Until Ariel, Cecile had been the only creature to show him love.
Stop your maudlin.
He was a harsh man who knew naught of comfort or gentle words. That was his lot, and he’d long ago accepted that fate.
All of his anger fled and he found the part of himself that accepted the life he’d been given. There was no need for his anger, not really. He had people’s respect and fear—what man could ask for more than that?
A soft knock startled him from his thoughts. Pulling his hand away from Cecile’s soft fur, he reached for his tunic and donned it. “Enter.”
To his utter amazement, Ariel walked in behind five of the children from the yard. He frowned at them, wondering what could bring them to his room.
“Kyra has something she would like to say to you.” Mischief glowed deep in Ariel’s eyes.
The little girl who’d taken his hand stepped forward, her arms held behind her back. She bit her lip as if trying to keep her face straight, but the corners turned up until she was forced to smile brightly.
“Say it, Kyra,” one of the boys urged.
Her face turned pensive and her eyes began to tear as if something greatly distressed her. A pain coiled in his stomach. Why was Ariel forcing this poor, frightened child to confronthim,a man who obviously terrified her?
“I don’t remember what I’m supposed to say,” she whimpered.
Valteri stared at her in disbelief. Could it be she truly wasn’t scared of him?
The boy rolled his eyes and huffed. “The dance, silly!”
She looked back at the boy, her tears vanishing. She wiped the tip of her nose with the back of her hand, then smiled again. “Oh, that’s right!” She raised herself up on her tiptoes, her smile returning. “We wanted to thank milord for joining us. And we… we…”
“Would like him to join us again,” the boy supplied for her in a highly vexed voice.
She nodded her head. “That’s it! We want milord to join us again.” Her chest swelling in obvious pride, she ran back to the boy, and Valteri noted the flower garland she clutched behind her back.
“Kyra! You forgot something.” The boy pushed her back toward him.
Her mouth formed a small O. Turning around, she ran back to him, holding the garland in front of her. “We made this for you, milord, so you’ll have one like us the next time you dance.” She handed him the garland.
Valteri took it, his hand trembling slightly from the weight of some emotion he couldn’t name. The carefully plucked flowers and greenery chafed the calluses on his palm, and soothed the calluses of his heart.
Nothing had ever touched him so deeply. The thought and time they’d spent on the gift, a gift designed solely for him, made the garland the most precious item he’d ever owned.
The little girl leaned forward, cupped one hand beside her mouth, and whispered in a loud voice, “Creswyn said he wouldn’t be afraid of you next time. He said if I—”
“Kyra!” the boy barked. “’Tis late, we must get home.”
“All right,” she said with a huff. Facing Valteri once more, she tugged on his tunic until he bent down to her level. To Valteri’s utter astonishment, she gave him a light kiss on his cheek.
In spite of everything he’d ever learned, ever been taught, Valteri smiled, his throat far too tight for him to speak. Never in his life had he thought a child would dare come near him, let alone touch him. And here on this day, this one brave child had twice reached out.
He swallowed against the painful lump in his throat, and tried to squelch the hope that flared inside him.
Nay, he knew better than to trust others to follow the child’s example. He’d learned long ago not to trust in such things.
With a cry of outrage, her brother rushed forward and took her by the arm. Instead of the usual caustic comments, her brother shook his head. “Kyra, you’re not supposed to kiss a lord!”
Valteri cleared his throat and ruffled her hair. “’Tis fine. I take no offense.”
Creswyn looked up at him, his youthful eyes relieved. “Thank you, milord. She’s a wayward child. I know not what we shall do with her.” His wistful voice was far too old for his years. A tone he must have heard countless times from his parents.
Valteri plucked a flower from his garland and handed it to Kyra. “Treasure her. Always.”
