dragon archives 04 - dance with a dragon (3 page)

“Well, I hope it won’t get too cold. My cloak is not very warm,” she said. “Perhaps if we –”

“Anna.” Garrick’s voice was firm. “There is something I would say.”

She glanced back at him, and shook her head. “No.”

“I cannot keep silent any longer. It is destroying me to see you every day, and not speak of how I feel. I have waited for some sign from you – anything that I could take as an encouragement, but my patience is wearing thin.”

“Please, Garrick –”

“Tell me, Anna, do you feel anything for me?” he said.

Anna turned away and stared into the trees. “Garrick,” she finally said, “I like you very much. You are a good man, and I consider you a great friend.”

“A good man. A great friend.” Garrick laughed dryly. “Words of the damned. You’re still hankering after that dragon, aren’t you?”

Anna turned to him with a look of surprise as her heart skittered within her chest. “What are you talking about?”

“Don’t take me for a fool, Anna. I have lived at Storbrook most of my life, and like everyone else who lives there, I know exactly what Master Drake is. Don’t worry,” he added as she pulled in a startled breath, “we all know that there are some secrets that must be kept. But that does not change what Master Drake is, or the friends that arrive at the dead of night, through entrances other than the gate. Friends like Max Brant.” The air was suddenly too heavy to breath. “You still have feelings for him,” Garrick continued. “Even after all these years. But where is he now, Anna? He left you, didn’t he? Probably without a backward glance.”

Anna looked away as a pounding grew in her ears. “No,” she whispered. “It wasn’t like that.”

“No? Then where is he now? He’s not here, Anna.” Garrick paused, then added gently, “But I am.” Anna glanced down at the ground. A small, brown beetle was clinging to the edge of a leaf, dry and speckled with spots, and she watched as it fell on its back, its little legs waving furiously in the air, before it righted itself. Garrick leaned closer. “Anna,” he said, “I love you. I know your feelings for me are not the same, but I love you enough for both of us. I want you to become my wife.” She glanced up at him in dismay. “We could be happy,” he continued quickly. “We already have friendship, which is more than many couples start with, and in time you will learn to love me.” She opened her mouth to respond, but he covered her lips with his fingers. “Think about it, please,” he said. “At least give me that much.” She stared at him for a moment, then dropping her eyes, nodded slowly. “Thank you,” he said, pulling his fingers away. He stared at her for another long moment, then turning away, nudged his horse down the path, as Anna did the same.

The rest of the journey was traversed in silence. Anna’s first thoughts had been of bewilderment, dismay, and wild refusal, but as the initial shock wore off, she was able to consider Garrick’s words with more composure. She didn’t love him, it was true, but she had been honest when she said he was a good man, and she knew he would treat her well. And she could learn to love him. It wouldn’t be wild or passionate, but steady and enduring. She would have a husband who loved her, and a home of her own, filled with children. She would have a life that did not depend on Keira or Aaron. A life that was hers alone. That was what she wanted, wasn’t it?

Chapter 3

Anna lay in bed that night, tossing and turning under the heavy quilts. She pushed them off, but when a breeze blew through the crack in the shutters, she pulled them back up with a shiver. Her chemise, although fresh and clean, felt scratchy and uncomfortable. A dull pain hovered behind her eyes, and her shoulders ached. Garrick’s words would not be forgotten, but she could find no peace in them. She knew he was a man who was not only kind and generous, but also determined and strong. He would be a good husband, of that she had no doubt. But then why was she not happy? Why could she not bring herself to accept his offer with pleasure? Not only would she have her own home, but being married offered far greater freedom than she currently enjoyed. A reasonable man like Garrick would allow her to run her household as she chose, and with the protection of his name, she could travel and conduct business in a manner she could not do as a single woman. But even as she acknowledged these advantages, she was not content. She had seen the look of love in Keira’s eye when she gazed on her husband, and recognized Aaron’s happiness when he looked back. It was clear to Anna that Aaron and Keira were tied together by something far stronger than a mere contract. And there was the rub. She wanted what Keira had, even as she acknowledged that it was a strange and rare thing.

She lay restless through the long night, until the light of dawn started to penetrate the darkness. She stared blearily at the windows, but after the passing of another restless hour, finally pushed herself from the bed. A few glowing embers were all that remained of the fire from the previous night, and Anna stoked up the flames, watching as they licked the logs she placed over them. She crossed the floor to the window and threw open the shutters. A dark shadow was circling in the distance, and for an instant she thought it was a dragon, until it turned and she saw it was an eagle, gliding on a current of air.

Her gaze drifted downwards to the gardens of Storbrook. She could hear the cheerful twittering of birds as they fluttered between the trees, searching for grubs and insects. Early morning mist still clung to the mountain, and Anna could see a layer of dew covering the lawns, like a finely spun spider web. The sun had risen above the horizon, but the sky was still streaked with pinks and grays. A slight breeze stirred between the plants, and Anna caught the scent of roses drifting up past her window. All was peaceful and still, so unlike her own turbulent thoughts, and she reached for a gown, quickly fastening the laces as she slipped on a pair of slippers and headed out of the room.

Anna could feel the damp rising through her slippers as she walked across the grass, the back of her gown leaving a trail through the dew. She paused for a moment to watch two birds fighting over a worm, until a vicious peck convinced the smaller of the two to surrender, chattering angrily as it hopped away. The path twisted slightly as it meandered through the gardens, and she followed it around a corner, pausing when she saw a figure crouching on the ground a few feet away. Garrick had his back to her, but when she started to retreat, he held up his hand with a soft ‘hush’ and she paused, watching him cautiously. He wore a crumpled shirt, hanging over a pair of leather breeches and rolled up to his elbows. His hands were close to the ground, but his back hid what he was doing. It was only when he turned, his expression intent, and motioned her forward with his chin, that she could see a small bird in the palm of his hands.

“It’s been hurt,” Garrick said, his voice low. “I think it may have broken a wing. I found it lying on the ground.”

“What are you going to do with it?” she asked.

“I’ll find a box and nurse it back to health until it can fly on its own,” he said. He was looking at the bird again, and as he spoke, Anna watched his face. His expression was gentle as he carefully stroked the trembling creature in his hands.

“Why?” Anna asked. Another man would choose a quick death for the injured bird, rather than taking time to care for it. “Why would you do that?”

Garrick turned to her with a smile as he rose to his feet. “Even the smallest creatures are of value to God,” he said, “and no life should be taken needlessly.” His smile stretched into a grin. “Even dragons know that.”

“Well, some dragons, maybe,” Anna said, suppressing a shudder as the memory of a black dragon rose in her mind – black in heart and black in appearance. And black Jack Drake had had no qualms about killing innocent people – whether they be human or dragon – in his efforts to try and wrest the Mastership from Aaron and pay him back for perceived wrongs. She glanced back at Garrick, who was watching her carefully; but when he met her gaze, he held his hands out towards her.

“Would you like to hold it?” he asked.

“All right,” Anna said, cupping her hands together as she stepped closer. She could feel the roughness of his skin as he placed his hands over hers, carefully opening them and allowing the bird to slip into her palms. The tiny creature was trembling, its little heart racing with terror, and Anna felt a stab of pity for it. How easily its life could be snuffed out, its death completely unnoticed. She gently stroked her hands over its feathers, before smiling at Garrick.

“It’s so tiny,” she said.

He smiled back, but said nothing as he cupped his hands together once more, placing them beneath her own. She could feel the calluses on his hands as his skin pressed against hers, and she darted a quick glance at him, but his gaze was intent on the bird. He was so gentle as he handled the small creature, and she wondered what made him care for something so insignificant. But that was what set Garrick apart from many other people. She knew he loved nature, and whatever he loved he cared for and nurtured. Perhaps, Anna thought, that was what love was about. Not the searing blaze of flame that burned a path across your heart, but rather smoldering embers that warmed and comforted, gently spreading heat through your soul. She had yearned for the searing flame, but perhaps she should welcome the glowing embers.

“Garrick,” she said. He lifted his gaze from the bird and looked at her upturned face, his eyes softening as he gazed at her. He took a step closer, and her name left his lips in a whisper.

She drew in a deep breath. “Garrick. I –”

The sound of her name being called made her turn around. Keira was coming along the path.

“There you are,” she said. “You’re up early! I went to find you in your chambers, but you were already gone. Aaron and I have something we need to discuss with you. He’s waiting …” She had been looking at Anna, but paused when she glanced at Garrick. “There’s no rush, however. Just come to the study when you’re ready.”

“I’ll come with you now,” Anna said. She glanced at Garrick, then hurriedly looked away. She had felt an unsettling sense of relief at the interruption.

“We can talk later,” he said, and she nodded before quickly hurrying away. Anna could feel the weight of Keira’s gaze as they walked, although she kept her eyes steadily on the path before her. “I interrupted something, didn’t I?” Keira finally said. Anna glanced at her quickly, then looked away again.

“It was nothing.”

Keira nodded, and silence fell for another few moments.

“Garrick’s a good man,” Keira said.

“Yes,” Anna said with a sigh, “he’s a very good man.” She smiled wryly as she met Keira’s gaze. “But maybe just too good for me.” 

Chapter 4

“Anna, come in,” Aaron said. He was leaning against his desk, his long legs stretched out in front of him as Anna followed Keira through the door. A roll of parchment lay on the desk beside him, and he took it in his hand. “This arrived last night,” he said. “The king is dead, and Prince Alfred is to succeed him to the throne. He has requested my presence at the funeral and subsequent coronation.”

“Why?”

Aaron laughed dryly. “He knows what I am, and wants to ensure he has my support and cooperation. Keira and I wondered whether you would like to accompany us to the city. We will take the children and travel by coach. We leave in the morning.”

“So soon?”

Aaron nodded. “Traveling by horseback would be faster, and flying even more so, but the children still tire too quickly to travel so far on my back.”

“What about Peggy?”

“She will remain here.” Anna nodded. “I have already sent Richard a message, informing him that we will be away for a while. But the choice is yours,” Aaron continued. “If you would prefer to stay here, you will be quite safe under the protection of, uh, the servants here.” Anna looked at Aaron sharply, catching his amused gaze. “I believe Garrick will consider it a privilege to keep you safe.” He paused a moment. “He’s a good man, Anna.”

“I know,” she groaned, “why does everyone keep telling me that.” Her eyes narrowed suspiciously. “How do you know?”

“That Garrick is a good man? Everyone knows that,” Aaron replied with a laugh. He grinned at her for a moment before relenting. “You forget that I can smell someone’s emotions. And Garrick’s feelings for you are very strong.”

Once more Anna groaned, covering her face with her hands. “You’re not helping me at all,” she said.

Keira laughed. “Maybe a trip to the city is just what you need, Anna, to get your thoughts in order. Do you want to come?”

Anna lifted her head to look at her sister. There really was only one answer, after all. “Of course I’ll come,” she said.

Anna left the study a short time later, hurrying straight to her chambers. There was packing to be done if she wanted to be ready to leave in the morning, and she did not want to waste a single moment. She did not see Garrick again until much later, but she felt his eyes on her when Aaron made his announcement at supper about the king, followed by the news that they would be leaving Storbrook to travel to the city the following morning. Anna gave Garrick a weak smile, then looked away as the heat rose in her cheeks.

Despite the lack of sleep the previous night, Anna rose early the next morning, and was outside by the time the sun gained the horizon. Aaron had arranged to hire a carriage, and he and Keira had already left to fetch it and bring it to the crossroads at the foot of the mountains, where they would meet Thomas, Aaron’s steward, and Anna, traveling with the children.

Thomas was in the courtyard when Anna arrived, and a few moments later the children stumbled through the door of the low hall, rubbing their eyes sleepily while Peggy fussed behind them. Garrick had strapped the trunks to the packhorses, and these would be transferred to the roof of the carriage when they met Aaron and Keira. Satisfied that all was in readiness, Thomas helped Anna into her saddle. He had been Aaron’s steward for years, and was one of the few humans who knew Aaron as a dragon. Of course, as Anna now knew, the other staff had also guessed Aaron’s secret, but Thomas served Aaron both as a human and as a dragon, at Storbrook and beyond. It was Thomas who traveled with Anna and Max when they had made the trip to the city before, all those years ago when Aaron went to face Jack. He shared a smile with Anna as he lifted Lydia onto the saddle, settling her in front of her aunt, and in another moment he had mounted his own horse. Garrick lifted Zach into his arms, and he settled the boy in front of him as Anna had done with Lydia, while Peggy watched from a few feet away. The packhorses were tethered to the mounts, and Garrick took a few moments to test that the ropes were secure. He had not spoken to Anna, but as she sat on her horse, he stepped up beside her. She had dreaded the recriminations she was sure she would see in his eyes, but he looked at her calmly, with a slightly rueful smile.