Ronan could not comprehend what was happening.Issylte was leaving?With this knight? NO!
“Frocin is clairvoyant, Ronan. He has the gift to track the use ofsightand has undoubtedly traced her here.” Viviane fixed her deep blue gaze upon him. “With Frocin’s dark magic, an evil wizard, and the wicked, powerful queen—Issylte must leave.Immediately.”
Quickly, he rebutted. “But Viviane—you haveenchantedAvalon.We are well protected here. The Elves will defend her.I will defend her!”
Ronan was shouting, shaking with anger, imploring Issylte with desperate eyes. “Issylte, may I please speak with you…privately?”
She replied quietly, “Of course.” Addressing the two knights and the High Priestess, Issylte said, “Please excuse me. I shall return soon.”
Shall return soon?What?This was not at all the welcome he envisioned. He needed to dissuade her—quickly—for he simply could not allow her to leave.
Outside, twilight was settling; the stars were just beginning to wink in the darkening sky. Two patients hurried by, as if not wanting to intrude upon an obviously private conversation.
Pulling her into the darkness of a recessed corner, among the jasmine resplendent vines, Ronan crushed her in his arms and kissed her. “Issylte, I missed you so much!” Breathless, hedevoured her mouth, neck, shoulders. The delicate swell of her breasts.
Issylte seemed to panic in his strong embrace, her breath coming in short gasps. “Ronan, please…” she stammered, resisting his advances and squirming in his arms.
Grasping her hips, he pulled her to him so that she could feel his urgent need for her. “Come with me to the cottage, Issylte. I have brought Maëva for you to ride…” His hands roamed over her, his mouth searching, his body hard and insistent. “Or we could go to your room. It’s closer…” he rasped hoarsely, his breath ragged. Pinning her against the wall, he sucked on her neck as he began lifting her dress, his other hand holding her hips firmly in place as he pressed his hardness against her.
“Ronan, please stop. Ronan, I must talk to you. Please listen! Ronan,stop!” Issylte wailed, desperately struggling against him.
“I believe the lady has asked you tostop.” At the sound of Tristan’s voice, Ronan backed away from Issylte, who quickly lowered her dress and straightened her bodice.
Ronan snarled, “It is no concern of yours, Knight of Cornwall.Go back inside.”
Tristan replied firmly, “I swore an oath of chivalry to defend a lady.” His deep voice exuded calm and power. “And I will defendthatlady,” he proclaimed, glancing at Issylte, then back at him, “with my life.”
Ronan barked out a bitter laugh and growled, “Youwould challengeme?You? An injured knight, not yet fully recovered from your wound? Do you even knowwho I am?”
Tristan, his eyes never leaving Ronan’s, responded quietly, “I do.” He squared his shoulders, raising himself to his full height, and declared, “And I will not allow you to assault the princess.”
“Assault the princess?” Ronan scoffed—-the realization dawning upon him, hitting him like a blow to the gut.He isdefending her… against me!What is happening? How can this be? This is not at all the way I planned!
Rebuked and contrite, Ronan lowered his eyes to the ground. Then, his arms bent at the elbow, he raised his hands, palms extending outward in a gesture of peace. He stared Tristan in the eye and promised, “I will not harm her, Knight from Cornwall. You havemy word.”
Tristan seemed to assess Ronan’s more controlled demeanor. Ducking his chin, he glanced at Issylte, who nodded to him in return.
She whispered, “It is all right, Tristan. Thank you.”
He bowed his head and said simply, “I am just inside, should you need me.” Glaring at Ronan, his eyes aflame with challenge, Tristan backed away and returned to his room.
Ronan rushed forward to take her hands as he sputtered, “I am sorry, Issylte. I let my passion for you…consumeme.” Kissing her palms, he whispered, “This is not at all how I envisioned mywelcome home.” His desperate eyes begged for forgiveness. “Please come with me to the cottage. Let me show you how much I havemissed you.” He approached her slowly, gently placing his hands on her slender waist, drawing her to him tenderly. Cautiously. Reverently.
Issylte touched the stubble on his face. Her eyes focused on the amber talisman around his neck—the Yuletide gift she’d offered him. He was glad he’d worn it tonight.
Her determined voice jolted his fond reverie. “I am leaving in the morning, Ronan. Sailing tola Joyeuse Gardewith Lancelot and Tristan.”
His temper flared again. “You cannot be serious, Issylte.” He stormed away from her, then turned abruptly to face her, livid with fury. “You would throw away everything we have shared—the life we have built together—to sail off with two men youbarely know?” He shook his glorious golden mane and stompedhis foot. “I forbid it! You willstay herewith me. Where I cankeep yousafe.”
Issylte retorted, “Youforbidit? Youforbidit? Ronan, you do notown me!” Her emerald eyes blazed at him in the starlight.
Ronan realized he had to try a different approach. “Issylte, Iwantyou to stay with me. Every day, in Armorique, I thought of you.Longedfor you.” He approached her again, took her hands in his and showered them with kisses. He drew her gently towards him, lifted her chin and kissed her sweet lips softly. He wanted to devour her. To worship her body as he’d done so many times in his cottage. He wanted to claim her—to make herhisonce again. He could not let her leave. Losing her would kill him.
He took the emerald ring from his pocket and held it out it to her, the diamonds sparkling in the starlight, the emerald glimmering in the moonlight.
Gazing into her deep green eyes, he whispered, “I love you, Issylte. I want you tobe my wife.” He placed the ring on her delicate finger—King Hoël’s wifemust have had long, slender fingers, too,he mused idly, for the fit was perfect. “We have everything we need here in Avalon, my princess.”
He kissed her hand and murmured, “We can raise children, Issylte. And horses…” He raised her chin as his lips met hers. “I have my shop… you can heal the villagers. We’ll behappy together, here in Avalon. Do not leave me, Issylte. Stay here, where I can protect you. Andkeep you safe.” He pulled her to his chest and kissed her softly, enveloping her with his strong arms. “Say yes. Stay here with me.Marry me, Issylte.I love you.”
