Draven took a step away from her. He didn’t know what had possessed her, but this was indeed foolishness of the first order.
“You have no idea what it is you ask, milady. What it is you would condemn yourself to.”
“I disagree.” Taking a step toward him, she reached out for his arm.
Once again, he pulled away. “You know me not at all.”
“And my mother knew nothing of my father. Indeed, she never saw him until the wedding, yet they grew to love one another. Greatly.”
“You say that as if ‘tis a simple matter.”
“Marriage often is.”
“You are being a fool, lady. Now off with you.” He turned his back to her and started back for the donjon.
She rushed around him and blocked his path. “You cannot escape me. I won’t let you.”
Anger coiled through him that she would dare stand up to him and block his way. Especially when all he wanted to do was flee her and all the confusing thoughts and feelings she evoked.
“Is this your way to have me send you home to your father?”
She lifted her chin as if the mere thought offended her. “Hardly. The last thing I want is to be sent back home. I want a husband.”
“Then take yourself to the hall and seek another.”
And before he knew what she was about, she seized his face in her hands, rose upon her tiptoes and laid her lips against his.
Molten desire flooded every fiber of his body.
Reacting on pure primal instinct, Draven pulled her into his arms and molded her body against his own. She surrendered herself to him fully as he opened her mouth and sampled the sweetness of it. She wrapped her arms about his neck and sighed contentedly.
Draven’s head buzzed as if he’d drank too much ale and all rational thought fled his mind.
There was nothing except the feel of her body against his, the taste of her mouth, the smell of honeysuckle from her hair and the sound of her rapid breathing.
Her kiss was one of innocence and timidity, yet curious and bold. Never had he felt the like, nor had he ever wanted anything more than he did a private bed for the two of them.
In her excitement, she pressed her breasts against his chest, inflaming him even more. Draven deepened his kiss as he felt himself slipping over the edge of control.
One more minute and he’d....
With a curse, he forced himself to pull away from her before it was too late.
She took a step toward him, and he grabbed her arms to keep her at bay.
“Is your hatred of me so great that you’d sacrifice your virginity to see me dead?”
She blinked in confusion. “I don’t hate you, Draven. How could I?”
Whatever spell she had woven evaporated with those words and once again clarity reigned in his head. “It seems to me, the question would be how could you not?”
Eleven
Draven dashed off so quickly that Emily had no choice but to let him flee.
Mystified by his question, she stood on the battlements baffled. How could he not see what she herself saw?
You know me not at all.
