Page 46 of Charmed

Fang ran up to them barking playfully.

“What does he want?” she asked.

“He wants my undivided attention. Here you go, boy.” Stone picked up a stick and flung it into the water. Fang darted off after it, splashing in the waves to retrieve it.

“I can understand the dog wanting your attention,” she said, smiling at him. “I’m sure there are many girls back in Taelgonoth who would like your undivided attention as well.”

“I wish I could say that is true, but it isn’t.”

“No?” she asked in surprise. “Why not?”

Fang returned with the stick. Stone stopped talking and threw it once again. The dog ran off after it, diving into the waves and swimming happily in the sea.

“I suppose it’s my own fault for not wanting to get close with a woman,” he told her. “But after losing everyone I ever loved, it just feels kind of⁠—”

“Devastating,” she answered for him. “And sad and lonely.”

“Yes, I suppose so,” he said, running his hand along the side of her face. She leaned into him, basking in the glory of his gentle touch.

“What I was going to say was that it feels freeing not to care about anyone like that anymore.” He stared out over the water, seeming to be in deep thought.

“You really mean that?” she asked, surprised to hear him sounding so heartless.

“I do,” he answered.

“You had a woman who you loved and lost. A girlfriend or perhaps a wife,” she said, blurting it out before even thinking about what she was doing.

“What?” His eyes sought out hers. “Nay. Why would you say that?”

“Because you look like you are in deep thought.”

“I am,” he admitted. “But not for the reason you think.”

“Then what is it? Please, tell me.”

He hesitated for a minute and then let out a deep breath. “King Helix said when I return with the thieves and his gemstones, he will reward me by giving me his daughter Annabelle’s hand in marriage.”

“Oh,” she gasped in surprise. She hadn’t seen this coming. Persimmon dropped her hands from him and slowly pulled away. “I’m sorry.”

“What are you sorry for?” He gave her a crooked smile.

“I was kissing you when you are betrothed to someone else.”

“I am not betrothed yet,” he told her. “Besides, I never agreed to marrying the girl.”

“Why wouldn’t you?” she asked. “You’d be married to the daughter of a king. It sounds like good security and a safe and secure life to me.”

“Aye, it certainly would be,” he agreed, getting that faraway look in his eyes again. “It is a wonderful offer that only a fool would reject.” He continued to walk down the beach and she hurried to be next to him.

She seemed to have ruined the mood and was kicking herself for doing so. She never should have asked him so many questions about his life. The dog dropped the stick at their feet, Fang’s tongue hanging out. She swore the hound was smiling. His white fur was wet and matted down but he looked so refreshed from the water. Stone bent down to pick it up but she was faster.

“Let me.” She scooped up the stick and when she did, Fang jumped on her and knocked her down. “Oh!” she cried, her body hitting the water with a loud splash.

“Fang, bad boy!” Stone scolded the hound.

Sitting in the waves, Persimmon started laughing. “It’s all right. The water feels refreshing and I am sure Fang just wanted me to feel it, too. Don’t scold him. He was just playing.” She threw the stick into the deeper water and Fang jumped in, swimming after it.

“Let me help you up.” He reached out for her, but his mood was still soured. Taking a chance, she giggled, pulling him into the water with her.