“You come back to live with me. You sell this place or keep it if you wish. But you come home with me, never to be parted from my side again.” Caspian smiled, appearing assured of her answer before she gave it.
She hesitated. “That all sounds very lovely, but what about my life here?”
“Leave it. Come with me. You will want for nothing,” he said, an answer for everything in his smile.
She considered it for a moment. Her life would be easy with him; he would protect her, and didn’t he make her happy? Wasn’t that enough?
He tilted his head. “If you do not come home with me, what will you do for your daily rides? And your books?”
She laughed. “I have a few books here and can always purchase more. Riding, I hadn’t quite figured out yet.”
He smiled wider. “Draugr is yours. He has always been yours. Wherever you choose to go.”
“Really?” she said, feeling touched.
“He’s an ass. His sire was a demon. I bought him off a gentleman who took a crop to him one too many times, and now he is mean as can be. He’s the fastest horse I own, but his temper is … challenging even for me sometimes.”
She grinned, wiggling her eyebrows. “I suspected as much. Yours?”
He barked a laugh. “No, I’m not into siring demon hybrids. Or into lady horses, for that matter. No. No one that either of us knows, I’m sure. Although I wouldn’t put anything past Asmodeus.”
“I must tell you that I—” Her lips parted, but she was unable to finish the sentence. He looked so happy, and she didn’t want to ruin it.
He peered at her in concern. “What is it, Elizabeth, my love? I will give you anything you desire.”
Slowly, she said, “I would like to stay here. I have made a life for myself in Veridas, and I don’t want to give it up just yet. We can see one another and visit, but I’d like to stay here for a while.”
“I see. Well, I said I would give you anything you asked me for, and I meant it. I can come fetch you tomorrow, and then, if you are amenable to it, I’d like to improve the locks and security around your building, so I know you’re safe when I am not there.”
She nodded. “That would be lovely. Thank you.”
He placed a stack of coins on the table, and they left together, walking arm in arm. “I will stop by the stables on my way out of the city and let them know Draugr has a new owner.”
Elizabeth grinned. “Thank you. We will have great adventures, him and I.”
He chuckled. “It’s partially selfish. If you have a horse, you can visit me more easily,” he said with a smile. “May I come for you tomorrow?”
She hesitated, then nodded.
Caspian walked her back to her front door and paused, clearly not wanting to leave. “So, this is farewell for now, Elizabeth, my beauty.” He kissed her fingers. “I’ll see you tomorrow. And then our new life together can begin.”
Caspian smiled and withdrew, leaving her standing at her door.
She watched his retreating back until he had long passed out of sight, then slipped inside.
Our new life together.
If only it were that simple.
Chapter 62
Fury and Flight
Caspian spent the morning in Veridas searching for flowers.
He was laughed out of two florist shops—it was the dead of winter.
“Tell me there is a greenhouse in the city. I must get a bouquet.”
