Kathryn rolled into her blankets again. No, she would not pry into his life. His secrets were better left alone.
6
Daniel raised an eyebrow at Patrick as they stared at the dragon just outside their main gate. “What do you think?”
Turning away from the sight, Patrick climbed down from the battlement. “Get the men to saddle their horses. I want them to follow him as soon as he leaves.” He hated to send the men out on horseback, but the village’s response to dragon sightings made it impossible for the men to safely shift.
Pushing the main gate open, Patrick walked out to stand in the center of the road. Having asserted his dominance over the dragon yesterday, he left his shield behind as a show of trust.
There was that same considering cock to the dragon’s head.
“What can I do for you?” Patrick called calmly to the beast. It was obvious the creature wanted something.
“Maidens,” it growled.
“No.” Patrick held his hands wide. “You may not have my maidens.”
A threat rumbled up from the dragon’s chest.
Patrick growled right back at him.
The dragon’s eyes narrowed. It dipped its head and lifted it up, quickly opening its jaws. Something arced through the air and landed near Patrick’s feet. Gold coins spilled out across the ground.
“Maidens¸” it growled again.
The contents of the bag shocked Patrick. Was it trying to buy the women? He bent over and picked up the treasure. “These women are not for sale.” He slid the coins back into the leather satchel and held it out for the dragon to take.
The dragon thumped its tail on the ground in frustration. “Maidens!” it roared.
“No!” Patrick roared back. “You cannot have the maidens!” He dropped his hand down to his side. The dragon had made no move to take the gold back, and the bag was heavy. “Tell me what is wrong, and I will see what I can do to help.”
The dragon’s massive head wove back and forth in despair. “Maidens.” This time the word came out as almost a whimper.
It broke Patrick’s heart to refuse again, but he did. This creature was in pain and desperate. He needed something from a maiden but couldn’t communicate what it was.
The creature whimpered, pawed the ground, and took to the skies, leaving Patrick with the bag of gold.
“Find him!” Patrick cried as soon as he was back inside the gates. Men galloped past him, chasing after the dragon as he looked down at the satchel of gold. For a dragon to willingly part with this much treasure was unheard of. Why did he need maidens so badly that he was willing to pay for them? Especially if he had gone as feral as he seemed. “We have to find his lair.”
Patrick looked up as Daniel came to him. “This is not right.” He tossed the bag of gold to the other man.
Daniel hefted it, feeling its weight. “No. It’s not.” Shock rode in his eyes. He fell into step with Patrick as they headed towards the castle.
“Have we discovered anything?”
Daniel shrugged. “Only that he disappears into the forests towards the south, which border the mountains. There’s the possibility of a cave system or a narrow valley there. But wherever he’s going, he keeps it well hidden. He goes miles out of his way to lose the scouts. Douglas thinks he shifts to a lesser form before doubling back to his lair.”
That thought was outrageous. Patrick shook his head, bewildered. “But feral dragons don’t shift.”
“I didn’t think so, either, but how can something that size continue to elude us?”
Patrick nodded. Daniel did have a point there. “We might have to go after it in wings.”
Daniel agreed.
“If we don’t find him today and he comes back tomorrow, have the men prepared to go out again. Once they reach the forest and are well away from prying eyes, I want the five smallest to shift and search. Maybe they can smell him out. The rest will do their best on horseback. We’ll set the brazier in the tower alight so the scouts can find their way back once the sun has set. It should be safer to fly over at night.”
Smacking his fist into his chest, Daniel nodded. “Yes, My Lord.”
Reaching out, Patrick grabbed the man’s arm before he could take off to spread the word. “And, Daniel?” He pulled him to a stop and gave his friend a confused look. “Am I doing the right thing?” Patrick could feel Daniel size him up as he measured the weight of the bag once more.
“This dragon has killed many, and for that he must answer,” he held the gold out for Patrick to take back, “but there is something more to this story than what we are seeing. The orders we were given were to stop a rogue dragon from terrorizing this village. Since we have arrived, he has neither razed nor killed. So, yes. You are doing the right thing. Once we find this dragon, we can bring its problem to the prince. He can decide what to do from there.”
Patrick cradled the sack of gold and nodded. It felt good to have someone else confirm his thoughts. Now all he had to do was find this dragon. But, first, he had to find a good place to store the dragon’s treasure until he could return it.
Patrick pushed his chamber door open with a heavy sigh. It had been a long day. Most of the scouts had already returned empty-handed. The dragon had disappeared into the woods as if by magic.
Patrick paused. Maybe it was using magic to hide itself. That might explain why they had been so unsuccessful. He’d have to have Daniel send some of the men who could see through spells tomorrow.
“Good evening, My Lord.”
The soft voice broke into his thoughts. His eyes found a woman sitting at his table. The fire had died to embers, casting the girl in flickering shadows. He drew in a breath, scenting the air. He knew this girl. “Lillian?’ Patrick asked.
Lillian stood up so the light shone in her golden hair. She had done something to it to emphasize the curls. Her form-fitting dress pushed her bosom up to an almost indecent level. “At your service, My Lord.” She dropped a low curtsy, showing off her chest. Her movement left almost nothing to his imagination.
Moving to the hearth, he dropped a few more logs on the fire to brighten the room. “What are you doing here?” He did not like being in such a dark place with her alone.
“I’ve come to check on your wounds.”
He glanced down at his arm, then back up to her face. Something about her eyes set him on edge. “Did Daniel put you up to this?” Daniel had been sending Kathryn after him since the women had arrived. Was he trying to tempt him with another woman now?
Lillian closed the distance between them slowly. “I came of my own accord.” She moved with an alluring grace that spoke of things maidens should not know.
He stilled as she approached.
Her hand reached out to take up his wounded arm. “I wanted to make sure my lord was taken care of.” Lillian rested his hand on her chest above her heart. “I also wanted to thank you for protecting us.” The look in her eyes spoke of desire but lacked the fear usually found in a maiden’s eyes.
Patrick’s jaw clenched as she stepped in against him.
“Is there anything I can do for you?” Her hand came up to caress his cheek in an attempt to bring his lips down where she could reach them. “Anything at all?”
Oh, this was no maiden!
Kathryn balanced the heavy tray in her arms as she stepped through the open door to Patrick’s room. “Pardon me, My Lord. Daniel sent me to dress your wounds.”