Chapter 9
Annelise’s husbandhad one blue eye and one silver-gray.
Just like thewolf.
No. It could not beso.
He held her gaze steadily, as if inviting her to make the most remarkableconclusion.
“The wolf that drove me through the palace gates had eyes like yours,” she whispered, hoping he would argue with her. He did not. “And that same wolf showed me the tracks of Yves’ horse today, then led me to this tower.” She looked past his shoulder, just to be certain, but was unsurprised to see that the wolf wasgone.
She understood where the wolf had gone, even though all logic fought against it. She recalled snippets of childhood tales about those who changed form. They were chilling tales, told on windswept winter nights and intended to keep children huddled in theirbeds.
He had confessed to being cursed, but still, it seemed too strange tobelieve.
“No,” she murmured, hearing the doubt fade from her own tone. “It cannotbe.”
“But it can be,” he said with quiet conviction. “Because it isso.”
“You said you werecursed.”
“Would you not count this fate asone?”
Annelise nodded, stillamazed.
“And what do you think, Annelise, now that you know the truth?” His eyes narrowed slightly. “Do you want to leave? Would you prefer to be released from our match than to hear mytale?”
“No,” she said immediately and knew it was true. “I want to know all of yourtruth.”
He held her gaze for a long moment. “And if I refuse to tellyou?”
“I will leave.” Simply saying the words caused a lump to lodge in Annelise’s throat. “It must be this night that there is a full confession between us.” Annelise was surprised that she had no doubts, even knowing what she already did about her spouse. Despite the unconventionality of their match, this man treated her with more respect and tenderness than anyone she had ever known. She had vowed to help him find a solution to his woes, though she had not guessed their full extent at thetime.
“I do not want to leave,” she confessed when he did not reply. “Tell me the truthinstead.”
“And yet it is a fearsome tale,” he admitted. “It seems unreasonable that I should share my truth, while your secrets remain locked within yourheart.”
“I have no secrets,” Annelise said, then raised a hand to her lips at the realization that the words were nottrue.
She hadone.
Her spouse shook his head, his gaze knowing. “Why did you cower, my Annelise? I have never shown you cruelty, but you expected it of me. There is a secret behind your fear, to besure.”
She swallowed and nodded. “I do have one secret,” she admittedsoftly.
“And I have one.” He offered his hand. “And so, a bargain, wife of mine. Your secret formine.”
Annelise met his steady gaze and knew that the future of their marriage depended upon her choice in this moment. She had never wished to share this tale, and yet, there was no choice. It was worth the price to give her match with this man a chance of afuture.
“You will not pacify me with the tale of some hunting romp, sir,” she scolded, teasing him in the hope of making him smile. “I will have the tale of your curse or noother.”
“I doubt that you could ever be pacified, Annelise.” His smile was fleeting but enough to make her heart leap. “Nor would I want you to be.” He arched a brow, his admiration for her making his eyes glow. “And your tale must be of equal worth, not a confession that you have always been fond of appletart.”
Annelise laughed. “Fair enough,sir.”
He offered his hand to her and Annelise swallowed, then placed her hand within his. His fingers closed over hers, his grip sure and his skin as warm as the glow in her eyes. She felt awareness of him kindle and grow, and she swallowed that she could find him so very handsome, despite his curse. Their gazes locked and held, the small tower chamber seeming to heat between them as she found an answering desire in his owneyes.
Perhaps she would feel less alone if someone else knew hersecret.
