His kind were cursed by the gods. They weren’t supposed to fall in love and…
Repair roofs.
He was a warrior, not a farmer. Yet this little farm brought him more happiness than he’d ever known existed. How could he walk away from that?
From her?
A motion below caught his eye. Lil was walking to the well to draw more water. The sight of her in that pale green gown made his heart quicken. She was the most beautiful creature in all existence.
Marry her.
Ophelos cleared his throat. “You know Pholos?”
“The shriveling pathetic wastrel from the village? I’ve seen him from time to time.”
“He’s asked me for Lilli’s hand.”
Malphas froze as that familiar rage took root in his soul. He could feel the heat of it invading his eyes.
Ophelos scrambled back. “I didn’t tell him he could.”
“Good.” Malphas heard the deepening of his voice that never boded well for others.
“I didn’t want to upset you, Caleb. I only wanted to let you know that because you have taken a notice of her, others have, too.”
And they could kiss his?—
“Caleb?” Lilliana’s voice cut through his thoughts as if she knew what he was thinking.
“Aye, love?” he called down to her.
She blew him a kiss. “Wanted you to know that I’m missing you.”
That gesture…
There were no words for what it did to him. What it made him feel. But then that was the true beauty of her. She could leave him weak with nothing more than a glance. Good thing no one else could render him so helpless so effortlessly.
Ophelos nudged his arm. “You have the same look on your face that I wore every time I saw her mother. As much as it grieves me to think of me daughter with a man, I’d rather she be with one who’ll treasure her than one who seeks only to have a servant to keep his house and bear his children. She deserves someone who knows how special she is.”
And that she was. Malphas couldn’t deny it.
Without saying a word, he left the roof to go after her.
She was in the cottage, pouring water into the cistern. He swept up behind her so that he could pull her against his chest.
“That better be Caleb behind me.”
He smiled at her indignant tone. “Aye. Anyone else would be gutted on the floor.”
Laughing, she reached up to cup his face while he nuzzled against her neck. “You best be careful. My father is surely not far behind you.”
“No doubt, but I think he’ll give us a few more moments.”
“What makes you think that?”
Malphas moved around so that he could stand in front of her. “Because I’m here to ask you to marry me.”
Lilliana stared at him, unsure if she’d heard those words correctly. “Pardon?”
