Page 46 of Dragon's Golden Mate
With a sigh, he trudged up next to James and Lucille. Kendrick’s eyes scanned the crowd and found her immediately. Had she always been that beautiful? She certainly had been in his dreams, her face haunting him as his body healed itself. More than once, he’d been sure that he held her in his arms, only to wake and find himself in bed alone.
She watched him now, her long hair hanging down her back, her brown eyes sparkling with mischief.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” James began, pausing to clear his throat, “you can see that we stand in front of this very unique church. There are many beautiful and historic buildings in Salem…”
As James went on, Kendrick looked once again at Maeve. She hadn’t said anything to him about coming. In fact, he’d known very little about what would happen today. There had already been so many surprises.
“…and so it is our great honor to add this building to our list of historic sites and grant it the protection thereof!” James announced enthusiastically.
The audience gave a smattering of applause.
Lucille stepped forward now. “We’re setting up some refreshments, as well as information about our upcoming events, if anyone would like to join us.” She led the way to a folding table, where someone was setting out cookies and cups of pink lemonade among stacks of flyers.
Kendrick caught Maeve’s eye. He lifted a brow and gestured his head slightly toward the refreshment table.
One corner of her mouth curled up, and she gestured in the opposite direction with her head.
As the crowd rushed in for free food, Kendrick cut across them toward Maeve.
“I was thinking about taking a walk,” she told him, tossing her head slightly as the breeze tried to blow her hair in her face.
“That sounds like a fine idea to me. I know a great little place where we can get some coffee.” He headed for the sidewalk. “I’m surprised to see you here.”
“Why is that?” she asked innocently. “I’ve alwaysrespected Lucille’s work with the historical society. They do a lot for this town.”
“Ah, so you’re only here for Lucille,” he replied. “That makes sense then.”
“How so?”
He rolled his shoulders. “We do a lot for those we love. I wouldn’t think you’d want to return to a place where such a scene had occurred, where you’d been—how did you put it?—so fucking angry with me. But if it’s for Lucille, then fine.”
Maeve let out a syllable of laughter and touched her necklace. “Or maybe I’m here to apologize.”
“Whatever for?” It was his turn to act innocent.
Her look suggested that he knew perfectly well what she was talking about, but she continued anyway. “For being so upset with you after the battle. You were barely hanging onto life, and I had to rail and rage at you like some shrew.”
“A common scold, to be sure.” He snorted at her glare. “You know, I was just realizing how a woman like you would’ve been perceived in a much older time. You’re bold and brazen, smart and lovely. You don’t let anything slow you down, and you don’t put up with anyone’s bullshit. It’s a safe bet that if you’d lived here a few hundred years ago, they’d be rallying to burn you at the stake.”
“Such a flatterer. Wait.” She paused as they turned the corner. “I thought you wanted coffee.”
He pointed to the kitchen window of the clanhouse, which was just down the road. “And the best coffee in Salem is right there in a cabinet. Already paid for, no waiting in line, no tipping required.”
“I see.” She resumed walking. “A typical dragon, hoarding all his gold instead of spending it.”
“You learn to make your pennies stretch when you can live for a thousand years.” He unlocked the door and held it open for her. When they were inside, he opened the coffee canister.
Maeve leaned against the counter next to him. “Anyway, I really do want to apologize. I acted like an ass. I lost control of my emotions. That’s not something I would’ve thought I’d have a problem with at this point in my life.”
He turned toward her as the rich notes of the coffee filled the air. “I don’t think we’re ever too old to learn a few new things about ourselves.”
“If that’s a roundabout way of calling me young, I’ll take it.” She had that sparkle in her eye again, the one he’d noticed when he came to Corbin’s birthday party and first met her.
“Sure, and I’m also young enough that I have to admit my own mistake.” He leaned one hand againstthe counter’s edge. “I shouldn’t have tried to play the hero. It felt like the right thing to do at the moment, but maybe there was another way. I should’ve looked for another solution.”
Maeve put her hand on his chest. “No. What you did terrified me, obviously, but you took one quick action to ensure that none of us would ever have to worry about Cassandra again. Not just my coven, not just your clan, but everyone else like us in Salem. I let my own wants and needs get in the way of seeing it at the time.”
“I don’t blame you.” He wrapped his free hand around hers, where it rested on his chest. “There’s still a lot the two of us have yet to figure out.”
