by Lisa Kumar
Chapter 4
Eacion stared down at the shorter form beside him. “That woman was unpleasant.”
“Cassy is always so,” Anni said, snorting in an unladylike manner that was definitely refreshing.
He chuckled, reveling in the sensation of walking beside his true mate. Her hand sat lightly on his arm. The touch burned all the way through his sleeve until he swore he felt it down to the bone. It wasn’t a painful searing but an electrifying one. All in all, it was a moment he’d always remember.
The sun hung low in the sky, heralding that dusk wasn’t too far off. The air had cooled, but a chill hadn’t settled in yet. If Anni became cold, he’d only be too happy to warm her. If she allowed it, which was a huge “if.” He’d have to develop his relationship with her carefully so he wouldn’t scare her off. Even though he was impatient to bind to her, he’d be doing them both an injustice if he frightened her away.
He might not love her yet, but he soon would. That was the way of his kind. He already desired her in a way that he’d never wanted another. The primal feeling roared through him, calling out for him to take her. With more difficulty than he would’ve liked, he urged that innate part of him to be patient.
A flow of expressions played over her face. It was fascinating to watch. By the way her tongue would dart out and wet her lips, he could tell she wanted to ask him something. Though her confusion was clear, he could sense she wasn’t averse to him.
He wanted to set her at ease, so maybe if he could draw her into some light conversation... “So tell me what your life is like here in Bending Willow.”
She shrugged, casting him a shy, uneasy glance. “Not much to relay. My father’s the mayor, as you know, and my mother takes an active part in seeing to the wellbeing of the village. Me...I just am.”
“Your father said you’re indispensable when it comes to helping him with paperwork, especially those that deal with arithmetic.”
A charming red flushed her cheeks. “I’m not that much of a help but do what I can.”
“I think you do yourself a disservice. Your parents speak highly of you and—”
She cut him off with a slight chuckle. “They’re my parents. Of course, they do.”
“And so do many of the townspeople.”
Her brows shot up. “They do?”
“Yes. They say you often lend a hand if you can.”
A considering look had overtaken the surprise on her face. Her response was quite informative. He’d noticed a concerning reticence about her and thought it stemmed from her leg. If he was correct, he needed to make her see that he held no judgment over a birth defect she hadn’t asked for. Knowing humanity, and even some of his own people, though, there was no doubt she’d faced such a thing. Though she tried to hide it, she walked with a limp. Once in a while, a grimace would slip out, so her leg must be paining her.
Several more moments of silence passed. “Why did you call me your lady?”
Ah, there it was. The question that she’d been yearning to ask. Such an easy query to answer in some ways and so impossible in others. He didn’t want to overwhelm her, but he refused to be anything but honest. “Because you are.”
That seemed to freeze her feet to the ground, and she stared at him with wide eyes. Oh, she was simply adorable, even if she didn’t sense her own worth at the moment.
Finally, she shook her head as if to clear it. “Why are you doing this?”
“There’s a valid reason, but I don’t think you’re ready to know it yet,” he said, setting them to walking again.
She frowned. “What kind of answer is that?”
He infused as much earnestness into his gaze as he could. Though he had no true desire to manipulate her, few could deny that look. He didn’t even have to put any compulsion behind it. “Let me have this evening, so we can get to know each other better. That’s not so unreasonable, is it?”
Clear hope and doubt warred on her face. Then a sigh of capitulation left her lips. “Fine.”
“FINE.” THE WORD LEFT Anni’s mouth before she could stop it. With a hopelessness she couldn’t hide, she stared at Lord Eacion.
A slow smile spread across his lips. “Wonderful.”
His eyes glowed with a look she couldn’t quite define, but nevertheless, it stole away her ability to breathe. She shook her head to clear away the daze fogging her mind. With a gentle hand, he snagged her arm and propelled her into walking.
Her feet readily followed, but her mind was awash in chaos. What had just happened? She should’ve turned down his request, not accepted it! Whatever his motivation was, she wouldn’t like it. That she knew. But common sense must’ve drifted out the window when he flew in.
When he flew in. God, what a statement and one she’d never pictured herself thinking. She was walking to a fest with a male who could shift into a dragon. The whole premise sounded like something out of a fairy tale, but she was no lovely princess. No, more like a frog from certain stories, if anything. She snorted to herself. A frog and a dragon. He didn’t want to eat her, did he?
Only a few stragglers remained on the streets, so they didn’t encounter too many stares—yet. Once they arrived at the town square, though... She shuddered at what awaited her. Damn him. Damn this whole day!
“You seem tense.”
“Really? How astute of you,” she said, sarcasm coating her tone. “Are you normally this sharp?”
As soon as her spiel was out, she cringed, the reality of who he was smacking her in the face. God, he could probably order her killed for such insolence.
For a second all expression vanished from his face. Her unease skyrocketed. Then he threw his head back and laughed. Laughed. She stared as befuddlement mixed with worry. Was he angry? Had he gone insane? Neither boded well for her.
“Oh, you’re a joy,” he said, a wide smile on his face. If anything, it only made him more handsome—and even more untouchable.
“I...I am?” She bit her lip, not sure what else to say. If someone threw her into Gatonby Lake, she’d be less out of her element, and she didn’t even know how to swim.
“No matter how unsettled you are, you speak your mind.”
“Me, unsettled?” She gave a wary laugh that was tinged with a bit of hysteria. “Anyway, if one is unsettled, isn’t he or she more likely to remain quiet?”
“Some, maybe.” He paused and drew her closer to one of the shops until her back was nearly against the brick façade. Leaning in much too close, he stared down at her. “And I know you are. I can sense it, feel it.”
Her mouth went dry, and her hands splayed against the brick for support. His words and presence were unhinging her unflappability and peace of mind. Anyone happening by could see them in this compromising position. Though she desperately tried to ignore that his body was only inches from hers, she couldn’t. Every nerve ending in her seemed attuned to him. Her breathing quickened until lightheadedness threatened to consume her.
Chapter 6
Slowly, Lord Eacion pinned her in with a hand on either side of her head. She could’ve run, but suddenly her legs felt completely useless. His head lowered. Oh, God, what was he going to do? Surely, he couldn’t be so lost to reason as to kiss her?
Her heart sped so quickly that she could hear nothing else. Mesmerized, she stared at the shimmer that played over his skin. There was a subtle pattern there—almost like scales, which, given what he was, made sense.
His mouth hovered above her lips, his breath the sweetest thing she’d ever felt. Suddenly, he bypassed the area. She breathed a ragged sigh of relief and disappointment. Saved. She didn’t think her heart could stand a kiss that would mean nothing to him.
The feeling of his nose nuzzling against her cheek nearly sent her a few inches into the air. Her skin...it was sensitized, as if every sensation rushed to center itself there. She bit back a groan. How could such a simple touch send her reeling?
Then his mouth, light, soft, and oh-so warm, followed the curve of her ch
eek. She gasped. Never had a man caressed her in such a way. She’d never wanted them to, but with Lord Eacion, she feared the opposite—that she could never get enough.
“Mmm,” he murmured against her skin. “You taste just how I imagined.”
He’d been imagining her? Instead of that scaring her as it should’ve, it emboldened her in a way she never thought possible. Her hands sought his arms and clamped on. The feel of silken sleeves over hard muscle was a new contrast she luxuriated in. Her palms slid over the material. Muscles rippled under her fingers.
He nipped at her chin. Her eyes fluttered closed as his lips trailed their way over to hers. Just stopping shy of her mouth, he murmured once again. “The burn you ignite in me is hotter than dragon’s fire.”
His words—the reminder of just who he was—splashed cold water on her ardor. What liberties had she allowed him to take? Worse, what more would she give him if he but crooked his finger at her?
All this...it was too much, too soon. Would always be too soon, given her disability. What fae wanted a human, let alone a lame one? None of them did, least of Lord Eacion. That was her answer, brutal but clear.
With a sound of distress, she lifted her hands to his chest and pushed. “Stop.”
He drew back, blinking as if dazed. “Why?”
“Why? This is crazy and can’t happen.” She wouldn’t be anyone’s piece of fluff. He was likely just bored and looking to pass time. While he might delight in toying with her and her petty emotions, she doubted she’d enjoy that experience for long. The aftermath always came swiftly with a cruel laugh.
He gazed at her with eyes that were far too penetrating. “Why is it insane?”
“I’m human, and you’re...you.”
“How astute,” he said, turning her earlier words back at her. But there was no censure in them, only a teasing quality that she didn’t know what to do with.
She rubbed a hand over her face. “This isn’t a game.” Well, not to her. She didn’t know what he was playing at. Part of her didn’t want to know, but a bigger portion feared being made a fool of.
He stood back. “Indeed, it’s not.”
“Then what is it?” Lord or no, he better give her a real answer this time. She pushed away from the wall and slipped past him. Thank the heavens, there was no one else around at the moment. Everyone already must at the fest. Still, someone could have seen them while they were...otherwise engaged. The mere thought caused her to break out in a cold sweat.
“It’s something very important to our futures.”
Though she failed to see how their futures could have any kind of overlap, his words piqued her curiosity. He was trying to sound cryptic. His tactic was working, to her great frustration. She crossed her arms, resisting the urge to tap her foot. “What could impact our lives so, Lord Eacion?”
He shrugged, and a mysterious smile flitted around the corners of his lips. “All will be revealed soon enough. You promised me this evening at the very least.”
She smothered an internal sigh. That she had, unfortunately. She’d dug herself into a corner and had to gracefully admit defeat—for now.
Though their little interlude had reminded her of something...
“Don’t you have a wife you need to return to?” Normally, she wouldn’t be so bold as to ask. After that overture he’d just made, though, she had the right to know.
“I do not. She passed away many years ago.”
Oh. Though his face revealed no hint of distress, she wasn’t heartless. “I’m sorry.”
He shrugged. “Though I was fond of her, ours was never a marriage of the souls.”
She didn’t know what that meant exactly, but the gist of it was clear enough. He hadn’t been in love with his wife. Her mood lightened for some unfathomable reason.
Turning toward the square, she inclined her head. “Let’s go. They’ll be expecting you.”
He deftly snagged her arm. “And not you?”
“Me—they could take or leave.” She smiled wryly. “You’re the much-anticipated sight of the year. Many of the young women—and probably the older ones, too—are sure to flirt with you.”
“Well, I only have eyes for one lady.”
She rolled her eyes good-naturedly, though his compliment was turning her insides into a quivering mass of jelly. “I’m sure you’ll catch the gaze of a few gentlemen, too. You’re much more striking than I ever could hope to be.”
“On the contrary, you’re extremely lovely. I’m exotic to your people, though. It’s to be expected.”
His compliment rang with a sincerity that sent a hot flush up her neck. “True, but it’s more than that. You’re our lord.” And handsome. That, combined with his power, was a heady combination to most. Even to her, not that she was going to admit the truth out loud. “We best get your exotic self there, then. The townspeople have to be waiting in suspense. At least some of your people will be in attendance, so you won’t be the only one on display.”
“What a comforting thought,” he said wryly.
“What? You’re not used to it by now?” Being fawned over should be a way of life for him.
“I am, but I’ve never had a human sum it up so succinctly.”
“I guess there is a first time for everything.” That she was even having such a conversation still struck her as surreal. But for the evening, it was her reality.
They neared the square. Only a minute was left before they rounded a corner and everyone would see them. She attempted to ground herself in the moment and shake away her lingering unease. The last rays of the sun painted the sky in shades of pink and rose. At any other time, taking in the beautiful evening would’ve been lovely.
“Ready?”
His softly spoken question seemed to encompass more than just that evening. But that was a ridiculous notion.
Might as well be honest. “As much as I’ll ever be.”
Chapter 7
She and Lord Eacion slipped around the corner, and the square came into full view. The packed area swarmed with people. A slight groan escaped Anni, and she froze on the spot. Though she was dimly aware Lord Eacion was witnessing her moment of weakness, the raw disquiet that lambasted her consumed any other emotion that tried to arise. She’d known that seeing everyone assembled would be bad, but facing that reality was worse than she could’ve imagined. And she had a very vivid mind.
Lord Eacion’s hand closed around hers, causing her focus to tear away from the crowd. “Keep your head up and walk proud. No one surpasses you.”
The touch of his skin against hers anchored her to the moment. Though his words were just that—words, they offered her a surprising amount of comfort, too. She released a shaky breath and nodded. If she was going to do this, she would do it with grace. Well, with as much grace as she was capable of. After all, she was the one on his arm for the evening, not Cassy or even Janaa.
As she looked back at the square, she ran her fingers over the back of his hand, only half aware of what she was doing. The feel of minuscule indentations and raised ridges made her pause. Huh? She swiped her fingers over the area again. Yes, still there. The skin was smooth, but a definite pattern was stamped into it. The memory of their recent encounter—and the subtle scale-like pattern of his face—slammed back. She didn’t know why she was surprised. This was no human man by her side. Every time she was tempted to forget that reality, something came along to refresh it.
She gazed from his hand to his face. Now that she knew what to look for, the glistening demarcations were easy to see. He stared back at her, a quizzical expression arching his brows. She shook her head, not wanting to sound silly. As a dragon fae, of course he was going to be different.
No one seemed to have noticed their imminent arrival yet, so she let her gaze scan over the square. Not all was out of the ordinary. In fact, much was familiar. Over the course of her years, she’d been to numerous events such as this. She knew exactly how the lamps and torchlight cast long shadows and how the arom
a of cooking meat tickled her nose. The stares of her people were nothing, too. While she might not like their scrutiny, she’d always lived with it. Always would. A dragon fae in the form of Lord Eacion wouldn’t change any of that. Once he was gone, she could fade into the background again.
“Ready?”
She nodded resolutely, afraid if she talked she’d lose her newfound courage.
As they strode into the crowd, she pasted a smile on her face. Sure, it felt forced and quaky at times, but she doubted few noticed due to their own preoccupation.
“Hello, my lord and Miss Anni!” That was the cry she heard countless times as hands grabbed at her arm. None were so bold as to touch Lord Eacion, but she was fair game since she was one of them.
As they were waylaid once more, she nodded to a farmer and his wife. “I hope you enjoy this wonderful evening.”
“As do I,” inserted Lord Eacion smoothly.
A star-struck expression sprang up on Edna’s face. “We will. Any reason for a fest is a break from our usual toils for a few blessed hours.”
Anni forced back an amused snort. Lord Eacion barely had to say anything in order to have the ladies swooning at his feet. By the time they reached the center of the square where her parents were, the muscles in her face ached so, she feared they would spasm. Through it all, though, Lord Eacion remained calm and friendly, which surprised her. She’d thought fae, especially fae lords, would be standoffish and distant. How she envied his ease at handling people, her people no less!
Still, Lord Eacion was somewhat of a buffer to her mood. Plus, she was naturally good at hiding her emotions. The only ones that might scent out any discomfort were her parents, Janaa, or Cassy. The latter concerned her the most. Cassy was like a shark smelling blood. But no sense in worrying about something that might not happen.
