by D. R. Grady
“Just start at the beginning.” Ari’s encouragement helped.
Kellen didn’t want to return to his lonely existence. He wanted to remain in her life. No one needed to tell him it was way too soon, however. She’d run shrieking into the castle if he announced this.
“Ari, what if we start a school?” Well that wasn’t anywhere near the beginning.
But she didn’t react the way he feared. She didn’t stare askance at him and tell him he was insane.
Not Ari. Instead, she pursed her lips, adjusted her sword, and nodded slowly. Reminiscent of her two older brothers.
“I’ve been pondering that very same subject.”
He gaped at her for the space of several deep breaths. “You’ve been thinking about opening a school?”
“I’ve thought about a school. I hadn’t gotten as far as the details.” She spread her hands. “For instance, I have no idea how the logistics would work.”
“That’s what I’m struggling with right now.” He frowned at a spectacular flowering bush. “There is plenty of land in Swiftland, but I’m thinking if we build the school on the edge, between Swiftland, Montequirst, and the west, or even straight in the west, that location would retain our skills by simply defending the hold.”
“The west is ripe for expansion.” Ari’s teeth worried her bottom lip for a moment. “And it would provide our graduates with the opportunity to build their own new lives in an unchartered land.”
“They could do whatever they wished. Whether to protect treasures and people as we’ve always done, or something entirely different.”
“The thing is, word will get out that our human queens are turning into Aasguard warriors, like their husbands.” Ari tapped her sword hilt. “How many monarchs will wish to therefore marry an Aasguard?”
This made Kellen pause. “Will it work if there isn’t love between them?”
“I don’t know. I expect that their… marital interactions… are what began the process. And their proximity, especially at night.”
“Yes.” Kellen thought about that for a moment. “I agree. So just marrying an Aasguard likely won’t cause the change. Vidar and Lajos didn’t do anything differently with their wives than any other husband would do, correct?”
“I don’t understand what you’re asking?”
He tried again. “Meaning they didn’t follow some ritual or anything?”
“No. I believe this whole process was organic for them.”
“Right, that’s what I’ve figured as well. Then again, we haven’t married, so who knows?”
Her eyebrows snapped together. “What does that mean?” She brushed hair off her forehead. “I’m sorry if I seem obtuse this morning.”
“It’s not you. I’m being far too subtle and not sufficiently stating what I mean.”
“Perhaps this stems from us not having all the pieces yet.”
It was his turn to pause. “Can you clarify that?”
“Now that we know you and I are thinking alike, perhaps we should seek the benefit of three other Aasguard warriors’ opinions.”
Her idea held merit. No Aasguard would push his or her opinion on anyone. They stated their thoughts then let it be.
“Yes. Perhaps they can assist us with the details.”
“I am in agreement with us opening the school in a location that would keep us occupied.”
“Other Aasguard warriors would therefore have the option to visit Montequirst, Swiftland, or us, according to what they need.” Kellen put this forth as soon as the thought popped into his head.
“Having options is something we’ve never had in the past.”
“All evidence suggests this truly is the dawn of the Age of the Aasguard.”
A multitude of questions erupted in her mind, but Ari squelched most of them. Right now was not the time to ask for all the details and nuances, but she wanted to have all this solidified. The first and foremost being how she and Kellen conducted themselves.
Plenty of schools existed where the founders simply enjoyed space in different parts of the school. Would this be a place where students arrived and stayed for the duration of their schooling, or would they be free to come and go? Would they have more teachers than her and Kellen to instruct their students?
How many pupils would they comfortably be able to teach?
She glanced at Kellen and discovered his attention to be squarely on her.
Swallowing the sudden knot in her throat, she wished for something wise and witty to say. But her mind blanked.
He brushed a few strands that escaped her top knot from her face. “Thank you.” Her voice didn’t sound like hers.
“You’re welcome.” He continued to study her face. “You’re also beautiful.” His words emerged thick.
Eyes widening, she shook her head once. “No. I’m not.” Ari wasn’t seeking compliments. She simply didn’t agree with him.
“Yes, you are. I’ve lived a long time and I’ve never seen a woman as lovely as you.”
This time she cocked her head to the side. To fully take him in. He looked solemn and so handsome. “You’re the most handsome man I’ve ever seen. And the only one I have failed to keep out of my mind.” Oh no, did I just say that?
Horror twisted through her, but his expression eased. “Really?”
“Really.” Her voice still sounded odd.
Kellen’s hand cupped her cheek and he soon slid that hand to her nape. Then he urged her closer, and in seconds they were chest to chest. She didn’t have time to think, much less question him because then his lips were right there, pressing against hers.
Ari wrapped both arms around his neck and kissed him back. She might be a maiden, but she’d certainly lived a long time. She pressed her advantage whenever possible. And right now, she wanted to kiss Kellen more than she wanted to breathe.
Perhaps she’d upended her priorities, but he certainly didn’t complain. He moaned and urged her closer still.
Eventually though, the need to breathe asserted itself as a priority and they parted. She stared at him. “That was nice.”
His eyes crinkled at the corners. “I’m glad you believe so.” He smoothed a hand up and down her back.
She didn’t receive the impression he was interested in releasing her. Ari felt no need to reclaim her personal space.
“Have you been planning to kiss me?” Despite her ease at the moment, her good sense did assert itself. One couldn’t jump headlong into a relationship if the other person wasn’t on the same page. No one wanted to start something unknown with someone who wasn’t fighting the same battle.
That only spelled trouble. She’d witnessed it too often in the past.
“No. I hadn’t intended to kiss you. But you’re here and you emptied my mind.” His admission sounded as though it cost him.
She nodded. “Yes. You do that to me.”
He released her, but it felt as though he did so with reluctance. “What does this mean?”
“What does what mean?” While she didn’t like that he placed some space between them, her brain required the distance to work properly.
“I doubt one kiss will be enough for me.”
Her heart sang a melody she’d never heard before. “I’m glad to hear that. Because I’d have a few pithy things to say if we didn’t repeat that.” She even beetled her brows at him.
His burst of laughter made her heart sing a little louder. The amusement lightened the load she’d carried since her dragon had passed.
She delved deeper inside herself and realized her grief, while still there, didn’t prevail. Everything inside felt lighter and sweeter. She gaped at him.
He gaped right back. “I feel…”
“I know. I didn’t think it possible.” She sank even deeper inside herself, aware of him doing the same. And everything that had been gloomy and a little dank now had become bright and airy. “I’m recovered.”
She blinked at him and his slow smile reassured her. “I am too. I d
oubted I’d ever feel this way again, Ari. Didn’t even recognize the weight I’ve been carrying around.”
“I’ve watched both of my brothers marry and release their burdens. I’ve seen them accept new tasks with joy and happiness.” She swallowed because her throat closed.
“Yet you didn’t believe there might be a different path for you.”
She tucked several tickling strands of hair behind her ear. “Again, I’ve no desire to be a ruling monarch. There are plenty of those in my family these days.”
“I agree. But I’m more excited about opening this school with you than I’ve been since accepting my first Aasguard position.”
His words made her pause. “I also haven’t anticipated any new employment opportunities since that first one.”
“All too soon they become so routine as to be yawn-inducing.” Kellen took her hands.
“Yes. I am excited about a school though. One for future Aasguard warriors.” A thought occurred to her. “What happens when we have no warriors to teach though?”
He contemplated her for long moments. “Must we always be teaching someone?”
She thought about what he asked. “No. I don’t suppose we do.”
“At first, we can do our teaching and training right from Montequirst here or Swiftland.” A shadow crossed his face.
“What’s wrong?” She felt the jolt of alarm that surged through him.
“I’ve been teaching Raene here in Montequirst and you’ve been training Stefana in Swiftland. That’s two different countries, and I don’t think I want to live without you again.” His eyes were naked.
She surged into his arms. “My brothers are the kings of both of those lands. They’ve only just found their life-long companion. Do you really believe they’re going to ask us to be apart from each other?”
Everything inside him stilled. Again, she felt this. He tugged her to arm’s reach to study her face. “What are you saying?”
“That Felicity will enjoy training Raene, who is three-quarters or more along her transition into an Aasguard. She probably won’t need much more instruction. And Felicity will enjoy spending time here. She has a brand new dragon who she, Raene, and Vidar can work with. It will be excellent practice for Raene and Maeze.”
His expression cleared. The angst running through him ceased. “And you and I will travel on to Swiftland with Lajos and Stefana?”
“Yes. And Felicity can aid Lucas in training the women here in addition to finishing Raene’s training. Lukas will therefore be free to travel to Swiftland. If you and I are there, we can assist him in training the women and girls, help Lajos and Stefana as there is still so much to do, and we can train Lukas alongside Stefana.”
“That should give us time to scout out land. We’ll have Aern and Fricassa, and Lajos.”
“Plus over the winter, we can draw up plans for the actual school, which will be our home.”
He stroked her cheek with one calloused fingertip. “Our home, Ari.”
She didn’t need to delve into his emotions, because the happy lump in her throat made her grip his hand that much harder. A hand that fit perfectly into hers.
“Are we being silly?” She nearly choked on the words.
“No.” He scooped her off the bench and fully into his arms. “I think we’re finally about to start living, Ari.”
Chapter 10
For no reason she could think of, Ari’s heart raced as she and Kellen entered the castle a little later. After another wonderful, satisfying kiss. They held hands and this felt right too. After years of loneliness, this man fit her in a way she’d never dreamed possible.
How could it be so?
Did they have a chance at lasting as a couple?
Even that simple question made her heart pound. As though she’d just sprinted for a mile.
The sensation caused amazement at what her emotions could do to her body, but also apprehension.
First for what she and Kellen were about to embark upon. And whether it was even possible for two Aasguard warriors to mate. Although to use the word mate sounded more than a little animalistic.
Animals did mate, some of them for life. She wanted to share her life with Kellen. And she had the advantage of feeling his own resolve to share his with her.
But this had never been done before.
Vidar and Raene worked as a couple, as did Lajos and Stefana. But both women had been human. Ari had long ago passed from that life, as had Kellen. This brought a significant difference to their situations.
Kellen rubbed her hand. “No one knows what will happen.”
She swallowed. “And that’s what is terrifying me.”
They entered the sitting room on the first floor of the castle, but no one else was about. She frowned, before remembering the trial today. “Oh right. That man, Jakob, and his father Markus, are to stand trial today.”
Kellen glanced around the empty room. “That explains a few things.” He also checked the time. “We’ve missed a good bit of it.” He settled into a large armchair, a new one. She selected a daintier one beside it.
“Looks as though Vidar and Raene have changed some of the furnishings.”
“Yes, with so many Aasguard warriors passing through, they wanted furniture that would withstand our weight and limbs.” Kellen appeared to be particular to the chair he’d selected.
“I can assure you Swiftland has not reached this level of comfort yet.”
“What’s it really like there?” Kellen stretched his long legs out in front of him.
She refused to ogle him in the gauche manner of a green girl, but she did enjoy the lines of the man. And he felt the same way about her. Her heart thumped out that joyful melody, but she calmed it because there were many unknowns and she resisted the girlish sentiment of daydreaming. She had passed girlhood so long ago she couldn’t remember that life phase.
“When we first arrived, it was all decay and defeat. No new growth, no green, and there had been several severe lightning storms that set the land on fire. The scorch marks made the land appear as though it had been forsaken by nature as well as man.” The utter ugliness of the place had been daunting. “But Lajos looked past all that, as did Stefana.”
She smiled. “Actually, Stefana looked no further than the people’s desperate need. She sent all those provisions to ease their suffering.”
“She could have been a spoiled princess, but all signs point to that not being so.”
“Not at all. Stefana is one of those individuals who is always looking to do good. Always seeking to help others. She’s a very good match for Lajos and Swiftland.”
“I’m pleased the two of them were made the sovereigns in that land. They were sorely needed.”
“The kingdom is looking far better now than it did upon our arrival. When the harvest ends, the people will have plentiful provisions for the winter.” A necessity they had not enjoyed in far too long.
“So the construction of homes for each family have started?” Kellen steepled his hands. “I thought I heard that Lajos wanted as many families as possible to have their own homes.”
“We have started the construction on a few, but Stefana had and has big plans, such as large manufacturing facilities, and those took a long while to build. She also felt the people needed a hospital, so once the means for employment were finished, she and her mother pushed to have the hospital redone.”
“The structures where they’re living will provide adequate heat?”
“Yes. Stefana arranged for the temporary housing upon their arrival in the early spring. Through the summer months until now none of them have complained about the tight accommodations. I believe they’re all so thrilled to have bathing and food preparation facilities, heat, comfortable beds, and structures that don’t leak or allow in the wind that they’re not upset about the current housing.”
“They’re thankful.” He re-crossed his feet the other way.
“Oh yes. The structures remain sound and comfor
table enough. The people also have stores for the winter months, and although they must share the baths and kitchens, we enabled a system where they won’t have to go out in the dead of night to use the loo.”
His eyebrows rose. “I’d enjoy visiting this country.”
“If things go well when everyone joins us, we can hopefully make that happen.”
“You leave tomorrow?”
“Yes. I suspect Lajos intends to leave with the morning sun.”
“And Aern and Fricassa are to leave with you?”
“They’re our means of returning to Swiftland.” She wished to be closer still to him. “I suppose otherwise we’d need to take a transport or horses.”
“It is much faster with the dragons.” His hand threaded through hers.
“I’m not missing mine nearly as much now.” Her eyes met his amber orbs.
“Nor am I. Maybe I lost one companion, but I’ve gained an even better one.”
“What’s going on in here?” Lajos trod through the door, a scowl on his face.
Neither he nor Ari started or even showed guilty faces.
“Kellen and I have…” She faltered. Kellen interpreted this was not because misgivings struck her, but due to the happy emotions bubbling through her sought to overwhelm. He understood.
“Decided we are better together.” He kissed the back of her hand.
A pretty peach color infused her cheeks and charmed him all over again.
“Are you serious?” Lajos clapped him on the back and hugged Ari. Then he seated himself across from them.
“We’re serious.” Ari didn’t falter on this. It made him well with joy. A sensation he’d never felt in his entire life.
Lajos’ frown returned. “Do you have any idea what will happen if you marry?”
Ari’s swallow beside him made him glance at her. “We understand this has never been done before.” Ari met Lajos’ concerns head-on. “Much like your experience with Stefana and Vidar’s with Raene.”
“And now our wives are turning into Aasguard warriors.”