanced up with a smile.
“Feeling refreshed?” she asked. “I thought we could go for a walk. Even though it is still winter, the gardens here are worth seeing.”
It was lovely to walk rather than ride, and Anna spent the afternoon telling Keira about the journey. They walked to a small lake, their feet crunching through snow that had lost its fluffy softness, before turning back and walking through the woods that bordered the estate. There was little snow under the trees – instead the ground was covered in a thick layer of dried leaves. Anna could hear the sound of men laughing as they approached the house, and as they rounded the walls, she saw Max standing with another man in the courtyard. They both looked up at the sound of their approach, and Anna looked at the unknown man with interest. He was big, broader and taller than Max, with a shock of red hair.
“Anna, this is Favian,” Keira said. “Favian, my sister, Anna.”
Favian turned to Anna with a smile. “Welcome to Drake Manor.” He glanced back at Max. “And well done for putting up with this rogue on the road.”
“Rogue?” Max’s voice was indignant. “If you knew the cutting tongue that this woman possesses, you would know that it is I who deserve the congratulations!”
“Cutting tongue, eh? Well, Max, hopefully she cut you to size.”
Anna smirked at Max’s feigned look of dismay, but he soon started laughing.
“She put me thoroughly in my place,” he said. He looked over at Anna, his gaze catching hers for a moment, and she looked away in confusion, unsure how to act with him with all these people around.
“Come, Anna,” Keira said, taking her by the hand and leading her towards the house, “we should ready ourselves for supper.”
Aaron was the last one to arrive at supper that evening, and he took a seat next to Thomas, who looked up in surprise, since he was sitting at the opposite end of the table from Keira. Anna glanced at her sister, but her expression was unreadable.
“Anything happen on the trip I should be aware of?” Aaron asked his steward. Thomas shot Max a quick look, while Aaron turned to face Max with narrowed eyes.
“Max?”
“A small band of thieves tried to get the better of us, but they soon learnt the error of their ways.” Max met Aaron’s gaze steadily. Aaron nodded.
“Very well. Were you able to find suitable accommodations?”
Max nodded, then launched into a brief description of some of the inns where they had stayed. After a few more questions, Aaron pushed himself away from the table.
“Very well. I’m going out. Alone,” he added, waving his hand at Favian when he started to stand. The two men eyed each other before Favian dropped his gaze and slowly sat down again. Aaron glanced quickly at Keira, then strode out of the room.
Aaron’s departure signaled the end of the meal, and the rest of the party soon retired to the parlor, but Anna did not linger. Her body ached and she was weary, ready for a night’s rest in a comfortable bed. Smiling at the others, she excused herself from their company and made her way to her chambers. She sighed at the luxury of fresh, clean quilts and soft pillows, a mattress of wool instead of straw. Her hair had become tangled again, but she gave it a perfunctory brush before lying down on the bed. Her gaze fell on the empty chair as she pulled the quilts up to her chin. How wonderful to have the room to herself, she thought. She h
ad suffered Max’s presence in her room every night after the attack, but there was no need for him to protect her any longer, and she sighed at the thought of being in the room completely alone. It was so marvelously private. She closed her eyes, but opened them a moment later, peering into the shadows. The room was larger than she had at first realized. She rolled onto her side, and watched the embers glowing beneath the flames. Her eyes fell on the empty chair again, and the image of a man spread out in a wooden chair filled her thoughts, before she hurriedly pushed them away. She certainly did not want to think of that person.
She was still wide awake when she heard a soft tapping on the shutters outside her window. She froze, her heart suddenly racing, when she heard a soft voice calling her name. She jumped up from her bed and hurried to the window, pushing open the shutter.
“Max,” she said, “what are you doing here?”
“Sshh,” he said, “Aaron will skin me alive if he knows I’m here. Can I come in?” Anna stepped back as Max drew closer to the window, the light of the fire spilling from the room and across his frame. His torso was bare, and just before he passed through the window, Anna glimpsed wings spreading out wide from his back, shimmering in the dull light. She had seen him as a dragon before, and she had seen him as a man, but never before had she seen him as both, and she could not help staring. He is so beautiful, she thought to herself. He folded his wings against his back and hopped down onto the floor.
“I thought maybe you needed help getting those tangles out your hair,” he said, taking a step closer. She looked up into his face, then nodded silently. Without a word, she climbed back into the bed, handing Max the brush from the table. He sat down on the edge of the mattress as Anna turned her back to him, and lifting her hair, he gently starting teasing out the knots. His touch was soothing, and she felt herself relaxing as he ran his fingers through her hair.
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