‘She’s ready; see you down there,’ Drako said to his men having kept an eye on the stairs and now trotted down to her. He took the full saddlebags noticing her slight frame was virtually buried beneath a full-length heavy coat and hat.
‘Will this be good enough?’ she asked aware of his sweeping gaze over her attire.
‘You’re better prepared than I hoped. I like the coat,’ he added. ‘What’s in the bundle?’ he asked of the small duffle bag she also carried.
‘The clothes I was planning to travel in. I would have changed just now but I was already fielding too many questions. I had to leave quickly.’
He nodded, glancing about them and they hurried down the stairs and outside, before anyone could collar them. The night air was still and held a bitter chill but they barely noticed. Preoccupied with each other, they walked hand in hand down the drive. Their boots crunching in the snow was the only real sound, and the moonlight shining off the icy white carpet gave everything a fresh clean serenity. Cassy smiled up at Drako enjoying sharing the calming natural beauty all around them.
Drako invited her into his home with a little flourish. They were finally alone and the darkness aided privacy and intimacy. She sat down on the little bench seat she had created earlier and watched him revive the fire. It was chilly; it would take time for the house to dry out and warm, not easy in the depths of winter. He collected her bags and led her into his bedroom, placing her bags on the bed.
‘You can sleep here. I’ll share with the men next door. Is that alright with you?’ he asked.
‘Do you really still have that school bed to sleep on? I didn’t see it earlier.’
‘Oh, I dismantled it ready to take it back,’ he said dragging the frame out from under his bed. The mattress was there as well so she carried that to the room next door. ‘You usually have these fires lit too?’
‘Yes, I need to dry the house out properly. Glad I have had the fires lit, the men will be used to the nice dry warmth in the main house. They’ll be getting soft,’ he added.
‘I’ll re-light the fires, so you can get that assembled,’ Cassy offered and he smiled gratefully. She moved between the rooms coaxing the newly lit fires into chill dispelling blazes. She also kept an eye on Drako, coming over to help hold a section of frame together so he could bolt it, before leaving again.
‘How do you know just when I need you?’ Drako asked the second time she appeared on cue.
‘I’m listening out for you. You reach for me instinctively,’ she told him and took the opportunity of his kneeling posture to kiss his ear.
‘Am I calling you now?’ he asked.
‘You know you are.’
‘But you aren’t answering.’
‘Aren’t I? I’m here by your side,’ she told him and stroked his thickly bearded cheek. Abruptly he caught hold of her, draping her on the mattress and leaning down to kiss her. His body pressed against hers, his hands holding her close. She felt his ardent need of her yet he only expressed it with gentle kisses.
Drako leaned back and simply looked at her. She lay tucked against his body and her warmth stirred him even through their clothes. Stray strands of blonde hair had escaped her tight braid and curled around her face. She was watching him with a small smile.
‘You are so beautiful,’ he whispered.
‘You are too. Do you always have a beard?’
‘Only in winter; it’s too hot in the summer. Why? Don’t you like it?’
‘It’s scratchy,’ she admitted, ‘but seems to suit you. I can feel a nice shaped jaw though and wondered.’
‘I would shave it for you now but just before a winter trek isn’t the best time.’
‘I wasn’t asking you to. I was only curious. Your face, like the rest of you, is always hidden. It adds to your mystique,’ she admitted and got up.
‘Where are you going?’ he asked.
‘To get more firewood,’ she responded. ‘Your men are just coming up the lane. I’ll bring them up shall I?’
‘Please,’ he said, wondering how she knew. She headed off down the stairs and he opened the window. There in the darkness he could just make out the figures of three heavily burdened men trudging up the lane. He closed the window quickly aware he was letting out the heat and returned to his assembly.
‘Come on in,’ Cassy invited the hunters, opening the door as soon as they knocked. She closed the door quickly behind them shutting out the cold. ‘Let me dry off your boots,’ Cassy said and gestured at the nearest man’s feet. In moments, the rim of snow coating his boots steamed and disappeared. The boots also steamed for a moment and the dark damp lightened to dry leather. Now they would not tramp snow through the house and up into the bedrooms. ‘Go on up,’ Cassy told him. ‘Drako’s in the second room on the left.’
‘Thank you,’ Freddie told her and headed up, aware he’d been dismissed and that her attention was already on the next pair of boots.
Cassy followed the last man up. Drako had finished his bed and he was now assisting one of the others. She replenished the bedroom fires again then went back down to the lounge to sit for a few minutes. She filled the kettle and put it on the stove to boil. It was slow but she could feel through Drako how close to finishing their beds they were so she went ahead and made a big pot of tea. She called for them to bring their mugs down when they were ready.
Noticing them look around she realised seating for three rather than five was all Drako had by way of furniture.
‘Drako would you like me to stretch the bench to seat three or make a second?’ she asked.
‘You’re tired,’ he said gently. ‘We could bring down a sleeping pallet,’ he suggested.
‘That’s not very hospitable,’ she objected. ‘Besides, we’re going to have long enough stuck on those in the tent.’
‘That’s true enough. So what would be easiest?’ he asked becoming aware she hated seeing people’s discomfort and was not about to relax until it had been remedied.
‘I’ll just grow the bench then. Stand back,’ she added. She carried six logs from the woodpile and placed them on the seat of the bench. She glanced back at Drako and the men standing in the dining area well out of the way. She closed her eyes visualising what she wanted and the logs seemed to melt into the bench whilst the whole thing expanded. The frame and seat widened sufficiently for three men to sit in comfort. The smooth back panel and seat stretched too to fit and a new pair of central legs grew to support the new width. Her hands dropped and she almost fell into the single chair.
Drako darted over, scooped her into his arms and sat in the chair, Cassy across his lap. ‘Are you alright?’ Drako asked anxiously.
‘Tired,’ Cassy admitted.
‘Cassy, your weariness is beating at me,’ Drako chided feeling just what that magic, and the spell to dry the men’s boots, had taken out of her after an already busy and tense day. The bruises Jim had given her in the training fight were aching too. ‘You must stop doing so much.’
‘I could have used your strength to help, or any of the men’s, I suppose,’ she admitted. ‘I didn’t want to ask.’
‘How do you mean use our strength?’ Freddie asked coming into her sight and handing Cassy and Drako their mugs.
‘You’re all animus. You all have magic. When you’re in human form you’re not using it,’ Cassy explained. She watched Freddie run his hands over the smooth wood of the new couch, re-position the deer hide over the hard bare wood and sit down. He was Drako’s friend, second in military matters and the bold one; she hadn’t heard a peep from Rupert or Johnny who seemed shy of her. They now came and sat down.
‘How could we have assisted you?’ Freddie asked.
‘You will have seen the wizards building, that we hold hands?’
‘Yes, I’ve never understood that,’ Freddie admitted.
‘Physical contact allows us to share many things with another. We can use it to speak privately or we can share our magic. An animus can have just as much magic
as a wizard, it’s just structured differently. In the same way you wouldn’t know how to go about creating a spell, I don’t know how you are able to turn into an animal. However, your magic is just as real as mine. Using touch, and of course your permission, I could pull some of your magical strength to help power a spell I created.’
‘You couldn’t take our powers away could you?’ Freddie asked.
‘No, you’d just get tired and feel the same as if you’d changed in and out of your animal several times too quickly. That’s essentially how I’m feeling. When wizards come together under the control of one, we call it a merge. It spreads the load and no one person has more taken from them than the next.’
‘But I’ve seen some stagger away from the building works whilst others look fine.’
‘That’s an indication of how strong each person is magically,’ Cassy explained. ‘If they’re weak they’ll feel more drained than a stronger person. It’s just like the comparison between a fit muscled person and an unfit or scrawny person doing the same manual labour. The weed can still be useful and help, but the bulk of the work will fall to the stronger ones.’
‘Thank you for explaining to us,’ Freddie said seriously. ‘So why didn’t you ask for our help?’
‘Wizards are taught to shield their mind from other wizards at an early age so their thoughts can remain private. However, that’s a spell and you are all animus. If I touched you sufficiently to use your magic, without meaning to I would also hear your thoughts. It’s considered impolite and some animus or ordinary people refuse to come within touching distance of us for that reason.’
‘You touched Jim at dinner,’ Drako commented evenly, but he had not liked that.
‘As you well know Jim is my headmaster. He is also a lion. Cats are curious about everything. In that way, I could fill him in privately about things that shouldn’t be overheard. There was nothing for you to be jealous about,’ she added.
‘But he could read your mind, like me?’
‘No, I didn’t let him into my mind and his mind was shielded from me too. We talked only.’
‘Hang on,’ Freddie said. ‘Drako, you can read her mind?’
‘When she lets me. We don’t get much of a chance to be together long enough to touch like this,’ Drako added relishing the feel of her in his arms.
‘How is that possible?’ Freddie asked.
‘She showed me how,’ Drako said. ‘It’s a private link between just the two of us. I wouldn’t be able to do it with another wizard.’
‘Unless they gave you access and guided you,’ Cassy told him.
Freddie rose, took their mugs to the kitchen, and washed them, his mind spinning at her revelations.
‘I think I’ll go and try out your bath tub before bed,’ Cassy said lazily and went up to set the water running and fetch out her toiletries before returning downstairs, knowing it’d take quite a few minutes to fill. The men were relaxed and chatted idly. She mused at how comfortable she felt in their presence even though she didn’t really know any of them. She sat up suddenly her gaze towards the front door.
‘What’s the matter?’ Drako asked feeling her suddenly tense up.
‘A group of animus people have just turned up the lane. I’d better get upstairs out of the way,’ she added.
‘You don’t want to face them with me then?’ Drako asked.
‘I haven’t the strength to do battle with any other disapprovers today. I thought sorting out your dad would be enough and his telling you to take me tomorrow was an indication of approval?’
‘He suggested you come along. You’re not obligated you know.’
‘Since when does your father merely suggest anything to you? Whatever, you’re correct; I don’t have to do anything he says. I’m going because you want me to. But if that lot outside are planning to drive me off like your last girlfriend then I’d rather it happened here than at the other end.’
‘Who told you that?’
‘Annette, she helped me pack.’ She glanced towards the door again and burst into tears. ‘Why are your people so determined to ruin our happiness? Why are they making our lives so impossible? I don’t know how much more of this I can take.’
Drako was stunned silent but jumped up to pull her shuddering body into his arms. She reached up, kissed him and fled up the stairs slamming the bathroom door. A moment later, there was a knock at the door. Drako growled, needing to go up to reassure and calm her rather than deal with interfering people.
‘Is what she said true?’ Freddie asked.
‘Yes,’ Drako said tersely, not even asking what part Freddie was referring to.
Freddie darted past him to answer the door. Freddie did the speaking and greeting, waving the crowd into the room just off the hall classified as the office, although it was completely bare of furniture yet. Drako was glad to let him take over. He heard the running water turn off upstairs and wished he was there with her. He didn’t know he wore an ominous frown and that his diverted attention had been noticed.
‘Are you alright, sir?’ Bruce ventured after quite some minutes had elapsed and Drako still did not look like he wanted to join the conversations. Normally he was unfailingly polite and considerate but something was clearly on his mind.
‘I’m waiting to hear whether I must give up my lady or not,’ Drako said bluntly. ‘No; I’m not alright.’
There was a shocked silence.
‘But your father has approved her,’ Bruce said, his heart going out to Drako. ‘Nearly all of us have met your lady and received her aid. She is a miracle worker and generous to a fault. Your announcement today has taken us by surprise, but she is worthy. We welcome her, even though she is wizard.’
Drako sagged against the doorframe. ‘Thank you,’ he said quietly. ‘How do you know my father approves of her?’
‘You were holding her hand in front of him and he was walking beside her almost as closely as you were.’
‘Lord Trent asked Drako to take her to Northwalt tomorrow, too,’ Freddie added. He wasn’t sure why Drako hadn’t made that information common knowledge earlier; it might have smoothed many of the discussions taking place all over the village today.
‘You all accept her?’ Drako asked, needing to be sure. To him, it was more important that those sharing this village approved, because this was where he planned to live. What his brother thought was almost irrelevant as far as he was concerned. ‘Cassy,’ he called mentally. ‘They approve.’ He heard a thud from upstairs. ‘Are you alright?’
‘I’m fine,’ she responded, her heart suddenly free of the heavy weight pressing her down. ‘Did they say why?’
‘They already know and like you. They respect your willingness to work with and assist each family with their homes. They feel you are already linked to us and have our best interests at heart. As for your being suitable for me, apparently my father’s acceptance of you was enough. Are you done? Can you come down?’
‘Won’t be long,’ she assured him, certain he would come up, if she didn’t go and join them soon.
‘She’ll be down shortly,’ Drako said. ‘Any messages you wish us to take?’ several letters were handed over. Freddie grabbed some paper and jotted down the verbal messages given.
Drako heard steps on the stairs and hurried out into the hall to meet her. She smiled tremulously at him and he plucked her off the bottom step and swung her around exuberantly. She laughed, grabbing hold of him for dear life. He smiled back and then he was kissing her. A voice in the other room intruded and he abruptly remembered they were not alone. He reluctantly put her down and then couldn’t help staring at her. Her wet hair was unbound and fell halfway down her back, changing and softening her features. She wore a close fitting blue dress that accentuated her slender shapely physique. The winter attire he was accustomed to of thick baggy jumpers, loose trousers and heavy boots hadn’t remotely prepared him for this classy femininity.
‘Do you like my dress?’ Cassy asked aware he was starin
g. He nodded mutely. ‘I hoped you would,’ she added and was engulfed in his arms again. Someone male cleared his throat and they parted guiltily. Bruce was watching them with a broad grin.
Drako put his arm around her waist and brought her into the office. ‘Cassaria, my lady,’ he announced with considerable relief and pride.
7. Winter Travels
‘Cassy, are you awake?’ Drako called through her closed bedroom door early next morning.
‘No, but I’m out of bed and dressed,’ she responded and opened the door.
‘Good morning,’ he said warmly.
‘It is now,’ she said wrapping her arms about him for a hug.
‘Did you sleep well?’ he asked.
‘Do you have any idea how disconcerting it is to be in someone else’s bed, smell them but know they’re not there?’
‘I can relate to that,’ he admitted.
‘Don’t try and tell me you slept well because I know you didn’t. Every time you stretched out you stubbed your toes on the frame or exposed them from the blanket to freeze. You nearly fell out onto the floor and I know your mattress was lumpy. I won’t take your bed off you ever again. I only got some sleep when you did,’ she added.
‘I’m sorry,’ Drako felt acutely embarrassed, especially as he heard some not quite muffled sniggers from the men just down the hall. Then he realised she was smiling at him. She was teasing him! ‘What?’
‘I like being close enough to hear you,’ she admitted, although being here in his home and able to touch him was even better. ‘I think someone came to the door a few minutes ago,’ she added.
‘Did they? Let’s go see.’
Just outside the locked front door was a large covered basket. They brought it in and opened it up to find still warm bread, thickly sliced bacon sandwiches, hard-boiled eggs and a number of travel ration goodies. The men came down to join them and they all tucked into a far better and more fulfilling hot breakfast than they had planned. David brought their horses down for them soon after and they loaded up and were quickly on their way.
Clan Green Bear: Wizards of White Haven Page 11
