“I can say whatever ye want to hear. But the moment I am alone, dark thoughts fill my mind.”
“Then never be alone again, Miran.”
She gave him a sideways glance. “What do ye mean?”
He kissed the top of her head. “Marry me. Now. Tomorrow.”
What did he mean exactly? “That willna solve my troubles.”
“I disagree. Sleeping in my arms every night, feeling how much I love ye, will help heal yer heart.”
At the beginning of their journey, those extraordinary words would have frightened her, maybe even made her angry. Now that she knew Kai, had felt his strong arms around her, and experienced his dedication to her, she could accept it. But still… “Ye love me? Truly?”
“Come here, sweet one.” He slid his hand behind her head, guiding her closer until their foreheads touched. “I have always loved you.”
*
He kissed hersoftly at first, then desire exploded inside him and his tongue sought hers. Her sweet taste filled his mouth, providing more healing powers than sleep or food could ever give.
“K-Kai…”
He pulled back so he could see her face.
“I love ye.”
His heart thundered in sweet victory. He’d waited what seemed a lifetime for her to realize they were meant for each other. “We belong together.”
“Aye. But there is something I must know.”
He arched a brow.
“Before I discovered Cadha in yer tent, I was on my way to see ye.”
“Another blessing from God.”
“Nay,” she disagreed. “I was verra angry. My maid told me Jamie encouraged ye to woo me, gave ye permission to marry me.”
Kai inhaled deeply and repositioned himself against the pillows on the bed. “Aye. I sought his blessing before we left. What did you expect me to do? How could we travel together and not face the truth of our feelings? I knew we had to come to terms. I want to be yer companion and husband. Your lover.”
“Why not ask formyblessing?”
Kai did not want to hurt her. Sometimes Miran had unusual ideas about how men and women should act. She was intelligent and imaginative, but had lived a sheltered life. “Even if I had gained your approval, Jamie had to give his permission.”
“We could have sought it together—oncewedecided what to do.”
“Miran.”
“Aye?”
“You cannot change the rules.”
“Why not? Do we not all change as time passes?”
“Aye.”
“Traditions change, too.”
“Slowly.” He knew that from personal experience. At one time, foreigners were not permitted in the holy city of Constantinople. When the princes realized how much coin they could get if they opened up their ports for trade, they enacted new laws.
