No wonder Valteri felt the way he did toward Edred and his ilk.
Rising to her feet, she intended to give them both a lesson they wouldn’t soon forget.
“Ariel!”
Before she could take another step, Valteri rounded the corner of the pathway and headed straight for her.
Her anger melted at the joy in his eyes. A blush stained his cheeks and he was still breathing heavy from his ride.
“Valteri!” She tried to sound stern, but failed terribly. No matter how much she might want to castigate him for straining his wounds, his obvious happiness prevented her from saying anything that might dampen his mood. “You shouldn’t tax your strength.”
He came to rest beside her and seized her hands in his, bringing them to his lips, where he kissed first her right, then her left. Chills spread over her body at the gesture and the warmth of his touch against her flesh.
He offered her a hesitant smile and all thoughts of chastisement vanished. “I know I promised, but I couldn’t wait to return.”
Those words made her heart soar.
She cocked a playful brow, but couldn’t prevent one corner of her mouth from lifting in humor. “Well, you seemed eager enough to leave me this morn.”
His gaze turned serious and he tightened his grip on her hands. “I apologize for that, but I had business most pressing.”
Her humor faded beneath the sudden turn of his own mood. What business had pressed him to leave her side so early?
Had he changed his mind, after all? Was he going to leave her?
She swallowed against the stinging lump in her throat. Was this the good-bye she’d been dreading—nay, fearing—for so long?
“Business most pressing?” Her voice cracked from the weight of her fear and pain.
“Aye.” His dual-colored eyes twinkled. “While you were tending me yestereve, I realized I’d forgotten to take care of something rather important.”
She frowned in confusion. Had his fever and delusions returned? “Which is?”
He pulled at the pouch dangling from his girdle. Opening it, he retrieved a small wooden box and handed it to her.
Ariel stared in amazement at the silver-inlaid box. It was exquisite.
He must have traveled as far as the town eight leagues away to purchase it. But why would he make such a journey?
“Open it,” he urged.
She flipped the catch with her thumbnail and opened the box. A startled gasp left her lips and joy beat deep inside her. Nestled on a bed of rare silk lay a gold ring encrusted with tiny, sparkling emeralds.
Tears filled her eyes as she looked from her small treasure to her much larger one. “A pledge ring?”
He nodded, his gaze warm and loving. “I realized last eve that you were without one, and I’d not have anyone doubt that you are mine.”
Ariel pressed her trembling lips together and pulled the ring from its container. The jewels winked at her as if they knew some jest that had escaped her notice. Never had she expected such a gift!
Valteri took the ring from her shaking fingers, kissed it, then placed it on her right thumb. He looked up at her, a small, timid smile on his lips. “Like your presence in my life, Ariel, it fits.”
She closed her eyes, savoring his words. But still the doubt lingered beneath her happiness, quelling it until she could stand no more.
“Does this mean you really intend to stay?”
He looked away from her and she tensed, afraid to hear his response. For several terrifying minutes he stared at the small postern gate surrounded by vines. Emotions crossed his features and she struggled to name them, but they passed so quickly across his face that she dared not try.
His grip tightened on her hands and he sighed. “Of course I intend to stay.”
