Nan calls out, “I’ll make you a cuppa!”
Hot tea soundsamazingright now.
Mum gets the bath running and leaves us to our own devices.
“Foot,” Gunnar says, kneeling before me.
“Not really my fetish, but okay.”
I’m reminded he doesn’t know what that is when he doesn’t crack a smile at my joke. Too bad. I thought it was funny. I prop my foot in his palm and let him tug off my boots and remove my wet socks. His hands are unsteady, his lips set in a thin line as he undresses me. When he reaches my belt, he pauses, exhales.
“Don’t leave the bath until you’re completely warm,” he says.
I huff a laugh, unable to help myself. “I took plenty of baths before you came along, you know.” His concern for me is sweet, but I feel awful for worrying him. I take his hand and squeeze it. “Thank you.”
His lips twitch in an attempt at a smile that doesn’t quite touch his eyes. Gunnar pulls his hand away and clears his throat. He turns and grabs the doorknob but doesn’t move for a moment. “I was thinking… we should have the ceremony as soon as possible.”
I smile. “Why? Worried I’ll die before I can make good on my promise?”
Gunnar leaves the bathroom without answering me.
Chapter 9
Gunnar
After I return home,I cannot stop thinking about the moment Arlo jumped from the boat. He’d sunk beyond my reach, fingertips flexing above the surface for something to grab onto before even those had disappeared, too.
He could have drowned. He would have, if I hadn’t leaped in after him. My heart hasn’t raced so fast in years. Not since the night I lost Leif. This isn’t good. I promised myself I’d never let myself feel the pain of losing someone I loved again.
I can’t fall for Arlo. The sooner this bloody deal between us is done, the better. I can move on, keep my sanity, and remain faithful to Leif.
What did Arlo say he needs? A flower? I smelled flowers the first day I visited their home, but the scent was especially strong near the greenhouse. If the flower is somewhere in there, I could simply take it.
A spasm of shame racks my stomach. My father did not raise me to be such a coward. Thievery is for the weak—but I am weak, weak with fear that I’ll come to care for Arlo and break my promise to Leif, or know the pain of losing Arlo.
So, in the early hours of the morning, I leave the village and return to Arlo’s time. I’d noticed yesterday that the wards had changed, allowing me to enter with Arlo. Whether his coven altered the wards to let me inside or I was only allowed in because Arlo was with me, I’ll have to see for myself.
I approach from the woods as the sun rises at my back, sunlight glittering on freshly fallen snow. The wards become more visible the closer I get, shimmering like mist. I stick out my foot and give the wards a gentle kick, scowling when my foot bounces off them.
Arlo’s coven still doesn’t trust me enough to let me onto the grounds without him present. Yet another reason to end this as soon as possible. How could we ever be together if his family and friends dislike me?
“Gunnar, is that you?” Arlo’s grandmother strides along the path to my left, hands clasped behind her back. Suspicion lines her brow.
My heart sinks into my stomach. “A-aye. I was just… I wanted to see Arlo. I couldn’t sleep. Kept thinking about what happened yesterday.”
Patricia’s expression softens, lips curving into a smile. “Arlo’s fine. Thank you for helping him yesterday. I’m always telling that boy to put heat charms in his coats.” She sighs, shaking her head with a fond smile. “He would have warmed up much faster.”
“He could do that?”
“Oh yes. He always refuses. There’s a slight risk of the spell going awry and setting the material on fire.”
My eyes damn near roll into the back of my head. “Gods forbid his fancy coats get singed.”
Patricia laughs. “As if he doesn’t have a closet full of them!”
It’s so very Arlo, I can’t help chuckling.
“He’s asleep now but he usually gets up quite early to go jogging. Would you like to come in?”
