“Neither do I,” she confessed, taking a step closer to him. She laid one hand lightly on his arm, and saw the uncertainty in his gaze. Someone had dealt a cruel blow to his heart, she was certain. If ever she met this Rosalinde, she would have harsh words for that creature. “But I must be able to come andgo.”
“You mean to leave?” The notion seemed to troublehim.
“Just for some time during the day. I would ride Mephistopheles in the forest, for example, that he might have a better run.” She cast a glance over her shoulder to the palace and grimaced. “I dislike the sense that I am a prisoner, as fair a prison as this mightbe.”
“But you mean to return bynightfall?”
Annelise met his gaze. “Do you not trust me, husband?” she askeddeliberately.
He looked toward the gates and did notreply.
Which was answer initself.
“I suspect that if you do not take a risk, sir, the curse will not bebroken.”
He heaved a sigh, and Annelise was certain he would refuse her again. But he took a deep breath and turned to meet her gaze with a smile. He bent and brushed his lips across hers. “I would not have you abandon me, my lady,” he murmured. “Nor would I see your situation here steal the fire from youreyes.”
She smiled, sensing avictory.
“You must be within the gates before nightfall,” he said sternly. “Otherwise, my pledge to defend you will be worthless. The forest is not safe for a woman alone in thedark.”
His stern manner could not steal her sense of triumph. She knew it had not been an easy choice for him, and she was encouraged that he had decided in his favor. “But I had thought to meet you at the tower tomorrow eve,” she whispered. “You had said this morning that you did not wish to returnhere.”
His eyes twinkled. “Do you propose a tryst, my wanton ladywife?”
“I do, sir.” She smiled and helaughed.
“If you bring food and a blanket then we will have greater comfort than last night,” he agreed and Annelise laughed withpleasure.
“Oh, you will have more of a feast than you bargain for, husband of mine,” she teased before she kissed him once more. The familiar heat rose between them once again and she knew with sudden certainty how she would reward him for hischoice.
“The bed awaits, sir,” she whispered when she had a chance, smiling that she did not have to make the suggestion twice. “I want the chamber lit with candles that I might see youfully.”
“It is my desire to see you, my Annelise, so you will find it is alreadyso.”
He swung her into his arms and carried her to the bed they had shared on so many nights. Indeed, he loved her with such enthusiasm that Annelise could only believe that her victory was more than halfwon.
* * *
Rolfe wasoutside the gates the next morning when he felt the change come upon him. He winced as he was transformed to a wolf once more, wishing that he could have remained with Annelise thisday.
By giving her command over the gates, he was trusting her not to abandonhim.
The very possibility stole his breath away. He could not imagine his life without his passionate and lively bride. He wanted to keep her captive forever, to ensure that she awaited him, just as she had the nightbefore.
Yet he had realized when she made her request that if he denied her, if he kept her cloistered, that might steal the sparkle from her eyes. Had she not despised the convent, where women lived in seclusion from the world? Annelise, his Annelise, needed to be free to possess the vigor that he so admired inher.
But what would she do with her newfoundfreedom?
Where would shego?
How could he ensure her safety when she left thepalace?
There was only one goodsolution.
Rolfe would have to watch over his lady by day as well as bynight.
* * *
