The fiddler had been joined by a drummer and harpist, and the first song was a joyful jig. As they began to do the steps together in sync, the rest of the dancers melted away, and Aaron found himself entranced by those green eyes and jubilant smile. The touch of her hand, the feel of her in his arms, the way she twisted and turned, had him completely enthralled, and as the night wore on, he wondered why he had never attended the cross-roads before. Aislyn was an angel, floating around him on gossamer wings, and he felt as if he were the luckiest lad in all of Ireland, perhaps the world, to have the honor to be her partner for the evening.
Though others had tried to come betwixt them, the only time they left each other\u2019s side was when the set called for it, and even then, Aaron kept his eyes interlocked with hers, only losing sight of her in a turn now and again. There were other young men who clearly had their eyes on the lithe beauty, but he was certain now that Aislyn was his. If other girls had set their sights on him, he hadn\u2019t even noticed.
By the time the caller shouted, \u201cLast song,\u201d long into a star-filled night, Aaron couldn\u2019t imagine letting go of the small hand he held so delicately as they went through the steps of what would be their final dance of the evening. It was a spirited set, and by the end of it, most of the dancers, including Aaron and Aislyn, found themselves out of breath.
With the final notes, she wrapped her arms around him and leaned into his chest in a long embrace as the others also hugged, clasped hands, or waved goodbye. Several groups began to head off in various directions, many of them laughing, some arm in arm.
\u201cI suppose I should be heading home now,\u201d Aislyn said, stepping back enough to look up at him but not releasing him.
Aaron spied Genty still standing off in the distance with one of her girlfriends and a couple of the older boys closer to her age. She was laughing and leaning over to talk to Loughlin Modha. The warning his mother had given both of them rang in his ear as the night began to quiet. \u201cPerhaps I should walk you home,\u201d he offered.
\u201cOh, there\u2019s no need. My cousin, Manus, is just over there. He can walk me.\u201d
Aaron felt his shoulders slump. He was hopeful he would be able to prolong their evening together by making the journey back to the village hand in hand. \u201cAll right then,\u201d he said, keeping his smile, though it was difficult.
\u201cUnless\u2026 you insist,\u201d she said, looking up at him with a demure expression.
Her arms were still wound around his waist, and the feel of her hips beneath his hands began to consume his thoughts. The smell of the sweet perfume she\u2019d been wearing mixed with the faint scent of her perspiration became intoxicating as he gazed into those two green orbs before him. \u201cI insist,\u201d he replied, his voice a breathy whisper.
\u201cAislyn!\u201d Manus shouted from several yards away. \u201cAre you coming then?\u201d
\u201cJust a minute!\u201d she shouted back. Returning her attention to Aaron, she said, \u201cLet me go speak to him, and I\u2019ll return straight away.\u201d
Aaron could only manage a nod. She gave him a slight squeeze before she pulled herself away and took off to explain to her cousin he needn\u2019t accompany her back to her house.
After a long moment following her form across the road, Aaron turned his attention to Genty who was still standing in the same group she\u2019d been with before. Keeping an eye on Aislyn, he approached his sister who saw him coming and excused herself, meeting him about halfway.
\u201cDid you have a good time?\u201d she asked, the excitement from the dance and the effects of the mead evident in her voice.
\u201cI did,\u201d Aaron assured her, unable to control the smile that insisted on spreading across his face. \u201cI was wondering if you\u2019d mind if I walk Aislyn home. Only if Loughlin or someone else can accompany you though. I shouldn\u2019t allow you to walk by yourself.\u201d
\u201cShouldn\u2019t allow me?\u201d she giggled. \u201cAaron, I\u2019m practically a mother to you.\u201d She straightened his collar, though it hardly needed fixing. \u201cYes, Loughlin will walk me home, but you needn\u2019t worry about me.\u201d
\u201cI shall worry about you,\u201d he replied, placing his hand on her shoulder, \u201cuntil you are safely home, and I am lying next to you, dreaming of this night.\u201d
She laughed again and embraced him. \u201cVery well, then, little brother. I shall see you at home soon. Be safe, and take care of that beautiful girl.\u201d
Aaron turned to see Aislyn had snuck up on him and was standing at his elbow. \u201cShall we?\u201d she asked with a smile.
Offering her his arm, Aaron nodded to his sister who went back to join her friends and turned his complete attention to the lovely young lady he was lucky enough to escort home.
The fires had gone out, and the moon hung low in the sky, not offering much light. There were others still milling about, making their way back toward their various homes, but as they journeyed on, the silhouettes became fewer and farther between, and eventually the only noise they heard around them was a symphony of insects celebrating the summer night.
\u201cDid you enjoy yourself?\u201d Aislyn asked. She no longer had her hand on his arm. Rather, she had slid her slim fingers down his wrist and interlaced her fingers with his.
\u201cI did. Very much so,\u201d Aaron assured her, giving her hand a squeeze. \u201cAnd you?\u201d
\u201cIt was certainly an evening I\u2019ll never forget.\u201d
Aaron stopped and turned to face her, his smile spreading across his handsome face. The moonbeams caught the sprinkling of hair that had come loose at her crown, and in the twilight, she resembled an angel, halo and all. She smiled up at him shyly, and Aaron slowly brought his free hand up to tip her chin ever so slightly. He waited to see if she would give him permission, and as Aislyn tilted her mouth up to meet his, he gently pressed his lips to hers.
Her mouth was warm and tasted of honey. He caressed her cheek with his thumb, reveling in the feel of her satiny skin. The touch of her hand sliding up his arm to encircle his neck caused him to temporarily lose his breath, and he felt his abdomen tighten.
Just as he began to press her to open her sweet lips, a shriek filled the night sky, its ominous vibrations seeming to shake the road beneath them and cause them both to jump back and cover their ears. Aaron pulled Aislyn close to his body and looked around, fearful of what he might see.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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