Swirling in front of the mirror, Kate gave her image a critical review. Her shiny hair reached the middle of her back, two small braids framing her face before joining behind her head. She had chosen a simple linen moss green dress, with a sensible cleavage, adjusted top, and flowing, ankle length skirt. The front was embroidered with a multicoloured flower pattern, V shaped toward the waist, emphasizing her curvy figure. Her feet were comfortable in caramel leather pumps with green ribbons circling around her ankles. The evening’s program was dinner followed by the Midsummer Festival in town and they were going to have to walk there. The crowd would be too dense for horses or carriages to go through.

She picked up a matching purse and a soft woollen shawl, woven in similar tones as the embroidery on her dress, then glanced at the clock on the wall. Just on time!

As if on clue, there was a knock at the door. She rolled her eyes up, opening it. Liam O’Brien was famously obsessed with precision. And there he stood, all six foot four of him, in a dark purple shirt, black leather jacket and trousers. She smiled at him, motioning him inside, but he held a hand out instead, palm up, to her. She took it and he pulled her gently outside toward him, kissed her cheeks, then held her at arm length, grinning. He watched her intently:

“First time I see you out of your work attire, and I must say you clean up nicely. I’m feeling a very lucky man tonight!”

Kate couldn’t help but blush. Liam chuckled. He was relieved. The downside of being rich and famous was girls throwing themselves at him. Most of the time, when he asked one on a date, he was greeted by a half naked, overly painted creature he was ashamed to be with. He was glad that Kate was wearing sensible and elegant clothing, with just a touch of make up, showing off her beautiful eyes and plump lips.

“Shall we go?”

Kate nodded, locked her door and stepped to his side, linking arms with him.

“Where are we going?”

“Well, all the restaurants are packed and noisy tonight, so I thought we could have dinner at my place, there is a nice sea view…”

She considered the offer, then nodded:

“Sounds good, where do you live?”

“About twenty minutes walk uphill, does it bother you?”

“Not in the slightest”, she answered, thanking her good star for the pumps.

Liam pulled a sad face:

“It’s a pity, I was looking forward to carrying you…”

“Don’t flatter yourself, I might be heavier than you think”, she joked in return.

Twenty flirty minutes later, they were entering a medium sized house, cut in the slope of the hill above the town, facing southwest. Kate stalled for an instant, admiring the intricate carvings on the doorframe, four dragons entwined together. The chiselling was so expertly done, it was breathtaking. The beasts seemed alive, frozen in stone.

“Who made that? It’s marvellous!”

“You like it? I couldn’t find anything original for my door, so I-euh-gave it a go…”

He sounded a bit shy, embarrassed.

“Are you sculpting too? I thought your material was clay!”

“It was just a trial really, nothing to be bragging about… Why don’t you get in?”

Dropping the subject, Kate stepped in the hall…only to freeze, gawking. On her right were wooden stairs climbing to the first floor, with a door beside them and a cupboard under. But the sight on her left, along the hillside, was unbelievable. A straight, white walled corridor, that went on forever. This house was like an iceberg, the street side being the emerged part.

Liam grinned at her surprised face:

“Would you like a guided tour?”

“Shall we take a horse though? This place is huge!”  

Holding in a laugh, he took her hand, dragging her on the steps.

“Here, my dear lady, are four bedrooms, all en-suite. Imagine yourself watching the sunset from this very window with a glass of fine wine…”

Kate giggled endlessly at his mad impersonation of a guide/slash estate agent. The rooms were well sized and airy, the last one being a large study in the far corner of the building. At the bottom of the stairs was the kitchen, a big dining/sitting room, a gigantic training room and a pottery workshop. Every piece of furniture was beautiful, with a pure, simple design. The whole ground floor had full height glass panels, opening on a large terrace, running along the whole length of the house.

The view was to die for. Kate had a pinch of regret, as they were in summer and the sun was out twenty four/seven. Standing in her back, Liam handed her a glass of wine, and wrapped his arms around her.

“Sorry for the sunset. I ordered it, but it was sold out. Where do you want to have dinner? Here or inside?”

“Oh here please! You were right, it’s so much better than a restaurant!”

“Well, you should wait and try the food before you say that!”

On this he brought a trolley and set the table, then went back in. Shortly after, he returned, carrying a tray covered in various hot and cold dishes. Kate felt like drooling, it smelled so good.

“Don’t tell me you cooked that?”

He did a very exaggerated bow:

“Guilty as charged, Your Honour!”

“And you are not married! Girls must be running after you!”

“I’m faster! I guess I’m just not the marrying type. I mean, I would know by now…”

Kate took a bite at a miniature spring roll and closed her eyes. Did he do everything that well? She couldn’t wait to know… Refocusing on his words, she picked up the clues. He was warning her not to expect any commitment from him, and reminding her of his age, and hers. She shrugged mentally. She knew how old he was, ninety-four, going on twenty-five by the look of him. Age meant nothing but knowledge for White Sha’tans, why bother when you don’t physically change for centuries? What was his problem?

Cautiously, she answered:

“I guess we should launch the “Non-marrying type club” then? Now tell me: you can sculpt, cook, create pottery, anything else you can do with those hands, and all that experience of yours?”

“You have no idea …” he purred, before adding innocently:

“I can do massages, shall I?”

Not waiting for her approval, he took her hand and proceeded to stroke it expertly, staring at her. She closed her eyes, enjoying his touch. That man was unreal. Goosebumps began crawling up her arm, and she pulled her hand out of his.

Liam was delighted. His date was charming, spirited, sensual, there hadn’t been a dull moment. He wondered what she would come up with next. She didn’t disappoint:

“You have a beautiful dojo, are you still training?”

“Of course, it’s an endless process…”

“And do you take any student?”

Kate was going all on.

“Why, would you be interested?”

He chuckled, she certainly did not have the body of a warrior.

“Not me silly, one of my friends. She needs to train for the Master of Arms competition and she is already better than everyone in her camp.”

“Really? Interesting… Is she pretty?”

Kate smirked:

“She is…out of your league.”

Liam laughed out loud. She was something!

“And what’s in it for me?”

“My eternal gratitude?”

“I was expecting something more … palpable.”

Kate fluttered her eyelashes, a fake hint of sadness in her voice:

“I don’t have a big salary, but I’ll see what I can do…”

At this point, Liam was nearly crying with laughter. Gosh, she was good at that game.

He gave in:

“Send her to me tomorrow at 5.30 PM, and I’ll see what I can do. The Festival will start soon, we should go if we want a good place.”

“Ready when you are,” Kate said standing up.

She could relax now, Dana was safe.