“I like to look at ye, Arianna. Even if the light is low, I like to look at ye.”
She smiled against his chest. “Fine. You can look.”
“I owe ye the rest of my story. If ye want to hear it.”
“If you want to tell me, you can. If it's too hard...too much...I'll understand.”
His laugh was soft, sad. “I've told ye the hardest part, what I did to Bridget. The rest...” He shrugged. “The rest tells ye who I am. I want ye to know.”
But he was silent for a long time, and she listened to the steady beating of his heart.
“Ye saw the marker in the yard, saw the dates. I buried Bridget here. Her father wanted nothing to do with me. I'd been the reason his daughter was dead.”
“Did he know? That you...you had...”
“That I'd killed her?” He shook his head. “No. I never told him, or anyone. Only you. He believed it to be Ravena, that the witch killed Bridget. I never told him anything more.”
“That must have been terrible.”
He hugged her briefly, but he didn't answer. She had questions, but again, she sensed this was something he needed to do at his pace, to tell her in his own way. She rested her hand on his chest, and waited.
“Ravena came to me, after...Bridget was gone. Sommat had changed, sommat with the curse. I didn't fancy her, wouldn't let her into my bed. Maybe the curse was weakened when I killed Bridget. But whatever had changed, it made her verra angry. And an angry witch is a dangerous witch.
“I had started working here, at the castle, in the forge. It wasn't as grand as it is now, just a poor hovel with a furnace and an anvil. Ravena found me there. She tried again to come to me, to seduce me, but I refused her. She went into a rage. She cursed me.”
“She renewed the curse?”
He shook his head. “It was a new curse. A binding curse. And a shift-changing curse.”
It didn't make sense. “What's a shift-changing curse?”
“She cursed me to be able to change, to shift my form.” His voice had dropped, almost a whisper. “She cursed me to change...”
He went silent. And as hard as she wanted to let him do this at his own pace, she couldn't wait.
“Change into what? What could you change into?”
“She said because I worked with fire, she would change me into a dragon.”
“A dragon?” She turned, looking up at him. “A fire-breathing dragon?”
“Don't look at me like I'm mad. She said she wanted me to serve her, to be at her call. To do the things she wanted me to do.”
She closed her eyes. Lurid images flashed through her head. As evil as Ravena sounded, it shouldn’t have been surprising. Yet, it was. The story was all so overwhelming…so shocking.
“What kind of things?”
“The binding spell...it made her able to control me. To change me into a dragon when she wanted me to.”
“Oh my God. And when did she want you to change? For what reason?”
“For sport...blood sport. She rode me in matches...like jousting matches...against other witches. To the death.”
“To the death? They killed each other?”
“No. Until they killed the other witch's mount.”
Her heart beat in an uncomfortable rhythm, her stomach suddenly queasy.
“She...they...that's horrible.”
“Aye. It was.”
“But you must have always won?”
“I feared for my life. Fear does things to a man, makes him do things. Things that tear at his soul.”
“But you were fighting for your life. You had no choice.”
“I can think that, sometimes, after enough wine. But I remember every ride, every time we flew in the sky. Every dragon I burned with my breath.”
She heard the pain in his voice, felt the pain in her own heart. “I can't begin to imagine...”
“Don't even try, Arianna. I don't want ye to even try.”
“But if you're still alive...”
“Ravena was reckless. I wasn't. I watched, waited. She challenged a rival. A witch who hated Ravena as much as I did. Her name was Hectora. We struck a deal. She would kill Ravena. I would be free.”
“And it worked?”
“It worked, for Hectora at least. I flew faster than I ever had, more reckless than ever. I set it up, let Hectora have an open shot at Ravena. She took it.”
He went silent again, and from the way his heart hammered against her cheek, she knew he was reliving the whole battle. His arms had tensed around her, not in a loving embrace, but a death grip. Finally she put a hand against his chest.
“Ross...I can't breathe.”
He jerked, then looked down at her. “I'm sorry, Arianna.” He relaxed, his arms sliding down her body, one hand resting on her thigh. With the other he reached up, raking his hand through his hair.
“And then the curse was lifted? You were free?” She wanted to believe it was true, but she had the sinking feeling that wasn't the case.
“As with all witches, Hectora lied, about many things. She could never lift another witch's curse. She knew it before the deal was struck. But what she never knew was with Ravena dead, I could control when I changed. And from that day forward, I vowed never to shift again.”
There was more, and she was too impatient to wait for Ross. “What else did she lie about?”
His sigh was part irritation, part resignation. “Hectora lied about the reason she wanted Ravena dead. It wasn't just the death of a rival she sought.” His voice had gone cold. “It was me that she wanted.”
“As a man or a dragon?”
“Both. She wanted me from the first time she saw me, as a man, and as a dragon. It galled her that Ravena had me, in either form.” His laugh had a brittle edge, and it was a sound she never wanted to hear again. “Apparently Ravena had a habit of telling tales about us...about what I did under her control. As a man, not as a dragon.”
Arianna winced. To be controlled, to do things against your will, and then to know it wasn't a secret. It made her heart hurt to think about how much of a betrayal that would be.
“So the legend, the dragon they say was visible over the castle. That was…that was you?”
“Aye, that was me, under Ravena's control.”
He sat up suddenly, spilling her onto the bed. “They saw me then, but not for hundreds of years. Legends are hard to kill.” Leaning over, he kissed her.
“Enough stories for now. It's late, and I'm hungry.”
“Do you want me to fix you dinner?” She started to sit up, but he pushed her back, rising over her. As he did he pulled the sheet away from her.
“I'm not hungry for food. I'm hungry for ye, Arianna. All I want is here.”
He pushed her legs apart with his knees, reaching beneath her, fingers digging into the back of her thigh. She reacted instantly, her hips rising to meet him, legs sliding up over his torso.
“Is this what you want?”
“Aye.” He flexed his hips, sliding into her slowly. “Aye. I want this. Again, and again.”
They came together easily, moving in perfect harmony, his body relighting the flame he'd started earlier. The spark grew quickly, and then she there, on the edge, hanging over the void.
“Come with me, Arianna. Come...”
She fell, taking Ross with her. He threw back his head, his body shuddering as he took his release, his warmth filling her. She cried out, reaching for him, pulling him down to her, with her, both of them plunged into the depths of ecstasy together.
* * *
She was on the edge of sleep when Ross stirred beside her. His breath tickled the hair along her hairline, and his lips brushed her ear.
“Stay with me, Arianna. Stay with me.”
“I will. I'll be here when you wake up.” She rolled sleepily into his arms. “I won't leave.”
“Not just for tonight. For as long as ye'll have me.” His voice was drowsy, on the edge of sleep.
He wrapped his arms a
round her, nuzzling her neck.
“Yes. I'll stay.”
She felt his smile against her skin, and then he was asleep. But she lay awake in the dark, wondering about the improbability of finding herself here, in bed with this man. And with the legend of Castle Nathair finally explained.
It was what she'd come here for, to learn the secret of the castle. But now that she knew the story behind it, knew the man behind it, the academic reason she'd come here seemed to pale.
Chapter Eleven
Arianna was up early, before Ross, showered and dressed in her old clothes. It felt strange to be in pants and a t-shirt; she'd spent only one day in Bridget's skirt and blouse, but it seemed right. Denim and polyester somehow seemed wrong now. She was in the kitchen, finally figuring out how to make tea, when Ross came downstairs.
“I missed ye when I woke.”
“I wanted to get to the Inn early so I didn't have to pay for another day.” She poured steaming water into two mugs, dropping in the tea. “I only have a stipend from the University, plus savings. Every little bit helps.”
He stood behind her, arms around her waist. “Aye, I thought so. Still, don't be leaving without telling me, okay?”
“Okay. Deal.”
They sat at the table while the tea steeped. “Sorry about how that sounded, that staying here was only to save me money.” She blew across her tea. “You know that's not the reason I'm staying.”
“Aye. I know that, I know being poor.” He drank his tea and Arianna wondered how he didn't scald his tongue. “I'll be waiting for ye to come back.”
Ross waved as she turned the car around. She watched in the rear view mirror as he turned, long strides taking him into forge. She knew he'd be there when she came back. It was nice to think of him there, working with fire and iron, shaping something beautiful for the castle. And not a bad image either of him there, shirtless in the glow of the coals, slick with perspiration, muscles flexing as he hammered the metal. She smiled and hit the gas. The sooner she got this errand finished, the sooner she'd be back with Ross.
She drove back toward the village. It seemed unreal it had only been Sunday—only five days ago—that she'd driven down this lane to the castle. It seemed like a lifetime ago. So much had happened...not just with her research, but with her life.
He'd asked her to stay, not just in his bed, or for the night. He'd asked her to stay with him...for as long as she wanted. She caught her image in the review, not surprised to see a giddy smile on her face.
As long as she wanted. She felt her smile dim just a little. It hit her like a bolt that this meant longer than just for the length of her research. He'd meant forever. Her heart skipped a beat.
She took a turn in the road a little fast, and a fat white sheep materialized out of nowhere. Slamming on the brakes, she narrowly missed it, and the rest of the flock that ran like a river down the narrow lane.
Arianna, pay attention. The man of your dreams asked you to move in. Don't lose it over a silly sheep.
The sheep moved slowly down the lane, and she trailed behind them, fidgeting. Then saw a man walking ahead of them. He waved a staff, and she heard a piercing whistle. A dog ran back, skirted the flock, driving them through a gap in a stonewall. The man waved as she passed, the dog focused on the sheep.
She sped up, but cautiously, watching for more sheep. But she made it unscathed to the inn.
The woman behind the desk smiled at her, but the smile dimmed when Arianna asked for her key, and then told her she needed to cut her stay short.
“Well, we'll miss ye, my husband and me, even though ye've not been here much.” The woman raised an eyebrow, her smile returning. “Owen said he fixed the car on Monday.” There was a hopeful rise to her voice, a clear but unspoken question lurking there.
“I've been doing research.” She held her hand out for the key, giving the woman her best smile. “I'll just get my things and settle the bill when I come down.”
The woman's smile evaporated and she slid the key across the counter. “I'll have it ready when ye come down.”
Her first priority was to start charging her phone, at least enough so she could call her mother. Arianna changed clothes, relieved to be wearing clean underwear, and the only dress she'd brought. Everything else was packed in minutes. Most of her notes and research were at the castle, so there were only clothes and a few personal items she needed to collect.
Everything was packed, but her phone needed a few more minutes to charge. She sat on the bed, looking out the window. She'd been excited to call her mother, but now that she had a minute to think, she wasn't sure what she was actually going to tell her. I can't tell her I fell into bed with the castle owner on the first day I met him.
“Mom?”
“Arianna! It’s so good to hear your voice.”
“Hi, Mom. I’ve been so busy, but I wanted to give you a quick call to check in.”
She gave her mother a condensed version of what she'd uncovered so far about the castle. And she managed to skirt around Craig, only mentioning him in passing. Or so she thought.
“So, this man has caught your eye, hasn't he?”
“He's sort of the blacksmith. He lives there. I run into him once in a while.” That didn't sound remotely convincing.
There was a pause, filled with her mother's soft laugh. “Alright, Arianna. We'll leave it at that. When will you call again?”
“About that. I'm going to be staying at the castle. Craig...” She tried to say his name with no inflection. “He's said I can stay in one of the guest rooms. Thing is there's no electricity, so I can't charge my phone.”
“Is that a wise idea? You barely know this man.”
“Mom, it’s okay, don’t worry. It will be fine.”
Her mother's laughter was louder this time. “Alright. You're a grown woman. You know what you're doing. Good luck with your research, honey. I love you.”
“I love you too, Mom. I'll call again as soon as I can. Goodbye.”
She tucked the phone into her purse, took a last look around, and then brought her suitcases down to the lobby. The woman behind the desk had been joined by her husband. He smiled at her, handing her the bill.
“Aye, the missus was telling me ye'll be leaving sooner than planned. I hope it wasna anything to do with the room.” He slid the bill across the desk.
Arianna signed the slip, biting back a smile. She had the feeling she was going to be the hottest gossip topic in the village for quite a long time.
“No, the room was great. There's just been a change in plans.” She looked up into two disappointed faces, then slid the slip across the desk. “Thank you very much.”
“If ye be back in the area...”
“I'll be certain to come back and stay here.”
The drive back to the castle seemed to take forever, even without any sheep taking up space on the road. The tingle that ran up her spine intensified, as she got closer. When the castle came into view, she had the strangest feeling of coming home.
Ross was in the yard. He opened the door and pulled her out of the car.
“I've missed ye, Arianna.” He kissed her, pulling her into his arms. “Missed ye more than I thought possible.”
She grinned up at him. “I was gone less than an hour. But it's nice to be missed.”
He let her go and picked up her bags, and led her into the Castle.
The kitchen looked different, somehow, now that she was staying, that Ross had asked her to stay. It sent a thrill through her, and she watched him setting her bags in the corner of the room.
“Ye look very pretty, Arianna. Very pretty. Ye should wear dresses all the time.” He pulled her against him, his hands roaming over her bare arms, her back, down to her hips.
“And why is that?” She reached up, wrapping her arms around his neck. “Any special reason?”
“Aye.” He leaned down, kissing cheek, nuzzling against her neck. “Aye. I have a reason.” His fingers played over her, then t
angled in the fabric of the dress. He started pulling it up her thighs.
She laughed, shaking her head. “You've got a one track mind, don't you?”
“Aye.” His voice was muffled against her neck. “I believe it's the same track ye have.”
She sighed. “As much as I want to follow you down this path, I have work to do.”
He lifted his head, his hands stilling against her waist, one eyebrow raised in mock surprise. “Ye do? I thought ye came here for a different reason.”
“And what would that be?”
“To fall in love with me.”
Her heart skipped a beat, then sped up. “I did?”
“Ye did. And ye succeeded. Ye do love me, don't ye.”
It wasn't a question. And she didn't have to question her answer. “I do. And so do you.”
“Aye. I'll admit I'm passable company...”
She swatted his arm. “I meant you love me...”
“I know what you meant.” As he lifted his hands to her face, her dress fell back around her legs. He set a finger beneath her chin. “I know exactly what you mean.”
He kissed her quickly, then stepped back. “I have a bit of work in the forge to finish. And ye...” He put his hands on her shoulders and gave her a gently push toward the stairs. “Ye have verra important work to do. Work I've kept ye from.”
He was right. She did have work, and a timeline, both of which she'd pretty much forgotten about, or at least pushed aside for everything that had happened with Ross.
“Then can we have a lunch date?” She stopped in the doorway to the hall, hand on the cool stone. “Meet here about 1:00 or so?”
“Aye. Lunch then, half noon.”
The look her gave her held a promise of more than just lunch. Then again, maybe it was the almost insatiable desire that had consumed her when she was anywhere near Ross. They'd had more sex in the past five days that she'd had in her life.
Kiss Of Fire (BBW Dragon Shifter Paranormal Romance): Dragon Shifter Romance Page 9
