“No,” she whispered.He sucked in a breath and she did dart her gaze to his then.Watching for his reaction.For his anger, he could see.She sighed.“I need to be honest with you, Callum.Even if it upsets you.I would have taken this secret to the grave with me if I’d been able to do so.”
He pursed his lips.The answer was to be expected.But it still cut.He wanted her to be able to trust him.She didn’t yet.She might not ever fully be able to do so.And yet he was bound to try to earn that trust.Earn that heart she guarded so closely.
“I’m sorry you were forced into this confidence with all of us thanks to some blackguard who would threaten you,” he said.“And I vow to you that I will find him.I will stop him.By whatever means necessary.Because I also vow to protect you, Valaria.Protect you with all I am and all I wish to be.You don’t have to accept that now, to understand it.Not after everything you’ve been through.But Iwilldo it.”
She looked confused by that vow, then her cheeks filled with pink heat.“We should…we should get the others.”
He knew she was right, even though he wanted to remain alone with her, sheltered in the quiet together where nothing else could reach them.But he rose to his feet and helped her to hers.Then he kissed her once more and pressed his forehead to hers.
“Whatever you need, Valaria, I will give it to you.I promise you.”
And he hoped it could keep that promise.Hoped she could accept it and him.And that he could protect her from whoever threatened her and the future they could build together.
