"Thank you for coming." Her chin dipped towards the ground and she twisted a strand of her long blonde hair between her fingers. "I'm sorry I lied to you about Papa. I was afraid you wouldn't come if you knew it had been my invitation alone."
"Your assumption would have been correct."
Evree bit her lip, avoiding his gaze. Her disappointment made him smile. There was something endearing about that furrowed forehead. "My objection would not have come from a lack of desire to spend time with you," he continued. "But because I prefer your father to hold me in high regard. Gaining his approval would be difficult if he thought me anything but an honorable man. It already will be, considering recent events."
"Gaining his approval for what?"
She stared up at him, searching his expression, but the slight tug of her lips suggested she already knew the answer. Eramus wasn't sure if that made him more nervous or less. He rubbed the back of his neck with his hand, his skin burning.
He searched for the right words. To court her? To call on her? Was that moving too fast? After all, other than acting like a fool in her presence, he had shown no inclination that he was interested…at least he hadn't meant to. His mother seemed to believe his affection was obvious.
"I'd like to get to know you better," he said, finally settling on something more vague. He wasn't ready for a total confession. Not yet.
Evree's smile grew. "You know, I often enjoy spending time in the meadow in the mornings. It's a beautiful place, peaceful. The only downside is that sometimes I get rather lonely not having anyone to enjoy it with."
Was that an invitation? Judging by the coyness in her expression, he concluded it must be. "I see. Perhaps tomorrow you won't find yourself alone in the meadow?"
She stepped closer, eliminating nearly all the space between them. "Perhaps I won't."
His heart stopped, and his gaze fell to her lips. What would it be like to brush his own against them? He'd imagined kissing Evree before, but with her standing so close and the glimmer of moonlight reflecting off her skin…
The cottage door flew open and smacked against the interior wall with a loud bang. Kieran stood in the doorframe, his arms folded and his face pinched. "Time to come inside, Evree."
She giggled. "Yes, Papa."
Before Eramus could react, she lifted on her toes and planted a soft kiss on his cheek. Heat rushed over his entire face, and for a moment, he froze in place. Her call from the door released him. "Goodnight, Eramus."
He opened his mouth to respond, but nothing came out. Her giggles became muffled as she disappeared from view. Kieran's dark eyes glared at him. Realizing his mouth still hung open, he snapped it closed.
Kieran growled. "You're making me regret standing against Arnan, but I suppose that's not entirely your fault." Kieran pointed at him. "Do right by my daughter or no amount of magic will save you. Is that clear?"
"Yes, sir." It was all Eramus could manage.
The cottage door closed with a soft thud, and Eramus breathed a sigh of relief. None ofthathad gone how he expected, but somehow he still felt he had made progress. Other than the threat, Kieran had all but given him permission to see his daughter.
Eramus smiled as he walked home under the light of the moon. He touched where Evree's warm kiss still lingered on his skin. The meadow—he would see her there tomorrow, and already his heart danced with excitement.
