Her heart was beating fast and hard as if it would burst out of her chest.
Áedán leaned in and placed his lips lightly on hers as if testing it out.
She had never been kissed like this before, the way a man kisses a woman, the way she had seen her father kiss her mother. Their parents. He isn’t really your brother, and they aren’t really your parents. It isn’t wrong. She repeated that to herself as she melted into Áedán. It didn’t feel wrong.
He opened his mouth and slipped his tongue inside her mouth.
Evie let instinct take over as she moved her tongue along with his. His hands moved slowly down her neck to her breasts. He cupped one breast and squeezed gently. Pleasure rippled throughout her entire body as his hands explored her. She moaned softly into his mouth and wrapped her arms around his back, holding him tightly to her.
His lips left hers suddenly, and he rested his head beside her. He whispered into her ear, “Evie.”
Something about his voice sent shivers throughout her entire body. What are we doing? She ignored the soft mooing of the cows and the smell of the hay and animals as Áedán kissed her neck all the way to her collarbone. The whole world disappeared for a moment. She wished they would take off their clothes so she could feel his flesh against hers. Suddenly, she felt guilty for what they were doing.
“Áedán,” she whispered. “Stop.”
He stopped immediately, and she pushed him off her. He rolled to her side and turned to look at her. His expression was confused. “What’s wrong?” he asked.
She stood up quickly and smoothed her dress and hair. “I need to go,” she replied, unable to look at him.
“Evie,” he said, sounding disappointed. “Don’t run off. I know what you’re thinking.”
She looked down at him. He looked sad and hurt. “And what is that?” she asked.
“I am not your brother,” he said firmly. “I have never thought of you as my sister. We didn’t do anything wrong.”
“I’m not so sure,” she responded and walked out of the barn quickly. She didn’t look back. She was tempted to go back to the barn and throw herself back into his arms. It felt so good to have him kiss her and touch her. He was right. They were not related by blood. What they did wasn’t wrong.
Evie was happy not to run into her mother or father as she walked back to the house. What was happening between them? She flung the door to the farmhouse open and went inside, wiping her boots off quickly before stepping off the mat.
Her mother was inside the cooking area. She stopped chopping vegetables and looked up at Evie. “I need you to help me. What have you been doing? You’re covered in dirt and hay. You need to start getting ready. I drew you a bath. Go get cleaned up and come back here. I need help preparing dinner. It needs plenty of time to cook. You can set the table too.”
“Thank you, Mother. I’ll hurry so I can help you.” Evie was unable to meet her mother’s eyes. She started to walk off but then paused in her footsteps. She looked back at the kitchen and watched her mother preparing what looked like a dinner feast. “Do you know what all of this is about?”
“Yes, daughter,” she confirmed. “However, your father asked me not to say a word. I do hope it comes as a pleasant surprise to you though.”
Evalina was baffled by her mother’s words. What is all of this about? Her mother had turned her back to continue her preparations. Evie went into the bathing room and got undressed quickly. There was already a fire going in the small hearth, and the water was nice and hot. She picked pieces of hay out of her hair before climbing into the large wooden tub.
As she washed herself, she replayed the scene from the barn with Áedán in her mind. She touched her fingers to her lips and closed her eyes. Flashes of Áedán kissing her and the serious way he had looked into her eyes sent tingles throughout her entire body. She opened her eyes again and poured water on her head to rinse out the soap. I need to think of something else. Shaking the thoughts from her head, she scrubbed her body quickly, rinsed, and got out of the tub.
Up in the loft she shared with Áedán, Evalina found a dress lying across her bed. She figured it must have belonged to her mother because it was not hers nor was it new. She fingered the gold embroidery around the neckline. It was very pretty. The dress was pale pink, low-cut, and laced in the front, with long sleeves that were banded above the elbows and flared out by the wrists. The waist was low and encircled by a thick embroidered belt.
Evie first dressed herself in a thin white tunic, and then she put on the elegant dress. She laced up the front of the dress last. She hardly recognized herself when she turned to look in the mirror. The dress hugged her hips, giving her curves. Her breasts peeked out of the top. This dress was fit for a princess, and she felt completely ridiculous in it. At the same time, she had never looked so beautiful.
Her mother entered the loft from the staircase. “You look beautiful.”
Evie turned and smiled at her. “You think so?” she asked, feeling uncertain.
“Of course!”
“Wherever did you get this dress?” Evie asked curiously.
“This was my dress. It was my dowry. I could no longer wear it after I gave birth, but since it was my favorite, I kept it for you. I wanted to surprise you with it one day, which is why I’ve never showed it to you.”
“It is very pretty, Mother. Thank you.” Evie admired herself in the mirror.
Her mother walked over to her and motioned for Evie to sit down. “Sit down. I’ll plait your hair for you.”
Evie did as she was asked. She silently watched her mother in the mirror as she parted Evie’s dark-blond hair down the middle and braided the hair along her forehead into two braids. Then she braided those with the rest of her hair into two longer braids that hung over her shoulders on both sides of her head. Then her mother placed a few tiny white flowers randomly in her braids. When her mother was finished, she smiled at Evalina. “There. You look perfect!”
Evalina smiled, and her mother brushed some color on Evie’s cheeks. Then Evie stood up and carefully followed her mother down the stairs, trying not to trip on her dress. Her father was already inside and cleaned up, sitting by the hearth.
“I’ve already got dinner started, Evie, and set the table. You go ahead and relax while we wait for our dinner guests. I wouldn’t want you to ruin your pretty dress,” her mother said.
“I’m sorry I took so long Mother,” Evie said. “I’ll help you clean up. I promise.”
Freyda smiled at her. “That would be lovely. Thank you, dear.”
Evie took a seat by her father in a chair by the hearth and picked up a book to read while they waited for their dinner guests. Her mother excused herself to go change, and when she returned, Evie noticed how well her parents were dressed for tonight. Her mother went back to the kitchen and stirred the stew carefully so as not to splatter any sauce on her dress.
A door slammed, and Evie looked up as Áedán came out of the bathing room, looking angry. He didn’t speak to anyone and went upstairs. Evie hoped he wasn’t angry with her for walking out on him in the barn. He returned a few minutes later, looking handsome in his nicest clothes. His shaggy blond hair that normally fell into his eyes was sleeked back out of his face. Silently, he joined Evie and their father by the hearth.
Not long after, there was a knock at the door. Áed stood up to let in their guests.
The Hult family entered. Edgar Hult was the best carpenter in the village. His wife, Rose, sold wooden toys to village children in the small shop they ran. Evie tried to remember the boy’s name from the times she had seen them when they went to the village, but she couldn’t remember. He was a tall, lean young man, the same age as she and Áedán, with sandy blond hair and chocolate eyes. He was neither handsome nor ugly, with strong arms from working with his father.
Evalina wondered why they were so dressed up for a dinner with them. Granted, they were the wealthiest carpenter family in the village. She still thought they were o
verdressed for a simple dinner with a village family.
Evie stood by her mother to greet the Hults. Upon introduction, she learned the boy’s name was Edwyn. He gazed at her strangely when they were introduced. She smiled politely and took her seat at the table next to Áedán and across from Edwyn.
Their parents talked casually about common polite topics as her mother served everyone stew. Her mother’s stew was delicious. It was Evie’s favorite meal. Once Freyda joined them at the table, Evalina’s father surprised her with the announcement.
“I am happy we could all get together to celebrate the betrothal of our Evalina to your Edwyn. This union makes our family proud and happy. We want to formally welcome you to the family,” Áed said.
Evalina felt as if she had been punched in the gut. She was so shocked that she couldn’t speak or breathe. She was furious with her father for negotiating a marriage contract without her input or consent, and she was mad at her mother for allowing him to make this decision for her. A hand squeezed hers under the table. Evie looked to her side to where Áedán sat. He was clearly angry. She knew him well enough to know. He held her hand comfortingly and stroked her palm with his thumb.
Edwyn smiled at her from across the table. “This match makes me very happy.”
Áedán cleared his throat and squeezed her hand hard. Evalina could tell he was fighting back angry words. She remained silent, unable to conjure words. She felt that it was probably better if she didn’t speak because her words would not be so kind.
“Evalina,” Áed prompted. “Don’t you have anything to say?”
The entire dinner party stared at her expectantly. Evie was frozen. What do I say? No, I am not excited to marry you. I don’t know you. I don’t love you.
“She’s shy,” Freyda jumped in, rescuing Evalina from her rude silence.
Evie cleared her throat before speaking. She held her true thoughts and replied cordially. “I am honored by this betrothal.”
“Your daughter is beautiful, Áed,” remarked Edgar. “She and Edwyn will give us handsome grandchildren.”
Áedán choked on his drink and began coughing.
Evalina reached over and patted him on the back.
Áed shot him a dirty look, and then returned to his conversation with Edwyn’s father. “Yes,” he agreed.
They soon changed the topic of conversation to the business of the farm and of the Hults’s carpentry. Edwyn was no longer an apprentice for his father. He was now working with him and was just as skilled. They said they had a few gifts out in their wagon for the family.
Freyda and Rose talked wedding plans. Rose was a quiet woman with the same sandy-blond hair and chocolate eyes as Edwyn. Evalina decided Edwyn favored his mother more than his father. Edgar’s hair was a light blond, and his eyes were a light blue.
Evalina ate in silence alongside Áedán, occasionally glancing up at Edwyn. Edwyn smiled at her whenever he caught her eye.
After dinner, Evalina’s parents and the Hults remained at the table talking. Edgar and Áed were drinking ale, and Freyda and Rose were drinking a wine that the Hults had brought as a gift. Áedán excused himself and went outside. Evie imagined he was blowing off steam and left him alone. She went to sit by the hearth instead. Edwyn followed her and sat in a chair next to a small table. On top of the table was a wyrre game board, already set up with the pieces. Edwyn picked up a white piece and moved it two squares forward.
“Do you like wyrre?” he asked.
Evie nodded. “I do. Áedán and I play all the time.” She picked up a black painted wooden piece shaped like a dragon with its rider and moved it up and over.
“I quite enjoy the game myself,” Edwyn said, moving another piece forward. “When we are married, I will make you a beautiful new wyrre set, and we can play anytime you like.”
Evie didn’t want to marry him, but she didn’t hate him. He was nice. If she were any other girl, she would be thrilled at such a match. He was kind and would be able to provide generously for their life. Evalina never dreamed of being married as a child. She dreamed of adventure and traveling the kingdom. She and Áedán had always talked about such things. Evalina always thought she and Áedán would run off together to see the whole of Eryieth. Now, she knew her life was over. She would settle down and make babies. She didn’t want that, but she couldn’t defy her parents.
Edwyn was telling her a funny story when Áedán came back in from outside. Evie was laughing but stopped when Áedán shot her a dirty look. He climbed the stairs to their loft and disappeared for the rest of the evening. When the Hults finally left, Evalina went straight to her parents.
“Why didn’t you just tell me? A little warning would have been nice,” she said angrily.
Áed looked at her in complete surprise. “I thought to surprise you, daughter. Are you not pleased?”
“I don’t want to marry Edwyn. I don’t know him. I don’t love him,” Evie said in a raised voice.
Her mother looked upset for her, but her father was angry. “Ungrateful child,” he said.
Freyda put her hand on his arm to calm him down. “Áed!”
“You will grow to love him,” Áed said. “The match is arranged, and the date is set for a month from now. You will marry Edwyn. I already gave my word to the Hults. Any girl would be so lucky.” Then Áed stormed off.
Her mother gave her a sympathetic hug and went to her and Áed’s room.
Evalina climbed the stairs to the loft and walked over to Áedán’s bed. She grabbed his pillow and hit him on his shoulder. “You knew, and you didn’t tell me!”
Áedán shielded himself from the blows of the pillow.
“This is what you were so angry about the other day.”
Áedán grabbed the pillow from her. He looked up sadly. “Yes. I didn’t know how to tell you without breaking your heart. I’m sorry.”
Evalina turned and walked over to her side of the tiny loft. She walked behind her privacy screen to change out of her dress.
“You seemed to be getting along rather well with your husband-to-be, playing wyrre, laughing at his stories, and smiling at him,” Áedán said vehemently.
Evalina detected what she thought was jealousy in Áedán’s tone. She stood behind the screen in just her tunic, frowning unhappily. “I don’t hate Edwyn for this betrothal. This is not his fault. I’m sure he didn’t have a say in it either.”
“Do you like him?” Áedán asked from right behind her.
She turned around and tried to cover herself in modesty.
“Oh please, Evie,” he said sarcastically. Áedán lifted her chin gently so her eyes couldn’t look anywhere other than into his. “Do you want to marry him?”
“No and no,” Evalina answered, feeling frustrated. “I have no choice. Father didn’t give me any say in this. I feel so betrayed.”
Áedán let go of her chin and pulled her to him. “I can’t stand the thought of Edwyn touching you or kissing you. Not you, my Evie,” he whispered. He pulled back and raised his hands, cupping her chin.
Evie stared into his blue eyes as he leaned in, kissing her ever so lightly. He pulled away slowly, and she burst into tears that had been threatening to flow all evening.
“Shhh. Don’t cry. We will fix this.”
“It’s impossible,” Evie said between sobs. “I already talked to Father. He is adamant that this marriage proceeds as planned.”
“We will be together regardless, Evie. I love you,” Áedán whispered so they were not overheard. “I don’t mean like a sister. You aren’t my sister after all, not truly. You were brought to me, the other half of my soul. I love you like a man loves a woman. If you had been left with any other family, not mine, the outcome would be the same. I love you, and we are meant to be together.”
What a cruel twist of fate, Evie thought. “I do love you, Áedán, and I do not want to be married to Edwyn. My whole life, I only saw myself wandering all over the kingdom with you for a lifetime. Stupid childish dreams, y
ou might say.”
Áedán reached over and tucked a loose stray of hair behind her ear that had escaped her braid when she pulled her dress over her head. “Not stupid or childish at all.” He embraced her and pulled her tightly against his bare chest.
She inhaled his familiar scent. She felt the heat of his skin through the thin fabric of her tunic.
His fingers sensually traced lines up and down her back. “They can’t stop us from being together. Not if you want it to be so.”
Evalina’s heart fluttered in her chest. “I do want to be with you, Áedán…just you.”
Áedán let go and stepped back. He studied her for a moment. He reached up, pulled the ties out of her braids, and ran his fingers through her hair, undoing the braids until her hair was loose and curly. His hand untangled itself from her hair and made its way to the hem of her short tunic. His eyes never left hers as he slowly lifted up her tunic, exposing her bare flesh inch by inch just up to her breasts where he paused before lifting her tunic off over her head in one sweeping motion. Evalina’s wavy hair fell down around her shoulders and breasts. He reached up to brush her hair back over her shoulder.
He gazed upon her admiringly. “You are so beautiful, Evalina,” he whispered.
Her breathing was fast and shallow. She was a mixture of shy and anxious. When he said her full name, it made her heart flutter even more.
Áedán lightly ran his hand over her breasts, one at a time. His hands were rough and calloused from years of hard work on the farm. Her nipples hardened in response to his hands on her naked flesh. He drew a line with his finger slowly down her abdomen to just above her navel. He started to circle her, his finger continuing to trace an imaginary line around her side to her back. He stopped behind her and flipped her hair over her right shoulder. He pressed his bare chest up against her back and reached around to cup her breasts as he kissed the delicate skin of her neck and shoulder. It tickled ever so slightly, sending delightful shivers throughout her entire body.
Dragon Chosen: The Dragon Riders of Eryieth Page 5
