Page 31 of Dragon Eternal (Dragon Kings 4)
Shaw moved in front of her and waited until she looked at him before he said, “I know there’s no tolerance for magic here, but what you do isna magic. Where I come from, we call it a green thumb. Some people have a natural affinity for growing plants. Just like there are people who can’t keep a plant alive if their life depended on it. That’s called having a black thumb.”
That made Nia giggle. “Are you serious?”
“Verra.” He then released her and sank into one of the chairs. “I’m no’ sure I’d ever leave this spot. The breeze moving through the roses spreads their scent, yet it isna overwhelming. The sun breaking through the vines is beautiful.”
“This is my haven.”
“You’re lucky to have such a place.”
“Do you have one?”
Shaw met her gaze. He was surprised to discover that he wanted to tell her about Dreagan in Scotland. But that wasn’t possible. Or was it? She didn’t know where he was from. As long as he didn’t name anything, he could be safe. “Aye,” he answered. “One that I’ve never wanted to leave.”
“Yet you did.”
He glanced down and nodded. “That I did.”
“Tell me of this place,” she urged as she took the chair beside him.
Shaw closed his eyes and pictured his beloved Scotland. “The weather is wildly unpredictable. You can have all four seasons in one day. When the skies are free of storm clouds, it’s the brightest, prettiest blue you could ever imagine. Mountains that take your breath away, they’re so dramatic, from the bright green grass to the deep green of the trees to the craggy rocks protruding from the earth. Glens fertile and lush. And forests so ancient, and the trees so tall you wish they could tell you all they’ve seen. But more than anything, the woods beg to be explored. Then there’s the coastline with water in every blue imaginable. It’s as wild and untamed a place as you’ll ever find.”
“You miss it.”
He opened his eyes and turned his head to her. “Aye.”
“Will you return?”
“Without a doubt.”
She let out a long breath. “I could picture your home just from your words. I envy your love of such a place.”
“You have a special place here.”
“For the moment.”
Something about her words didn’t sit well with him. “What does that mean?”
“Things change. I live here now, but who knows what will happen tomorrow or next month?”
“Surely, there’s a way to ensure you can no’ be made to leave.”
She smiled softly. “Maybe I want to leave.”
“To travel. But surely you doona want to give up your home.”
Her gaze lifted briefly to the cream-colored roses. “It’s just a place to live.”
One she’d clearly put her heart and soul into, but he didn’t mention that. There was something about the house that she didn’t want to tell him. He didn’t press her on it now, but eventually, he would find out. It could be that it wasn’t hers. Shaw still found it weird that she didn’t have control of her money. Stonemore was backward in many ways, so there might be something about women handling money. He would have to ask the woman who ran the pub the next time he saw her.
The day was warm, but the shade from the rose canopy kept them cool. Her design was ingenious, really. The happiness that had been on her face when she had shown him the grounds was gone. He saw a tightness around her eyes and mouth now. She had something on her mind, and he suspected that his questions had stirred things up.
“Do you have siblings?” she suddenly asked.
Shaw was gutted for a moment. It had been a long time since he’d thought of his brothers. “I was the middle brother of three. Both are gone now. You?”
“A younger sister and baby brother.”
“Do you see them often? Do they live in Stonemore?”
She turned her head to him, her eyes sad. “They died many, many years ago.”
“That must have been a hard loss.”
“It was. Just as yours must have been.”
He nodded slowly. It had been the worst kind of pain. “What of your parents?”
She got to her feet and showered him with a big smile. “Let me show you the rest of the estate. The gardens might be my favorite, but there are other parts I enjoy, as well.”
He didn’t press her as he rose and followed her inside. They walked up a switchback staircase to the second level. She showed him the three bedrooms before taking him up the final flight. A small hallway branched off in two different directions. To one side was a door that led to what appeared to be an office with a beautiful wooden desk that matched the windows. To the other side was her bedroom.
Shaw walked beneath the arched doorway and stared in wonder at the spacious chamber. The two large windows facing the back of the house were open to let in the breeze. The windows on the other side of the room were also open so the air flowed freely. Cream-colored curtains billowed in the wind.
A large clothes armoire that showed incredible craftsmanship with its detailing on the wood rested to one side. It complemented the headboard of the bed. A simple coverlet of cream brought out the deep, rich color of the wood. A wooden bench sat at the foot of the bed, a padded chair with cream covering rested in a corner, and dozens of white candles were everywhere.
He found Nia at the windows overlooking the back of the house. She had released her hair from its braid, the deep brown locks lifting in the breeze. Her feet were bare. He stared at her in wonder, much as he had done when he’d found her naked before his window earlier.
She looked like someone desperate to get free. But surely, that was wrong. Nia lived in the wealthy part of Stonemore. She wanted for nothing.
Everyone has secrets.
Her words from the night before returned. Just what secrets did she have? Even if Shaw wanted to know them, he wouldn’t ask.
Because he had secrets of his own.
