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She tightened her arms across her bosom. “I must know, Dominic. To be absolutely certain. You have not come… been sent by…” Her breath shuddered between her lips. “You were not—”
“No one sent me to find you, or take you from here by force, if that is what you ask.”
The faintest gleam of hope lit her eyes. “That is… the truth?”
Annoyance pricked him like a rose’s thorns. Her distrust hurt him more deeply than he’d ever anticipated, especially after relinquishing his necklace. However, it seemed she had reason to be afraid, to doubt even him, when long ago, she’d trusted him, as no other man before, with the reward of her body’s sweetness.
What had happened to her? What—or who—had changed his laughing, vibrant Gisela into a frightened, suspicious woman who preferred shadow to sunlight?
He would find out.
Forcing his lips into a smile, he said, “Of course, ’tis the truth. What reason would I have to speak falsely to you?”
Hope shone more brightly now in her gaze. “Promise me, Dominic.”
The words reverberated in his thoughts. A memory revived, of her sitting surrounded by meadow flowers, her fetching smile tinged with sadness. Promise me, Dominic, she’d said. Promise you will keep my memory in your soul, no matter what befalls you. I shall do the same, my love, for I shall never forget you.
His eyes burned. ’Twas tougher this time to smile. His hand closed tighter around the salve pot, warmed by his palm. He managed to say, “I promise. I am no fire-breathing dragon, Gisela, come to destroy you. I am but a flesh-and-blood man.” And one who has missed you very, very much.
Her gaze softened. A puff of breath escaped her, before she blinked hard. Moisture glistened along her bottom lashes. “Thank God.”
“Gisela—”
A sob broke from her. She closed the space between them, her hands fisting and uncurling as she walked. He ached to reach out and take her in his arms. To kiss her hair’s silken softness. To hold her close and whisper that she never had to fear dragons ever again, for he would slay them with pebbles and straw if need be.
Would she let him embrace her? Mayhap she would think him too bold.
She probably belonged to another man, now.
Ah, what a painful thought!
Gisela hesitated before him. Her scent, perfumed with ambrosial memories of that summer meadow, teased him. Part of him begged to step away, to put distance between them and remove the temptation to touch her.
He could not. Like long ago, he was…
Captivated.
She tipped up her chin. Her hair slipped down off her shoulders in a golden ripple. Her moist gaze, haunted with a maelstrom of emotions, skimmed his face. Slowly. Carefully. As though comparing the man she remembered to the one who stood before her now.
Her breath rasped between her lips. Not quite a sob, but not a controlled exhalation, either. Anticipation hovered in each shuddered breath.
He was so entranced by the scent and sound of her, he didn’t expect her touch. Light as a daisy petal, her fingers brushed his jaw. A tentative, almost disbelieving exploration.
“Oh, Dominic,” she whispered, tears streaming down her face. “I still cannot believe you are here.”
“But, I am.” Ignoring the pain when he moved, he caught her hand. He pressed her palm to his skin, trapping his bruise beneath their joined hands.
She sniffled. “How—”
“I will tell you all,” he promised. “Whatever you wish to know.” Lifting her fingers away from his cheek, cradling them in his own, he kissed her palm. “’Tis good to see you, Gisela.”
“And you,” she said softly, her gaze fixed to her palm, as though she saw his kiss there, shimmering like a precious jewel.
Without looking away, he dropped the salve pot into the straw by his boots. Reaching up, he caught a stray lock of her hair, wondrously silken, as he remembered. A groan rumbled in his throat. She quivered, but didn’t pull away.
Touch her, his mind whispered. Kiss her, like before.
Just when he thought to slide his arm around her waist to draw her close, he heard men talking in the tavern yard. Gisela started. Whirling away, she yanked her hood back over her head. As tense as a cornered doe, she faced the stable doorway.
