She was not sure she was ready to hear it.
“I’ll bet the poor child needs someone less intimidating to spend time with, instead of an insufferable man like ye. Perhaps that’s why he willnae speak,” she said instead.
Caden’s nostrils flared. “Rule Number Five, ye willnae talk back to me. Ye will obey me.”
She pushed to her feet, glaring daggers at him. “I’d rather die.”
Caden smirked, before slowly standing. “Ye might like it,” he whispered in her ear.
She wanted to slap that stupid mask, and his cursed half-smirk, off his face.
But somehow she stood rooted to her place, breathing hard, unable to look away.
“Of course, ye have nay choice but to accept. I’ve already given ye the freedom of me title. It’s yer duty as me wife and lady of meclan to obey,” Caden said this flatly but to her, it sounded like a challenge.
“Ye are trapping me in this marriage…” Ava fought back angry tears.
“What can ye do about it, lass?” His eyes glittered.
Panic clawed up her throat. “I want an annulment.”
“If we get an annulment, ye’ll just have to go back to yer uncle and marry whoever he picks. It’s nae like Finlay will take ye.” A muscle ticked in his jaw. “It’s done, lass. Ye’re mine now.”
She glared at him. She hated that he was right, and she hated how her heart beat faster just because his body was almost touching hers. She’d blame her anger for it. Still breathing hard, she sighed and started pacing. It seemed that she had to choose whom she’d belong to, because as a woman she could apparently not belong to herself.
At least she’d be protected. She’d still be free in some ways…Or at least she hoped so. And then, there was one thing she still needed to fight for. One person who was still innocent in all of this.
“Fine. I accept. As for yer rules, I wouldnae want to see ye or talk te ye even without them. And as for the heir…” A blush bloomed in her cheeks. “I willnae lie with ye unless ye promise me something.”
“Name it.” His body was a solid wall of muscle, taught like a bowstring ready to snap.
“Me uncle wants to marry off me sister Thalia, too. I only agreed to marry to stall him. Since our faither isnae around to stop him, nay one will stand up to him. I want her to be protected from this and be able to choose who to marry… if she wants to marry at all. Second, I will be free to do as I wish. I willnae be trapped like some poor indentured servant. If ye agree, then I’m yers.”
To her shock, he softened a little. “I’ll take care of everything. I’ll give ye and yer sister a monthly allowance that ye can use however ye want.” He sighed and fingered a lock of her hair. “This isnae yer cage, me dear. I told ye, ye have freedom as the Lady. I mean it.”
“Aside from yer rules,” she breathed.
“Aye. So, do we have an agreement?” He offered her his hand.
“Aye, me Laird.”
She tried to shake his hand, but instead he lifted her own to his lips, while still holding her gaze.
Her skin burned where he kissed her.
“Well, then, welcome home, me Lady.”
How one woman could get under his skin so fast would forever be a mystery to Caden. Usually, he did not care what others thought of his intentions. However, with Ava…
She had agreed to his rules, and he had agreed to hers. So why did he still feel unsatisfied with their conversation? He had gotten what he wanted, after all.
Maybe it was that damned green dress that made him want more. Maybe taming her would not be enough. When she looked at him with those eyes, he wanted topossessher.
And he could not afford that.
He forced himself to focus his attention elsewhere.
Back at the grove, she sat next to him, eating her dinner in silence while ignoring Finlay, who was still trying to get her attention.
