“Caitlin,” I begin, my eyes roaming out the window to where my guard stands watch outside. We’re safe here. Still, I won’t settle until she’s got my ring on her finger.
“Yes?”
I place my knuckle under her chin to bring her eyes to me. “The last time we were together, you were still angry.” I pause. “I punished you.”
She nods. “I’ve forgiven you,” she says simply. “I wasn’t very happy with you.”
“You had reason,” I tell her with a nod. “And I’ll tell you once more, that I’m sorry. I should’ve told you that you weren’t my prisoner and given you the choice.”
She worries her lip, but still looks in my eyes. “If you… if you had it to do over, Keenan,” she says. “Would you do anything differently?”
I think about it for a moment before answering. “I told you I wouldn’t lie, lass. So I’ll have to be honest.”
“Please.”
“No.”
Her musical, ringing laughter takes me by surprise. She takes my fingers from her chin and brings them to her lip, kissing them.
“I’m going to make a bold declaration, Keenan McCarthy,” she says. It’s the first time she’s ever said my full name and God, but I like it.
“Aye?”
“I love you. I love your fierce loyalty and honesty. I love your determination and spirit. And I… I love how you love me. I don’t understand so much, and I know that. I vow that I’m going to do my very best to ensure I learn everything I can. My very best. And I know that love can still grow, and that what I feel now is only… what did we say before… the very seed of love.”
I nod, pulling her to my chest. “Sometimes, sweet Caitlin, circumstances change. People do, too. A month ago, I didn’t know you existed, and now…” his voice trails off, and he weaves his fingers through my hair, playing with a stray strand. “Now I can’t imagine not having you with me. For I love you, too, my sweet fae.”
I know in my heart that this gentler side of him… this fierce, protective side of him that calls me his sweet fae, that holds me to his chest, that promises to slay my dragons and take the very best care of me that a man could… is only for my eyes. No one else sees the fullness of Keenan McCarthy. No one else knows his heart.
“So tell me, Caitlin,” he asks, reaching for my hand. “Up with you a moment, will you?”
I stand in confusion, not sure why he’s gently pushing me off his lap. But when he drops to one knee, I stare in disbelief. He’s ordered me to marry him. He told me I had no choice. Is he… is he doing what I think he is?
Taking my hand, he looks straight into my eyes. He works his jaw and I watch his Adam’s apple bob up and down as he swallows hard. My fierce warrior is overcome with emotion. I swallow hard, my own emotions mirroring his.
“Sweet Cait, will you have me? I’ve no ring, but I promise you I’ll remedy that.”
“You’re giving me a choice?”
His eyes darken, but there’s a twinkle in them. “Aye,” he says. “A choice, but if you don’t say yes…”
I laugh out loud. He doesn’t need to complete the threat. “Yes,” I say. “I’ll marry you. In fact, why don’t we go ahead and make that happen tomorrow?”
He kisses the back of my hand and gets to his feet.
“An excellent plan,” he says, as if he only just thought it. “One I can absolutely get behind.”
And then he’s stripping my clothes and his and leading me to the bathroom. His mouth is on mine, and his firm hand at the small of my back.
“Please, be careful,” I whisper. “I don’t want you injured anymore.”
“I’ll be careful,” he says. “So careful.”
He turns the stream of water on, and billows of steam quickly fill the room.
“No washing my hair!” I tell him, with a laugh.
“Why not?”
“It’s too thick,” I tell him. “It won’t dry until after the wedding. I’ll braid it.”
“They have things to speed that up, you know,” he says. “Though dammit if I can’t remember what they’re called.”
I laugh, and he spins me around, gathering my hair up. I close my eyes at the feel of him plaiting my hair for me.
“Where’d you learn that trick?” I ask him.
“I’ve many tricks,” he says, with mock offense. “You’ve only seen a few.”
“I’m eager to see the rest,” I say with a coy smile.
“You shall.” He kisses the back of my head and leads me into the shower. We lather each other up, and he takes his time massaging the fullness of my breasts, the swell of my backside, between my thighs. I lather him up as well, careful not to touch his ribs, all wrapped in waterproof bandages.