“That’s Drake Manor,” he said. As they drew closer, Keira could see that the house had been built in a horseshoe shape around a central courtyard, but the off-center plan suggested that there had been additions to the original building. High chimneys rose at regular intervals around the walls, smoke trailing from each of them. There were people in the courtyard, and as they neared, they looked up at the dragon, their hands shading their eyes. Keira saw a boy disappear into the building then run out the front door a few moments later, tugging a small girl behind him. He was shouting over his shoulder, and soon a small group of adults joined the pair outside. Drake Manor was the home of Aaron’s family, and as Keira looked down from Aaron’s back, she could make out the people standing below. Owain, Aaron’s uncle, stood next to his wife Margaret, while Favian stood behind Cathryn, his hands on her shoulders as he looked up at his cousin circling above. Even from a distance it was clear that the men were father and son, with their tall, broad figures and red coloring. Dancing excitedly around were the two children, Bronwyn and Will.
“Look, we have a welcoming committee,” Aaron said with a laugh. He dropped lower as he neared Drake Manor, landing on the ground before the assembled company. Keira slid down from Aaron’s back, her gaze meeting Cathryn’s. The two women smiled as Aaron’s uncle stepped forward, lowering his head as he sank to his knee.
“Master,” he said, “welcome to Drake Manor.” He thumped a clenched fist over his heart before looking up to meet Aaron’s gaze.
“Owain Drake,” Aaron said. “Thank you for your welcome. Power and might to you, and strength be over your home.” The two dragons, one in human form, stared at each other, flames seeping from both their mouths, before Owain rose to his feet.
“Aaron,” he said, “it is good to have you back.”
“It is good to be back,” Aaron replied. He turned to look at the others standing at the doorway, his eyes quickly landing on his cousin, who was staring at him intently. Favian’s face relaxed into a smile as he met Aaron’s gaze. “Favian,” Aaron said. Favian grinned back, but before he could reply, the two children were running towards Aaron.
“Uncle Aaron.” The dragon looked down at the children, then lowered his head as they collided with his chest. Bronwyn wrapped her arms around his snout as Will came to a flying halt and placed his fist over his heart.
“Master,” he said solemnly.
“William Drake,” responded Aaron with the same air of solemnity. “Thank you for your welcome.” Will nodded, and then broke out in a smile. “Take me for a ride, Uncle Aaron,” he said.
“A ride?” said Aaron. “Does your father not take you flying? Or your grandfather?”
“They do,” said Will, “but you are much more fun!”
“Me too, me too,” shouted the little girl.
“I will definitely take you for a ride sometime, but not right now. Why, I haven’t even had a chance to greet your mother and grandmother yet.” He lifted his head and looked over the children to the two women smiling in amusement.
“My apologies Margaret, Cathryn,” he said. “I have been very delinquent in my manners, but as you can see, it was quite beyond my control.”
“Quite,” agreed the older woman with a smile. “It is good to see you again, Aaron. You know that Drake Manor is as much your home as it is ours.”
“Thank you,” Aaron said, “but my home is wherever Keira is.” He turned to look at his wife, and she smiled at him.
“Of course it is,” said Margaret, “and Keira is welcome here not as a guest, but as family.” She turned to Keira with a smile. “We are very happy to have you here, Keira, and hope you will indeed feel at home.”
“Yes,” said Cathryn, stepping up next to Margaret, “welcome to Drake Manor. I am so glad to see you again.” Keira returned the smile as Aaron turned towards his cousin.
“Favian,” he said, “I need to hunt. Come with me.”
Favian nodded, then turned to the others. “I will bring him back soon,” he assured them. Favian pulled off his tunic and handed it to Cathryn. Huge red wings unfurled from his back, stretching out on either side of his body. He winked at his wife, then quickly dropped a kiss on her lips before shooting straight up into the air. Aaron turned to look at Keira, catching her gaze, then followed Favian heavenward. As she watched, Keira could see Favian contorting himself high above the ground before a bright flash indicated his transformation. A pair of trousers drifted down to the earth as Cathryn groaned. There was a laugh high above them, and then the two dragons were gone.
Owain shook his head as he stared at the two retreating figures, then turned towards Keira with a smile. “Welcome, Keira. We are so pleased that Aaron has brought you to Drake Manor so soon after your wedding, even if it is for reasons other than pleasure. You are as much a part of our family as Aaron is.” Walking over to her, he pulled Keira into an enveloping embrace that startled her, but she relaxed a moment later, remembering her first introduction to Owain at Storbrook Castle, when he had done the same.
“Thank you,” Keira said.
As a dragon elder, Owain had been the one to perform the blood-binding ceremony that had tied Keira and Aaron together as mates. It was a ceremony usually performed by the Master, but since Aaron was the one being bound, the task had fallen to one of the elders, and as Aaron’s closest living relative, and the brother of his father, Owain had been the one chosen.
“Come,” said Margaret, taking her by the arm, “Cathryn will show you to your chambers soon, but before she does, I’m sure you are in need of refreshments. How long did it take you to get here?”
In no time at all, Keira was seated in a small parlor before a blazing fire, a cup of wine in her hand and a tray of sweetmeats on a table near her elbow. Owain had excused himself and shooed the children out as well, leaving the three woman together as Keira described the wearying journey, omitting any mention of the man who had been determined to rescue her. After refreshments, Cathryn led Keira to the guest chambers. As she led the way, Cathryn explained how she and Favian occupied one wing of Drake Manor, while Owain and Margaret occupied the other. Favian had enlarged their wing, adding additional rooms for the children plus two more guest chambers. Unlike Storbrook, which had rooms that could accommodate dragons in their natural form, Drake Manor had been built to human dimensions. When Keira commented, Cathryn explained that Favian and Owain were content to leave it that way.
“There are private stairways built from each wing that lead to the roof,” Cathryn said. “They use that as an entry or exit point, transforming on the roof.”
“But what about the servants? Do they know what Owain and Favian are?”
“The roof has been built in such a way that a person on the ground cannot see what is happening above, but if the residents here have an inkling of what happens, they do not voice their opinions beyond the walls of Drake Manor. They have lived here for many generations, and the Drakes have always treated their people very well, never giving cause for complaint.” Cathryn paused outside a heavy wooden door. “These are your chambers,” she said, pushing the door open and gesturing Keira inside. The chamber was much smaller than the one Keira and Aaron shared at Storbrook, but still larger than the bedchambers of most houses. A large, four-poster bed stood in the center of the room, while beyond was a large window that looked out over open fields. Leading from the room was a small antechamber in which stood a wooden chest.
“There is a small forest that lies on the other side of the house,” said Cathryn, joining Keira as she walked over to the window. “I always love leaving the city and coming home to Drake Manor.”
“Aaron told me you have a house in the city,” Keira said, glancing over at Cathryn.
“Yes. My father moved to the city a few years ago, so we decided to buy a townhouse as well. We often stay there so I can help my father with his business.”
“His business?” said Keira, turning to face her friend. “What kind of business?”
“He’s a wool merchant. I disappointed him greatly when I married for love instead of using marriage as a way to extend his business alliances. Although I must confess, I was not easily won over to the idea of marriage for love myself. I was incredibly hard-headed and stubborn, and almost lost Favian.” She shook her head with a wry smile. “But that’s all in the past. When Father realized that Favian was quite accommodating to the idea of me still working in the business, he came around, deciding Favian wasn’t quite as terrible as he first imagined!”
Keira laughed. “Does he know what Favian is?” she asked.
“Oh, no, Favian would never reveal that to anyone.” Cathryn sounded shocked at the idea. “Surely your parents don’t know?”
“Just my father. Aaron saved his life by giving him his blood.”
“Aaron gave your father blood?”
“Yes.” Keira said in surprise. “He was dying.”
“But giving a human blood creates a bond with the dragon.”
“Yes, I know.” Keira looked back at the open fields. “But Father would most certainly have died.” Next to her Cathryn turned and gazed out the window as well.
“Well, I’m sure Aaron knew what he was doing,” she said finally. “And no-one is going to question the Master.” Turning back into the room, she pointed at the chest in the antechamber. “I know you traveled light,” she said, “so I arranged some gowns for your use until your own arrive. I understand Max travels with Thomas and the luggage?”
“Yes. And my sister Anna travels with him.”
“Anna. I’ve heard about her. Aaron saved her life, too, didn’t he?”
“Yes,” Keira said, meeting Cathryn’s gaze. Cathryn nodded.
“Well, I have a chamber arranged for her, and Max will be staying in the other wing. Now come, let me show you around some more.”
The supper hour had come and gone before Aaron and Favian returned to Drake Manor, laughing as they made their way down the passage to the parlor. Keira did not know Favian very well, but she had often heard Aaron talk of him.
“You must have had a good time hunting,” Keira commented later as they were preparing for bed.
Aaron smiled. “We did. Two deer and three sheep.”
“Sheep?”
“Favian has a flock of two thousand. But I wouldn’t recommend eating sheep unless they are sheared – their wool gets stuck in your throat.”
“I will keep that in mind,” Keira promised with a laugh.
Chapter 20
Anna was more shaken by the attack than she was willing to admit, especially to Max. She knew that she was never in real danger, since the thieves would never have stood a chance against a dragon, but the memory of the thief’s thick, dirty hands touching her, and his foul-smelling breath against her face still made her feel ill. Max had stayed close by for the rest of the day, electing to walk near her horse instead of taking to the air again.
“I don’t mind if you want to fly, you know,” she told him.
“You will let me carry you?” he asked.
“Definitely not!”
“Then I will walk,” he said decisively. And although Anna shrugged her disinterest, she had been relieved. He did take a quick flight late in the afternoon, soon returning with the news that there was an inn not too far ahead. It was smaller than the one they had stayed in the previous night, and the light shining brightly through the windows made it appear homely and snug.
Max pushed open the door ahead of Anna, and by the time she had stepped over the threshold, the innkeeper was making his way over to them with a welcoming smile.
“Come in, come in,” he said. “There is a warm fire and good food in the hall. Make yourselves comfortable.”
“Go ahead,” Max said. “I will just secure us some rooms.” Anna nodded and crossed over to the hall, glancing around as she did so. Two men sat at a table in one corner of the room, leaning towards each other in animated discussion. They ignored the other people in the room, but when one of them pulled back with a good-natured laugh that rang through the room, she felt herself relax slightly.
“Ah, those two,” said a voice behind Anna, and she turned to see a stout woman of middle age smile at the two men indulgently as she wiped damp hands against the apron tied around her waist. “They come here every night and argue about everything under the sun. Some nights we have to drag them away from the other’s throat, but they are back again the next day, friends once more.” The woman gestured towards a table near the fire.
“Come sit down, and I will bring you a nice, hearty bowl of broth.” A moment later she returned as promised with three bowls, their contents sloshing slightly as she walked. Her cheeks glowed in the fire-light, a result of exertion and heat.
“Your husband should be along soon. My man loves to talk, and he has been keeping him standing at the door.” She sat down across from Anna. “Handsome man, your husband. Been married long?”
Before Anna had a chance to reply, a commotion sounded at the door, and the party that Anna had seen the previous night at the other inn stumbled into the room, the innkeeper following close behind with Max a slight distance back. The innkeeper’s wife was on her feet with an alacrity that belied her stoutness.
“What is it, John? What has happened?”
“These people were attacked on the road, and all their possessions stolen by a band of thieves.”
Anna’s eyes flew to Max’s, who crossed over the floor to where she stood.
“Do you think they were attacked by the same people?” Anna asked softly.
“It sounds like it,” Max replied.
“Did you tell the innkeeper we were attacked too?”
“No. It would have been too difficult to explain our escape. At least the thieves are no longer around to inflict harm on others.”
“Why didn’t we see them on the road?”
“They were planning to travel a different route and had already left the main road when they were attacked. It appears there was a whole gang of thieves, patrolling all the roads in the area. Our two friends must have passed on news of the travelers to others in the gang.” Max gestured to the group, who huddled miserably together. “They returned to the main road afterwards.”
“Did they hurt the woman?” Anna asked, her voice dropping even lower. Max turned to look at Anna, his gaze catching and holding hers, before he turned back in silence to look at the small group. They looked disheveled and dispirited, and Anna could see the woman had been crying. The innkeeper’s wife was rubbing her hands between her own, speaking softly and soothingly to the woman. As they watched, Thomas came into the room and joined them. Anna turned away, her appetite vanishing as she faced the bowl of soup before her. Max settled himself across the table, and she looked up to see him watching her. She gave a tentative smile before lifting her spoon and slowly pushing it around her bowl.
“You must eat, Anna,” he said. She nodded, and brought the spoon to her lips, swallowing the now tasteless broth. The stress of the day had suddenly caught up with her, and she felt incredibly weary. She managed a few more mouthfuls before she pushed the bowl away and rose to her feet. Max immediately followed suit, and placing a hand at the small of her back, leaned down to whisper in her ear.
“I told the innkeeper we are married,” he said.
“Why?”
“So that no one questions your propriety when I go with you to your room,” he replied.
“To my room?” she said, her voice rising in volume.
“Sshh,” he said, glancing around the room as he propelled her towards the stairs. “I’m not leaving you alone. I don’t intend to share your bed, of course.”
“Of course. But as much as I appreciate your concern for my safety, I really don’t think this is necessary.”
“Well, I do. Furthermore, I’ve discussed it with Thomas, and he agrees that this is the best course of action.”
“He does?”
“Mmm. I suppose he trusts that I am not going to fo
rce my attentions on you.” The passage at the top of the stairs was dark, and the wooden floorboards creaked as they made their way to the room.
“Hmph! He is far too trusting.”
“And,” Max continued, “he seems quite confident you won’t be giving yourself willingly.”
“Most certainly not!”
Max laughed softly. “Once again, you have cut me to the quick, darling.”
As they entered the room Max glanced down the passage, then bolted the latch and secured the door. He dropped into a seat as Anna eyed him warily.
“I will stay right here,” he assured her. She watched him for a moment, then moved towards the bed, dropping her satchel onto the floor.
“Close your eyes,” she said. He raised his eyebrows questioningly, then turned away when she tugged at her gown. Pulling it over her head, she dropped it to the floor, then quickly jumped into the bed, pulling the covers up to her shoulders, hiding her chemise.
“All right,” she said. As Max turned back to her, she noticed her satchel on the floor, groaning when she realized it was too far for her to reach.
“What’s wrong?” asked Max.
“My hairbrush,” she said. “It’s in my satchel. Can you pass it to me, please?”
Max bent down and retrieved the bag from the floor, opening it on his lap and pulling out the hairbrush. He turned it over in his hand and then looked up to meet her gaze.
“Let me brush your hair,” he said. As he rose and walked over to the bed, she stared at him. “Anna,” he said, “I have already brushed your hair once. And I promise not to force myself on you,” he added wryly.
Slowly, she turned around and presented her back to him, shuddering slightly when she felt his hands lift her hair. It was tangled after a day of riding in the wind, and he gently teased apart the knots before pulling the brush through her tresses. He worked slowly and rhythmically, and Anna could feel herself relax as he brushed. A few minutes passed before he spoke.
dragon archives 03 - loved by a dragon Page 10
