Page 21 of Ava's Legacy of the Dragons
Just as she was discreetly slipping some into her bag, she heard quick, firm footsteps entering the room. When she turned around, she found herself face to face with one of the dragon fighters. Had he noticed that she had pocketed the pastries?
He was tall, not quite as tall as Kilian, and well-built. His brown eyes were narrowed skeptically, his nostrils flaring as he exhaled in annoyance. He approached her with long strides, his eyebrows furrowed, his hands resting on the sword at his weapons belt in a less than subtle manner. Heavens, she didn't want him as an enemy. Since when were weapons allowed at balls?
"Who are you?" His voice sounded harsh and rough, not the least bit friendly. But she hadn't come to make friends. This was about something entirely different. As she remembered this, she found her courage again. She could do this. She was doing it for the dragon egg.
"My name is Ava, but that doesn't matter. I've found something of great importance that I absolutely must show Kilian. Can you arrange a meeting?" Since he'd spoken to her in an informal tone, she also refrained from falling into the stiff court sing-song.
He snorted. His expression changed from skeptical to annoyed as he was already turning away. "Stop withsuch games. Kilian has more important things to do than waste his time with a new admirer!"
He was about to storm out of the room before Ava had the chance to say another word. But suddenly, another man entered and blocked his path.
Ava's heart stopped.
It was Kilian.
Chapter 9
His dark eyes were narrowed skeptically. His gaze rested attentively on her, sending shivers through her body. Even her knees went weak, as if she were a damn teenager. Slowly he came closer, and with each step he seemed to grow taller and broader. Heavens, she definitely didn't want him as an enemy.
"Why do you wish to speak with me?" His voice sounded deep and dark. At the same time, there was an unspoken demand not to beat around the bush. Or should she say, around the hot dragon egg?
Ava straightened her body and approached the notorious dragon fighter, even though her legs were shaky and her hands were trembling. How could a single man evoke such a reaction in her? Pointedly calm, she lowered her voice and returned Kilian's gaze resolutely. She didn't have anything wrong in mind, and she wasn't going to let this dragon take away her dignity.
"Lilly sent me. I've found something and we need to bring it to safety."
"Who's Lilly?" Rob raised his eyebrows questioninglywhile Kilian's eyes darted to the bag peeking out from between the folds of her skirt. Something told her that he knew what she was carrying. But that wasn't possible, of course. He was a dragon fighter, not a superhero with x-ray vision.
She leaned forward, her voice hushed, while placing a hand imploringly on the leather bag. "It would be better if I didn't take it out here. Can we talk somewhere privately?"
"What's this all about? Kilian, something's not right here!" Rob shoved him on the shoulder to urge him to leave, but Kilian didn't budge. He opened his mouth as unrest spread throughout the ballroom and countless footsteps approached. Heavens, how many guests were on their way to this piano room because they had noticed Kilian was here?
He placed his hand on hers and pushed the bag back between the folds of her skirt. She ignored how close this gesture brought them together.
"One hour before midnight at the old grotto." His voice sounded quiet and imploring.
Before Ava could ask where that was, he turned around and walked away as if she were a nobody and not worth a conversation. Which was good, because this way the countless guests who stormed into the room and engaged him in conversation overlooked her.
Rob threw her one last suspicious glance before joining Kilian, and the men made their way out of the piano room. They didn't turn back to Ava even once. How long would it take for the guests to notice that she had spoken with the dragon fighters? After all, she had been the only other person in this room before the first visitors arrived.
She had to get out of there before someone put two and two together.
Unnoticed, she hurried to the windows, lowered her head, and snuck past the crowd of people following Kilian and Rob back to the ballroom. She reached the antechamber and already saw the door that Lilly was waiting behind and that would lead to her freedom. But she couldn't resist lifting her face and looking after Kilian, just once.
He stood confidently surrounded by a group of visitors, a glass in hand, while bending down to someone and whispering something in his ear. His attention wandered over the guests and landed on her. His gaze was so intense that she froze mid-movement and time stood still for a moment.
How could a man look so good and so dangerous at the same time?
"Guards, seize her!"
The call was muffled as it penetrated her consciousness, as if she were hearing it through cotton wool. Kilian's gaze shot to the side and Ava automatically followed it. What she saw catapulted her back to reality within a millisecond.
Four soldiers demanded passage through the crowd, and one of them didn't take his eyes off her. It was the captain who had sworn to remember her face.
She would never forget his face either.
How had he found out she was at the ball? Had someone betrayed her, or had a drawing of her been circulated after all?
"That's her!" He shoved guests aside and ruthlessly made his way through.
