Page 33 of Earth Dragon
Those who might harm her for what she had done and what she still represented.
She was meant to be safe in the king’s court as any harm rendered to her would result in immediate execution of the wrongdoer, but there were those willing to die for their beliefs. She was too aware of this to overlook the fact that someone might sacrifice themselves to see her dead.
“You’re always well put-together,” Ewan commented. There was a gleam in his eyes, as if he was trying to gauge what she would make of the compliment.
“Thank you, my lord,” she said, about to curtsey but realizing what she was wearing she changed it into a deep bow instead.
He was smiling when she straightened up.
No, she told herself sternly.No banter. No flirting.
She left without another word.
Chapter 9 - Ewan
Her scent was all over him. He had almost chosen to wear the clothes he had worn to the hunt, only to savor it, but realized it would be too improper. He had, however, declined to even so much as wash himself. He knew he would be smelling different, that some might even pick up on the fact that his scent was mixed with that of another, but he didn’t care. He wanted to bring a reminder around the room with him.
Of course, it was also a reminder of how she had rejected him.
But he wondered what the root cause of that rejection had been. He had worried over her father’s influence, and if that was all it was, if she had fallen into Ewan’s arms because she felt something for him, then couldn’t Ewan be the one to break whatever hold her father had on her?
He realized a child’s bond with a parent ran blood deep and held true in even the direst of storms, but this… This had to be different. Her father might not think it prudent that she should bind herself to the son of the king who took her in when everyone else would turn her away. Perhaps he was old-fashioned and saw her marrying below her station to make up for the errors of her ways. That sign of abolishing her need for earthly goods would be penance in the eyes of the people, no matter how for the show it was. Wouldn’t the crown of a queen serve to appease the people, to accept her as someone who had chosen a different path to walk? Wouldn’t Ewan’s display of trust and forgiveness breed the same in the people of the four kingdoms?
It was a lofty thought, he knew that.
He was making excuses for why they should go through with it, when in reality, they could not know what the people would make of it.
The people she had accused him of imprisoning in their own kingdom. Had she understood that was the farthest away from what he wanted to do? She had told him she had borne witness to the acts of tyrants, but so had he. She could not compare the two. He was not closing the borders for any other reason than to preserve the integrity of Rogoros. It was for everyone’s protection.
He couldn’t help but notice the guards and seeing them in a different light now. He understood where she had come from, why she might draw the conclusions she had. But she must know that his heart was pure, his intentions benevolent. He would never let fear rule him in the manner she had suggested.
When he entered the dining hall, the guests were already seated, eating and chatting. The room was decorated with shelving stuffed full of artwork made from wood and stone. Chandeliers made from elk antlers hung above the long table, full of candles. The wax would unfortunately sometimes drip onto the food and all the guests were always warned to keep a keen eye out.
“Here he comes,” King Ellard smiled up at Ewan, as Ewan rounded the head of the table to take his seat next to his father. “Where were you?” the king added.
“I fell asleep.” Ewan shrugged.
“On the eve of the first ball of the season?” the king asked, eyebrow cocked.
“The hunt this morning took it out of me.” Ewan smiled, willing his father to drop the subject.
The king did, though his eyes lingered on his son questioningly.
Ewan reached for the nearest piece of bread, spreading the butter that sat in a small bowl next to his plate in a generous slather before taking a big bite.
He thought perhaps his emotions were going to his head, and he was forgetting too easily the reason for why Shannon was in the castle in the first place, but he felt her willingness the night prior, her looks and her sighs, all had contributed to his current impression. And that impression was that she was innocent. She may have made some choices that were questionable, but had she not spent a year repenting? He had asked her to be his and had offered to be hers as a matter of convenience. Wasn’t it very convenient then that he should find himself falling for the dragon he had chosen to bind himself to?
The agreement still stood.
She wanted the cleansing of her name that it would bring, but she would not admit that she had feelings for him. Even though she did. He was sure of it.
How could he make her admit them? How could he have her accept them?
The room suddenly stilled, and when he sat a little straighter, he knew why—Shannon had appeared in the doorway. For a moment she did not move, taking in the stares from those gathered. She must have gotten used to the changed effect she had because she bore the moment well. Where before she would have paused the conversation with her radiance, now all she got as she walked into the room were quite murmurs and dirty looks.
She claimed the seat next to him.
“Father,” she greeted. “My liege,” she added to the king.
