Chapter 7
The dragon swooped down low, circling the village. As usual, the villagers were scrambling to get away from the threat, but Keira stood and watched the mighty beast as it glided and swirled through the air, admiring its grace and elegance. The sun glanced off the golden armor of the creature, making it shine lustrously. The unhurried movement of the dragon through the air reminded Keira of the dance troupes that toured the countryside, ready to exhibit their talents for a crowd willing to part with a few pennies. Keira was the only one watching the dragon’s performance, but when the creature circled around again it looked directly at her, giving her the impression that the show was exclusively for her benefit. The dragon circled above the village one more time before turning towards the mountains, gliding on a swirling eddy of wind.
Keira was about to turn away when she saw that the dragon was losing height, descending near an open area in the distance. She watched for a moment, then spurred herself to a run as she realized that the dragon was headed in the direction of the lake. It dropped behind the trees as she ran, and a moment later, Keira saw a sudden burst of light brightening the sky, competing with the sunlight before slowly fading away. She pushed herself to run faster, twisting between the trees, hoping that the dragon would still be there when she arrived.
Ten minutes later, panting and sweaty, Keira approached the lake. She slowed down as she drew close, not wanting to disturb the creature, if indeed he was still there. She just wanted to catch a glimpse of him as he rested. Even though she was sure the dragon wouldn’t harm her, she knew it would be foolish to act on this belief. Dragons were powerful creatures, known to kill and eat humans; just one swipe of a claw, or breath from his mouth, would see her in the grave. She sidled quietly around the trees and stopped at the edge of the clearing that led to the lake. Peeking between the branches, Keira searched the clearing for the large form of a beast. But instead of a dragon, the sight that met her eyes made her draw in her breath in a gasp.
Standing at the edge of the lake stood Aaron. His back was to her, and he was pulling on a pair of hose over his bare legs. Although a good distance away, he lifted his head at the sound of her gentle gasp and quickly spun around, his glance taking in her form in an instant. Keira stared at him for one horrified moment, then turned and ran back through the trees.
“Keira, wait,” he called, but she shook her head in mortification and continued to run. She could hear his footsteps already directly behind her, and she urged herself forward, but to no avail. Before she could go another step, he grabbed her arm, spinning her around on her heel and catching her when she fell off balance. She gasped as her hands fell against his bare chest, then jerked them away as the color rose in her cheeks at the intimate touch.
“Please, let me go,” she cried. He released her arm, but kept a hand near her elbow in case she tried to flee again.
“Keira,” he said, “it’s all right. There’s no need to run.” Keira looked away, mortified. “What are you doing here?” he asked.
“I … I thought I saw the dragon landing here,” she said. “I sometimes come here to swim,” she added when he didn’t immediately respond.
“And instead of a dragon, you found me.”
“Yes,” she whispered, turning to look at him.
He stared down at her, then slowly cupped her cheeks with his hands. They slid down her face, then slipped behind her neck as he pushed his fingers through her long, thick hair. He pulled her a little closer, and the searing warmth of his skin burned through Keira’s kirtle. His eyes glowed like burnished gold as he gazed at her, making her breath catch. He lowered his head and gently brushed his lips over hers. Her eyes fluttered closed and she leaned towards him, then pulled away, shocked at her response.
“Please don’t,” she whispered.
“Why not?” he demanded softly. His gaze wandered back to her mouth, but she shook her head.
“Please,” she whispered again. He drew back, his eyebrows raised in question.
“I must go,” she said, slipping herself from his hold.
“Keira,” he said, grasping her by the arm once again, “please don’t run away.”
“Aaron.” She turned back to him, meeting his golden gaze. “I don’t want to be some passing fancy that you quickly forget. Soon you’ll be gone again, off to some new place with new hearts to conquer, but I’ll still be here, and I don’t want to be left a miserable, pining spinster. My heart is the only thing that is truly mine to give – even my maidenhead can be taken against my will, or given away by my parents. And I would give my heart to someone who’d value it, without the risk of it being broken.”
“Loving someone is always a risk, Keira,” Aaron said, “but if you’re prepared to take the risk, then the rewards are beyond telling.” He paused, gazing deeply into her eyes, and her pulse began to race. He wrapped his arms around her waist and leaned closer to whisper in her ear. “Sweet Keira, take a risk on me, because I’m in love with you.”
Keira pulled back and stared at him in shock, her mind reeling. He returned her gaze steadily as his eyes began to glow.
“Oh, Aaron,” she said. “How many other women have you said that to?”
“You’re the only one, my sweet,” he whispered. He leaned closer, his face mere inches from hers. His warm breath brushed her skin as he spoke.
“I’ve lived a long time,” he said, “far longer than you may suppose, and I won’t deny that there have been other women, when the loneliness became too much to bear. But apart from my mother, you’re the only woman I have ever loved, and the only one I have ever said those words to.”
He stared at her, then lowered his mouth to hers once more. This time she didn’t pull away, but instead brought her hands to his bare skin. It was warm and smooth, and she wanted to feel him closer. He lifted his head and stared down at her, then suddenly stiffened when the sound of someone crashing through the trees reached them. His gaze rose swiftly and his expression grew hard.
“Your sister’s coming,” he growled into her ear before he stepped away, his hands slipping from her waist. Keira looked at him in surprise as Anna broke through the undergrowth a few feet from where they stood.
“Keira,” she started, but at the sight of Aaron her eyes widened. She looked back at her sister in disbelief as a sly grin crossed her face. “Mother sent me to find you. I wonder what she’ll say when she hears that I found you with a half-naked man hidden in the woods.” Anna sniggered, then turned around and raced away.
“Anna,” Keira shouted. She gave Aaron a despairing look. “I must go – she’ll tell Mother if I don’t stop her.” Before Aaron had a chance to respond she took off after her sister.
Keira finally caught up with Anna as they approached the village. “Anna, stop! You can’t tell Mother,” she said, grabbing Anna by the arm.
Anna raised an eyebrow. “Why not?”
“You know she’ll forbid me to see Aaron again. And I can’t marry Edmund!”
Anna nodded. “Very well, I won’t tell her. But you have to make it worth my while to keep silent,” she added with a smirk.
Keira hesitated for a moment, then groaned. “Very well! I’ll feed the chickens for the next week.”
Anna grinned. “Thank you, Keira. You’re the best sister there is.”
It was afternoon before Keira could escape the house once more, and her footsteps meandered aimlessly towards the woods. She lifted her fingers to her mouth as she walked, and ran them tentatively over her lips. Aaron had kissed her so gently, and the memory of it sent a shiver down her spine. He’d told her he loved her – could it be true? Was it even possible for a man like Aaron to love such a simple country girl? Could she risk her heart with him? It was a silly question, since love, like a thief, had already come creeping in and stolen her heart.