Page 81 of Dark Rival

And Allie went still. She focused and saw the uncertainty in his aura—it was a pale, milky, sky-blue. She felt the same uncertainty coming from him in fragile, broken pulses. “Hey.” She threw off the fur and slung her legs over the bed. “You are definitely gorgeous and hot. But I admire you, Royce, immensely, more than I have ever admired anyone.”

He seemed bewildered. “What do ye see to admire so much?”

“Strength, power, integrity, honesty, loyalty…should I continue?”

He now folded his arms across his chest, causing his biceps to bulge. “Aye,” he said.

Allie took a pillow and threw it at him, laughing. “Conceit, arrogance and an utterly tyrannical nature!” she cried.

He caught the pillow, feathers flying, then gently tossed it back at her. “Ye admire my conceit?”

“Take a good guess,” Allie said, on her feet and hugging the pillow now. As it was the only thing between them, she dropped it. “I forgot heroic,” she whispered, laying her hands on his chest. And she felt his body tense and his heart thunder.

His silver gaze slammed to hers.

“You are a hero,” she said, meaning it. She took his hand and placed it on her chest.

His warm palm covered her bare skin. She looked into his sizzling eyes and saw his gaze drop to her mouth. Love consumed her. Desire, already heady, crested. In spite of the day’s ordeal, her flesh began an urgent throbbing. She felt like telling him just how much she loved him—better yet, showing him in that bed—but it wasn’t necessarily the smartest idea, considering he had rejected her yesterday in no uncertain terms. Besides, she was holding out for three very specific words.

“I’m nay hero.” Royce removed his hand and turned, slowly pacing the room like a caged-up lion.

Allie was about to tell him he was not just her hero, but everyone’s hero, when he said, “Yer brother was here.”

Allie jerked, stunned. “He was here? While I slept?” she cried.

“Aye. Ye may have seen him fighting on the ramparts. He’s dark, an’ he wore red an’ black.” Royce paused, facing her.

Allie suddenly recalled seeing two Masters on the ramparts. “That was my brother?” she gasped, utterly distracted now.

“Aye.”

That had been her half brother. “I want to meet him,” she managed.

“Ye will. He came to take ye to his home, but we discussed it an’ he agreed to leave ye with me. He’s since left.”

A huge disappointment began. Allie sat down on the edge of the bed. “Why didn’t he stay until I woke up?”

Royce shook his head. “He’s young an’ hot,” he said. “He’s a bold, impatient man. He waits for no one. But he’ll come again an’ yer welcome at Blayde, his home, anytime.”

Allie felt her brows rise. Her brother sounded like another entirely medieval man, very much like Royce. An alarm bell went off. “Guy doesn’t sound like he’d discuss very much with anyone, ever.”

“He doesna discuss much, yer right. He fights first an’ talks later, in spite of having a good wife to rein him in. If yer asking if we fought, we dinna. I wouldn’t fight yer brother.” He added wryly, “But if ye think me a tyrant, well, he makes me look like a milkmaid. His household wouldn’t please ye much.”

“Great.” She thought about it. “Thank you. I wasn’t about to leave you now, anyway.”

Royce stared at her.

Allie tensed, sliding to her feet. “You need me—and I need you. I think that’s become very clear.”

His color rose. “I’ll nay deny I need ye in my bed—”

“Stop! I wasn’t referring to sex and you know it.”

Flushed, he shook his head. “Yer a foolish woman if ye’ll start thinking of ways to heal my heart again!”

“Will you ever respect the privacy of my thoughts?”

He gave her a bold look. “Ye like the invasion.”