Now she was learning even moreabout this complex man. He was many things: a natural leader; a manwho deeply loved his family; and a man dedicated to the Coalition andfreedom for Alandra and Borko. She also saw the side of him that wasquiet and reflective.
Koriann tried to sort out herfeelings. Erling was often on her mind and she always looked forwardto being in his company. Even when they weren’t talking, she wasaware of his presence in the room. She regretted her decision tomarry King Zanton. Before she could push aside her personal feelings,but not now with Erling around. It made the decision too real. Howcould she spend her life with a man she didn’t love? And she wasbeginning to wonder if she could ever love Zanton. She wasn’t sureshe even liked or trusted him. Zanton would never let her break offthe engagement, but if he did, would it make any difference toErling? He’d never said he loved her and he’d made it clear hedidn’t want to marry her and become a ruler. It was too late nowanyway. Wedding arrangements were made and invitations sent out.
Koriann stepped onto the balcony.The refreshing early fall air felt good on her cheeks, bare arms andshoulders. Looking toward the ocean, she saw a tall figure walkingalong the beach. As she continued to watch, she realized it wasErling from his build and the way he moved. He climbed up a rockyoutcrop and sat facing the ocean.
Without thinking of possibleconsequences, she decided to go talk to him. She left her bedroomsuite by the servant door and hurried down the narrow back stairwayleading to the kitchen in order to avoid being seen by her personalbodyguards or any of Zanton’s men. At the bottom of the stairs, sheturned into the mudroom and slipped out a side door, taking care thatno one saw her leave. Once outside she hitched up the hem of herdress and ran to the ocean, feeling free for the first time sinceshe’d been crowned Queen. She slowed when she neared the rockyoutcrop, to compose herself before talking to Erling.
He saw her coming and climbed tothe ground. “What brings you here?” he asked when she reachedhim.
“I wanted to talk to you. Let’sgo up where you were sitting.”
“You’re not dressed for rockclimbing.” His eyes swept over her red gown. “I’m surprised tosee you alone. If I was your fiancé, I’d want to be with you allevening.”
“I’m not in the mood for hiscompany right now. We quarreled.”
“I can guess about what; he’svery possessive.”
“Too possessive. Will you helpme up?”
He put his hands on her waist andswung her onto a rocky ledge, then scrambled up after her. Keepinghis hand on her arm, he helped her climb up to the rocky outcrop. Theocean breeze and waves crashing into the rocks exhilarated Koriann.The sun was beginning to set and birds flew across the sky, dancingon the wind.
“Here’s a narrow ledge wherewe can sit and be out of sight,” Erling said. He helped her sit andher skirt fluttered up as the wind caught it. There was barely roomfor the two of them and the rocky wall was uneven against her back.In silence, they watched the waves steadily crashing and sprayinginto the air. The setting sun reflected on the water, changing it todeep rose and violet.
“What do you want to talkabout?” Erling asked, once the sun had disappeared behind thehorizon.
“I want to thank you for allyou’ve done. We haven’t had a chance to talk alone in severalweeks.” She glanced uneasily back toward the palace. “I can onlystay here a short time.”
“Yeah, Zanton watches you likea hawk. It must be nice to have such a trusting lover.”
“He’s not my lover.”
“Fiancé then. You’ll have agood marriage with Zanton spending all his time trying to keep trackof you and you trying to slip away to talk privately with a friend.”
“It won’t be like that. He’sonly acting that way because you’re around. You make him nervous.”
“Jealous is a better word.”
“All right, jealous. He thinksthere’s something between us.” She was aware their bodies werepressed together with their upper arms and thighs touching.
“I don’t know how he’d getan idea like that. I haven’t had a moment alone with you. Iwouldn’t want your fiancé to feel—how did you put it?—nervous.Do you want me to leave Jaipar?”
“No, just don’t be so … so… you know. You go out of your way to irritate him.”
“I’ve been good lately.” Hechuckled. “Except for tonight. Is this what you came to talk to meabout, your lover?”
“Stop calling him that!”
“Why? If he’s not now, hesoon will be, or haven’t you thought about that? Once you’remarried, he’ll expect you to share his bed.”
“Let’s talk about somethingelse.”
“Why? Did I hit a sore spot?”
“Erling, I’m doing what Ithink is best for my country. Don’t make it any harder than italready is.”
“I don’t happen to like yourdecision, but if it’s what you want, I wish you a wonderfulmarriage.”
“Somehow that doesn’t soundvery sincere coming from you.”
“By the stars, Kori, what doyou want me to say? It would be different if you loved him!” Hestarted to rise and bumped her with his elbow and she cried out asshe started to fall. He grabbed her and ended up holding her in hisarms. She could feel his heart pounding against hers.
“I didn’t mean to make youlose your balance. Are you okay?” he asked. She nodded.
He didn’t release her and saidin a voice thick with emotion, “We’d better get back or yourardent lover will come looking for you. And I know you don’t wantmake him jealous.”
“Erling, don’t!” sheexclaimed in despair. “At least, let’s be honest with each other.I dohave feelings for you and I wouldn’t have gotten engaged if I’dknown you were returning, but what’s done is done. I’ve given myword.”
“So
