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“I know it’ll probably never be as intense as it was with…” Allera’s voice went sad and her gaze drifted off before she picked up again. “But I think I can be content here. With Brent
ley. I believe I might even grow to love him. He really does have a good heart. Plus, if he continues to bring me to orgasm like he did last night, well… Let’s just say we’ll get along just swimmingly.”
“Oh my God! I’m leaving. I’m just… I’m just leaving now.” But Urban didn’t move. He glanced down at Anniston who’d fallen asleep in his arms, and I could tell he wasn’t going anywhere for a good, long while. He looked too captivated by her to give her up just yet.
“Which means you could find someone who makes you happy, too,” Allera said. “Someone you’ll grow affectionate toward, maybe even somewhat love.”
I nodded my head, agreeing, even as my stomach went sour at the idea. I have no idea why my stomach should care if Urban moved past me and married another, because he and I certainly would never get together, but… Okay, a terrible, vain, selfish part of me liked having a man who spoke about me as he’d spoken about me last night, pledging his life to me as if I…as if I actually mattered to him.
He glanced my way as if he heard my thoughts and knew deep down I didn’t want him to stop worshiping me.
“Please, don’t,” he told his sister quietly, even though his gaze remained on me. “Don’t push about that. It’s still too soon. I just… I don’t want to think about that. Not yet.”
Anniston made a peep, and Urban immediately jumped, looking down at her. “What’s wrong? Is she okay? Did I hurt her?”
Allera’s laugh rang out even as I rose from my chair to fetch the baby if need be. “No, you didn’t hurt her, you big pansy,” his sister teased. “She’s an infant. Infants make noises.”
“You should take her,” he urged, already lifting her to me. The back of his right hand inadvertently brushed my breast as we traded off. We both sucked in a breath and exchanged a glance before simultaneously looking away again.
“There. See,” Allera said as I backed away from Urban and returned to my chair with Anniston in my arms. “Whatever caused her to speak up is fine now.”
“Because she’s with her mother,” Urban insisted before he asked me, “What’s her name?”
I looked up into his eyes and felt overwhelmed for some reason. There was just something about him that was larger than life.
“Anniston,” I answered, feeling completely inadequate.
His blue eyes lit with delight. “A High Cliff name,” he seemed delighted to announce.
My eyebrows crinkled. “Is it really?”
He nodded. “It’s considered good luck in our realm to start our children’s names with a vowel.”
“How interesting. Why’s that?”
A frown wrinkled his brow. He glanced toward his sister before turning back to me. “You know, I haven’t a clue.”
I laughed, mostly from his perplexed expression, and he joined in, shaking his head. “The strange customs kingdoms decide are important, huh?”
With a shrug, I answered, “At least it’s a charming, harmless custom that doesn’t include any sacrifices or bloodletting.”
“True,” he agreed.
We shared another smile before he glanced toward his sister, then cleared his throat and returned a solemn gaze to me. “Well. I was in the field, training. I should probably return.” His gaze went to Anniston one last time. “But before I go, would you grant me permission to swear fealty to your daughter?”
“Fealty?”
“Another custom,” he explained on a rueful shrug. “No sacrifices or bloodletting involved, I promise.”
His eyes were just too damn blue. I couldn’t say no. Bobbing my head stupidly as if under his trance, I murmured, “Okay.”
Immediately, he dropped to one knee before me and bowed his head, slamming his fist against his chest.
“Thank you, my friend, for making your mother happy,” he said in a low, compelling baritone. “Thank you for giving her companionship and love. For that, I swear an oath to you. I will always protect you, always stand between you and any harm that may come your way, always honor you. Until my dying breath, I will strive to keep you safe.”
A tear trickled down my cheek. Not even Soren had been that passionate when he’d first looked upon Anniston. Not that Soren had bothered to even talk to the baby at all, but his comments about her were so very vague, like, “Ehh, well, look at that. It’s a pity; I think she’ll end up the runt of the litter.”
In front of me, Urban rose, his solemn gaze meeting mine. “Thank you,” he said.
