Typically, being alone with a Lady isn’t acceptable, even with the door open. However, we’re in private company inside of this house and nobody would dare tell a soul, as long as I didn’t compromise her in any way.
“This is torture,” she finally says after long moments of awkward silence.
“It is,” I agree.
We’re quiet again and I turn my back to her to look out at the desertscape ahead of me. The sun is beginning to set, a clear sign of the end of another day. One day closer to Sylvi leaving here and going back home, one day closer to her walking away from me forever.
SYLVI
I stare at his back as he watches the setting sun out of the library’s window. I should stand and walk out of this room, leave him alone and preserve my innocence. If my brother knew that I was alone with him this way he would be livid.
Though, maybe Aaric wouldn’t care too overly much. He didn’t have a problem with me choosing who I wanted to wed the last time. Just because that didn’t work out, it doesn’t mean that this will not.
“If you could,” I begin. Jeremiah turns around, his gaze finding mine immediately.
“If I could?” he asks when I don’t continue right away.
Clearing my throat, I stand to my feet. I wonder what he thinks of my clothes. The women here dress nothing like me, their waists are tied tightly in binding corsets, they don’t have fur on their clothes or draping fabrics the way that I do.
Shaking my head, I shake out the thoughts filling it and focus on the conversation ahead of me. “If you could be with me, not just for a night of pleasure, but for life, would you?” I daringly ask.
Jeremiah’s eyes widen and he presses his lips together, rolling them a few times before he gathers his thoughts and decides to speak. His gaze finds mine and my entire body freezes at its intensity as he watches me.
“If I could, I would grab you, wed you, and ride off into that sunset behind me. I would marry you, fill you with babies, and spend my entire life just trying to make you happy.”
My breath hitches from his words. These are not smooth words to try and take my virtue, these are intense and real, these are vows.
Inhaling deeply through my nose, I take a step toward him, then another, until I’ve closed the distance between us. Lifting my hands, I place them on his chest and tip my head back so that I can continue to look directly into his pretty eyes.
“I think I would like that, Jeremiah. Except, we could never just ride into the sunset, you would have to come to Wolfjour Ail. I am my brother’s second and take his place as the leader when he leaves on raids.”
“A woman?” he asks.
My lips turn up into a smile. “I thank Liv for that and I will forever and always be in her debt as she is the one who suggested it.”
“You have no other brothers?” he asks.
Laughing softly, I shake my head once. “I do have brothers, one is Aaric, one is no longer with us, the other living a quiet life on a farm with his wife and family. This is my duty, to help Aaric and to be an ambassador for his country when he is away. He can trust me and he knows that I would not do anything that he would not approve of in his absence.”
Jeremiah nods his head once, lifts his hand and cups my cheek with his palm. “So you are a mighty princess, not just one who relaxes and has housemaids dote on you day in and day out.”
Wrinkling my nose, I shift my head from side to side. “That sounds boring,” I mutter.
His lips curve up into a grin. “And you, Princess Sylvi, you enjoy adventure.”
“How did you know?” I whisper.
He chuckles. “I can see it in your eyes. I can feel it in your touch. You crave adventure, honey.”
“I do,” I breathe.
Jeremiah wraps his hands around my waist and tugs me closer to his body. He slants his head before his lips lower and crash against mine. I gasp as his tongue slides inside of my mouth and he tastes me—completely and fully.
Chapter Three
SYLVI
I don’t miss the sideways glances from both Colton and Birdie throughout dinner. I try to ignore Jeremiah, but I’m unable to stop myself from sneaking glimpses of him throughout the entire meal. He acts as though he isn’t paying attention, then every now and then he winks in my direction.
My entire body heats every time his eyes shift over me. I want his eyes to stay on me forever, I want them to sear my skin as I’m bared completely to him. I want it all, I want him, every single part of him.
Once dinner is consumed, we make our way into the open seating space in the center of the home. I don’t know who decided to build a house like this, but I cannot deny how much I enjoy the way it is laid out, the privacy it offers within the spaces.
“He has been watching you all night,” Birdie whispers as the men converse and drink whiskey amongst themselves.
“He has,” I agree with a nod.
Birdie is quiet for a moment, then she finally speaks. “Is there a particular reason? Martha and I did leave you alone in the library.”
I feel my face heat, but touch my fingers to them to hide their no doubt pink hue. “Nothing indecent happened,” I murmur.
“But?”
Pressing my lips together, I look down at my lap, then lift my gaze to meet hers. “I wanted it to. Very much so,” I confess.
“You’re a princess. I mean, I don’t know much about this world, but I’m pretty sure that some things are universal.
