How could she not? “Are you sure you wish to pledge your life to mine?”
“Aye. I am sure.” His absolute conviction made the blue appear deeper and darker. “You have become the most important part of my life. I crave you constantly. When we are separated, I feel incomplete. You are the best part of my days and the favorite part of my nights. You make me laugh and plan and hope.”
His praise all but scattered rose petals inside her heart. “What if you grow to resent me? I mean, you’ll be giving up a lot just to be with me.”
“Giving up a lot, aye, but gaining so much more in return.”
“Jor-lan,” she said, drawing out the syllables. Her fears? Alleviated. Her insecurities? Gone. She hadn’t asked him to give up anything; he’d offered of his own free will.
If he was wrong and later grew to resent her…
No! He knew his mind, and he’d meant what he’d said.
Brimming with happiness, she laughed and shouted, “Yes, yes, a thousand times yes!”
He heaved a long sigh of relief, then readjusted their positions so that he gazed down at her. His glorious weight pinned her to the mattress, his hardening shaft cradled against her core.
“I feared you would say nay again.”
“I didn’t say no to you the first time, I said no to giving up my family for a man who was certain he would get tired of me.”
“I was a fool.”
“I won’t argue with you.” She laughed again, more carefree than she’d been in…ever? “Do you want a big or small wedding? Local or destination? Should we elope? Gah! I’m still in shock, my mind sprinting from one thought to another.”
“Say it again.” He combed his fingers through her hair, fisted the locks at her nape and angled her head so that she had nowhere to look but him. “Tell me your answer again.”
“Yes. Aye. I will. I do.”
His awed expression returned. “I will wed you any day, in any way you wish.” Now he laced his fingers with hers and lifted their joined hands beside her temples, pinning them there. “You will not regret this decision, katya. I will devote my life to your happiness.”
“Just as I will devote myself to your happiness.”
Jorlan kissed her lips softly. As he lifted his head, an unexpected strain pulsed from him. “Tell me you love me. I need to hear the words.”
“I—” Wait, wait, wait. That strain… Suspicions dawned, leaving her cold and bereft. Had he proposed just so she would break his curse? The deadline neared. Would he simply go home when freed, leaving her behind? Desperate people often did desperate things. “Do you love me?” He’d praised her, but he’d never even hinted at love. Foolish girl.
For a long while, he hesitated, some sort of war brewing behind his expression. Finally he said, “Aye. I do. I love you.” He grumbled the words, as if he already resented her for everything he’d given up on her behalf.
Why else would he hesitate? Why else would he go to war with his thoughts?
Had he just…lied to her?
Her stomach turned over, flipping and flopping. Guess her fears hadn’t been alleviated, after all.
Unable to look at him a moment more, she shut her eyes. Her chin trembled. Part of her suspected she’d seized any opportunity to retreat. The other part of her didn’t care, only wanted to be saved from future heartbreak.
“I’m sorry, Jorlan. I…I realize it’ll be best for everyone involved if we don’t get married. I’m sorry,” she repeated. “My answer has to be no.”
* * *
FROM THE HIGHEST of highs to the lowest of lows. Jorlan sat before a small, picturesque window, nestled in a private alcove within Katie’s bedchamber, gazing out at a moonlit yard. Stars twinkled overhead, brighter than the jewels in a king’s crown. The kind of jewels he’d longed to lay at Katie’s feet the second she’d accepted his proposal.
What had changed her mind? Oh, he knew fear was the culprit, but what did she fear, exactly? He’d asked if she loved him and boom! Happy Katie had morphed into panicked Katie, almost as if she could not—nay, would not—abide the idea of trusting him with her heart. And if she did not trust him, she did not know him. If she did not know him, she shouldn’t wed him.
When she’d asked if he loved her, his first thought had been, Me? Love her? I care for her, fantasize about her constantly, admire her greatly, but love? Am I capable of such an emotion?
What he felt for Katie did not resemble what he’d felt for Maylyn. Mayhap that was why he’d taken so long to discover the truth? That he’d never loved Maylyn. He’d only lusted for her. Katie, on the other hand…
As he’d peered down at her, the truth had hit him, a culmination of victory and defeat, yet so undeniably true it had pounded nails in the coffin of his relationshipless state. He did. He loved her. He loved Katie James.
Yet, she hadn’t returned the sentiment. She couldn’t, considering she’d gone from an exuberant aye to a gut-wrenching nay. Her refusal had cut deeper than the sharpest talon.
Was he right? Did she not trust him with her heart?
An ache lanced his chest. How could he prove himself?
At the moment, she lay on the bed, sleeping fitfully. Pale locks spilled over the pillow, forming a halo above her head. When awake and aroused, she was anything but celestial. Nay, she was carnal, like the very devil, taunting and tempting him. Teasing him with a future he craved but had not yet obtained.
After she’d turned him down, he hadn’t let himself wallow. He’d seduced her, hoping to prove just how much she needed him.
He’d only proved how much he needed her.
Winning Katie James was proving to be the greatest challenge of his life, and he knew not what to do next.
For the first time, he knew not how to win.
* * *
A SORCERER KNOWN only as Mon Graig had just arrived on this world. Percen sensed him the moment he used magic to teleport.
With a little magic of his own, Percen discerned the male planned to find Jorlan and escort him home.
That, I cannot allow.
Percen needed more time with Heather, who’d seemed to emotionally withdraw from him. She claimed she disagreed with his treatment of Jorlan, but Percen knew better. She’d seen his face and latched on to any excuse to part with him. But he would win her back. He would!
Just need more time, he thought again. Another day. Maybe two—twelve.
He followed Mon Graig’s magical trail, quickly finding his dwelling. No sign of Mon Graig—yet. Very well. Percen hid in the shadows to wait.
By the new dawning, Mon Graig would be trapped inside a stone casing of his own.
* * *
“HEATHER ISN’T FEELING any better.”
Katie lowered her paint roller, careful to keep the thick mauve liquid from dripping onto the plastic floor covering. She gazed over at Frances, who stood at the Victorian’s threshold. Midday sunlight streamed around her, giving her a golden aura. “Is she okay? She’s been so sick.”
“I hope so.” Concern darkened Frances’s features. “I can’t help but worry about her. She lies in bed all day and night and doesn’t want to eat or sleep, just stares up at the ceiling. A few times, I’ve caught her talking to herself.”