“I want three.”
Rune had seen them that day in the yellow house, while bullets whizzed over her and Gideon’s heads: three little ones laughing as they ran through a field of wildflowers.
She had known immediately they were Gideon’s. But this evening, while studying her reflection in the train window, she realized they were alsohers. She’d seen their features in her face.
Rune was scared to even hope for it: a family of her own. People to belong to. She didn’t know if it was a true vision, or fanciful thinking. All she knew was she wanted it. Wantedthem.
But in order to have them, she had to stay.
Gideon ran a hand through his dark hair, glancing to the window.
“This train is going south,” he said. “That means the next station is a few hours away. We can get off in that yard, and I can help you hop another one. Or we can find a harbor that hasn’t been infiltrated and get you on a boat.”
She frowned.
That wasn’t exactly the response she’d hoped for.
“Gideon, I just said—”
“You want a family one day.” He dragged his attention away from the window, fixing it on her. The look on his face seemed… sad. “I understand. It’s why you want to escape.”
“No.” Rune stepped toward him, shaking her head. “I mean,yes. But…” She reached for his lapels, gripping them with bothhands, anchoring herself to him against the train’s jolt. “I’m offering you terms, Gideon.”
He frowned at her, confused.
“Do you still want me to stay?”
Lifting a hand to her hair, he tucked a wild strand behind her ear. “More than anything.”
“There’s something I want, too. Something that would make me stay.”
He was watching her closely now. “I’m listening.”
She lowered her gaze to his throat, suddenly feeling uncertain. What if he didn’t want the same thing?
“Sometimes,” she said, staring hard at the collar of his jacket, “I fantasize about being your wife.”
His eyebrows shot toward his forehead. “Really?” He grinned, clearly pleased. “Your fantasies are alotmore wholesome than…” The grin slid away. “Wait. What are you saying?”
He pressed his thumb to her chin, forcing her gaze back to his.
“I want to be your wife, Gideon.”
The pulse in his throat kicked. “And these children you also want… they’reourchildren?”
“I’m pretty sure that’s how it works, yes.” More quietly, she said: “Is that all right?”
Gideon plunged his fingers into her hair. “All right?” He pressed his forehead to hers. “Rune. Being married to you would be the honor of my life. You’re saying you’ll stay and fight, if I marry you?”
“More or less.” She ran a hand up his chest to rest against his heart. “Is that extortion?”
His mouth curved. “I’ll happily be extorted by you.”
Tugging off his riding gloves, he dropped them one by one to the floor. Lifting his bare hands to her face, he slid his palms along her jaw, tender but firm. The feel of his bare skin againsthers filled Rune with a yearning so powerful, she feared she might die of its absence.
His eyes were downcast, staring at her mouth.
“Do you remember on theArcadia, when I woke you from that dream?”
