Page 29 of Ironling
She did indeed, running her thumb over the smooth, waxed surface. Always sensitive to textures, from her food to her fabrics, Aislinn’s spirit hummed with satisfaction at the smooth undulations of the wood petals, warm from his pocket.
“I love it,” she said, “thank you. Here barely two weeks and you’re already spoiling me.”
The words were out before she could think, and heat pricked her cheeks.
He had no mercy on her, that deep voice rumbling, “It pleasesme to please you, my lady.”
Aislinn couldn’t quite meet his gaze, eyes fixing on that infernally masculine throat as she croaked, “Thank you, Hakon,” and fled.
She slipped the whittled rose into her pocket, thumb running across the petals. The movement soothed her racing heart a little, though she didn’t catch her breath until she’d made it to the safety of her study.
Shutting the door behind her, Aislinn had to laugh at herself.
What am I doing?Flirting with the handsome new blacksmith wouldn’t accomplish anything.
But oh, fates, was itfun.
8
Hakon closed the smithy door behind him, cutting off Fearghas’s grumbling. He’d told the master blacksmith he intended to visit the countryside days ago, but that didn’t stop the old human from complaining that his work wouldn’t get done.
Hakon was sure to be ahead of schedule so that Fearghas didn’t truly have anything to fret about. Well, anyoneother thanFearghas, at least.
Excitement lodged in his throat at the prospects of the day. He’d gotten word from Orek that another of their group of halflings had secured himself a farm. He and many others planned to visit and congratulate Varon, as well as take a look at the land surrounding his new farm. Whispers had it that the Darrows may be willing to part with more land, and Hakon wanted to get a look himself.
While he thoroughly enjoyed his position at the castle—and serving a certain brilliant heiress—he understood how important land was to humans. One day, he’d want land to offer a mate, to build her a fine home and anything she might desire. Founding his own forge also greatly appealed.
He’d stowed away a few of the uncut gems Siggy gave him deep in his pocket, just in case they’d help him today.
The day was clear and bright, a good day for walking.
With Wülf trotting at his side, Hakon strode through the inner bailey, ringed by the smithy and pottery on one side, a stone staircase up into the castle proper, and a southern castle wall, and out into the main courtyard of Dundúran Castle. The space was made to be a pleasure to walk through, and Hakon always did.
The symmetrically laid white limestone pavers and ornamental fountains spurting glittering droplets pleased his artisan sensibilities. Neatly trimmed trees and bushes lined three sides, interspersed with marble statues and columns, making a sort of airy colonnade of foliage, arches, and stonework. Flowerbeds added bursts of yellow, blue, and green and a subtle sweetness to the air.
Many meandered through the courtyard for leisure throughout the day; guards and castle staff and artisans alike. He’d watched the maids sit in the shade of a copse of poplar trees on the near side, taking their luncheon and gossiping. He’d seen the knights train on the far side, near the gatehouse, running exercises and sparring.
It was somehow both serene and always full of noise, the bustle of the castle slowing a little within the wide courtyard.
Within that unique cadence, Hakon didn’t think he imagined the sound of Lady Aislinn’s voice as he neared the stables.
The largest of the castle’s outbuildings contained within the curtain wall, the stables housed over a hundred horses; warhorses for the knights, draft horses to pull heavy loads, and sleek white carriage horses.
His steps faltered, thinking he heardhervoice.
Fates, aren’t I hearing it enough in my dreams?
It was bad enough that he dreamed of Lady Aislinn Darrow.Bad enough that he greedily soaked in her presence whenever she came to visit him at his forge—and that he tempted her back with promises of bringing more of her ideas to life.
Now he was hearing her, too.
And following the sound of her voice into the stables, somewhere he’d no place being. He’d hardly even touched a horse, let alone ridden one.
“Really, captain, it’s ridiculous. I don’tneeda guard.”
Like a moth to a flame, he followed inexorably on. His mind told him to leave it alone; this was her castle, and if she needed him, she’d ask for him.
His beast would have none of it, urging him deeper.
