Kilian caught her by the collar of her tunic before she could run off. "Stay close to us. We don't know if we can trust them."
"Why are you so distrustful?" She looked at him incredulously until the realization appeared on her young face. "I wouldn't have thought you couldn't feel it, but of course, life as a dragon fighter has hardened you. You can believe me, the old folk abhor violence, so nothing will happen to us here."
Ava raised her eyebrows. "If they abhor violence,who fired the arrows when we were attacked by the sorceress's followers?"
Lilly raised her index finger as if it were the ultimate proof. "See, that shows how much effort they've already put into protecting you and the egg. We can trust them. I can feel it."
Kilian raised his eyebrows skeptically and Ava shook her head as she watched the little one. "What a character." She brushed the hair from her face and caught Marcus's gaze, who was looking at her with undisguised admiration. The elders retreated, making room next to her, and he immediately took advantage of the opening to stand beside her. He bowed gallantly.
"May I escort you to your room, noble Dragon Guardian?"
Kilian crossed his arms over his chest. "To our room!"
Ava felt a fluttering in her stomach, but she refrained from looking at him questioningly or starting another discussion about being patronizing. Honestly, she was glad he was staying.
Eyebrows raised, Marcus looked at him and then at Ava, who nodded in agreement. Even if Lilly seemed confident and she also wanted to trust these people, she felt more comfortable as long as he was nearby.
"I wasn't aware that the most powerful dragon fighter was still available." The sharp look he gave Kilian left the warrior cold. He refrained from any comment, instead widening his stance.
With a charming smile, Marcus bowed to Ava. "Follow me."
Chapter 17
As they made their way to their accommodations, Ava could make out nothing but the outlines of trees and bushes. Where did these people live? Did they perhaps sleep in the treetops? The sparse light from Marcus's lantern was just enough to keep them from stumbling over protruding roots and to follow the narrow trail. But when they arrived at the building where Ava was to be housed, she understood.
The "building" was an earth house, its roof planted with grass and bushes. It was shielded by the crown of a willow tree growing right next to it, and Ava would have walked right past it. Even from the back of a dragon, probably all to be seen from the sky was the natural landscape.
A narrow door led inside. Since there weren't even windows, the camouflage was perfect.
Ava glanced around briefly and thought she could make out more such hills. Now she finally understood why the inhabitants had lived undiscovered in this hidden valley for decades.
Marcus opened the door and bowed. Once again, helet Ava go first. Kilian walked directly behind her. She made her way curiously through the narrow door and found herself in a brightly lit room. String lights with tiny tea lights stretched from wall to wall; lamps stood on chests of drawers and shelves and hung behind semicircular glass shades on the earthen walls; there were also small flames dancing on a multi-armed candelabra on a side table.
The floor was made of packed earth and covered with colorfully woven carpets. The walls were made of clay, and there was nothing on them except for the lamps and string lights. The wooden furniture, however, was adorned with intricately carved details. On every surface was to be found shimmering glass balls in bowls, vases, and figurines. Decoration clearly played an important role for the owner.
"This looks pretty."
"You might not expect it from the outside, but you've landed in paradise." Beaming, Marcus put an arm around her waist, taking advantage of the second that Kilian had moved away from her to inspect the construction of the house and look for potential dangers. He came back to Ava, nodding, while she skillfully slipped out of Marcus's embrace.
"Looks stable and there's no ambush waiting anywhere." He stood next to Ava demonstratively and gave Marcus an unmistakable look, as if to forbid him from ever touching her again. However, Marcus was not impressed and just nodded cheerfully.
"Of course our houses are stable. My people have been building this way for hundreds of years, and an earth house has never collapsed. I'll show you the kitchen and then the sleeping chamber."
Ava hesitated. "An entire house for us? Who normally lives here?"
Marcus shrugged, a mischievous grin on his lips. "Well, I do."
Taken aback, she raised her eyebrows. "We're staying with you?"
"Of course, who else? After all, I found you."
Kilian crossed his arms over his chest. "Hopefully you're aware she's not a trinket you can find and keep."
Ava couldn't have put it better herself. But because of Marcus's carefree manner, she couldn't hold the words against him. Especially since he was grinning broadly.
"Nevertheless, the honor is mine. We'll make ourselves really cozy."
"Is there still room for Lilly?"
