He had not harmed her before, at least not intentionally or physically. But she was alone in her home and without an easy way to escape him as it was in the woods where she could hide. “Do you promise not to touch me?” she asked.
“I promise.”
“You will not kiss me either,” she insisted.
“No matter how much I desire to do so, I swear I will resist the urge,” Orion promised. “I just need to speak with you. To understand what is happening.”
“I know what happened. You kissed me after you promised that you wouldn’t and that we were friends.” Could she trust that same promise now?
Nina moved to push the door shut but his booted toe stopped it once again.
“Please, Nina, let me in.”
The anguish in his voice was almost her undoing. It echoed what was in her heart. Slowly, she stepped back and opened the door.
“I meant what I said in the grove. It is impossible. You cannot love me.”
“Why not?”
“We have not known each other so long as to develop love.”
“There is no time limit, especially when it is a love that is meant to be.”
She frowned. “Only fools fall in love so quickly.”
“Only fools deny what is real when it is right there, such as what we share.”
“I am not a fool, Orion.”
“I am not saying you are,” he blew out and pinched the bridge of his nose. “All I know is that I love you. I want you as my wife. I may have fought it before, but not now. Not when we are meant to be.”
“It is impossible.”
“Gaia chose us for each other.”
Why would the goddess do such a thing? Did she wish to chain Orion to the grove as she was?
“Why is it impossible?” he yelled in frustration.
“You live in the world. I live here.” She pointed out the obvious.
“But I will be living here, at Nightshade Manor. I can still care for the estate and live in this house with you.”
Her heart skipped, wishing it could be so, but knew that it would be unfair to him. Just as it was unfair to Cassian. Both set aside living in the world because of her and she’d not allow it. She had to make Orion understand that this would be a mistake.
No matter how much she loved him, and longed for him to be by her side, it could not be. Not when it was so unfair to him.
“What of children?”
He smiled. “I would certainly enjoy making children with you.” He grinned and came forward.
Nina put up a hand to stop him. “I am being serious.”
Orion sobered. “As am I.”
“Then you have not thought the matter through or considered their future.”
“Nobody knows what the future holds, Nina, but we can and will be happy.”
