dragon archives 04 - dance with a dragon (33 page)

“Danced?”

Max walked towards her, and she dropped her eyes. “Yes,” he said, his voice low. “Just the two of us, and my hands held you as you danced like a faery.” He reached out his hands and brushed them over her hips before dropping them to his sides. She looked up to see his eyes glowing, and she felt herself being drawn like a moth to the light. She tore her gaze away.

“Garrick is dead because of me,” she whispered. Max wrapped his fingers around hers.

“No,” he said.

“He would never have joined the king’s forces if it hadn’t been for me. If I had stayed at Storbrook, he would still be alive.”

“You are not responsible for the choices Garrick made. He knew the risks of fighting. He knew that he could die. And even after you agreed to marry him, he did not change that decision.”

“He said he would not have married me.”

“I know.” Max glanced away. “Do you remember when Garrick called me outside at the ball?”

Anna nodded.

“We didn’t fight. We talked.”

“What did you talk about?”

“Garrick asked me if I would leave you again.” Anna drew in a deep breath. “He knew that you would never be able to love him the way he wanted to be loved. He knew,” Max paused, “he knew that you loved me, even if you refused to admit it. He had already decided that if he could not have you completely, he would let you go. But he asked me to give him time. To tell you in his own way.”

“But …” Anna shook her head. “I’m confused.”

“He loved you so much he wanted you to follow your heart. And he loved you even more because you still chose to marry him, sacrificing your own desires for his.”

Tears welled up in Anna’s eyes, and turning to a stool, she sat down and buried her face in her hand. “I didn’t deserve Garrick’s love,” she said.

Max knelt down on the floor before her. “Garrick thought you did, and who are you to question a dead man?”

A choked laugh escaped Anna’s lips. “I miss him,” she said. “I miss knowing that he is out there, living and breathing.”

“I know.” Max’s arms went around her, and she leaned her head on his shoulder, resting in silence for a few moments.

“I forgive you,” she finally whispered. His hand moved into her hair, and she felt him smile.

“I love you,” he said. She drew in a breath. A flame flickered deep within her, a glowing ember that his words gently fanned. She could feel the warmth spreading through the pit of her stomach, reaching outwards. He lifted her head from his shoulder with his hands and looked into her eyes. “There is something else I need to tell you.” She gazed back him, her expression questioning. “When I found you in the ravine,” he paused and looked away.

“Yes?” she prompted.

“You were covered in blood. The wound on your head was bleeding profusely, running down your face and into your hair.” He stroked his fingers over the red, angry scar on her forehead, then locked his gaze with hers. “I cleaned you,” he whispered.

“You mean …?”

He nodded. “I tasted your blood.”

She shuddered. “That’s –”

“I’m a dragon, remember? It only sounds disgusting to humans. To a dragon …” he smirked, “… it sounds delectable! The blood of the woman you love in your mouth.” She felt a sudden ache as the tip of his tongue flicked between his lips. “I have never tasted anything more luscious.”

She laughed nervously. “Are you going to eat me now?”

“Certainly not!” He sounded horrified. “Not when I’ve created a bond with you.”

“A bond?”

“Yes, that’s what I’m telling you. When I tasted your blood, I formed a bond with you, an unbreakable cord that anchors me to you forever.”

She stared at him. “You bound yourself to me? Even though I was going to marry Garrick?”

“Yes.” He wrapped his hand around her neck and pulled her closer. “I love you, Anna. When I was away, I tried to get you from my mind, but you were as stubborn in memory as you are in real life! When I returned, I knew I could never leave you again, and even though you might still have married Garrick, I wanted to know that the creature I am was forever tied to you. I told you I was watching you because Aaron had instructed me to, but that was just an excuse. I just wanted to be near you. I wanted to feel your presence, even if you could not feel mine.”

He wrapped his hands around hers and pulled her to her feet. He was standing so close, her gown brushed against his legs. She wanted to press herself closer, but his eyes held her frozen.

“I belong to you forever, Anna,” he whispered. “Nothing can ever change that.”

“But … you barely even spoke to me!”

“I wanted to. But my very presence antagonized Garrick. And I knew you felt guilty whenever you spoke to me. So I pretended to ignore you. But just as you could not help watching me when you thought I wouldn’t notice, I could not help watching you. I was just waiting for you to realize that you belonged to me, too.”

He pushed the hair from her face with light fingers that lingered on her cheek, and glanced down at her lips. He was so close, and she wanted to feel him closer. There was a sound in the hallway and he cocked his head slightly, then stepped away. Even the distance of a few inches was devastating, and she stepped forward. She wanted to feel his arms around her, his body pressed against hers. He took a breath and the light flared in his eyes for the briefest of moments. His hands reached towards her, then dropped to his sides as he took another step backwards.

“Someone is coming,” he said softly. “Can I call on you tomorrow?” She nodded. He lifted her hand and brushed her knuckles against his lips. “Until then, my darling,” he said.

Chapter 42

Anna stood at the window and watched as Max left the house and followed the path around the gardens. He disappeared into the trees, and then a few minutes later she saw a bright flash of light as a dragon rose into the air. He turned towards the heavens, and with a loud roar, blew out a river of flame.

“Goodness, what’s that sound?” Matilda said as she entered the room. She walked over to the window and glanced outside, but Max was already too far away to be seen by a casual observer. “I spoke to my brother this morning, and it seems as though this whole affair is going to be far more protracted than they originally thought.” She turned to look at Anna. “It is most aggravating. Alfred assured me that Terran’s forces were weak and would soon be overrun. If I had known otherwise, I would never have agreed to this scheme of following the army, being dragged over the countryside for weeks on end.”

Matilda tapped her fingers against the windowsill. “So I have decided to return home,” she said. “My children miss me, and I them, and who knows what a mess our Lord Chamberlain is making of the affairs of state. In fact, it is quite imperative that I return as soon as possible so that I can oversee the running of the kingdom. We will start our return journey at the end of the week.”

The end of the week – that left four days.

Anna nodded. “Very well, my lady.”

Matilda went over to a seat and sat down. “Pour me a glass of wine, Anna,” she said. “I must confess I am quite fatigued.” There was a flagon on the table, and Anna poured out a glass and handed it to Matilda before pouring a glass for herself. “Have you gotten over your grief?” Matilda asked.

“No, my lady,” she said. “But with each passing day the pain becomes a little duller.”

“Then you will be back to your usual spirits by the time we leave?”

Anna looked away. “Yes, my lady,” she said.

Max met Anna in the gardens the next day. She knew he was there before he even came around the corner, and smiled when he strode towards her. “You were spying on me,” she said. “Wanted to make sure I was alone before you presented yourself.”

He laughed. “Most definitely. I always want you to myself. But how did you know?”

She wrapped her hand around his arm as they walked along the path. “I can feel when you are near.”

He turned to look at her in surprise. “What do you mean?”

Anna shrugged. “Just that. I don’t know how else to explain it except to say that even when I don’t see you, I can feel your presence.” Max was silent, and when she glanced at him, she saw his forehead was furrowed in thought. “What is it?” she said.

“Well, it’s just that it’s impossible. What you are explaining is a blood bond, but you haven’t had my blood.”

“Are you sure you didn’t slip me some when I was unconscious?” she said teasingly.

He smiled. “I will admit the thought crossed my mind, but no, I didn’t.” They continued walking as he reached into his pocket. “I have something for you.” In his hand lay a simple, silver band.

“What is this?” She took the ring, holding it closer to the see the love knot etched into the metal.

“It belonged to Garrick. He had it made for you when you first agreed to marry him.”

She glanced up at him. “How do you know?”

“He showed it to me the night of the ball. He had already decided it could not be a wedding band, but he still wanted you to have it. He just hadn’t decided how to give it to you.” Max paused. “He had it on him when he died.”

Anna closed her hand over the ring and looked away, blinking back the tears that suddenly filled her eyes. “I cannot take it,” she whispered. “My heart was not faithful and true to him.”

Max stopped walking, and stepping back, pulled his arm from hers. “Anna,” he said sternly, “did you not hear what I said? Garrick knew that you could not love him, but he loved you anyway. This is not a gift based on what
you
think or feel, but a gift based on what
he
felt for you! It is not a reward. It is a gift of friendship. You will take it, and will wear it. And it will be a reminder that before he even asked for your hand in marriage, he was your friend.” His eyes narrowed as she turned and continued walking down the path, away from him, but she could not shut out the sound of his voice. “You keep telling yourself that you failed Garrick, but he did not see it that way. You were not unfaithful to him. You did not choose me over him. Instead, you remained true even when your heart cried for you to make a different choice.”

No, her mind shouted, it was her fault he was dead. She hadn’t loved him enough. She heard Max following her, but his next words stopped her in her tracks. “He told you to follow your own dream, and not be bound by his,” Max said softly. “It was his last wish.” She turned around slowly, but he was hazy through the tears.

“You heard,” she whispered. “You heard him talking to me.” He nodded. “I wanted to love him,” she said. “I wanted to make him happy. Why could I not love him?” In a few quick strides, Max was wrapping his arms around her, pulling her head against his shoulder.

“There is no guilt,” he said. “Garrick loved you. Let that be enough. It was enough for him.” A sob rose in her throat, and she turned her face into Max’s shoulder as the tears ran down her cheeks, pouring out from the crack in her soul that was ripping wider apart. She didn’t notice when he slipped his arm beneath her knees and carried her to a quiet bench in the corner, settling her in his lap as he continued to rock her. His hand was in her hair, soothing her like an infant. Finally the tears slowed, and then ceased altogether, and she lay spent against his chest. She felt extremely weary, and for a moment, closed her eyes.

“I shouldn’t have blamed you for Garrick’s death,” she finally said.

“I understood,” he said.

“Thank you,” she whispered. She lay against his chest for a few more minutes, until the sound of other voices in the distance penetrated her mind. She disentangled herself from Max’s arms and slid off his lap onto the bench beside him. He kept his arm around her, and she leaned against his shoulder.

“Did you hear that Matilda has decided to return home?”

She felt Max smile. “I think all the king’s forces have heard that piece of news. I’m not sure who is more relieved – Alfred or Roderick!”

Anna gave a half-hearted smile. “Maybe Rupert?”

Max’s grin fled and he looked away. “Rupert doesn’t care one way or the other. He just wants to win this war, whatever the cost.”

“But why? It’s not his war.”

“Pride. Or maybe it’s because he wants to prove his worth as the second son. But he will not back down.”

“And Alfred?”

“I think Alfred is starting to recognize the toll this will take on his kingdom, both in terms of money and lives lost. He entered this war confident of an easy victory, but he underestimated Terran’s support and strength. If he’s wise, he would cut his losses and return home with his wife.”

“Is he wise?”

“I don’t know.” Anna thought about this for a moment.

“Have you heard from Aaron lately?” she said.

“I’m going to see him tomorrow. I’ll leave early in the morning and return the following afternoon.” He paused to look at her. “Will you be all right if I’m gone for a few days?”

“You will be back before we start our return journey?”

“I will. I won’t tarry at Storbrook, and will return as soon as my business with Aaron is done.”

“I’m sure I can survive without you for a few days!” she said wryly.

He laughed. “I’m sure you can! I’m more concerned about your personal safety. Stay here at the house, and you should be fine.”

Chapter 43

Alfred and Roderick also had chambers at Cameleus’s house, and every day, as the residents gathered for meals, they discussed the progress of the war. Roderick wanted to keep fighting, but Anna could tell that Alfred’s heart was not in it. His and Terran’s forces were similar in both size and strength, with neither side coming out as the clear victor. One day, Alfred’s losses were significant – dozens of men dead or captured – but the next day, fortunes were reversed. As frustrating as this was, what troubled Alfred even more was that the support of the locals which Roderick had assured him would be forthcoming had not materialized. The citizens of Terranton – as everybody was now calling it – had not streamed out of the city to back Roderick, as he had assured Alfred would happen. In fact, the farmers in the surrounding countryside had gone so far as to kill their livestock and burn what was left of the previous harvest, to prevent the invaders from laying their hands on their supplies, before fleeing into the safety of the city. Rupert had been furious when he heard the report, and laid waste to the surrounding countryside, setting fire to empty cottages and new crops.