I shake my head once. “I was in love with a warrior once. His name was Gunnar. My brother agreed to the marriage, only because my brother wanted me to be happy and he knew that I was in love with him.”
“But?”
Closing my eyes, I inhale a deep breath, letting it out with a sigh. “He was taken from me. He died and I cannot get him back. I have been focusing on helping my brother with his country and attempting to allow my heart to heal.”
“Has it?” she asks. “If it hasn’t, then please do not lead my dear Jeremiah on.”
“I would not,” I whisper. “My heart will never fully heal from the loss of my Gunnar, but I also cannot allow myself to shrivel up and expire either. He would not wish for me to stop living my life, he would never ask nor want that from me.”
“And Aaric?” Birdie asks.
I like this woman. She thinks of all things, not just emotionally, but also with her head. “I think he will agree with my decision-making.”
“You think?” she hums her words, but doesn’t say anything else.
Her questions have spurred me to make a decision, to talk to my brother. I will not leave her unless I have a concrete answer from Aaric, and I will not walk away from Jeremiah until I have a vow from him as well.
JEREMIAH
My window faces the barn and although I would like to be nowhere other than Sylvi’s bedroom, I am not. I am not a cad and I refuse to compromise her any further than I already have. She is a princess, a Lady. I am not worthy of her attentions. She is leagues above me, not only in status, but also just because she is.
Something moves out of the corner of my eye and I turn my head to watch it. My eyes widen at the sight before me. It’s Sylvi. Her blonde hair flies out behind her as she hurries toward the barn.
Narrowing my gaze, I continue to watch the barn, on the alert and ready to run after her should I feel she needs me. I have a feeling that Sylvi is much like Birdie and can take care of herself. I still want to be available to her if she should need me.
A few moments later, I watch as the gigantic beast of a dragon steps out of the barn. He looks around him, extends his beautiful wings and then shoots straight up into the air. I watch him, unable to look away as he soars through the sky and disappears somewhere in the distance.
I don’t see Sylvi until she’s slipping back into the house. I can’t help but wonder what she was doing with that beast and why she sent him off somewhere, no doubt on some kind of mission for her.
Unable to sleep, I slip out of my room and walk outside, sinking down in one of the rocking chairs on the porch. Staring straight ahead into the black abyss, I can’t help but think of Sylvi more and more.
She consumes my mind. She consumes me. I want her in a way that I have never wanted anyone before. I’ve never felt this way before and when she is forced to go home, I don’t think that anyone will ever make me feel this way again.
Sylvi is special.
I want to live a life with her, to hold her as she sleeps, to fill her with babies, to cherish her and take her on adventures. I want to watch her flourish and grow. I want all of her to belong to all of me.
Chapter Four
SYLVI
Pinching my eyes closed, I can’t stop myself from smiling. I know without a doubt that Quest will deliver my message and be back here within days. He will not let me down and if I know Aaric, he won’t let me down either.
Opening the bedroom door, I start to head toward the dining table to break my fast when I am forced to stop abruptly. There is a large wall of a body standing in front of me. Tilting my head back, I look up into those eyes that have me completely speechless.
“Jeremiah,” I breathe.
His lips curve up into a grin and he reaches up, sliding the backs of his fingers down my cheek before wrapping his hand around the side of my neck.
“What were you doing in the barn last night, honey?” he asks, his voice smooth as creamy butter.
Pressing my lips together, I roll them a few times, then shake my head once. “Nothing,” I rasp.
He chuckles. “You sent Quest off on a mission, tell me.”
Sinking my teeth into my bottom lip, I shift my gaze to the ground, then lift it up to meet his. “I don’t want to say anything, in case there is a problem.”
“Does it involve me?” I ask.
I shrug a shoulder, unsure if I should tell him. I’m afraid that he won’t understand, that he’ll become angry at the fact that I’ve done this without asking. Maybe he doesn’t want to marry me, if he doesn’t, then all of this will be for naught.
“I asked him if he would agree to a marriage between me and Colton’s most trusted soldier.”
His eyes widen and he blinks a few times. I expect him to release me, maybe stomp off in anger, but he doesn’t. Instead, his hand shifts from the side of my neck, moving up he cups my cheek. My breath hitches when he lowers his head and his lips brush mine.
“Sylvi,” he breathes. “You shouldn’t have.”
“I know. I should have asked you, I realize this. I apologize, but I could not imagine leaving here without you.”
He presses his lips to mine before I can say another word, his tongue slips inside of my mouth and he consumes me again, as he does every time he touches me in every way possible. I want
