“Because you make me happy.”
Tears welled in her eyes as happiness burst through her body. Never had any phrase meant so much to her. “Then how could I say anything save aye?”
He placed a gentle kiss against her lips, and rolled to her side. Emily curled up beside him and draped a leg over his stomach. His contented smile reached deep into her heart.
“Emily?”
“Aye?”
“When I seized the axe, why didn’t you flee the hall?”
She placed a tender kiss on his chest. “Because I knew you wouldn’t hurt me.”
“How did you know?”
She leaned up on her elbow to stare down at him. “I’ve seen enough of your mettle to know you would never strike someone who couldn’t fight back.”
He frowned as he toyed with a lock of hair beside her face. “And you had no doubt whatsoever that I would stop?”
“Well,” she admitted. “I did have a moment of panic when you drew back your hand.”
“What would you have done had I struck you?”
“I would have left and never returned.”
“Then I am glad I came to my senses. For I would never intentionally hurt you.”
“I know.” She laid her head on his chest. “I know.”
Draven ran his hand through the golden strands splayed across his chest. He could feel her chest rise and fall against his as she breathed easily.
If he could, he would make this moment last forever.
But sooner or later, they would have to leave the room and then....
He closed his eyes and sighed.
“I am going to die for this,” he said simply as he realized what their tryst would cost.
Emily laughed, “You are being overly dramatic.”
“Nay, I am not. I know Henry well. There is nothing or no on he values over his laws. Since the day he ascended the throne, he has had to fight for peace in his kingdom and with what I’ve done this day, your father will not be appeased until I’m dead.”
He saw her frown. “But if we marry?—”
“Marry how? What priest would dare marry us without your father’s approval?”
“People marry in secret every day.”
“And those marriages are quickly annulled without the guardian’s approval. And there is still the matter of my oath to Henry. I swore to him I would lay no hand on you in lust. The king doesn’t take betrayal easily.”
“That’s not always true. My father recanted his oath to Henry, yet he retains his lands.”
“Your father retains his lands only because your grandfather fought with Henry and died from a blow he received protecting Henry’s back. In payment, he asked Henry to swear to him that he would forgive your father and not leave him homeless.”
She blinked as if unsure whether or not to believe his words. “I never knew that. How do you know of it?”
“I was there.”
