She stifled a sob and crossed her arms across her chest. “Will you trust that I am not your enemy?”
He had not anticipated such a challenge. While he pondered it, an orange fox slunk out of the undergrowth and fled silently across the lawns, the white tip of its tail glowing brightly in the darkness.
Did he trust Ariana?
Nay, it was not in his nature to trust. He had not been trained for it. On the battlefield he placed his trust in a handful of his closest knights, those he had fought side by side with on a multitude of muddy fields, splattered with the blood of their enemies. In times of peace, he was wary of all.
He gritted his teeth and answered truthfully. “I hope that in time, I may have that faith.”
Her eyes widened as she considered his words. “At least you do not lie to me.” Her lips quivered with the beginnings of a smile.
He inclined his head. “You have done me the same honor.”
She put a hand to her breast, unconsciously clenching her fingers around an item of jewelry.
“My mother’s broach?” His voice lifted in surprise. “You wear it still?”
“I do.” She paused, her breath catching in her throat. “I treasure it.”
Her words sealed his conviction that Ariana was not here simply as a spy for Sir Leon. Hers was not the mind behind the devious plots to threaten their recently secured peace. And right now, he had no wish to dwell further upon such things. Tomorrow would be time enough to gather his most loyal knights and share the grim news that Gaius had so unwillingly burdened him with.
Tonight, there was just one person on his mind.
Moving slowly so as not to startle her further, Otto closed his own hand on top of Ariana’s. Her fingers were chilled to the touch, and he longed to offer her comfort.
“Do not fear me,” he said, his voice tight with meaning. “You have no need to flinch away. No need to run and hide.”
Her lips trembled. “I sensed from the first time we met, that you would not harm me.”
“I would not.” He slid his hands around her waist and pulled her closer, inhaling the sweet fragrance of her hair. “I would not harm any woman, but especially not you.”
She stood as still as chiseled stone, unyielding to his touch, even when Otto dropped the lightest of kisses on the side of her face. Her eyelids fluttered and he knew she was struggling against her desire for him.
“But I have not told you the full truth,” she blurted out, as he rained a soft line of kisses along her jaw.
In that moment, he didn’t care. “You have not lied,” he stated, bringing his hands up her sides and running them the length of her arms, enjoying the slight tilt of her body towards him. She was surrendering to the pleasure of his touch, just as his own mind was relinquishing reason over sensation.
“I will not lie,” she breathed, closing her eyes as he encircled her with his arms.
He paused, pulling back to regard her quizzically. Her breathing had become ragged, much like his own. “You mean,if I do not ask awkward questions about why you were running around Darkmoor in disguise, you will refrain from telling me an untruth?”
Her eyes flickered open, her gaze clashing with his own. A beat passed. All Otto could hear was the rustle of the wind through branches overhead. His heart beat heavily like the banging of the minstrel’s drum.
Eventually, Ariana nodded. “That is what I mean.”
Her audacity should have inflamed him, but somehow the corners of his mouth turned up in an indulgent smile. “That is what I thought.” He lowered his head, whispering directly into her ear. “And will you ignore Sir Althalos the next time he attempts to discredit me in your eyes?”
She reached up a pale hand and rested it on his cheek. Such a simple touch, but it was his undoing. “I will.”
He had waited long enough. His lips met hers and his arms wrapped hungrily around her waist. One part of his mind told him to slow down, but another urged him on, especially when Ariana pressed her body against his.
With great effort he pulled away, cupping her cheeks with both hands and gazing down into her beautiful green eyes. “Have a care, wife,” he whispered. “I cannot promise you restraint if you press against me like that.”
Ariana snaked her arms around his shoulders, seeming to delight in tracing her hands over the muscles of his upper arms. She stepped closer, so there was not so much as a breath of air between them.
“Who says I want restraint?” she whispered in reply.
Chapter Twelve
