Chapter 9
The sun was high as they lay in the grass of the alpine meadow, Aaron’s arms wrapped around Keira as she lay against his chest. His wings were gone, and except for slight ridges along the length of his spine, there was nothing to show that he ever had wings sprouting from his back.
“When you’re like this, in human form, can you do the things you can do as a dragon?” Keira asked. Aaron looked at her for a moment before slowly replying.
“You see me as a human,” he said, “but I am a dragon – in whatever form I take. The qualities you see as being those of a dragon are always a part of me. I’m not human, Keira, even when I look and act human. Can you understand that?”
“So even like this, you’re still … a dragon?” She sat up, pulling her knees to her chest as she gazed at the ground, trying to grasp what he was saying.
“Yes.” Aaron watched her for a moment, before shifting himself to face her. He placed a finger under her chin, forcing her to look into his eyes. “Can you accept that, Keira? Can you accept me for what I am?”
Keira gazed at him, her eyes wide, as a slew of emotions assaulted her. All her life, she had been taught to fear dragons. Stories of their ferociousness and cruelty had been a part of her childhood, and although she trusted this dragon, she didn’t doubt that the stories were true.
“Do you eat people?”
“Yes, amongst other things. And never the innocent,” he replied, his gaze unwavering.
Keira gulped, closing her eyes. “How old are you?” she asked.
“A hundred and five,” he replied.
She lifted a hand to cover her eyes, but a moment later felt his warm fingers as he gently pulled it away.
“Open your eyes, Keira, and look at me,” he whispered.
She opened her eyes slowly. His face was only inches away and she caught her breath as she stared into eyes that burned fiercely, like flames contained behind a sheet of glass, the color shifting and moving as he gazed at her. They were completely inhuman, but as she looked at him, she forgot her fears. It didn’t matter that he was a dragon, that he wasn’t human. What mattered was that he loved her. She lifted her hand to his cheek. “I love you, Aaron Drake,” she said, “no matter what you are.”
Keira hadn’t thought it was possible for his eyes to burn any more brightly, but in the moment before his lips touched hers, they blazed as brilliantly as the sun. His warmth radiated through her as his arm slipped around her waist, pulling her closer.
“As I love you, Keira Carver,” he murmured. “I loved you from the first moment I saw you, my sweet, and it wasn’t in the marketplace.” He laughed softly.
“It wasn’t?” She pulled back in surprise before realization sunk in. “Of course, it was when you flew over the village.”
“That’s right,” he said. “You showed no fear at all. Just curiosity, and … something else I couldn’t quite place.”
“It was awe,” she whispered, “you looked so beautiful.”
“Ah, Keira,” he said. He brushed his lips against hers.
“So can you breathe flame when you look like this?” she asked a moment later.
“I can – look.” He lifted his hand and held it a few inches from his mouth, then blew out a stream of flame. It curled around his hand and dissipated.
“Doesn’t it burn you?” she asked in surprise.
“Dragons are made from fire,” Aaron explained. “The flames cannot hurt me.”
“What else is different?”
“My senses are far more acute than yours. My eyesight rivals that of a hawk – I need to be able to see fair maidens from quite a distance, you know.”
Keira glared at him, and he grinned. “But I limit myself to the beautiful ones,” he murmured into her ear. Keira blushed and pushed him away.
“Can you fly when you’re like this?” she asked.
“I can. Should I show you?” He pulled her to her feet and wrapped his arms around her, one hand around her waist while the other supported her weight. She gasped as her feet left the ground, and wrapped her arms tightly around his neck. She closed her eyes for a moment as she regained her sense of equilibrium.
“I won’t let you fall,” Aaron whispered in her ear.
“I know,” she said. With a deep breath, she opened her eyes. His wings were stretched out behind his back, huge and beautiful, and she watched in amazement as they moved through the air, lifting them higher. She felt his gaze on her, gauging her reaction, and she turned to look at him. His eyes caught hers, and her mouth fell open to draw in a breath. It was stolen away a moment later as he kissed her. It wasn’t just his eyes that burned with flame – his hands on her back seared her skin, and his lips scorched hers as they demanded a bold response. Keira’s hold around Aaron’s neck loosened from a death grip as she wound her fingers into his hair and pulled him closer, her need matching his.
The air warmed and the sun sped across the sky as they floated in the silence, across mountain peaks and alpine streams. It was so peaceful, a world away from Edmund. It was Aaron who finally brought them back to reality.
“I should probably get you home before your neighbors start sending out hunting parties to rescue you from the dragon,” he said, his tone reluctant.
“You’re right!” she said, suddenly alarmed. “I couldn’t bear it if people tried to hurt you.”
“I’m not worried about me,” he replied with a snort. “It would take more than a few humans with pitchforks to hurt me. But people will think that you’re in danger, and I don’t want that.” They were descending as he spoke, and a moment later were back on the ground.
“People cannot know what I am,” he said. “I must change back to my natural form.”
She nodded. “Of course.”
He stared at her for a moment, then grabbing her arms, gave her a hard kiss before pushing her away. “I’ve never had an incentive to remain human before,” he said, “but you make it hard for me to change.” He turned around. “I need to unclothe myself,” he said over his shoulder.
Keira turned away and waited until a bright light filled the air. She turned back and stared at the enormous dragon standing before her. He cocked his head, and she swallowed hard.
“How do you do that?” she said.
He smiled. “Mind over matter,” he said. “Now climb on my back.” She eyed him suspiciously, and he laughed. “Stand at my side,” he said. She walked over to him, then gasped in shock when he wrapped his tail around her waist and lifted her onto his back.
“Lie down and hold my neck,” he said.
“Have you done this before?” Keira asked. “Carry a human on your back?”
Aaron laughed. “No.”
“I’m not going to fall, am I?”
“Not if you hold on tightly.” He turned his head and smirked. “There’s nothing wrong with my flying, so the fault won’t lie there.”
She groaned, and wrapped her arms around his neck as tightly as she could.
“Ready?” he asked. He didn’t wait for her reply, but unfurled his wings and lifted himself into the air. Keira relaxed her grip slightly as the wind rushed past her face. As long as she remained steady, she could tell it would be difficult to tumble from Aaron’s broad back.
“You asked if I’ve flown with other humans,” he said, “but apart from my mother, you’re the only human who knows my true form.”
“Your mother is human?” she said, shocked.
“Was,” he said. “Yes, she was human.”
“Oh! I’m sorry. About losing her, I mean.” She paused for a moment, considering his words. “So the other women …”
“Never truly knew me, Keira. Only you.”
Keira smiled as she wrapped her hands tighter around him. All too soon the village came into view, and Aaron dropped towards a clearing on the outskirts. He landed gracefully, and Keira slipped off his back, sliding over his smooth scales. She walked around to face him and stared into eyes
that gleamed gold. She stretched up her hand and laid it against the hard, leathery skin on his face. He returned the gaze, then leaned forward and placed his cheek against hers. His breath was hot against her neck, lifting the hair around her face.
“Keira,” he said, pausing for a moment, “you do understand that no-one can know who I truly am? People cannot know that the dragon is more than a mere beast.”
“I understand,” she said. “I won’t tell anyone. But I will tell them that you’re good. And that you saved me from Edmund.”
He snorted softly. “You’ll have a hard time convincing them of that. People can be quite obdurate when it comes to changing their beliefs.”
“Well, I can certainly try.”
“I’ll see you soon, my sweet,” he said softly, then pulled back and lifted himself into the air. She watched as he circled above her for a few moments before turning in the direction of the mountains.
As soon as she walked into the village, Keira saw her mother running towards her.
“Keira!” she screamed. “Keira! Thank God – you’re alive! We thought that dreadful monster had eaten you.” She grabbed Keira’s hand, pulling her off balance. “How did you escape? You must hide!”
“Mother, there’s no need to hide,” Keira said. “The dragon brought me back. And he’s not a dreadful monster – he saved me from Edmund.”
“Saved you?” Mother gasped. “How can you say that? Dragons are dangerous predators that love to eat girls like you. What has that creature done to twist your mind like this? Edmund told us how he almost lost his life fighting the dragon as he tried to save you. Why are you making up these lies?”
At these words Keira came to a stop, yanking her arm from her mother’s grip as she stared at her in astonishment.
“Mother, Edmund was going to rape me. The dragon saved me from him. He is the one who is lying.”
Mother stared at Keira for a moment, her eyes narrowing. “Why are you doing this? You’ve known Edmund all your life! And you’re going to be his wife! But instead of standing by him, you defend the actions of a hideous monster!” She gave Keira an angry look before turning on her heel and storming away. Keira watched in shock as angry tears gathered, but a moment later she was running after the retreating figure.
“Mother, stop!” she shouted. “Why would I lie about Edmund? And why would the dragon have brought me back if he wanted to hurt me?”
Her mother stopped her marching and twirled around to face Keira once more.
“I don’t know why you would lie about Edmund,” she said. “Perhaps he said something to upset you, and you want vengeance.” Keira drew back in disbelief. “And as for the dragon,” Mother continued, “who knows what evil motives drive its actions.” She glared at Keira for a long moment, then spun around and marched off once more. Running after her again, Keira caught up as they neared the house.
“Mother, please,” she begged. “You have to believe me.”
“Keira, I don’t know what has gotten into you,” Mother said, “but dragons are hideous, evil monsters! The spawn of hell!” She spat out the words, and Keira instinctively took a step back as Mother continued. “Perhaps the dragon did rescue you from Edmund’s advances, but the question is why? Dragons are crafty and shrewd, so why would a man-eating beast choose to save a pretty girl and bring her back? And as for Edmund, I’ve known him since he was a babe in his mother’s arms. Perhaps he behaved rashly, but his intentions are never dishonorable. Yet you’re asking me to believe that Edmund is bad, while a dragon is good. That would be like asking me to say that night is day and day is night – that fish live in nests while birds dive to the depths of the lakes. These things are impossible, Keira, as impossible as a noble dragon!
Keira’s mother yelled the last word as Father rounded the corner, Anna close on his heels. He grabbed Keira by the hands.
“Keira! Thank God you’re safe,” he said. “We’ve been so worried. When Edmund said that you’d been taken by the dragon we feared the worst. How did you manage to escape?” He lifted his hand to his daughter’s cheek. “The dragon has hurt you.”
“No, Father,” Keira replied wearily. “Those scratches were inflicted by Edmund, not the dragon. The dragon saved me from Edmund when he was attacking me.”
“Why am I not surprised?” Anna said, and Keira looked at her in astonishment.
“What does that mean?” Mother asked sharply.
“Edmund’s only charming when he chooses to be. I’ve heard how he speaks to Keira.”
Keira smiled at Anna gratefully then turned back to Father. “Please, Father, you must believe me when I say that the dragon did nothing to hurt me, and was the means of my rescue.”
Father glanced quickly at his wife, who shrugged, hands upraised to indicate her incomprehension, before answering. “Keira, dragons are not good creatures. They are wild beasts that savagely hunt people and eat them. This is not the first dragon to have lived near the village, and you know the story about the last one. It burned down half the village, killing many in the process.” He laid his hands on his daughter’s shoulders and waited for her to meet his gaze before continuing. “Keira, I don’t know what happened between you and Edmund, but if you persist in saying that he hurt you while the dragon rescued you, there will be repercussions. The reeve won’t let your accusations lie unanswered. And since it’s your word against Edmund’s … well, you won’t win yourself any friends. Half the village is indebted to the reeve. They cannot afford to have him as an enemy.”
“I know, Father, but Edmund did try to rob me of my maidenhood. And I cannot let people think badly of the dragon.”
“Clearly, her wits have been addled,” said Mother. “She’s been going on like this since she returned.”
“The important thing is that she’s returned to us safely,” said Father, turning to his wife. “She’s been through a trying ordeal, and probably needs to rest. She should go inside, out of the sun, and have a strong drink before lying down for a while.”
“I’m fine,” Keira insisted, but Anna linked her arm through her sister’s and drew her away.
“Come, Keira. A little wine will help to settle your nerves,” she said. She led her sister towards the house, lowering her voice as she did so. “Nothing you say is going to convince them that the dragon meant you no harm. Just leave them be.”
“But Anna, I can’t let them think that,” Keira said. “The dragon really did save me. He really is a good dragon.”
Anna rolled her eyes. “There’s no such thing as a good dragon, Keira. I believe you when you say that Edmund meant to hurt you, but you can’t say that the dragon isn’t dangerous.” Keira opened her mouth in objection, but Anna quickly raised her hand to silence her. “I know what you’re going to say, Keira, but there’s no point. Clearly your dragon decided to let you live, but that’s no reason to think it won’t hurt others, or try to burn down the village one day. Instead of helping people, you could land up helping the dragon destroy us.”
“No,” Keira said, shaking her head. She pulled her arm from Anna’s and stepped into the house. Suddenly, retreating to her room where she could be alone seemed very appealing. She hurried up the stairs and closed the door behind her, before sinking to her bed. She closed her eyes, remembering the burning touch of a dragon as his lips seared hers.