The dream of her in his life shattered in his mind. For the best. They each had other destinies.
Aching inside, he stowed the bitter fragments deep in his mind, focused on now and damned the words he must say. “However much I feel for you, I am not a man who will be bound to a woman, now or ever.”
She tilted up her chin.“And why not?”
“You deserve better than a knight. My future lies with restoring the Bruceto the throne.”
The hurt on her face sliced his heart.
His heart?
Rónán stared at her in disbelief. He’d thought when the mission was over and he left her it would hurt and he’d miss her. But now he realized ’twould be as if tearing away a piece of his soul.
Nor, however much the words tangled on his tongue, could he ever reveal his true feelings. She deserved a man whose past wasn’t tainted by brutal memories of a shattered youth, one confident in his ability to raise a family. He wasn’t made for the softer side of life.
Heunderstood war.
Rónán clung to his logic as his every breath ached with what he wanted to tell her, to give her.
“Damn you,” she whispered through clenched teeth, “I know you care for me.”
Care? A paltry word for the emotions storming through him. “How could I not?” he rasped. “You are beautiful, a woman to admire, one my king has bidme to protect.”
Gray eyes narrowed, but he saw her confusion and despised himself over and again for hurting her, but ’twas for the best. After a time, she would forget him and find a man who could satisfy her and wholly love her as she deserved.
The ache in his chest grew at thoughts of Lathir in the arms of another man. Blast it! Needing to put distance between them, he turned on his heel and strode away. The whip of the cool sea breeze battered his face as he reached the bow.
The quick tap of steps sounded a moment before her hand caught his arm. “Rónán.”
He didn’t turn. “’Tis best that I go.”
“Best for who?”
The fury in her voice had him turning.
Tears backed by passion and determination glittered in her eyes. “I love you, damn you, and I willna let a chance for us pass.”
Chapter Ten
Of all the words Rónán had expected Lathir to say, never had he imagined her to admit that she loved him. His thoughts floundered, as did his incredulous heart. “Lathir, you dinna understand—”
“Nay?” She jabbed her finger against his chest. “What have I missed, that never before has a man made me want him, that regardless of how you avoid the topic, there is something between us, a passion when we kiss that canna be denied?”
A dangerous desire skewed his thoughts. He resisted the urge to gaze at her mouth. “’Tisna so simple.”
Wind feathered through her golden hair as she stared at him in defiance. “Aye, ’tis. Tell me, do you want me?”
He clenched his jaw painfully tight.
She angled herjaw. “Do you?”
“God’s truth!” he hissed
Satisfaction darkened her gaze. “I will take that for an aye. And do you care for me beyond any other woman youhave ever met?”
To admit that would be to give her too much power beyond what she already had over him. “I am unsure if I am irritated or flattered by yourperseverance.”
She laughed, and the tension on her face eased. When he thought she might choose aggression to pursue her quest, it turned to quiet fact, yet was noless powerful.
